JP4480137B2 - Imaging apparatus, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to image data obtained by performing imaging on a first recording medium and a recordable imaging equipment and a second recording medium.

  Due to advances in semiconductor technology and the like, imaging devices using imaging elements such as CCDs and CMOS sensors have rapidly become widespread and are also being mounted on mobile phones and mobile information terminals (PDAs).

  In such an imaging apparatus, the most widely used recording medium for captured images is a recording medium incorporating a semiconductor memory or a small magnetic disk. There are recording media built into the imaging device and those that can be attached to and detached from a slot provided in the imaging device, and generally have a configuration in which these are used in appropriate combinations depending on the imaging device. There is also an imaging apparatus having a plurality of slots for mounting recording media.

  Usually, the imaging apparatus records image data in a set format among a plurality of recording formats (formats) selectable by the user. Examples of such selectable formats include image size, compression method (non-compression / compression selection, selection from a plurality of compression methods, etc.), compression rate, and the like.

  In addition, an imaging device capable of recording on a plurality of recording media is known which provides a backup function by recording the same image data on a plurality of recording media in one shooting (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

JP-A-7-231420

  However, in an imaging apparatus having such a backup function, the free capacities of the plurality of recording media mounted in the slots are not always the same. For example, a recording medium having a different total storage capacity may be loaded, such as a 1-gigabyte recording medium in the first slot and a 512-megabyte recording medium in the second slot. Further, even if the initial free space is the same, for example, if the setting is such that uncompressed image data is recorded on one side and compressed image data is recorded on the other side, there will be a difference in free space. In addition, even when shooting with a setting that does not perform backup and shooting with a setting that performs backup are mixed, there is a difference in free space between recording media.

For this reason, even if the recording medium for normal recording can be recorded, the recording medium designated for backup may run out of recording area, and backup may not be performed. In particular, when shooting immediately after the camera is started, the recording medium may have been changed since the last shooting, and there is a possibility that the lack of free space on the recording medium for backup recording will be recognized for the first time when shooting is attempted. is there.
Therefore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus capable of permitting shooting when the free space of the first recording medium and the free space of the second recording medium, which is a backup recording medium, are sufficient. For the purpose.

Imaging device according to the present invention, the image data obtained by performing photographing with the first recording medium, a serial Rokuka ability imaging device and a second recording medium is a recording medium for backup A first recording means for recording the image data on the first recording medium, a second recording means for recording the image data on the second recording medium, and a control means for permitting or prohibiting the photographing. And when both the free space of the first recording medium and the free space of the second recording medium are larger than a predetermined value, the control means permits the photographing and the image data When recording is performed on the first recording medium and the second recording medium, and both the free capacity of the first recording medium and the free capacity of the second recording medium are not larger than the predetermined value. The control means prohibits the shooting. When the free capacity of the second recording medium is larger than the predetermined value and the free capacity of the first recording medium is not larger than the predetermined value, the control unit prohibits the photographing, If the free capacity of the first recording medium is larger than the predetermined value and the free capacity of the second recording medium is not larger than the predetermined value, is the control means effective for setting to give priority to shooting? If it is determined that the setting is not valid, the shooting is prohibited. If it is determined that the setting is valid, the shooting is permitted and the image data is the first data. It is recorded on the recording medium, the image data you characterized in that to not be recorded in the second recording medium.

According to the present invention, the free space of the first recording medium, since the free space of the second recording medium is a recording medium for the backup is capable of allowing the shooting if sufficient, performs photographing The image data obtained by this can be recorded on both the first recording medium and the second recording medium .

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital still camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, a digital still camera that can use a plurality of detachable recording media will be described as an example of an imaging device for ease of explanation and understanding. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to any imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously recording image data on a plurality of recording media. For example, in a computer device with a built-in or connected camera, the captured image may be recorded on a plurality of recording media such as a hard disk and a memory card.

  For example, one of the recording media may not be detachable, and the recording medium itself may be a tape or disk-shaped recording medium as well as a semiconductor memory or a small magnetic disk. Needless to say, a video camera having a still image shooting function, a mobile phone having a camera function, a PDA, and the like can also constitute the imaging apparatus of the present invention. Further, the recording medium does not necessarily have to be directly connected to the imaging apparatus, and may be an imaging apparatus capable of writing in, for example, a built-in or attached recording medium and a recording medium connected via a network. Note that the description of a digital “still” camera in this specification is for convenience, and is not intended to exclude a moving image shooting function.

  In FIG. 1, a digital still camera according to the present embodiment includes an optical viewfinder, an imaging element 100 such as a CCD or CMOS necessary for photographing, an optical member such as a lens, and various electronic devices, and captured image data. A first buffer memory 101 that is a pre-stored buffer, an image processing unit 102 that performs predetermined image processing and compression processing on the image data stored in the first buffer memory 101, and after image processing and compression processing A second buffer memory 103, which is a post-buffer for storing the image data, and buttons, keys, dials, and the like for the user to operate the digital still camera body, such as a shooting operation, an operation for switching shutter speed, exposure, etc. For setting and checking of the operation unit 104, display of captured images, and camera operation parameters A display unit 105 that can also function as a viewfinder for displaying menu displays, warnings, and the like, a display control unit 106 that controls the display unit 105, a system control unit 107 that controls the entire digital still camera, and a compact flash (Registered trademark) and other semiconductor memory cards, and first and second interfaces (slots) 108 and 110 which are interfaces with removable recording media such as a microdrive. Note that some of the items displayed on the display unit 105 are also displayed inside the optical viewfinder.

  In addition, removable storage media 109 and 111 used by being attached to the first and second interfaces 108 and 110 are also illustrated. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a communication interface such as USB, IEEE 1394, or Bluetooth for connecting to a device such as a personal computer or a communication network may be provided.

  Next, the operation in the state where the backup recording setting is made will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. Whether or not backup recording (that is, simultaneous recording on a plurality of recording media) is performed at the time of imaging, and settings such as a recording method on each recording medium at the time of backup recording are set as a menu display displayed on the display unit 105, It is assumed that the GUI is operated using the operation unit 104 and set in advance. The setting contents are stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) inside the camera. For this reason, even if the camera body is turned off, the contents of various settings, including the presence or absence of backup recording, are stored inside the camera.

  Here, it is assumed that backup recording is set for the first recording medium 109 for normal recording and the second recording medium 111 for backup recording. Note that the operations described below are realized by, for example, executing a predetermined program by a CPU included in the system control unit 107 and controlling each unit.

  When the backup recording is set, the digital still camera according to the present embodiment permits photographing only when both the recordable capacity of the normal recording medium and the backup recording medium are larger than a predetermined value. That is, shooting is prohibited when the recordable capacity of any recording medium is less than or equal to a predetermined value. This makes it possible to perform backup recording with certainty.

  First, when the camera is activated (powered on), the system control unit 107 refers to a non-volatile memory (not shown) to check whether backup recording is set. If backup recording is not set, normal startup processing is continued (step S113). When backup recording is set, the second recording medium 111 for backup and the first recording medium for normal recording are used regardless of whether the first and second recording media have been exchanged since the previous recording. The available space (recordable capacity) 109 is confirmed (step S103). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the free space is a free space that can be recorded at the next shooting (step S105). Various methods can be used for this check. For example, an image such as the currently set recording format (compression rate, encoding method, etc.), image size (number of vertical and horizontal pixels), sensitivity (ISO value), etc. A setting value that affects the data size is used as appropriate, an expected image data size is obtained, and the value is compared with the actual free space confirmed in step S103, or a fixed value prepared in advance and the actual free space The method etc. which are compared with can be illustrated.

  Note that if the backup recording and normal recording are set to have different image data sizes such as the recording format and image size, the backup recording medium and the normal recording medium It is preferable to confirm by comparing a value corresponding to each setting with an actual free space.

  Next, in step S107, it is confirmed whether or not the photographing operation is On. Whether or not the shooting operation is On can be determined, for example, by detecting whether or not the mode setting on the operation unit 104 is set to the shooting mode, whether or not the shutter button is half-pressed, and the like.

  In step S107, if the photographing operation is not On, the process proceeds to step S113, and the activation operation is continued. On the other hand, if the shooting operation is On, in step S109, as a result of the comparison in step S105, the free space of both the first recording medium 109 for normal recording and the second recording medium 111 for backup recording Check if it is enough for at least one shot.

