JP4333073B2 - Image storage device, digital camera and control program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image storage device, a digital camera, and a control program, and more particularly to an image storage device, a digital camera, and a control program that handle a memory that records captured image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a digital camera, an exchangeable storage medium such as a memory card is inserted, and image information is stored in the storage medium. However, the capacity and cost of the storage medium are not satisfactory.
[0003]
In particular, the cost of a rewritable storage medium is large, and it has been proposed to reduce the cost of the storage medium by providing a restriction on rewriting. For example, it has been proposed to provide an inexpensive storage medium that can be written only once.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of using a reasonable storage medium by improving the storage method of the storage medium.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, connection means for connecting to a memory for storing image data, determination means for determining whether the memory connected by the connection means is a rewrite restriction memory, an image storage memory, and the connection A memory detecting means for detecting that the memory is connected to the means; and when the detecting means detects that the memory is connected, the image storage memory receives the image data recorded in the memory Automatic deletion control means for controlling the image data stored in the image storage memory to be automatically deleted from the memory after being stored in the image storage memory, and the memory is rewritten by the determination means If it is determined that the memory is a limited memory, the automatic deletion means does not automatically delete the image data, After accumulation A control means for deleting the image data recorded in the image storage memory in the rewrite restriction memory from the rewrite restriction memory when an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data. did.
[0019]
Claim 2 In the invention described in claim 1 In the image storage device described above, the memory is a memory card having a rewritable memory or a rewritable memory, and the connection unit is a mounting unit for mounting the memory card.
Claim 3 In the invention described in claim 1 In the image storage device described above, the connection means Is an input / output terminal that is communicably connected to the digital camera having a mounting portion to which the memory can be mounted, and that can communicate with the memory mounted on the digital camera. Output terminal Digital camera Detect connected When the detection unit detects that the digital camera is connected, the automatic deletion control unit receives the image data recorded in the memory, stores the image data in the image storage memory, and stores the image storage Control to automatically delete image data recorded in the image storage memory in the memory after storage in the memory It was set as the structure to do.
[0020]
Claim 4 In the invention described in (1), the control program is configured to describe the control executed by the image storage device according to the first aspect.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 1 has a card slot 2 that serves as an insertion portion for a storage medium made of a solid-state memory card. A normal rewritable storage medium 3 or a write-once storage medium 4 that can be written only once can be inserted into the card slot 2. FIG. 1 shows a state where the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted.
[0022]
The digital camera 1 is controlled by the control / processing unit 5, and selects a shooting mode or a playback mode with the operation unit 7 while looking at the menu of the LCD display unit 6. When the photographing mode is selected, an optical image from a lens (not shown) is repeatedly converted into an electronic image signal by the imaging unit 8 having an image sensor of about 3 million images. Until the shutter release is performed, thinning-out reading is performed from the imaging unit 8 under the control of the control / processing unit 5, which is digitally converted into thinned-out image data by the A / D conversion unit 9, and sent to the control / processing unit 5. Sent. The control / processing unit 5 converts the thinned image data into display image data and sends it to the display buffer 10. Since the imaging unit 8 repeatedly performs imaging, the thinned image data is also repeatedly sent to the control / processing unit 5, and the display buffer 10 is rewritten one after another by new display image data. Thus, an image repeatedly picked up by the image pickup unit 8 is monitored as a moving image by the LCD display unit 6, and the LCD display unit 6 functions as a viewfinder of the digital camera.
[0023]
When the shutter release button is pressed in the operation unit 7, the readout from the imaging unit 8 becomes the all-pixel readout under the control of the control / processing unit 5, and this is digitally converted by the A / D conversion unit 9. The digital data in this state is called raw data because it is raw data output from the image sensor of the imaging unit 8. The raw data from the A / D converter 9 is sent to the raw data one buffer 11 and temporarily stored. When the storage of the raw data is completed, the reading of the imaging unit 8 returns to the thinning-out reading, and the moving image monitoring by the LCD display unit 6 is resumed.
[0024]
The raw data buffer 11 has a capacity of about 10 images, and can store up to about 10 images according to the operation of the shutter release button. In the normal case, the raw data stored in the raw data one buffer 11 by the operation of the shutter release button is immediately sent to the control / processing unit 5 and subjected to processing processing such as interpolation and white balance adjustment and compression processing. Thereafter, the data is stored in the write-once storage medium 4 via the card slot 2. When the storage is completed and the confirmation is made, the Raw data transmitted to the control / processing unit 5 is deleted from the raw data one buffer 11 or overwritten.
[0025]
The capacity of about 10 images in the raw data buffer 11 is such that, in continuous shooting or the like, when the next image is captured before the processing of one image in the control / processing unit 5 is completed, a plurality of raw data is stored. It is for saving at the same time.
[0026]
The remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is displayed on the LCD display unit 6, and when the remaining capacity is exhausted, the LCD display unit 6 displays a message for prompting medium replacement. In accordance with this, the user replaces the storage medium with a new one. The stored image may be taken out from the digital camera 1 in addition to taking out the write-once storage medium 4 and holding the write-once storage medium 4 in the card slot 2 and taking out the digital input / output terminal 12 with a digital communication cable. Is possible.
[0027]
The operation when the rewritable storage medium 3 is inserted into the card slot 2 instead of the write-once storage medium 4 is substantially the same as described above. However, in this case, an unnecessary image can be confirmed on the LCD display unit 6 and can be deleted on the operation unit 7. As described above, in the case of the rewritable storage medium 3, even when there is no remaining capacity, a new capacity can be secured by deleting unnecessary images.
[0028]
On the other hand, in the case of the write-once storage medium 4, when there is no remaining capacity as described above, it is necessary to replace the storage medium with a new one. In order not to cause confusion for the user regarding this difference in use, it is clear whether the LCD display unit 6 is a write-once storage medium 4 or a rewritable storage medium inserted in the card slot 2 Is displayed.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a main flowchart of the operation of the control / processing unit 5 in the first embodiment of FIG. When the power is turned on by the operation unit 7, the digital camera 1 starts up in the recording mode in step S1. In step S2, it is checked whether or not a storage medium is inserted into the card slot 2. If there is a storage medium, the attribute information is input from the storage medium via the connector of the card slot 2 in step S2. The attribute information is information such as the type and capacity of the storage medium, and includes information on whether the storage medium 4 is the write-once storage medium 4 or the rewritable storage medium 3.
[0030]
In step S4, it is checked whether the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted into the card slot 2 based on the input attribute information. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S5, and the LCD display unit 6 displays that it is the write-once storage medium 4. This display continues as long as the power is on.
[0031]
In step S6, deletion instruction invalidation processing is performed. In the case of the rewritable storage medium 3, an image deletion instruction can be issued, but the deletion instruction invalidation process in step S 6 is a process of invalidating such an image deletion instruction. The deletion of the image can be instructed by operating the operation unit 7 after the target image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6, and the digital input / output terminal 12 after the image is automatically read out through the digital input / output terminal 12. However, when the deletion instruction invalidation process is performed, any of these instructions is invalid and the image deletion execution process is not performed.
[0032]
In step S7, protection cancellation instruction invalidation processing is performed. In the case of the rewritable storage medium 3, an instruction to delete an image can be issued. In order to prevent accidental deletion, an instruction to protect the deletion operation for each image and an instruction to release the protection are given by the operation unit 7 or the like. It can be carried out. The protection cancellation instruction invalidation process in step S7 is a process for invalidating such protection cancellation instruction. The write-once storage medium 4 in the first embodiment is designed such that the image cannot be rewritten by the protection process, and the purpose of step S7 is to prevent the protection process from being canceled accidentally. It is.
[0033]
In step S8, a special deletion interrupt is enabled. Since the write-once storage medium 4 cannot be rewritten, a new storage capacity cannot be secured even if the stored image is deleted. Accordingly, the deletion operation for securing a new storage capacity in the rewritable storage medium 3 is not necessary, and this is the purpose of step S6. However, there are cases where an image that is to be specifically deleted is captured, such as an image that is not necessarily left or an image that is not desired to be shown to others. Step S8 is for enabling such a special deletion operation, the details of which will be described later.
[0034]
In step S9, after the above processing, the remaining capacity of the storage medium is checked and displayed. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4 in step S4, since it is the rewritable storage medium 3, the process directly goes to step S9 and the remaining capacity is displayed.
[0035]
In step S10, an imaging interruption can be performed when the shutter release button in the operation unit 7 is pressed, and in step S11, a reproduction interruption can be performed when the reproduction mode is selected by the operation unit 7. In step S12, the flow enters a standby state.
[0036]
On the other hand, when there is no storage medium in step S2, the process proceeds to step S13. After displaying that there is no storage medium on the LCD display unit 6, the process immediately jumps to step S12 and enters a standby state. Therefore, when the storage medium is not inserted in the card slot 2, neither an imaging interrupt nor a reproduction interrupt is possible.
[0037]
In the first embodiment, the storage medium check in step S4 is based on the attribute information input through the connector of the card slot 2 in step S3. However, the first embodiment is different from this. It is also possible. For example, a specific one of a plurality of connector pins for connecting a storage medium and a card slot is used for checking the medium. In the case of a rewritable storage medium, this specific pin is provided, and in the case of a write-once storage medium, this specific pin is provided. In the case of the first embodiment configured so as to lack a pin, is it a write-once storage medium that is inserted by checking whether or not this specific pin is connected to the card slot side connector in step S4? I can know. Further, in the case of the first embodiment in which the rewritable storage medium and the write-once storage medium are configured so that the external shape of the storage medium is different by providing a notch in a part of the external shape of the write-once storage medium, the card slot By providing a switch or the like for checking the presence or absence of this notch or the like on the side, it is possible to know whether or not the inserted is a write-once storage medium medium.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 5 when an imaging interruption occurs in the first embodiment of FIG. When the shutter release button in the operation unit 7 is pressed, the flow starts from step S21. In step S22, an image is taken into the control / processing unit 5 via the imaging unit 8, the A / D conversion unit 9, and the raw data buffer 11, and the control / processing unit 5 performs image interpolation, compression, and Storage into the storage medium is performed via the card slot 2.
[0039]
In step S23, it is checked whether or not the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted in the card slot 2. If it is a write-once storage medium, the process proceeds to step S24, and stored in the write-once storage medium 4 in step S22. Automatically protect the recorded images. In step S25, the LCD display unit 6 displays that the image is protected.
[0040]
In step S26, it is checked whether or not there is a remaining capacity. If there is no remaining capacity, a display for prompting replacement of the storage medium is performed on the LCD display unit 6 in step S27, and the process returns to the main flow in step S28. If there is a remaining capacity in step S26, the process jumps directly to step S28 to return to the main flow.
[0041]
On the other hand, when it is not the write-once storage medium 4 in step S23, it is the rewritable storage medium 3. In this case, the process jumps directly to step S28 and returns to the main flow. As described above, in the case of the rewritable storage medium 3, step S26 and step S27 are skipped, so that even if there is no remaining capacity, there is no display prompting for replacement of the storage medium.
[0042]
The write-once storage medium 4 in the first embodiment is basically the same configuration as the rewritable storage medium 3 except for lack of performance guarantee for repeated rewriting, and is automatically protected in step S24. Rewriting is prohibited by calling, so that no confusion occurs. However, a first embodiment different from this is also possible. For example, when the write-once storage medium 4 itself is configured to prohibit rewriting and deletion, step S24 and step S25 can be omitted. Good.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 5 when a reproduction interrupt is generated in the first embodiment of FIG. When the reproduction mode is selected by operating the operation unit 7, the flow starts from step S31, and a reproduction menu interruption is enabled in step S32.
[0044]
In step S33, a reproduction process is performed. First, the latest recorded image in the write-once storage medium 4 is reproduced and displayed on the LCD display unit 6, and the operation unit 7 can arbitrarily perform screen feed. If thumbnail display is selected by the operation unit 7, images recorded on the LCD display unit can be listed. The flow proceeds to step S34 every time one operation of the reproduction process in step S33 is completed. In step S34, it is checked whether or not an operation for ending reproduction has been performed by the operation unit 7. If an operation has been performed, the reproduction menu interruption is disabled in step S35, and then the process returns to the main flow in step S36 to change the recording mode. Become. If the playback end operation has not been performed in step S34, the process returns to step S33, and steps S33 and S34 are repeated until the playback end operation is performed.
[0045]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 5 when a playback menu interrupt is generated in the first embodiment of FIG. The playback menu displays a menu of various operations that can be performed in the playback mode, such as thumbnail display, enlarged display, batch image deletion, individual image deletion, image protection, image protection release, etc. The operation items are displayed on the LCD display unit 6 as a list menu, and one of these items is selected by the operation unit 7.
[0046]
When the operation unit 7 is operated in the reproduction mode and the reproduction menu is selected, the flow starts from step S41. In step S42, it is checked whether or not it is a write-once storage medium 4, and if it is the write-once storage medium 4, display menu item change processing is performed in steps S43 to S45. First, in step S43, deletion menu non-display processing is performed, and the operation items for batch image deletion and individual image deletion are hidden and excluded from the menu. Instead, in step S44, a special deletion menu display process is performed so that the special deletion is added to the menu as an operation item and displayed. In step S45, the protect menu non-display process is performed, and the operation items for image protection and image protection cancellation are hidden and excluded from the menu. The operation items excluded from the menu by the above processing cannot be operated by the operation unit 7.
[0047]
In step S46, a menu display of the result of the item change in steps S43 to S45 is performed. On the other hand, if it is not the write-once storage medium 4 in step S42, since it is the rewritable storage medium 3, the process proceeds directly to step S46, where normal thumbnail display, enlarged display, batch deletion of images, individual deletion of images, Operation items such as protect and image unprotect are displayed on the LCD display unit 6 as a list menu.
[0048]
In step S47, an operation item of the displayed menu is selected by the operation unit 7, and processing for executing this is performed. Whenever one operation of the menu selection process in step S47 is completed, the flow proceeds to step S48. In step S48, it is checked whether or not the operation section 7 has been operated to end the menu. If an operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S49. In step S49, the menu display is initialized. If menu item change processing has been performed in steps S43 to S45, this is the normal thumbnail display, enlarged display, batch image deletion, and individual image display. Returns to the menu display with operation items such as delete, image protect, and image unprotect. In step S50, the flow returns to the reproduction interrupt flow of FIG.
[0049]
If the menu end operation has not been performed in step S48, the process returns to step S47, and steps S47 and S48 are repeated until the menu end operation is performed.
[0050]
In the first embodiment, after the processing for invalidating the deletion instruction and the protection release instruction in steps S6 and S7 in FIG. 2, these instruction items are further displayed in steps S43 and S45 in FIG. It is deleted from the menu to avoid confusion and as a safety measure when an error occurs. However, when it is configured so that the processing of step S6 and step S7 in FIG. 2 is performed reliably, step S43 and step S45 can be omitted. In this case, even when the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted in the card slot 2, the operation items related to deletion and protection are displayed in step S46, and apparently used for selection by the operation unit 7. However, even if these items are selected, since the processes in steps S6 and S7 in FIG. 2 are performed, the deletion and the protection cancellation are not executed.
[0051]
Further, when the processing of step 43 and step S45 in FIG. 5 is configured to be performed reliably, step S6 and step S7 in FIG. 2 can be omitted. However, in place of step S6 in FIG. 2, it is necessary to provide a step of invalidating the external deletion instruction via the digital input / output terminal 12 or the like.
[0052]
Furthermore, the display menu item changing process from step S43 to step S45 in FIG. 5 can be configured to be performed collectively in the process from step S6 to step S8 in FIG.
[0053]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 5 when a special deletion interrupt is generated in the menu selection process in step S47 of FIG. The flow starts from step S51 when special deletion is selected from the reproduction menu by the operation unit 7 in a state where an image is reproduced and displayed on the LCD display unit 6. In step S52, a rewritable warning is displayed, and it is noted that a new capacity cannot be secured even if the user performs a deletion operation. This is to prevent the user from confusing this operation with a normal deletion operation.
[0054]
In step S53, an unrecoverable warning is displayed. In the case of normal deletion, the image information itself is not deleted, but the data of the management information corresponding to the image is set to the deletion state, and the image information storage area specified by the management information can be overwritten. Therefore, even if the deletion operation is performed, it is possible to restore the image using special restoration software as long as other information is not overwritten in the area where the image information is actually stored. On the other hand, if such a deletion method is used in a write-once storage medium, a new image may be overwritten using the storage area of the deletion target image information, and the storage performance may not be guaranteed. Therefore, the write-once storage medium 4 according to the first embodiment employs a different deletion method as will be described later, and as a result, the image cannot be restored. This also matches the user's intention. Step S53 warns the user of this point.
[0055]
In step S54, after the above caution and warning are convinced, it is checked whether or not the user has performed an execution operation within a predetermined time after the display in step S53. If there is an execution operation, the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, meaningless information is overwritten in the storage area to be deleted designated by the management information, and the image information itself is deleted. In step S56, management information change processing is performed. However, this is not a process for indicating that the corresponding storage area can be overwritten as in the case of normal deletion, but a process for excluding it from the reproduction target. Therefore, the image storage area corresponding to the management information subjected to this processing is not reused for storing new image data as used. Further, since the information in the image storage area is excluded from the reproduction target, a meaningless image is not reproduced.
