JP2002209128A - IMAGE INPUT DEVICE, IMAGE INPUT METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE METHOD ON COMPUTER, DIGITAL CAMERA, AND PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image input device capable of preventing waste of energy remaining in a battery as much as possible. A digital camera shown in FIG. 1 captures an image of a subject and inputs image data, and a memory that can temporarily store a plurality of input image data.
A recording medium A8 for storing image data stored in the memory 7; and a battery unit 20 for supplying power to each unit.
A battery voltage detector 6 for detecting the output voltage of the battery, and a controller 5 for limiting the number of image data stored in the memory 7 in a stepwise manner based on the battery output voltage of the battery voltage detector 6. Have.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image input device,
The present invention relates to an image input method, a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method on a computer, a digital camera, and a portable information terminal device. The present invention relates to an image input device, an image input method, a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method on a computer, a digital camera, and a portable information terminal device that can be prevented as much as possible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in a digital camera, various techniques have been proposed for minimizing the time between photographing and the next photographing so as not to miss a photo opportunity. ing.

As a technique for preventing a photo opportunity from being missed, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-331762
A digital camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-26095 has been proposed. In such a digital camera, a subject image is converted into an image signal by an image sensor such as a CCD, and the image signal is converted into image data and stored in a recording medium. At this time, in order to take a long time to store one image data in the recording medium and not to miss a photo opportunity, when the next photographing is started during recording on the recording medium, for example, when a release button is pressed, The recording on the recording medium is temporarily suspended, the subject is fetched from the image sensor, converted into image data, and temporarily stored in the memory.

When the photographing operation is completed, the writing to the recording medium, which has been interrupted, is restarted. This series of operations is performed each time shooting is started, for example, each time the release button is pressed, and if performed continuously, a plurality of image data are stored in the memory until the memory capacity becomes insufficient. .

In the above-described image pickup apparatus, all the image data temporarily stored in the memory must be finally recorded on the storage medium. When a battery is used as a power supply, the battery voltage may drop to an unrecordable value while still image data temporarily stored in the memory is being recorded on the recording medium.

As a result, the still image data captured and stored in the memory is lost. In order to prevent the loss of still image data in the memory, the voltage at which the battery is depleted is recorded until the maximum number of still image data that can be stored in the memory is completely stored on the recording medium. It is necessary to set a higher voltage so that it does not drop to a voltage at which it becomes impossible.

However, it is rare that the maximum number of still image data that can be stored in the memory is actually stored in the memory, and in most cases, it is determined that the battery is empty even though the energy remains in the battery. . For this reason, there is a problem that energy remaining in the battery is wasted.

Further, among digital cameras, those having a function of transmitting still image data stored in a recording medium to a personal computer by connecting to an external device, for example, a personal computer, have become widespread. During transmission of a plurality of still image data items specified from a digital camera, the battery voltage may drop to a voltage at which a transmission operation cannot be performed. In such a case, there is a problem that, out of the selected still image data, still image data that cannot be transmitted occurs.

In order to transmit all the selected still image data, it is necessary to judge that the battery is exhausted with the remaining battery capacity for transmitting the entire capacity of the recording medium. In this case, as described above, there is a problem that the energy of the battery remains and the energy of the battery is wasted.

[0010] In addition, digital cameras having a plurality of recording media and having a function of copying still image data from one recording medium to the other recording medium have become widespread. While a plurality of still image data stored in one recording medium are designated and copied to the other recording medium, the battery voltage may drop to a voltage at which the transmission operation cannot be performed. In such a case, there is a problem that, among the selected still image data, still image data that cannot be copied occurs.

In order to copy all the selected still image data, it is necessary to determine that the battery has run out while leaving the remaining battery capacity sufficient to copy the entire capacity of the recording medium. In this case, as described above, there is a problem that the energy of the battery remains and the energy of the battery is wasted.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an image input device, an image input method, and an image input method capable of preventing waste of energy remaining in a battery as much as possible. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method on a computer, a digital camera, and a portable information terminal device.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input means for photographing a subject and inputting image data, and an image input by the image input means. A storage unit capable of temporarily storing a plurality of data, a recording medium for storing image data stored in the storage unit, a shooting mode selection unit for designating a shooting mode, and a shooting operation instruction are input. For instructing shooting operation, a battery for supplying power to each unit, a detecting unit for detecting an output voltage of the battery, and an operation of storing all image data stored in the storage unit in the recording medium And control means for stepwise limiting the number of image data stored in the storage means based on the output voltage detected by the detection means.

According to the invention, the image input means captures a subject and inputs image data, and the storage means temporarily stores a plurality of image data input by the image input means. Stores the image data stored in the storage means, the shooting mode selection means specifies a shooting mode, the shooting operation instruction means inputs a shooting operation instruction, and the battery supplies power to each part of the image input device. Then, the detecting means detects the output voltage of the battery, and the control means, in order to compensate for the operation of storing all the image data stored in the storage means on a recording medium,
By stepwise limiting the number of image data to be stored in the storage unit based on the output voltage detected by the detection unit, the image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit stepwise as the remaining capacity of the battery decreases. The number of possible image data is reduced to lower the voltage for determining that the battery is empty.

[0015] The invention according to claim 2 is based on claim 1.
In the invention according to the invention, the control means, when the output voltage detected by the detection means is equal to or less than a reference voltage, the number of image data stored in the storage means based on the output voltage detected by the detection means Is limited step by step.

According to the above invention, when the output voltage detected by the detection means is equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the control means sets the number of image data to be stored in the storage means based on the output voltage detected by the detection means. Is limited step by step.

[0017] The invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 1.
Alternatively, in the invention according to claim 2, when the continuous shooting mode is designated by the shooting mode selecting means, while the shooting operation instruction is input by the shooting operation instruction means, the image is input by the image input means. Data is sequentially photographed and stored in the storage means, and when the photographing instruction is completed by the photographing operation instruction means, all image data stored in the storage means is stored in the recording medium. .

According to the present invention, when the continuous shooting mode is designated by the shooting mode selecting means, the image data is sequentially inputted by the image input means while the photographing operation instruction is inputted by the photographing operation instruction means. The image is taken and stored in the storage means, and when the shooting instruction is completed by the shooting operation instruction means, all the image data stored in the storage means is stored in the recording medium.

The invention according to claim 4 is the third invention.
The present invention further comprises a display unit capable of displaying information and the like, wherein the control unit detects a remaining capacity of the recording medium and calculates a maximum number of newly storable image data. Calculating means, second calculating means for calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means based on the output voltage, and storing in the recording medium calculated by the first calculating means. The maximum number of image data is compared with the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the second calculation unit, and the smaller one is set as the number of continuously shootable images in the continuous shooting mode. And a display control means for displaying, on the display means, the continuously shootable number determined by the continuous shootable number determination means.

According to the invention, the first calculating means detects the remaining capacity of the recording medium and calculates the maximum number of image data which can be newly stored, and the second calculating means calculates the maximum number of the image data. The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is calculated based on the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium calculated by the first calculation unit. The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the calculation unit is compared, the smaller one is determined as the number of continuously shootable images in the continuous shooting mode, and the display control unit is determined. The number of continuous shots is displayed on the display means to notify the user of the number of continuous shots.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fourth aspect of the present invention.
In the invention according to the invention, the display control means blinks the number of continuously shootable images when displaying the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means as the number of continuously shootable images on the display means. is there. According to the invention, when the display control means displays the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means on the display means as the continuous shootable number, the display control means blinks the continuous shootable number.

The invention according to claim 6 is based on claim 1.
In the invention according to the invention, when a still image shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection means, every time a shooting instruction is input from the shooting instruction input means, image data is shot by the image input means, While performing a still image recording operation of storing the image data stored in the storage means on the recording medium, storing the image data stored in the storage means on the storage medium, and performing the shooting instruction while storing the image data stored in the storage means on the storage medium. When a photographing instruction is input from the input unit, the operation of storing the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording medium is interrupted, the image data is photographed by the image input unit, and the image data is stored in the storage unit. Then, the storage of the image data stored in the storage means on the recording medium is restarted.

According to the above invention, in the still image shooting mode, every time a shooting instruction is input from the shooting instruction input means,
Image data is captured by the image input means, stored in the storage means, and the still image recording operation of storing the image data stored in the storage means on the recording medium is performed, while the image data stored in the storage means is stored on the recording medium. When a shooting instruction is input from the shooting instruction input means during storage, the operation of storing the image data stored in the storage means on the recording medium is interrupted, and the image data is shot by the image input means. After the storage in the storage means, the storage of the image data stored in the storage means on the recording medium is restarted.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6.
The present invention further comprises a display unit capable of displaying information and the like, wherein the control unit detects a remaining capacity of the recording medium and calculates a maximum number of newly storable image data. Calculating means, second calculating means for calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means based on the output voltage, and storing in the recording medium calculated by the first calculating means. By comparing the maximum number of image data with the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the second calculation unit, the smaller one is set as the number of recordable images in the still image shooting mode. The photographing number determining means to be determined and a display controlling means for displaying the photographable number determined by the photographing number determining means on the display means.

