JP2015231168A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure free capacity needed to save photographic data during photography without troubling a photographer during use of a card having an automatic deletion function.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: read/write control means of controlling reading and writing of image data from and to an external recording medium; recording medium control means of controlling actuation and ending of the external recording medium; recording medium determination means of determining that the external recording medium has automatic transfer and automatic deleting functions; setting acquiring means of acquiring settings of the automatic transfer function and automatic deleting function when the external recording medium has the automatic transfer function and automatic deleting function; file management information control means of controlling sequential writing of image data, stored in first stored storage means, to the external recording medium by the write/read control means and update of file management information in second storage means in response to writing; and recording medium management means of calculating free capacity and write capacity of the external recording medium.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that records video as digital data, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus that records digital data on a recording medium that automatically transfers and automatically deletes the digital data.

  When recording data on an external recording medium such as a memory card, magnetic recording medium, or optical recording medium, information for specifying the recorded data (file name, etc.), recording start address, data size, etc. Information is recorded along with the data. Various methods for performing such data recording and management are used, and there is a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system as a generally well-known data management method.

  The FAT file system includes a master boot record area (MBR), a boot sector area (BPB), a FAT area, a directory area, a data area, and the like, and data is managed in units called clusters. The boot sector area stores parameters necessary for reading / writing data from / to an external recording medium, such as the size of one cluster, the number of FATs, and the number of directory entries in the root directory. In the FAT area, when a plurality of clusters are used for data recording, the chain information is recorded. In the directory area, the file name of the recorded data, the cluster number where recording started, the data size, and other information are recorded. The size of one cluster differs depending on the format method. A file larger than one cluster is recorded using a plurality of clusters.

  As an example, a case will be described in which a file is recorded using the three clusters 2, 3, and 4. The next cluster number “3” is recorded in the FAT area of the cluster 2 in the FAT area, and simultaneously “4” is recorded in the FAT area of the cluster 3, and in the FAT area of the cluster 4 A code indicating the final cluster is recorded (this is, for example, “FFFh” in the case of 12-bit FAT). In the directory entry area of the root directory area, “2” is recorded as the file name and the cluster start number.

  “0” is recorded in the FAT area of the cluster indicating the vacancy. A device that handles the FAT file system generally counts the number of clusters in which “0” in the FAT area is recorded, and calculates the free capacity of the external recording medium from the size of one cluster described in the boot sector area. calculate.

  By the way, in the apparatus using the FAT file system described above, when the image data that can be deleted is stored as it is in the imaging apparatus and there is no free storage area, the free storage is quickly performed without trouble. There are imaging devices that can secure the area.

  According to Patent Document 1, when saving image data, the photographer selects whether to “automatically delete” or not, indicating ON information indicating that automatic deletion may be performed, or indicating that automatic deletion is not performed. The OFF information is added and stored in the storage device. At the time of subsequent shooting, if the free storage area is insufficient, the image data with the ON information added is deleted from the storage device until the necessary free storage area can be secured, so that the newly secured storage area is renewed. It is possible to save various image data.

  On the other hand, as an attachable / detachable external recording medium, in the apparatus using the above-mentioned FAT file system, after image data is recorded, the image data is read out from the external recording medium and automatically transferred to a pre-registered external communication device. A functional memory card exists.

  The memory card with the automatic deletion function described above has the following characteristics as the transfer start timing. After the image data is recorded on the memory card with automatic deletion function by the imaging device, the type of the image data is determined at the timing when the file management information such as FAT or directory entry is recorded on the memory card with automatic deletion function. If the image data is to be transferred, the image data is transferred using a wireless LAN to an external communication device set in advance in a memory card with an automatic deletion function using a PC or the like.

  Further, some of the memory cards with the automatic deletion function described above have an “automatic deletion function”, and the function ON / OFF and threshold value can be set using a PC, and the function ON / OFF state and threshold value can be set. Can be acquired by the imaging apparatus. Hereinafter, a memory card with an automatic deletion function having an automatic deletion function is referred to as a memory card with an automatic deletion function. The threshold here is the written capacity with respect to the free capacity of the memory card with the communication function, and is set / obtained as a ratio.

