JPH04318328A - Backup check device for recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the backup check device for a recording medium, which is characterized by discriminating whether a photographed image is backed up by the recording medium or not and recording a photographing end signal in the medium after photographing finished in order to prevent an image from being erased erroneously. CONSTITUTION:An electronic still camera is provided with a photographing end signal recording circuit 18 for recording a photographing end signal in a memory card 16, when photographing finished, and a photographing end signal detecting circuit 19. After photographing finished, the photographing end signal is recorded in the memory card 16, and also, when the memory card 16 is installed in a memory card connector 15, when the photographing end signal is detected, a warning is raised by a warning display element 22. On the other hand, a mass storage of a large capacity inputs an image from the memory card 16, and simultaneously, erases the photographing end signal recorded in the memory card 16.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a backup check device for a recording medium, and more particularly to a backup check device for a recording medium that can determine whether or not a photographed image has been backed up to the recording medium.

0002

[Prior Art] Generally, in an electronic still camera that uses a floppy disk or memory card as a recording medium, after taking an image,
Data is backed up to mass storage such as video tape or digital audio tape (DAT) and filed. However, although it is sufficient to back up the image immediately after taking the image, there are cases where the user forgets to back up the image or accidentally rewrites the image onto the recording medium where the image has already been taken. For this reason, recording media are provided with a tab or switch to prevent writing, but with this it is not possible to determine whether or not a backup has been made.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, conventionally there has been no method for determining whether or not the contents recorded on a recording medium have already been backed up. In addition,
For electronic still cameras that use inexpensive floppy disks, it is possible to use multiple floppy disks, so it is possible to forget to back up the images you have taken, or to accidentally transfer the images to a recording medium that has not been backed up. This caused the phenomenon of being recorded.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to determine whether a photographed image has been backed up on a recording medium or not, and to prevent the image to be saved from being accidentally deleted. The purpose is to provide a backup check device for recording media.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] That is, the present invention includes an imaging means for photographing an image to be recorded on a first recording medium, and an imaging end signal recorded in the first recording medium after the imaging means takes an image. means for detecting that the first recording medium on which the imaging end signal is recorded in advance is mounted; and means for generating a warning signal when the first recording medium is detected by the detecting means. an electronic still camera having a means for emitting data; and a second recording medium that stores and organizes a large amount of images recorded on the first recording medium, and that captures and records image signals from the first recording medium. and a large-capacity mass storage having means for erasing the imaging end signal recorded on the first recording medium after capturing the image signal.

[0006]

[Operation] The electronic still camera has a means for recording a photographing end signal on a recording medium when photographing is completed, thereby recording the photographing end signal on the recording medium after photographing is completed. In addition, the electronic still camera has a shooting end signal detection means, and when the shooting end signal is detected when the recording medium is attached,
To issue a warning by having means for issuing a warning to the photographer. On the other hand, large-capacity mass storage for storing and organizing images is
It has a means for erasing the photographing end signal recorded on the recording medium at the same time as capturing the image from the recording medium, and erases the photographing end signal after capturing the image.

[0007]

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic still camera using a memory card as a recording medium, to which the recording medium backup check apparatus of the present invention is applied. The signal of the image photographed by the image sensor 11 is processed by the process signal processing circuit 12, and then processed by the process signal processing circuit 12.
The signal is A/D converted by the /D converter 13 and sent to the field memory 14. The contents stored in the field memory 14 can be recorded on a memory card 16 which is detachably attached to the memory card connector 15 via the memory card connector 15.

The image sensor 11, process signal processing circuit 12, A/D converter 13, and field memory 14 are as follows:
It is controlled by a system controller 17. Further, the memory card connector 15 is controlled by the system controller 17 via the imaging end signal recording circuit 18. On the other hand, a signal is output from the memory card connector 15 to a photographing end signal detection circuit 19 and a card attachment detection circuit 20. Incidentally, signals are also output from the system controller 17 and the card attachment detection circuit 20 to the photographing end signal detection circuit 18. The warning signal generating circuit 21 receives the signal from the photographing end signal detecting circuit 19 and outputs the signal to a warning display element 22 composed of, for example, an LED.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a mass storage for storing captured images. In the figure, a magnetic tape 23 records image data read from the memory card connector 15. Further, a signal is sent from the system controller 24 to the magnetic tape 23 and the photographing end signal erasing circuit 25. The photographing end signal erasing circuit 25 is for erasing the photographing end signal recorded in a predetermined memory area of the memory card 16 inserted into the memory card connector 15 in response to an instruction from the system controller 24.

Next, the operation of the electronic still camera and mass storage will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, the operation of the electronic still camera will be explained. When the memory card 16 is attached to the memory card connector 15 in the camera body in order to record an image (step A1), the card attachment detection circuit 20 detects that the card is attached. A signal is then sent from the card attachment detection circuit 20 to the photographing end signal detection circuit 19. In the photographing end signal detection circuit 19, 1
The area in which the photographing end signal is recorded is read out of the memory area in the memory card 16 in which the frame image is recorded (step A2).

If the photographing end signal is recorded, the signal is sent to the warning signal generating circuit 21 (step A3), and the warning display element 22 is turned on (step A3).
4). On the other hand, if the photographing end signal is not recorded in step A2, normal photographing is performed (step A5) and the first frame image is recorded.

When the photographing is completed, a signal is sent from the system controller 17 to the photographing end signal recording circuit 18 (
Step A6). In this photographing end signal recording circuit 18,
A photographing end signal is recorded in a predetermined memory area (step A7).

Thereafter, when the second frame is to be photographed, the photographing end signal detection circuit 18 detects whether or not the photographing end signal is recorded in a predetermined memory area for the second frame. The same operation as for the pieces is performed.

