JP4256081B2 - Digital still camera with reserve recording capacity - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital still camera that images a subject and records and reproduces image data on a removable recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Existing digital still cameras allow recording of as many images or other data as possible on recording media and recording devices. That is, the user performs photographing with the digital still camera until there is no unused area on the recording medium.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-150738, a failure that an image can be reproduced from a recording medium by an arbitrary reproducing device even if the electronic camera (digital still camera) is different, and recording cannot be performed due to insufficient recording medium capacity. An electronic camera that can prevent the above is disclosed. In this publication, when the number of unused blocks in the memory card is insufficient, the image data is kept stored in the buffer memory of the camera, and the next imaging is prohibited unless a new memory card is inserted. Also in this publication, images are recorded on the recording medium until the capacity of the unused area is equal to or less than one still image.
[0004]
In recent years, not only recording captured image data on recording media and recording devices, but also processing and recording recorded images or other data, recording print information files set by users, etc. , Secondary usage is increasing. This print information file refers to how many copies of each image are printed, what size to print, etc. when taking recorded recording media to a dealer and printing the recorded images. This is a file in which information is recorded, and printing is performed by a printing machine based on this print information file.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When recording of images or other data that can be recorded on recording media and recording devices is allowed as in the past, it is desirable to use functions such as data processing and print information file creation described above. However, there is a possibility that the capacity for appending such data cannot be secured and the situation becomes unusable. In such a case, conventionally, the number of printed sheets or the size of each image is orally communicated to a staff of a dealer, or the image data recorded on the recording medium is deleted to create a print information file.
[0006]
Further, in a recording medium such as a CD-R that can only be additionally written, and a recording device, recording capacity is consumed because recording by overwriting is impossible even in actions such as renaming, deleting, and moving a file. If there is no leftover, these actions may not be possible.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital still camera that can take a picture using the entire storage capacity of a recording medium and avoid problems that make it impossible to make subsequent settings for recorded data.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the digital still camera of the present invention estimates the preliminary recording capacity assumed to be used by the user for secondary use in advance, and if the remaining recording capacity becomes less than that, Limit the specified recording operations such as recording and recording. In addition, the preliminary recording capacity assumed to be used by the user for secondary use is estimated in advance, and based on the capacity obtained by subtracting that capacity from the total recording capacity, the number of storable images and the recording time are calculated and displayed on the display unit. indicate.
[0009]
Furthermore, the digital still camera of the present invention comprises means for setting a preliminary recording capacity by the user himself / herself in accordance with the usage form. When the recording capacity falls below the reserve capacity reserved in advance by the user, the prescribed recording operation such as shooting and recording is restricted. Further, based on the capacity obtained by subtracting the reserved capacity reserved in advance by the user from the total recording capacity, the number of images that can be shot, the recording time, and the like are calculated and displayed on the display unit.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital still camera to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a viewfinder, 2 is an LCD monitor for displaying an image, 3 is a remaining amount display LCD for displaying the remaining capacity of the recording medium, 4 is a shutter button, 5 is a mode dial for selecting a shooting mode, 6 is a media slot, 7 is a recording medium, and 8 is a card cover.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the digital still camera of FIG.
[0013]
First, the processing operation of each block at the time of photographing is shown below. The CPU 20 monitors the shutter button 4 of the operation unit 21 and starts a photographing operation when the shutter button 4 is pressed. The operation unit 21 includes a shutter button 4, a mode dial 5, various setting buttons 9, and the like.
[0014]
The image incident on the lens 11 is formed on the CCD 12 and subjected to photoelectric conversion. The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 12 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 13. The digitized CCD data is subjected to signal processing by the CCD signal processing unit 14 and converted into image luminance and color difference signals, and the data is written into the work memory 16 by the memory controller 15.