  The processing of the memory card with the automatic deletion function will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the file system. The management area 400 includes a master boot record 401, a boot sector 402, a FAT1 area, a FAT2 area, and a directory entry block. The FAT1 area and the FAT2 area include chain information 403 of image data, and the directory entry block includes a directory entry 405 of image data and a folder. The data area is composed of image data contents and directory entry blocks.

  When the image data is recorded by the shooting process, the state shown in FIG. 5A is obtained, and the FAT1 area and the FAT2 area are filled with the chain information, so that the capacity of the memory card is reduced. When the write capacity reaches the set threshold value, the memory card with automatic deletion function deletes the directory entry of the transferred image data (for example, IMG_0001.JPG in this case) ((b) in FIG. 5). The memory card with automatic deletion function changes the FAT chain information corresponding to the transferred image data deleted at the next restart timing, and further repeats the restart, so that the FAT card corresponding to the transferred image data finally becomes The chain information is changed to 0 (empty) ((c) in FIG. 5).

JP 2007-019855 A

  However, the conventional techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents are troublesome because the photographer must select whether or not to automatically delete when saving image data at the time of photographing.

  On the other hand, if a memory card with an automatic deletion function is used, the image data to be deleted has already been transferred to the connection destination computer, so that it is possible to save the photographer's sorting work, but in order to secure free space, the FAT1 area and Since it is necessary for the photographer to repeatedly turn off / on the power of the memory card in order to erase the chain information in the FAT2 area, it is also troublesome.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to secure a free space necessary for storing photographing data at the time of photographing without taking the trouble of a photographer.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup means for generating image data, a read / write control means for controlling read / write of the image data, a card control means for controlling the end of activation of the card, and an automatic transfer / delete function for the card. A card discriminating unit that discriminates possession, a threshold acquisition unit that obtains a threshold of a write capacity for starting automatic deletion from the card, a file management information control unit that controls updating of file management information, and a capacity of the card Recording medium management means, and when there is a deletion target determined by the card, the file management information is updated by restarting the card and remounting the file system.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which ensures the free space required in order to preserve | save imaging | photography data at the time of imaging | photography without taking a photographer's effort can be provided.

1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a mode switch. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data preservation | save process to the memory card 24 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a file system. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of a memory card with an automatic deletion function. It is a flowchart which shows the free space control processing of the memory card with an automatic deletion function of 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the mount process of the file system of all the Examples of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography process of all the Examples of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the free space control processing of the memory card with an automatic deletion function of 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the button operation detection process of 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the directory entry check process of 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the deletion process of the transferred image by the photographer operation of the 4th Example of this invention. 10 shows a menu list screen and an image deletion screen according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

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

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 includes an imaging unit 12, a signal processing unit 14, a frame memory 16, a CPU (central processing unit) 18, a moving image / still image codec 20, a card I / F 22, and a memory card (recording medium) 24. , An operation unit 26, a display unit 28, a file system 30, and an area management unit 32.

  The imaging unit 12 includes a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like, and converts the subject optical image into an electrical signal. The signal processing unit 14 includes an A / D conversion unit (not shown), and converts an image signal from the imaging unit 12 into digital image data. The frame memory 16 buffers the digital image data from the signal processing unit 14 in units of screens. The CPU 18 controls the entire digital camera 10. The moving image / still image codec 20 compresses the digital image data in the frame memory 16 and expands the compressed image data (hereinafter, image data) from the card I / F 22.

  The card I / F 22 reads and writes data from and to the memory card 24. The memory card 24 is a non-volatile flash memory and records image data by the FAT method.

  The operation unit 26 includes buttons / keys or dial switches, and is used to instruct the CPU 18 to perform operations such as recording / reproduction. The display unit 28 displays the subject image captured by the imaging unit 12 and the reproduced image of the image data in the memory card 24. The display unit 28 also displays menu screens such as a moving image recording mode and a still image recording mode.

  In accordance with the FAT system, the file system 30 writes image data to the memory card 24 during recording, and reads data from the memory card 24 during reproduction. The area management unit 32 includes a memory (not shown) and stores file management information of the file system on the memory card 24. That is, the area management unit 32 functions as a file allocation table of the memory card 24, and the free capacity information calculated from the card performance acquired from the memory card, the cluster size of the file system, the number of free clusters, the cluster size and the number of free clusters. Also hold.

