JP7418105B2 - Recording device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording device, a control method, and a program.

NAND flash memories are widely used as recording media for imaging devices. A NAND flash memory is configured in units of a "cell" which stores data as a minimum unit, a "page" made up of a plurality of cells, and a "block" made up of a plurality of pages. A method of recording 1 bit of information per cell is called an SLC method (Single Level Cell), and a method of recording 2 bits of information per cell is called an MLC method (Multi Level Cell). Further, a method of recording 3 bits of information per cell is called a TLC method (Triple Level Cell).

The SLC method has the highest read/write speed and is suitable for writing large amounts of data in a short period of time, but the unit cost per bit is high. In addition, although the capacity per cell is low, it is highly reliable and has a long life, so it is used for general storage cache areas or industrial equipment storage. The MLC method and the TLC method are inferior to the SLC method in read/write speed, reliability, and lifespan. On the other hand, the capacity per cell in the MLC method is twice that of the SLC method, and the TLC method is three times that of the SLC method, and the unit price per bit is low, so it is widely used as a general NAND flash memory storage. There is.

SSDs (Solid State Drives) and card-type media using NAND flash memory often have a configuration that combines the SLC method and the TLC method. In this case, the memory controller manages the area used for the SLC method as a cache area and the area used for the TLC method as a main data area. The memory controller can write data transferred from the host controller to the cache area at top speed.

The SLC type area, which is a cache area, has a low proportion of the total capacity. Therefore, the memory controller moves data from the cache area to the TLC area, which is the main data area, in order to secure free space in the cache area in preparation for the next write while writing is stopped. This is called flash cache.

Writing at top speed is achieved by using the SLC area as a cache area. By moving data to the TLC area using the flash cache, it becomes possible to secure the SLC area and effectively utilize the entire capacity of the NAND flash memory.

Furthermore, the NAND flash memory has the characteristic that the data erasing unit is limited to each block, and existing data cannot be overwritten. When a file in the NAND flash memory is deleted by the host controller, the memory controller records the deletion in an internal file table. Unnecessary data remains in the block where the deleted file was recorded, resulting in a fragmented block.

Fragmented blocks remain as areas that cannot be overwritten with new data. Therefore, the memory controller saves valid data in the block to another block, erases the data in the current block, and recovers it as a new data recording area. This is called garbage collection.

By periodically performing flash caching and garbage collection by the memory controller, it is expected that the writing speed will be restored to be able to withstand continuous shooting of large-capacity still images as a recording medium for an imaging device, and the writing capacity will be maximized.

A technique has been proposed in which flash cache and garbage collection processing by a memory controller is performed as background processing when there is no main write/read processing from the host controller (see Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6193189

By the way, there is also a demand for real-time task processing in which data generated in real time is periodically recorded for a long time, such as in video recording, for recording media of imaging devices. In this case, the imaging device that serves as the host controller needs to have power management that can withstand long-term recording by setting a power-saving period between regular real-time data recordings to suppress the heat generation of the NAND flash memory. becomes.

However, if the memory controller starts background processing during a period when there is no main processing, which is expected as a power-saving period, the NAND flash memory will consume power without the power-saving period, and the recording media will generate heat. growing. As a result, problems such as recording stopping may occur.

On the other hand, if background processing is prohibited, the heat generated by the recording media will be reduced, and recording stops due to heat generation can be avoided, but the recording media will not be optimized, so the writing speed will not be restored and the writing speed will not be restored. Maximization of capacity cannot be expected.

The present invention has been made in view of this situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for appropriately controlling whether or not to permit automatic background processing to be executed during a power saving period in a recording medium. .

In order to solve the above problems, the recording device of the present invention includes:
A recording control means for controlling recording of an image on a recording medium using a flash memory , and whether or not to permit execution of automatic background processing during a power saving period on the recording medium, depending on whether predetermined conditions are met. and a control means for controlling automatic background processing depending on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied while the recording control means is recording an image on a recording medium. The feature is that control is performed to switch whether or not to permit execution.

or
A recording control means that controls recording of an image on a recording medium set as a recording destination among multiple recording media using flash memory , and automatic background processing during a power saving period on multiple recording media. control means for controlling whether to permit execution of the automatic background processing, and the control means does not permit execution of automatic background processing for a recording medium that is set as a recording destination among the plurality of recording media. The present invention is characterized in that it is controlled so as to permit execution of automatic background processing for recording media that are not set as recording destinations.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control whether or not to permit execution of automatic background processing during the power saving period on a recording medium.

Note that other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description in the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an imaging device 100. 5 is a flowchart of photographing processing executed by the imaging apparatus 100. 3 is a flowchart showing details of card control (S207 in FIG. 2). 4 is a flowchart illustrating determination of a temperature condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating determination of a power supply condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating determination of the remaining buffer amount/delay time condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3; 4 is a flowchart illustrating determination of a remaining buffer amount condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating determination of a delay time condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an imaging device 100, which is an example of a recording device. In FIG. 1, a lens section 102, an imaging section 103, a display section 104, an operation section 105, an imaging device temperature detection section 106, a heat dissipation fan 107, and a CPU 108 are connected to an imaging device internal bus 101. Further, an image processing section 109 , a first media control section 110 , a second media control section 111 , a RAM 112 , a nonvolatile memory 113 , and a power supply section 114 are connected to the imaging device internal bus 101 . Each unit connected to the imaging device internal bus 101 is configured to be able to exchange data with each other via the imaging device internal bus 101.