According to the above invention, the first calculating means detects the remaining capacity of the recording medium and calculates the maximum number of image data which can be newly stored, and the second calculating means calculates the maximum value of the output voltage. The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is calculated based on the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium calculated by the first calculation unit. Comparing the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the calculation unit, and determining the smaller one as the number of shootable images in the still image shooting mode; and the display control unit determines the number of shootable images. Is displayed on the display means to notify the user of the number of images that can be taken in the still image shooting mode.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7.
In the present invention, the display control means blinks the photographable number when displaying the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means as the photographable number on the display means. According to the above invention, when the display control means displays the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means as the number of shootable images on the display means, the display control means blinks the number of shootable images.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input means for photographing a subject and inputting image data, a recording medium for storing the image data, and an operation instruction input means for inputting an operation instruction. Communication means for performing data communication with an external device; selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of image data to be transmitted to the external device from image data stored in the recording medium; A battery for supplying the image data, a detection unit for detecting an output voltage of the battery, and a case where transmission of the image data selected by the selection unit to the external device is instructed by the operation instruction input unit. Controlling the image data selected by the selection means stored in the recording medium to be transmitted to the external device via the communication means, while controlling the image data based on the output voltage of the detection means. Te, in which and a control means for stepwise restricting the total data size of selectable image data by the selecting means.

According to the invention, the image input means captures an image of a subject and inputs image data, the recording medium stores the image data, and the selection means selects the external data from the image data stored in the recording medium. One or a plurality of image data to be transmitted to the device is selected, the detecting means detects an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit, and the control means is selected by the operation means input means by the selection means. When the transmission of the image data to the external device is instructed, the image data selected by the selection unit stored in the recording medium is controlled to be transmitted to the external device via the communication unit, while the battery is controlled. By limiting the total data size of the image data selectable by the selection means in stages based on the output voltage of the image data, the total amount of image data that can be transmitted in stages as the remaining capacity of the battery decreases. The size and small, but to reduce the voltage to determine the battery that it is empty.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input means for photographing a subject and inputting image data, first and second recording media for storing the image data,
An operation instruction input unit for inputting an operation instruction; a selection unit for selecting one or a plurality of image data to be copied among image data stored in the first recording medium; A battery for supplying, a detection unit for detecting an output voltage of the battery, and a case where the operation instruction unit instructs the image data selected by the selection unit to be copied to the second recording medium. Controlling the image data selected by the selection means stored in the first recording medium to be copied to the second recording medium, while controlling the selection means based on the output voltage of the detection means. And control means for limiting the total data size of the image data selectable step by step.

According to the above invention, the image input means captures a subject and inputs image data, and the selection means selects one of the image data stored in the first recording medium to be copied.
Alternatively, a plurality of image data are selected, the detecting unit detects an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit, and the control unit uses the operation instruction unit to output the second image data of the image data selected by the selecting unit. When copying to the recording medium is instructed, the image data selected by the selecting means stored in the first recording medium is controlled to be copied to the second recording medium, while the output voltage of the detecting means is controlled. , The total data size of the image data selectable by the selecting means is limited in a stepwise manner, so that the total size of the image data that can be copied stepwise is reduced as the remaining capacity of the battery decreases. , To lower the voltage for determining that the battery is empty.

[0031] In the invention according to claim 11, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the image data stored in the storage means is compressed image data. And According to the invention, the image data stored in the storage unit is reduced as the image data subjected to the compression processing, and the memory capacity of the storage unit is reduced.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image input apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is applied. According to the invention, the image input device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is applied to a digital camera.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the image input apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is applied. According to the invention, the image input device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is applied to a portable information terminal device.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a first step of setting a continuous shooting mode for continuously shooting an object, a second step of inputting a shooting instruction, and supplying power to each unit A third step of detecting an output voltage of the battery to be stored, and storing the image data in the storage unit based on the detected output voltage so as to compensate for an operation of storing all image data stored in the storage unit in a recording medium. A fourth step of calculating and setting the number of pieces of image data, a fifth step of photographing a subject and inputting image data, and a sixth step of storing the input image data in the storage means. It is determined whether or not the photographing instruction has been completed. If the photographing instruction has not been completed, the third to sixth steps are repeated. Is the memory All image data stored in the stage, and a seventh step of storing on the recording medium, is intended to include.

According to the above invention, a continuous shooting mode for continuously shooting an object is set, a shooting instruction is input, an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit is detected, and stored in the storage means. In order to compensate for the operation of storing all image data in the recording medium, the number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is calculated and set based on the detected output voltage, and the image data is input by photographing the subject. Then, the input image data is stored in the storage means, and it is determined whether or not the photographing instruction has been completed. If the photographing instruction has not been completed, the still image photographing operation is repeated while the photographing instruction is performed. Is completed, all the image data stored in the storage means can be temporarily stored in the storage means in a stepwise manner as the remaining battery capacity decreases by storing the image data in the storage medium. Image data Lost, it is possible to lower the voltage to determine the battery is that it is empty.

The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 14, wherein in the fourth step,
When the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than a reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage unit is limited stepwise based on the detected output voltage. According to the invention, when the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage unit is limited stepwise based on the detected output voltage.

The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein
Calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium; calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit based on the output voltage; Comparing the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium with the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means calculated by the second calculation means, And a display step of displaying the determined number of continuously shootable images on the display means.

According to the above invention, the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium is calculated, and the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is calculated based on the output voltage. The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is compared with the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit, and the smaller one is determined as the number of continuously shootable images. The number of images is displayed on the display means to notify the user of the number of continuously shootable images.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixteenth aspect, in the displaying step, when the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means is displayed as the number of continuously shootable images, The number of continuously shootable images is displayed by blinking. According to the above invention, when the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means is displayed as the number of continuously shootable images, the number of continuously shootable images is blinked.

The invention according to claim 18 is a first step of setting a still image shooting mode, a second step of inputting a shooting instruction, and detecting an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit. Calculating the number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit based on the detected output voltage so as to compensate for the operation of storing all the image data stored in the storage unit in the storage medium. A fourth step of setting and setting, a fifth step of photographing a subject and inputting image data, a sixth step of storing the input image data in the storage means, and a step of storing the input image data in the storage means. A seventh step of storing the image data in a recording medium, and determining whether or not a shooting instruction has been input while storing the image data stored in the storage unit in the recording medium, And an eighth step of interrupting the storage of the image data stored in the storage means on the storage medium and repeating the third to seventh steps when a shadow instruction is input. Including.

According to the above invention, a still image photographing mode is set, a photographing instruction is input, an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit is detected, and all image data stored in the storage means is recorded on a recording medium. Based on the detected output voltage, the number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is calculated and set based on the detected output voltage, a subject is photographed, image data is input, and the input image data is Storing the image data stored in the storage means, storing the image data stored in the storage means in a recording medium, and determining whether or not a photographing instruction is input while the image data stored in the storage means is stored in the recording medium; Is determined, and when a shooting instruction is input, the storage of the image data stored in the storage unit is interrupted in the recording medium, and the remaining image of the battery is reduced by performing still image shooting. According to the stage By reducing the number of temporarily storable image data in the storage means, it is intended to lower the voltage to determine the battery that it is empty. As the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, the total size of image data that can be copied stepwise can be reduced, and the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced.

In the invention according to claim 19, in the fourth step, when the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than a reference voltage, the detected output voltage is stored in the storage means based on the detected output voltage. The number of image data is limited stepwise. According to the above invention, when the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage unit is limited stepwise based on the detected output voltage.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the nineteenth aspect, in the fourth step,
Calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium; calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit based on the output voltage; Comparing the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit with the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit, and determining the smaller one as the number of shootable images; A display step of displaying the number of recordable images on the display means.

According to the invention, the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium is calculated, the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is calculated based on the output voltage, and the calculated recording medium is calculated. The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is compared with the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit, and the smaller one is determined as the number of recordable images, and the determined number of recordable images is displayed. The number of images that can be photographed can be notified to the user by displaying the number on the means.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twentieth aspect, when the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means is displayed as the number of storable images, The number of recordable images is displayed in a blinking manner. According to the invention, when the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means is displayed as the number of recordable images, the number of recordable images is blinked.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth to twenty-first aspects, the image data stored in the storage means is compressed image data. According to the above invention, by storing the compressed image data in the storage unit, the amount of data stored in the storage unit can be reduced.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method comprising: selecting one or a plurality of image data to be transmitted to an external device from image data stored in a recording medium; When transmission to an external device is instructed, transmitting the selected image data stored in the recording medium to the external device via the communication unit, and supplying power to each unit The output voltage of the battery is detected, and based on the output voltage, the total data size of image data that can be selected as an image to be transmitted to the external device among image data stored in a recording medium is limited stepwise. And a step.

According to the above invention, one or more image data to be transmitted to the external device are selected from the image data stored in the recording medium, and the transmission of the selected image data to the external device is instructed. In this case, the selected image data stored in the recording medium is transmitted to an external device via the communication unit, the output voltage of the battery that supplies power to each unit is detected, and based on the output voltage, By limiting the total data size of image data that can be selected as an image to be sent to the external device among the image data stored in the recording medium in stages, as the remaining battery capacity decreases, the By reducing the total size of the image data that can be transmitted as desired, the voltage for determining that the battery is empty can be reduced.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein one or a plurality of image data to be copied to the second recording medium is selected from the image data stored in the first recording medium; When copying of the selected image data to the second recording medium is selected, the selected image data stored in the first recording medium is stored in the second recording medium. Detecting the output voltage of a battery that supplies power to each unit, and copying the image data stored in the first recording medium to the second recording medium based on the output voltage. Limiting the total data size of the image data selectable as the image data in a stepwise manner.

