JP4261991B2 - IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR STORING IMAGE DATA IN IMAGING DEVICE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, a method for storing image data in the image pickup apparatus, and a storage medium, and more particularly to a procedure for storing image data in a file system in the image pickup apparatus and protection of the file system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
After the digitalized image signal is digitally processed and converted into image data of a desired format, the image data is temporarily stored in the first storage means, and then the image data is finally processed. 2. Description of the Related Art An image pickup apparatus is known that is stored in a removable second storage means (hereinafter referred to as a storage medium) that is stored in the storage device.
[0003]
In the imaging apparatus configured as described above, the removable storage medium is divided into a first area and a second area, and the first area may be used as a management area for managing image data files. It is done. The second area is used as a data area (cluster area) for storing the image data body of the image data file, and the file management area and the data area constitute a file system.
[0004]
Image data obtained by shooting is temporarily stored in the main memory. The image data temporarily stored in the main memory is stored in a storage medium as an image file format asynchronously with the photographing operation.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The size of the image data in the imaging device tends to increase as the number of pixels of the imaging device increases. In addition, a large amount of image data is temporarily stored in the main memory and is sequentially written to the storage medium by improving the speed shooting performance of the imaging apparatus and shortening the shooting interval.
[0006]
In general, the writing speed to the storage medium is not in time for the shooting operation due to the improvement of the rapid shooting performance and the shortening of the shooting interval. Even when a storage medium with a low writing speed is used, unwritten image data remaining in the main memory is written to the storage medium for a few seconds after shooting.
[0007]
As a user of the imaging apparatus, there is a possibility of removing the storage medium from the imaging apparatus or disconnecting the power supply, assuming that the image data has been written to the file when shooting is completed.
[0008]
However, in the conventional image file writing, the image file management information is written after the completion of shooting until the file writing of the image data stored in the main memory is completed. There is a high possibility that the file system on the storage medium is destroyed by accidentally removing the storage medium or removing the battery while writing the management information.
[0009]
As described above, when the file system is destroyed, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to access previously captured image data. If the storage medium is removed after the completion of shooting and before the predetermined timing, the file system may be destroyed.
[0010]
In addition, since the remaining capacity of the power supply is small, all the image data cannot be written to the storage medium, and the power is turned off while the management information of the image file is being written. It was.
[0011]
Conventionally, methods for calling attention to the user of the image pickup apparatus or backing up unwritten image data on the main memory have been considered for such a possibility in the instruction manual.
[0012]
However, the user of the imaging apparatus sometimes accidentally removes the storage medium or unplugs the power. In addition, in order to back up the image data on the main memory, a large amount of power is consumed, so that it is not suitable for a small imaging device.
[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to improve the safety of a file system by making it possible to protect the file system as much as possible even if shooting is performed in any state.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that temporarily stores image data obtained from an image sensor, and a second removable unit that stores the image data stored in the first storage unit. In the imaging apparatus having recording means for recording as an image file in the storage means, the first storage means In Write information for writing the image data in the second storage means The Registration Registration means to The detachable second storage means is divided into a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file, and the image is stored in the second storage means. Without writing data, the first storage means Registered by the above registration means Information for writing the above image data For information only A management information writing unit for updating the management information when storing image data in the second storage unit and writing the updated management information in the file management area of the second storage unit, In response to completion of writing by the management information writing means, the image data stored in the first storage means is changed to the first storage means based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage means. And an image writing means for writing to the data area of the second storage means.
Another feature of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is that the image signal of the analog signal obtained from the imaging element is digitized and converted into a desired format to generate image data, and In an imaging apparatus having first storage means for temporarily storing image data generated by an image data generation means, and recording means for recording the image data as an image file in a detachable second storage means , The first storage means In Write information for writing the image data in the second storage means The Registration Registration means to The detachable second storage means has a file system comprising a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file. Without writing the image data to the storage means, the first storage means Registered by the above registration means Information for writing the above image data For information only A management information writing unit for updating the management information when storing image data in the second storage unit and writing the updated management information in the file management area of the second storage unit, In response to completion of writing by the management information writing means, the image data stored in the first storage means is changed to the first storage means based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage means. And an image writing means for writing to the data area of the second storage means.