[0015]
The image display processing unit 17 reads the captured image data through the memory controller 15 and displays an image on the image display device 2. The captured image data is compressed by the image compression / decompression processing unit 19, and the compressed data is written into the work memory 16 through the memory controller 15. The CPU 20 writes the compressed data to the recording medium 7 through the media interface 22.
[0016]
Next, the processing operation of each block during reproduction will be described. The CPU 20 reads the compressed image data recorded on the recording medium 7 through the media interface 22 and writes it into the work memory 16 through the memory controller 15.
[0017]
The compressed image data written in the work memory 16 is sent to the image compression / expansion processing unit 19 through the memory controller 15 and decompressed, and restored as image data of luminance and color difference.
[0018]
The restored luminance and color difference data is written into the work memory 16 through the memory controller 15. The image display processing unit 17 reads the restored image data through the memory controller 15 and displays an image on the image display device 2.
[0019]
Next, setting of the preliminary recording capacity of the digital still camera according to the present invention will be described. In the present invention, a considerable amount of remaining capacity is secured as a spare recording capacity in anticipation of the capacity of information recorded after the print setting file or the like. A conceptual diagram of the memory map is shown in FIG. FIG. 3A shows an example of using a conventional recording medium, and FIG. 3B shows an example of using a recording medium according to the present invention. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 3A, recording of images or other data as much as possible on the recording medium is allowed. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3B, when a part of the recording area of the recording medium is reserved as a preliminary recording area and the remaining recordable capacity of the recording medium approaches the preliminary recording area capacity, Limit data recording. This preliminary recording capacity is ensured according to the total recording capacity of the recording medium or by user settings.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the remaining shootable capacity is calculated based on the prescribed preliminary recording capacity, and shooting is permitted or prohibited according to the remaining shootable capacity.
[0021]
First, the CPU 20 acquires information including the total recording capacity Mt and used capacity Mu of the recording medium 7 (memory card that can be repeatedly recorded and reproduced in this embodiment) via the media interface 22 (step S1). In step S2, the CPU 20 calculates the remaining capacity Mr of the recording medium as “Mt−Mu”.
[0022]
Next, the CPU 20 calculates a prescribed preliminary recording capacity Ma1 from the total recording capacity Mt of the recording medium 7 (step S3). The preliminary recording capacity Ma1 is calculated as, for example, 5% of the total recording capacity Mt. That is, when the total recording capacity Mt of the medium 7 is 128 Mbytes, the preliminary recording capacity Ma1 is 6.4 Mbytes.
[0023]
In step S4, the CPU 20 calculates a shootable remaining capacity Mp1. This shootable remaining amount Mp1 is calculated as “Remaining capacity of recording medium Mr−Preliminary recording capacity Ma1”. In step S <b> 5, the CPU 20 determines whether the remaining shootable capacity Mp <b> 1 is larger than the shooting data prescribed capacity Md. This imaging data prescribed capacity Md corresponds to the data amount of one still image and is, for example, 100 Kbytes.
[0024]
When the shootable remaining capacity Mp1 is larger than the photographic data prescribed capacity Md (in the case of YES at step S5), the CPU 20 calculates the shootable number Np1, displays the shootable number Np1 on the remaining amount display LCD 3, and picks up an image. Is permitted (step S6). As shown in step S6, this number of shootable images Np1 is “shootable remaining capacity Mp1 ÷ shooting data prescribed capacity Md.
[0025]
When the shootable remaining capacity Mp is equal to or less than the photographic data prescribed capacity Md (NO in step S5), the CPU 20 displays “0” on the remaining amount display LCD 3 and prohibits a recording operation such as shooting or recording (step). S7).
[0026]
As described above, according to the present invention, when a user uses an image or other data secondarily, even if additional data is required, the possibility that the user cannot use the data due to insufficient recording capacity is reduced. Further, the user can take a picture without being aware of the remaining recording capacity for secondary use of images or other data.
