JP2001111953A - Image data recorder, printer, electronic camera and electronic album - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer that reduces the cost meeting the recent demand for the increased number of pixels in image data. SOLUTION: The printer is provided with a large capacity memory B such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk of a built-in or removal type of a comparatively low cost and with a large capacity in place of a conventional frame memory such as a DRAM consisting of a comparatively expensive recording medium. A CPU 101 assigns part of areas of this large capacity memory B to generate print image data and transfers the print image data generated and stored by using part of the large capacity memory B to a head controller 104 sequentially, which prints out the picture of the image data read from a memory card A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image data recording apparatus, a printer, an electronic camera, and an electronic album for recording image data on a built-in or detachable recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image of a subject is formed on a solid-state image pickup device, for example, a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an image pickup optical system, and converted into an electric signal. 2. Description of the Related Art A so-called electronic camera for recording on a medium has been widely used.

[0003] With the spread of electronic cameras,
Various printers for printing images captured by an electronic camera on paper, electronic albums for browsing and displaying on an LCD monitor, and the like have been developed.

In general, in an electronic camera, image data of a photographed image is temporarily recorded in a frame memory, and the image data recorded in the frame memory is subjected to image processing such as compression, and then is detached for storage. The data is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card to be inserted.

In a sublimation printer, an image of image data input from the outside or image data read from a recording medium such as a removable memory card is printed in a color-sequential manner in a color-sequential manner. The print image data is converted into single-color print image data and recorded in a frame memory, and the print image data recorded in the frame memory is read line by line and printed.

Further, in an electronic album, image data input from the outside or image data read from a recording medium such as a removable memory card are temporarily stored in a built-in magnetic disk device, for example. The image data is expanded (expanded) and recorded in the frame memory in order to record the image in the frame memory or to display the image of the stored image data on the monitor. Further, the image of the stored image data is printed out. To do
For example, image data is converted into print image data and recorded in a frame memory.

[0007]

However, with the recent improvement in semiconductor manufacturing technology, the number of pixels of an image photographed by an electronic camera is steadily increasing, and image data is processed in an intermediate manner. It is unavoidable to increase the capacity of the frame memory. That is, there has been a problem that the cost of an electronic camera, a printer, or an electronic album using a frame memory has to be significantly increased.

[0008] Further, if the conventional frame memory, which has run out of capacity, is continuously used to avoid an increase in cost, the response time of image processing becomes longer, and the user feels inconvenience. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image data recording apparatus capable of reducing costs while responding to an increase in the number of pixels of an image.
It is intended to provide a printer, an electronic camera, and an electronic album.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method for comparing a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk instead of a frame memory composed of a relatively expensive recording medium such as a DRAM. Using an inexpensive built-in or detachable recording medium, the recording area of this built-in or detachable recording medium is temporarily stored as a storage data recording area for permanently storing image data for storage and for intermediate processing. This is divided into a temporary data recording area for recording data and managed.

According to the present invention, an electronic camera, a printer, or an electronic album, which requires intermediate processing of image data, can easily cope with the recent increase in the number of pixels of an image. , It is possible to reduce costs at the same time.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The printer 100 shown in FIG.
This is a sublimation type printer having a function as a storage device for storing image data in a large-capacity memory B such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk. The CPU 101 controls the entire apparatus.

The CPU 101 takes in one of the image data recorded on the memory card A which is detachably inserted into the apparatus via the interface circuit 102,
The captured image data is stored in a predetermined area (an image file area described later) of the large-capacity memory B via the large-capacity memory interface circuit 103.

When printing the image of the image data stored in the large-capacity memory B, the CPU 101 converts the image data into Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan).
Print image data (bitmap data) is generated, and the generated Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) print image data are stored in a predetermined area of a large-capacity memory B (a print data creation work area described later). ), First, Y
The (yellow) print image data is transferred to the head controller 104 one line at a time.

The printer 10 according to the first embodiment is
0 uses a large-capacity memory B such as a relatively inexpensive magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk in place of a conventional relatively expensive DRAM or the like, and prints a part of this large-capacity memory B By allocating for the creation of image data, it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of pixels of an image and to reduce costs.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the area division of the large-capacity memory B in the printer 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer 100, the area of the large-capacity memory B is divided and managed into a print data creation work area B1 and an image file area B2.
This division management is performed by the CPU 101.
The large capacity is set so that the capacity of the print data creation work area B1 always exceeds a predetermined value, that is, the image data is not stored in the image file area B2 beyond the predetermined capacity. The area of the memory B is divided and managed.