Another feature of the imaging apparatus of the present invention is that the image data writing information is What is news Information capable of determining whether or not the image data writing operation has actually been performed from the first storage means to the second storage means. including It is characterized by that.
Another feature of the imaging apparatus of the present invention is that the file management area for managing the image file includes entry information for the image file as file management information for the image data, and a data body for the image file. Only the link information to the data area for storing is included.
Another feature of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is that the file management area for managing the image file includes link information to a data area for storing the data body of the image file. The data area for storing the image data body includes the entry information of the image data file and the data body of the image file, and the file information of the image data includes the entry information of the image file and the data body of the image file. The link information to the data area for storing is preferentially written.
Another feature of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is that when a plurality of image data exists in the first storage unit due to continuous shooting, the second storage unit stores the image data. On the other hand, even if there is an unwritten image data body part, when the next shooting is performed and an image file is created, writing of file management information of the newly created image data is prioritized. In addition, after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining unwritten image data main body is written.
Another feature of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is that after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining unwritten image data body portion is continuously written. To do.
[0015]
The image data storage method in the image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes a first storage unit that temporarily stores image data obtained from an image sensor, and the image data stored in the first storage unit. In the image data storage method in the imaging apparatus having recording means for recording as an image file in the detachable second storage means, the image data is written into the second storage means in the first storage means. The write information for performing the recording is registered, and the removable second storage means is divided into a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file, Without writing the image data to the second storage means, the first storage means Registered above Information for writing the above image data For information only A management information writing process for updating the management information for storing image data in the second storage means and writing the updated management information in the file management area of the second storage means, When the writing by the management information writing process is completed, the image data stored in the first storage unit is changed to the first storage unit based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage unit. And an image writing process for writing to the data area of the second storage means.
Another feature of the image data storage method in the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is that the image signal of the analog signal obtained from the image pickup device is digitized and converted into a desired format to generate image data. Data generation means, first storage means for temporarily storing the image data generated by the image data generation means, and recording means for recording the image data as an image file in a detachable second storage means In the image data storage method in the image pickup apparatus, the write information for writing the image data is registered in the second storage unit in the first storage unit, and the detachable second The storage means includes a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file. It has a file system that is, the to the second storage means without performing the writing of the image data, in the first storage means Registered above Information for writing the above image data For information only A management information writing process for updating the management information for storing image data in the second storage means and writing the updated management information in the file management area of the second storage means, When the writing by the management information writing process is completed, the image data stored in the first storage unit is changed to the first storage unit based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage unit. And an image writing process for writing to the data area of the second storage means.
Another feature of the image data storing method in the imaging apparatus of the present invention is that the image data writing information is described above. News and Is information that can be used to determine whether or not the image data has actually been written from the first storage means to the second storage means. including It is characterized by that.
Another feature of the image data storage method in the imaging apparatus of the present invention is that the file management area for managing the image file includes entry information of the image file as file management information of the image data, and Only the link information to the data area for storing the data body of the image file is included.
Another feature of the image data storage method in the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is that the file management area for managing the image file includes link information to a data area for storing the data body of the image file. A data area for storing the image data body of the image file includes entry information of the image data file and the data body of the image file, and the file data management information of the image data includes the entry information of the image file and The link information to the data area storing the data body of the image file is preferentially written.
Another feature of the image data storage method in the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is that when a plurality of image data exist in the first storage means due to continuous shooting, Even if there is an unwritten image data body portion in the second storage means, when the next shooting is performed and an image file is created, the file management information of the newly created image data Writing is prioritized, and after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining unwritten image data main body is written.
Another feature of the image data storage method in the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is that after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining unwritten image data main body portion is continuously written. It is characterized by writing.
[0016]
A storage medium of the present invention stores a program for executing the image data storage method in the imaging apparatus described above.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an imaging device, a method for storing image data in the imaging device, and a storage medium will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a general imaging apparatus, and FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of a storage medium 105 of a file system handled in the present embodiment and a file management method ( MS-DOS file system). FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a task for controlling the photographing operation. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a file writing procedure in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the file write timing in the present embodiment.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an A / D conversion unit 102 that converts an analog signal obtained from the imaging element 101 into a digital signal, and digital signal processing of the digital signal. A signal processing unit 103 for converting the image data into a desired format, a first storage unit 104 (hereinafter referred to as a main memory) for temporarily storing the image data generated by the signal processing unit, and an image A detachable second storage means 105 (hereinafter referred to as a storage medium) for finally storing data and a CPU 106 for controlling the operation of each unit are configured.