[0056]
Thus, the special deletion is completed, and the flow returns to the reproduction menu of FIG. 5 in step S57. On the other hand, if the user withdraws the intention of special deletion based on the display in step S52 or step S53 and does not perform the execution operation by the operation unit 7 within the predetermined time in step S54, the process jumps directly to step S57, Return to the playback menu of FIG.
[0057]
In the case of an embodiment in which the write-once storage medium itself is configured to prohibit rewriting and deletion, there is no need to consider from the viewpoint of preventing the image storage area from being overwritten erroneously as described above. However, when it is configured so that it can be deleted, a deletion method different from that of a normal rewritable storage medium must be adopted. Further, the circumstances that require the display in step S52 and step S53 remain the same. Therefore, also in the first embodiment, steps similar to those in FIG. 6 are required.
[0058]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the digital camera 21 in FIG. 7 has substantially the same configuration as that of the digital camera 1 in FIG. 1, common portions are denoted by common numbers and description thereof is omitted.
[0059]
A feature of the second embodiment in FIG. 7 is that a nonvolatile memory 22 is incorporated. The nonvolatile memory 22 stores the image data processed by the control / processing unit 23 together with the write-once storage medium 4 or the rewritable storage medium 3 inserted into the card slot 2. Further, the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 can be transferred to a storage medium inserted in the card slot 2 and taken out by the operation of the operation unit 24. The image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 can be directly read out to the outside by the digital input / output terminal 12.
[0060]
Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. Note that operations common to the first embodiment may be omitted or simplified to avoid duplication. Accordingly, the second embodiment performs the same operation as that of the first embodiment unless a description contrary to the first embodiment is given.
[0061]
FIG. 8 is a main flowchart of the operation of the control / processing unit 23 in the second embodiment of FIG. When the power is turned on by the operation unit 24, the digital camera 21 starts up in the recording mode in step S61. In step S62, it is checked whether or not a storage medium is inserted in the card slot 2. If there is a storage medium, the attribute information is input from the storage medium via the connector of the card slot 2 in step S63. The attribute information is information such as the type and capacity of the storage medium, and includes information on whether the storage medium 4 is the write-once storage medium 4 or the rewritable storage medium 3.
[0062]
In step S64, it is checked whether or not the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted in the card slot 2 based on the input attribute information. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S65, and the LCD display unit 6 displays that it is the write-once storage medium 4. This display continues as long as the power is on.
[0063]
In step S66, deletion instruction invalidation processing is performed. In the case of the second embodiment, this is a process for invalidating the image data stored in the write-once storage medium 4 even if a deletion instruction is given, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 22. The delete instruction for the existing image data is effective. The protection cancellation instruction invalidation process in step S67 is the same, and the protection cancellation instruction is invalidated for the image data stored in the write-once storage medium 4, but the image stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 is invalidated. An instruction to cancel protection of data is valid. In step S68, a special deletion interrupt is enabled for the image data stored in the write-once storage medium 4. It should be noted that a special deletion interrupt for image data stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 is not possible.
[0064]
Step S69 is “memory priority processing” in which image data processed by the control / processing unit 23 during imaging is preferentially stored from the nonvolatile memory 22 or preferentially stored from a storage medium inserted in the card slot 2. This is a step for performing priority determination processing for determining whether to perform “medium priority processing”. In the “memory priority processing”, even if there is a remaining capacity in the write-once storage medium 4, first, image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 22, and after confirmation, this is transferred to the write-once storage medium. This means that the write-once storage medium 4 cannot be rewritten, so that execution of storage is careful. On the other hand, in “medium priority processing”, image data is stored from the storage medium as long as the storage medium inserted into the card slot 2 has a remaining capacity, and when the remaining capacity is exhausted, the image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 22. To go. Details of the priority determination process in step S69 will be described later.
[0065]
Next, step S70 is a step for performing a transfer process for transferring the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 at the time of power-on to the storage medium inserted in the card slot 2. Details thereof will be described later. Step S71 is a display process performed when the power is turned on, and details thereof will be described later.
[0066]
In step S72, the playback interrupt can be performed when the playback mode is selected by the operation unit 7, and in step S73, the power off interrupt can be performed when the operation unit 7 performs a power-off operation. In step S74, the flow enters a standby state.
[0067]
On the other hand, when there is no storage medium in step S62, the process proceeds to step S75, and the built-in memory display is performed on the LCD display unit 6. This is a display indicating that there is no storage medium in the card slot 2 and storage is performed only by the built-in nonvolatile memory 22. This display continues as long as the power is on. Then, after “memory priority processing” is performed in step S76, the remaining capacity display processing in step S71 is entered.
[0068]
If it is not the write-once storage medium 4 in step S64, it means that the rewritable storage medium 3 is inserted in the card slot 2, and the process proceeds to step S77, where the rewritable storage medium 3 is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. Is displayed. This display continues as long as the power is on. Further, after performing “medium priority processing” in step S78, the transfer processing in step S70 is started.
[0069]
Note that the main flow of FIG. 8 as described above executes steps S61 to S74 not only when the power is turned on but also when the storage medium of the card slot 2 is replaced while the power is turned on. This corresponds to the case where the once storage medium 3 is replaced with a rewritable storage medium and vice versa.
[0070]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the priority determination process in step S69 of FIG. When the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted into the card slot 2, “memory priority processing” or “medium priority processing” is set as default if nothing is set when the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted. The control / processing unit 23 is initially set to perform “medium priority processing”. Therefore, when “memory priority processing” is desired, the setting is changed by the operation unit 24 when the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted. This setting change is maintained unless the write-once storage medium 4 is removed from the card slot 2 or the setting is changed again. In FIG. 8, when step S69 is reached, the flow starts from step S81 in FIG. 9, and it is checked in step S82 whether the setting for “memory priority processing” has been performed. If the setting has been made, it is determined in step S83 that “memory priority processing” is set. If “memory priority processing” is selected, it is necessary to transfer the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 to the write-once storage medium 4, so that a transfer interrupt is enabled in step S84. And the process proceeds to step S70 in FIG. On the other hand, if “memory priority processing” has not been set in step S82, it is determined to be “medium priority processing” in step S86, and step S85 is reached.
[0071]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the transcription process in step S70 of FIG. In FIG. 8, when step S70 is reached, the flow starts from step S87 in FIG. 10, and it is checked in step S88 whether image data is present in the nonvolatile memory 22 or not. When there is image data in the non-volatile memory 22 at the time of power-on, what is stored by the “memory priority process” is left untransferred, and when the remaining capacity of the storage medium is “medium priority process” It is conceivable that the image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 due to the disappearance of the image data. In the latter case, transcription becomes a problem when the storage medium in the card slot 2 is replaced and the power switch is turned on.
[0072]
If there is image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 in step S88, it is checked in step S89 whether the storage medium in the card slot 2 has a remaining capacity. If there is a remaining capacity, it is checked in step S90 whether or not “memory priority processing”, and if memory priority is given, in step S91, the target image is reproduced and displayed on the LCD display unit 6 to prompt whether or not to perform transcription. Then, in step S92, it is checked whether or not there has been an operation by the operation unit 24 within a predetermined time. If there is an operation within a predetermined time, it is checked in step S93 whether the operation is a transcription operation or a simple deletion operation. If it is determined in step S93 that the transfer operation has been performed, transfer to the write-once storage medium 4 is executed in step S94, and steps S24 and S25 of FIG. The same automatic protection processing and display are performed. In step S96, the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 that has been transferred is deleted, and the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 is increased.
[0073]
On the other hand, if the operation is not a transfer operation in step S93, the operation is simply a delete operation. Therefore, the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 is deleted in step S96 without performing the transfer to the write-once storage medium 4, and the nonvolatile memory 22 is deleted. Increase the remaining capacity. In this way, in the “memory priority processing”, by inserting steps S91 and S92, unnecessary image data is prevented from being written to the write-once storage medium 4 that can be written only once.
[0074]
In step S97, it is checked whether or not there is next image data in the non-volatile memory 22, and if there is no image data, step S98 is reached and the flow is terminated, and the remaining capacity display process in step S71 of FIG. 8 is entered.
[0075]
On the other hand, if there is no image data in the non-volatile memory 22 in step S88, the process immediately proceeds to step S98, and the flow ends. If there is no remaining capacity in the storage medium of the card slot 2 in step S89, the flow immediately ends at step S98. Note that even when there is no storage medium itself in the card slot 2, in step S89, it is assumed that there is no remaining capacity in the storage medium.
[0076]
Further, when it is not “memory priority processing” in step S90, it is “medium priority processing”, so the process proceeds to step S99 without entering the confirmation steps in step S91 and step S92. In step S99, it is checked whether or not the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted in the card slot 2, and if it is the write-once storage medium 4, the transfer is executed in step S94 and the automatic protection process / display in step S95 is performed. At the same time, the corresponding image in the nonvolatile memory 22 is erased in step S96. On the other hand, when it is found in step S99 that the rewritable storage medium 3 is inserted into the card slot 2, the transfer is executed in step S100, and the process proceeds to step S96. The operation from step S90 to step S99 is necessary when the full storage medium is replaced and the power is turned on in a state where image data stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 is generated in the “medium priority process”. . This is also necessary when the image data of the rewritable storage medium 3 that has become full is subsequently deleted and a remaining capacity is generated, as will be described later.
[0077]
In step S92, if there is no operation by the operation unit 24 within a predetermined time after the reproduction and display of the target image, it is considered that the disposal of the image is suspended, and step S93 to step S96 are skipped. The process proceeds to step S97 with the target image held in the nonvolatile memory 22. Note that this suspended image data is not treated again as “next image data” in step S97 unless the transfer process is restarted from step S87. The image data that has been put on hold must be re-determined for the presence or absence of the transfer in the next transfer process.
[0078]
In the above operation, if the next image is in the nonvolatile memory 22 in step S97, the flow returns to step S89, and the operation as described above is performed again for this next image. Thereafter, as long as the next image data exists in the non-volatile memory 22 in step S97 and the medium has remaining capacity in step S89, steps S89 to S97 are repeated.
[0079]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the remaining capacity display process in step S71 of FIG. In FIG. 8, when it reaches step S71, the flow starts from step S101 of FIG. 11, and it is checked in step S102 whether or not it is “memory priority processing”. If it is “memory priority processing”, the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 is displayed in step S103. In the case of “memory priority processing”, even if there is a remaining capacity in the storage medium of the card slot 2, the process cannot be executed if there is no remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory 22, and the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory is necessary as information. Because. In step S104, it is checked whether the nonvolatile memory 22 has a remaining capacity. If there is no remaining capacity, the process proceeds to step S105, and a transfer warning process is performed in step S105 to warn that “memory priority process” cannot be performed as it is. In step S106, the process is forcibly switched to “medium priority processing”, and the process proceeds to step S107. If there is a remaining capacity in the non-volatile memory 22 in step S104, step S105 and step S106 are unnecessary, and the process jumps directly to step S107 with “memory priority processing”.
[0080]
On the other hand, if it is not “memory priority processing” in step S102, it is “medium priority processing”. Therefore, in step S108, the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 and the remaining capacity of the storage medium in the card slot 2 are added. The process jumps to step S107. This is because, in the case of “medium priority processing”, image data is stored in order from the storage medium without performing transcription, so that the total capacity display is sufficient from the viewpoint of whether image data can be stored.
[0081]
In step S107, it is checked whether the storage medium of the card slot 2 has a remaining capacity. If there is no remaining capacity, it is checked in step S109 whether the storage medium in the card slot 2 is the rewritable storage medium 3. If it is not the rewritable storage medium 3, it is a write-once storage medium 4, so the process proceeds to step S 110, a medium replacement display for prompting storage medium replacement is performed on the LCD display unit 6, and the process proceeds to step S 111.
[0082]
On the other hand, if the storage medium in the card slot 2 is the rewritable storage medium 3 in step S109, the display form of the total remaining capacity is changed in step S112, and the process proceeds to step S111. As an example of changing the display form in step S112, there is processing such as placing a bar below the remaining capacity number or changing the color of the remaining capacity number display. In the case of the rewritable storage medium 3, the remaining capacity is restored by deleting the image data. Therefore, the storage medium capacity is full by changing the total display form as in step S112 without performing the medium replacement display as in step S110. It is reasonable to call attention to that. When the image data is deleted and the remaining capacity is restored, the combined display form is also restored to the original display form.
[0083]
In step S111, it is checked whether or not there is a total remaining capacity, and even if there is no medium remaining capacity, if there is a remaining capacity in the non-volatile memory 22, it is possible to capture an image. In step S114, the flow ends and the process proceeds to step S72 in FIG. On the other hand, if there is no remaining capacity in the non-volatile memory 22 in step S111 and there is no remaining capacity even after addition, the capacity full is displayed in step S115, and step S113 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S114. Therefore, in this case, an imaging interruption cannot be performed unless the image data is deleted or the storage medium is replaced.
[0084]
If there is a remaining medium capacity in step S107, the process proceeds to step S116. After the remaining medium capacity is displayed, the process proceeds to step S113. This is because in any case, information on the remaining capacity of the medium is necessary to determine the necessity of medium replacement.
[0085]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 23 when an imaging interrupt is issued in the second embodiment of FIG. When the shutter release button in the operation unit 24 is pressed, the flow starts from step S121. In step S122, an image is taken into the control / processing unit 5 via the imaging unit 8, the A / D conversion unit 9, and the raw data buffer 11, and the control / processing unit 5 performs interpolation and compression of the image. Is called.
[0086]
In step S123, it is checked whether or not the “memory priority processing” is performed. In the case of “memory priority processing”, whether or not there is a remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory 22 is checked in step S124. In step S125, the compressed image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 22. In this case, steps for transcription are executed in step S126 and subsequent steps.
[0087]
First, in step S126, it is checked whether the write-once storage medium 4 in the card slot 2 has a remaining capacity for transfer. If there is a remaining capacity, it is urged in step S127 whether to perform the transfer. During this time, the LCD display unit 6 continues to display the imaging result for a predetermined time. In step S128, it is checked whether or not there has been a transfer operation by the operation unit 24 within the predetermined time. If there is a transfer operation within the predetermined time, transfer to the write-once storage medium 4 is executed in step S129. At the same time, in step S129, the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 that has been transferred is deleted, and the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 is increased. Further, in step S130, the automatic protect process and display similar to steps S24 and S25 of FIG. 3 are performed on the write-once storage medium 4, and the process proceeds to step S131.
[0088]
If there is no remaining capacity in the write-once storage medium in step S126, there is no need to consider the transfer, and the process jumps directly to step S131. Also, if there is no transfer operation within a predetermined time in step S128, the process jumps to step S131. In this case, the operation to be checked in step S128 is only the transfer operation in this case, and the simple deletion operation as in steps S92 and S93 in FIG. 10 is not accepted immediately after imaging.
[0089]
On the other hand, if it is not “memory priority processing” in step S123, the process proceeds to step S132, and the compressed image data is stored as “medium priority processing”. That is, the image data is stored in the storage medium if there is a remaining capacity in the storage medium of the card slot 2 and in the nonvolatile memory 22 if there is no remaining capacity. In step S133, it is checked whether or not the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted in the card slot 2. If the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S130. Proceed to step S131. Note that even if there is no remaining capacity in the non-volatile memory 22 in step S123, the memory priority process cannot be performed, and the process proceeds to the medium priority storage process in step S132.
[0090]
In step S131, it is checked whether there is a total remaining capacity. If there is no total remaining capacity, imaging interruption is disabled in step S134, and the process proceeds to step S135. If there is a total remaining capacity, the process proceeds directly to step S135. In step S135, the remaining capacity display process shown in detail in FIG. 11 is performed based on the latest situation after imaging, and when this is completed, the process returns to the main flow in FIG. 8 and waits in step S136.
[0091]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 23 when a playback interrupt is generated in the second embodiment of FIG. 7. When the playback mode is selected by operating the operation unit 24, the flow is as follows. Starting from step S141, playback menu interruption is enabled in step S142.
[0092]
In step S143, the transcription process shown in detail in FIG. 10 is performed. That is, when the playback mode is selected, first, the checks from step S88 to step S90 in FIG. 10 are performed. In the case of “memory priority processing”, the image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 and the write-once storage medium 4 is stored. When there is a remaining capacity, the transfer is prompted in steps S91 to S97 in FIG. As described above, in the case of “memory priority processing”, the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 is ensured as much as possible by using an opportunity to select the reproduction mode. Even in the case of “medium priority processing”, if the remaining capacity is secured in the rewritable storage medium 3 by deleting the image data, as much image data as possible can be rewritten by executing the transfer in step S100. 3 so that it can be taken out to the outside.
[0093]
Steps S144 to S147 can be understood in accordance with steps S33 to S36 of FIG.
[0094]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the reproduction process in step S144 of FIG. In FIG. 13, when the transfer process in step S143 is completed and the process reaches step S144, the flow starts from step S151 in FIG.
[0095]
In step S152, the image is reproduced. Unless otherwise specified, the latest image data is reproduced. In step S153, it is checked whether the image data being reproduced is in the nonvolatile memory 22. If the image data is in the nonvolatile memory 22, it is checked in step S154 whether the storage medium in the card slot 2 has a remaining capacity. If there is a remaining capacity, it is checked in step S155 if it is “memory priority processing”.