  If it is enough, the process proceeds to the photographing process in step S111, and if the shutter button is fully pressed, backup recording is performed according to the setting contents, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the free capacity of either of the first and second recording media 109 and 111 is smaller than a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S115 to prohibit photographing. Specifically, the photographing operation (for example, full pressing of the shutter) on the operation unit 104 is invalidated. And when it will be in a photography prohibition state, it will alert | report to a user.

Although where the method of notification of the is arbitrary, message display and the display unit 105, the lighting of the warning lamp, display notification or by such as an error display in the optical science finder, notification by a sound such as a beep or A commonly used notification method such as a combination thereof can be used. For example, when there is a predetermined operation from the operation unit 104 for notification by message display, it is assumed that the user has recognized the notification, and the process is terminated.

  In the notification performed in step S115, it is preferable to notify not only that the shooting is prohibited but also the reason (insufficient storage capacity of the recording medium). At that time, it is more preferable that the user can recognize which recording medium has insufficient free space. Further, the actual free space and the estimated image data amount at the time of shooting (which may be used in step S103) may be notified together. In this way, it is urged to secure free space by exchanging the recording medium or deleting unnecessary image data.

  In addition, forbidden to shoot, for example, after detecting an operation that may change the free capacity of the recording medium, such as a recording medium replacement operation or an image data deletion process, the processing corresponding to steps S103, S105, and S109 is performed again. Thus, it is possible to automatically cancel when free space is secured. Alternatively, the prohibition of shooting may be canceled at the time when the cancellation of the setting of backup recording is detected (it goes without saying that shooting cannot be performed when the free space of the normal recording medium is still insufficient).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a state where backup recording is set, both the normal recording medium and the backup recording medium have a free space corresponding to an estimated amount of image data for at least one sheet. If there is no, shooting is prohibited. Therefore, reliable backup recording is ensured even when backup recording is performed using a plurality of recording media having different free capacities. In particular, at least one of the recording media is detachable, and reliable backup recording is possible even when the storage medium can change from the previous shooting, such as when shooting immediately after startup.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when the backup recording is set, the recording capacity for at least one image data is assumed in both the normal recording medium and the backup recording medium. Otherwise, shooting was unconditionally prohibited. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the free capacity of only the recording medium for backup recording is insufficient, the backup recording is temporarily released and recording on only the normal recording medium is permitted. In order to allow the user to make such settings, check items such as “prioritize shooting when backup recording medium has insufficient free space” may be provided as backup recording setting items.

  The activation process of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 2 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The configuration of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment may be the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the processes in steps S101 to S111 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and step S121 is a process when it is determined in step S109 that the free capacity of any recording medium is insufficient. The rest is different. In step S121, it is confirmed whether the recording medium having insufficient free space is only the backup recording medium. If at least the free space of the normal recording medium is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S115, and the above-described shooting prohibition and notification processing is performed.

  On the other hand, when only the free capacity of the backup recording medium is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S123, where the above-described shooting priority setting is made, that is, “the free capacity of the backup recording medium is insufficient. In this case, whether or not the check item “priority for shooting” is checked is checked with reference to the setting item storage area in the nonvolatile memory. When the check is made, the process proceeds to step S125, and the photographing process is performed. However, in this case, since backup recording is not performed, the user is notified that backup recording is not performed because there is not enough free space on the recording medium for backup recording. The notification method can be performed by a method similar to the method for notifying the photographing prohibited state in step S115.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects realized in the first embodiment, whether or not to give priority to shooting when the free capacity of the recording medium for backup recording is insufficient. By enabling the setting, even if backup recording is performed using a plurality of recording media having different free capacities, backup recording can be performed reliably, and only the free capacity of the recording medium for backup recording is insufficient. In some cases, shooting can be performed.

