Digital Camera Patent AbstractA digital camera which converts a picked-up optical image of an
object into digital image data comprises a memory card slot part
and a disk drive part. Digital image data can be transferred between
a memory attached to the memory card slot part and a small disk
inserted into the disk drive part.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A digital camera comprising: an image pickup lens; a finder;
a strobe; a release switch; a processing section, which converts
an optical image of an object inserted through the image pickup
lens into digital image data; a first mounting section, which mounts
a memory card; a second mounting section, which mounts a disk drive
unit provided with a disk recording medium, and a control section
configured to control reading of the digital image data from the
memory card and have it recorded by the disk recording medium, and
to control reading of the digital image data from the disk recording
medium and have it recorded by the memory card, wherein, the control
section (a) sets a restriction on the digital image data read from
the memory card and recorded into the disk recording medium, based
on history information concerning copying of the digital image data,
which is recorded on the memory card, (b) sets a restriction on
such digital image data of digital image data recorded on the memory
card that is determined as not having been copied, from the history
information, such that the digital image data might not be recorded
onto the disk recording media, (c) sets a restriction on the digital
image data read from the disk recording medium and recorded into
the memory card, based on the history information concerning copying
of the digital image data of digital image data recorded on the
disk recording media, and (d) sets a restriction on the digital
image data of the digital image data recorded on the disk recording
media that is determined as not having been copied, from the history
information, such that the digital image data might not be recorded
onto the memory card.
2. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: the control
section updates history information of the memory card in a state
in which such digital image data recorded on the recording media
that is determined as not having been copied, from the history information,
and the control section updates history information of the disk
recording medium in a state in which such digital image data recorded
on one of the memory card that is determined as not having been
copied, from the history information.
3. A method of controlling a digital camera containing an image
pickup lens, release switch, and a strobe, said method comprising:
(a) converting an optical image of an object inserted through the
image pickup lens into digital image data; (b) mounting a memory
card; and (c) performing an operation of recording and reproducing
the digital image data with respect to the mounted memory card and
a disk recording medium, the recording and operation including:
(i) reading the digital image data recorded in the memory card to
record the digital data in the disk recording medium, and (ii) reading
the digital image data recorded in the disk recording medium to
have it recorded into the memory card, wherein the recording and
reproducing operation (1) seats a restriction on the digital image
data read from the memory card and recorded into the disk recording
medium, based on history information concerning copying of the digital
image data, which is recorded on the memory card, (2) sets a restriction
on such digital image data of digital image data recorded on the
memory card that is determined as not having been copied, from the
history information, such that the digital image data might not
be recorded onto the disk recording media, (3) sets a restriction
on the digital image data read from the disk recording medium and
recorded into the memory card, based on the history information
concerning copying of the digital image data, which is recorded
on the disk recording media, and (4) sets a restriction on such
digital image data of digital image data recorded on the recording
media that is determined as not having been copied, from the history
information, such that the digital image data might not be recorded
onto the memory card.
4. A method of controlling a digital camera according to claim
3, wherein: the recording and reproducing operation updates history
information of the memory card in a state in which such digital
image data recorded on the recording media that is determined as
not having been copied, from the history information, and the recording
and reproducing operation updates history information of the disk
recording medium in a state in which such digital image data recorded
on one of the memory card that is determined as not having been
copied, from the history information.