The CPU 108 controls each part of the imaging apparatus 100 according to a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 113, for example, using the RAM 112 as a work memory.

The nonvolatile memory 113 stores image data, audio data, other data, various programs for the CPU 108 to operate, and the like. The nonvolatile memory 113 is composed of, for example, a hard disk (HD) or a ROM.

Under the control of the CPU 108, the image processing unit 109 processes image data stored in the nonvolatile memory 113 or RAM 112, image data obtained by capturing an optical image of a subject incident through the lens unit 102 by the imaging unit 103, etc. Perform various image processing. Image processing performed by the image processing unit 109 includes A/D conversion processing, D/A conversion processing, image data encoding processing, compression processing, decoding processing, enlargement/reduction processing (resizing), noise reduction processing, and color conversion processing. etc. are included. The image processing unit 109 may be configured with a dedicated circuit block for performing specific image processing. Furthermore, depending on the type of image processing, the CPU 108 may perform image processing according to a program without using the image processing unit 109.

The display unit 104 displays images, a GUI screen forming a GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc. under the control of the CPU 108. The CPU 108 generates a display control signal according to a program, and controls each section of the imaging device 100 to generate a video signal to be displayed on the display section 104 and output it to the display section 104. The display unit 104 displays video based on the output video signal. Note that the configuration of the imaging device 100 itself includes an interface for outputting a video signal to be displayed on the display unit 104, and the display unit 104 may be configured with an external monitor (such as a television).

The operation unit 105 is an input device for receiving user operations, including a character information input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel, a button, a dial, a joystick, a touch sensor, a touch pad, and the like. Note that the touch panel is an input device configured in a planar manner so as to be superimposed on the display unit 104, and configured to output coordinate information according to a touched position.

The power supply unit 114 has a power input terminal to which a battery 115 and an AC adapter 116 can be attached, and is a power supply selection circuit composed of a comparator, a load switch, etc., and gives priority to the higher voltage side or the AC adapter 116 when switching the power supply. select.

Further, the power supply unit 114 includes a battery interface that connects the imaging device 100 and the battery 115. The battery interface includes not only a power supply and a ground, but also a communication terminal with a microcomputer (not shown) inside the battery 115 and a temperature detection section (not shown) inside the battery 115. Furthermore, the power supply unit 114 includes an AC adapter interface that connects the imaging device 100 and the AC adapter 116. The AC adapter interface includes a detection unit that detects power, ground, and AC adapter 116.

Further, the power supply unit 114 can notify the CPU 108 of information about the battery 115 and the AC adapter 116 via the imaging device internal bus 101. Further, the power supply section 114 regulates the voltage from the selected power supply using a DC/DC converter or a series regulator (not shown), and supplies power to each section constituting the imaging device 100. Further, the power supply unit 114 A/D converts the voltages of the attached battery 115 and AC adapter 116, and notifies the CPU 108 of the values.

The imaging unit 103 is an imaging element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The lens section 102 is a lens unit that includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, a shutter, an aperture, a distance measuring section, an A/D converter, and the like.

The imaging unit 103 is capable of capturing still images and moving images. The image data of the captured image is transmitted to the image processing unit 109, subjected to various processing, and then recorded on the first recording medium 150 or the second recording medium 160 as a still image file or a moving image file.

The heat dissipation fan 107 is a cooling fan. The temperature inside the imaging device 100 is detected by the imaging device temperature detection unit 106 and notified to the CPU 108. The CPU 108 controls the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 107 based on the temperature, and adjusts the temperature inside the imaging device 100.

The imaging device 100 transmits still image/video data that has been subjected to image processing, encoding processing, and compression processing by the image processing section 109 to a first can be recorded on the recording medium 150 of. Further, the imaging device 100 can read still image/video data recorded on the first recording medium 150 via the first media control unit 110 and the first media interface 155. The imaging device 100 displays an image obtained by decoding the read data by the image processing unit 109 on the display unit 104.

The first recording medium 150 is a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device 100, and in this embodiment, it is a memory card that complies with the CFexpress standard.

The first media control unit 110 can also communicate control commands with the first memory controller 152 via the first media interface 155. In addition to commands for recording and reproducing data, the control commands include commands for obtaining vendor information, temperature information, writing number information, and the like.

The first recording medium 150 includes a first memory controller 152, a first NAND type memory section 153, and a first media temperature detection section 154, each of which is connected by a first recording medium internal bus 151. .

The first memory controller 152 records still image/video data transferred from the first media control unit 110 into the first NAND memory unit 153. At this time, the first memory controller 152 controls writing to the cache area of the first NAND memory unit 153 and controls movement of data to the main data area. Further, the first memory controller 152 can perform garbage collection to move and organize fragmented data in the first NAND memory section 153 to secure free space.