[0096]
If it is determined in step S155 that the memory has priority, the user is prompted whether to perform step S156 transfer. In step S157, it is checked whether or not there has been an operation by the operation unit 24 within a predetermined time thereafter. If there is an operation within a predetermined time, it is checked in step S158 whether the operation is a transcription operation or a simple deletion operation. If it is determined in step S158 that the transfer operation has been performed, transfer to the write-once storage medium 4 is performed in step S159, and steps S24 and S25 of FIG. The same automatic protection processing and display are performed. In step S161, the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 that has been transferred is deleted, and the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 is increased.
[0097]
On the other hand, if the operation is not a transfer operation in step S158, the operation is simply a delete operation. Therefore, the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 is deleted in step S161 without performing the transfer to the write-once storage medium 4, and the nonvolatile memory 22 is deleted. Is increased to reach step S162.
[0098]
In step S157, if there is no operation by the operation unit 24 within a predetermined time after the transcription prompting display, it is considered that the disposal for the image has been suspended, and step S158 to step S161 are skipped. The process proceeds to step S162 with the image held in the nonvolatile memory 22.
[0099]
As described above, when the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 is reproduced by the “memory priority process”, as long as there is a remaining capacity in the write-once storage medium 4 in the card slot 2, a process for prompting the transfer is performed.
[0100]
If the reproduced image is not from the nonvolatile memory 22 in step S153, the process immediately proceeds to step S162. Further, when there is no remaining capacity in the storage medium of the card slot 2 in step S154, and further, when it is not “memory priority processing” in step S155, the process immediately proceeds to step S162. This is because there is no need to prompt for posting in these cases.
[0101]
In step S162, it is checked whether or not an image feeding operation has been performed by the operation unit 24 within a predetermined time from the image reproduction in step S152. If there is an image feeding operation, the process returns to step S152. In this case, the next image is reproduced in step S152. In this way, as long as the image feeding operation is performed within the predetermined time in step S162, step S152 to step S162 are repeated. On the other hand, if there is no image feed operation within a predetermined time in step S162, the flow is terminated in step S163 and the process proceeds to step S145 in FIG. If there is no reproduction end operation in step S145 of FIG. 13, the reproduction process of FIG. 14 restarts from step S151. In this case, reproduction of the same image is continued in step S152.
[0102]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 23 when a playback menu interrupt is generated in the second embodiment of FIG. When the operation unit 24 is operated in the reproduction mode and the reproduction menu is selected, the flow starts from step S171, and the menu is displayed in step S172. The menu display is a hierarchical display. At first, the basic menu with the shallowest hierarchy is displayed. The basic menu includes an individual image deletion menu.
[0103]
In step S173, it is checked whether or not the individual deletion menu is selected. If the individual menu is selected, the menu screen is advanced to the hierarchy of the detailed menu for individual deletion, and the target image data is stored in the write-once storage medium 4 in step S174. A check is made to see if it is stored. If it is image data of the write-once storage medium 4, a change process to display menu items for the write-once storage medium is performed from step S175 to step S177.
[0104]
First, in step S175, a deletion menu non-display process is performed. Instead, a special deletion menu display process is performed in step S176. In step S177, a protect menu non-display process is performed.
[0105]
On the other hand, when the image data is not the write-once storage medium in step S174, the deletion instruction menu is displayed in step S178 since the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 or the rewritable storage medium is the target, and in step S179. Press to display the protect menu.
[0106]
As described above, in the second embodiment, the menu items in the detail menu hierarchy for individual deletion are changed and displayed for each individual target image. In step S180, an operation item of the displayed menu is selected by the operation unit 24, and processing for executing this is performed. Whenever one operation of the menu selection process in step S180 is completed, the flow proceeds to step S181. If the individual deletion menu is not selected in step S173, the process jumps directly to step S180, and another menu selection process is performed.
[0107]
In step S181, it is checked whether or not an operation for closing the menu has been performed by the operation unit 24. If an operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S182. In step S182, the menu display is initialized, and the display change of the individual deletion menu hierarchy performed in steps S174 to S179 is initialized. In step S183, the flow returns to the reproduction interrupt flow of FIG.
[0108]
If the menu ending operation has not been performed in step S181, the process returns to step S172, and steps S172 to S181 are repeated until the menu ending operation is performed.
[0109]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 23 when an off interrupt is generated in the second embodiment of FIG. When the operation unit 24 is operated to turn off the digital camera, the flow starts from step S191. In step S192, the transfer process shown in detail in FIG. 10 is performed. The reason is that when there is image data in the non-volatile memory 22, it is facilitated to transfer it to the storage medium of the card slot 2, and at the same time, the situation where the storage medium needs to be replaced as a result of the transfer is dealt with early It is to do. Without this processing, the situation may be noticed for the first time when the power is turned on, and countermeasures may be delayed.
[0110]
In step S193, it is checked whether there is still image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 even after the transfer process. If there is image data, a memory image remaining warning display is performed in step S194. In particular, when imaging is performed by “memory priority processing”, if the warning prompts the replacement of the write-once storage medium 4 and the transfer of image data, it is useful because it is possible to prepare for the next power-on at an early stage. If there is no image data in the nonvolatile memory in step S193, step S194 is skipped.
[0111]
In step S195, it is checked whether the storage medium in the card slot 2 has a remaining capacity. If there is no remaining capacity, it is checked in step S196 whether the storage medium is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is a write-once storage medium, medium exchange display is performed in step S197. If it is determined in step S195 that the storage medium has a remaining capacity and if the storage medium is rewritable storage medium 3 in step S196, step S197 is skipped.
[0112]
In step S198, it is checked whether or not either of the memory image remaining warning display in step S194 and the medium replacement display in step S197 is displayed. If any display is made, a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the display in step S199. Check if you did. Until the predetermined time elapses, step S199 is repeated and the display is continued. If a predetermined time has elapsed in step S199, the power is turned off in step S200, and the flow is terminated in step S201. If no display is made in step S198, the process directly goes to step S200 to turn off the power.
[0113]
As described above, when the power-off operation in step S191 is performed, a transfer process, a warning, and the like are displayed prior to the execution of power-off in step S200. However, there is no image data in the non-volatile memory 22, and write-once is performed. If the storage medium 4 is not full, the process immediately goes from step S191 to step S200, and the power is turned off. Even if there is image data in the non-volatile memory 22, if “memory priority processing” is not performed, the transcription is automatically performed. Therefore, step S192 is a cause of a slight time lag between the power-off operation and execution. It only becomes. On the other hand, when a transfer operation in “memory priority processing” or a display related to “memory priority processing” is performed, a slight conscious exchange of information between the digital camera and the user at the time of power-off operation Will be done.
[0114]
FIG. 17 shows the details of the main flow when the batch transfer processing mode is set in the second embodiment of FIG. 7, and shows the specific contents of steps S69 to S71 of FIG. Here, the batch transfer processing mode is a mode that can be set only when the write-once storage medium 4 is inserted into the card slot 2, and the imaging result is temporarily stored only in the non-volatile memory 22, and the non-volatile The entire storage contents of the memory 22 are transferred to the write-once storage medium 4 together with management information such as FAT data and image data.
[0115]
In FIG. 8, when the power is turned on in the batch transfer processing mode and step S69 is reached, the flow starts from step S211 in FIG. 17, and "memory storage processing" is determined in step S212. This is a step corresponding to the determination of “memory priority processing” in step 83 of FIG. 9, but unlike “memory priority processing”, there is no remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory 22 in “memory storage processing”. Sometimes, even if there is a remaining capacity on the storage medium, no more image data is stored, and the digital camera as a whole is processed as having no remaining capacity.
[0116]
In step S213, the transfer interruption of individual image data is disabled, and the batch transfer interrupt is enabled in step S214. These correspond to step S70 in FIG. 8, but the actual transfer operation is not performed here, and the process proceeds to the next step only by enabling the batch transfer interrupt. Step S215 and the subsequent steps correspond to the specific contents of the remaining capacity display process in step S71 of FIG. 8 in the batch transfer process mode.
[0117]
In step S215, the nonvolatile memory 22 and the write-once storage medium inserted in the card slot 2 are compared, and it is checked whether the available nonvolatile memory capacity is larger than the available write-once storage medium capacity. When the former is larger, the process proceeds to step S216, and it is checked whether or not the effective capacity restriction mode is set. In the effective capacity restriction mode, the effective capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 is set to be equal to the capacity of the usable write-once storage medium 4 and restricted in step S217. This is because, if image data is stored in excess of the capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 that can be used even if there is a sufficient capacity in the non-volatile memory 22, it may be transferred collectively to one write-once storage medium. It is not possible. As a case where the capacity of the available write-once storage medium is smaller, there are cases where the write-once storage medium is used in addition to the case where the capacity of the write-once storage medium itself is relatively small. Such an effective capacity restriction mode is also effective when it is inappropriate to divide and transfer all data in the nonvolatile memory 22 into a plurality of write-once storage media.
[0118]
On the other hand, if the latter is larger or both are equal, the capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 that can be used in step S218 is adopted as the effective capacity of the nonvolatile memory 22 as it is. In step S219, it is determined whether there is an effective remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory 22 based on the effective capacity thus determined.
[0119]
If the effective capacity limit mode is not set in step S216, the process proceeds to step S218, and image data exceeding the available write-once storage medium is allowed to be stored in the nonvolatile memory 22. When it is acceptable to divide and transfer all data in the nonvolatile memory 22 into a plurality of write-once storage media, the effective capacity limit mode is not set in this way, and the total capacity available in the nonvolatile memory 22 is set. Use it to store image data.
[0120]
If there is an effective remaining capacity in the non-volatile memory 22 in step S219, this is displayed in step S220, an imaging interruption is enabled in step S221, the flow is terminated in step S222, and the process proceeds to step S72 in FIG. On the other hand, if there is no effective remaining capacity in step S219, a display prompting batch transfer is performed in step S223, and the process proceeds to step S222.
[0121]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 23 when an imaging interrupt is generated when the batch transfer processing mode is set in the second embodiment of FIG. When the shutter release button in the operation unit 24 is pressed, the flow starts from step S231. In step S232, an image is taken into the control / processing unit 5 via the imaging unit 8, the A / D conversion unit 9, and the raw data buffer 11, and the control / processing unit 5 performs interpolation and compression of the image. Is called. The compressed image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 22 in step S233.
[0122]
In step S234, it is checked whether or not there is an effective remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory 22. If there is no effective remaining capacity, the imaging interruption is disabled in step S235, and the process proceeds to step S236. In step S236, a message prompting batch transfer is displayed, and in step S237, the process returns to the main flow in FIG. If there is an effective remaining capacity, this is displayed in step S238, and the process proceeds to step S237.
[0123]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control / processing unit 23 when a batch transfer interrupt is issued when the batch transfer processing mode is set in the second embodiment of FIG. When the operation unit 24 is operated for batch transfer, a batch transfer interrupt is generated, and the flow starts from step S241. In step S242, it is checked whether or not a batch transfer interrupt has been made in the effective capacity limit mode. If it is not in the effective capacity limit mode, the process proceeds to step S243, and the total data amount of untransferred images in the nonvolatile memory 22 is written to the card slot 2. It is checked whether it is larger than the available capacity in the once storage medium 4. If the total data amount in the nonvolatile memory 22 is larger, the data division process is performed in step S244. In the data division process, the total data amount of the nonvolatile memory 22 is divided into a portion corresponding to the available capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 currently inserted in the card slot 2 and a remaining portion, and data is later Create management information for reading and joining. Note that the remaining portion of the data divided at this stage may be further divided depending on the capacity of the storage medium to be next inserted into the card slot 2.
[0124]
In step S245, a data amount transfer process that can be transferred to the write-once storage medium 4 is performed. When the effective capacity restriction mode is set in step S242, the total data amount of the nonvolatile memory 22 is restricted within the usable capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 currently inserted in the card slot 2. Step S243 and Step S244 are skipped, and Step S245 is reached.
[0125]
In step S246, it is checked whether or not an untransferred image still exists in the non-volatile memory 22 even if the transfer process is performed. If there is no untransferred image, the process proceeds to step S247 to display a message asking whether or not to perform duplicate transfer. . Copy transfer means that the same data in the nonvolatile memory 22 is transferred to a plurality of storage media, and a copy of the storage medium to which the same data is transferred is created. This multiple posting is suitable for distributing the data in the nonvolatile memory 22 to a plurality of members who participated in the same event in the same manner as “increase”. An example of the message that appears is "Transfer completed. Do you want to transfer the same contents to other memory cards?"
[0126]
In step S248, it is checked whether or not an operation for performing copy transfer is performed by the operation unit 24 within a predetermined time from the start of the copy transfer display in step S247. If the duplicate transfer operation has not been performed within the predetermined time, it is considered that there has not been a multiple transfer instruction, and the process proceeds to step S249. If it is not a plurality of postings, the data in the nonvolatile memory 22 is unnecessary thereafter, so in step S249 the stored contents of the nonvolatile memory are deleted, and in step S250, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.
[0127]
On the other hand, if there is an untransferred image in step S246, the process proceeds to step S251 to further transfer the remaining data divided, and a display for prompting medium replacement is performed. In step S252, it is checked whether the medium has been exchanged. If it is confirmed that a new storage medium has been inserted into the card slot 2, the process returns to step S243. Thereafter, the processing after step S243 is performed on the storage medium newly inserted into the card slot 2 and the nonvolatile memory 22. As for the storage medium newly inserted in step S252, it is assumed that not only the write-once storage medium 4 but also the rewritable storage medium 3 is accepted for batch transfer interruption.
[0128]
On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed in step S252 that the medium has been replaced, it is checked in step S253 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the medium replacement display. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S252. Steps S252 and S253 are repeated until a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0129]
As described above, steps S243 to S246 and steps S250 to S252 are repeated as long as an untransferred image exists in the nonvolatile memory 22 in step S246 and medium replacement is performed. If the predetermined time has passed without performing the necessary medium replacement, the process proceeds from step S253 to step S254, the transfer stop process is performed, and the process reaches step S250, and returns to the main flow and waits. In the transfer stop process in step S254, since the history of the transfer process that has progressed to the middle is saved, when the batch transfer interrupt is issued again after replacing the medium, the batch transfer process is resumed from the unposted part. Can do.
[0130]
If a duplicate transfer operation is performed within a predetermined time based on the display in step S247, the process proceeds from step S248 to step S251. At this time, the management information indicating that the image has been transferred to the image in the nonvolatile memory 22 is canceled, and all the image data is not transferred. The processing from step S251 to step S254 is the same as that when there is an untransferred image in step S246. As described above, as long as the copy transfer operation is performed within a predetermined time based on the display in step S247, the process does not proceed from step S248 to step S249. Therefore, the image data in the nonvolatile memory 22 is not deleted. A copy of the image data can be created by replacing the medium as many times as desired.
[0131]
FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the digital camera 31 in FIG. 20 has substantially the same configuration as the digital camera 1 in FIG. 1, common portions are denoted by common numbers and description thereof is omitted.
[0132]
The third embodiment in FIG. 20 is different in that a buffer memory 311 is provided instead of the raw data buffer 11.
[0133]
The digital camera 31 according to the third embodiment temporarily stores image data obtained by imaging in the volatile buffer memory 311 even when the memory card of the write-once storage medium 4 is mounted in the slot 2. By controlling in this way, it is possible to eliminate as much as possible that image data not required by the user is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. Further, it can be realized without increasing the cost by using the volatile buffer memory which has been conventionally used for continuous shooting and image processing.
[0134]
The control executed in the digital camera 31 according to the third embodiment will be described below.
[0135]
First, control at power-on will be described. In addition to the control described here, various controls such as initialization and diagnosis are performed for the control at power-on, but the description is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention. In the digital camera of the present embodiment, when the memory card mounted in the slot 2 is the write-once storage medium 4, a warning is given that it cannot be rewritten.
[0136]
The control executed when the power is turned on will be specifically described below.
[0137]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing control upon power-on of the digital camera according to the present embodiment. This flow starts by detecting power-on.
[0138]
First, in step S1001, information on the memory card installed in the slot 2 is acquired. In step S1002, it is determined whether or not the memory card is the same as the previously detected memory card. If they are the same memory card, this flow ends. If they are different, the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, it is determined whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1004. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, this flow ends.
[0139]
Next, in step S1004, the status information of the LCD display unit 6 is acquired. In step S1005, it is determined whether or not the LCD display unit 6 is lit. If it is in the lighting state, the process proceeds to step S1007. If it is not in the lighting state, the process proceeds to step S1006 to drive the LCD display unit 6. In step S1007, the LCD display unit 6 displays that the non-rewritable write-once storage medium 4 is loaded. FIG. 22 shows a display example. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a display example displayed on the LCD display unit 6. In the display example shown in FIG. 22, only the warning comment is displayed, but it may be displayed together with other information such as the number of remaining frames of the memory card and the remaining capacity of the battery.
[0140]
By controlling as described above, it is possible to inform the user that the memory card cannot be rewritten when the write-once storage medium 4 is mounted before actually recording the memory card. In addition, since the display is not performed when the memory card is the same as the previously detected memory card, the user who frequently turns the power on / off is not bothered.