[0019]
In the imaging apparatus 100 configured as described above, the removable storage medium 100 includes a management area 210 (hereinafter referred to as a management area) for managing the image data file 111 and an image as shown in FIG. It has a file system composed of a data area 220 (hereinafter referred to as a cluster area) for storing image data bodies of data files.
[0020]
Then, the analog signal data obtained from the image pickup device 101 by photographing is digitized by the A / D converter 102 and subjected to digital signal processing. It is temporarily stored in the memory 104. The image data 110 temporarily stored in the main memory 104 is stored in the storage medium 105 as an image file format 111 asynchronously with the shooting operation.
[0021]
At this time, the writing operation of the image data file 111 to the storage medium 105 is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when a shooting operation is performed, a file writing task 600 is started, and image data is first registered (step S601).
[0022]
Next, it is determined whether or not image data is registered (step S602). If there is no registration, the process returns to step 601, and if there is, the FAT information is read from the management area 210 to the main memory (step S603), and an empty area ( Search for (free cluster area).
[0023]
Subsequently, the cluster data for storing the directory entry of the image data file is read onto the main memory (step S604), the directory entry of the image data file to be added is written, and this cluster data is written back to the original cluster (step S605). The FAT is updated and the FAT is written (step S606). (A state where a file is created on the storage medium) (Operation (1) in FIG. 8).
[0024]
Next, in order to write the data body portion of the image data on the storage medium (operation 7 in FIG. 8), an empty cluster area is searched from the FAT information read to the main memory, and an empty cluster on the corresponding storage medium is searched. The FAT information (FAT link information) on the main memory is updated (step S608) while sequentially writing the image data main body portion in the area (step S607).
[0025]
Next, it is determined whether or not the data is finished (step S609). When all the data body portions of the image data are written on the storage medium, the FAT entry (the directory entry of the image file held in the main memory ( (Link information to the first cluster) is set, the size of the image file is set (step S610), and the cluster data including this directory entry is written back to the original cluster (step S611).
[0026]
(The file has been created on the storage medium, the FAT link has been established, and the image file size has also been determined.) Finally, the updated FAT information on the main memory is written to a predetermined management area of the storage medium. By returning (step S612), the series of file writing operations is completed (operation (2) in FIG. 8).
[0027]
When the imaging device 100 continuously shoots, a plurality of image data is accumulated in the main memory (700), and when the image file is sequentially written to the storage medium as shown in timing 710, the creation of the image file, The data write and file close cycle is repeated.
[0028]
The size of image data in the imaging device tends to increase as the number of pixels of the imaging device 101 increases, and a large amount of image data can be stored in the main memory by improving the speed shooting performance of the imaging device and shortening the shooting interval. Temporarily stored (700) and sequentially written to the storage medium (710).
[0029]
In general, the writing speed to the storage medium is in a situation where it is not in time for the shooting operation due to the improvement in the speed shooting performance and the shortening of the shooting interval. For several seconds, unwritten image data remaining in the main memory is written to the storage medium.
[0030]
As a user of the imaging apparatus, there is a possibility of removing the storage medium from the imaging apparatus or disconnecting the power supply, assuming that the image data has been written to the file when shooting is completed.
[0031]
Since the image data file is sequentially written to the storage medium, the management information of the image file is written until the completion of the file writing of the image data stored in the main memory after the photographing is completed ((2) at 710 in FIG. 8). , (4), (6)).
[0032]
Therefore, there is a high possibility that the user of the imaging apparatus will destroy the file system on the storage medium by accidentally removing the storage medium or removing the battery while writing the management information of the image file. As described above, when the file system is destroyed, it becomes impossible to access previously captured image data.
[0033]
That is, if the storage medium 105 is removed after the completion of shooting and before the timing (6) in 710 of FIG. 8 (the closing of the last image data 3 file), the file system may be destroyed.
[0034]
In addition, since the remaining capacity of the power supply is small, all the image data cannot be written to the storage medium, and the power is turned off while the management information of the image file is being written. It was.
[0035]
Conventionally, methods for calling attention to the user of the imaging apparatus or backing up unwritten image data in the main memory with an instruction manual have been considered for such a possibility.
