JP4836233B2 - Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, computer program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, a computer program, and a storage medium.

In general, information writing processing and reading processing are performed on a recording medium (for example, an SD card or a CF (compact flash (registered trademark)) card) detachably connected to an image processing apparatus such as a digital camera. be able to. When executing these processes, there may be a case where the above process cannot be executed within a predetermined time limit, or a controller that manages the recording contents inside the recording medium may not operate as expected. In such a case, the recording medium management apparatus in the image processing apparatus that manages the recording medium transmits a reset command to the controller, restarts, and executes the writing process and the reading process again (Patent Document). (See 1).
Japanese Patent Application No. 8-235028 (page 15, FIG. 5)

  However, even if the recording medium management apparatus transmits a reset command to the controller any number of times, an abnormal state may occur in which the controller cannot accept the signal. In that case, there are many cases where the recording process and the reading process with respect to the recording medium cannot be normally executed no matter how many times.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to enable normal execution of writing processing and reading processing on a recording medium even when an abnormal state of a controller occurs. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus in which an external recording medium is detachable, comprising: a nonvolatile storage means for storing data; and a control means for controlling the writing of data to the nonvolatile storage means. An image capturing unit that captures an image, a first storage unit that stores image data obtained by the image capturing unit, and image data stored in the first storage unit via the control unit. Write control means for controlling writing to the nonvolatile storage means, power control means for controlling power supply to the control means, and whether or not writing by the write control means has been performed normally. and writing determination means for determining, by the determination unit, when the writing by the write control means is determined not to have been performed correctly, and the power supply is stopped for the control unit to the power control unit , Characterized in that it comprises is restarted, then through the control unit, and a re-writing control means for controlling the re-writing to the nonvolatile storage means of the image data stored in the first storage unit And

  According to the present invention, even when an abnormal state of the controller occurs, the writing process and the reading process can be normally executed on the recording medium.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a digital camera as an image processing apparatus corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a digital camera body. Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

  A timing generator 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16 and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory controller 22 and the system controller 50. An image processing unit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control unit 22.

  Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data. Based on this calculation result, the system control unit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 to perform TTL (through the lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure). ) Processing and EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

  Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  A memory control unit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation unit 18, the image processing unit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression unit 32. Output data from the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 through the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22 or only through the memory control circuit 22.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, and 28 denotes an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like. Display image data written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28.

  In the digital camera 100, if the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control unit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the digital camera 100 can be significantly reduced. it can.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a moving image for a predetermined time. Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control unit 50.

  A compression / decompression unit 32 compresses / decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, and reads an image stored in the memory 30 to perform compression processing or decompression processing. Note that the processed data is written into the memory 30 again.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls focusing of the photographing lens 10, reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control unit that controls zooming of the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control unit that controls the operation of the protection unit 102 serving as a barrier.

  A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function. The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement. The controller 42 is controlled. A system control circuit 50 controls the entire digital camera 100, and a memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit including a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like that display an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program in the system control unit 50. The display unit 54 is installed in a single or a plurality of positions near the operation unit of the digital camera 100 so as to be easily visible, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element. The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images that can be captured, shutter There are speed display, aperture value display, and exposure compensation display. Furthermore, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, clock battery remaining amount display, battery remaining amount display, error display, information display with multiple digits, display / removal state display of external recording medium 200, Communication I / F operation display, date / time display, etc. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory, such as an EEPROM. Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are operation units for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 50. It is composed of one or a plurality of combinations such as a switch, dial, touch panel, pointing by line of sight detection, and a voice recognition device. Here, a specific description of these operation units will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode. Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during the operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and instructs to start the following series of processing operations. This process includes an exposure process in which a signal read from the image sensor 12 is written into the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control unit 22. Further, development processing using calculation in the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22 is also included. Furthermore, a recording process in which the image data read from the memory 30 is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 32 and the image data is written to the recording medium 200 or 210 is also included.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch which can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when taking an image using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit 28 such as a TFT LCD.

  Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

  An operation unit 70 includes various buttons and a touch panel. The operation unit 70 includes, for example, a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, and a menu movement + (plus) button. Further, a menu movement- (minus) button, a reproduction image movement + (plus) button, a reproduction image- (minus) button, a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure correction button, a date / time setting button, and the like are also included.

  A power control unit 80 includes a battery detection unit, a DC-DC converter, a switch unit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. The power supply control unit 80 detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, and controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and the instruction from the system control unit 50, and the necessary voltage is required. It is supplied to each part including the external recording medium 200 for a long period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  Reference numeral 90 denotes a card controller that transmits and receives data to and from an external recording medium such as a memory card, 91 denotes an interface with the external recording medium such as a memory card, and 92 denotes a connector that connects to the external recording medium 200 such as a memory card. Reference numeral 98 denotes a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the external recording medium 200 is attached to the connector 92. In the present embodiment, the interface or connector to which the recording medium for storing the image data is attached may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.

  For example, the interface 91 and the connector 92 can be configured by using a PCMCIA card, a CF (compact flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like conforming to a standard. In that case, various communication cards such as a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card, a SCSI card, a communication card such as a PHS, and the like can be connected. Furthermore, it becomes possible to transfer image data and management information attached to the image data to / from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a protection unit that is a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being stained or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the digital camera 100. Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes an external recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 100, such as a memory card. The overall system configuration of the digital camera 100 has been described above.

  Next, an example of the internal configuration of the external recording medium 200 corresponding to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, 201 is a controller. The controller 201 controls a writing process for writing the image data transmitted from the memory card controller 90 to the nonvolatile memory 202 inside the external recording medium 200 and a reading process for reading the recorded image data from the nonvolatile memory 202. To do. The controller 201 has its power supply state controlled by the power control unit 80 of the digital camera 100. Reference numeral 202 denotes a nonvolatile memory such as Flash Rom, which may be a magnetic medium such as a hard disk, a CD-R, or a DVD.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a command line for transmitting / receiving commands such as writing / reading from the card controller 90 or reactions caused by the commands. A data line 204 transmits and receives information such as image data.

  In the present embodiment, “writing” to the external recording medium 200 refers to writing of image data executed by the controller 201 in the external recording medium 200 to the nonvolatile memory 202 in response to an image data write command. Refers to the processing. “Reading” with respect to the external recording medium 200 refers to image data reading processing executed by the controller 201 in the external recording medium 200 with respect to the nonvolatile memory 202 in response to an image data reading command.

  Next, data writing / reading processing with respect to the external recording medium 200 executed by the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, an example of an image write sequence (write) process executed when a plurality of image data captured by the image sensor 14 is written to the external recording medium 200 during continuous shooting. Will be explained.

  First, as a premise, the system controller 50 issues a command for writing continuously taken image data for writing image data to the external recording medium 200. The continuously shot images are stored in the memory 30 to be processed in order to wait for the order of writing to the external recording medium 200. These images are written (delayed writing) in the order in which they are stored in the memory 30, and are removed from the writing target when writing to the external recording medium 200 normally and when writing fails as described later.

  In step S <b> 100, the system control unit 50 that has received the write command determines whether image data to be written is stored in the memory 30. If there is an image to be written in the buffer (“YES” in step S100), the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, when the image data to be written is not stored in the memory 30 (“NO” in step S100), it is not necessary to write the image data, and thus this processing is terminated.

  In step S <b> 101, the system control unit 50 reads the image data from the memory 30 and writes it to the external recording medium 200. Further, in step S102, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not image data has been normally written to the external recording medium 200. This determination can be made based on whether or not a notification that writing has been completed is received from the controller 201 via the command line 203. Further, when the external recording medium 200 is destroyed and the controller does not respond at all, a response to the write command is obtained, so that the determination can also be made.

Further, the size of the written image data is compared with the size of the image data stored in the buffer, and the determination can also be made based on whether or not the two match.
Hereinafter, the determination as to whether or not the writing has been normally performed is performed in the same manner.
If the writing is successful (“YES” in step S102), the image data related to the writing is deleted from the buffer of the memory 30 in step S118. In the present embodiment, this deletion is particularly referred to as “removal from writing target”. Thereafter, the process returns to step S100 in order to start writing the next image data.