The first memory controller 152 also obtains the temperature of the first NAND memory section 153 detected by the first media temperature detection section 154. The first memory controller 152 controls the clock frequency, prohibits/permits access, and controls the access speed to the first NAND memory section 153 according to the acquired temperature.

The second recording medium 160 is connected to the imaging device 100 via the second media control unit 111 and the second media interface 165, and has the same configuration and functions as the first recording medium 150. The second memory controller 162, the second NAND type memory section 163, and the second media temperature detection section 164 respectively control the first memory controller 152, the first NAND type memory section 153, and the first medium It corresponds to the temperature detection section 154. The second memory controller 162, the second NAND memory section 163, and the second media temperature detection section 164 are connected by a second recording media internal bus 161.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the photographing process executed by the imaging apparatus 100. Unless otherwise specified, the processing of each step in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 108 executing a control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 113 to control each part of the imaging apparatus 100. When the imaging device 100 enters the imaging standby state in which the power is turned on, the processing of this flowchart starts.

Note that the imaging device 100 can select any one of a single recording mode, a dual recording mode, and a relay recording mode as a recording mode of image data for a plurality of recording media. In the single recording mode, the imaging device 100 selects one of the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 as a recording destination for image data (hereinafter referred to as a "recording target card"). In the dual recording mode, the imaging device 100 treats both the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 as recording target cards, and the same Record data. In the relay recording mode, the imaging device 100 selects one of the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 as the recording target card. When the remaining capacity of the recording target card becomes low, the imaging device 100 uses the one of the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 that is not the recording target card (hereinafter referred to as "standby card") for new recording. Select as target card. The original recording target card becomes a standby card. In other words, when the remaining capacity of the recording target card becomes low, the imaging device 100 replaces the recording target card with the standby card.

It is assumed that the recording mode has been selected in advance, for example, by a user operation via the operation unit 105. The dual recording mode and the relay recording mode can be selected when both the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 are attached to the imaging device 100. In the case of the relay recording mode, it is assumed that the first card to be recorded is selected in advance, for example, by a user operation via the operation unit 105. The single recording mode can be selected when at least one of the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 is attached to the imaging device 100. When both the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 are installed in the imaging device 100 in the single recording mode, the recording target card is selected in advance by, for example, a user operation via the operation unit 105. It is assumed that

In the following description, the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 may be simply referred to as a "card" or "media."

First, in S201, the CPU 108 transmits a background processing (BG processing) permission command to all cards installed in the imaging apparatus 100. The BG processing permission command is a command that controls to permit automatic background processing execution (automatic background processing execution) during the power saving period (eg, between data recordings).

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 are memory cards compliant with the CFexpress standard. It is assumed that permission/prohibition of BG processing is controlled using a NOPPME (Non-Operational Power State Permissive Mode Enable) command of the NVM Express standard (NVMe standard). The NOPPME command is actually not a command that directly controls BG processing during the power saving period, but a command that specifies whether or not to permit BG processing that exceeds a predetermined power level.

When "1" indicating Enable is specified by the NOPPME command, the media can perform BG processing that exceeds the predetermined power, and as a result, BG processing during the power saving period can be performed. Therefore, specifying "1" with the NOPPME command corresponds to transmitting a BG processing permission command that controls to permit execution of BG processing during the power saving period.

On the other hand, if "0" indicating Disable is specified by the NOPPME command, the media will not be able to execute BG processing that exceeds the predetermined power, and as a result, BG processing during the power saving period will not be able to be executed. . Therefore, specifying "0" with the NOPPME command corresponds to transmitting a command (BG processing prohibition command) that controls to prohibit (not permit) execution of BG processing during the power saving period.

Note that this embodiment is not limited to a configuration in which permission/prohibition of BG processing during the power saving period is controlled using the NOPPME command of NVM Express. Furthermore, the standards that the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 comply with are not limited to the CFexpress standard. A configuration in which other types of commands are used as the BG processing permission command and the BG processing prohibition command to control permission/prohibition of BG processing during the power saving period of media compliant with other standards is also within the scope of this embodiment. included.

Next, in S202, the CPU 108 determines whether a still image shooting instruction has been given. If a still image shooting instruction has been given, the process proceeds to S203; otherwise, the process proceeds to S204.

In S203, the CPU 108 performs still image shooting to generate a still image using the imaging unit 103, and records the obtained still image on the recording target card. After that, the process returns to S202.

In S204, the CPU 108 determines whether a video shooting instruction has been given. If a video shooting instruction has been given, the process proceeds to S205; otherwise, the process proceeds to S205.

In S205, the CPU 108 transmits a BG processing prohibition command to the recording target card. That is, in the case of video recording, BG processing on the recording target card is basically prohibited. As for the standby card, since the BG processing permission command is transmitted in S201, BG processing is permitted. Since no image is recorded on the standby card, BG processing is basically permitted.

In S206, the CPU 108 starts video shooting to generate a video using the imaging unit 103 and video recording to the recording target card.