The head controller 104 drives the head 106 of the printer engine unit 105 based on the transferred Y (yellow) print image data, and prints the Y (yellow) on paper.
The (yellow) image is formed line by line. At this time, CP
U101 controls the transport of the sheet by sending a control signal to the mechanism drive circuit 107. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism driving circuit 107 to return the sheet to the initial position, and then the large-capacity memory B
The M (magenta) print image data stored in the print creation work area B1 is transferred to the head controller 104 one line at a time.

The head controller 104 controls the head 1 of the printer engine unit 105 based on the transferred print image data in the same manner as the print image data of Y (yellow).
No. 06 is driven to form M (magenta) images line by line on the paper. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 101 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism drive circuit 107 to return the sheet to the initial position, and then, in the print creation work area of the large capacity memory B, The print image data of C (cyan) stored in B1 is 1
The data is transferred to the head controller 104 line by line.

On the other hand, the head controller 104
As in the case of the print image data of (yellow) and M (magenta), the head 106 of the printer engine unit 105 is driven based on the transferred print image data, and the image of C (cyan) is printed on the paper. Form one line at a time. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 101
Sends a control signal instructing the mechanism drive circuit 107 to eject the paper, and ends the printing process of the image data. Further, the CPU 101 detects a type of the ink ribbon, a paper jam, and the like based on a signal from the mechanism sensor 108.

The printer 100 has operation keys 109 for the user to perform various operations, a power supply block 110 for supplying power to each unit, and a PC for transmitting and receiving image data between the personal computer. An interface circuit 111 and a video memory 11 for outputting image signals to an externally connected display device
2 and a video circuit 113.

Next, an operation procedure of the printer 100 of the first embodiment when printing an image will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is checked whether or not the print image data of the image file instructed to be printed has been developed in the print image data creation work area B1 of the large capacity memory B (step A).
1) If not expanded (NO in step A1),
After analyzing the header data of the image file and setting the resizing ratio from the vertical and horizontal sizes (step A2),
Reading is performed in block units (step A3), and the read block is expanded to obtain luminance and color difference data (Y,
U, V) (step A4), and Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) print image data are created from the created luminance / color difference data (Y, U, V) (step A5). ).

Next, with respect to the created Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) print image data, resizing processing, emphasizing brightness with color density, and canceling with other colors are performed. A masking & gamma process to be considered is performed (step A6) and stored in the print image data creation work area B1 of the large capacity memory B (step A7). The processing of steps A3 to A7 is repeated until all blocks have been completed.

When the print image data of the image file for which printing has been instructed has already been developed in the print image data creation work area B1 of the large capacity memory B (YE in step A1).
S) or when the processing of step A3 to step A7 is completed for all blocks (YE in step A8)
S), print paper is fed (step A9), where
When an error such as out of paper occurs (YES in step A10), an error process is executed (step A11).
This processing ends. Also, when an error such as a ribbon break occurs when the ink ribbon initial operation is performed (step A12) (YES in step A13),
Error processing is performed (step A11), and this processing ends.

First, the head address of Y (yellow) in the print image data creation work area B1 of the large-capacity memory B is detected (step A14), and one line of print image data is sent to the head controller 104 therefrom. Transfer (step S14). The head controller 104 drives the head 106 based on the transferred one-line print image data to perform one-line printing, and the CPU 101 sends a control signal to the mechanism drive circuit 107 to transmit a control signal to the mechanism drive circuit 107. The sheet is moved by one line (step A16). This step A15 to step A
The process of step 16 is repeated until the printing of Y (yellow) is completed. When the printing of Y (yellow) is completed (YES in step A17), the CPU 101 sends a control signal to the mechanism driving circuit 107. To drive the paper to the initial position (step A1).
8) The ink ribbon is driven to the initial position of M (magenta) (step A19).

Then, as in the case of Y (yellow), M in the print image data creation work area B1 of the large capacity memory B
(Magenta) start address is detected (step A2)
0), and transfers the print image data for one line to the head controller 104 therefrom (step A21). The head controller 104 drives the head 106 based on the transferred one-line print image data to perform one-line printing, and the CPU 101 sends a control signal to the mechanism drive circuit 107 to transmit a control signal to the mechanism drive circuit 107. The sheet is moved by one line (step A22). The processing in steps A21 to A22 is repeated until printing for M (magenta) is completed.
When printing of (magenta) is completed (Step A)
23 (YES), the CPU 101 drives the paper to the initial position by sending a control signal to the mechanism driving circuit 107 (step A24), and drives the ink ribbon to the C (cyan) initial position (step A).
25).