  On the other hand, if the writing to the external recording medium 200 is abnormal (“NO” in step S102), the counter value N is cleared in step S103 (N = 0). This N is a counter value for counting retry operations to be described later. Subsequently, in step S104, a reset command for causing the external recording medium 200 to prepare for writing (hereinafter, this procedure is particularly referred to as “initialization processing” in the present embodiment) and information in the card. Send an acquisition command.

  Here, the external recording medium 200 has a state such as a writing state and a recording state, and the reset command is a command for putting the external recording medium 200 into an idle state (idle state). The information acquisition command in the card is a command for requesting card information such as a media type. When a media type (for example, an SD card) is returned in response to this command, initialization processing is performed. Judge that it was successful.

  On the other hand, if “unknown” is returned for the same instruction, it can be determined as a failure. In step S105, it is determined whether or not the initialization process is successful. If it is determined that the initialization process is successful, the writing process to the external recording medium 200 is executed. If it is determined in step S105 that the initialization process has failed, the process proceeds to step S108. Next, in step S107, the system control unit 50 determines whether the image data has been normally written to the external recording medium 200 by the writing process after the initialization process in step S106.

  If it is determined that the data has been normally written (“YES” in step S107), the process proceeds to step S118. In step S118, the image data related to writing is removed from the writing target. Thereafter, the process returns to step S100 in order to start writing the next image data. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image data could not be normally written to the external recording medium 200 (“NO” in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108.

  In this embodiment, repeating the writing process from step S104 to step S107 is referred to as a retry operation. In step S108, when it is determined that the external recording medium 200 cannot be normally written ("NO" in step S107), the counter value N is incremented by 1, and the number of retry operations is recorded. In a succeeding step S109, it is determined whether or not the counter value N exceeds a predetermined number. If N> the predetermined number of times (“YES” in step S109), the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, when N ≦ the predetermined number of times (“NO” in step S109), the process returns to step S104 to continue the process.

  In step S110, the system control unit 50 operates the power control unit 80 to stop the power supply of the external recording medium 200 for a predetermined time, and then restarts the power supply. The predetermined time here is a time until the current supplied to the external recording medium 200 becomes 0, and may be a predetermined time. Further, it may be the time until the voltage value measured by the voltage measuring unit of the external recording medium 200 becomes zero.

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 111, the system control unit 50 issues an initialization process command to the external recording medium 200. Next, in step S112, it is determined whether the initialization process is successful. When it is determined that the initialization process has been successful (“YES” in step S112), a process of writing image data to the external recording medium 200 is executed in step S113. Further, in step S114, it is determined whether or not the writing process to the external recording medium 200 after the initialization process executed after the stop and restart of the power supply in step S110 has been performed normally. On the other hand, if it is determined that the initialization process has failed ("NO" in step S112), the processes in steps S113 and S114 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S115.

  If it is determined that the writing process has been performed normally (“YES” in step S114), the image data related to writing is removed from the writing target in step S118. Thereafter, the process returns to step S100, and the next image information is written. On the other hand, when it is determined that the writing process has not been performed normally ("NO" in step S114), the system control unit 50 notifies the user of card abnormality via the display unit 54 in step S115. An example of the screen display for notifying the card abnormality is as shown in FIG. This screen display can be switched to a normal screen display by exchanging the abnormal card with another card.

  Further, the system control unit 50 invalidates the photographing start operation in step S116. As a result, even when a shooting start operation is performed by the user, for example, a warning sound is generated by the sound generation element of the display unit 54, and the user is notified that the LED is blinking and shooting is prohibited. Next, in step S117, a process of giving up writing of the current image data that failed to be written and removing it from the writing target is performed, and the process proceeds to step S100.

  Next, another example of the image write sequence (writing) process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 5, after the power supply is stopped and restarted, processing different from that in FIG. 4 is performed.

  In FIG. 5, steps S200 to S209 are the same as steps S100 to S109 in FIG. Steps S210 and S211 are the same processes as steps S115 and S116. Further, steps S212 to S216 are the same processes as steps S110 to S114. Furthermore, step S218 and step S219 are the same processes as step S117 and step S118. Therefore, these descriptions are omitted.