According to the above invention, one or a plurality of image data to be copied to the second recording medium are selected from the image data stored in the first recording medium, and the second image data of the selected image data is selected. When the copy to the recording medium is selected, the selected image data stored in the first recording medium is stored in the second recording medium, and the output voltage of the battery for supplying power to each unit is stored. And based on the output voltage,
By gradually limiting the total data size of image data that can be selected as image data to be copied to the second recording medium among the image data stored in the first recording medium, the remaining battery capacity is reduced. Accordingly, the total size of image data that can be transmitted stepwise can be reduced, and the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is stored a program for executing each step of the invention according to any one of the fourteenth to twenty-fourth aspects on a computer. According to the above invention, each step of the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 24 is realized by executing a program stored in the computer by the computer.

[0052]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a digital camera to which an image input apparatus and an image input method of the present invention are applied will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings (Embodiment 1).
(Embodiment 2), (Embodiment 3), and (Embodiment 4) will be described in detail in this order.

(Embodiment 1) A digital camera according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera according to the first embodiment includes an imaging unit 1, a signal processing unit 2, a compression processing unit 3, an operation input unit 4, a control unit 5, a battery voltage detection unit 6,
A memory 7 and a recording medium A8 are provided, and each unit is connected to each other via a bus 30.

The image pickup section 1 is composed of a lens, an aperture, a CCD (charge coupled device), a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an A / D converter, etc., and picks up a subject image to obtain analog image data. Then, the obtained analog image data is converted into digital image data and output to the signal processing unit 2.

The signal processing unit 2 divides the image data input from the imaging unit 1 into color difference data and luminance data, and performs various processes, correction, and data processing for image compression / decompression. The compression processing unit 3 generates compressed image data by, for example, performing image compression in accordance with the JPEG method on the image data signal-processed by the signal processing unit 2.

The memory 7 is composed of, for example, a DRAM and temporarily stores compressed image data that has been subjected to compression processing. The recording medium A8 records the compressed image data as an image data file.

The operation input unit 4 includes a release key for selecting a function, giving a photographing instruction, and an operation key for making various other settings from the outside. The contents of the operation instruction are output to the control unit 5. . The operation keys include, for example, a shooting mode selection key for selecting a shooting mode. The photographing mode includes a normal photographing mode in which one still image is captured and recorded on the recording medium A8 each time the release key is pressed, and a subject is continuously photographed while the release key is pressed. And a continuous shooting mode for recording on the recording medium A8.

The battery section 20 has, for example, a NiCD battery or an alkaline battery, and supplies power to each section. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of output characteristics of a battery. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the operating time, and the vertical axis represents the output voltage of the battery. The output voltage of the battery decreases as the operating time elapses,
The output voltage of the battery gently attenuates at first, but abruptly attenuates when the remaining amount becomes small. In the figure, the reset voltage is
This is the voltage at which the control unit 5 turns off the power and stops the operation of the main body. In FIG. 5, the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty is a voltage for prohibiting the photographing operation and the like, recording the image data recorded in the memory 7 on the recording medium A8, and then turning off the main body power. .

In FIG. 5, the first reference voltage is a voltage at which the control unit 5 starts limiting the number of image data stored in the memory 7 in the still image shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode. In the present invention, the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty is set as low as possible so that the remaining amount of the battery is not wasted as much as possible when the main body power of the digital camera is turned off. . The battery voltage detection unit 6 is configured to output the battery unit 2 every predetermined time.
The output voltage of the battery 0 is detected and output to the control unit 5.

The control unit 5 is a unit for controlling the operation of each unit of the digital camera in response to an instruction from the operation input unit 4 and the like, and includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. C
The PU controls the operation of each part of the digital camera using the RAM as a work area in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM in response to an instruction from the operation input unit 4 or an external operation instruction such as a remote controller (not shown). I do.

The ROM stores various programs and various data for operating the CPU.
Specifically, the ROM stores a battery reset voltage, a first reference voltage (> reset voltage), and a memory recordable number table. The CPU turns off the power of the main body when the output voltage of the battery of the battery unit 20 becomes the reset voltage. In the memory recordable number table, the output voltage of the battery (first ≦ reference voltage) and the maximum number of pieces of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 in the case of the output voltage are stored in association with each other. Have been. In the memory recordable number table, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 is set smaller as the output voltage is smaller. Here, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 refers to a number that can compensate for the operation of storing all of the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 in the recording medium A8. This is to prevent the whole of the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 from being unable to be written to the recording medium A8 due to a shortage of the remaining battery power. This is to keep the remaining amount of the battery as low as possible.

The control unit 5 controls the shooting operation and the like, and controls the execution of the still image shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. In the continuous shooting mode, the release key of the operation input unit 4 is ON
During the operation, the imaging unit 1 captures an image of a subject, the signal processing unit 2 performs signal processing on the captured image data to generate still image data, and temporarily stores the still image data in the memory 7. The shooting operation is stopped when the release key is turned off or when the number of still image data stored in the memory 7 reaches the maximum number that can be stored in the recording medium A8. Then, the still image data stored in the memory 7 is written to the recording medium A8.

In the continuous shooting mode, when the output voltage of the battery of the battery unit 20 becomes equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the control unit 5 refers to the above-mentioned memory recordable number table, The maximum number of still image data to be stored in the memory 7 is controlled in a stepwise manner so that all the still image data stored in the memory 7 can be recorded on the recording medium A8.

In the still image shooting mode, when the release key of the operation input unit 4 is turned on, the image pickup unit 1 picks up an image of a subject, and the signal processing unit 2 performs signal processing on the picked-up image data. A series of recording operations are performed to generate still image data, temporarily store the still image data in the memory 7, and write the still image data temporarily stored in the memory 7 to the recording medium A8. When the release key of the operation input unit 4 is turned on while the still image data stored in the memory 7 is being written to the recording medium A8, the writing of the still image data to the recording medium A8 is interrupted, and Photographing is performed by the unit 1 and captured still image data is stored in an empty area of the memory 7.

Each time the release key of the operation input unit 4 is turned on while the still image data stored in the memory 7 is being written to the recording medium A8, the still image data shot by shooting is vacated in the memory 7 every time the release key is turned on. When the number of still image data stored in the memory 7 reaches the maximum number that can be stored in the memory 7 or when the number of still image data stored in the memory 7 is The process is repeatedly executed until the maximum number that can be stored in the medium A8 is reached.

In the still image shooting mode, the control unit 5 refers to the above-mentioned memory recordable number table when the output voltage of the battery of the battery unit 20 becomes equal to or lower than the first reference voltage. The maximum number of compressed image data stored in the memory 7 is limited in a stepwise manner so that all the still image data stored in the memory 7 can be recorded on the recording medium A8.

Next, the operation of the digital camera having the above configuration in the continuous shooting mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a shooting operation of the digital camera in the continuous shooting mode, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the continuous shooting mode. Control unit 5
RAM has an area used as a primary storage number counter for counting the number of compressed image data stored in the memory 7.

In FIG. 3, first, in the operation input unit 4, a continuous shooting mode is selected by a shooting mode selection key.
When the release button is pressed (step S1), an instruction to start continuous shooting is output from the operation input unit 4 to the control unit 5.

The control section 5 determines whether or not there is a remaining capacity of the recording medium A8 (step S2). If it is determined that there is a remaining capacity, the process proceeds to step S3, while if there is no remaining capacity. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S3, the control unit 5 checks the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detection unit 6 (step S3), and calculates the number of primary storable images that can be stored in the memory 7 (step S4). . Specifically, control unit 5 compares the output voltage of the battery input from battery voltage detection unit 6 with the first reference voltage stored in the ROM.
When the output voltage of the battery is equal to or higher than the first reference voltage, the control unit 5 sets the number of pieces of compressed image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8 as the number of primary storages. On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 corresponding to the output voltage of the battery is calculated with reference to the memory number table. Of the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the number of compressed image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8,
The smaller one is set as the primary storable number.

Subsequently, in step S5, the control unit 5
Is the primary storable number calculated in step S4,
By comparing with the value of the primary storage number counter, it is determined whether or not the compressed image data can be recorded in the memory 7. Specifically, when the calculated primary storable number is larger than the value of the primary storage number counter, it is determined that the compressed image data can be recorded in the memory 7. If it is determined that recording on the memory 7 is possible, the process proceeds to step S6, while
If it is determined that the recording to the destination is not possible, step S1
Move to 0. That is, the control unit 5 determines that the number of compressed image data temporarily stored in the memory 7 is equal to the recording medium A8.
Alternatively, if it is determined that the maximum number that can be stored in the memory 7 has been reached, the photographing operation is not performed even if the continuous photographing instruction is given.

In step S6, the control unit 5 controls each block to start a continuous shooting operation, and performs shooting of a subject and compression processing of the shot image data. Specifically, when the continuous shooting operation is started, the imaging unit 1 captures a subject image and outputs image data to the signal processing unit 2. The signal processing unit 2 converts image data input from the imaging unit 1 into still image data and outputs the still image data to the compression processing unit 3. The compression processing unit 3 performs compression processing on the still image data input from the signal processing unit 2 by the JPEG method to generate compressed image data.