In S207, the CPU 108 performs card control. The card control includes control for exchanging the recording target card and the standby card in the relay recording mode, control for permitting/prohibiting the BG processing of the recording target card, and control for permitting/prohibiting the BG processing for the standby card. Details of card control will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S208, the CPU 108 determines whether a recording stop instruction has been given. If a recording stop instruction has been given, the process proceeds to S209; otherwise, the process returns to S207. That is, during video recording, card control is repeatedly executed.

In S209, the CPU 108 stops capturing and recording the video. After that, the process returns to S201, and the BG processing permission command is sent to all cards again. A BG processing permission command is sent to all cards when recording a video is stopped and when processing in this flowchart is started, so when recording a still image in S203, the memory controller of the recording target card does not perform BG processing during the power saving period. It is doable.

Next, details of card control (S207 in FIG. 2) will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In S301, the CPU 108 determines whether the current recording mode is the relay recording mode. If the relay recording mode is selected, the process proceeds to S302; otherwise, the process proceeds to S304.

In S302, the CPU 108 determines whether the remaining capacity of the current recording target card is less than a preset threshold (less than a sixth threshold). If the remaining capacity is less than the threshold, the process proceeds to S303; otherwise, the process proceeds to S304.

In S303, the CPU 108 replaces the recording target card with the standby card. Note that at this time, the CPU 108 transmits a BG processing prohibition command to the recording target card, and transmits a BG processing permission command to the standby card. This is because BG processing is basically prohibited on the recording target card where images are recorded, and BG processing is basically permitted on standby cards where images are not recorded.

In S304, the CPU 108 determines various conditions regarding whether to permit or prohibit BG processing during the power saving period of the recording target card. The various conditions include, for example, temperature conditions, power supply conditions, and remaining buffer amount/delay time conditions. A corresponding prohibition flag is defined for each condition (eg, "prohibition flag based on temperature condition", "prohibition flag based on power supply condition", and "prohibition flag based on remaining buffer amount/delay time condition"). Depending on the determination result of each condition, the corresponding prohibition flag is set to ON or OFF. Each prohibition flag is held in the RAM 112, for example. Details of these conditions and their determination will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. Note that, as described above, the card control process in FIG. 3 is repeated until an instruction to stop recording is given. Therefore, the control to permit/prohibit BG processing according to the judgment results of various conditions is executed repeatedly during video recording, and the permission/prohibition of BG processing is switched every time the judgment results of various conditions change. .

In S305, the CPU 108 determines whether all the prohibition flags regarding the recording target card set in the process of S304 are OFF. If all prohibition flags are OFF, the process proceeds to S306; otherwise, the process proceeds to S307.

In S306, the CPU 108 transmits a BG processing permission command to the recording target card.

In S307, the CPU 108 transmits a BG processing prohibition command to the recording target card.

Note that in the case of the dual recording mode, a BG processing permission command or a BG processing prohibition command is transmitted to both recording target cards. For conditions such as temperature conditions where the determination result may differ from card to card, the condition may be determined and the corresponding prohibition flag may be set for each card. Therefore, the determination result of S305 may differ for each card, and in this case, the process of S306 is executed for one recording target card, and the process of S307 is executed for the other recording target card.

In S308, the CPU 108 determines whether a standby card exists. A standby card exists in the relay recording mode and when both the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 are attached to the imaging device 100 in the single recording mode. If there is a standby card, the process proceeds to S309; otherwise, card control ends and the process proceeds to S208 in FIG. 2.

In S309, the CPU 108 determines various conditions regarding whether to permit or prohibit BG processing during the power saving period of the standby card. The various conditions are, for example, temperature conditions and power supply conditions. A corresponding prohibition flag (for example, "prohibition flag due to temperature condition" and "prohibition flag due to power supply condition") is defined for each condition. Depending on the determination result of each condition, the corresponding prohibition flag is set to ON or OFF. Each prohibition flag is held in the RAM 112, for example. Details of these conditions and their determination will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In S310, the CPU 108 determines whether all prohibition flags related to the standby cards set in the process of S309 are OFF. If all the prohibition flags are OFF, the process proceeds to S311; otherwise, the process proceeds to S312.

In S311, the CPU 108 transmits a BG processing permission command to the standby card. In S312, the CPU 108 transmits a BG processing prohibition command to the standby card.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, determination of temperature conditions, which are examples of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3, will be described.

In S401, the CPU 108 acquires various temperature threshold values. Specifically, the CPU 108 reads from the nonvolatile memory 113 camera temperature threshold TC_TH (second threshold), media temperature threshold TM_TH (first threshold, seventh threshold), effective lower limit TM_MIN of media temperature, and media temperature Read the effective upper limit TM_MAX.

Note that the various temperature threshold values may change depending on the operation mode of the imaging device 100 or the recording bit rate of the moving image. For example, a data table having various temperature threshold values corresponding to each combination of the operation mode and recording bit rate of the imaging device 100 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 113 in advance. Then, the CPU 108 obtains various temperature threshold values corresponding to the combination of the current operation mode and recording bit rate by referring to the data table.