  The operation mode switch and setting screen will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an operation mode switch provided in the operation unit 26.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation mode switch has options of off (power off), playback, still image (still image recording), and movie (moving image recording). By switching the operation mode switch, it is possible to turn off the power of the digital camera 10, reproduce a reproduction image in the memory card 24, or record a still image or a moving image on the memory card 24. When a still image (still image recording) is selected with the operation mode switch, a screen for selecting a compression rate, image quality, or number of pixels is displayed.

  The control of the FAT file system described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, the file control unit is the CPU 18 and controls the file system in order to save the image data 406 in the memory card 24. Reference numeral 502 denotes an internal buffer and 503 denotes a file management information cache unit, both of which are arranged in the memory of the area management unit 32. Captured image data 406 is stored in the internal buffer 502. The file management information cache unit 503 stores file management information of FAT1 403, FAT2 404, and directory entry 405, which are file management information of the memory card 24.

  The file management information of FAT1 and FAT2 is, for example, IMG_0001. This is chain information of JPG clusters. The file management information of the directory entry is, for example, IMG_0001. JPG file name, file attribute, file creation date / time, file update date / time, start cluster number, file size, and the like.

  Next, the free space control process of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the free space control processing of the memory card with an automatic deletion function in the present embodiment.

  When the operation mode switch is set to a place other than turning off (power off), power is supplied to activate the digital camera 10 (step S1001). When power is supplied to the digital camera 10, the CPU 18 supplies power to the memory card 24 (step S1002), and the CPU 18 displays the capacity of the memory card 24, manufacturer information, supported functions, and function setting states. Obtain (step S1003). If the memory card 24 has the automatic transfer function and the automatic deletion function from the information acquired in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1005, otherwise the process proceeds to step S1007 (step S1004).

  If the card has an automatic deletion function and the function is ON, the process proceeds to step S1006; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1007 (step S1005). If the automatic deletion function is ON, the set free capacity threshold value is acquired (step S1006). In step S1007, the file system is mounted. Details of the file system mount processing will be described below.

  The file system mount processing is shown in FIG. As the file control unit 501, the CPU 18 initializes (clears) information in the file management information cache unit in the area management unit 32 (step S1301). Next, as a file control unit, the CPU 18 accesses the management area 400 of the memory card 24, obtains the position of the boot sector 402 from the information in the master boot record 401, and uses the information in the boot sector 402 to store the FAT1 area and the directory entry block. By obtaining the position of 405, the cluster size, the size of the FAT area, and the total number of clusters are read, and the file management information is stored in the file management information cache unit 503 using the read information (step S1302).

  As a file control unit, the CPU 18 obtains the number of free clusters in the FAT area from the file management information in the file management information cache unit 503 and calculates the free capacity from the cluster size stored in step S1302 (step S1303).

  Returning to the process of FIG. If there is an instruction to end the camera from the photographer, the CPU 18 performs a device end process to end the digital camera 10, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1009 (step S1008). If there is a release operation, the process proceeds to step S1010, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1008 (step S1009). Details of the photographing process will be described below.

  The photographing process is shown in FIG. When the photographer sets the still image shooting mode (single shooting or continuous shooting) on the operation unit 70 and the release button on the operation unit 70 is pressed, the CPU 18 captures the image pickup unit 12, the signal processing unit 14, the frame memory 16, and the moving image. The image data is stored in the internal buffer 502 by controlling the still image codec 20 (step S1401).

  When file creation is instructed by the CPU 18 as the file control unit, the file is opened and the directory entry 405 of the file management information cache unit 503 is updated. The data portion of one piece of image data stored in the internal buffer 502 is written to the memory card 24, and FAT1 403, FAT2 404 and directory entry 405 in the file management information cache unit 503 are additionally updated, and free The capacity is recalculated and the free capacity of the area management unit 32 is updated (step S1402). If the predetermined area is used so that the file management information cache unit 503 cannot perform the additional update process, the process proceeds to step S1404. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1405 (step S1403).