5. A digital camera, comprising: an image pickup lens; a finder;
a release switch; a strobe; processing means for converting an optical
image of an object inserted through the image pickup lens; a first
mounting means for mounting a memory card; a second mounting means
for mounting a disk drive unit provided with a disk recording medium;
and a control means for controlling reading of the digital image
data read from the memory card and have it recorded by the disk
recording medium, and for controlling reading of the digital image
data from the disk recording medium and have it recorded by the
memory card, wherein the control means (i) sets a restriction on
the digital image data read from the memory card and recorded into
the disk recording medium, based on history information concerning
copying of the digital image data, which is recorded on the memory
card, and (ii) sets a restriction on such digital image data of
digital image data recorded on the memory card that is determined
as not having been copied, from the history information, such that
the digital image data might not be recorded onto the disk recording
media, (iii) sets a restriction on the digital image data read from
the disk recording medium and recorded into the memory card, based
on the history information concerning copying of the digital image
data, which is recorded on the disk recording media and (iv) sets
a restriction on such digital image data of digital image data recorded
on the recording media that is determined as not having been copied,
from the history information, such that the digital image data might
not be recorded onto the memory card.
6. A digital camera according to claim 5, wherein: the control
means updates history information of the memory card in a state
in which such digital image data recorded on the recording media
that is determined as not having been copied, from the history information,
and the control means updates history information of the disk recording
medium in a state in which such digital image data recorded on one
of the memory cards tat is determined as not having been copied,
from the history information.
7. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein a state in
which such digital image data of digital image data recorded on
one of the recording media that is determined as not having been
copied, from the history information, is recorded on the other recording
media, the control means updates the history information on the
one of the recording media. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority
from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-130080, filed
Apr. 26, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital camera and a control
method thereof in which a still image or a motion picture of a picked-up
object is converted into digital image data and recorded on a portable
recording medium attached to a main body.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well known, a conventional digital camera as described above
is constructed such that a memory card including, for example, a
semiconductor memory and the like is attached to a memory card slot
part provided in the main body of the camera to record digital image
data.
Meanwhile, in recent years, for example, developments have been
made in the technique of recording/reproducing digital data on/from
a small disk having a diameter of about 1 inch, which has a portability
substantially equivalent to a memory card, by means of magnetism,
light, magneto-optics, or the like.
Therefore, in a digital camera, a disk drive part for driving a
small disk is mounted on its main body, so that digital image data
can be recorded on a small disk.
However, the digital camera as described above is still being developed.
It has been strongly required that improvements should be made in
various areas so as to comply sufficiently with the needs of users.
Two types of digital cameras are known. The first type uses a memory
card as portable recording medium. The second type uses a small
disk as portable recording medium.
Data cannot be transferred from the camera of the first type, directly
to the camera of the second type. Nor can data be transferred to
the camera of the second type, directly to the camera of the first
type.
Therefore, in the case of performing a simple edit operation or
the like for transferring digital image data between a memory card
and a small disk, it is necessary to use an optional editing system
using a PC (Personal Computer).
That is, by using this editing system, it is possible to carry
out the operation of reading the necessary data from one recording
medium, storing it, and writing the stored data into another recording
medium.
However, if even simple editing cannot be carried out unless an
optional editing system is used, it will be inconvenient for a user.
A problem hence arises in that the camera is not suitable for practical
use.
Note that known techniques concerning an electronic camera for
recording image data obtained by picking up an image onto a recording
medium are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application
KOKAI Publication No. 5-91452 and Japanese Patent Application KOKAI
Publication No. 10-233989.
However, the former reference discloses a technique in which image
data obtained by picking up an image is stored into either an internal
memory or an external memory in accordance with a selection made
by a memory selection switch.
Meanwhile, the latter reference discloses a technique in which
still image data and moving picture data are respectively stored
in dedicated memories. Thus, neither of the references includes
a description concerning countermeasures against problems as described
above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above
situation and has an object of providing a digital camera and a
method of controlling the same, in which both different types of
portable recording media can be attached and data can be transferred
between the portable recording media, so that simple editing can
be realized and handling for users is convenient and suitable for
practical use.
A digital camera according to the present invention converts a
picked-up optical image of an object into digital image data. The
camera comprises first and second attachments to which first and
second recording media of types different from each other can be
attached, and a controller recording/reproducing the digital image
data onto/from the first and second recording media attached to
the first and second attachments.