[0141]
In general, a digital camera has a mode switching function for switching between a shooting mode for recording captured image data and a playback mode for reproducing captured image data. Since no image data is recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 in the playback mode, it is not important to warn a user who uses only the playback mode that the memory is rewritable. Therefore, when the playback mode is set when the power is turned on, there is a possibility that it is not necessary to warn that rewriting is impossible. Also, it is better to warn when switching to the shooting mode even when the power is not turned on.
[0142]
Hereinafter, the control executed at the time of mode switching in the digital camera 31 will be described. If this control is executed, the above power-on control need not be executed.
[0143]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the control at the time of mode switching of the digital camera according to the present embodiment.
[0144]
First, in step S1101, the set mode is detected. In step S1102, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is set. If the shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S1103. If the shooting mode is not set, the flow ends.
[0145]
In step S1103, information on the memory card installed in slot 2 is acquired. Next, in step S1104, it is determined whether or not the memory card is the same as the previously detected memory card. If they are the same memory card, this flow is terminated. If they are different memory cards, the process proceeds to step S1105. In step S1105, it is determined whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1106. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, this flow ends.
[0146]
Next, in step S1106, status information of the LCD display unit 6 is acquired. In step S1107, it is determined whether or not the LCD display unit 6 is in a lighting state. If it is in the lighting state, the process proceeds to step S1109. If it is not in the lighting state, the process proceeds to step S1108 to drive the LCD display unit 6. In step S1109, the screen shown in FIG.
[0147]
Naturally, when the photographing mode is set when the power is turned on, it is determined that the photographing mode has been switched, and this control is executed.
[0148]
Next, recording control executed when a shooting operation is performed in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0149]
In general, a digital camera including a display unit has a function of confirming a captured image on a display and deleting it if it is not necessary. In addition, digital cameras have a function that deletes captured image data from a memory card by playing back an image captured immediately after shooting on the display unit for a predetermined time and operating a delete button within that time. There is. By using this function, an operation such as deleting and re-taking a picture can be easily performed if the user does not like the picture taken immediately after photographing.
[0150]
However, if the write-once storage medium 4 is attached to the digital camera 31, it cannot be rewritten once it has been recorded, so the memory capacity that has been recorded even if it is deleted by operating the delete button Cannot be resurrected.
[0151]
The digital camera 31 according to the third embodiment of the present invention does not record the image data in the write-once storage medium 4 within a predetermined time after shooting when the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. The buffer memory 311 is temporarily stored. Then, the image data is copied from the buffer memory 311 to the write-once storage medium 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed. By controlling in this way, the same function can be realized whether the memory card attached to the digital camera 31 is the rewritable storage medium 3 or the write-once storage medium 4.
[0152]
The above control will be specifically described below. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when a shooting operation is performed.
[0153]
First, in step S1201, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1202, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1209. In step S1202, image data in Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) format is generated, and the generated image data is stored in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311.
[0154]
In step S1203, a reproduced image of the photographed image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. At that time, an inquiry is made as to whether or not the image being reproduced is to be deleted. FIG. 26 shows a display example. In step S1204, it is detected whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the reproduced image was displayed on the LCD display unit 6. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1207. Then, the process proceeds to step S1205.
[0155]
In step S 1207, an instruction is given to record the image data captured this time temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 in the write-once storage medium 4. On the other hand, in step S1205, it is detected whether or not an operation for deleting is performed. If a recording operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S1206. If no deleting operation is detected, the process returns to step S1203. In step S1206, the image data captured this time that has been temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is deleted.
[0156]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S1208, the image data in the Exif format is generated and an instruction is given to record the image file on the memory card. Next, in step S1209, the playback image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 and an inquiry is made as to whether to delete it. FIG. 26 shows a display example. In step S1210, it is detected whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the reproduced image was displayed on the LCD display unit 6. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the present flow is terminated and has not elapsed. In the case, the process proceeds to step S1211.
[0157]
In step S1211, it is detected whether or not an operation to delete is performed. If a delete operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S1212. If no delete operation is detected, the process returns to step S1209. In step S112, the currently captured image data recorded in the memory card is deleted.
[0158]
By controlling as described above, even if the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, useless memory capacity is not consumed when the image is taken again after the image is taken.
[0159]
In addition, since the above control shows an example suitable for a digital camera having a function of reproducing an image taken after completion of photographing for a predetermined time, the predetermined time is assumed to be several seconds. However, the predetermined time is not limited to several seconds, and may be several minutes or several hours.
[0160]
In the above control, the image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 until a predetermined period elapses, and is automatically recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 when the predetermined time elapses. However, the automatic recording on the write-once storage medium 4 is not necessarily in response to the elapse of a predetermined period, but may be recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 in response to a predetermined operation. For example, it may be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 in response to the next shooting operation, or may be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 in response to a half-pressing operation of the shutter release button.
[0161]
Hereinafter, an example of recording in the write-once storage medium 4 in response to a shooting operation will be specifically described.
[0162]
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when a shooting operation is performed.
[0163]
First, in step S1301, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1307. In step S1302, image data in Exif format is generated, and the generated image data is stored in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311.
[0164]
Next, in step S1303, it is detected whether or not the next photographing operation has been performed. If a shooting operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S1305. If a shooting operation is not detected, the process proceeds to step S1304. In step S 1305, an instruction is given to record the image data captured this time temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 in the write-once storage medium 4. On the other hand, in step S1304, it is detected whether or not an operation for deleting is performed. If a recording operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S1306, and if no deleting operation is detected, the process returns to step S1303. In step S1306, the image data captured this time that has been temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is deleted.
[0165]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S 1308, the image data in the Exif format is generated and an instruction is given to record the image file on the memory card.
[0166]
This recording control is suitable for a digital camera having a quick view function and a function for easily reproducing an image taken immediately before.
[0167]
The two recording controls have been described with reference to FIGS. Although the two controls have been described separately, it is also possible to perform control so that image data is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 according to the earlier of the predetermined time and the shooting operation.
[0168]
Next, control for detecting the memory capacity of the memory card attached to the digital camera 31 will be described. In this control, the memory capacity is detected and the remaining capacity is displayed on the LCD display section 6 or a warning display such as replacement of a memory card is displayed.
[0169]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing memory capacity detection control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is repeatedly executed while the power is on.
[0170]
First, in step S1401, the memory capacity of the loaded memory card is detected. Next, in step S1402, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the memory card is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity. The predetermined capacity in this flow is a capacity capable of recording one frame of image data. If it is less than the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S1403. If it is not less than the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S1406. In step S1403, it is detected whether the loaded memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1404. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1405.
[0171]
In step S1404, a display prompting the user to replace the memory card on the LCD display unit 6 is performed. FIG. 28A shows a display example. When the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, since rewriting is impossible, there is no choice but to replace the memory card, so the display as shown in FIG.
[0172]
On the other hand, in step S1405, the LCD display unit 6 is prompted to replace the memory card or delete unnecessary data in the memory card. FIG. 28B shows a display example. When the mounted memory card is the rewritable storage medium 3, it can be dealt with by replacing the memory card and deleting the recorded image data, so the display as shown in FIG. Do. In step S1406, the remaining capacity of the memory card is displayed.
[0173]
By controlling as described above, when the remaining capacity of the memory card runs out, an appropriate instruction that can be taken can be given to the user in accordance with the loaded memory card.
[0174]
Next, image data deletion control by the digital camera 31 will be described. In the playback mode, when the user performs a deletion operation during playback of image data, a deletion menu is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. FIG. 29A shows a display example of the delete menu. The digital camera 31 includes two image data deletion methods, simple deletion and complete deletion.
[0175]
First, simple deletion will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing simple deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when simple deletion is selected in the deletion menu shown in FIG.
[0176]
First, in step S1501, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1502. Advances to step S1506. In step S1502, the memory capacity does not increase even if the image data is deleted. FIG. 29B shows a display example. Next, in step S1503, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S1504, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1505.
[0177]
In step S1504, new FAT information rewritten with FAT (File Allocation Tables) information indicating a state in which the image data to be deleted is deleted is created, the old FAT information is invalidated, and the new FAT information is recorded. Commands the write-once storage medium 4. The FAT information is information for managing data recorded in the memory. Therefore, by invalidating the old FAT and recording the new FAT information indicating the state in which the data is deleted, it indicates that no data is recorded. In this state, it indicates that the image data to be deleted can be newly written in the recorded data area. However, apart from the FAT information, there is management information that makes it impossible to write in the once recorded area. On the other hand, in step S1505, it is detected whether or not canceling has been operated. If it has been operated, this flow is terminated, and if not, processing returns to step S1502.
[0178]
If the mounted memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data in step S1506. Next, in step S1507, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If so, the process proceeds to step S1508, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1509. In step S1508, the memory card is instructed to rewrite the FAT data indicating the state in which the image data to be deleted is deleted. On the other hand, in step S1509, it is detected whether or not cancellation has been operated. If operated, the present flow is terminated, and if not operated, the process returns to step S1506.
[0179]
As described above, when the image data is deleted by rewriting the FAT information, the deletion process can be instantaneously terminated.
[0180]
However, in the simple deletion, the image data exists in the write-once storage medium 4 only by rewriting the FAT information. Therefore, there is a possibility that the deleted image data can be reproduced by performing some processing. If it is not possible to reproduce the deleted image data, complete deletion is selected from the deletion menu shown in FIG.
[0181]
Next, complete deletion will be described. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing complete deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when complete deletion is selected in the deletion menu shown in FIG.
[0182]
First, in step S1601, it is detected whether or not the installed memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1602. Advances to step S1606. In step S1602, as in the case of simple deletion, as shown in FIG. 29B, the memory capacity cannot be increased even if the image data is deleted, but an inquiry is made as to whether or not to delete. Next, in step S1603, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S1604, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1605.
[0183]
In step S1604, the write-once storage medium 4 is instructed to recreate the FAT information so that there is no image data to be deleted and invalidate the old FAT information. At the same time, the image data area is instructed to be overwritten with predetermined data so as to become invalid. On the other hand, in step S1605, it is detected whether or not canceling has been operated. If it has been operated, this flow is terminated, and if not, processing returns to step S1602.
[0184]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data in step S1606. Next, in step S1607, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If so, the process proceeds to step S1608, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1609. In step S1608, the memory card is instructed to rewrite the FAT data indicating the state in which the image data to be deleted is deleted. At the same time, an instruction is given to overwrite predetermined data in the image data area. On the other hand, in step S1609, it is detected whether or not canceling has been operated. If it has been operated, this flow is terminated, and if not, processing returns to step S1606.
[0185]
As described above, the image data can be completely invalidated by selecting the complete deletion in the deletion menu. In addition, it is not possible to invalidate all the image data by partially overwriting the entire image data area instead of overwriting it, but the overwriting time can be shortened.
[0186]
Next, another example of the deletion process in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0187]
In the case of the rewritable storage medium 3, the image data itself subjected to the deletion process by rewriting the FAT information may be overwritten with other image data. On the other hand, in the case of the write-once storage medium 4, the image data itself subjected to the deletion process by adding FAT information is not overwritten with other data. Therefore, in the deletion process using the FAT information, the image data remains recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 forever. In addition, since it is impossible to confirm what the deleted image data is in normal operation, it cannot be used for others because of fear of misuse. Therefore, the digital camera 31 performs a deletion process for invalidating the image data itself when the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, and performs a deletion process for rewriting only the FAT information when the memory card is a rewritable storage medium 3. To do.
[0188]
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the deletion control executed by the digital camera 31.
[0189]
First, in step S1621, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1622. Advances to step S1626. In step S1622, the memory capacity does not increase even if the image data is deleted, but an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data. FIG. 29B shows a display example. Next, in step S1623, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to step S1624, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1625.
[0190]
In step S1624, write-once storage medium 4 creates new FAT information rewritten with FAT information indicating a state in which the image data to be deleted is deleted, invalidates the old FAT information, and records the new FAT information. To order. At the same time, the image data area is instructed to be overwritten with predetermined data so as to become invalid. On the other hand, in step S1625, it is detected whether or not cancellation has been operated. If operated, this flow is terminated, and if not operated, the process returns to step S1622.
[0191]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S1626, an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data. Next, in step S1627, it is detected whether or not deletion is operated. If it is operated, the process proceeds to step S1628, and if it is not operated, the process proceeds to step S1629. In step S1628, the memory card is instructed to rewrite the FAT data indicating the deleted image data. On the other hand, in step S1629, it is detected whether or not canceling has been operated. If it has been operated, this flow is terminated, and if not, processing returns to step S1626.
[0192]
By controlling in this way, when the image data recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 is deleted, it cannot be completely reproduced, so that the user can pass it on to others with peace of mind.
[0193]
Furthermore, another example of deletion control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0194]
The digital camera 31 performs control so that only complete deletion or simple deletion can be selected for the write-once storage medium 4.
[0195]
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when a deletion operation is performed.
[0196]
First, in step S1641, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, and if it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1642, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4. Advances to step S1652. In step S1642, a delete menu shown in FIG. 29A is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. Next, in step S1643, it is detected whether or not “completely deleted” in the delete menu is selected. If “completely deleted” is selected, the process proceeds to step S1644, and if not selected, the process proceeds to step S1648. In step S1644, the memory capacity does not increase even if the image data is deleted, but an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data. FIG. 29B shows a display example. Next, in step S1645, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to step S1646, and if not operated, the process proceeds to step S1647.
[0197]
In step S1646, the write once storage medium 4 is instructed to recreate the FAT information so that there is no image data to be deleted and invalidate the old FAT information. At the same time, the image data area is instructed to be overwritten with predetermined data so as to become invalid. On the other hand, in step S1647, it is detected whether or not cancellation has been operated. If operated, the present flow is terminated, and if not operated, the process returns to step S1644.
[0198]
If “completely delete” is not selected in the delete menu, that is, if “simple delete” is selected, in step S1648, the memory capacity does not increase even if image data is deleted. . FIG. 29B shows a display example. Next, in step S1649, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to step S1650, and if not operated, the process proceeds to step S1651.
[0199]
In step S1650, write-once storage medium 4 creates new FAT information rewritten with FAT information indicating a state in which the image data to be deleted is deleted, invalidates the old FAT information, and records the new FAT information. To order. On the other hand, in step S1651, it is detected whether or not canceling has been operated. If it has been operated, this flow ends. If not, processing returns to step S1648.
[0200]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S1652, an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data. Next, in step S1653, it is detected whether or not deletion has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S1654, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1655. In step S 1654, the memory card is instructed to rewrite the FAT data indicating the deleted image data. At the same time, an instruction is given to overwrite predetermined data in the image data area. On the other hand, in step S1655, it is detected whether or not cancellation has been operated. If it has been operated, this flow is terminated, and if not, processing returns to step S1652.
[0201]
As described above, when the write-once storage medium 4 is controlled so as to be able to select complete deletion or simple deletion, when importance is attached to the confidentiality of image data, the complete deletion and deletion time are desired to be shortened. Can be used properly as simple deletion.
[0202]
As described above, when the process of deleting the image data recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is performed, it is necessary to invalidate the old FAT information and additionally record a new FAT. However, if there is no remaining memory capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 and the newly created FAT information cannot be recorded, the image data cannot be deleted. In order to prevent such an inconvenience, it is conceivable to perform recording control so as to always maintain the memory capacity in preparation for rewriting the FAT information a plurality of times. However, it is not preferable for the user to reduce the capacity for recording image data for rewriting FAT information. Therefore, in the digital camera of this embodiment, image data can be deleted even when there is no remaining capacity without preparing a free capacity for rewriting FAT information. The deletion control will be described in detail below.
[0203]
Processing is performed to invalidate the data by overwriting predetermined data in the recording area of the image data to be deleted, leaving the FAT information as the information in which the image data to be deleted is recorded.
[0204]
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when an operation for deleting image data in the write-once storage medium 4 is performed.
[0205]
First, in step S1701, it is detected whether the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is equal to the capacity for recording newly created FAT information. If there is no recordable capacity, the process proceeds to step S1702, and if there is a recordable capacity, the process proceeds to step S1707. In step S1702, a warning is given to the effect that file management is inconvenient, and an inquiry is made as to whether to execute the file management. FIG. 35 shows a display example. Next, in step S1703, it is detected whether or not a delete operation has been performed. If a delete operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S1704. If the delete operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S1705.
[0206]
In step S1704, the FAT information is left as it is, and the predetermined data is overwritten in the image data area to be deleted to invalidate it. Naturally, the thumbnail image and the additional information data are invalidated together with the image data. On the other hand, in step S1705, it is detected whether or not a cancel operation has been performed. If the cancel operation has been performed, this flow ends. If not, the process returns to step S1702.
[0207]
If there is a capacity capable of recording FAT information, in step S1706, new FAT information indicating that the image data to be deleted is deleted is generated. In step S1707, the old FAT information is invalidated and a new FAT is recorded.
[0208]
Since the image data deleted by this processing is present in the FAT information, the digital camera or other device tries to reproduce it. However, since there is no image data, it is displayed that the image file is broken and is not reproduced. Therefore, it is more preferable that image data to be deleted cannot be deleted although inconvenience occurs in file management.
[0209]
Next, the memory card format control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
If the write-once storage medium 4 is subjected to physical formatting, the entire capacity becomes unusable.