Finally, similarly to the case of Y (yellow) and M (magenta), the head address of C (cyan) in the print image data creation work area B1 of the large capacity memory B is detected (step A26). From there, the print image data for one line is transferred to the head controller 104 (step A27). The head controller 104 controls the head 106 based on the transferred one-line print image data.
To print one line, and the CPU 1
01 moves the sheet by one line by sending a control signal to the mechanism driving circuit 107 (step A).
28). The processing of steps A27 to A28 is repeated until the printing of C (cyan) is completed. When the printing of C (cyan) is completed (YES in step A29), a control signal is sent to the mechanism driving circuit 107. Then, the sheet is discharged (step A30).

As described above, in the printer 100 of the first embodiment, a large-capacity memory such as a relatively inexpensive magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk is used in place of the conventional relatively expensive image memory including a DRAM or the like. By using B and allocating a part of the large-capacity memory B for creating print image data, it is possible to reduce costs while coping with an increase in the number of pixels of an image.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Electronic camera 200 shown in FIG.
The CPU 201 controls the entire apparatus, and forms a subject image on the image pickup surface of the CCD 203 by making the subject light passing through the lens 202 incident on the CCD (image pickup device) 203. This CCD 203
Drive control is performed by the G / SSG circuit 204, and signal charges corresponding to the subject image formed on the imaging surface are accumulated. The signal charge accumulated on this imaging surface is used as an imaging signal by CC
After being read from D203 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 205, the imaging signal processing circuit 206
It is led to. The imaging signal processing circuit 206 applies an auto white balance, a luminance / color signal generation,
Gamma processing is performed to generate a color image signal of a predetermined format. Then, this color image signal is
o The image is temporarily stored in the memory 207 and displayed as an image on the LCD display monitor 208.

An operation key 2 including a release switch
In response to the imaging instruction from the CPU 09, the CPU 201 stores the image data in the memory card A or the large-capacity memory B such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk which is removably mounted. Operation keys 20
9 in order to perform compression processing on the color image signal generated by the imaging signal processing circuit 206 through the large-capacity memory interface circuit 210. It is stored in an area (an imaging data saving work area described later).

The electronic camera 2 of the second embodiment
No. 00 uses a relatively large-capacity memory B such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk instead of the conventional relatively expensive image memory composed of a DRAM or the like, and compresses a part of the large-capacity memory B. By allocating for image creation, it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of pixels of the image and to reduce the cost.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the area division of the large-capacity memory B in the electronic camera 200.

As shown in FIG. 5, this electronic camera 200
In this example, the area of the large-capacity memory B is divided and managed into a work area B3 for storing image data and an image file area B4. This division management is performed by the CPU 201 and the CPU 20.
1 is such that the capacity of the imaging data storage work area B3 is always secured beyond a predetermined value, that is,
The area of the large capacity memory B is divided and managed so that the image data does not exceed the predetermined capacity and is stored in the image file area B4.

The electronic camera 200 has a power supply block 211 for supplying power to each unit, and writes image data to the memory card A, or
Interface circuit 2 for reading image data from
12 is provided.

Next, an operation procedure of the electronic camera 200 according to the second embodiment when storing a captured image in the large-capacity memory B will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is checked whether or not the power-off is instructed (step B1). If the power-off is not instructed, then it is checked whether or not the large-capacity memory B is present or full. (Step B2).
If the large-capacity memory B does not exist or is full (YES in step B2), an error message notifying the fact is displayed on the LCD display monitor 208.
(Step B3).

If the large-capacity memory B exists and is not full (NO in step B2), it is checked whether or not a release-on command has been issued (step B4). If so (YES in step B4), first, the image data generated by the imaging signal processing circuit 206 is stored in the imaging data storage work area B3 of the large capacity memory B (step B5). Then, compression processing is performed on the image data stored in the imaging data storage work area B3 of the large capacity memory B (step B6), and the compressed image data is stored in the image file area B4 of the large capacity memory B. (Step B
7).

As described above, in the electronic camera 200 according to the second embodiment, a large-capacity magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk or the like is used instead of a conventional relatively expensive image memory composed of a DRAM or the like. By using the memory B and allocating a part of the large-capacity memory B for creating a compressed image, it is possible to reduce the cost while coping with an increase in the number of pixels of the image.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an electronic album according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Electronic album 3 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 00 denotes a function of storing image data input externally in a memory card A or a large-capacity memory B such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk which is detachably mounted, and displaying and printing out the stored image data on a display. The CPU 301 controls the entire apparatus.

The CPU 301 first fetches image data into the apparatus via the external input interface circuit 302, and transfers the fetched image data to a predetermined area of the large-capacity memory B (the electronic Album work area) and temporarily store the temporarily stored image data in the large-capacity memory B.
In a predetermined area (an image file area described later).