A method according to the present invention is to control a digital
camera which converts an image of an object into digital data. The
method comprises an attachment step of attaching first and second
attachments to which first and second recording media of types different
from each other can be attached, and a control step of recording/reproducing
the digital image data onto/from the first and second recording
media attached to the first and second attachments in the attach.
According to the structure and method as described above, digital
image data is recorded/reproduced onto/from the first and second
recording media attached respectively to the first and second attachments.
Therefore, simple editing can easily be realized without using optional
editing systems or so like the prior art, so handling for users
is convenient and suitable for practical use.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set
forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and
obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly
pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention,
and together with the general description given above and the detailed
description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention
and illustrates an outer appearance of a digital still camera;
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing a signal processing
system of a digital still camera in the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an editing operation for moving
digital image data in the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an editing operation for moving
digital image data in the embodiment; and
FIG. 5 is a front view showing an outer appearance of a digital
still camera to explain a modification example of the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be
explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outer
appearance of a digital still camera 11, viewed from the front side
of the camera.
Specifically, an image pick-up lens 12, a finder 13, a release
switch 14, a strobe 15, and the like are provided respectively at
predetermined positions in the digital still camera 11.
Also, a memory card slot 16 is provided at a side surface thereof
in the digital still camera 11. A memory card 17 is inserted into
the memory card slot 16.
In this memory card 17, for example, a memory 17a constructed by
a semiconductor memory chip made in the form of an IC (Integrated
Circuit), a ferroelectric memory chip, or the like are contained
in a card-like case 17b.
Further, this digital still camera 11 is capable of recording/reproducing
digital image data obtained by picking up an image, onto/from the
memory 17a of the memory card 17 inserted into the memory card slot
16.
Further, a disk drive part 18 is provided at the other side surface
of this digital still camera 11. A disk cartridge 19 having a size
substantially equal to the memory card 17 is attached to the disk
drive part 18.
In the disk cartridge 19, a small disk 19a capable of recording/reproducing
digital data by magnetism, light, or magneto-optics is contained
in a casing 19b.
Further, the digital still camera 11 is capable of recording/reproducing
digital image data obtained by picking up an image onto/from the
small disk 19a in the disk cartridge 19.
Also, the digital still camera 11 is capable of performing control
for reading digital image data from the memory 17a and writing it
into the small disk 19, control for reading digital image data from
the small disk 19a and writing it into the memory 17a, or the like.
FIG. 2 shows a signal processing system in the digital still camera
11. That is, an optical image of an object which is inserted through
the image pickup lens 12 is focused on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
20 and is photoelectrically converted.
Further, the analogue image signal outputted from the CCD 20 is
supplied to the A/D (Analogue/Digital) convertor 21 and converted
into digital data. The digital image data is thereafter supplied
to a CCD signal processing circuit 22.
This CCD signal processing circuit 22 performs predetermined signal
processing on inputted digital image data, thereby to convert the
digital image data into a luminance signal component and a chrominance
signal component.
Further, digital image data including the luminance signal and
chrominance signal obtained by the CCD signal processing circuit
22 is written into a work memory 24 through a memory controller
23.
The digital image data recorded in the work memory 24 is read out
onto an image display processing circuit 25 through the memory controller
23, and predetermined processing for displaying an image is performed
thereon, so that the data is converted into an analogue image signal.
Thereafter, the analogue image signal outputted from the image
display processing circuit 25 is supplied to an image display device
26 externally attached to the digital still camera 11 and displayed
as an image.
Also, the digital image data outputted from the CCD signal processing
circuit 22 may be guided to an image compression/expansion processing
circuit 27 through the memory controller 23 and may be subjected
to predetermined compression processing.
Further, the digital image data subjected to compression processing
by the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 can be
written into the work memory 24.
In this case, the digital image data recorded on the work memory
24 is fed to the image compression/expansion processing circuit
27, and predetermined expansion processing is performed, so that
the data is converted into original digital image data.