Further, various temperature threshold values may be different between the temperature condition regarding the recording target card (in the case of S304 in FIG. 3) and the temperature condition in the case of the standby card (in the case of S309 in FIG. 3).

In S402, the CPU 108 acquires camera temperature information TC from the imaging device temperature detection unit 106. As described above, in the imaging device 100, the temperature inside the imaging device 100 is detected by the imaging device temperature detection unit 106, and the CPU 108 is notified.

In S403, the CPU 108 acquires media temperature information TM from the recording target card (in the case of S304 in FIG. 3) or from the standby card (in the case of S309 in FIG. 3). As described above, the first memory controller 152 acquires the temperature of the first NAND memory section 153 detected by the first media temperature detection section 154. Therefore, when acquiring the media temperature information TM from the first recording medium 150, the CPU 108 performs the acquisition via the first memory controller 152. The same applies to the second recording medium 160.

In S404, the CPU 108 determines the validity of the media temperature TM acquired in S403. That is, the CPU 108 determines whether the media temperature TM is greater than or equal to the effective lower limit of media temperature TM_MIN and less than or equal to the effective upper limit of media temperature TM_MAX (whether it is within a predetermined range). If the media temperature is greater than or equal to the effective lower limit TM_MIN and less than or equal to the effective media temperature upper limit TM_MAX, the process proceeds to S405; otherwise, the process proceeds to S408.

In S405, the CPU 108 determines whether the media temperature TM is equal to or higher than the media temperature threshold TM_TH. If the media temperature TM is equal to or higher than the media temperature threshold TM_TH, the process proceeds to S406; otherwise, the process proceeds to S407.

In S406, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the temperature condition to ON. That is, when the media temperature TM or camera temperature TC is equal to or higher than the corresponding threshold value, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the temperature condition to ON, thereby controlling the execution of the BG process to be prohibited. This makes it possible to suppress heat generation in the media or camera and prevent recording from stopping due to heat generation.

In S407, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the temperature condition to OFF.

In S408, the CPU 108 determines whether the camera temperature TC is equal to or higher than the camera temperature threshold TC_TH. If the camera temperature TC is equal to or higher than the camera temperature threshold TC_TH, the process proceeds to S406; otherwise, the process proceeds to S407. When the process of S408 is executed (that is, when the media temperature is not higher than the effective lower limit TM_MIN and lower than the effective media temperature upper limit TM_MAX), temperature information that is not expected in the normally used range is generated due to media abnormality or communication abnormality. It is considered that it was obtained. Therefore, in this case, unlike S405 in which the media temperature TM is used, ON/OFF of the prohibition flag according to the temperature condition is controlled based on the camera temperature TC.

Here, a modification regarding the processing of each step in FIG. 4 will be described. In addition to acquiring the camera temperature information TC and media temperature information TM in S402 and S403, the CPU 108 may perform predetermined preprocessing such as unit system conversion processing and offset adjustment processing.

In addition, in the case of a configuration having multiple temperature detection units, a configuration may be adopted in which temperature information is acquired from all temperature detection units, or a configuration in which temperature information is acquired from only some temperature detection units may be adopted. May be adopted. Alternatively, a configuration in which predetermined calculations such as averaging, weighting, maximum value detection, minimum value detection, etc. are performed on temperature information acquired from a plurality of temperature detection units may be minimized.

Furthermore, although the determination is made using the media temperature TM in S405, the CPU 108 may also make the determination using temperature information on both the media temperature TM and the camera temperature TC. For example, the smaller of the difference between the media temperature TM and the media temperature threshold TM_TH and the difference between the media temperature TC and the media temperature threshold TC_TH can be used as the determination criterion.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, determination of the power supply condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3, will be described. By performing the BG processing, the imaging device 100 consumes more power than normal recording operation, so the power consumption becomes faster, and if the imaging device 100 is driven by the battery 115, there is a risk that the imaging device 100 will be powered down at an undesired timing. be. Therefore, by using a prohibition flag based on the power condition that determines the power state of the imaging device 100, the possibility that such a problem will occur can be reduced. Furthermore, the CPU 108 may be unable to determine the characteristics of the battery 115 connected to the imaging device 100, or the remaining capacity of the battery 115 may change, and the permission/prohibition of BG processing may be appropriately controlled. is desirable.

Regarding the temperature conditions described with reference to FIG. 4, there is a possibility that the determination results differ depending on the media, but in the case of the power supply conditions, there is no difference in the determination results depending on the media. Therefore, in S309 of FIG. 3, the power condition determination may be omitted, and the temperature condition determination result in S304 may be used as the temperature condition determination result for the standby card.

First, in S501, the CPU 108 acquires power information from the power supply unit 114. The power source information indicates whether the current power source for driving the imaging device 100 is the battery 115 or the AC adapter 116.

In step S<b>502 , the CPU 108 determines whether the current driving power source of the imaging apparatus 100 is the battery 115 . In the case of the battery 115, the process advances to S503; otherwise, the process advances to S507.

In S503, the CPU 108 determines whether the characteristics of the battery 115 are known. For example, the CPU 108 acquires identification information (model number, etc.) from the battery 115, and determines that the characteristics of the battery 115 are known when characteristic information corresponding to the acquired identification information is stored in the nonvolatile memory 113. do. If the characteristics of the battery 115 are known, the process proceeds to S504; otherwise, the process proceeds to S507.

In S504, the CPU 108 determines whether the voltage of the battery 115 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold (a third threshold or greater). If the voltage is greater than or equal to the threshold, that is, if the remaining capacity of the battery 115 is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the process proceeds to S506. Then, if the voltage is less than the threshold value, that is, if the remaining amount of battery 115 is less than a preset threshold value and the remaining battery amount is decreasing, the process advances to S505. Note that the threshold value used here may change depending on the characteristics of the battery 115.

In S505, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the power supply condition to ON. That is, when the voltage of the battery 115, which is the current driving power source, is not equal to or higher than the threshold value, the CPU 108 controls to prohibit execution of the BG process by setting the prohibition flag based on the power supply condition to ON. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the remaining capacity of the battery 115 due to BG processing, and to suppress the stoppage of recording due to insufficient remaining capacity of the battery 115.

In S506, the CPU 108 sets the power condition-based prohibition flag to OFF.

If it is determined in S502 that the current drive power source is not the battery 115, and if it is determined in S503 that the characteristics of the battery 115 are not known, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the power supply condition to OFF in S507.

In the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the drive power source is a battery and the voltage of the battery 115 is less than the threshold value, the prohibition flag is set to ON and the BG process is prohibited. However, the BG processing may be always prohibited in the case of battery drive without determining the remaining capacity of the battery 115 based on the voltage. Further, when the driving power source is only the battery 115, the permission/prohibition of BG processing may be controlled according to the remaining amount of the battery 115 based on the voltage without determining the type of the driving power source. Next, with reference to FIG. 6, determination of the remaining buffer amount/delay time condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3, will be described. When recording data generated in real time for a long period of time, such as video recording, the imaging device 100 temporarily stores data in a buffer memory before writing the real time data to a medium configured with a NAND flash memory. Record it accurately. For example, a RAM 112 is used as the buffer memory. Once a predetermined amount of real-time data has been recorded in the buffer memory, recording onto the media is executed. At this time, if BG processing is being executed inside the medium and the main processing, which is recording of real-time data, is delayed, the remaining buffer memory capacity (remaining buffer amount) will be exhausted and the real-time data will be lost. Furthermore, a delay time occurs when transitioning from the BG processing executed inside the medium to the recording of real-time data, which is the main processing. If this delay time is longer than the time required to write real-time data, the real-time data will not be recorded in time, and the real-time data will be lost. Therefore, it is necessary to control permission/prohibition of BG processing so as not to use up the buffer memory capacity of the RAM 112 and to maintain a sufficient writing speed.

In S601, the CPU 108 acquires the delay time from the recording target card. In S602, the CPU 108 obtains the remaining buffer amount of the imaging apparatus 100.

In S603, the CPU 108 determines whether the delay time is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (greater than or equal to the fifth threshold). If the delay time is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to S604; otherwise, the process proceeds to S606. Note that the threshold value used here may change depending on the recording bit rate of the moving image.

In S604, the CPU 108 determines whether the remaining buffer amount is less than a predetermined threshold (less than a fourth threshold). If the remaining buffer amount is less than the threshold, the process proceeds to S605; otherwise, the process proceeds to S606. Note that the threshold value used here may change depending on the recording bit rate of the moving image.

In S605, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the remaining buffer amount/delay time condition to ON. That is, the CPU 108 controls to prohibit execution of the BG process by setting the prohibition flag based on the remaining buffer amount/delay time condition to ON when the delay time is equal to or greater than the threshold value and the remaining buffer amount is less than the threshold value. do. This makes it possible to prevent real-time data of a moving image to be recorded from disappearing due to the main process of recording data being interrupted by BG processing.

On the other hand, in S606, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the remaining buffer amount/delay time condition to OFF.

By the way, as can be understood from FIG. 6, in the case of a prohibition flag based on the remaining buffer amount/delay time condition, ON/OFF of the prohibition flag is controlled based on determinations regarding both the remaining buffer amount and the delay time. However, even if the remaining buffer amount/delay time condition is divided into remaining buffer amount condition and delay time condition, and corresponding "prohibition flag based on remaining buffer amount condition" and "prohibition flag based on delay time condition" are provided, respectively. good. That is, the examples of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG. 3 also include the remaining buffer amount condition and the delay time condition.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating determination of the remaining buffer amount condition, which is an example of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG.

In S701, the CPU 108 obtains the remaining buffer amount of the imaging apparatus 100. In S702, the CPU 108 determines whether the remaining buffer amount is less than a predetermined threshold. If the remaining buffer amount is less than the threshold value, in S703, the CPU 108 sets a prohibition flag based on the remaining buffer amount condition to ON. If the remaining buffer amount is not less than the threshold value, in S704, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the remaining buffer amount condition to OFF.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating determination of delay time conditions, which are examples of the various conditions described in S304 and S309 of FIG.

In S801, the CPU 108 acquires the delay time from the recording target card. In S802, the CPU 108 determines whether the delay time is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. If the delay time is equal to or greater than the threshold, in step S803, the CPU 108 sets a prohibition flag based on the delay time condition to ON. If the delay time is not equal to or greater than the threshold, in S804, the CPU 108 sets the prohibition flag based on the delay time condition to OFF.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the imaging device 100 performs recording control to record still images or moving images on the recording target card. When recording a still image on a recording target card, the imaging device 100 allows execution of automatic background processing during the power saving period. On the other hand, when recording a moving image on a recording target card, the imaging device 100 performs control so as not to permit execution of automatic background processing during the power saving period. This makes it possible to appropriately control whether or not to allow automatic background processing during the power saving period on the recording medium, making it possible to achieve both high-speed still image recording and stable video recording. do.

In the above description, it is assumed that permission/prohibition of automatic BG processing is controlled (transmission of BG processing permission command/BG processing prohibition command) during video recording. However, before recording starts (when in standby mode for recording, or when switching between video recording and still image recording modes, etc.), it is determined whether the mode is video recording mode or still image recording mode, and in the case of video recording mode, automatic recording is performed. The execution of BG processing may not be permitted, but in the case of still image shooting mode, execution of automatic BG processing may be permitted. In this case, in the video shooting mode, automatic BG processing is prohibited once before the video recording starts. Furthermore, when starting and during video recording, execution of automatic BG processing is permitted depending on the various conditions described above (temperature, power source type, remaining power amount, delay time, remaining buffer amount, etc.). It is preferable to control whether or not.

Further, in the above embodiment, permission/prohibition of BG processing is controlled based on the condition of whether or not video recording is being performed, and various conditions such as temperature, power supply, delay time, and remaining buffer capacity. However, permission/prohibition of BG processing may be controlled using only one of these conditions. Further, permission/prohibition of BG processing may be controlled by combining some of these conditions.

Further, in the above description, permission/prohibition of execution of BG processing is also controlled for standby cards according to the determination results of various conditions. However, since the standby card is a recording medium that does not record images, execution of the BG process may be permitted without determining various conditions. In addition, without determining various conditions not only for the standby card but also for the recording target card, execution of BG processing is prohibited for the recording target card, and execution of BG processing is permitted for the standby card. Good too.

Furthermore, in the above description, when recording a moving image, permission/prohibition of execution of BG processing is controlled for the recording target card and the standby card. However, the permission/prohibition of execution of the BG process may be controlled not when recording a moving image but before the start of recording (for example, during recording standby or when selecting a card to be a recording destination).

Further, even when recording a moving image on a recording target card, the imaging device 100 controls to permit execution of BG processing depending on the determination results of various conditions. This makes it possible to achieve both optimization processing of the NAND flash memory and stable video recording.

Note that although the configuration above has been described in which permission/prohibition of BG processing is controlled based on whether a still image or a moving image is recorded, permission/prohibition of BG processing may also be controlled based on other operation modes. You can. For example, permission/prohibition of BG processing may be controlled depending on an operation mode such as a long exposure photography mode, a high frame photography mode, or a time-lapse photography mode. In this case, for example, in a low bit rate shooting mode such as time-lapse shooting mode, BG processing is permitted in the same way as still image shooting, and in a high bit rate shooting mode such as high frame shooting mode, BG processing is allowed. It would be good to ban.

In addition, above, we have described a configuration that allows BG processing when recording still images, but even when recording still images, BG processing may be disabled depending on the determination results of various conditions, just like when recording moving images. Processing may be prohibited.

Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 5, the prohibition flag based on the power supply condition is set to OFF both when it is determined that the current drive power source is not the battery 115 and when it is determined that the characteristics of the battery 115 are not known. Ta. However, if the characteristics of the battery 115 are not known, a configuration may be adopted in which a prohibition flag based on power supply conditions is turned on.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention provides a system or device with a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. This can also be achieved by processing. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are hereby appended to disclose the scope of the invention.

100 Imaging device 108 CPU
110 First media control unit 111 Second media control unit 112 RAM
113 Non-volatile memory 150 First recording medium 160 Second recording medium

Claims (18)

a recording control means for controlling recording of an image on a recording medium using flash memory ;
A control means for controlling whether or not to permit execution of automatic background processing during a power saving period in the recording medium, depending on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied;
Equipped with
The control means switches whether or not to permit execution of the automatic background processing depending on whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied while the recording control means is recording an image on the recording medium. A recording device characterized by being controlled by. The control means determines whether or not to permit execution of the automatic background processing in response to a change in whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied during recording of an image on the recording medium by the recording control means. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to switch. The control means switches whether or not to permit execution of the automatic background process every time whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied changes while the recording control means is recording an image on the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled as follows. The predetermined conditions include temperature conditions regarding the temperature of the recording medium or the recording device,
The control means controls to prohibit execution of the automatic background process when the temperature of the recording medium or the recording device is equal to or higher than a first threshold, The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to permit execution of the automatic background processing if the value is less than a first threshold. The predetermined condition includes a power condition regarding a power state of the recording device,
The control means controls to prohibit execution of the automatic background processing when the recording device is powered by a battery, or when the remaining battery power of the recording device is less than a third threshold; When the power source of the recording device is not a battery, or when the remaining battery level of the recording device is equal to or higher than the third threshold, control is performed to permit execution of the automatic background processing. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The recording control means controls such that an image to be recorded on the recording medium is temporarily stored in a buffer memory and then recorded on the recording medium,
The predetermined condition includes a buffer amount condition regarding the remaining amount of the buffer memory,
The control means controls to prohibit execution of the automatic background processing when the remaining capacity of the buffer memory is less than a fourth threshold, and controls to prohibit execution of the automatic background processing when the remaining capacity of the buffer memory is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to permit execution of the automatic background processing in this case. Further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring, from the recording medium, a delay time that occurs when transitioning from the automatic background processing to the main processing of recording data in the recording medium,
The predetermined condition includes a delay time condition regarding the delay time,
The control means controls to prohibit execution of the automatic background processing when the delay time is equal to or greater than a fifth threshold, and when the delay time is less than the fifth threshold, 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to permit execution of automatic background processing. The predetermined conditions are:
a temperature condition that allows execution of the automatic background processing when the temperature of the recording medium or the recording device is less than a first threshold;
a power supply condition that permits execution of the automatic background processing when the power source of the recording device is not a battery, or when the remaining battery level of the recording device is equal to or higher than a third threshold;
a buffer amount condition that permits execution of the automatic background processing when the remaining amount of the buffer memory for images to be recorded on the recording medium is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold;
a delay time condition that permits execution of the automatic background processing when the delay time that occurs when transitioning from the automatic background processing to the main processing of recording data in the recording medium is less than a fifth threshold;
including at least one of
The control means is configured to permit execution of the automatic background processing when all conditions included in the predetermined conditions satisfy conditions for permitting execution of the automatic background processing, and to comply with the predetermined conditions. Any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that if there is a condition that does not satisfy a condition that permits execution of the automatic background process among the conditions included in the process, the execution of the automatic background process is prohibited. The recording device according to item 1. The recording device is connectable to a plurality of recording media,
The recording control means controls to record an image on a recording medium selected as a recording destination among a plurality of recording media connected to the recording device,
The control means controls to prohibit execution of the automatic background processing on a recording medium selected as the recording destination, and prohibits execution of the automatic background processing on a recording medium not selected as the recording destination. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to permit execution. The control means may permit execution of the automatic background processing in response to a change in the recording medium selected as the recording destination while the recording control means is recording an image on the recording medium. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to switch between the two. The control means controls the recording medium selected as the recording destination in response to the remaining capacity of the recording medium selected as the recording destination becoming less than a sixth threshold while the recording control means is recording the image. to another recording medium among the plurality of recording media, and controls to permit execution of the automatic background processing on the recording medium that is no longer selected due to the switching, and the newly selected recording medium 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to prohibit execution of the automatic background processing. a recording control unit configured to record an image on a recording medium set as a recording destination among a plurality of recording media using flash memory ;
A control means for controlling whether or not to permit execution of automatic background processing during a power saving period on the plurality of recording media;
Equipped with
The control means controls to disallow execution of the automatic background processing for a recording medium that is set as a recording destination among the plurality of recording media, and controls to disallow execution of the automatic background process for a recording medium that is not set as a recording destination. controls to permit execution of the automatic background process;
A recording device characterized by: The control means changes the recording medium to be the recording destination to the recording medium in response to the fact that the remaining capacity of the recording medium set as the recording destination becomes less than a sixth threshold while the recording control means is recording the image. If a recording medium is changed to another one of the plurality of recording media, and the recording medium is no longer a recording destination due to the change, control is performed to permit execution of the automatic background processing during the power saving period, and the change is performed. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the recording medium that has become a new recording destination is controlled to permit execution of the automatic background processing during the power saving period. 14. The control means controls whether or not to permit execution of automatic background processing using a NOPPME (Non-Operational Power State Permissive Mode Enable) command of the NVM Express standard. The recording device according to any one of the above. A control method executed by a recording device, the method comprising:
a recording control step for controlling recording of an image on a recording medium using flash memory ;
a control step of controlling whether or not to permit execution of automatic background processing during a power saving period in the recording medium, depending on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied;
Equipped with
In the control step, control is performed to switch whether or not execution of the automatic background processing is permitted depending on whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied while recording an image on the recording medium. Characteristic control method. A control method executed by a recording device, the method comprising:
a recording control step of controlling to record an image on a recording medium set as a recording destination among a plurality of recording media using flash memory ;
a control step of controlling whether or not to permit execution of automatic background processing during a power saving period on the plurality of recording media;
Equipped with
In the control step, among the plurality of recording media, a recording medium that is set as a recording destination is controlled so as not to allow execution of the automatic background process, and a recording medium that is not set as a recording destination is controlled to not be permitted to execute the automatic background processing. controls to permit execution of the automatic background process;
A control method characterized by: A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 15 or 16.

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