The signal processing section 2 temporarily records the compressed image data in the memory 7 (Step S7). Control unit 5
Increments the value of the temporary storage number counter by "1" (step S8). Then, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the release button has been turned off. If the release button has been turned off, the process proceeds to step S10. If not, the process returns to step S2 and returns to step S2. repeat. That is, the above-described photographing operation is continuously repeated until an instruction to stop continuous photographing, for example, an operation such as releasing a shutter button is performed by the operation input unit 4, and the compressed image data is stored in the memory 7. Memory 7
The number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8 is finite, and the maximum number that can be stored in each is managed by the control unit 5 as described above.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the value of the primary storage number counter is "0". If the value of the primary storage number counter is "0", the flow is terminated while the primary storage number is terminated. If the value of the number of sheets is not "0", one piece of compressed image data is recorded on the recording medium A8 (step S11), and the value of the temporarily stored number counter is decremented by "1" (step S12). Returning to step S10, the same processing is repeatedly executed until the value of the temporary storage number counter becomes “0”.

In step S11, the control unit 5
If the release ON is detected during the recording on the recording medium A8, the recording on the recording medium A8 is interrupted, and the process returns to the step S2.

FIG. 4 shows a timing chart of the continuous shooting mode. In particular, FIG. 4 shows a case where the release key is pressed when the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 is being recorded on the recording medium A8. The timing is shown. In FIG. 4, (A) shows the release key O of the operation input unit 4.
N / OFF timing; (B): opening / closing timing of a CCD electronic shutter of the imaging unit 1; (C): timing of capturing image data of the imaging unit 1; (E) shows the timing of writing from the image compression processing unit 3 to the memory 7, and (F) shows the timing of writing the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 to the recording medium A8. I have.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the release key is turned on while the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 is being written to the recording medium A8, the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 is The writing operation to the recording medium A8 is interrupted, the shooting operation is performed, and the release key is turned off.
Then, the operation of writing the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 to the recording medium A8 is restarted.

As described above, in the continuous shooting mode, the control unit 5 limits the number of compressed image data stored in the memory 7 stepwise based on the output voltage of the battery. As the remaining capacity of
The number of pieces of still image data that can be temporarily stored in the memory 7 can be reduced stepwise, the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, and waste of battery energy can be reduced.

In addition, the control unit 5 controls the battery voltage detection unit 6
The remaining amount of the battery is determined based on the output voltage of the battery input from the controller. When it is determined that the battery is empty, the power of the digital camera is turned off. At this time, when the compressed image data remains in the memory 7, the control unit 5 needs to wait without turning off the power until all the compressed image data is recorded on the recording medium A8. Therefore, when the control unit 5 determines that the battery is empty, the energy for performing the recording operation on the recording medium A8 to the end must remain in the battery. In the present embodiment, as described above, as the output voltage of the battery decreases, the number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 is reduced, so that the number of compressed image data stored in the memory 7 is reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the energy of the battery that must be left as compared with the case where no battery is provided.

Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera having the above configuration in the still image photographing mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a photographing operation of the digital camera in FIG. 1 in a still image photographing mode. The RAM of the control unit 5 has an area used as a primary storage number counter for counting the number of compressed image data stored in the memory 7.

First, in the operation input unit 4, the still image shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection key, and when the release button is pressed (step S 21), the continuous shooting is performed from the operation input unit 4 to the control unit 5. A start instruction is output.

The control section 5 determines whether or not there is a remaining capacity of the recording medium A8.
If it is determined in step S23 that there is no remaining capacity, the process proceeds to step S29.

In step S29, the controller 5 checks the battery voltage input from the battery voltage detector 6, and calculates the number of primary storable images that can be stored in the memory 7 (step S24). Specifically, control unit 5 compares the output voltage of the battery input from battery voltage detection unit 6 with the first reference voltage stored in the ROM. When the output voltage of the battery is equal to or higher than the first reference voltage, the control unit 5 controls the recording medium A
The number of pieces of compressed image data that can be stored in No. 8 is the number of pieces of primary storage that can be stored. On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, referring to the memory number table,
The maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 corresponding to the output voltage of the battery is calculated, and the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the number of compressed image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8 are calculated. , The smaller one is set as the primary storable number.

Subsequently, at step S25, the control unit 5
Determines whether or not it is possible to record the compressed image data in the memory 7 by comparing the primary storage number calculated in step S24 with the value of the primary storage number counter. Specifically, when the calculated primary storage number is larger than the value of the primary storage number counter, the memory 7
It is determined that the recording of the compressed image data into is possible. As a result of this determination, when it is determined that recording on the memory 7 is possible, the process proceeds to step S26, and when it is determined that recording on the memory 7 is not possible, the process proceeds to step S29.

That is, when the control unit 5 determines that the number of compressed image data temporarily stored in the memory 7 has reached the maximum Even if a shooting instruction is issued, the next shooting operation is not performed. The number of image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the recording medium A8 is finite, and the maximum number that can be stored in each is managed by the control unit 5.

In step S26, the control unit 5 operates each block to start a still image photographing operation, and performs photographing of the subject and compression processing of the photographed image data. Specifically, when the still image capturing operation is started, the imaging unit 1 captures a subject image and outputs image data to the signal processing unit 2. The signal processing unit 2 converts image data input from the imaging unit 1 into still image data and outputs the still image data to the compression processing unit 3. The compression processing unit 3 performs compression processing on the still image data input from the signal processing unit 2 by the JPEG method to generate compressed image data.

Then, the signal processing section 2 temporarily stores the compressed image data in the memory 7 (step S27).
The control unit 5 increments the value of the temporary storage number counter by "1" (step S28).

In step S29, it is determined whether or not the value of the primary storage number counter is "0". If the value of the primary storage number counter is "0", the flow is terminated, and the next photographing is started. Wait for instructions. On the other hand, if the value of the primary storage number counter is not "0", one piece of compressed image data is recorded from the memory 7 onto the recording medium A8 (step S5).
30), the value of the temporary storage number counter is decremented by "1" (step S31), and the process returns to step S29, and the same processing is repeatedly executed until the value of the temporary storage number counter becomes "0".

If the release ON is detected during the recording on the recording medium A8 in step S30, the recording on the recording medium A8 is interrupted, and the process returns to step S22 to start the next still image photographing operation. . The compressed image data captured and compressed in the still image photographing operation is temporarily stored in an empty area of the memory 7, and when the storage is completed, the recording on the recording medium A which has been temporarily stopped is restarted. Is done. The operations of interruption, next photographing, and resuming are performed every time a still image photographing instruction is issued, and the compressed image data is sequentially stored in the memory 7 and recorded on the recording medium A8 in the photographing order. become.

As described above, in the still image shooting mode, the control unit 5 limits the number of compressed image data stored in the memory 7 stepwise based on the output voltage of the battery. As the remaining capacity of
The number of pieces of still image data that can be temporarily stored in the memory 7 can be reduced stepwise, the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, and waste of battery energy can be reduced.

In addition, the control unit 5 includes a battery voltage detection unit 6
The remaining amount of the battery is determined based on the output voltage of the battery input from the controller. When it is determined that the battery is empty, the power of the digital camera is turned off. At this time, when the compressed image data remains in the memory 7, the control unit 5 must wait without recording the power supply until all the compressed image data is recorded on the recording medium A8. Therefore, when the control unit 5 determines that the battery is empty, the energy for performing the recording operation on the recording medium A8 to the end must remain in the battery. In the present embodiment, as described above, as the output voltage of the battery decreases, the number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 is reduced. 7 can be reduced as compared with the case where the number of compressed image data to be stored in 7 is not reduced.

(Embodiment 2) A digital camera according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to a second exemplary embodiment. The digital camera according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is obtained by adding a display unit 9 to the digital camera according to the first embodiment. In the digital camera according to the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The display section 9 displays an image corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium A8. The display unit 9 displays a set state of the digital camera, for example, a set mode display and an error display. The control unit 5 controls the display of the display unit 9.

Next, the operation of the digital camera having the above configuration in the continuous shooting mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
9 shows a flowchart for explaining a photographing operation of the digital camera in the continuous photographing mode. Control unit 5
Displays the number of continuously shootable images (how many times shooting can be performed) on the display unit 9 when performing continuous shooting. Here, as the number of continuously shootable images, a small number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the recording medium A8 is displayed.

In FIG. 7, first, in the operation input unit 4, a continuous shooting mode is selected by a shooting mode selection key.
When the release button is pressed (step S41), an instruction to start continuous shooting is output from the operation input unit 4 to the control unit 5.

The control section 5 determines whether or not there is a remaining capacity of the recording medium A8 (step S42). If it is determined that there is a remaining capacity, the process proceeds to step S43. When it is determined, the process proceeds to step S51.

In step S43, the controller 5 checks the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detector 6 (step S43), and calculates the number of primary storable images that can be stored in the memory 7 (step S44). . In particular,
The control unit 5 compares the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detection unit 6 with the first reference voltage stored in the ROM. When the output voltage of the battery is equal to or higher than the first reference voltage, the control unit 5 sets the number of pieces of compressed image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8 as the number of primary storages. On the other hand, if the output voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 corresponding to the output voltage of the battery is referred to by referring to the table of possible number of memories stored in the ROM. Is calculated, and the smaller of the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the number of compressed image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8 is set as the primary storable number.