The digital image data thus subjected to expansion processing by
the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 may be guided
to the image display device 26 and may be displayed as an image
through the image display processing circuit 25.
A series of processing operations as described above are unitarily
controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 29 which operates
in response to operation information from an operating part 28 including
the release switch 14.
The operation of recording/reproducing digital image data onto/from
the memory 17a of the memory card 17 and the small disk 19a of the
disk cartridge 19 is also unitarily controlled by the CPU 29.
That is, the digital image data output from the CCD signal processing
circuit 22 is supplied via the memory controller 23 to the image
compression/expansion processing circuit 27. The circuit 27 compresses
the digital image data.
The digital image data thus subjected to compression processing
is once recorded into the work memory 24 through the memory controller
23. Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory
24 is guided to the memory card slot 16 through the memory controller
23 and the CPU 29 and is recorded into the memory 17a of the memory
card 17.
The digital image data recorded in the memory 17a of the memory
card 17 is read out from the memory card slot part 16 by the memory
card slot part 16 and is once recorded into the work memory 24 after
passing through the CPU 29 and the memory controller 23.
Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory
24 is introduced to the image compression/expansion circuit 27 and
subjected to expansion processing, so that the data is converted
back into original digital image data.
Further, the digital image data on which expansion processing is
performed by the image compression/expansion processing circuit
27 is fed to the image display device 26 through the memory controller
23 and the image display processing circuit 25, and is displayed
as an image.
Also, the digital image data, which has been outputted from the
CCD signal processing circuit 22 and subjected to compression processing
by the image compression/expansion processing circuit 27 through
the memory controller 23, is once recorded into the work memory
24 through the memory controller 23.
Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory
24 is fed to the disk drive part 18 through the main controller
23 and the CPU 29, and is recorded onto the small disk 19a of the
disk cartridge 19.
The digital image data recorded on the small disk 19a of the disk
cartridge 19 is read out by the disk drive part 18 and is once recorded
into the work memory 24, after passing through the CPU 29 and the
memory controller 23.
Thereafter, the digital image data read out from the work memory
24 is guided to the image compression/expansion processing circuit
27, and expansion processing is performed thereon, so the data is
converted back into the original digital image data.
Further, the digital image data on which expansion processing is
performed by the image compression/expansion processing circuit
27 is guided to the image display device 26 through the memory controller
23 and the image display processing circuit 25, to display an image.
Next, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart showing an example of editing operation
for moving digital image data recorded on one of two types of recording
media, which are the memory 17a and the small disk 19a, to the other
one of the recording media.
From the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, compression processing and
expansion processing which are performed on digital image data are
omitted to simplify the understanding of its main operation.
Firstly, upon starting the operation (step S11), the CPU 29 collects
image files (information) corresponding to all of the digital image
data recorded on the recording medium as a move source from which
data is to be moved in the step S12.
Further, in the step S13, the CPU 29 reads one image file among
all image files (information) collected from the recording medium
as the move source, and records it into the work memory 24.
Thereafter, in the step S14, the CPU 29 determines whether or not
the space necessary for writing data to be recorded exists in the
recording medium as a move destination. If it is determined that
no space exists (NO), the operation ends as it is (step S18).
Otherwise, if it is determined in the step S14 that space exists
in the recording medium as the move destination (YES), the CPU 29
performs control so as to read the image file recorded in the work
memory 24 and to write it onto the recording medium as the move
destination in the step S15.
Thereafter, in the step S16, the CPU 29 erases the image file which
has been completely recorded onto the recording medium as the move
destination. In the step S17, the CPU 29 determines whether or not
an image file remains on the recording medium as the move source.
If it is determined that an image file remains (YES), the CPU 29
returns to the processing of the step S13. If it is determined that
no image file remains (NO), the processing is directly ended (in
the step S18).