[0210]
FIG. 36 shows a setting menu display example. The setting menu includes selection items such as format and file organization. In FIG. 36, the format item is selected. By selecting the format item, it becomes possible to execute the formatting of the mounted memory card.
[0211]
When the memory card mounted in the slot 2 is the write-once storage medium 4, formatting is prohibited. Specifically, the format menu cannot be selected or a message indicating that formatting cannot be performed even if it is selected is displayed.
[0212]
The format control will be specifically described below.
[0213]
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing format control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts by entering the setting menu screen.
[0214]
First, in step S1801, it is detected whether or not the installed memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1802. Advances to step S1803. In step S1802, the format processing item in the menu screen is disabled. This prohibits formatting. On the other hand, in step S1803, the format processing item in the menu screen can be selected.
[0215]
By performing the format control as described above, it is possible to prevent the format process from being erroneously performed when the write-once storage medium 4 is loaded.
[0216]
Similarly, if file optimization processing is performed on the write-once storage medium 4, the capacity may be reduced.
[0217]
The file optimization process for the memory card installed in the slot 2 will be described below. The file optimization process is to relocate a file from the beginning and eliminate fragmentation of a free area. However, since the rewritable storage medium 4 cannot be rewritten, the file may be rearranged in an unused area.
[0218]
The file optimization process in the digital camera 31 will be specifically described below.
[0219]
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing file optimization control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts by entering the setting menu screen. FIG. 36 shows a display example of the menu screen.
[0220]
First, in step S1901, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S1902. Advances to step S1903. In step S1902, the file optimization process item in the menu screen is disabled. On the other hand, in step S1903, the file optimization processing item in the menu screen can be selected.
[0221]
Thereby, the file optimization process unnecessary for the write-once storage medium 4 is not performed.
[0222]
In the above description, the format process is prohibited when the write-once storage medium 4 is mounted on the digital camera 31.
[0223]
Here, when the write-once storage medium 4 is operated so as to execute the format process, the pseudo-format process is controlled.
[0224]
Specifically, when formatting is executed, the controller in the memory card of the write-once storage medium 4 receives a format command from the digital camera 31 and performs a process of invalidating data in the used area. In addition, the unused area is not processed. As a result, the data in the used area cannot be read, and the unused area remains recordable. Of course, the used capacity of the used area cannot be restored. Since such processing is close to normal format processing, in the present embodiment, such processing performed on the write-once storage medium 4 can be executed from a format item as shown in FIG. When a format item is executed, a normal format process is performed in the case of a memory card that is not the write-once storage medium 4.
[0225]
FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing format processing executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts by selecting Format (see FIG. 36) from the format item in the setting menu.
[0226]
First, in step S2001, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2002. Advances to step S2003. In step S2002, a warning indicating that the memory capacity does not increase even if the formatting is performed is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. On the other hand, in step S2003, a warning is given that the recorded data will be deleted, and an inquiry is made as to whether to execute or cancel.
[0227]
In step S2004, it is detected whether or not an execution operation has been performed. If an execution operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S2005. If no execution operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S2006. In step S2005, a format command is issued to the controller in the memory card. In step S2006, it is detected whether or not a cancel operation has been performed. If a cancel operation is detected, the process ends. If no cancel operation is detected, the process returns to step S2003.
[0228]
In step S2007, it is detected whether or not the formatting process has been completed. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S2008. If it has not been completed, the detection is continued. In step S2008, a comment indicating that the formatting is completed is displayed on the LCD display unit 6.
[0229]
In the above-described control, since the controller in the memory card performs pseudo format processing and normal format processing, only a format processing command is issued from the digital camera 31.
[0230]
However, when a format process is performed on a memory that does not have a built-in controller, naturally, the digital camera itself performs a pseudo format process on the write-once storage medium 4 and a normal format process on the rewritable storage medium 3. become.
[0231]
Next, the panorama shooting mode will be described. The panorama shooting mode is a mode for shooting for the purpose of combining a plurality of image data. Information indicating where each image data is arranged is recorded together with the image data, and the image data is automatically combined. It is a shooting mode that makes it possible.
[0232]
In the case of the panorama shooting mode, image data shot in the panorama shooting mode is stored in a temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311 in order to enable re-taking until a series of panorama shooting is completed. Further, the arrangement information for a series of panoramic image data is stored in a temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311 because it is not completed unless a series of shootings is completed. Then, after a series of panoramic photographing is completed, the image data and the arrangement information are moved from the buffer memory 311 to the write-once storage medium 4.
[0233]
Hereinafter, the panorama shooting control in the digital camera 31 will be described in detail.
[0234]
FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the panorama shooting control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when the panorama shooting mode is set.
[0235]
First, in step S2101, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S102. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2111. In step S2102, it is detected whether a shooting operation has been performed. If a shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2103. If a shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2104. In step S2103, the image data obtained by the shooting operation is stored in the buffer memory 311. On the other hand, in step S2104, it is detected whether or not a deletion operation has been performed. When it detects, it progresses to step S2105, and when it does not detect, it progresses to step S2106.
[0236]
In step S2105, the image data captured immediately before is deleted from the buffer memory 311. In step S2106, it is determined whether or not the panorama shooting mode has been canceled. If the panorama shooting mode has been cancelled, the process proceeds to step S2107, and if not cancelled, the process returns to step S2102.
[0237]
In step S2107, it is detected whether there is image data shot in the current panorama shooting mode. If there is image data, the process proceeds to step S2108. If there is no image data, this flow ends. In step S2108, arrangement information used to synthesize a series of image data shot in the panoramic shooting mode is created. The arrangement information is information necessary for determining how to combine a series of image data in order to obtain a panoramic image.
[0238]
In step S2109, the created arrangement information is recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 together with the image data. In step S2110, the image data recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is erased from the buffer memory 311.
[0239]
If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, it is detected in step S2111 whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. If a shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2112. If a shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2113. In step S2112, image data obtained by the shooting operation is subjected to image processing in the buffer memory 311 and recorded in the memory card. In step S2113, it is detected whether a deletion operation has been performed. When it detects, it progresses to step S2114, and when it does not detect, it progresses to step S2115.
[0240]
In step S2114, the image data captured immediately before is deleted from the memory card. On the other hand, in step S2115, it is determined whether or not the panorama shooting mode has been canceled. If the panorama shooting mode is cancelled, the process proceeds to step S2116. If not cancelled, the process returns to step S2111. In step S2116, it is detected whether there is image data shot in the current panorama shooting mode. If there is image data, the process proceeds to step S2117. If there is no image data, this flow ends.
[0241]
In step S2117, arrangement information of a series of image data shot in the panoramic shooting mode is created. In step S2118, the created arrangement information is recorded on the memory card.
[0242]
In the present embodiment, the above control is executed only when the write-once storage medium 4 is determined. However, it is necessary to prepare two control programs in order to execute two different controls depending on whether the memory is the write-once storage medium 4 or not. In order to solve this problem, the above control may be executed for all panoramic photographing.
[0243]
In addition to the panoramic shooting mode, this control can be applied to a shooting mode in which a plurality of image data is shot and related information such as arrangement information is generated.
[0244]
In the above-described panoramic shooting mode, an example in which a series of image data and arrangement information are recorded without performing image data synthesis processing in the digital camera has been described. In the above control, image data for generating a panoramic image can be obtained by synthesizing a series of image data based on the arrangement information by software set up in a personal computer or the like. In the example described below, image data taken in a panoramic manner in a digital camera is subjected to synthesis processing.
[0245]
Hereinafter, panorama synthesis control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0246]
In the digital camera 31, individually captured image data until image composition is completed is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311, and panoramic image data obtained by image composition is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0247]
FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing panorama synthesis control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when the panorama shooting mode is set.
[0248]
First, in step S2201, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2202, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2211. In step S2202, it is detected whether a shooting operation has been performed. If a shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2203. If a shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2204. In step S2203, the image data obtained by the shooting operation is stored in the buffer memory 311. On the other hand, in step S2204, it is detected whether or not a deletion operation has been performed. When it detects, it progresses to step S2205, and when it does not detect, it progresses to step S2206.
[0249]
In step S2205, the image data captured immediately before is deleted from the buffer memory 311. In step S2206, it is determined whether or not the panorama shooting mode has been canceled. If the panorama shooting mode has been cancelled, the process proceeds to step S2207, and if not cancelled, the process returns to step S2202. In step S2207, it is detected whether there is image data shot in the current panorama shooting mode. If there is image data, the process proceeds to step S2208. If there is no image data, this flow ends. In step S2208, arrangement information used to synthesize a series of image data shot in the panoramic shooting mode is created. The arrangement information is information necessary for determining how to combine a series of image data in order to obtain a panoramic image. In step S2209, a series of image data is synthesized based on the created arrangement information to generate a panoramic image. Here, the panorama image is processed so as to have the same size as normal image data. Subsequently, in step S2210, panoramic image data obtained by performing the synthesizing process on the write-once storage medium 4 is recorded, and a series of image data and arrangement information are deleted from the buffer memory 311.
[0250]
If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, it is detected in step S2211 whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. If a shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2212, and if a shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2213. In step S2212, the image data obtained by the shooting operation is subjected to image processing in the buffer memory 311 and recorded in the memory card. In step S2213, it is detected whether a deletion operation has been performed. When it detects, it progresses to step S2214, and when it does not detect, it progresses to step S2215. In step S2214, the image data taken immediately before is deleted from the memory card.
[0251]
Next, in step S2215, it is determined whether or not the panorama shooting mode has been canceled. If the panorama shooting mode has been canceled, the process proceeds to step S2216. If the panorama shooting mode has not been canceled, the process returns to step S2211. In step S2216, it is detected whether there is image data shot in the current panorama shooting mode. If there is image data, the process proceeds to step S2217. If there is no image data, this flow ends. In step S2217, arrangement information of a series of image data shot in the panoramic shooting mode is created. Next, in step S2218, a series of image data is synthesized based on the created arrangement information to generate a panoramic image. In step S119, the data is recorded on the memory card and a series of image data and arrangement information is deleted from the memory card.
[0252]
Further, since the image size of the combined image data is set to a size corresponding to the image size set in the normal shooting, it can be handled in the same manner as other image data.
[0253]
Next, continuous shooting control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0254]
In continuous shooting, since several frames are taken continuously, there is a high possibility that not all image data is necessary. Therefore, the digital camera 31 inquires whether or not to record before recording to the write-once storage medium 4.
[0255]
FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the continuous shooting control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when the continuous shooting mode is set.
[0256]
First, in step S2301, it is detected whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. If a shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2302, and if a shooting operation has not been performed, it is detected whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. continue. In step S2302, it is detected whether the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2303. Advances to step S2310. In step S2303, the captured image data is stored in the buffer memory 311. At this time, the image data is generated in a file format to be recorded on the memory card.
[0257]
Next, in step S2304, it is detected whether or not continuous shooting has been completed. If it has been completed, the process advances to step S2305; otherwise, the process returns to step S2303. In step S 2305, the captured image is reproduced on the LCD display unit 6, and an inquiry is made as to whether the reproduced image is to be deleted without being recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. In step S2306, it is detected whether an image to be deleted without being recorded is selected. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S2307. If it is not selected, the process proceeds to step S2308. In step S2307, the image data not selected for deletion is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4, and the image data recorded in the buffer memory 311 is deleted. On the other hand, in step S2308, it is detected whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the image was reproduced on the LCD display unit 6. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2309, and if not, step S2306 is detected. Return to. In step S 2309, all the continuously shot images taken are stored in the write-once storage medium 4 and the image data is deleted from the buffer memory 311.
[0258]
If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S2310, the image data is stored in the buffer memory 311 for image processing, and image data ready to be recorded on the memory card is recorded on the memory card. Next, in step S2311, it is detected whether or not photographing has been completed. If it has been completed, this flow is terminated, and if not, the flow returns to step S2310.
[0259]
In this control, the continuous shooting performed in the continuous shooting mode has been described. However, the same control is applied to the bracket shooting in which the exposure conditions and the white balance are changed continuously in addition to the continuous shooting. Is applicable.
[0260]
As described above, since the image to be recorded is selected in the shooting mode in which continuous shooting is performed a plurality of times, only a favorite image can be selected and recorded.
[0261]
In continuous shooting, the digital camera may analyze image data, automatically select optimal image data, and automatically record only the selected image data in the write-once storage medium 4. .
[0262]
Hereinafter, recording confirmation control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0263]
In the recording confirmation control, when it is determined that the image data after photographing is an unsuccessful image, the recording confirmation of the image data is urged to be canceled before recording on the write-once storage medium 4.
[0264]
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing recording confirmation control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when the shooting mode is set.
[0265]
First, in step S2401, it is detected whether or not a photographing operation has been performed. If a photographing operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2402, and if a photographing operation has not been performed, the detection is continued. Next, in step S2402, it is detected whether or not the loaded memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2403, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2409. In step S2409, the captured image data is stored in the buffer memory 311, processed, and recorded in the memory card.
[0266]
In step S 2403, the captured image data is stored in the buffer memory 311, processed, and stored in the buffer memory 311. In step S2404, it is determined whether the image has failed. An unsuccessful image is determined by, for example, a picture taken when the subject is out of focus, a picture taken when the strobe is not fully charged, or a camera shake. The determination may be made by analyzing the image. If it is determined that the image is a failed image, the process proceeds to step S2405. If it is determined that the image is not a failed image, the process proceeds to step S2409.
[0267]
In step S 2405, the captured image is reproduced and displayed on the LCD display unit 6. At the same time, an inquiry is made as to whether to delete without recording in the write-once storage medium 4. Next, in step S2406, it is detected whether or not a delete operation has been performed. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S2410, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2407. In step S2407, it is detected whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the image data was displayed on the LCD display unit 6. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2408; otherwise, the process returns to step S2406. In step S 2408, the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. Finally, in step S2410, the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 is deleted.
[0268]
As described above, this control prevents failure image data that is highly likely to be deleted from being recorded in the write-once storage medium 4, and prevents the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 from being unnecessarily reduced. . In addition, it is urged to re-shoot the failed shooting scene.
[0269]
In addition, in this control, it is inquired whether to delete only when it is determined to have failed, so there is no inquiring except at the time of unsuccessful shooting, so there is no inconvenience due to the inquiry.
[0270]
Next, change control of related information of image data will be described.
[0271]
Various pieces of information are recorded in association with image data obtained by photographing. For example, a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) file is composed of a text format file describing information related to printing of image data. The DPOF file describes information such as the number of copies, print size, trimming, and rotation (vertical and horizontal).
[0272]
It has been described that when image data recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is deleted, new FAT information is created, the old FAT information is invalidated, and the new FAT is recorded again. Similarly, when the print information relating to the image data recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is changed, it is necessary to create a new DPOF file, invalidate the old DPOF file, and re-record the new DPOF file. is there. Therefore, the memory capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is reduced every time the print information is changed.
[0273]
A print setting for setting the number of print copies in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0274]
The digital camera 31 can set the number of copies by entering the print setting menu. FIG. 44 shows a display example of the print setting menu. In the print setting menu, the image data recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is reproduced and displayed, and the current print setting state is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 44, the reproduced image data is set to be printed in two copies. When the user enters the print setting menu, the user can operate the button to select image data to be printed, and set the number of copies for the selected image data.
[0275]
However, if the DPOF file recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is updated every time print settings for individual image data are changed, the memory capacity is reduced as described above.
[0276]
Therefore, the digital camera 31 stores print setting setting change information for individual image data in the buffer memory 311 and creates a DPOF file from the setting change information when leaving the print setting menu, and records the DPOF file. To do.
[0277]
FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing print setting control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts by entering the print setting menu.
[0278]
First, in step S2501, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2502, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2508. In step S2502, it is detected whether the print setting has been changed. If changed, the process proceeds to step S2503. If not changed, the process proceeds to step S2504. In step S2503, the setting change information is held in the buffer memory 311. On the other hand, in step S2504, it is detected whether or not the print setting menu has been deleted. If it is detected that the print setting menu has been deleted, the process proceeds to step S2505, and if it is the print setting menu, the process returns to step S2502.
[0279]
In step S2505, it is detected whether print setting change information is stored in the buffer memory 311. If it is held, the process proceeds to step S2506, and if it is not held, this flow ends. In step S2506, a DPOF file is created again based on the setting change information. In step S 2507, the old DPOF file is invalidated and the created DPOF file is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0280]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, it is detected in step S2508 whether the print settings have been changed. If changed, the process proceeds to step S2509, and if not changed, the process proceeds to step S2510. In step S2509, the DPOF file in the memory card is updated based on the setting change. Also, in step S2510, it is detected whether or not the print setting menu has been omitted. If it is detected that this is the case, the present flow is terminated, and if it is the print setting menu, the process returns to step S2508.
[0281]
As described above, when the installed memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the DPOF file is not updated when each setting is changed, and the memory capacity is increased by updating all at once when leaving the menu. There is no wasteful reduction.
[0282]
In this control, setting change information for each changed print setting is held in the buffer memory 311 and a DPOF file is created based on the information held in the buffer memory 311 when the print setting menu is exited. Recording was performed on the write-once storage medium 4. The DPOF file is read into the buffer memory 311, and the DPOF file in the buffer memory 311 is updated every time the setting is changed, and the DPOF file held in the buffer memory 311 is stored in the write-once storage medium 4 when the print setting menu is exited. It may be recorded.