Subsequently, the control section 5 displays the number of continuously shootable images on the display section 9 (step S45). More specifically, the control unit 5 compares the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded in the memory 7 or the recording medium A8, and displays the smaller one on the display unit 9 as the number of continuously shootable images. Here, memory 7
Alternatively, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is the number when the number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the memory 7 is limited in step S44. If the number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the memory 7 is not limited, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of continuously shootable images.

For example, if the maximum number of compressed image data recordable in the memory 7 is "3" and the maximum number of compressed image data recordable in the recording medium A8 is "4", the memory 7 The maximum number "3" of compressed image data that can be recorded on the display unit 9 is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of continuously shootable images. On the other hand, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the memory 7 is “4”, and the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is “3”.
In the case of “images”, the maximum number “3” of the compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is set to the display unit 9 as the number of continuously shootable images.
To be displayed.

When displaying the maximum number of compressed image data recordable in the memory 7 as the number of continuously shootable images on the display unit 9, the control unit 5 blinks the number of continuously shootable images.

Subsequently, in step S46, the control unit 5
Compares the primary storage number calculated in step S44 with the value of the primary storage number counter to determine whether the compressed image data can be recorded in the memory 7. Specifically, when the calculated primary storage number is larger than the value of the primary storage number counter, the memory 7
It is determined that the recording of the compressed image data into is possible. As a result of this determination, when it is determined that recording on the memory 7 is possible, the process proceeds to step S47, and when it is determined that recording on the memory 7 is not possible, the process proceeds to step S51. That is, the control unit 5 includes the memory 7
When it is determined that the number of compressed image data temporarily stored in the storage media A8 or the memory 7 has reached the maximum number that can be stored in the recording medium A8, the imaging operation is not performed even if the continuous shooting instruction is issued.

In step S47, the control unit 5 controls each block to start a continuous shooting operation, and performs shooting of a subject and compression processing of the shot image data. Specifically, when the continuous shooting operation is started, the imaging unit 1 captures a subject image and outputs image data to the signal processing unit 2. The signal processing unit 2 converts image data input from the imaging unit 1 into still image data and outputs the still image data to the compression processing unit 3. The compression processing unit 3 performs compression processing on the still image data input from the signal processing unit 2 by the JPEG method to generate compressed image data.

The signal processing section 2 temporarily stores the compressed image data in the memory 7 (step S48), and the control section 5
Increments the value of the temporary storage number counter by "1" (step S49). Then, the controller 5 determines whether or not the release button has been turned off. If the release button has been turned off, the process proceeds to step S51. If not, the process returns to step S42 and returns to step S42. repeat. That is, the above-described shooting operation is continuously repeated until an operation such as releasing an instruction to stop continuous shooting, for example, releasing a shutter button, is performed by the operation input unit 4.
The compressed image data is stored in the memory 7. The number of image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the recording medium A8 is finite, and the maximum number that can be stored in each is managed by the control unit 5 as described above.

In step S51, it is determined whether or not the value of the primary storage number counter is "0". If the value of the primary storage number counter is "0", the flow is terminated, while the primary storage is stopped. If the value of the number-of-sheets count is not "0", after recording one piece of compressed image data on the recording medium A8 (step S52), the value of the temporary storage number counter is decremented by "1", and the process returns to step S51. The same processing is repeatedly executed until the value of the temporary storage number counter becomes “0”.

In step S52, the control unit 5
When the release ON is detected during the recording on the recording medium A8, the recording on the recording medium A8 is interrupted, and the process returns to the step S42. The timing when the release key is pressed while the compressed image data stored in the memory 7 is being recorded on the recording medium A8 is the same as the timing chart in FIG.

As described above, in the continuous shooting mode, the control unit 5 compares the maximum number of still image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 with the maximum number of still image data that can be stored in the memory 7. Therefore, the smaller number is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of continuously shootable images, so that the operator can know the number of times that continuous shooting can be actually performed.

In the continuous shooting mode, when the maximum number of compressed image data recordable in the memory 7 is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of continuously shootable images, the number of continuously shootable images is blinked. Therefore, the operator can know that the number of continuously shootable images is limited due to the lack of the remaining battery capacity.

Next, the operation of the digital camera having the above configuration in the still image shooting mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
9 shows a flowchart for explaining the photographing operation of the digital camera in the still image photographing mode. Display 9
Indicates the number of images that can be taken (how many times images can be taken) when still images are taken. As the number of recordable images, a small number of remaining compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the recording medium A8 is displayed.

In FIG. 8, first, in the operation input section 4, when the still image shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection key and the release button is pressed (step S6).
1) An instruction to start continuous shooting is output from the operation input unit 4 to the control unit 5.

The controller 5 determines whether or not there is a remaining capacity of the recording medium A8.
If it is determined in step S63 that there is no remaining capacity, the process proceeds to step S70.

In step S63, the controller 5 checks the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detector 6, and calculates the number of primary storable images that can be stored in the memory 7 (step S64). More specifically, the control unit 5 stores the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detection unit 6 and the ROM
Is compared with the first reference voltage stored in. The control unit 5
When the output voltage of the battery is equal to or higher than the first reference voltage, the number of pieces of compressed image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8 is set as the number of primary storages. On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 corresponding to the output voltage of the battery is calculated with reference to the memory number table. The smaller of the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the number of compressed image data that can be stored in the recording medium A8 is set as the primary storable number.

Subsequently, the control section 5 displays the number of recordable images on the display section 9 (step S65). Specifically, the control unit 5 compares the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded in the memory 7 or the recording medium A8, and displays the smaller one on the display unit 9 as the number of recordable images. Here, memory 7
Alternatively, the maximum number of pieces of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is the number when the number of pieces of compressed image data that can be recorded on the memory 7 is limited in step S64. If the number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the memory 7 is not limited, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of recordable images.

For example, if the maximum number of compressed image data recordable in the memory 7 is “3” and the maximum number of compressed image data recordable in the recording medium A8 is “4”, the memory 7 The maximum number "3" of the compressed image data that can be recorded on the display unit 9 is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of recordable images. On the other hand, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the memory 7 is “4”, and the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is “3”.
In the case of “images”, the maximum number “3” of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is set as the number of recordable images in the display unit 9.
To be displayed.

When displaying the maximum number of compressed image data recordable in the memory 7 as the number of recordable images on the display unit 9, the control unit 5 blinks the number of recordable images.

Subsequently, in step S66, the control unit 5
Determines whether or not it is possible to record the compressed image data in the memory 7 by comparing the primary storage number calculated in step S64 with the value of the primary storage number counter. Specifically, when the calculated primary storage number is larger than the value of the primary storage number counter, the memory 7
It is determined that the recording of the compressed image data into is possible. As a result of this determination, when it is determined that recording on the memory 7 is possible, the process proceeds to step S67, and when it is determined that recording on the memory 7 is not possible, the process proceeds to step S70.

That is, if the control unit 5 determines that the number of compressed image data temporarily stored in the memory 7 has reached the maximum number that can be stored in the recording medium A8 or the memory 7, the control unit 5 determines whether the still image Even if a shooting instruction is issued, the next shooting operation is not performed. The number of image data that can be stored in the memory 7 and the recording medium A8 is finite, and the maximum number that can be stored in each is managed by the control unit 5.

In step S67, the control unit 5 operates each block to start a still image photographing operation, and performs photographing of the subject and compression processing of the photographed image data. Specifically, when the still image capturing operation is started, the imaging unit 1 captures a subject image and outputs image data to the signal processing unit 2. The signal processing unit 2 converts image data input from the imaging unit 1 into still image data and outputs the still image data to the compression processing unit 3. The compression processing unit 3 performs compression processing on the still image data input from the signal processing unit 2 by the JPEG method to generate compressed image data.

Then, the signal processing section 2 temporarily stores the compressed image data in the memory 7 (step S68).
The control unit 5 increments the value of the temporary storage number counter by “1” (step S69).

In step S70, it is determined whether or not the value of the primary storage number counter is "0". If the value of the primary storage number counter is "0", the flow is terminated.
Wait for the next shooting start instruction. On the other hand, if the value of the primary storage number counter is not "0", one compressed image data is recorded from the memory 7 to the recording medium A8 (step S71), and the value of the temporary storage number counter is decremented by "1". (Step S72), and return to Step S70.
The same process is repeatedly executed until the value of the temporary storage number counter becomes “0”.

In step S71, if the release ON is detected during the recording on the recording medium A8,
The recording on the recording medium A8 is interrupted, and the process returns to step S62 to start the next still image photographing operation. The compressed image data captured and compressed in the still image photographing operation is temporarily stored in a vacant place of the memory 7, and when the storage is completed, the recording medium A8 previously stopped temporarily
Recording to is resumed. The operations of interruption, next photographing, and resuming are performed every time a still image photographing instruction is issued, and compressed image data is successively stored in the memory 7 and recorded on the recording medium A8 in the order of photographing. become.

As described above, in the still image photographing mode, the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 and the maximum number of compressed image data that can be stored in the temporary storage means are smaller. Is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of times the image can be taken from the memory 7 to the recording medium A8 even during recording, so that the operator can know the actual number of times the image can be taken from the memory 7 even during the recording to the recording medium A8. .

In the still image shooting mode, the memory 7
When the maximum number of compressed image data that can be recorded in the camera is displayed on the display unit 9 as the number of recordable images, the number of recordable images is displayed in a blinking manner, so that the operator can use the remaining battery power to perform recording while recording. It becomes possible to know that the number of times is limited.