[0036]
However, the user of the imaging apparatus sometimes accidentally removes the storage medium or unplugs the power. In addition, in order to back up the image data on the main memory, a large amount of power is consumed, so that it is not suitable for a small imaging device.
[0037]
Next, a shooting task of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When a shooting operation is performed, a shooting task 300 is started, and the imaging apparatus 100 is controlled by a CPU (central processing unit) 106 to detect a shooting start switch (step S301). Next, it is determined whether or not the detected switch is valid (step S302). If it is valid, a photographing operation (step S303) is performed.
[0038]
When the photographing operation is started, an analog signal is obtained from the image sensor 101, and this signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 102 (step S304). Next, the signal data converted into the digital signal is processed by the digital signal processing means 103 (step S305), and data 110 in a desired image format is generated in the main memory 104 (step S306).
[0039]
When the image data 110 can be prepared in the main memory 104, the shooting task 300 issues image data registration (file write request) to the file write task 400 (step S307). The shooting task 300 enters a waiting state for the next shooting start switch. The shooting task 300 operates asynchronously with the file writing task 400.
[0040]
Next, the file write task 400 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The file writing task 400 waits for image data registration (file writing request) (steps S401 and S402), and the shooting task 300 performs image data registration (step S307), thereby creating a file creation operation (FIG. 6 of 510 (1)) is started.
[0041]
In the file creation operation, FAT reading is performed from the FAT area 211 of the storage medium 105 (step S403), and cluster data storing a directory entry of a newly created image file is read (step S404). A directory entry of a newly created image file is created in the read cluster data and written back to the cluster area 211 (step S405).
[0042]
At this time, if the FAT is updated, the FAT on the main memory is updated, and the updated FAT is written in the FAT area 211 of the storage medium 105 (step S406). Following the file creation operation, an image data write operation is executed.
[0043]
In the image data writing operation according to the present embodiment, data writing information is registered in the main memory 104 without actually performing cluster writing to the storage medium 105 (step S407), and the FAT on the main memory is updated (step S407). Step S408) is repeated until the image data is completed (Step S409).
[0044]
Since this operation is performed on the main memory (104), writing to the storage medium 105 is not performed at all. When the image data writing operation is completed, the FAT on the main memory (104) is equal to the final FAT data when the image data writing is completed.
[0045]
When the data writing is completed, the file closing operation (510 (2) in FIG. 6) is started. For the directory entry on the main memory (104), the top cluster information and the image file size are updated (step S410), and the cluster data including the updated directory entry on the main memory (104) is stored in the cluster area. Write back to 211 (step S411). Subsequently, the finally updated FAT data on the main memory (104) is written in the FAT area 211 of the storage medium 105 (step S412).
[0046]
In this state, the image file is completed on the file system, but the image data main body is not written in the storage medium 105. However, since there is no contradiction as the file system, even when the storage medium 105 is removed, the file system is not destroyed.
[0047]
Since the writing of the image file management area to the storage medium is completed as described above, the writing of the image data body portion to the storage medium is subsequently started. However, when there are a plurality of image data 110 on the main memory 104 (500 in FIG. 6), in order to prioritize the writing of the image file (image 2, image 3) to the storage medium 105 in the management area, the above sequence ( Steps S403 to S412) are repeated. ((3), (4), (5), (6) in 510 of FIG. 6) Writing of the file management area of the image data 110 (image 1, image 2, image 3 of 500 in FIG. 6) of the main memory 104 When is completed, writing of the image data body is started.
[0048]
Since there is no image data registration in the file writing task 400, acquisition of data writing information is executed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (step S421). If the image data body is not yet written to the storage medium 105, it is determined whether or not data writing information exists (step S422). If the information exists, actual data writing (cluster data writing) is performed. This is executed (step S423), and the data write information on the main memory is released (invalid) (step S424).
[0049]
The image data writing is repeatedly executed until all the data writing information becomes invalid. ((7), (8), (9) in 510 of FIG. 6) In a state where image data is being written ((7), (8), (9) in FIG. 6), the user of the imaging device However, if the storage medium is accidentally removed or the power supply is disconnected, the image data itself is not correct because there is unwritten data in the image data, but the file management information has the correct value. Therefore, it is not destroyed as a file system.