[0283]
Next, setting change control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0284]
In the DPOF file, transfer settings for image data can be described. For example, transfer settings can be made for each image data so that the image data is automatically transferred to a predetermined memory of the personal computer when connected to a personal computer or the like. The digital camera 31 can automatically rewrite and record the transfer setting description of the DPOF file when shooting and recording image data on a memory card. This eliminates the need for transfer settings for individual image data later.
[0285]
However, when the memory card installed in the slot 2 is the write-once storage medium 4, if the DPOF file transfer setting description is rewritten for each shooting, the old DPOF files continue to increase each time the shooting is performed. Will increase the capacity.
[0286]
In view of this, the digital camera 31 performs control so that the DPOF file is not recorded every time shooting is performed and is collectively recorded by a predetermined operation. Further, in addition to the transfer settings that are automatically updated by the shooting operation, all DPOF file changes including the above-described print settings are controlled in a batch.
[0287]
FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing setting change control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is always executed repeatedly. Even when the power is not turned on, the power is turned on when the lid is opened, and the DPOF file in the buffer memory 311 is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0288]
First, in step S2521, it is detected whether or not the installed memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2522, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2530. In step S2522, the DPOF file recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is read and stored in the buffer memory 311. Next, in step S2523, it is detected whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. If a shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2524. If a shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2525. In step S2524, the DPOF file stored in the buffer memory 311 is updated to a DPOF file describing transfer settings of image data obtained by the current shooting.
[0289]
In step S2525, it is detected whether settings such as print settings have been changed. If it has been changed, the process proceeds to step S2526. If it has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S2527. In step S2526, the DPOF file stored in the buffer memory 311 is updated to a DPOF file describing the changed setting. On the other hand, in step S2527, it is detected whether or not the cover covering the slot 2 of the memory card has been opened. If it is detected that the lid has been opened, the process proceeds to step S2528; The process returns to S2523. In step S 2528, the DPOF file held in the buffer memory 311 is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. In step S2529, the old DPOF file is invalidated.
[0290]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, it is detected in step S2530 whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. If the shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2531, and if the shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2532. In step S2531, the DPOF file recorded on the memory card is updated to a DPOF file describing transfer settings of image data obtained by the current shooting.
[0291]
In step S2532, it is detected whether settings such as print settings have been changed. If it has been changed, the process proceeds to step S2533. If it has not been changed, this flow ends. In step S2533, the DPOF file recorded on the memory card is updated to a DPOF file describing the changed setting.
[0292]
In this control, the DPOF file is recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 by detecting that the cover covering the memory card has been opened. The DPOF file may be recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 by detecting that the power switch has been turned off instead of opening the lid. Alternatively, the DPOF file may be recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 by detecting the connection with an external device such as a personal computer. It is preferable to record the DPOF file on the write-once storage medium 4 at a timing when the image data in the memory card is likely to go out. Alternatively, a dedicated or dual-purpose button may be prepared to detect the button operation, and the DPOF file may be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0293]
Although the print setting and transfer setting in the DPOF file have been described, the same control can be performed for other settings of the DPOF file and other image management data other than the DPOF file.
[0294]
In the following, an example will be described in which the FAT information stored in the buffer memory 311 is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 when it is detected that the external device is connected.
[0295]
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing setting change control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is always executed repeatedly. Even when the power is not turned on, the power is turned on when connected to an external device, and the FAT information in the buffer memory 311 is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0296]
First, in step S2541, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2542, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2550. In step S2542, the FAT information recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is read and stored in the buffer memory 311. Next, in step S2543, it is detected whether a shooting operation has been performed. If the shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2544. If the shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2545. In step S2544, the FAT information stored in the buffer memory 311 is updated to the FAT information to which the file management information of the image data obtained by the current photographing is added.
[0297]
In step S2545, it is detected whether the setting such as the deletion setting has been changed. If changed, the process proceeds to step S2546. If not changed, the process proceeds to step S2547. In step S2546, the FAT information stored in the buffer memory 311 is updated to the FAT information that matches the changed setting. On the other hand, in step S2547, it is detected whether it is connected to an external device such as a personal computer. If it is connected, the process proceeds to step S2548, and if it is not connected, the process returns to step S2543. In step S 2548, the FAT information held in the buffer memory 311 is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. In step S2549, the old FAT information is invalidated.
[0298]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, it is detected in step S2550 whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. If the shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2551, and if the shooting operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S2552. In step S2551, the FAT information recorded in the memory card is updated to the FAT information to which the file management information of the image data obtained by the current photographing is added.
[0299]
In step S2552, it is detected whether the setting such as the deletion setting has been changed. If it has been changed, the process proceeds to step S2553. If it has not been changed, this flow ends. In step S2553, the FAT information recorded in the memory card is updated to FAT information that matches the changed setting.
[0300]
In this control, the DPOF file and the FAT information are collectively recorded in the case of the write-once storage medium 4. However, the control may be performed in this manner for all the memory cards.
[0301]
Further, as described in the image data deletion control, when there is no memory capacity, the DPOF file and FAT information may not be recorded. At that time, it is displayed that the setting cannot be changed, and the user is informed.
[0302]
Next, it has vertical / horizontal conversion control of image data in the digital camera 31.
A vertical / horizontal conversion process is performed using the buffer memory 311, the pre-conversion image data recorded on the memory card is deleted, and the post-conversion image data is recorded. In the case of the write-once storage medium 4, since the capacity does not increase even if the pre-conversion image data is deleted, the converted image data may not be recorded in the memory. In order to prevent this problem, in the case of write-once, a process for changing the vertical / horizontal description of the DPOF file is performed. The processing will be specifically described below.
[0303]
FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing vertical / horizontal conversion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when a vertical / horizontal conversion operation is executed.
[0304]
First, in step S2601, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2602. Advances to step S2603. In step S2602, a DPOF file with a changed vertical / horizontal description is created and recorded. Naturally, the old DPOF file is invalidated at the same time. In step S2603, the image data subjected to vertical / horizontal conversion is created using the buffer memory 311. In step S2604, the image data before conversion is deleted from the memory card. In step S2605, the converted image data is recorded on the memory card.
[0305]
As a result, the software cannot be accurately reproduced unless the software is compatible with the vertical / horizontal conversion description of the DPOF file, but the memory capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is not reduced.
[0306]
Another example of vertical / horizontal conversion control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0307]
The digital camera 31 of this example performs vertical / horizontal conversion processing on image data when the memory capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity, and does not perform vertical / horizontal conversion processing when the memory capacity is not greater than the predetermined capacity. A process for changing the vertical / horizontal description of the DPOF file is performed.
[0308]
FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing vertical / horizontal conversion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when a vertical / horizontal conversion operation is executed.
[0309]
First, in step S2701, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2702, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4. Advances to step S2707. In step S2702, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the memory is greater than or equal to the capacity of the image data to be subjected to vertical / horizontal conversion. If the remaining capacity is greater than or equal to the capacity of the image data, the process proceeds to step S2703. In the case, the process proceeds to step S2706.
[0310]
In step S2703, the buffer memory 311 is used to perform vertical / horizontal conversion processing. In step S 2704, the image data after vertical / horizontal conversion is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. Subsequently, in step S2705, the image data before vertical / horizontal conversion recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is deleted. On the other hand, in step S2706, since there is no capacity to record the image data after the vertical / horizontal conversion, a DPOF file in which the vertical / horizontal description is changed is created and recorded. Naturally, the old DPOF file is invalidated at the same time.
[0311]
If the mounted memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S2707, image data that has been subjected to vertical / horizontal conversion using the buffer memory 311 is created. In step S2708, the image data before conversion is deleted from the memory card. In step S2709, the converted image data is recorded on a memory card.
[0312]
Thus, when the memory capacity is small, the vertical / horizontal conversion processing cannot be performed, but the description of the vertical / horizontal conversion can be left in the DPOF file. Therefore, the software can be accurately played back by using software corresponding to the vertical / horizontal conversion description of the DPOF file. Can do.
[0313]
Furthermore, another example of vertical / horizontal conversion control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0314]
The digital camera 31 of this example prohibits vertical / horizontal conversion when the memory capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, and warns that vertical / horizontal conversion processing cannot be performed.
[0315]
FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing vertical / horizontal conversion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when a vertical / horizontal conversion operation is executed.
[0316]
First, in step S2801, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2802. Advances to step S2807. In step S2802, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the memory is equal to or larger than the capacity of the image data to be subjected to vertical / horizontal conversion. In the case, the process proceeds to step S2806.
[0317]
In step S2803, a vertical / horizontal conversion process is performed using the buffer memory 311. In step S 2804, the image data after vertical / horizontal conversion is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. Subsequently, in step S2805, the image data before vertical / horizontal conversion recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is deleted. On the other hand, in step S2806, a warning is given that vertical / horizontal conversion cannot be performed because there is no capacity to record image data after vertical / horizontal conversion.
[0318]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S 2807, image data that has been subjected to vertical / horizontal conversion is created using the buffer memory 311. In step S2808, the image data before conversion is deleted from the memory card. In step S2809, the converted image data is recorded on a memory card.
[0319]
Thereby, it is possible to notify the user that the vertical / horizontal conversion processing cannot be performed.
[0320]
Next, index creation control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0321]
In the digital camera 31, index data is automatically generated and recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 when the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 falls below a predetermined capacity. The index data is for easily understanding the image data information recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. The index data is created from information such as thumbnails and shooting dates of image data, and is configured so that the contents of the recorded image data can be listed. The data format of the index data is created in, for example, an HTML format or a format equivalent thereto, and can be browsed with general-purpose browsing software.
[0322]
By recording the index data in the write-once storage medium 4 in this way, even when a plurality of write-once storage media 4 are collected, it is possible to instantly check what is recorded on the memory card.
[0323]
In the digital camera 31, when the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 falls below a predetermined capacity, index data is automatically created and recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0324]
FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing index data creation control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is repeatedly executed while the power is turned on.
[0325]
First, in step S2901, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S2902, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, this flow ends. In step S2902, the remaining memory capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is detected to determine whether it is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If it is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S2903. If it is not smaller than the predetermined value, this flow ends. Next, in step S2903, a thumbnail of image data and related information recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 are read.
[0326]
In step S2904, index data is created based on the read information. In step S2905, it is detected whether the creation of index data has been completed. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S2906. If it has not been completed, the process returns to step S2904 to continue creating index data. To do. Finally, in step S2906, the created index data is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0327]
In the above control, the index data is created according to the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4, but it may be created when a predetermined button is operated.
[0328]
In the above control, the index data is automatically created. However, the user may be inquired whether to create the index data.
[0329]
Next, transfer management control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0330]
Usually, a memory card used in a digital camera is generally used such as transferring image data to an image storage device such as a personal computer, deleting the transferred image data, and using it in a digital camera. With the write once storage medium 4 card, it is impossible to delete the image data and use it again, but it is conceivable to transfer the image data to the image storage device.
[0331]
As described above, in the case of a rewritable memory card, the transferred image data is deleted after transfer to the image storage device. Alternatively, since the transferred image data is set to be automatically deleted, the image data once transferred is rarely transferred again. However, since the write-once storage medium 4 does not delete the image data after transfer, if it takes a little time, the write-once storage medium 4 forgets whether the image data has been transferred and transfers it many times. Or it may be confirmed many times that it has been transferred.
[0332]
Therefore, in the digital camera 31, when the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 31, management data for managing the transfer of image data is created and recorded. In the management data, information relating to transfer such as transfer presence / absence information, transfer date / time information, and transfer destination information for each recorded image data is described. The transfer management data may be managed as unique management data, or may be recorded in an Exif maker note or the like. The transfer management control will be specifically described below. Image data is output from the digital input / output terminal 12 of the digital camera 31 and transferred to the image storage device. The digital input / output terminal 12 and the image storage device are electrically connected by a cable or the like.
[0333]
FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing transfer management control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when the transfer of image data is started.
[0334]
First, in step S3001, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3002, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3011. In step S3002, it is detected whether or not management data is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. If the management data is recorded, the process proceeds to step S3003. If the management data is not recorded, the process proceeds to step S3002. The process proceeds to step S3007. In step S3003, the image data instructed to transfer is compared with the management data to detect whether the image data instructed to transfer has been transferred. Subsequently, in step S3004, as a result of the comparison, if the data has been transferred, the process proceeds to step S3005. If the data has not been transferred, the process proceeds to step S3007.
[0335]
In step S3005, the LCD display unit 6 displays that the image data to be transferred has already been transferred and the transfer destination transferred previously. Further, an inquiry is made as to whether transfer is required. Next, in step S3006, it is detected whether or not an operation requiring transfer has been performed. If an operation requiring transfer has been performed, the process proceeds to step S3007, and if an operation not requiring transfer has been performed. Advances to step S3009.
[0336]
In step S3007, the image data instructed to transfer is transferred to the image storage device. Next, in step S3008, it is detected whether or not the transfer of the image data is completed. If completed, the process proceeds to step S3009. If not completed, the process returns to step S3007 to transfer the image data. Continue. In step S3009, it is detected whether or not all transfer of the image data for which transfer has been instructed has been completed. If completed, the process proceeds to step S3010. If not completed, the process returns to step S3003 to control the next image data to be transferred. In step S3010, management data describing transfer information of the image data transferred this time is created and recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0337]
On the other hand, when the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S3011, the image data instructed to transfer is transferred to the image storage device. In step S3012, it is detected whether or not the transfer of all the image data instructed to transfer has been completed. If the transfer has been completed, the flow ends. If not, the flow returns to step S3011 to transfer the data. continue.
[0338]
By controlling in this way, it is possible to prevent the same image data from being transferred many times.
[0339]
Next, a digital camera system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the digital camera 31 in FIG. 20, common portions are denoted by common numbers, and description thereof is omitted.
[0340]
Since the write-once storage medium 4 cannot be rewritten once it has been recorded, there is a possibility that a user using a digital camera equipped with the write-once storage medium 4 will be cautious about shooting. As a result, there is a possibility of missing a photo opportunity. In this case, the merit that the digital camera can easily shoot is lost.
[0341]
The feature of the fourth embodiment is that the above problem is solved without substantially changing the configuration of the digital camera. Hereinafter, various controls in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0342]
The portable digital camera 31 in the fourth embodiment holds image data in the buffer memory 311 until there is an instruction to record to the write-once storage medium 4 or an instruction to delete without recording in the write-once storage medium 4. It is characterized by. In the digital camera 31, the area in the buffer memory 311 is divided into two areas. One area is used for image processing or the like as a work area for functioning as a normal buffer memory. In the other area, processed image data is processed. Is used as a temporary storage area for temporarily storing
[0343]
When an imaging operation is performed, the image data before and during image processing is stored using the work area of the buffer memory 311. The image data that has been processed and completed is stored in a temporary storage area. At that time, the image data stored in the temporary storage area is generated in the Exif format that can be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 as it is. By generating the file in the Exif format, it is only necessary to copy it to the write-once storage medium 4, so that the file creation date and time and the serial number attached to a part of the file name are those stored in the buffer memory 311. Therefore, even if the order of moving the image data from the buffer memory 311 to the write-once storage medium 4 is different from the shooting order, the file creation date and serial number are assigned in the shooting order. Can be done easily. However, if there is image data that is not recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 among the image data stored in the buffer memory 311, a serial number is missing.
[0344]
Further, when storing image data in the buffer memory 311, the folder information of the memory card set as the recording destination at the time of shooting is also stored. Then, when recording image data from the buffer memory 311 to the write-once storage medium 4, by using folder information, the currently set recording destination folder is different from the recording destination folder set at the time of shooting. Even in this case, it can be recorded in the recording folder set at the time of shooting. As a result, a series of image data photographed so as to be recorded in the same folder is not recorded in different folders.
[0345]
Below, the control in the digital camera 31 by 4th embodiment is demonstrated concretely.
[0346]
FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when the imaging operation is completed.
[0347]
First, in step S <b> 3101, it is detected whether or not the attached memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3102. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3109. In step S 3102, image data in Exif format is generated, and the generated image data is stored in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311. In addition, the storage destination folder information on the memory card is simultaneously stored.
[0348]
In step S3103, a reproduced image of the photographed image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. At that time, an inquiry is made as to whether the image being reproduced is to be recorded or deleted. FIG. 54 shows a display example. In step S3104, it is detected whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the reproduced image was displayed on the LCD display unit 6. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the present flow is terminated and has not elapsed. In the case, the process proceeds to step S3105. Next, in step S3105, it is detected whether or not an operation for recording is performed. If a recording operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S3106. If a recording operation is not detected, the process proceeds to step S3107.
[0349]
Next, in step S3106, the image data in the buffer memory 311 that has been recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is instructed to record the image data that has been temporarily captured in the buffer memory 311 and recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. Delete the data. On the other hand, in step S3107, it is detected whether or not an operation to delete is performed. If a delete operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S3108. If no delete operation is detected, the process returns to step S3103. In step S3108, the image data captured this time that has been temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is deleted.