Third Embodiment A digital camera according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the digital camera according to the third embodiment. The digital camera according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by adding an external I / F 11 to the digital camera according to the first embodiment. In the digital camera according to the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The external I / F 11 is an I / F for data communication with the outside. The control unit 5 includes the operation input unit 4 described above.
When there is a transmission instruction after selecting the image data, the selected image data is read out from the recording medium A,
/ F11 to transfer the image data to an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to the external I / F11. The operation input unit 4 can arbitrarily select a part or all of the image data recorded on the recording medium A8 as the image data to be transmitted to the external device.

The ROM of the control unit 5 stores a transmittable size table in addition to the above-described battery reset voltage and first reference voltage. This transmittable size table indicates that the recording medium A8 that can be transmitted (selectable) in the case of the output voltage of the battery (first ≦ reference voltage) and the output voltage.
Are stored in association with each other. Here, in the transmittable size table, the size of the transmittable image data is set smaller as the output voltage of the battery is lower.

When the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detector 6 is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the controller 5
With reference to the transmittable size table, the size of the transmittable (selectable) image data of the recording medium A8 corresponding to the output voltage of the battery is calculated.

Next, the operation when the digital camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 transfers image data to an external device will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the digital camera transfers image data to an external device.

Referring to FIG. 10, first, the operation input unit 4
When an arbitrary number of image data is selected from among the arbitrary image data recorded on the recording medium A8 and an instruction to transfer an image is input (step S81), the control unit 5 determines whether the selected image data has The total size (total data amount) is calculated (step S82).

Subsequently, the controller 5 controls the battery voltage detector 6
The output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detector 6 is checked (step S83), and the size of the transmittable image data is calculated based on the output voltage input from the battery voltage detector 6 (step S84).

Specifically, the control unit 5 compares the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detection unit 6 with the first reference voltage, and determines that the output voltage of the battery is equal to or less than the first reference voltage. If, the total data size of the selectable image data is limited. More specifically, when the output voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the control unit 5 refers to the transmittable size table and calculates the transmittable size corresponding to the output voltage of the battery. . On the other hand, the control unit 5
When the output voltage of the battery is higher than the first reference voltage,
The total size of image data that can be recorded on the recording medium A8 is defined as a transmittable size.

The control unit 5 determines the total size of the selected image data calculated in step S82 and step S8.
The size of the transmittable image data calculated in step 4 is compared to determine whether all the selected image data can be transmitted (step S85). If the selected image data is not transmittable, the process proceeds to step S85. In S86, the control unit 5 cancels the selected image data, and then returns to S81.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the transmission of the selected image data is possible, the flow shifts to step S87 to determine whether or not the selection of the image has been completed, and the selection of the image has been completed. If not, the process returns to step S81. On the other hand, if the selection of the image has been completed, the selected image data is transmitted to the outside one by one via the external I / F 11 (step S88). The transmission is continued until all the transmitted images are transmitted (step S89).

As described above, according to the above operation example, the control unit 5 gradually reduces the total data size of still image data that can be selected as a transmission target as the remaining battery capacity decreases. Therefore, the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, and the waste of battery energy can be reduced.

In addition, the control unit 5 includes a battery voltage detection unit 6
The remaining amount of the battery is determined based on the output voltage of the battery input from the controller. When it is determined that the battery is empty, the power of the digital camera is turned off. At this time, if the selected image data to be transmitted remains in the recording medium A8, the control unit 5 turns off the power until all the image data is transmitted.
It is necessary to wait without FF. Therefore, when the control unit 5 determines that the battery is empty, the energy for performing the transmission operation of all the selected image data to the end must remain in the battery. In the present embodiment, as the output voltage of the battery decreases, the total data size of selectable image data to be transmitted is reduced, so that the total data size of selectable image data to be transmitted is not reduced. Thus, the energy that must be left in the battery can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4) A digital camera according to Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment. The digital camera according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes a recording medium B1 for storing image data and the like in the digital camera according to the first embodiment.
0 is added. In the digital camera according to the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the digital camera according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

When a copy instruction is input after the image data stored in the recording medium A8 is selected by the operation input unit 4, the control unit 5 transmits the selected image data from the recording medium A8. The data is read and copied (recorded) to the recording medium B10. The operation input unit 4 can arbitrarily select all or a part of the image data recorded on the recording medium A8 as the image data to be copied on the recording medium B10.

In the ROM of the control unit 5, a copyable size table is stored in addition to the above-described battery reset voltage and first reference voltage. This copyable size table contains the output voltage of the battery (first ≦ reference voltage),
In the case of the output voltage, the size of the image data of the recording medium A8 that can be copied (selectable) is stored in association with the size. Here, in the copyable size table, the size of the image data that can be copied is set smaller as the output voltage of the battery is smaller.

When the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detector 6 is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the controller 5
The size of the image data of the recordable (selectable) recording medium A8 corresponding to the output voltage of the battery is calculated with reference to the copyable size table.

Next, an operation when the digital camera having the above configuration copies image data stored in the recording medium A8 to the recording medium B10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 illustrates an operation when the digital camera copies image data stored in the recording medium A8 to the recording medium B10.

Referring to FIG. 12, first, the operation input unit 4
When an arbitrary number of image data is selected from the image data recorded on the recording medium A8 and a copy instruction is input to the recording medium B10 (step S91), the control unit 5
Is the total size of the selected image data (total data amount)
Is calculated (step S92).

Subsequently, the control section 5 checks the remaining capacity of the recording medium B10 (step S93), and
If the remaining capacity of 0 is smaller than the total size (total data amount) of the selected image data, it is determined that all the selected image data cannot be copied to the recording medium B10, and the process proceeds to step S97. Then, after canceling the selected image, the process returns to step S91.

On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the recording medium B10 is equal to or larger than the total size (total data amount) of the selected image data in step S93, all the selected image data can be copied to the recording medium B10. And the process moves to step S94.

In step S94, the control unit 5 checks the output voltage input from the battery voltage detection unit 6, compares the output voltage input from the battery voltage detection unit 6 with the first reference voltage, and copies The size of the possible image data is calculated (step S95), and the process proceeds to step S96.

Specifically, the control unit 5 compares the output voltage of the battery input from the battery voltage detection unit 6 with the first reference voltage, and determines that the output voltage of the battery is equal to or less than the first reference voltage. If, the total data size of the selectable image data is limited. More specifically, when the output voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than the first reference voltage, the control unit 5 refers to the copyable size table and calculates a copyable size corresponding to the output voltage of the battery. . On the other hand, the control unit 5
When the output voltage of the battery is higher than the first reference voltage, the total size of the image data recordable on the recording medium A8 is set as the copyable size.

In step S96, the control section 5 compares the size of the image data that can be copied with the total size (total data amount) of the selected image data, and determines the size of the image data that can be copied. If it is smaller than the total size (total data amount) of the selected image data, it is determined that all the selected image data cannot be copied to the recording medium B10, and the process shifts to step S97 to copy the selected image data. After the cancellation, the process returns to step S91.

On the other hand, in step S96, if the size of the copyable image data is smaller than the total size (total data amount) of the selected image data, all the selected image data is copied to the recording medium B10. It is determined that the selection is possible, and the process proceeds to step S98 to determine whether or not the selection of the image has been completed. If the selection of the image has not been completed, the process returns to step S91, while the selection of the image has been completed. In this case, the selected image data of the recording medium A is copied one by one to the recording medium B (step S99), and the copying operation is continued until all the selected images are copied (step S100).

As described above, according to the above operation example, the control unit 5 reduces the total data size of still image data that can be selected as a copy target step by step as the remaining battery capacity decreases. Therefore, the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, and the waste of battery energy can be reduced.

In addition, the control unit 5 controls the battery voltage detection unit 6
The remaining amount of the battery is determined based on the output voltage of the battery input from the controller. When it is determined that the battery is empty, the power of the digital camera is turned off. At this time, when the selected image data to be copied remains on the recording medium A8, the control unit 5 needs to wait without transmitting power to wait until all the image data is transmitted. Therefore, when the control unit 5 determines that the battery is empty, the energy for performing the copying operation of all the selected image data to the end must remain in the battery. In the present embodiment,
As the output voltage of the battery decreases, the total data size of image data that can be selected as a copy target is reduced, so it must be left in the battery compared to the case where the total data size of selectable image data is not reduced Energy can be reduced.

In the image input method according to the first to fourth embodiments, a program prepared in advance may be executed by a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program includes hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM,
It is executed by being read from a computer-readable recording medium such as an MO or a DVD. Further, this program can be distributed via the recording medium and as a transmission medium via a network such as the Internet.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be carried out with appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, an example in which the image input device according to the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to a portable information terminal device such as a PDA. It is possible.