[0050]
In the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of image data 110 (image 1, image 2, image 3) in the main memory 104, the timing at which the file system may be destroyed is 510 from (1) to (6). The state of ▼ is shorter than that of the conventional example.
[0051]
In addition to the above timing, timing 2 (520 in FIG. 6) shows the timing when shooting is performed during the writing of the image data main body. At timing 2 (520 in FIG. 6), image 1 and image 2 already exist in the main memory 104, and the file write task 400 writes the management data of image 1 ((1) and ▲ in 520 in FIG. 6). 2), writing of management data of image 2 ((3), (4) of 520 in FIG. 6), writing of image data main body of image 1 ((7) of 520 in FIG. 6) has already been completed. .
[0052]
When a shooting operation is performed in the shooting task 300 while the image data main body of the image 2 is being written (520 in FIG. 6), a new image 3 is generated in the main memory 104 (step In step S306, data registration of the image 3 is performed in the file writing task (step S307).
[0053]
The file writing task 400 is executing the image data writing of the image 2 (step S423), but when the current cluster data writing is completed, the data writing is released (step S424) and the registration of the image data is performed (step S424). Step S401).
[0054]
At this time, since the image data registration for the image 3 has already been performed as described above, the image data registration is in a certain state (step S402). Accordingly, the file creation process {circle around (5)} for the image 3 is executed, and the process from the FAT reading (step S403) to the file closing process {circle around (6)} for the image 3 (FAT update writing (step S412)) is executed.
[0055]
When the writing of the file management area to the image 3 ((5), (6) of 520 in FIG. 6) is completed, image data registration acquisition is performed (step S401), and no new image data exists (step S402). ), The interrupted data writing process of image 2 ((8) of 520 in FIG. 6) is continued (step S421).
[0056]
The image data write information includes the remaining part of image 2 and the main part of image 3, and repeats data write information acquisition (step S421), data write execution (step S423), and data write information release (step S424).
[0057]
In the above case, when a new image is taken during the data writing of the image 2 and the image 3 is generated on the main memory 104, the data writing of the image 2 ((8) of 520 in FIG. 6) is interrupted, Since the file management information writing of image 3 ((5) and (6) in 520 in FIG. 6) is prioritized, the writing of file management information in image 3 is completed ((6) in 520 in FIG. 6). Since the file system is correct, even if the user of the imaging apparatus accidentally removes the storage medium 105 or disconnects the power in this state, the file system is not destroyed.
[0058]
[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, by assigning a part of the main memory (104) in the first embodiment described above as the third storage means that can be backed up, the image data 110 exists in the main memory 104 and corresponds to the third storage means. Guarantee by having the management information of the image file in the backup area even when the storage medium is removed or the power is disconnected while writing the management information of the image file to the storage medium It is.
[0059]
FIG. 9 shows the structure of the main memory 104 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the main memory 104 includes a backupable memory 800 and a volatile image data area 810. The backupable memory 800 is further divided into a FAT reading area 801, a directory management area 802, and write management information 803 for storage media.
[0060]
After shooting, when image data 110 is generated in the image data area 810 of the main memory 104 and image data is registered in the file writing task 400, image file creation processing is started.
[0061]
In the image file creation process, FAT reading is performed from the storage medium 105 to the FAT reading area 801 (step S403). In this state, the write management information 803 to the storage medium is in an unwritten state.
[0062]
Subsequently, the directory entry is read from the storage medium 105 to the directory management area (step S405). When writing a directory entry of a newly created file to the storage medium 105, the write management information 803 to the storage medium is in a writing state, and the FAT reading area 801 and the directory management area 802 are backed up.
[0063]
When FAT update writing (step S406) is executed and writing to the storage medium 105 is completed, the write management information 803 to the storage medium is in a backup invalid state. At the time when the writing of the directory entry to the storage medium I05 is started (step S411) during the image file closing process, the write management information 803 to the storage medium is in a writing state, and the FAT reading area 801 and the directory are written. The management area 802 is backed up.
[0064]
When the FAT update writing (step S412) is executed and the writing to the storage medium 105 is completed, the storage medium writing management information 803 is in a backup invalid state.