  However, the card abnormality notification and the photographing prohibition setting in step S210 are canceled if it is determined in step S216 that the writing has been normally performed, regardless of card replacement. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to exchange the card in response to the card abnormality notification.

  If the writing process to the external recording medium 200 cannot be normally executed after the power supply is stopped and restarted ("NO" in step S216), the process proceeds to step S217. In step S217, the user is notified via the display unit 54 that the image data writing has failed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S218. In this way, the loading of new image data into the abnormal external recording medium 200 is stopped.

  Here, FIG. 3B shows an example of a screen display displayed at the time of writing failure notification. This screen display can be switched to a normal screen display by exchanging the abnormal card with another card.

  If it is determined in step S200 that there is no object to be written in the buffer for storing image data in the memory 30 ("NO" in step S200), the process proceeds to step S220. In step S220, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a card abnormality notification has been issued upon completion of the image write sequence. If a card abnormality notification has not been issued (“NO” in step S220), the process proceeds to step S221, and an OK notification issued from the external recording medium 200 is received. Thereafter, the process ends. If the card abnormality notification has been issued (“YES” in step S220), the process is terminated as it is.

  Next, still another example of the image write sequence (writing) process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 6, after the power supply is stopped and restarted, processing different from that in FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed.

  The processing from step S300 to S316 and from step S317 to step S320 is the same as the processing from step S200 to step S216 and from step S218 to step S221 in FIG.

  If the system control unit 50 determines that the writing process to the external recording medium 200 could not be executed normally after stopping and restarting the power supply (“NO” in step S316), the system control unit 50 ends the image write sequence as it is. .

  The image write sequence can be performed as described above. As described above, when the writing to the external recording medium 200 cannot be normally performed, the writing is repeatedly performed within a predetermined number of times, and when the predetermined number of times is exceeded, the power supply to the external recording medium 200 is stopped. To do. Thereafter, the power supply is resumed to initialize the external recording medium 200, thereby enabling writing again. Further, if writing is not possible after initialization after the power is turned on again, it is determined that the card is abnormal, and the user can be prompted to replace the card.

  Next, an example of an image read sequence (reading) process for reading image data from the external recording medium 200 to the memory 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, as a premise, an image information read command is issued by the system control unit 50 in order to read image data from the external recording medium 200 to the memory 30. In contrast, in step S <b> 400, the system control unit 50 reads the image data from the external recording medium 200 and stores it in the memory 30. In step S <b> 401, the system control unit 50 determines whether the image data has been normally read into the memory 30. This determination can be made based on whether or not a notification indicating that reading of all data has been completed is received from the controller 201 via the command line 203. Further, when the external recording medium 200 is destroyed and the controller does not respond at all, a response to the read command is obtained, so that the determination can be made accordingly. Further, the size of the image data written in the buffer can be compared with the size of the image data stored in the non-volatile memory 202, and the determination can also be made based on whether or not they match. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the determination as to whether or not the reading has been performed normally is performed in the same manner. If it is determined that the image data can be read normally (“YES” in step S401), the image read sequence is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the data could not be read normally (“NO” in step S401), the system control unit 50 clears the counter value N in step S402 (N = 0). This N is a counter value for counting retry operations to be described later. Subsequently, in step S403, a reset command for preparing for reading (hereinafter, this procedure is particularly referred to as “initialization processing” in the present embodiment) is transmitted to the external recording medium 200. It is determined whether or not the initialization process is successful. If it is determined that the initialization process is successful ("YES" in step S404), a read process to the external recording medium 200 is executed in step S405. On the other hand, if it is determined that the initialization process has failed ("NO" in step S404), the process proceeds to step S407.

  Further, in step S406, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the image data has been normally read by reading after the initialization process is executed. If it is determined that the image data can be normally read from the external recording medium 200 (“YES” in step S406), the image read sequence is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data could not be read normally from the external recording medium 200 (“NO” in step S406), the process proceeds to step S407.