[0027]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the preliminary recording capacity is calculated based on the number of images recorded on the recording medium 7 (the number of still images) and the number of images that can be recorded. The remaining shootable capacity is calculated from the preliminary recording capacity, and shooting is permitted or prohibited according to the remaining shootable capacity.
[0028]
First, as in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 20 acquires information including the total recording capacity Mt and the used capacity Mu of the recording medium 7 via the media interface 22 (step S11). In step S12, the CPU 20 calculates the remaining capacity Mr of the recording medium as “Mt−Mu”. Further, in step S13, the CPU 20 calculates the maximum number of images (number of still images) Nc that can be recorded in the remaining capacity Mr. This maximum number of images Nc is calculated by dividing the remaining capacity Mr by the imaging data prescribed capacity Md (Mr / Md). This imaging data prescribed capacity Md corresponds to the amount of data for one still image as described above.
[0029]
In step S <b> 14, the CPU 20 acquires the number of images already recorded on the recording medium 7. The number of recorded images is stored in a specific file set in the recording medium 7.
[0030]
In step S15, the CPU 20 calculates the preliminary recording capacity Ma2 from the maximum number of recorded images Nmax (Nmax = Nu + Nc) of the recording medium 7. The preliminary recording capacity Ma2 is calculated as, for example, 5% of a value obtained by multiplying the maximum number of recorded images Nmax by the above-described imaging data defining capacity Md. That is, the preliminary recording capacity Ma2 is calculated as “Nmax * Md * 0.05”.
[0031]
In step S16, the CPU 20 calculates a shootable remaining capacity Mp2. This shootable remaining amount Mp2 is calculated as “remaining capacity of recording medium Mr−preliminary recording capacity Ma2.” In step S <b> 17, the CPU 20 determines whether the remaining shootable capacity Mp <b> 2 is larger than the shooting data prescribed capacity Md.
[0032]
When the shootable remaining capacity Mp2 is larger than the photographic data prescribed capacity Md (in the case of YES at step S17), the CPU 20 calculates the shootable number Np2, displays the shootable number Np2 on the remaining amount display LCD 3, and takes an image. Allow (step S18). As shown in step S18, the number of shootable images Np2 is “remaining shootable capacity Mp2 ÷ shooting data prescribed capacity Md.
[0033]
When the shootable remaining capacity Mp2 is equal to or less than the photographic data regulation capacity Md (NO in step S17), the CPU 20 displays “0” on the remaining amount display LCD 3 and prohibits shooting (step S19).
[0034]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the maximum capacity that can be set as a print information file or the like after an image is recorded on the recording medium 7 is used as a preliminary recording capacity. However, some users require little or no secondary usage. If not, it can be considered. Therefore, in this embodiment, the remaining shootable capacity is calculated based on the preliminary recording capacity arbitrarily set by the user, and shooting is permitted or prohibited according to the remaining shootable capacity.
[0035]
First, as in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 20 acquires information including the total recording capacity Mt and the used capacity Mu of the recording medium 7 via the media interface 22 (step S31). In step S2, the CPU 20 calculates the remaining capacity Mr of the recording medium as “Mt−Mu” (step S32).
[0036]
Next, the CPU 20 calculates the preliminary recording capacity Ma3 according to the user's designation (step S33). FIG. 7 shows a screen displayed on the image display LCD 2 when the user designates the preliminary recording capacity Ma3. In this example, the total media capacity Mt is 100 Mbytes and the remaining media capacity Mr is 30 Mbytes, and the user sets 5% of the total media capacity Mt as the reserved capacity. As a result, the CPU 20 calculates the spare recording capacity Ma3 as 5 Mbytes, and displays 5 Mbytes as the reserved capacity as shown in FIG.
[0037]
In step S34, the CPU 20 calculates a remaining imageable capacity Mp3. This shootable remaining amount Mp3 is calculated as “recording medium remaining capacity Mr−preliminary recording capacity Ma3”. In step S <b> 35, the CPU 20 determines whether the remaining shootable capacity Mp <b> 3 is larger than the shooting data prescribed capacity Md. This imaging data prescribed capacity Md corresponds to the amount of data for one still image as described above.