[0065]
When the user of the imaging apparatus accidentally removes the storage medium 105 in the state of writing a directory entry to the storage medium 105 (step S405 / step S411) or FAT update writing (step S406 / step S412) If the power source is unplugged or the like, when the computer is restarted, it is recognized that the storage medium 105 has not been replaced, and the FAT read area 801 is stored in the storage medium 105 based on the write management information 803 for the storage medium. By performing writing from and writing from the directory management area 802, it becomes possible to prevent the file system from being destroyed.
[0066]
In such a configuration, the memory 800 that can be backed up requires a smaller capacity than the image data area 810, and thus there is an advantage that less power is consumed for backup.
[0067]
(Another embodiment of the present invention)
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or an apparatus composed of one device.
[0068]
In addition, for operating various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments for an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices. Implementations by supplying software program codes and operating the various devices in accordance with programs stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0069]
In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code are stored. This storage medium constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0070]
Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions described in the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other operating system in which the program code is running on the computer. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions described in the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with application software or the like.
[0071]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code The present invention also includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image data is not written to the second storage unit, and the first storage unit stores the image data. Registered Image data writing information Informative And updating the management information when storing image data in the second storage means, and writing the updated management information in the file management area of the second storage means. Since the file management information for the recorded image is preferentially written to the storage medium, the file system management information is updated immediately after shooting regardless of the state of shooting. Even in the unlikely event that the medium is removed or the power is unplugged, the file system can be protected at least as short as possible after shooting. Thereby, it is possible to avoid as much as possible that the image data that has already been captured cannot be accessed, and the safety of the file system can be improved.
Further, without writing image data to the second storage means, the first storage means Registered Image data writing information Informative Since the management information when the image data is stored in the second storage means is updated based on the data, the data equivalent to the final FAT data (management information) is recorded before the main image data is written. I can do it. That is, it is possible to accurately determine the storage capacity for writing the main image data, and it is possible to eliminate the waste of securing a large storage capacity for writing the main image data.
[0073]
According to another feature of the present invention, when there are a plurality of image data in the first storage means, even if there is an unwritten image data body portion in the second storage means, Prioritizing the writing of file management information for newly created image data, and writing the remaining unwritten image data itself after the file management information has been written, thus ensuring the safety of the file system. It is possible to improve the writing speed of the image data main body portion.
[0074]
According to another feature of the present invention, the file management information of the image data is retained when a power failure occurs while the file management information of the image data is being written to the second storage means. If the second storage means is not replaced when the power is turned on next time, the file management information of the image data stored in the third storage means is stored in the second storage means. It is possible to write to a predetermined position of the storage means, and it is possible to prevent the file system from being destroyed due to the power being removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a waist configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an internal data structure of a storage medium used in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a task for performing shooting processing in a general imaging apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of writing a file to the storage medium in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing file writing timing and processing procedures in a storage medium for a plurality of images according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing file writing timing and processing procedures in a storage medium for a plurality of images in the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of writing a file to a storage medium.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the timing of writing a file to a general multiple-image storage medium and the processing procedure.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main memory according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Imaging device
101 Image sensor
102 A / D converter
103 Digital signal processing means
104 Main memory
105 Removable storage medium
106 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
110 Image data
111 Image data file
200 storage media
210 Management area
211 FAT (File Allocation Table) area
212 Root directory
220 Cluster area
221 Cluster area
510 Continuous write timing
520 Timing when shooting while writing image data
800 Backupable memory
801 FAT reading area
802 Directory management area
803 Write management information to storage medium
810 Image data area

Claims (15)

First storage means for temporarily storing image data obtained from the image sensor and the image data stored in the first storage means are recorded as image files in a removable second storage means. In an imaging apparatus having recording means for
Registration means for registering write information for writing the image data in the second storage means in the first storage means;
The removable second storage means is partitioned into a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file,
Without writing the image data into the second storage means, the first based only on the writing information of the image data registered by said registration means in the memory means, said second storage means Management information writing means for updating the management information in the case of storing the image data to write the updated management information in the file management area of the second storage means,
In response to completion of writing by the management information writing means, the image data stored in the first storage means is changed to the first storage means based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage means. And an image writing means for writing in a data area of the storage means. Image data generating means for generating image data by digitizing an analog image signal obtained from the image sensor and converting it into a desired format, and temporarily storing the image data generated by the image data generating means In an imaging apparatus comprising: a first storage unit; and a recording unit that records the image data as an image file in a detachable second storage unit.