  When the file management information cache unit 503 cannot perform the additional update process, the FAT1 403, FAT2 404, and directory entry 405 of the file management information cache unit 503 are written back to the memory card 24 (step S1404). If all the image data stored in the internal buffer 502 is written to the memory card 24 and becomes empty, the process proceeds to step S1406. If there is any remaining image data, the process proceeds to step S1402 (step S1405). The FAT1 402, FAT2 403, and directory entry 405 of the file management information cache unit 503 are written back to the memory card 24, and the file storage is terminated (step S1406).

  Returning to the process of FIG. As a file control unit, the CPU 18 calculates a write capacity from the free capacity held in the area management unit 32, compares the threshold acquired in step S1006, and if the write capacity exceeds the threshold, moves the process to step S1012. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1008 (step S1011). In accordance with the standard procedure of the memory card 24, the CPU 18 repeatedly turns off and on the power of the memory card 24 until the FAT information corresponding to the transferred image data in the FAT areas 403 and 404 of the memory card 24 disappears (step S1012). In order to remount the file system, the process proceeds to step S1007.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the memory card with the automatic deletion function clears the FAT area by re-powering the memory card with the automatic deletion function and remounting the file system, It is possible to secure a free space necessary for storing shooting data at the time of shooting without taking time and effort.

[Example 2]
Other processes for controlling the free space of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process for controlling the free space of the memory card with an automatic deletion function in this embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting a restart instruction of the digital camera using a button operation and a timer. is there.

  Since the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the first embodiment from step S1101 to step S1106, the description thereof is omitted.

  The digital camera 10 prepares a flag for indicating whether or not the write capacity exceeds the automatic deletion threshold in the memory in the area management unit 32, and initializes (clears) it (step S1107). Next, the file system is mounted (step S1108). If there is an instruction to end the camera from the photographer, the CPU 18 performs a device end process for ending the digital camera 10, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1010 (step S1109). If there is a restart instruction request from the “button operation detection process”, the CPU 18 moves the process to step S1115, and if not, moves the process to step S1111 (step S1110).

  If there is a release operation, the process proceeds to step S1112; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1109 (step S1111). When shooting (step S1110) is performed, the CPU 18, as a file control unit, calculates the write capacity from the free space held in the area management unit 32, and compares the threshold acquired in step S1106 with the write capacity exceeding the threshold. If so, the threshold flag is cleared (step S1114). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1109 (step S1113). When there is a restart instruction request, if the threshold flag is ON, the card power cycle processing is performed as in step S1012 of the first embodiment (step S1116), the process proceeds to S1107, the threshold flag is cleared, and the file system Move to the remount process. If the threshold flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S1119.

  The restart instruction received in step S1110 is transmitted in “button operation detection processing”. Details of the “button operation detection process” will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the digital camera 10 is activated, the CPU 18 activates a timer and sets a time (step S1501). When the end operation of the digital camera is performed by the photographer, the timer is turned off and the process ends (step S1507). In other cases, when a button operation is performed by the photographer, the timer is cleared (step S1506), and the process proceeds to step S1502. If there is no button operation, the timer time is measured. If the time set in step S1501 is reached, a restart instruction is transmitted (step S1505). If the time is not reached, the process proceeds to step S1502.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the memory card with the automatic deletion function clears the FAT area by re-powering the memory card with the automatic deletion function and remounting the file system, It is possible to secure a free space necessary for storing shooting data at the time of shooting without taking time and effort. In addition, since a restart instruction is given when there is no button operation by the photographer, it is possible to secure a free space necessary for storing the photographing data at the time of photographing without disturbing the photographing of the photographer.

[Example 3]
Other processes for controlling the free space of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process for controlling the free space of the memory card with an automatic deletion function in the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting a restart instruction of the digital camera using a directory entry check and a timer. It is.