[0038]
When the shootable remaining capacity Mp3 is larger than the photographic data regulation capacity Md (YES in step S35), the CPU 20 calculates the shootable number Np3, displays the shootable number Np3 on the remaining amount display LCD 3, and captures an image. Is permitted (step S36). As shown in step S36, the number of shootable images Np3 is “remaining shootable capacity Mp3 ÷ shooting data prescribed capacity Md.
[0039]
When the remaining shootable capacity Mp3 is equal to or less than the stipulated data capacity Md (NO in step S35), the CPU 20 displays “0” on the remaining amount display LCD 3 and prohibits shooting (step S37).
[0040]
In the above embodiment, the case where a memory card capable of repeated recording and reproduction is used as the recording medium is described, but even a recording medium such as a CD-R that can only be additionally recorded can be recorded depending on the total capacity of the recording medium. The maximum number of images can be calculated. From the calculated maximum number of images, for example, a maximum capacity of data that can be additionally recorded in secondary use of a print information file or the like is calculated.
[0041]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a case where the small optical disk 10 that can be additionally written is applied to the digital still camera of the present invention. As such a small optical disc 10, a disc capable of recording 250 Mbytes on one side and 500 Mbytes on both sides has been proposed. The capacity of 250 Mbytes is a capacity corresponding to 1000 still images, although it depends on the compression rate. With such a large storage capacity, a print information file is created many times before the storage area of the disk is used up, and the capacity used for image file manipulation or processing is far greater than that of conventional memory cards. Expected to grow.
[0042]
In such a recording medium that can only be additionally written, a write-once capacity for updating such information is also required for file operations and data correction. For example, if you create a print information file, print an image recorded on a recording medium, and then create a print file again by shooting, you can delete the previously created file, but you created it before The file cannot be overwritten with a new print file. Therefore, in such a case, the capacity of the recording medium decreases every time a print file is created. This is not the case with recording media that can be repeatedly recorded. Therefore, in the case of a recording medium in which only additional recording is possible, the capacity for which the usage form and the number of times of use of the user are estimated is set as the spare recording capacity. That is, a recording medium that can be additionally recorded has a larger preliminary recording capacity per unit recording capacity than a recording medium that can be repeatedly recorded.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even if the user needs to add data when the image or other data is used secondarily, such use is impossible due to insufficient recording capacity. Can be avoided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital still camera to which the present invention is applied.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the digital still camera of FIG. 1. FIG.
3A is a conventional recording medium, and FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram of a memory map of the recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the image display LCD when a user designates a preliminary recording capacity.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a case where a small optical disc that can be additionally written is applied to the digital still camera of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Finder, 2 ... Image display LCD, 3 ... Remaining amount display LCD, 4 ... Shutter button, 5 ... Mode dial, 6 ... Media slot, 7 ... Recording medium, 8 ... Card cover, 9 ... Various setting buttons, 10 ... Small optical disc.