Registration means for registering write information for writing the image data in the second storage means in the first storage means;
The detachable second storage means has a file system composed of a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file,
Without writing the image data into the second storage means, the first based only on the writing information of the image data registered by said registration means in the memory means, said second storage means Management information writing means for updating the management information in the case of storing the image data to write the updated management information in the file management area of the second storage means,
In response to completion of writing by the management information writing means, the image data stored in the first storage means is changed to the first storage means based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage means. And an image writing means for writing in a data area of the storage means. The write information of the image data, characterized by comprising the first whether a possible determination information write operation actually the image data into the second storage means is performed from the storage means The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2.   The file management area for managing the image file includes only entry information of the image file as file management information of the image data and link information to a data area storing the data body of the image file. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The file management area for managing the image file includes link information to a data area for storing the data body of the image file, and the data area for storing the image data body of the image file is a file area of the image data file. It includes entry information and the data body of the image file. As file management information of the image data, the entry information of the image file and link information to the data area storing the data body of the image file are preferentially written. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized in that   When a plurality of image data exist in the first storage means due to continuous shooting, even if there is an unwritten image data main body portion in the second storage means, When image capture is performed and image file creation is performed, writing of file management information for newly created image data is prioritized, and after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining files are not written. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a main part of the image data to be written is written.   7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining unwritten image data body portion is continuously written when writing. First storage means for temporarily storing image data obtained from the image sensor and the image data stored in the first storage means are recorded as image files in a removable second storage means. In an image data storage method in an imaging apparatus having a recording means for
Write information for writing the image data in the second storage means is registered in the first storage means,
The removable second storage means is partitioned into a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file,
The to the second storage means without performing the writing of the image data, based only on the registered write information of the image data in the first storage means, the image data into the second storage means Management information write processing for updating the management information when storing the management information and writing the updated management information to the file management area of the second storage means;
When the writing by the management information writing process is completed, the image data stored in the first storage unit is changed to the first storage unit based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage unit. And a method of storing image data in an imaging apparatus, comprising: an image writing process for writing to a data area of a second storage unit. Image data generating means for generating image data by digitizing an analog image signal obtained from the image sensor and converting it into a desired format, and temporarily storing the image data generated by the image data generating means In a method for storing image data in an imaging apparatus, comprising: first storage means; and recording means for recording the image data as an image file in a removable second storage means.
Write information for writing the image data in the second storage means is registered in the first storage means,
The detachable second storage means has a file system composed of a file management area for managing the image file and a data area for storing the image data body of the image file,
The to the second storage means without performing the writing of the image data, based only on the registered write information of the image data in the first storage means, the image data into the second storage means Management information write processing for updating the management information when storing the management information and writing the updated management information to the file management area of the second storage means;
When the writing by the management information writing process is completed, the image data stored in the first storage unit is changed to the first storage unit based on the writing information of the image data registered in the first storage unit. And a method of storing image data in an imaging apparatus, comprising: an image writing process for writing to a data area of a second storage unit. The write information of the image data, characterized by comprising the first whether a possible determination information writing process of actually the image data into the second storage means is performed from the storage means A method for storing image data in the imaging apparatus according to claim 8 or 9.   The file management area for managing the image file includes only entry information of the image file as file management information of the image data and link information to a data area storing the data body of the image file. The method for storing image data in the imaging apparatus according to claim 8.   The file management area for managing the image file includes link information to a data area for storing the data body of the image file, and the data area for storing the image data body of the image file is a file area of the image data file. It includes entry information and the data body of the image file. As file management information of the image data, the entry information of the image file and link information to the data area storing the data body of the image file are preferentially written. The method for storing image data in the imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image data is stored in the imaging apparatus.   When a plurality of image data exist in the first storage means due to continuous shooting, even if there is an unwritten image data main body portion in the second storage means, When image capture is performed and image file creation is performed, writing of file management information for newly created image data is prioritized, and after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining files are not written. The image data storing method in the imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a writable image data body portion is written.   14. The image data storage method according to claim 13, wherein after the writing of the file management information is completed, the remaining unwritten image data body portion is continuously written when writing.   15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the image data storage method in the imaging apparatus according to claim 8.

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