  Since the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The restart instruction received in step S1110 is transmitted by “directory entry check processing”. Details of the “directory entry check process” will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the digital camera 10 is activated, the CPU 18 activates a timer and sets a time (step S1601). When the end operation of the digital camera is performed by the photographer, the timer is turned off and the process ends (step S1607). The timer time is measured, and if the time set in step S1601 is reached, the process proceeds to step S1604, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1602. The CPU directly accesses the file system 30 to determine whether or not the current directory entry state of the memory card 24 has been automatically deleted, and if it has been automatically deleted, transmits a restart instruction (step S1605). If not deleted, the process proceeds to step S1602 (step S1604).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the memory card with the automatic deletion function clears the FAT area by re-powering the memory card with the automatic deletion function and remounting the file system, It is possible to secure a free space necessary for storing shooting data at the time of shooting without taking time and effort. In addition, by monitoring the directory entry for the automatic deletion by the memory card with the automatic deletion function, it is possible to secure a free space necessary for reliably storing the shooting data at the timing of the automatic deletion.

[Example 4]
Other processes for controlling the free space of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the free space control processing of the memory card with an automatic deletion function in this embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a menu screen and an image deletion screen.

  In FIG. 12, when the photographer presses the menu button (step S1201), the operation unit 26 notifies the CPU 18, and the CPU 18 displays the menu list screen (FIG. 13A) on the display unit 28 (step S1202). . Here, when the photographer selects the transferred image deletion menu, the CPU 18 displays an image deletion screen (FIG. 13B) (step S1204). When OK is selected by the photographer, the card power cycle process (step S1206) and the file system mount process (step S1207) described in the first embodiment are performed. When cancel is selected, the transfered image deletion menu is exited.

  The transfer image deletion menu may be always displayed, or may be displayed when it is determined by the directory entry check according to the third embodiment that there is image data to be automatically deleted. The image deletion screen may also be displayed immediately without using a menu when it is determined by directory entry check that there is image data to be automatically deleted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a free space for image data to be automatically deleted can be secured using a menu at a timing desired by the photographer.

10 digital camera, 12 imaging unit, 14 signal processing unit, 16 frame memory,
18 CPU (Central Processing Unit), 20 video / still image codec,
22 card I / F, 24 memory card, 26 operation unit, 28 display unit,
30 file system, 32 area management unit, 502 internal buffer,
503 File management information cache part

Claims (5)

An imaging device comprising an imaging means (12) for photographing a predetermined subject and generating image data, and an external recording medium for storing the image data and file management information for file management of the image data. There,
Write / read control means (18) for writing and reading the image data to and from the external recording medium;
Recording medium control means (18) for controlling the start and end of the external recording medium;
A recording medium determining means (18) for determining that the external recording medium has an automatic transfer and automatic deletion function;
If the external recording medium has an automatic transfer and automatic deletion function, setting acquisition means (18) for acquiring settings of the automatic transfer function and the automatic deletion function;
Sequential writing of the image data stored in the first storage means (502) by the writing / reading control means to the external recording medium, and the file in the second storage means (503) based on the writing File management information control means (18) for controlling management information updating;
Recording medium management means (18) for calculating free space and writing capacity of the external recording medium,
In the file management information control unit, when the setting acquired by the setting acquisition unit is set to both automatic transfer and automatic deletion, and the image data to be deleted determined by the external recording medium exists, An image pickup apparatus characterized in that the recording medium control means performs end activation of the external recording medium (18). Comparing means (18) for comparing the write capacity of the image data obtained from the recording medium managing means and the threshold of the write capacity for automatically deleting the recording medium obtained from the setting obtaining means,
The file management information control means performs an end activation of the external recording medium in the recording medium control means when the writing capacity of the image data exceeds a threshold of the writing capacity (18). Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1. A time measuring means (18) for measuring the elapsed time when the start time is set;
Button operation detecting means (18) for detecting presence or absence of a button operation by the photographer,
The file management information control means performs an end activation of the external recording medium in the recording medium control means when there is no button operation by the photographer for a predetermined time from the time measurement means and the button detection means (18). The imaging apparatus according to claim 2. A time measuring means (18) for measuring the elapsed time when the start time is set;
File management information deletion detecting means (18) for detecting that part of the file management information of the recording medium is deleted by the recording medium;
The file management information control means is configured such that when a part of the file management information is deleted by the recording medium after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time measurement means and the file management information deletion detection means, the recording medium control means The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording medium is activated and finished (18). Menu display means (18) for displaying a menu for erasing all of the file management information partially deleted by the recording medium,
The file management information control means performs an end activation of the external recording medium in the recording medium control means when the photographer instructs the menu display means to erase all of the file management information (18). The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.