Claims (6)

A digital still camera for photographing a subject and recording an image of the subject on a recording medium,
Obtaining means for obtaining the total recording capacity and used capacity of the recording medium;
First calculation means for subtracting the used capacity from the total recording capacity acquired by the acquisition means to calculate a remaining capacity of the recording medium;
Second calculating means for calculating a preliminary recording capacity according to the total recording capacity of the recording medium;
Third calculation means for subtracting the preliminary recording capacity calculated by the second calculation means from the remaining capacity calculated by the first calculation means to calculate a shootable remaining capacity;
Determining means for determining whether or not the shootable remaining capacity calculated by the third calculating means is larger than a shooting data prescribed capacity;
When the determination means determines that the remaining shootable capacity is smaller than the shooting data prescribed capacity, a prohibiting means for prohibiting shooting is provided,
The digital still camera, wherein the preliminary recording capacity is used for recording information relating to printing of an image recorded on the recording medium. A digital still camera for photographing a subject and recording an image of the subject on a recording medium,
Obtaining means for obtaining the total recording capacity, used capacity, and number of recorded images of the recording medium from the recording medium;
First calculation means for subtracting the used capacity from the total recording capacity acquired by the acquisition means to calculate a remaining capacity of the recording medium;
Second calculation means for calculating the number of images recordable in the remaining capacity calculated by the first calculation means;
Depending on the maximum number of recorded images of the recording medium obtained by adding the number of recorded images acquired by the acquiring unit and the number of recordable images calculated by the second calculating unit, a preliminary recording capacity A third calculating means for calculating
Fourth calculation means for subtracting the preliminary recording capacity calculated by the third calculation means from the remaining capacity calculated by the first calculation means to calculate a shootable remaining capacity;
Determination means for determining whether or not the shootable remaining capacity calculated by the fourth calculation means is larger than a shooting data prescribed capacity;
When the determination means determines that the remaining shootable capacity is smaller than the shooting data prescribed capacity, a prohibiting means for prohibiting shooting is provided,
The digital still camera, wherein the preliminary recording capacity is used for recording information relating to printing of an image recorded on the recording medium. Setting means for setting a second preliminary recording capacity in response to user input;
And a calculation means for subtracting the second preliminary recording capacity set by the setting means from the remaining capacity calculated by the first calculation means to calculate a second shootable remaining capacity. ,
The determining means includes means for determining whether the second remaining shootable capacity calculated by the calculating means is larger than the shooting data prescribed capacity, and the prohibiting means is configured to determine whether the second means 3. The digital still camera according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting photographing when it is determined that the remaining capacity that can be photographed is smaller than the prescribed capacity for photographing data. A recording remaining amount management method in a digital still camera for photographing a subject and recording an image of the subject on a recording medium,
Obtain the total recording capacity and used capacity of the recording medium,
Subtract the used capacity from the total recording capacity, calculate the remaining capacity of the recording medium,
Calculate the preliminary recording capacity according to the total recording capacity of the recording medium,
Subtract the preliminary recording capacity from the remaining capacity to calculate the remaining shootable capacity,
Determining whether or not the remaining shootable capacity is larger than the stipulated data capacity;
If the remaining shootable capacity is smaller than the shooting data prescribed capacity, the step of prohibiting shooting,
The recording remaining amount management method, wherein the preliminary recording capacity is used for recording information relating to printing of an image recorded on the recording medium. A recording remaining amount management method in a digital still camera for photographing a subject and recording an image of the subject on a recording medium,
Obtaining the total recording capacity, used capacity, and number of recorded images of the recording medium from the recording medium;
Subtract the used capacity from the total recording capacity, calculate the remaining capacity of the recording medium,
Calculate the number of images that can be recorded in the remaining capacity,
A preliminary recording capacity is calculated according to the maximum number of recorded images of the recording medium obtained by adding the number of recorded images and the number of recordable images,
Subtract the preliminary recording capacity from the remaining capacity to calculate the remaining shootable capacity,
Determining whether or not the remaining shootable capacity is larger than the stipulated data capacity;
If the remaining shootable capacity is smaller than the shooting data prescribed capacity, the step of prohibiting shooting,
The recording remaining amount management method, wherein the preliminary recording capacity is used for recording information relating to printing of an image recorded on the recording medium. Set the second reserve recording capacity according to user input,
Subtracting the second preliminary recording capacity from the remaining capacity to calculate a second shootable remaining capacity;
Determining whether the second imageable remaining capacity is greater than the imaging data prescribed capacity;
6. The recording remaining amount management method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of prohibiting shooting when the second remaining shootable capacity is smaller than the shooting data prescribed capacity.

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