The electronic camera 3 of the third embodiment
Reference numeral 00 uses a large-capacity memory B such as a relatively inexpensive magnetic disk or magneto-optical disk in place of a conventional relatively expensive image memory composed of a DRAM or the like. The first feature is that by allocating the input image data for temporary storage, it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of pixels of the image and to reduce the cost.

The CPU 301 copies the image data stored in the large-capacity memory B to a predetermined area (an electronic album work area described later) of the large-capacity memory B, and performs decompression processing on the copied image data. Then, the image of the decompressed image data is displayed on the LCD display monitor 305 via the video memory 304.

Then, the electronic camera 3 of the third embodiment
A large capacity memory B such as a relatively inexpensive magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk is used in place of the conventional image memory composed of a relatively expensive DRAM or the like. The second feature is that by allocating for data decompression processing, it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of pixels of an image and reduce costs.

Further, the CPU 301 copies the image data stored in the large-capacity memory B to a predetermined area (an electronic album work area to be described later) of the large-capacity memory B, and performs decompression processing on the copied image data. After generating print image data from the decompressed image data and storing the print image data in a predetermined area (an electronic album work area to be described later) of the large-capacity memory B, the print image data is output to the printer via the printer interface circuit 306. .

Then, the electronic camera 3 of the third embodiment
00 uses a relatively inexpensive large-capacity memory B, such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk, in place of a conventional relatively expensive DRAM or other image memory, and prints a part of this large-capacity memory B A third feature is that by allocating the image data for creation, it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of pixels of the image and to reduce the cost.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the area division of the large-capacity memory B in the electronic album 300.

As shown in FIG. 8, this electronic album 30
At 0, the area of the large-capacity memory B is divided into an electronic album work area B5 and an image file area B6 for management. This division management is performed by the CPU 301 and the CPU 30
1 has a large capacity so that the capacity of the electronic album work area B5 always exceeds a predetermined value, that is, does not store image data in the image file area B6 beyond the predetermined capacity. The area of the memory B is divided and managed.

The electronic album 300 includes an operation key 307 for the user to perform various operations, a power supply block 308 for supplying power to each section, and writing of image data to the memory card A, or
Interface circuit 3 for reading image data from
09 and a PC interface circuit 310 for exchanging image data with a personal computer.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, an operation procedure of the electronic album 300 according to the third embodiment at the time of outputting to a printer will be described.

First, compressed image data is read from the image file area B6 of the large capacity memory B, and the read image data is stored in the electronic album work area B5 of the large capacity memory B (step C1).

Subsequently, the electronic album work area B
The image data stored in the electronic image work area B5 is subjected to decompression processing (step C2), and print image data is generated from the decompressed image data and stored in the electronic album work area B5 (step C3).

Then, this electronic album work area B
5 is output to the printer via the printer interface circuit 306 (step C4).

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an operation procedure at the time of external input of the electronic album 300 of the third embodiment will be described.

First, it is checked whether the large-capacity memory B is present or not full (step D).
1). If the large-capacity memory B does not exist or is full (YES in step D2),
An error message notifying the fact is displayed on the LCD display monitor 305 (step D3).

On the other hand, if the large-capacity memory B exists and is not full (NO in step D1), first, the image data input through the external input interface circuit 302 is stored in the large-capacity memory B. It is stored in the electronic album work area B5 (step D3).

The image data stored in the electronic album work area B5 of the large capacity memory B is subjected to compression processing (step D4), and the compressed image data is stored in the image file area B4 of the large capacity memory B. It is stored (step D5).

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, an operation procedure at the time of image reproduction of the electronic album 300 of the third embodiment will be described.

First, the compressed image data is read from the image file area B6 of the large capacity memory B, and the read image data is stored in the electronic album work area B5 of the large capacity memory B (step E1).

Subsequently, the electronic album work area B
5 is subjected to a decompression process (step E2), and the image of the decompressed image data is
o Displayed on the LCD display monitor 305 via the memory 304.

As described above, in the electronic album 300 according to the third embodiment, a large-capacity storage medium such as a relatively inexpensive magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk is used instead of the conventional relatively expensive image memory including a DRAM or the like. By using the memory B and allocating a part of the large-capacity memory B for temporary storage of externally input image data, and allocating a part of the large-capacity memory B for image data decompression processing Furthermore, by allocating a part of the large-capacity memory B for creating print image data, it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of pixels of an image and reduce costs.