[0350]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, in step S 3109, an Exif format image data is generated and an instruction is given to record the image file on the memory card. Next, in step S3110, the playback image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 and an inquiry is made as to whether to delete it. Here, since it is already recorded on the memory card, there is no inquiry as to whether to record. In step S 3111, it is detected whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the reproduction image was displayed on the LCD display unit 6. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the present flow is terminated and has not elapsed. In that case, the process proceeds to step S3112.
[0351]
In step S3112, it is detected whether or not an operation for deletion is performed. If a deletion operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S3113. If no deletion operation is detected, the process returns to step S3110. In step S3113, the currently captured image data recorded in the memory card is deleted.
[0352]
By controlling as described above, the user can easily shoot without being aware of the write-once storage medium 4.
[0353]
However, since the number of image data that can be temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is finite and the buffer memory 311 is volatile, the write-once storage medium can be reliably obtained without losing the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311. 4 needs to be controlled to record. Specific examples will be described below.
[0354]
First, control for changing the capacity of the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311 according to the remaining capacity of the mounted write-once storage medium 4 will be described. That is, a temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311 is secured with the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 as an upper limit. As a result, all the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 can be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4, so that a situation in which photographed image data cannot be recorded does not occur.
[0355]
Hereinafter, capacity securing control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0356]
FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing the capacity securing control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is repeatedly executed when the shooting mode is set.
[0357]
First, in step S3201, it is detected whether or not the attached memory is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3202, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, this flow ends. In step S3202, the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is detected. Next, in step S3203, it is determined whether the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity. If it is less than the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S3204. If it is greater than the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S3205.
[0358]
In step S3204, an area of the buffer memory 311 having the same capacity as the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is secured as a temporary storage area for image data. On the other hand, in step S3205, an area of a predetermined capacity in the buffer memory 311 is secured as a temporary storage area for image data. Here, the predetermined capacity is determined after securing a capacity that does not hinder the work area of the buffer memory.
[0359]
By controlling as described above, image data is not captured more than the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4, and thus the captured image data can be reliably recorded in the write-once storage medium 4.
[0360]
However, if the captured image data is stored in the buffer memory 311, the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is not reduced. Therefore, if only the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is detected and the remaining capacity is displayed, the remaining capacity does not decrease even if the image is taken. It will be confusing.
[0361]
Next, the remaining capacity display control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0362]
In the digital camera 31, the remaining capacity display displayed on the LCD display unit 6 displays a capacity obtained by subtracting the capacity of the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 from the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4.
[0363]
FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing the remaining capacity display control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is repeatedly executed when the shooting mode is set.
[0364]
First, in step S3301, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3302, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3306. In step S3302, the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is detected. In step S3303, the capacity of the image data stored in the temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311 is detected. Subsequently, in step S 3304, an operation for subtracting the image data capacity in the buffer memory 311 from the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is performed. In step S3305, the number of remaining frames corresponding to the calculated capacity is calculated.
[0365]
If the loaded memory card is not the write-once storage medium 4, the remaining capacity of the memory card is detected in step S3306. In step S3307, the number of remaining frames corresponding to the remaining capacity is calculated. Finally, in step S3308, the calculated number of remaining frames is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. FIG. 57 shows a display example.
[0366]
Thus, the remaining capacity that can be photographed can be displayed, and the user can photograph without confusion.
[0367]
Next, battery-related control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0368]
Since the buffer memory 311 used in the digital camera 31 is a volatile memory, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 disappears when the battery runs out.
[0369]
Therefore, the digital camera 31 checks the remaining capacity of the battery that drives the digital camera 31, and if it detects that the battery capacity has become below a predetermined value, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is stored in the write-once memory. Control is made to automatically record on the medium 4 to avoid the disappearance of the image data.
[0370]
FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing battery-related control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is always executed repeatedly.
[0371]
First, in step S3401, the remaining capacity of the battery is detected. If it is less than or equal to the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S3402, and if it exceeds the predetermined capacity, this flow is terminated. Next, in step S3402, it is detected whether or not image data is stored in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311. If stored, the process proceeds to step S3403, and if not stored, this flow is performed. finish. In step S3403, the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 is automatically recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. In step S3404, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is deleted.
[0372]
By controlling as described above, since the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 can be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 before the battery runs out, it is possible to prevent the photographed image data from being lost.
[0373]
Next, another example of battery-related control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0374]
In the above control, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is automatically recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. In the control described below, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is prompted to be transferred to the write-once storage medium 4.
[0375]
FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing battery-related control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is always executed repeatedly.
[0376]
First, in step S3501, the remaining capacity of the battery is detected. If it is less than or equal to the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S3502, and if it exceeds the predetermined capacity, this flow is terminated. In step S3502, it is detected whether or not image data is stored in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311. If stored, the process proceeds to step S3503, and if not stored, this flow ends. To do. Next, in step S3503, a warning display for prompting the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 to be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is performed on the LCD display unit 6. FIG. 60 shows a display example.
[0377]
Thus, warning can be alerted to the user by warning according to the remaining battery capacity.
[0378]
Furthermore, another example of battery-related control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0379]
If the battery attached to the digital camera 31 is removed or the power cable connected to the digital camera 31 is disconnected, the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 will disappear. Therefore, in this control, when image data is stored in the buffer memory 311, a warning is given not to remove the battery or to remove the power cable.
[0380]
FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing battery-related control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is also always executed repeatedly.
[0381]
First, in step S 3601, it is detected whether image data is stored in the buffer memory 311. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S3602, and if it is not stored, this flow ends. In step S3602, the power supply of the digital camera 21 is detected. If it is a battery, the process proceeds to step S3603, and if it is an AC power source, the process proceeds to step S3604.
[0382]
In step S3603, a warning is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 that the battery should not be removed because the image data stored in the temporary storage area will be erased. On the other hand, in step S104, a warning is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 that the AC power cable must not be disconnected.
[0383]
In the above-described control, the warning display is described on the LCD display unit 6, but the warning display is preferably displayed on a display device that is not turned off.
[0384]
Next, recording control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0385]
The digital camera 31 automatically records the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 in the write-once storage medium 4 without waiting for the user's judgment when the capacity of the image data exceeds a predetermined capacity.
[0386]
FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is executed by setting the shooting mode with the write-once storage medium 4 attached.
[0387]
First, in step S3701, it is detected whether or not a shooting operation has been performed. If the shooting operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S3702, and if the shooting operation has not been performed, the detection is continued. In step S 3702, image data is generated and stored in a temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311. In addition, the reproduced image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. At the same time, an inquiry is made as to whether to record in the write-once storage medium 4 or to delete (see FIG. 54). In step S3703, it is detected whether a recording operation has been performed. If a recording operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S3704. If a recording operation is not detected, the process proceeds to step S3705. In step S 3704, the captured image data is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 and deleted from the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311.
[0388]
On the other hand, in step S3705, it is detected whether or not a deletion operation has been performed. If a delete operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S3706. If a delete operation is not detected, the process proceeds to step S3707. In step S3706, the captured image data is deleted from the temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311. In step S3707, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the reproduced image was displayed on the LCD display unit 6. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3708. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S3703.
[0389]
In step S3708, the capacity of the image data stored in the temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311 is detected. In step S3709, it is determined whether the capacity of the image data is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S3710. If it is not equal to or greater than the predetermined capacity, this flow is terminated. In step S3710, the image data captured the oldest among the image data stored in the temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311 is read out. Next, in step S3711, the read image data is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 and deleted from the buffer memory 311. Then, step S3708 to step S3711 are repeated until the capacity of the image data stored in the temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311 becomes smaller than the predetermined capacity.
[0390]
As a result, it is possible to prevent the shooting from being impossible despite the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4. Further, by controlling in this way, it is not disadvantageous for the user to automatically record the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 on the write-once storage medium 4 rather than deleting the image data without permission.
[0390]
In the above control, whether or not recording is automatically performed on the write-once storage medium 4 is controlled according to the capacity of the image data stored in the temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311. You may make it record on the write-once storage medium 4 not only according to the capacity | capacitance stored but according to the number of the image data stored exceeding the predetermined number.
[0392]
Further, in the above control, the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 is recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 in preference to the image data captured the oldest. The priority order of the image data to be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is not limited to the shooting order, but may be the order of the data amount of the image data.
[0393]
Alternatively, the captured image data may be directly recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 without changing the image data stored in the buffer memory 311.
[0394]
Further, depending on the capacity of the image data stored in the buffer memory 311, a warning display for prompting recording to the write-once storage medium 4 is displayed without automatically recording on the write-once storage medium 4. May be.
[0395]
In the control described below, the buffer memory 311 is allowed to store image data in excess of the capacity that can be recorded in the memory card. Thereby, image data can be taken in an emergency. This can be realized not only in the write-once storage medium 4 but also in other memory cards. When image data is stored in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311 beyond the remaining capacity of the memory card, a minus display is performed on the remaining frame number display. This notifies the user that the storage capacity has been exceeded.
[0396]
FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing memory capacity display control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when a shooting operation is performed.
[0397]
First, in step S3801, the remaining capacity of the loaded memory card is confirmed, and it is detected whether or not there is a capacity for recording the captured image data on the memory card. If there is capacity, the process proceeds to step S3803. If there is no capacity, the process proceeds to step S3802. In step S3802, it is detected whether the mounted memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3803. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3809.
[0398]
In step S3803, the captured image data is stored in a temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311. Next, in step S3804, the number of remaining frames is calculated from the remaining capacity of the installed memory card. Here, in the case of a memory card that is not the write-once storage medium 4, the number of remaining frames is zero. Subsequently, the number of frames stored in the image data stored in the buffer memory 311 is detected. In step S3806, the number of remaining frames is calculated by subtracting the number of frames stored in the buffer memory 311 from the number of remaining frames in the memory card. This is the same calculation control as the remaining frame number calculation control described with reference to FIG.
[0399]
In step S3807, it is determined whether or not the calculated remaining frame number is negative. If negative, the process proceeds to step S3808, and if not negative, the process proceeds to step S3810. In step S3808, the number of remaining frames is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 in a minus manner as in the display example shown in FIG. Minus display is displayed in a different display color. In step S3810, the number of remaining frames is normally displayed on the LCD display unit 6 as in the display example shown in FIG.
[0400]
If the memory card has a remaining capacity for recording image data and is not the write-once storage medium 4, the number of remaining frames is calculated from the remaining capacity in step S3809, and the LCD display unit 6 is As in the display example shown in FIG. 57, the number of remaining frames is normally displayed.
[0401]
By controlling as described above, even when there is no free space in the memory card, it is possible to let the user know that it is an emergency shooting by permitting shooting and displaying the remaining frame number minus. .
[0402]
It should be noted that the user need only be alerted even if it is not a minus sign. An attention comment may be displayed.
[0403]
Next, another example of memory capacity display control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0404]
FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing memory capacity display control executed by the digital camera 31.
[0405]
First, in step S3901, it is detected whether or not the mounted memory is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3902, and if it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S3907.
[0406]
In step S3902, the capacity of the write-once storage medium 4 is detected. In step S3903, the number of remaining frames is calculated from the remaining capacity of the write-once storage medium 4. In step S3904, the capacity of the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311 is detected. In step S3905, the number of remaining frames is calculated from the remaining capacity of the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311. In step S 3906, the total remaining frame number of the remaining frame number in the write-once storage medium 4 and the remaining frame number in the buffer memory 311 is displayed on the LCD display unit 6.
[0407]
On the other hand, in step S3907, the capacity of the memory card is detected. In step S3908, the number of remaining frames is calculated from the remaining capacity of the memory card. In step S3909, the calculated number of remaining frames is displayed on the LCD display unit 6.
[0408]
As described above, in this control, when the remaining capacity of two memories is displayed together, the remaining number of frames that can be recorded in each memory is not calculated simply from the total of the remaining memory capacity. Each number is calculated and the total number of remaining frames is displayed. Thereby, the number of frames of image data that can be reliably recorded can be displayed.
[0409]
In the present embodiment, since the buffer memory 311 is used as a temporary storage memory only when the write-once storage medium 4 is attached to the digital camera 41, the combination of the write-once storage medium 4 and the buffer memory 311 is summed up. It was explained that the remaining capacity was displayed. However, the calculation control of the total remaining capacity in this control is effective regardless of the type of memory as long as it is a digital camera that records image data in a plurality of memories.
[0410]
In the digital camera 31, the number of remaining frames and the number of undecided frames can be switched and displayed. Here, the number of undecided frames is the number of image data that is stored in the buffer memory 311 and that has not been determined to be recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 or to be deleted without recording.
[0411]
By displaying the number of undecided frames, it is possible to inform the user that there is undecided image data and to prompt the user to decide whether to record in the write-once storage medium 4 or delete without recording.
[0412]
The memory capacity display switching control in the digital camera 31 will be described below.
[0413]
FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing the memory capacity display switching control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow is repeatedly executed while the power is turned on.
[0414]
First, in step S4001, it is detected whether or not the current mode is the playback mode. If it is in the playback mode, the process proceeds to step S4002, and if it is not in the playback mode, the process proceeds to step S4005. In step S4002, the memory state of the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 311 is detected, and the number of stored image data is acquired. Next, in step S4003, the number of acquired image data is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 as the number of undecided frames. As a display example, only the number of outstanding frames is displayed instead of the number of remaining frames, which is the same as that shown in FIG. Subsequently, in step S4004, it is detected whether or not the mode has been switched. If mode switching is detected, the process proceeds to step S4005. If mode switching is not detected, the process returns to step S4002.
[0415]
In step S4005, it is detected whether or not the current mode is the shooting mode. If the shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S4006. If the shooting mode is not set, the process returns to step S4001. In step S4006, the memory states of the buffer memory 311 and the write-once storage medium 4 are detected, and the number of remaining frames is calculated. In step S4007, the number of remaining frames is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. A display example is shown in FIG. In step S4008, it is detected whether the mode has been switched. If mode switching is detected, the process proceeds to step S4001. If mode switching is not detected, the process returns to step S4006.
[0416]
By controlling as described above, it is possible to notify the user that undecided image data exists in the buffer memory 311.
[0417]
In this control, the number of frames that have not been decided is displayed in the playback mode, and the number of remaining frames is displayed in the shooting mode. However, instead of switching the mode, a button for switching the number of outstanding frames and the number of remaining frames can be provided. Good. In this control, only the number of frames is displayed, but it may be displayed that the number of frames displayed together with the frame number display is the number of frames that have not been decided.
[0418]
Next, playback control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0419]
When the digital camera 31 is changed from the shooting mode to the playback mode, the image data shot immediately before is read out and displayed on the LCD display unit 6. By operating a cross button provided in the digital camera 31, the image data can be changed and reproduced. At that time, the image data is reproduced in the order of photographing regardless of whether the image data is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 or the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311.
[0420]
Further, as shown in FIG. 54, during the reproduction of the image data stored in the buffer memory 311, the display for prompting recording on the write-once storage medium 4 is displayed in an overlapping manner. Accordingly, the user can determine whether the image data is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 or the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311.
[0421]
FIG. 67 is a flowchart showing image playback control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts by switching to the playback mode.
[0422]
First, in step S4101, image data in the write-once storage medium 4 and the temporary storage area in the buffer memory 311 is searched. Next, in step S4102, image data recently taken other than the displayed image data is read. Therefore, immediately after switching to the reproduction mode, there is no image data displayed on the LCD display unit 6, and thus the most recently captured image data is read out. In step S4103, it is detected whether the read image data is read from the buffer memory 311. If the image data has been read from the buffer memory 311, the process proceeds to step S 4104; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S 4109.
[0423]
In step S4104, the read image data is displayed on the LCD display unit 6, and a display for inquiring whether to record in the write-once storage medium 4 or to be deleted from the buffer memory 311 overlaps the image data. . In step S4105, it is detected whether a recording operation has been performed. If the recording operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4106. If the recording operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S4107. In step S 4106, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 currently being reproduced is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4. At this time, the information is recorded in a folder according to the recording destination folder information stored in the buffer memory 311 at the same time. The image data and folder information recorded on the write-once storage medium 4 are deleted from the buffer memory 311. When the process of step S4106 ends, the process returns to step S4101.
[0424]
On the other hand, in step S4107, it is detected whether or not a deletion operation has been performed. If a deletion operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4108. If a deletion operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S4111. In step S4108, the currently reproduced image data is deleted from the buffer memory 311. When the process of step S4108 ends, the process returns to step S4101.
[0425]
If it is determined in step S4103 that the read image data is not image data in the buffer memory 311, that is, if it is image data in the write-once storage medium 4, the read image data in step S4109. The data is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. Here, it is not displayed because there is no need to prompt for deletion or the like.
[0426]
In step S4110, it is detected whether or not the cross button or the like has been operated to instruct to reproduce other image data. If instructed, the process returns to step S4101. If not instructed, the process proceeds to step S4111. In step S4111, it is detected whether an operation other than the playback mode has been performed. If it is in the playback mode, the process returns to step S4110. If it is operated in a mode other than the playback mode, this flow ends and the playback mode is exited.
[0427]
As described above, when the image data reproduced in the reproduction mode is image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311, it is recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 or deleted from the buffer memory 311. Inquiries are displayed to prompt decision making.