[0151]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image input means captures a subject and inputs image data, and the storage means stores the image data input by the image input means. Is temporarily stored in plural pieces, and the recording medium is
The image data stored in the storage unit is stored, the shooting mode selection unit specifies a shooting mode, the shooting operation instruction unit inputs a shooting instruction, and the battery supplies power to each unit of the image input device, and performs detection. The means detects an output voltage of the battery, and the control means controls the storage means based on the output voltage detected by the detection means to compensate for an operation of storing all image data stored in the storage means on a recording medium. The number of image data that can be temporarily stored in the storage unit is gradually reduced as the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, and the Can be reduced, and the energy of the battery can be prevented from being wasted as much as possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the output voltage detected by the detection means is equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the control means outputs the output detected by the detection means. Based on the voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage unit is limited in a stepwise manner.
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, when the output voltage of the battery becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage means can be limited stepwise.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the continuous shooting mode is designated by the shooting mode selecting means, the photographing operation instructing means is used to take a picture. While the instruction is being input, the image data is sequentially captured by the image input unit, stored in the storage unit, and when the imaging instruction is completed by the imaging operation instruction unit,
Since all the image data stored in the storage means is stored in the recording medium, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the energy of the battery is wasted in the continuous shooting mode. Can be prevented as much as possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the first calculating means detects the remaining capacity of the recording medium and sets the maximum number of newly storable image data. The second calculation means calculates the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means based on the output voltage, and the continuous photographable number determination means calculates the recording number calculated by the first calculation means. The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the medium;
The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the calculation unit is compared, the smaller one is determined as the number of continuously shootable images in the continuous shooting mode, and the display control unit is determined. Since the number of continuously shootable images is displayed on the display means, the number of continuously shootable images can be notified to the user, and the operator can know the actual number of times of shooting even during recording.

The invention according to claim 5 relates to claim 4
In the invention according to the invention, the display control means blinks the number of continuously shootable images when displaying the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means as the number of continuously shootable images on the display means. is there. According to the above invention, when the display control means displays the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means on the display means as the continuously shootable number, the display control means blinks the continuous shootable number. In addition to the effects of the invention according to claim 4, the operator can know that the number of continuously shootable images is limited by the remaining capacity of the battery and also can know the remaining amount of the battery.

According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 1, in the still image photographing mode,
Each time a photographing instruction is input from the photographing instruction input means, image data is photographed by the image input means and stored in the storage means,
When a still image recording operation for storing the image data stored in the storage unit on the recording medium is performed, and a shooting instruction is input from the shooting instruction input unit while the image data stored in the storage unit is being stored on the recording medium, Interrupting the operation of storing the image data stored in the storage means on the recording medium, photographing the image data with the image input means, storing the image data in the storage means, and storing the image data stored in the storage means. Since the storage in the recording medium is restarted, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the waste of the battery energy in the continuous shooting mode is prevented as much as possible. It becomes possible.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 6, the first calculating means detects the remaining capacity of the recording medium and sets the maximum number of image data which can be newly stored. The second calculation means calculates the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means based on the output voltage. The maximum number of image data that can be stored in the
Comparing the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the calculation unit, and determines the smaller one as the number of shootable images in the still image shooting mode, and the display control unit determines the number of shootable images. The number of images that can be shot determined by the means is displayed on the display means, and the user is notified of the number of images that can be shot in the still image shooting mode, so that the number of images that can be shot continuously can be notified to the user, The operator can know the actual number of times that shooting can be performed even during recording.

According to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7, the display control means displays the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means on the display means as the number of storable images. In addition, since the number of shootable images is blinked, the operator can know that the number of continuously shootable images is limited by the remaining capacity of the battery. You can know the remaining amount.

Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the image input means captures a subject and inputs image data.
The selection unit selects one or a plurality of image data to be transmitted to an external device from the image data stored in the recording medium, and the detection unit detects an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit, The control means communicates the image data selected by the selection means stored in the recording medium when the transmission of the image data selected by the selection means to the external device is instructed by the operation instruction input means. The remaining capacity of the battery is reduced by limiting the total data size of the image data selectable by the selecting means in a stepwise manner based on the output voltage of the battery while controlling the transmission to the external device via the means. , The total size of the image data that can be transmitted in stages is reduced, and the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, and the energy of the battery is prevented from being wasted as much as possible. It can become.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
The image input means captures a subject and inputs image data,
The selecting means selects one or a plurality of image data to be copied to the second recording medium from the image data stored in the first recording medium, and the detecting means includes a battery for supplying power to each unit. When the operation instruction unit instructs the operation instruction unit to copy the image data selected by the selection unit to the second recording medium, the control unit stores the image data in the first recording medium. While controlling to copy the image data selected by the selection unit to the second recording medium, the total data size of the image data selectable by the selection unit is limited stepwise based on the output voltage of the detection unit. As a result, as the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, the total size of the image data that can be copied stepwise can be reduced, and the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, thereby wasting battery energy. of It is possible to prevent as much as possible.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the image data stored in the storage means is compression-processed image data according to any one of claims 1 to 10. In addition to the effects described above, the memory capacity of the storage means can be reduced, and the memory capacity of the storage means can be reduced.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention,
A digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 11
Since the image input device described above is applied, in a digital camera, it is possible to prevent the energy of the battery from being wasted as much as possible.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
The portable information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
Since the image input device described above is applied, in the portable information terminal device, it is possible to prevent the energy of the battery from being wasted as much as possible.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
Set the continuous shooting mode to continuously shoot the subject, input a shooting instruction, detect the output voltage of the battery that supplies power to each unit, and store all the image data stored in the storage unit on the recording medium Based on the detected output voltage, the number of pieces of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is calculated and set based on the detected output voltage, a subject is photographed, and image data is input.
The input image data is stored in the storage means, and it is determined whether or not the photographing instruction has been completed. If the photographing instruction has not been completed, the still image photographing operation is repeated while the photographing instruction has been completed. If so, all image data stored in the storage means is stored in the recording medium,
As the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, the number of pieces of image data that can be temporarily stored in the storage means is reduced in stages, so that the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, and battery energy is wasted. Can be prevented as much as possible.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 14, when the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage unit is limited stepwise based on the detected output voltage. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, when the output voltage of the battery becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage means can be limited stepwise.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 15, the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium is calculated, and based on the output voltage,
Calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit, and calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium;
Compare the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means, determine the smaller one as the number of continuous shots, and display the determined number of continuous shots on the display means,
Since the number of continuously shootable images is notified to the user, the number of continuously shootable images can be notified to the user, and the operator can know the actual number of times of shooting even during recording.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixteenth aspect, when the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means is displayed as the number of continuously shootable images, the number of continuously shootable images is reduced. Since it was decided to blink,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 16, the operator can know that the number of continuously shootable images is limited by the remaining capacity of the battery and also can know the remaining amount of the battery.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention,
To set a still image shooting mode, input a shooting instruction, detect an output voltage of a battery that supplies power to each unit, and compensate for an operation of storing all image data stored in a storage unit on a recording medium, Based on the detected output voltage, the number of image data that can be stored in the storage means is calculated and set, a subject is photographed, image data is input, the input image data is stored in the storage means, and the storage means When the stored image data is stored in a recording medium, and when the image data stored in the storage means is stored in the recording medium, it is determined whether or not a photographing instruction has been input. When the input is input, the storage of the image data stored in the storage means on the storage medium is interrupted, and still image shooting is performed. Temporarily memorable By reducing the number of image data, and reducing the voltage to determine the battery that it is empty. As the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, the total size of the image data that can be copied step by step can be reduced, and the voltage at which the battery is judged to be empty can be reduced, thereby saving battery energy. This can be prevented as far as possible.

Further, according to the nineteenth aspect,
In the case where the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage means is limited stepwise based on the detected output voltage.
In addition to the effects of the present invention, when the output voltage of the battery becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the number of pieces of image data stored in the storage means can be limited stepwise.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 19, the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium is calculated, and based on the output voltage,
Calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit, and calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium;
By comparing the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit, the smaller one is determined as the number of recordable images, and the determined number of recordable images is displayed on the display unit.
The number of images that can be taken can be notified to the user, and the operator can know the actual number of times that images can be taken even during recording.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention,
According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, when the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means is displayed as the number of images that can be shot, the number of shots that can be flashed can be displayed. In addition, the operator can know that the number of continuously shootable images is limited by the remaining capacity of the battery and can know the remaining amount of the battery.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention,
In the inventions according to the fourteenth to twenty-first aspects, by storing compressed image data in the storage means, the amount of data stored in the storage means can be reduced. In addition to the effects of any one of the aspects of the invention, the memory capacity of the storage means can be reduced.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention,
One or a plurality of image data to be transmitted to the external device is selected from the image data stored in the recording medium, and when transmission of the selected image data to the external device is instructed, the image data is stored in the recording medium. The selected image data is transmitted to an external device via a communication unit, an output voltage of a battery that supplies power to each unit is detected, and based on the output voltage, image data stored in a recording medium is detected. Of the image data selectable as images to be sent to the external device, the total data size of image data that can be transmitted in a stepwise manner as the remaining capacity of the battery decreases. By reducing the size, the voltage at which the battery is determined to be empty can be reduced, and the energy of the battery can be prevented from being wasted as much as possible.