[0066]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a relatively inexpensive internal memory such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk is used in place of a frame memory constituted by a relatively expensive recording medium such as a DRAM. Alternatively, using a detachable recording medium, the recording area of the built-in or detachable recording medium is temporarily recorded as a storage data recording area for permanently recording image data for storage, and for intermediate processing. And a temporary data recording area for management, so that electronic cameras and printers or electronic albums that need to process image data in an intermediate manner can easily handle the recent increase in the number of pixels in images. It is possible to cope with it, and it is also possible to reduce costs at the same time by eliminating the frame memory.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an area division of a large-capacity memory in the printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the printer according to the first embodiment when printing an image.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary conceptual diagram showing area division of a large-capacity memory in the electronic camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure when the captured image is stored in the large-capacity memory of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an electronic album according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary conceptual diagram showing area division of a large-capacity memory in the electronic album according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure at the time of outputting an electronic album to a printer according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure at the time of external input of the electronic album according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure at the time of image reproduction of the electronic album according to the third embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Printer 101, 201, 301 CPU 102, 212, 309 Interface circuit 103, 210, 303 Large-capacity memory interface circuit 104 Head controller 105 Printer engine unit 106 Head 107 Mechanism driving circuit 108 Mechanism sensor 109, 209, 307 operation keys 110, 211, 308 power supply block 111, 310 PC interface circuit 112, 207, 304 Video memory 113 video circuit 200 electronic camera 202 lens 203 CCD (image pickup device) 204 TG / SSG circuit 205 A / D conversion circuit 206 Imaging signal processing circuit 208, 305 LCD display monitor 300 Electronic album 302 External input interface circuit 306 Printer interface circuit A ... memory card B ... large-capacity memory

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/76 H04N 5/781 D 5D044 5/781 5/85 Z 5D110 5/85 5/91 N 5 / 765 H 5/92 L 9/79 5/92 H 9/79 H G11B 27/00 DF term (reference) 2C087 AA15 AC05 BA07 BB16 BC07 BC14 5B021 AA19 BB02 BB12 CC08 DD19 DD20 5C052 AA02 AA11 AA17 FA02 FA03 FA05 FC00 GA02 GA03 GA05 GA07 GC00 5C053 FA04 FA08 FA23 FA27 HA32 HA33 KA24 LA01 LA03 LA06 5C055 AA06 BA02 BA05 BA06 EA02 EA05 GA00 5D044 AB07 BC01 BC06 CC04 DE03 DE12 DE22 DE27 DE37 DE43 DE49 DE53 GK07 5D110 AA13 DA03 DA03 DA03 DA03 DA04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage data recording area for permanently recording image data for storage and a temporary data recording area for temporarily recording image data for image processing in a built-in or detachable recording medium. A recording area management unit that divides and manages the image data, and records image data in one of a storage data recording area and a temporary data storage area of the recording medium that is divided and managed by the recording area management unit according to its use. An image data recording apparatus, comprising: an image recording unit. 2. The recording area management means divides and manages a recording area of the recording medium such that the capacity of the temporary data recording area always exceeds a predetermined value. Item 2. The image data recording device according to Item 1. 3. An image data conversion unit for converting image data into image data for printing, and temporarily storing the image data for printing converted by the image data conversion unit on a built-in or detachable recording medium. A printer comprising: an image recording unit; and an image printing unit that prints an image using image data for printing recorded on the recording medium by the image recording unit. 4. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording area of the recording medium is a storage data recording area for permanently recording the image data for storage, and a print data converted by the image data conversion means. 4. The printer according to claim 3, further comprising a recording area management unit that divides and manages the image data into a temporary data recording area for temporarily recording image data. 5. An image recording means for recording image data on a built-in or detachable recording medium, and an image processing means for performing image processing on image data obtained by imaging, the image recording means comprising: The image data is temporarily recorded on the recording medium for image processing by the image processing means, and the image data on which the image processing has been performed by the image processing means is permanently recorded on the recording medium. Electronic camera. 6. The image recording means includes: a storage data recording area for permanently recording a recording area of the recording medium for storing image data on which image processing has been performed by the image processing means; 6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, further comprising a recording area management unit that divides and manages data into a temporary data recording area for temporarily recording data for image processing of the image processing unit. 7. A storage data recording area for permanently storing image data for storage and a temporary data recording area for temporarily storing image data for image processing in a built-in or detachable recording medium. A recording area management unit that divides and manages the image data, an image recording unit that records image data in a temporary data recording area of the recording medium that is divided and managed by the recording area management unit, and the recording medium that is recorded by the image recording unit. An image processing means for performing image processing on the image data recorded in the temporary data recording area.