[0428]
The digital camera 31 has a function of reproducing only the image data in the buffer memory 311 when the image data is stored in the buffer memory 311 when the digital camera 31 is switched to the reproduction mode.
[0429]
Hereinafter, playback switching control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0430]
FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing playback switching control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts when the mode is switched to the playback mode.
[0431]
First, in step S4201, whether or not image data is stored in the buffer memory 311 is detected. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S4203. If it is not stored, the process proceeds to step S4202. In step S4202, the latest image data captured from the image data recorded in the write-once storage medium 4 is read out and displayed on the LCD display unit 6.
[0432]
On the other hand, in step S4203, a menu screen (see FIG. 69) for selecting whether to reproduce all image data or only image data stored in the buffer memory 311 is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. Subsequently, in step S4204, it is detected whether “play all” has been operated. If “play all” is operated, the process proceeds to step S4205, and if not operated, the process proceeds to step S4206. In step S 4205, the most recently captured image data is read from the image data in the write-once storage medium 4 and the buffer memory 311 and displayed on the LCD display unit 6. In step S4206, it is detected whether or not “temporary storage only” has been operated. If “temporary storage only” is operated, the process proceeds to step S4207, and if not operated, the process returns to step S4203. In step S 4207, the most recently captured image data out of the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 311 is read out and reproduced on the LCD display unit 6.
[0433]
Further, instead of reading out recently captured image data, a plurality of pieces of image data as shown in FIG. 70 may be displayed.
[0434]
Naturally, an inquiry is displayed as to whether to record in the write-once storage medium 4 or delete from the buffer memory 311. The list display includes an operation for recording all the image data in the buffer memory 311 in the write-once storage medium 4 and deleting all from the buffer memory 311 in addition to an operation for recording and deleting individual image data.
[0435]
In this manner, by providing a reproduction function for reproducing only the image data in the buffer memory 311, it is possible to confirm whether the image data is in the buffer memory 311 or the image data in the write-once storage medium 4. Can play. The reproduction menu is controlled to be displayed only when image data is stored in the buffer memory 311. Thereby, when the image data is not stored in the buffer memory 311, the image is immediately reproduced, so that it is not troublesome for the user.
[0436]
Next, image data deletion control in the digital camera 31 will be described. In the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment, image data is continuously stored in the buffer memory 311. Therefore, when the operation is performed to delete all image data, the digital camera is stored in the buffer memory 311. Existing image data is also subject to deletion. Specific control will be described below.
[0437]
FIG. 71 is a flowchart showing image deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. This flow starts by detecting that all image data deletion operation is performed.
[0438]
In step S4301, it is detected whether image data is stored in the buffer memory 311. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S4302, and if it is not stored, the process proceeds to step S4303. In step S4302, a comment indicating that the image data in the buffer memory 311 is also deleted is displayed on the LCD display unit 6. At the same time, an inquiry about whether to delete or cancel is displayed. On the other hand, in step S4303, a comment to delete the image data and an inquiry to delete or cancel are displayed on the LCD display unit 6.
[0439]
In step S4304, it is detected whether or not a deletion operation has been performed. If a deletion operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4305. If the deletion operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S4308. In step S4308, it is detected whether or not a cancel operation has been performed. If a cancel operation has been performed, this flow is terminated, and if no cancel operation has been performed, the flow returns to step S4304. In step S4305, if image data is recorded in the memory card, all the recorded image data is deleted. Subsequently, in step S4306, if image data is stored in the buffer memory 311, all stored image data are deleted. In step S4307, the LCD display unit 6 displays that all the image data has been deleted.
[0440]
By controlling in this way, the image data recorded in the memory card and the image data stored in the buffer memory can be easily deleted.
[0441]
Next, an image storage device that stores image data captured by the digital camera 31 will be described. The image storage device is not a dedicated device for storing image data, but may be an information device such as a personal computer.
[0442]
FIG. 72 is a functional block diagram of the image storage device 50.
[0443]
The image storage device 50 includes a control / processing unit 501, a program memory 502, a display driver 503, a hard disk memory 504, a slot 505, a connection terminal 506, a display output terminal 507, and an operation unit 509. The control / processing unit 501 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU and controls the image storage device 50. The program memory 502 stores a control program executed by the control unit 501. The display driver 503 outputs video data to the display 508 via the display output terminal 507. A hard disk memory 504 is a large-capacity memory for storing image data. A slot 505 has a slot in which a memory card can be inserted, and is an interface for reading data in the inserted memory card and recording data in the memory card. An input / output terminal 506 is an interface for connecting the digital camera 31 and the like to input / output data. The operation unit 509 is operated by a user to input various commands to the image storage device 50. The operation unit 509 may be an external keyboard instead of being directly provided in the image storage device 50.
[0444]
Next, image data management control executed by the image storage device 50 will be described. In the image data management control, the image data in the memory card can be downloaded or deleted.
[0445]
FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing image management control executed by the image storage device 50. This flow starts by detecting the connection of the digital camera 31 or the insertion of a memory card into the slot 505 of the image storage device 50.
[0446]
First, in step S4401, it is detected whether image data exists in the memory card. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S4402, and if it does not exist, this flow ends. In step S4402, it is detected whether or not the image data is set to be automatically sucked simultaneously with the connection. Here, the setting is performed by the user operating the operation unit 509 with respect to the setting menu displayed on the display 508. FIG. 74 shows a display example of the setting menu. The setting menu shown in the display example is for setting how to process the image data recorded on the connected memory card. If it has been set, the process advances to step S4403. If it has not been set, this flow ends. In step S4403, image data is sucked up. Subsequently, in step S4404, it is detected whether or not all the image data has been downloaded. If completed, the process proceeds to step S4405. If not completed, the process returns to step S4403.
[0447]
In step S4405, it is detected whether or not the extracted image data is set to be deleted from the memory card. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S4406. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S4415. move on. In step S4406, information on the connected memory card is acquired. Subsequently, in step S4407, it is determined whether or not the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S4408. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S4412. In step S4408, a warning is displayed that the memory capacity cannot be increased even if the image data is deleted, and an inquiry is made as to whether to delete the image data. Next, in step S4409, it is detected whether or not a deletion operation has been performed. If the deletion operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4410, and if the deletion operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S4412.
[0448]
In step S4410, deletion processing is performed on the image data that has been sucked. Subsequently, in step S4411, it is detected whether or not the deletion process has been completed for all the sucked-up image data. If completed, the process proceeds to step S4415. If not completed, the process proceeds to step S4410. Return. In step S4412, it is detected whether or not a cancel operation has been performed. If the cancel operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4415. If the cancel operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S4409.
[0449]
In step S4413, the FAT information is updated so that the image data is deleted. In step S4414, it is detected whether or not the deletion process has been completed for all image data. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S4415. If not, the process returns to step S4413. Finally, in step S4415, it is displayed that the process has been completed.
[0450]
By controlling in this way, even if it is set to automatically delete the captured image data, the write-once storage medium 4 is warned whether to delete it without warning that the memory capacity will not increase. Prevent deletion.
[0451]
Next, another example of image management control in the image storage device 50 will be described.
[0452]
In this control, when the connected memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the deletion is not performed at the time of automatic transfer, but a display notifying that the deletion is stopped is performed.
[0453]
FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing image management control executed by the image storage device 50. This flow starts by detecting the connection of the digital camera 31 or the insertion of a memory card into the slot 505 of the image storage device 50.
[0454]
First, in step S4501, it is detected whether or not image data exists in the memory card. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S4502, and if not, this flow ends. In step S4502, it is detected whether or not the image data is set to be automatically sucked simultaneously with the connection. If it has been set, the process advances to step S4503. If it has not been set, this flow ends. In step S4503, image data is sucked up. Subsequently, in step S4504, it is detected whether or not all of the image data has been downloaded. If completed, the process proceeds to step S4505, and if not completed, the process returns to step S4503.
[0455]
In step S4505, it is detected whether or not the extracted image data is set to be deleted from the memory card. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S4506. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S4511. move on. In step S4506, information on the connected memory card is acquired. Subsequently, in step S4507, it is determined whether or not the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S4508. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S4509. In step S4408, since it is a write-once storage medium, a message indicating that the deletion of image data has been stopped is displayed.
[0456]
In step S4509, the FAT information is updated so that the image data is deleted. In step S4510, it is detected whether or not deletion processing has been completed for all image data. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S4511. If not, the process returns to step S4509. Finally, in step S4511, it is displayed that the process has been completed.
[0457]
The control of copying image data from the memory card and automatically deleting the image data after it is downloaded is often performed for the purpose of increasing the recordable capacity of the memory card in preparation for the next shooting. If the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4, the recordable capacity cannot be increased even if it is deleted. In this control, unnecessary deletion processing that does not meet the purpose is not performed, so there is no disadvantage to the user.
[0458]
The image management setting control that operates in the image storage device 50 will be described below.
[0459]
The image storage device 50 allows the processing when the memory card is the rewritable storage medium 3 and the processing when the memory card is the write-once storage medium 4 to be set independently, and performs processing according to each setting. Do.
[0460]
FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing image management setting control executed by the image storage device 50. When the connection of the memory card is detected, the following control starts.
[0461]
First, in step S4601, it is detected whether or not the connected memory card is the write-once storage medium 4. If it is the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S4602. If it is not the write-once storage medium 4, the process proceeds to step S4608. In step S4602, it is detected whether setting information for a write-once storage medium is stored in the program memory 502. If stored, the process proceeds to step S4606. If not stored, the process proceeds to step S4603. In step S4603, the setting menu for the write-once storage medium is displayed on the display 508. FIG. 77 shows a display example. In the display example shown in FIG. 77, setting menus for a rewritable storage medium and a write-once storage medium are provided in one window, but setting menus may be provided in separate windows. Next, in step S4604, it is detected whether or not the setting operation has been completed. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S4605. If it has not been completed, the process returns to step S4603. In step S4605, the setting information set in the setting menu is recorded in the program memory 502. In step S4606, setting information recorded in the program memory 502 is read. In step S4607, processing according to the recorded setting is executed.
[0462]
Similarly, when the connected memory card is the rewritable storage medium 3, it is detected in step S4608 whether the setting information for the rewritable storage medium is stored in the program memory 502. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S4612, and if it is not stored, the process proceeds to step S4609. In step S4609, a setting menu for a rewritable storage medium is displayed. FIG. 77 shows a display example. Next, in step S4610, it is detected whether or not the setting operation has been completed. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S4611, and if it has not been completed, the process returns to step S4609. In step S4611, the setting information set in the setting menu is recorded in the program memory 502. In step S4612, the setting information recorded in the program memory 502 is read. In step S4613, a process according to the recorded setting is executed.
[0463]
As described above, since the image management settings for the rewritable storage medium and the write-once storage medium can be performed independently, settings suitable for each storage medium can be performed.
[0464]
The image management setting control in the image storage device 50 described with reference to FIG. 76 is also effective in the digital camera 311. Image management control in the digital camera 31 will be described.
[0465]
A display example of the setting menu displayed on the LCD display unit 6 of the digital camera 31 is shown in FIG. When the memory card installed in the slot 2 of the digital camera 31 is the rewritable storage medium 3, a setting menu shown in FIG. 78 (a) is displayed. If the memory card inserted into the slot 2 of the digital camera 31 is the write-once storage medium 4, a setting menu shown in FIG. 78 (b) is displayed. In the display example shown in FIG. 78, the setting menus for the rewritable storage medium and the write-once storage medium are displayed separately, but they may be displayed simultaneously as shown in FIG.
[0466]
The image management setting control executed by the digital camera 31 is the same as the image management setting control explained with reference to FIG.
[0467]
As described above, since the image management settings for the rewritable storage medium and the write-once storage medium can be performed independently, the digital camera 31 can also perform settings suitable for the respective storage media.
[0468]
The above-described control in the image storage device can also be realized by a computer application program, in which case the computer in which this application program is installed and the peripheral devices connected as necessary are the devices described above. Become. Accordingly, the application program itself distributed over the Internet or the like for realizing the functions of the present invention or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which it is recorded is also an object of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a digital camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a main flowchart of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart when an imaging interruption occurs in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart when a reproduction interrupt is generated in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart when a playback menu interrupt is generated in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart when a special deletion interrupt is generated in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a main flowchart of the digital camera according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the priority determination process in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the transcription process in FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of remaining capacity display processing of FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart when an imaging interruption occurs in the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart when a reproduction interrupt is generated in the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the reproduction process of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart when a playback menu interrupt is generated in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart when an off interrupt is generated in the second embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of steps S69 to S71 in FIG. 8 when the batch transfer processing mode is set in the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart when an imaging interruption occurs when the batch transfer processing mode is set in the second embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart when a batch transfer interrupt occurs when the batch transfer processing mode is set in the second embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing control upon power-on of the digital camera according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a view showing a display example displayed on the LCD display unit 6;
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing control at the time of mode switching of the digital camera according to the present embodiment.
24 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
25 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of image reproduction display on the digital camera 31.
27 is a flowchart showing memory capacity detection control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a display example displayed on the LCD display unit 6;
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display example of a deletion menu or the like.
30 is a flowchart showing simple deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing complete deletion control executed by the digital camera 31;
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing deletion control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing deletion control executed by the digital camera 31.
34 is a flowchart showing deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a warning display example in the digital camera 31.
36 is a diagram showing a setting menu display example in the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing format control executed by the digital camera 31.
38 is a flowchart showing file optimization control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing format processing executed by the digital camera 31.
40 is a flowchart showing panorama shooting control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
41 is a flowchart showing panorama synthesis control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
42 is a flowchart showing continuous shooting control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing recording confirmation control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print setting menu.
FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing print setting control executed by the digital camera 31.
46 is a flowchart showing setting change control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
47 is a flowchart showing setting change control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
48 is a flowchart showing vertical / horizontal conversion control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
49 is a flowchart showing vertical / horizontal conversion control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
50 is a flowchart showing vertical / horizontal conversion control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing index data creation control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing transfer management control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31.
54 is a view showing an example of image reproduction display on the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing capacity securing control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing remaining capacity display control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 57 is a view showing a remaining frame number display example in the digital camera 31;
58 is a flowchart showing battery-related control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing battery-related control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 60 is a diagram showing a prompt display example in the digital camera 31.
61 is a flowchart showing battery-related control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing memory capacity display control executed by the digital camera 31.
FIG. 64 is a diagram showing a display example of the number of remaining frames in the digital camera 31.
FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing memory capacity display control executed by the digital camera 31.
66 is a flowchart showing memory capacity display switching control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
67 is a flowchart showing image playback control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
68 is a flowchart showing playback switching control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
69 is a diagram showing a display example of a playback menu in the digital camera 31. FIG.
FIG. 70 is a view showing a display example in which a plurality of pieces of image data in the digital camera 31 are reproduced.
71 is a flowchart showing image deletion control executed by the digital camera 31. FIG.
72 is a functional block diagram of the image storage device 50. FIG.
FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing image management control executed by the image storage device 50.
74 is a view showing a display example of a setting menu in the image storage device 50. FIG.
75 is a flowchart showing image management control executed by the image storage device 50. FIG.
FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing image management setting control executed by the image storage device 50.
77 is a view showing a display example of a setting menu in the image storage device 50. FIG.
78 is a diagram showing a display example of a setting menu in the digital camera 31. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 21, 31 ... Digital camera
2 ... slot
3 ... Rewritable storage medium
4 ... Write-once storage media
5, 23 ... control / processing section
6 ... LCD display
7, 24 ... operation unit
8 ... Imaging unit
9 ... A / D converter
10 ... Display buffer
11 ... Raw data buffer
12. Digital input / output terminal
22 ... Non-volatile memory
311: Buffer memory
50. Image storage device
501: Control / processing unit
502 ... Program memory
504: Hard disk memory
505 ... Slot

Claims (4)

Connection means for connecting to a memory for storing image data;
Determining means for determining whether the memory connected by the connecting means is a rewrite restriction memory;
An image storage memory;
Memory detecting means for detecting that the memory is connected to the connecting means;
When it is detected by the detection means that a memory is connected, the image data recorded in the memory is received and stored in the image storage memory, and after storing in the image storage memory, the image in the memory Automatic deletion control means for controlling to automatically delete the image data recorded in the storage memory from the memory;
When the determination unit determines that the memory is a rewrite restriction memory, the automatic deletion unit does not automatically delete the image data, but asks whether to delete the image data after storage , and An image storage apparatus comprising: control means for deleting image data recorded in the image storage memory in the rewrite restriction memory from the rewrite restriction memory when a deletion process is instructed. The image storage device according to claim 1,
The memory is a memory card having a rewritable memory or a rewritable memory,
The image storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is a mounting unit for mounting the memory card. The image storage device according to claim 1,
The connection means is an input / output terminal that is communicably connected to the digital camera having a mounting portion on which the memory can be mounted, and that can communicate with the memory mounted on the digital camera,
The memory detection means detects that a digital camera is connected to the input / output terminal,
When the detection unit detects that the digital camera is connected, the automatic deletion control unit receives the image data recorded in the memory, stores the image data in the image storage memory, and stores the image data in the image storage memory. An image storage apparatus for controlling to automatically delete image data recorded in the image storage memory in the memory after storage from the memory.   A control program describing control executed by the image storage device according to claim 1.

Images