Next, the operation of mass storage will be explained.

When the memory card 16 is inserted into the memory card connector 15 of the mass storage main body (step B1), the image data is read out and transferred to the magnetic tape 2.
3 (step B2). When the image backup is completed in this way, the system controller 24 gives an instruction to erase the shooting end signal to the shooting end signal erasing circuit 25 (step B3). In response to this deletion instruction, the photographing end signal recorded in a predetermined memory area of the memory card 15 is erased by the photographing end signal erasing circuit 25 (step B4).

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same components as in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an electronic still camera using a memory card as a recording medium. This embodiment shows a large-capacity mass storage for storing and organizing images, and includes means for recording a backup completion signal on a recording medium when backup is completed.

That is, the memory card connector 15 is
It is controlled by the system controller 17 via the backup end signal erasing circuit 26. On the other hand, a signal is output from the memory card connector 15 to a backup end signal detection circuit 27 and a card attachment detection circuit 20. Note that signals are also output from the system controller 17 and the card attachment detection circuit 20 to the backup end signal detection circuit 27. The warning signal generation circuit 21 receives the signal from the backup end signal detection circuit 27 and outputs it to the warning display element 22.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a mass storage for storing captured images. In the figure, the backup end signal recording circuit 28 sends out a backup end signal to a predetermined memory area of the memory card 16 attached to the memory card connector 15 of the mass storage main body according to instructions from the system controller 24. This is for reading image data and recording it on the magnetic tape 23.

Next, the operation of the electronic still camera and mass storage will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8.

First, when the memory card 16 is inserted into the memory card connector 15 in the camera body in order to record an image (step C1), the card insertion detection circuit 2
0, it is detected that the card is inserted. Next, a signal is sent from the card attachment detection circuit 20 to the backup end signal detection circuit 27. The backup end signal detection circuit 27 reads out the area where the backup end signal is recorded in the memory area of the memory card 16 where the first frame image is recorded (step C2).

In this step C2, if the backup end signal is not recorded, a signal is sent to the warning signal generating circuit 21 (step C3), and the warning display element 22 is turned on (step C4). On the other hand, step C
If the backup end signal is recorded in step C5, normal photographing is performed (step C5) and the first frame image is recorded.

When the photographing is completed, a signal is sent from the system controller 17 to the backup end signal erasing circuit 26 (step C6). The backup end signal erasing circuit 26 erases the backup end signal in a predetermined memory area (step C7).

Thereafter, when shooting the second frame, the backup end signal detection circuit 27 detects whether or not the backup end signal is recorded in a predetermined memory area for the second frame. The same operation as for the pieces is performed.

Next, the operation of mass storage will be explained.

When the memory card 16 is inserted into the memory card connector 15 of the mass storage main body (step D1), the image data is read out and transferred to the magnetic tape 2.
3 (step D2). When the image backup is completed in this way, the system controller 24 gives an instruction to record the backup end signal to the backup end signal recording circuit 28 (step D3). In response to this recording instruction, the backup end signal is recorded in a predetermined memory area of the memory card 16 by the backup end signal recording circuit 28 (step D4). In this case, after the backup ends, a backup end signal is recorded on the recording medium.

When the image backup is completed in this manner, a backup end signal is recorded in a predetermined memory area of the memory card 16 by the backup end signal recording circuit 28.

In the above-described embodiment, a field memory is used, but this may also be constructed from a frame memory. Further, although a memory card is used as the recording medium, the present invention is not limited to this, and other recording media such as a floppy disk may be used.

[0031]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a recording medium that records images captured by an electronic still camera has already been backed up, and by determining whether or not the recording medium that records images captured by an electronic still camera has been backed up. It is possible to prevent old image data from being erased by rerecording it on an old recording medium.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic block diagram of an electronic still camera using a memory card as a recording medium, to which a recording medium backup check device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of mass storage for filing captured images.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic still camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the mass storage shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic still camera using a memory card as a recording medium according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of mass storage for filing captured images.

7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic still camera of FIG. 5. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the mass storage shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

11...Image sensor, 12...Process signal processing circuit, 13...
A/D converter, 14... Field memory, 15... Memory card connector, 16... Memory card, 17, 24... System controller, 18... Shooting end signal recording circuit, 1
9... Shooting end signal detection circuit, 20... Card attachment detection circuit, 21... Warning signal generation circuit, 22... Warning display element, 23
... Magnetic tape, 25... Shooting end signal erasing circuit, 26... Backup end signal erasing circuit, 27... Backup end signal detection circuit, 28... Backup end signal recording circuit.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Imaging means for photographing an image to be recorded on a first recording medium; means for recording an imaging end signal on the first recording medium after imaging by the imaging means; an electronic still camera having means for detecting that the first recording medium on which pre-recording has been recorded is mounted; and means for emitting a warning signal when the first recording medium is detected by the detecting means; It stores and organizes a large amount of images recorded on the first recording medium, and includes a second recording medium that captures and records image signals from the first recording medium, and a second recording medium that captures and records image signals from the first recording medium. 1. A backup check device for a recording medium, comprising: a large-capacity mass storage having means for later erasing an imaging end signal recorded on the first recording medium. 2. A second recording medium that captures and records image signals from a first recording medium that records images in order to store and organize them in large quantities;
a large-capacity mass storage having means for recording a backup end signal on a recording medium; an imaging means for photographing an image to be recorded on the first recording medium; An electronic still camera comprising means for erasing the backup end signal recorded on the medium, and means for emitting a warning signal when a first recording medium in which the backup end signal is not recorded is loaded. A recording medium backup check device characterized by: