Image recording device and image recording method

Abstract

To provide an image recording device and image recording method capable of appropriately managing data recorded during a pre-recording period on a non-volatile recording device.SOLUTION: The image recording device is capable of pre-recording, which begins recording images captured by an imaging unit prior to the start of actual recording. The image recording device performs pre-recording onto the non-volatile recording device used for actual recording. If the conditions for starting actual recording are met during the execution of pre-recording, the device begins actual recording of the image captured by the imaging unit onto the recording device. Furthermore, the image recording device records management information containing data indicating the recording status of the image onto the recording device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method. [Background technology]

[0002] In image recording devices such as digital cameras, a function (pre-recording function) is known that prevents failure of intended image recording due to a delay in the recording instruction by starting recording before waiting for a recording instruction from the user (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-257976 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The longer the period during which images are recorded using the pre-recording function (hereinafter referred to as the pre-recording period), the greater the convenience for users. By recording the data during the pre-recording period in a larger-capacity non-volatile recording device used as the image recording destination instead of storing it in the built-in memory (RAM), the length of the pre-recording period can be made independent of the capacity of the built-in memory.

[0005] On the other hand, when recording data from the pre-recording period in a non-volatile recording device, data management is required to prevent unnecessary pre-recording data from remaining in the recording device, but such a data management method has not been proposed.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional technology, and in one aspect, the present invention provides an image recording device and an image recording method that are capable of appropriately managing data recorded in a pre-recording period in a non-volatile recording device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention provides an image recording device capable of pre-recording, which starts recording of an image captured by an imaging unit prior to the start of actual recording, characterized in that the image recording device has a pre-recording processing means for performing pre-recording on a non-volatile recording device used for actual recording, an actual recording processing means for starting actual recording of the image captured by the imaging unit on the recording device when a start condition for actual recording is satisfied during the execution of pre-recording, and a recording means for recording management information including information indicating the recording status of the image on the recording device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an image recording device and an image recording method are provided that are capable of appropriately managing data recorded in a non-volatile recording device during a pre-recording period. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] Flowchart of recording control operation according to an embodiment [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining data recovery processing in an embodiment. [Figure 4] Flowchart for data recovery operation according to an embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of them are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] In the following embodiments, the present invention will be described with reference to a digital camera. However, the present invention can be implemented in any electronic device with an imaging function. Such electronic devices include video cameras, computer devices (personal computers, tablet computers, media players, PDAs, etc.), mobile phones, smartphones, game consoles, robots, drones, and drive recorders. These are merely examples, and the present invention can also be implemented in other electronic devices.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a digital camera 100 as an example of an image recording device according to this embodiment. The bus 101 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, and enables commands and data to be communicated between the connected functional blocks.

[0013] The CPU 102 loads a program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 104 and executes it to control the operation of each functional block of the digital camera 100 and realize the functions of the digital camera 100 .

[0014] The ROM 103 is a rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores the programs executed by the CPU 102, various setting values ​​for the digital camera 100, GUI data, and the like.

[0015] The RAM 104 is a volatile memory that is used to temporarily store information necessary for executing the programs, such as programs executed by the CPU 102, and variables, etc. The RAM 104 is also used as a buffer memory for image data, a video memory for a display unit (not shown), etc.

[0016] The operation unit 105 is a general term for input devices (buttons, switches, dials, etc.) provided for the user to input various instructions to the digital camera 100. The input devices constituting the operation unit 105 are named according to the functions assigned to them. For example, the operation unit 105 includes a release switch, a shooting mode selection dial for selecting a shooting mode, a menu button, directional keys, an enter key, etc. The input devices may also be software buttons or keys using a touch display. The operation unit 105 may also include input devices compatible with non-contact input methods such as voice input or eye-gaze input.

[0017] The operation control unit 106 detects that the user has operated the operation unit 105, and notifies the CPU 102 of the detected operation.

[0018] In this embodiment, the digital camera 100 has a still image mode and a video mode, which can be switched using the operation unit 105. In the still image mode, the CPU 102 recognizes a half-pressed state of the release switch as an instruction to prepare for shooting, and a full-pressed state as an instruction to start shooting. In the video mode, the CPU 102 recognizes operation of the release switch in the shooting standby state as an instruction to start recording a video. Furthermore, the CPU 102 recognizes operation of the release switch during video recording and in a state where no operation of the release switch has been detected as an instruction to stop recording a video. In the video shooting mode, the CPU 102 does not distinguish between a half-pressed state and a full-pressed state of the release switch, regarding both as operation of the release switch.

[0019] Note that operation unit 105 may have a movie recording switch separate from the release switch. In this case, digital camera 100 records still images or movies depending on the switch operated while in shooting standby mode. Specifically, CPU 102 recognizes the half-pressed state of the release switch as an instruction to prepare for still image shooting, and the full-pressed state as an instruction to start shooting still images. CPU 102 also recognizes operation of the movie recording switch while in shooting standby mode as an instruction to start movie recording, and operation of the movie recording switch while movie recording is in progress as an instruction to stop movie recording.

[0020] The recording medium 107 is a removable, non-volatile recording medium such as a memory card. The recording medium 107 is generally used for actual recording, not for pre-recording. However, in this embodiment, still image and video data generated by the digital camera 100 is recorded on the recording medium 107 during both pre-recording and actual recording. Note that the recording medium 107 may also be an external non-volatile recording medium (e.g., HDD, SSD, etc.) accessible by the digital camera 100.

[0021] In this specification, the term "recording data" refers to data used for recording (i.e., data before recording), and the term "recorded data" refers to data in a state recorded on a recording medium or the like (i.e., data after recording).

[0022] The recording medium control unit 108 controls reading and writing of data from and to the recording medium 107. Specifically, when the recording medium control unit 108 receives a read command from the request source, it reads the data to be read that is recorded on the recording medium 107 and stores it in RAM 104. Furthermore, when the recording medium control unit 108 receives a write command from the request source, it writes the data to be written that is stored in RAM 104 to the recording medium 107.

[0023] Furthermore, upon receiving a deletion command from the requestor, the recording medium control unit 108 deletes the data recorded on the recording medium 107. Deleting the data may involve writing data of a specific value, or may involve changing the management information of the data so that it appears as if the data has been deleted. The recording medium control unit 108 notifies the requestor of the completion of reading or writing the data in accordance with the command. The requestor may be, for example, any of the CPU 102, the pre-recording processing unit 109, the actual recording processing unit 110, the front cut unit 112, the management information storage unit 113, and the pre-recorded data editing unit 114.

[0024] As part of the management process for the recording medium to be controlled, the recording medium control unit 108 monitors the free space on the recording medium 107. In response to requests from the CPU 102, the pre-recording processing unit 109, the actual recording processing unit 110, etc., the recording medium control unit 108 notifies the CPU 102, the pre-recording processing unit 109, the actual recording processing unit 110, the front cut unit 112, etc. when the recording medium 107 reaches a predetermined state, such as when the free space on the recording medium 107 has run out.

[0025] The imaging optical system 115 forms an optical image of a subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor 116. The imaging optical system 115 has movable lenses such as a focus lens that adjusts the focal length and a zoom lens that changes the angle of view, an aperture with a variable aperture, and drive mechanisms for the movable lens and the aperture. The operations of the movable lens and the aperture are controlled by the CPU 102.

[0026] The image sensor 116 (image capturing unit) may be, for example, a known CCD or CMOS color image sensor with a primary color Bayer array color filter. The image sensor 116 has a pixel array in which multiple pixels are arranged two-dimensionally, and peripheral circuits for reading out signals from each pixel. Each pixel generates an electric charge according to the amount of incident light using a photoelectric conversion function. By reading out from each pixel a signal having a voltage according to the amount of electric charge generated during the exposure period, a group of pixel signals (analog image signals) representing an optical image of a subject formed on the imaging surface is obtained. The image sensor 116 A / D converts the analog image signal to generate a digital image signal (image data), which is then stored in the RAM 104. Note that the A / D conversion may be performed by a circuit external to the image sensor 116.

[0027] The CPU 102 applies predetermined image processing to image data stored in the RAM 104 to generate signals and image data according to the intended use, and acquires and / or generates various types of information. The CPU 102 stores the generated image data in the RAM 104 according to the intended use. The CPU 102 also controls the operations of other functional blocks using the acquired information.

[0028] The image processing applied by the CPU 102 can include, for example, pre-processing, color interpolation processing, correction processing, detection processing, data processing, evaluation value calculation processing, special effect processing, and the like. Pre-processing may include signal amplification, reference level adjustment, defective pixel correction, etc. Color interpolation, also known as demosaicing, is performed when the image sensor is equipped with a color filter, and is a process of interpolating the values ​​of color components that are not included in the individual pixel data that make up the image data. The correction processing may include white balance adjustment, tone correction, correction of image degradation caused by optical aberration of the imaging optical system 115 (image restoration), correction of the effects of vignetting of the imaging optical system 115, color correction, and the like. The detection process may include detection of characteristic regions (for example, face regions or human body regions) and their movements, person recognition processing, and the like. Data processing can include processes such as area extraction (trimming), compositing, scaling, encoding and decoding, header information generation (data file generation), etc. Data processing also includes the generation of image data for display or image data for recording. The evaluation value calculation process can include processes such as generating signals and evaluation values ​​used in autofocus (AF) detection, and generating evaluation values ​​used in automatic exposure control (AE). Special effect processing can include adding a blur effect, changing color tones, relighting, and the like. Note that these are examples of processes that can be applied by the CPU 102, and do not limit the processes that can be applied by the CPU 102. Note that at least a part of the image processing may be applied using a hardware circuit separate from the CPU 102. The hardware circuit may be, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0029] The CPU 102 uses the evaluation value for AF to drive the focus lens of the imaging optical system 115, thereby adjusting the focal length of the imaging optical system 115. The CPU 102 also determines exposure conditions using the evaluation value for AE, and drives the aperture of the imaging optical system 115 according to the aperture value included in the exposure conditions.

[0030] The pre-recording processing unit 109, actual recording processing unit 110, pre-recording start position calculation unit 111, front cut unit 112, management information storage unit 113, and pre-recording data editing unit 114 are functional blocks that perform operations related to pre-recording and actual recording. Although these functional blocks 109 to 114 are illustrated as separate functional blocks for convenience, they do not need to be implemented as individual circuits. For example, one or more of the functional blocks 109 to 112 may be realized by the CPU 102 executing a program.

[0031] When pre-recording is enabled and the CPU 102 detects that the start conditions for pre-recording have been met, it controls the operation of each component to start pre-recording. The user can enable / disable pre-recording by operating a menu screen via the operation unit 105, for example. The start condition for pre-recording may be, for example, a standby state for video recording (a state in which a recording start command can be input) in video mode. Alternatively, in still image mode, the start condition may be that the release switch has been detected to be half-pressed rather than fully pressed for a certain period of time. Note that these are only examples of the start conditions for pre-recording, and other conditions may also be used.

[0032] Pre-recording is a function that starts recording before a recording start command is input by the user. Pre-recording is executed from the time when the start condition is satisfied until the recording start command is input (or until just before the actual recording starts). Then, of the pre-recorded data (pre-recorded data), data for a certain period (pre-recording period) just before the recording start command is input (or just before the actual recording starts) is saved in association with the data recorded in response to the input of the recording start command (actually recorded data).

[0033] Regardless of the length of the period during which pre-recording is performed, the length (period) of the pre-recording data stored in association with the actual recording data is constant. Specifically, the pre-recording data for a period going back the length of the pre-recording period from the input of the recording start instruction as the starting point is stored in association with the actual recording data. The length of the pre-recording period can be set by the user, for example, by operating the menu screen via the operation unit 105. In both the moving image mode and the still image mode, pre-recording is performed at a frame rate according to a predetermined setting.

[0034] The pre-recorded data and the actual recording data can be associated with each other in any manner. For example, the files may be associated by associating the file names of the actual recording data with the file names of the pre-recorded data, or by recording file identification information (e.g., the file name) of the pre-recorded data in the file of the actual recording data. Alternatively, the files may be associated by recording the file of the actual recording data and the file of the pre-recorded data in the same folder. Furthermore, in the moving image mode, the pre-recorded data and the actual recording data may be combined to form continuous data, or the pre-recorded data and the actual recording data may be continuously recorded in the same data file.

[0035] Pre-recording is a function that starts recording before an instruction to start actual recording is input. Therefore, the image capture and recording operations during pre-recording may be the same as those during actual recording. However, in still image mode, even if a mechanical shutter is set to be used during actual recording, images may be captured during pre-recording without using the mechanical shutter so as not to affect the live view display during pre-recording.

[0036] When the CPU 102 detects that the pre-recording start condition has been satisfied in the imaging standby state, it changes imaging parameters as necessary and then starts generating pre-recording data. The CPU 102 stores the generated pre-recording data in the RAM 104. The CPU 102 also notifies the pre-recording processing unit 109 of the start of pre-recording.

[0037] When the pre-recording processor 109 is notified by the CPU 102 of the start of pre-recording, it sends a write command to the recording medium control unit 108 and starts writing the pre-recording data stored in the RAM 104 to the recording medium 107. The pre-recording processor 109 sends a write command, for example, each time a write unit of data is stored in the RAM 104. By sequentially recording the pre-recording data stored in the RAM 104 to the recording medium 107 in this manner, the pre-recording processor 109 prevents the capacity of the RAM 104 used as a buffer for the pre-recording data from exceeding a predetermined capacity. The pre-recording processor 109 also notifies the management information storage unit 113 that pre-recording has started. The pre-recording processor 109 may also notify the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 and the front cut unit 112 of information regarding the start position of pre-recording (e.g., frame number, timestamp, etc.).

[0038] When the CPU 102 detects that the conditions for starting actual recording have been met while pre-recording is being performed, it notifies the pre-recording processing unit 109 and the actual recording processing unit 110 of the start of actual recording. The conditions for starting actual recording may be, for example, detection of a release switch operation during pre-recording in video mode, or detection of a fully pressed state of the release switch in still image mode. Note that these are examples of conditions for starting actual recording, and other conditions may also be used.

[0039] Furthermore, when the CPU 102 detects that the conditions for starting actual recording have been satisfied, it ends the generation of pre-recorded data with the current frame. After changing parameters related to image capture as necessary, the CPU 102 starts the operation of generating actual recording data and stores the generated actual recording data in the RAM 104. In moving image mode, the operation of generating pre-recorded data may be continued and executed as the operation of generating actual recording data from the next frame. In this case, the pre-recorded moving image data and the actually recorded moving image data have consecutive frame numbers.

[0040] When the pre-recording processing unit 109 is notified of the start of actual recording by the CPU 102 during pre-recording, it notifies information capable of identifying the start position of actual recording (for example, identification information of the last frame of the pre-recording data) to the actual recording processing unit 110 and the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111. When the pre-recording processing unit 109 records the last frame of the pre-recording data on the recording medium 107, it stops operating.

[0041] When the actual recording processing unit 110 is notified by the CPU 102 of the start of actual recording, it sends a write command to the recording medium control unit 108 and starts writing the data for actual recording stored in the RAM 104 to the recording medium 107. The actual recording processing unit 110 starts actual recording from the recording start position on the recording medium 107, which is specified based on the information notified by the pre-recording processing unit 109. Like the pre-recording processing unit 109, the actual recording processing unit 110 sends a write command to the recording medium control unit 108, for example, every time a write unit of data is stored in the RAM 104. The actual recording processing unit 110 notifies the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 of information regarding the start position of actual recording (for example, the frame number and timestamp when actual recording started). The actual recording processing unit 110 also notifies the management information storage unit 113 of information regarding the start position of actual recording and / or that actual recording has started.

[0042] When the CPU 102 detects that the actual recording stop condition has been met, it controls the operation of each component to stop the actual recording. The actual recording stop condition may be the detection of a stop instruction, for example, the detection of a release switch operation during actual recording in video mode, or the loss of detection of the release switch being fully pressed in still image mode. Note that these are examples of the actual recording stop condition, and other conditions may also be met.

[0043] When the CPU 102 detects that the actual recording stop condition has been satisfied, it stops creating actual recording data with the current frame, and notifies the actual recording processing unit 110 of the stop of actual recording.

[0044] When the actual recording processing unit 110 is notified by the CPU 102 to stop actual recording, it stops operation after recording the actual recording data for the current frame onto the recording medium 107. In addition, the actual recording processing unit 110 notifies the management information storage unit 113 that actual recording has stopped.

[0045] When the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 is notified of information regarding the start position of actual recording from the actual recording processing unit 110, it obtains information regarding the recording start position of pre-recording data corresponding to the pre-recording period, which is to be stored in association with the actual recording data. The information regarding the recording start position of pre-recording data corresponding to the pre-recording period may be a frame number, a timestamp, or the like corresponding to the start timing of the pre-recording period. The pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 can notify the obtained information to the pre-recording processing unit 109, the front cut unit 112, the management information storage unit 113, etc.

[0046] The pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 calculates the number of frames corresponding to a predetermined pre-recording period, for example, based on the pre-recording frame rate.The pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 then subtracts the calculated number of frames from the frame number at which actual recording started, thereby obtaining the frame number corresponding to the recording start position of the pre-recording data corresponding to the pre-recording period.Alternatively, the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 can calculate the timestamp corresponding to the recording start position of the pre-recording data corresponding to the pre-recording period by subtracting the pre-recording time from the timestamp corresponding to the start position of actual recording.

[0047] The front cutting unit 112 deletes data other than that in the pre-recording period from the pre-recording data in the recording medium 107. Specifically, the front cutting unit 112 transmits a deletion command specifying the range of data to be deleted to the recording medium control unit 108. The range of data to be deleted is the range from the beginning of the pre-recording data to just before the recording start position of the data in the pre-recording period, which is notified by the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111.

[0048] Note that instead of deleting from the beginning of the pre-recorded data, deletion may be performed from the start position of pre-recording based on information notified by the pre-recording processing unit 109. The range of pre-recorded data to be deleted from the recording medium 107 may also be identified by a method other than that described here. For example, the pre-recording processing unit 109 manages the cumulative data size for each frame from the start of pre-recording, and inquires from the front cut unit 112 about the cumulative data size up to the frame immediately before the frame corresponding to the recording start position of the pre-recording period. The front cut unit 112 sends a command to the recording medium control unit 108 to delete data equivalent to the cumulative data size obtained from the pre-recording processing unit 109, from the beginning.

[0049] The pre-recorded data can be deleted by the front cut unit 112 when the actual recording starts or stops. Deleting data when the actual recording starts increases the capacity of the recording medium 107 available for actual recording. Deleting data when the actual recording stops avoids conflicts between accessing the recording medium 107 for actual recording and accessing the recording medium 107 for deleting data.

[0050] The management information storage unit 113 generates recording status information from the notification of the start of pre-recording from the pre-recording processing unit 109 and the notifications of the start and stop of actual recording from the actual recording processing unit 110. The management information storage unit 113 also generates management information including the recording status information and the pre-recording start position information notified from the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111, and stores the management information in the RAM 104. The management information storage unit 113 then records the management information on the recording medium 107 via the recording medium control unit 108. Note that the actual recording start position notified from the actual recording processing unit 110 may be included in the management information instead of the pre-recording start position information.

[0051] The management information can be recorded in a location that corresponds to the data format used for pre-recording and actual recording. For example, it may be recorded in a file header or part of the data area, or it may be recorded as a file separate from the image data.

[0052] The pre-recorded data editing unit 114 checks the recording state of the image data based on the management information recorded on the recording medium 107. Then, the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 deletes unnecessary data from the recording medium 107 and edits the pre-recorded data according to the recording state. The operation of the management information storage unit 113 will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. In S200, the management information storage unit 113 determines whether or not the start of pre-recording has been notified by the pre-recording processing unit 109, and if it is determined that the notification has been received, it executes S201, and if it is not determined that the notification has been received, it repeatedly executes S200.

[0053] In S201, the management information storage unit 113 generates management information including recording status information indicating "pre-recording in progress." This management information is recorded on the recording medium 107 via the recording medium control unit .

[0054] In S202, the management information storage unit 113 determines whether the start of actual recording has been notified by the actual recording processing unit 110, and if it is determined that the start of actual recording has been notified, executes S203, and if not, executes S201 repeatedly. When actual recording starts, the pre-recording start position calculation unit 111 notifies the management information storage unit 113 of pre-recording start position information.

[0055] In S203, the management information storage unit 113 generates management information including recording status information indicating "actual recording in progress" and pre-recording start position information. This management information is recorded on the recording medium 107 via the recording medium control unit 108. Note that instead of recording new management information, the management information recorded on the recording medium 107 may be updated.

[0056] In S205, the management information storage unit 113 determines whether or not the actual recording processing unit 110 has notified it of the stop of actual recording. If it is determined that the notification has been received, it executes S206, and if not, it repeatedly executes S205.

[0057] In S206, the management information storage unit 113 generates management information including recording status information indicating "recording completed" and pre-recording start position information. This management information is recorded on the recording medium 107 via the recording medium control unit 108. Note that instead of recording new management information, the recording status information of the management information recorded on the recording medium 107 may be updated.

[0058] After the process of S206 is completed, the process may be started again from S200.

[0059] In this way, management information indicating the recording status of image data is recorded or updated on the recording medium 107 in response to changes in the recording status. Therefore, by referring to the management information, the recording status of the image data recorded on the recording medium 107 can be confirmed.

[0060] Next, the operation of the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. When a predetermined event occurs, the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 refers to the management information recorded on the recording medium 107 and checks the recording status of the recorded image data. The event may be, for example, an explicit instruction from the user, or an event such as startup, which causes a transition from a power-off state to a power-on state, or an abnormality detection event while recording image data. Alternatively, when playback of image data recorded on the recording medium 107 is started, the corresponding management information may be checked. In this case, if the recording status information in the management information is not "recording completed," the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 executes a data editing process, which will be described later, before playback is started.

[0061] Furthermore, the management information to be checked may be all management information recorded on the recording medium 107, or only management information that meets specific conditions. For example, information on the date and time when the relevant information was most recently checked may be recorded in ROM 103, and only management information of image data recorded after that date and time may be checked. The user may be able to specify the management information to be checked.

[0062] Here, we will explain the operation when the recording status information included in the confirmed management information is not "recording completed." In this case, the image data corresponding to the management information has been recorded only partially during pre-recording or actual recording, so the image data may not be able to be played back correctly.

[0063] Therefore, the pre-recording data editing unit 114 applies different processing to the corresponding image data depending on whether the recording status information is "pre-recording in progress" or "actual recording in progress."

[0064] 3A shows a schematic diagram of the processing of image data corresponding to management information whose recording status information is "pre-recording." In this case, since recording has finished before actual recording begins, the pre-record data editing unit 114 determines that image data required by the user has not been recorded and deletes the pre-record data. This prevents unnecessary pre-record data from reducing the free space on the recording medium 107.

[0065] 3(b) schematically shows processing of image data corresponding to management information whose recording status information is "actually recorded." In this case, since the actually recorded data is data required by the user, it is desirable to make it reproducible. Therefore, the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 deletes data from the pre-recorded data that falls outside the pre-recording period based on recording start position information of the pre-recorded data included in the management information. Because this processing is the same as that of the front cutting unit 112, it may be executed by the front cutting unit 112 instead of the pre-recorded data editing unit 114.

[0066] If recording ends during actual recording, the end of the actually recorded data may not be playable, but part of the data may be playable, so it is sufficient to edit only the pre-recorded data. Alternatively, the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 may identify and delete sections of the actually recorded data that cannot be played back, and then compose an image data file that includes the pre-recorded data and the actually recorded data.

[0067] Furthermore, the pre-recording data editing unit 114 does not process image data whose recording status information is "recording completed."

[0068] FIG. 4 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 described above. In S300, the pre-record data editing unit 114 checks the recording status information included in the management information to be checked. If the recording status information is "pre-recording in progress", the pre-record data editing unit 114 executes S301. If the recording status information is "actual recording in progress", the pre-record data editing unit 114 executes S302. If the recording status information is "recording completed", the pre-record data editing unit 114 ends the process without doing anything.

[0069] In S301, the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 deletes the entire image data because the image data corresponding to the confirmed management information contains only pre-recorded data.

[0070] In S302, the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 recognizes that the image data corresponding to the confirmed management information includes all the pre-recorded data and the actually recorded data up to some point. Then, the pre-recorded data editing unit 114 deletes the data before the pre-recording start position as unnecessary data, using the pre-recording start position information included in the management information. This makes it possible to leave image data including the necessary pre-recorded data and the actually recorded data up to the abnormal termination (the maximum amount of image data in line with the user's intention) on the recording medium 107. Note that the pre-recorded data before the pre-recording start position does not necessarily have to be deleted. This is because the pre-recorded data required by the user and the maximum amount of actually recorded data remain on the recording medium 107 regardless of whether the pre-recorded data before the pre-recording start position is deleted.

[0071] According to this embodiment, an image recording device performs pre-recording, which starts recording images captured by an imaging unit prior to the start of actual recording, on a non-volatile recording device used for actual recording. Management information including information indicating the image recording status is recorded. Therefore, by checking the management information, it is possible to determine whether image recording completed successfully or whether it ended during pre-recording or actual recording. Furthermore, for image data for which recording has been completed during pre-recording or actual recording, the pre-recording data is managed so as to retain as much data as possible that is needed by the user. This reduces waste of recording media and realizes a pre-recording period that is not limited by the capacity of the built-in memory.

[0072] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0073] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following image recording device, image recording method, and program. (Item 1) An image recording device capable of pre-recording that starts recording an image captured by an imaging unit prior to the start of actual recording, a pre-recording processing unit that executes the pre-recording in a non-volatile recording device used for the actual recording; an actual recording processing means for starting actual recording of the image captured by the imaging unit onto the recording device when a condition for starting actual recording is satisfied during the execution of the pre-recording; and recording means for recording management information including information indicating the recording status of the image in the recording device. (Item 2) 2. The image recording device according to item 1, wherein the image recording status indicates either pre-recording, actual recording, or recording completion. (Item 3) 3. The image recording device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the recording unit updates the management information in response to the start of the pre-recording, the start of the actual recording, and the end of the actual recording. (Item 4) 4. The image recording device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the management information is recorded in a file that stores the image. (Item 5) 5. The image recording device according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising a deletion means for deleting from the recording device, after the actual recording is completed, all of the pre-recorded period except for a predetermined period. (Item 6) The image recording device described in any one of items 1 to 5, further comprising an editing means for deleting from the recording device, among the images recorded in the recording device, images corresponding to the management information indicating that the recording status is in pre-recording. (Item 7) The image recording device described in any one of items 1 to 5 is characterized in that it further has an editing means for deleting from the recording device, among the images recorded in the recording device, images corresponding to the management information indicating that the recording status is currently being recorded, for a period other than a predetermined period of the pre-recorded period. (Item 8) 8. The image recording device according to item 6 or 7, wherein the editing means checks the recording status of the management information corresponding to an image recorded in the recording device before starting playback of the image. (Item 9) 1. An image recording method executed by an image recording device capable of pre-recording, which starts recording an image captured by an imaging unit prior to the start of actual recording, comprising: performing the pre-recording on a non-volatile recording device to be used for the actual recording; When a condition for starting actual recording is satisfied during the execution of the pre-recording, actual recording of the image captured by the imaging unit is started in the recording device; recording management information including information indicating the recording status of the image in the recording device; An image recording method comprising the steps of: (Item 10) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means included in the image recording device according to any one of items 1 to 8.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to clarify the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100... digital camera, 102... CPU, 107... recording medium, 108... recording medium control unit, 109... pre-recording processing unit, 110... actual recording processing unit, 111... pre-recording start position calculation unit, 112... front cut unit, 113... management information storage unit, 114... pre-recording data editing unit

Claims

1. An image recording device capable of pre-recording that starts recording an image captured by an imaging unit prior to the start of actual recording, a pre-recording processing unit that executes the pre-recording in a non-volatile recording device used for the actual recording; an actual recording processing means for starting actual recording of the image captured by the imaging unit onto the recording device when a condition for starting actual recording is satisfied during the execution of the pre-recording; and recording means for recording management information including information indicating the recording status of the image in the recording device.

2. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording state indicates one of pre-recording, actual recording, and recording completion.

3. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means updates the management information in response to the start of the pre-recording, the start of the actual recording, and the end of the actual recording.

4. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management information is recorded in a file that stores the image.

5. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion means for deleting from the recording apparatus, after the actual recording is completed, all of the pre-recorded period except for a predetermined period.

6. 2. The image recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an editing unit that deletes from the recording device, among the images already recorded in the recording device, images corresponding to the management information indicating that the recording state is in pre-recording.

7. The image recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an editing means for deleting from the recording device, among the images recorded in the recording device, images corresponding to the management information indicating that the recording status is currently being recorded, for a period other than a predetermined period of the pre-recorded period.

8. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said editing means checks the recording state of said management information corresponding to an image recorded in said recording apparatus before starting to play back the image.

9. 1. An image recording method executed by an image recording device capable of pre-recording, which starts recording an image captured by an imaging unit prior to the start of actual recording, comprising: performing the pre-recording on a non-volatile recording device to be used for the actual recording; When a condition for starting actual recording is satisfied during the execution of the pre-recording, actual recording of the image captured by the imaging unit is started in the recording device; recording management information including information indicating the recording status of the image in the recording device; An image recording method comprising the steps of:

10. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means included in the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images