  In the present embodiment, repeating the reading process from step S403 to step S406 is referred to as a retry operation. In step S407, when it is determined that data could not be normally read from the external recording medium 200 (“NO” in step S406), the counter value N is incremented by 1, and the number of retry operations is recorded. In a succeeding step S408, it is determined whether or not the counter value N exceeds a predetermined number. If N> the predetermined number of times (“YES” in step S408), the process proceeds to step S409. On the other hand, when N ≦ the predetermined number of times (“NO” in step S408), the process returns to step S403 and continues.

  In step S408, the system control unit 50 operates the power supply control unit 80 to stop the power supply of the external recording medium 200 for a predetermined time, and then restarts the power supply. The predetermined time here is the same as that described in step S110 of FIG. Thereafter, in step S410, the system control unit 50 issues an instruction to perform initialization processing on the external recording medium 200. In step S411, it is determined whether the initialization process is successful. If it is determined that the process has been successful (“YES” in step S411), image information reading processing for the external recording medium 200 is executed in step S412. On the other hand, if it is determined that the initialization process has failed ("NO" in step S411), a card abnormality notification is performed in step S415. An example of the screen display for notifying the card abnormality is as shown in FIG. This screen display can be switched to a normal screen display by exchanging the abnormal card with another card. In step S413, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the read process for the external recording medium 200 after the initialization process performed after the stop / restart of the power supply has been successfully performed.

  If it is determined that the reading process in step S412 has been performed normally (“YES” in step S413), the system control unit 50 ends the image read sequence. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reading process has not been performed normally (“NO” in step S413), the system control unit 50 notifies the image data reading failure (FIG. 8) via the display unit 54 in step S414. Then, the image read sequence ends.

  Also in the image read sequence, processing corresponding to steps S217, S220, and S221 in FIG. 5 and steps S319 and S320 in FIG. 6 may be performed after power supply is stopped and restarted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when there is a problem that image data is not correctly written to or read from the external recording medium, power supply only to the external recording medium is controlled. By doing so, the problem can be solved. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the power supply to the entire digital camera is stopped and restarted, and the access to the external recording medium can be restored while the program is operating without restarting the operating program. Is possible.

  Also, in the initialization process in the present embodiment, the external recording medium itself is not so-called formatted, but the power supply is stopped and supplied again, so that the written image data is not destroyed. . At the same time, it is possible to refrain from using the external recording medium with low reliability by notifying the user of that fact.

[Other Embodiments]
An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the image processing apparatus corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the external recording medium 200 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image display corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart corresponding to an example of the image light sequence corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart corresponding to another example of the image light sequence corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart corresponding to yet another example of the image light sequence corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart corresponding to an example of the image read sequence corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image display which notifies the reading failure of image data corresponding to embodiment of this invention.

Claims (18)