Further, according to the invention of claim 24,
One or a plurality of image data to be copied to the second recording medium is selected from the image data stored in the first recording medium, and copying of the selected image data to the second recording medium is selected. In this case, the selected image data stored in the first recording medium is stored in the second recording medium, the output voltage of a battery that supplies power to each unit is detected, and based on the output voltage, By limiting the total data size of image data that can be selected as image data to be copied to the second recording medium among the image data stored in the first recording medium, the remaining battery capacity of the battery is gradually reduced. As the battery power becomes smaller, the total size of the image data that can be transmitted in stages is reduced, and the voltage at which the battery is judged to be empty can be lowered, thereby preventing battery energy from being wasted as much as possible. It is possible to It made.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention,
By executing a program stored in a recording medium by a computer, each step of the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 24 is realized. As the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, the number of still image data that can be temporarily stored in the memory is gradually reduced, so the voltage at which the battery is judged to be empty is reduced. It is possible to prevent the energy of the battery from being wasted as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a voltage characteristic of the battery of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a shooting operation in a continuous shooting mode of the digital camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of a continuous shooting mode of the digital camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation in a still image shooting mode of the digital camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a shooting operation in a continuous shooting mode of the digital camera in FIG. 6;

8 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation of the digital camera in FIG. 7 in a still image shooting mode.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the digital camera in FIG. 9 transfers image data to an external device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the digital camera in FIG. 11 copies image data stored in a recording medium to another recording medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 imaging unit 2 signal processing unit 3 compression processing unit 4 operation input unit 5 control unit 6 battery voltage detection unit 7 memory 8 recording medium A 9 display unit 10 recording medium B 11 external I / F 20 battery unit 30 bus

Claims (25)

[Claims] An image input unit for photographing a subject and inputting image data; a storage unit capable of temporarily storing a plurality of image data input by the image input unit; A storage medium for storing captured image data, a shooting mode selection unit for specifying a shooting mode, a shooting operation instruction unit for inputting a shooting operation instruction, a battery for supplying power to each unit, and the battery Detection means for detecting the output voltage of the storage means, and the storage means based on the output voltage detected by the detection means to compensate for the operation of storing all the image data stored in the storage means in the recording medium. Control means for limiting the number of pieces of image data to be stored stepwise in the image input device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to, when the output voltage detected by the detection unit is equal to or less than a reference voltage, store the number of image data stored in the storage unit based on the output voltage detected by the detection unit. 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image input device is limited in a stepwise manner. 3. When a continuous shooting mode is designated by the shooting mode selecting means, image data is sequentially shot by the image input means while a shooting instruction is input by the shooting operation instruction means. The image data stored in the storage means is stored in the storage medium, and when the shooting instruction is completed by the shooting operation instruction means, all image data stored in the storage means is stored in the storage medium. 1 or Claim 2
An image input device according to claim 1. 4. A first means for displaying information or the like, wherein the control means detects a remaining capacity of the recording medium and calculates a maximum number of newly storable image data. Calculating means, second calculating means for calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means based on the output voltage, and storing in the recording medium calculated by the first calculating means By comparing the maximum number of image data with the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the second calculation unit, the smaller one is set as the number of continuously shootable images in the continuous shooting mode. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: determining a number of continuously shootable images to be determined; and display control means for displaying the number of continuously shootable images determined by the number of continuously shootable images on the display unit. Image input device. 5. The display control means according to claim 1, wherein when the maximum number of image data storable in the storage means is displayed on the display means as the continuous shootable number, the continuous shootable number is blinked. The image input device according to claim 4, wherein 6. When a still image photographing mode is selected by the photographing mode selecting means, every time a photographing instruction is input from the photographing instruction inputting means, image data is photographed by the image inputting means. While performing a still image recording operation of storing the image data stored in the storage unit and storing the image data stored in the storage unit in the storage medium, the image capturing is performed while the image data stored in the storage unit is stored in the storage medium. When a photographing instruction is input from the operation instruction means, the operation of storing the image data stored in the storage means on a recording medium is interrupted, and the image data is photographed by the image input means. 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein after the image data is stored in the storage unit, the storage of the image data stored in the storage unit on the recording medium is restarted. 7. A first means for displaying information and the like, wherein the control means detects a remaining capacity of the recording medium and calculates a maximum number of image data which can be newly stored. Calculating means, second calculating means for calculating the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means based on the output voltage, and storing in the recording medium calculated by the first calculating means By comparing the maximum number of image data with the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit calculated by the second calculation unit, the smaller one is set as the number of recordable images in the still image shooting mode. 7. The image input apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a photographable number determining unit to be determined; and a display control unit for displaying the photographable number determined by the photographable number determining unit on the display unit. . 8. The display control means, when displaying the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage means as the number of shootable images on the display means, blinks the number of shootable images. The image input device according to claim 7. 9. An image input means for photographing a subject and inputting image data, a recording medium for storing image data, an operation instruction input means for inputting operation instructions, and performing data communication with an external device. Communication means for; selecting means for selecting one or more image data to be transmitted to the external device from the image data stored in the recording medium; and a battery for supplying power to each unit; Detecting means for detecting the output voltage of the battery; and when the operation instruction input means instructs transmission of the image data selected by the selecting means to the external device, the image data is stored in the recording medium. While controlling the image data selected by the selecting means to be transmitted to the external device via the communication means, while controlling the selection based on the output voltage detected by the detecting means. An image input apparatus characterized by comprising: a control means for limiting the total data size of the image data can be selected at stage stepwise, the. 10. Image input means for photographing a subject and inputting image data, first and second recording media for storing image data, operation instruction input means for inputting operation instructions, Selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of image data to be copied among the image data stored in the first recording medium; a battery for supplying power to each unit; and an output voltage of the battery. Detecting means for detecting, and when the operation instructing means instructs copying of the image data selected by the selecting means to the second recording medium, the image data stored in the first recording medium is stored. While controlling the image data selected by the selection means to be copied to the second recording medium, the total data size of the image data selectable by the selection means is determined based on the output voltage of the detection means. An image input device, comprising: a control unit that performs stepwise restriction. 11. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image data stored in the storage unit is image data that has been subjected to a compression process. 12. A digital camera to which the image input device according to claim 1 is applied. 13. A portable information terminal device to which the image input device according to claim 1 is applied. 14. A first step for setting a continuous shooting mode for continuously shooting a subject, a second step for inputting a shooting instruction, and detecting an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit. A third step of calculating the number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit based on the detected output voltage in order to compensate for an operation of storing all image data stored in the storage unit on a storage medium. A fifth step of photographing a subject and inputting image data, and a sixth step of storing the input image data in the storage means.
And determining whether or not the photographing instruction has been completed. If the photographing instruction has not been completed, the third to sixth steps are repeated, while the photographing instruction has been completed. And a seventh step of storing all image data stored in the storage means in the recording medium. 15. In the fourth step, when the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than a reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage means is increased stepwise based on the detected output voltage. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
4. The image input method according to 4. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein the fourth step is a step of calculating a maximum number of image data that can be newly stored in the recording medium; Calculating a maximum number; comparing the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium with the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit; 16. The image input device according to claim 14, further comprising: determining a smaller one as the number of continuously shootable images; and displaying the determined number of continuously shootable images on a display unit. Method. 17. The display step, wherein when the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is displayed as the number of continuously shootable images, the number of continuously shootable images is flashed. 16. The image input method according to item 16. 18. A first step of setting a still image photographing mode, a second step of inputting a photographing instruction, a third step of detecting an output voltage of a battery for supplying power to each unit, and storage. A fourth step of calculating and setting the number of image data that can be stored in the storage means based on the detected output voltage so as to compensate for the operation of storing all the image data stored in the means in the recording medium. A fifth step of photographing a subject and inputting image data, and a sixth step of storing the input image data in the storage means.
And a seventh step of storing the image data stored in the storage means on a recording medium. When the image data stored in the storage means is stored on the recording medium, It is determined whether or not the image data has been input, and if an instruction for photographing has been input, the storage of the image data stored in the storage unit in the storage medium is interrupted, and the third to seventh image data are interrupted. 8. An image input method, comprising: an eighth step of repeating steps. 19. In the fourth step, when the detected output voltage is equal to or lower than a reference voltage, the number of image data to be stored in the storage means is increased stepwise based on the detected output voltage. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
8. The image input method according to 8. 20. In the fourth step, a step of calculating a maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium; and a step of calculating a maximum number of image data that can be newly stored in the storage unit based on the output voltage. Calculating the number, comparing the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the recording medium with the calculated maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit, and 20. The image input method according to claim 19, further comprising: a step of determining the number as the number of shootable images; and a displaying step of displaying the determined number of shootable images on a display unit. 21. The display method according to claim 20, wherein in the displaying step, when the maximum number of image data that can be stored in the storage unit is displayed as the number of shootable images, the number of shootable images is blinked. Image input method described. 22. The image input method according to claim 14, wherein the image data stored in the storage unit is image data subjected to a compression process. 23. A step of selecting one or a plurality of image data to be transmitted to an external device from image data stored in a recording medium, and instructing transmission of the selected image data to the external device. In this case, transmitting the selected image data stored in the recording medium to the external device via the communication unit, and detecting an output voltage of a battery that supplies power to each unit, Based on the output voltage, among the image data stored in the recording medium, stepwise limiting the total data size of image data that can be selected as an image to be sent to the external device. Characteristic image input method. 24. A step of selecting one or a plurality of image data to be copied to a second recording medium from the image data stored on the first recording medium; and a step of selecting the second image data of the selected image data. When the copy to the recording medium is instructed, the selected image data stored in the first recording medium is replaced with the second image data.
Storing an output voltage of a battery that supplies power to each unit, and based on the output voltage, among the image data stored in the first recording medium, the second recording A step of limiting the total data size of image data selectable as image data to be copied to a medium in a stepwise manner. 25. Any one of claims 14 to 24.
A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the first aspect of the present invention.