According to the structure and operation example as described above,
both of the memory card 16 and the disk cartridge 19 can be attached
to the digital still camera 11. It is therefore possible to realize
automatically the editing operation of moving all image files recorded
on one of the recording media to the other. Handling is thus convenient
for users and is suitable for practical use.
Next, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart showing an example of explaining
an editing operation for copying image data recorded on one of two
types of recording media, i.e., the memory 17a and the small disk
19a, to the other one of the recording media.
From the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, compression processing and
expansion processing made on digital image data are also omitted
to simplify the understanding of its main operation.
At first, upon starting (step S19), the CPU 29 collects image files
(information) corresponding to all of the digital image data in
the step S20.
Also, in the step S21, the CPU 29 reads a copy history (information)
from the recording medium as a copy source and records it into the
work memory 24. This copy history file is information indicating
presence or absence of a past copy operation with respect to each
image file recorded on the recording medium if the copy source has
been copied in the past.
Further, in the step S22, the CPU 29 grasps the copy status of
each image file recorded on the recording medium as the copy source,
based on the copy history file recorded in the work memory 24.
Thereafter, in the step S23, the CPU 29 determines whether or not
copying has been completed with respect to an image file recorded
on the recording medium as the copy source. If it is determined
that copying has not been completed yet (NO), the CPU 29 reads the
one image file from the recording medium as the copy source and
records it into the work memory 24 in the step S24.
In the step S25, the CPU 29 determines whether or not space necessary
for writing data to be recorded exists in the recording medium as
the copy destination to which data is copied.
If it is determined that space exists on the recording medium as
the copy destination (YES), the CPU 29 makes control so as to read
the image file recorded in the work memory 24, and write it into
the recording medium as the copy destination, in the step S26.
Thereafter, in the step S27, the CPU 29 adds information indicating
that the image file has been copied, to the copy history file recorded
in the work memory 24. That is, the CPU 29 updates the copy history
file in the work memory 24.
Further, after the step S27 or if it is determined in the step
S23 that the one image file recorded on the recording medium as
the copy source has been copied (YES), the CPU 29 determines whether
an image file which has not yet been copied remains in the recording
medium as the copy source, in the step S28. If it is determined
that an image file remains (YES), the processing is returned to
the step S22.
If it is determined in the step S28 that an image file which has
not yet been copied does not remain any more in the recording medium
as the copy source (NO), or if it is determined in the step S25
that the necessary space does not exist in the recording medium
as the copy destination (NO), the CPU 29 writes the copy history
file of the work memory 24 onto the recording medium as the copy
source, in the step S29, and then, ends the processing (step S30).
According to the operation example as described above, it is possible
to realize automatically the editing operation of selecting an image
file which has not been copied in the past from image files recorded
on one of the recording media and of copying it into the other one
of the recording media. Handling is thus convenient for users and
is suitable for practical use.
Next, FIG. 5 shows a modification example of the embodiment described
above. An explanation will now be made with the same parts as those
of FIG. 1 denoted by the same reference symbols. A separate display
drive part 30 is provided for a digital still camera 11.
Specifically, the disk drive part 30 is provided to be detachable/attachable
from/to the digital still camera 11. Its size is arranged such that
portability of the digital still camera 11 might not be hindered
even in a state where the drive part is attached to the camera.
Further, the disk cartridge 19 as described previously can be attached
to the disk drive part 30, and digital image data obtained by picking
up an image by the digital still camera 11 can be recorded/reproduced
onto/from the small disk 19a of the disk cartridge 19.
Even in this structure in which the digital still camera 11 and
the disk drive part 30 are constructed separately from each other,
it is possible to perform control for reading digital image data
from the memory 17a and writing it onto the small disk 19a, and
conversely, control for reading digital image data from the small
disk 19a and writing it into the memory 17a, on the contrary, and
the like. The edit operations as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can thus
be realized.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects
is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments
shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may
be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general
inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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