An image processing apparatus to which an external recording medium comprising a nonvolatile storage means for storing data and a control means for controlling writing of data to the nonvolatile storage means can be attached and detached,
An imaging means for capturing an image;
First storage means for storing image data obtained by the imaging means ;
Write control means for controlling writing of the image data stored in the first storage means to the nonvolatile storage means via the control means;
Power control means for controlling power supply to the control means;
Write determination means for determining whether or not the writing by the writing control means has been normally performed ;
By the write judgment unit, when the writing by the write control means is determined not to have been performed correctly, after the power supply is stopped for the control unit to the power control unit, it is restarted, thereafter An image processing apparatus comprising: a rewrite control unit that controls rewriting of the image data stored in the first storage unit to the nonvolatile storage unit via the control unit .   2. The rewriting control unit according to claim 1, wherein the rewriting control unit prohibits the imaging process by the imaging unit when it is determined that the writing by the writing control unit is not normally performed. Image processing device.   The rewrite control means, when it is determined that the writing by the write control means is not normally performed, until the external recording medium mounted on the image processing apparatus is replaced. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image pickup process is prohibited. Rewrite determination means for determining whether or not the rewriting by the rewrite control means has been normally performed;
By the rewrite determining unit, the determined if the said re-writing is not normally performed, further characterized in that to obtain Bei a notifying means for notifying an abnormality of the external recording medium, according to claim The image processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3 .   5. The image data writing is stopped when the rewriting determination unit determines that the rewriting by the rewriting control unit is not normally performed. Image processing apparatus.   The control by the rewrite control unit is executed when the number of times when the write determination unit determines that the writing by the write control unit is not normally performed exceeds a predetermined number of times. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing control unit operates during continuous shooting by the imaging unit.   An image processing apparatus to which an external recording medium comprising a nonvolatile storage means for storing data and a control means for controlling writing of data to the nonvolatile storage means can be attached and detached,
  An imaging means for capturing an image;
  First storage means for storing image data obtained by the imaging means;
  Write control means for controlling writing of the image data stored in the first storage means to the nonvolatile storage means via the control means;
  First determination means for determining whether or not the writing by the writing control means has been performed normally;
  When it is determined by the first determination means that writing is not normally performed, a reset signal is transmitted to the control means, and then the image data stored in the first storage means is stored. First rewrite control means for controlling writing to the nonvolatile storage means;
  Second determination means for determining whether or not the writing by the first rewrite control means has been normally performed;
  Power control means for controlling power supply to the control means;
  When the second determination means determines that the writing by the first rewrite control means is not normally performed, the power supply control means stops the power supply to the control means, Second rewrite control means for controlling rewriting of the image data stored in the first storage means to the non-volatile storage means via the control means after the restart;
  An image processing apparatus comprising:   The second rewriting control unit prohibits the imaging process by the imaging unit when it is determined that the writing by the first rewriting control unit is not normally performed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8.   The second rewrite control unit replaces the external recording medium attached to the image processing apparatus when it is determined that the writing by the first rewrite control unit is not normally performed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image processing by the image capturing unit is prohibited until the image processing is performed.   Third determination means for determining whether or not the rewriting by the second rewrite control means has been normally performed;
  11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising notification means for notifying abnormality of the external recording medium when the third determination means determines that the re-writing is not normally performed. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   12. The writing of image data is stopped when the third determination unit determines that the re-writing by the second re-writing control unit is not normally performed. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   When the number of times that the second determination means determines that the writing by the first rewrite control means is not normally performed exceeds a predetermined number, the second rewrite control means The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein control is executed.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the writing control unit operates during continuous shooting by the imaging unit. A control method of an image processing apparatus to which an external recording medium comprising a non-volatile storage unit for storing data and a control unit for controlling writing of data to the non-volatile storage unit is detachable,
A writing control step for controlling writing of the image data stored in the first storage unit storing the image data captured by the imaging unit to the nonvolatile storage unit via the control unit;
A write determination step for determining whether or not the writing in the writing control step has been normally performed ;
In the write determination step, when it is determined that the writing in the write control step is not normally performed , the power supply control unit that controls the power supply to the control unit stops the power supply to the control unit after, is resumed, then through the control unit, and a re-writing control step of controlling the re-writing to the nonvolatile memory portion of the image data stored in said first storage portion And a control method for the image processing apparatus.   A control method of an image processing apparatus to which an external recording medium comprising a non-volatile storage unit for storing data and a control unit for controlling writing of data to the non-volatile storage unit is detachable,
  A writing control step for controlling writing of the image data stored in the first storage unit storing the image data captured by the imaging unit to the nonvolatile storage unit via the control unit;
  A first determination step of determining whether or not the writing in the writing control step has been normally performed;
  In the first determination step, when it is determined that writing is not normally performed, a reset signal is transmitted to the control unit, and then the image data stored in the first storage unit A first rewrite control step for controlling writing to the nonvolatile storage unit;
  A second determination step of determining whether or not the writing in the first rewrite control step is normally performed;
  In the second determination step, when it is determined that the writing in the first rewrite control step is not normally performed, the control unit controls the power supply control unit that controls power supply to the control unit. The second power supply for controlling the second writing of the image data stored in the first storage unit to the non-volatile storage unit via the control unit is resumed after stopping the power supply to Rewrite control process and
  An image processing apparatus control method comprising: A computer program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 15 or 16 . A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 17 .

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