(Third embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the activation process or the process at the start of the imaging process in the activated state has been described.
The activation process of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 2 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The configuration of the digital still camera according to the present embodiment may be the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  The process shown in FIG. 4 is executed every time one image is taken, for example. In the present embodiment, the processes in steps S101 to S109 are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the process in step S107 is not performed. If the free capacity of either the normal recording medium or the backup recording medium is insufficient in step S109, in step S131, information that can identify the recording medium having the insufficient free capacity (for example, Along with the slot number), it is notified that backup recording cannot be performed at the next shooting. The notification method can be performed by a method similar to the method for notifying the photographing prohibited state in step S115 in the first or second embodiment.

  If there is no backup recording setting in step S101, or if there is no recording medium with insufficient free space in step S109, the normal shooting end process is continued.

  In step S131, not only the notification but also the shooting can be prohibited as in the first embodiment, and the shooting priority is set as described in the second embodiment. It may be prohibited to shoot only when it is not.

  According to the present embodiment, by confirming the free space of the recording medium at the end of shooting, even when backup recording is performed using a plurality of recording media having different free capacities, the backup recording at the next shooting is ensured. It becomes possible to do. Of course, this embodiment can be implemented in combination with the first or second embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
In the first and second embodiments, only the configuration in which the free capacity of both recording media is confirmed only when backup recording is set has been described. However, the processing in step S101 is omitted, and both are unconditionally performed. You may comprise so that the free capacity of a recording medium may be confirmed.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the normal recording medium and the backup recording medium are detachable recording media. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an imaging apparatus in which at least one of them is built. That is easy to understand. Further, the form of the recording medium may be a tape or a disk. In the case of a tape-shaped recording medium, the remaining time may be converted into a free capacity. Further, at least one of the recording media may not be directly connected to the imaging apparatus, but may be connected so as to be recordable by wired or wireless communication.

  A software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied directly from a recording medium or to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication. A case where an equivalent function is achieved by a computer executing the supplied program is also included in the present invention.

  Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD- There are optical / magneto-optical storage media such as RW, and non-volatile semiconductor memory.

  As a program supply method using wired / wireless communication, a computer program forming the present invention on a server on a computer network, or a computer forming the present invention on a client computer such as a compressed file including an automatic installation function A method of storing a data file (program data file) that can be a program and downloading the program data file to a connected client computer can be used. In this case, the program data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be arranged on different servers.

  That is, the present invention includes a server device that allows a plurality of users to download a program data file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to the user, and key information for decrypting the encryption for a user who satisfies a predetermined condition is provided via a homepage via the Internet, for example It is also possible to realize the program by downloading it from the computer and executing the encrypted program using the key information and installing it on the computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on an instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording 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 expansion board or The CPU of the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the digital still camera as an imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100: imaging unit 101: first buffer memory 102: image processing unit 103: second buffer memory 104: operation unit 105: display unit 106: display control unit 107: control unit 108: first interface 109: first Recording medium 110: second interface 111: second recording medium

Claims (5)

The image data obtained by performing photographing with the first recording medium, a serial Rokuka ability imaging device and a second recording medium is a recording medium for backup,
First recording means for recording the image data on the first recording medium;
Second recording means for recording the image data on the second recording medium;
Control means for permitting or prohibiting the photographing,
When both the free capacity of the first recording medium and the free capacity of the second recording medium are larger than a predetermined value, the control unit permits the photographing and the image data is stored in the first recording medium. To be recorded on a medium and the second recording medium,
When both the free capacity of the first recording medium and the free capacity of the second recording medium are not larger than the predetermined value, the control unit prohibits the photographing,
When the free capacity of the second recording medium is larger than the predetermined value and the free capacity of the first recording medium is not larger than the predetermined value, the control unit prohibits the photographing.
When the free capacity of the first recording medium is larger than the predetermined value and the free capacity of the second recording medium is not larger than the predetermined value, the setting for giving priority to photographing is effective for the control means. If the setting is determined to be invalid, the shooting is prohibited. If the setting is determined to be valid, the shooting is permitted and the image data is the first data. An image pickup apparatus that is recorded on the recording medium and prevents the image data from being recorded on the second recording medium . When the control unit determines that the setting is valid, the control unit notifies the user that the process of recording the image data on the first recording medium and the second recording medium is not performed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is performed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the photographing is prohibited, the control unit performs processing for notifying a user that the photographing is prohibited. Computer program for causing a computer to function as an imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program according to claim 4 .

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