Abstract:
An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup unit, a recording aunit configured to record moving image data on a recording medium and record still image data on the recording medium, a conversion unit configured to convert the still image data recorded on the recording medium into moving image data to generate converted moving image data, a conversion instruction unit configured to instruct generation of the converted moving image data at an arbitrary timing, a management unit configured to manage at least one piece of still image data recorded on the recording medium as one group when the instruction is generated by the conversion instruction unit, and a control unit configured to control the conversion unit to generate a plurality of pieces of converted moving image data, and control the recording unit to finalize the recording medium after the plurality of pieces of converted moving image data are recorded.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging apparatus configured to pick up and record a moving image and a still image. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In recent years, digital video cameras for recording/reproducing captured images on/from a large-capacity recording medium such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) have been widely used. A DVD-Video format as one of the DVD formats has been employed as a format for video products such as motion picture, drama, and sports. Meanwhile, the DVD-video format has also been applied to home DVD players. 
         [0005]    The DVD-video format premises that data is edited through authoring. Thus, once a moving image content is recorded on a DVD, the recorded content cannot be edited. In addition, after a disk is subjected to finalization, data cannot be added (rewritten). However, moving images can be rewritten on a versatile disk such as a DVD-rewritable (DVD-RW) by canceling the performed finalization. The term “finalization” refers to processing for finalizing recording processing of a disk. In the DVD-video format, a reproduction compatibility with general DVD players is ensured through the finalization. That is, after a video disk is finalized, the video disk conforms to the DVD-video format. 
         [0006]    In the DVD-video format, a moving image recorded on a disk is managed in terms of title(s) and chapter(s). One title includes one or more chapters. A title and a chapter constitute a hierarchical structure. 
         [0007]    For example, in the case of recording images captured with a video camera based on the DVD-video format, moving image data (hereinafter referred to as “moving image clip”) recorded in one recording process is dealt with as a chapter. Furthermore, an aggregate of chapters is managed as a title under predetermined conditions. 
         [0008]    With the above-described management of a moving image clip, increase in the number of titles possibly occurring after each photographing operation can be prevented. That is, in the DVD-video format, the maximum number of titles recordable on one disk is designated to 99. Furthermore, one title can include 99 chapters at the maximum. 
         [0009]    As described above, moving image clips captured in one photographing operation is dealt with as one chapter, and the maximum recordable number of moving image clips on one disk can be expressed as “99 titles (the maximum number of titles per disk)×99 chapters (the maximum number of chapters per title)”. 
         [0010]    A title is closed when moving image clips are captured beyond 99 chapters, a screen aspect ratio is changed, a recording rate is changed, or when a disk is ejected. In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-308675 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0152369 A1) discusses a method for recording a plurality of chapters recorded on the same day as one title. 
         [0011]    In recent years, most digital video cameras can capture still images as well as moving images. In the case of a DVD, for example, moving images are encoded and recorded in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format. On the other hand, still images are encoded and recorded in Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format. However, most of general DVD players have only a moving image reproduction function. Thus, a still image cannot be reproduced on a general DVD player. Accordingly, a user cannot view the still image on a general DVD player. 
         [0012]    In order to overcome the above problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-201170 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0083414A1) discusses a method in which still image data is once decoded and is subsequently encoded again in the MPEG format so that the MPEG-coded image data is converted into moving image data in a slide show format (hereinafter referred to as a “photomovie”). 
         [0013]    However, when a photomovie is generated, a moving image previously recorded on a DVD is closed as one title, and a photomovie itself is recorded as one title. Thus, the number of titles increases every time a new photomovie is generated. Accordingly, the remaining number of recordable moving image clips is reduced. 
         [0014]    In addition, moving images recorded on a disk conforming to the DVD-video format are reproduced in the order of recording (reproduced from moving image data recorded in an inner track of the disk). Accordingly, a moving image clip and a photomovie are reproduced mixed with each other. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is directed to an imaging apparatus that does not reduce the remaining number of recordable moving image clips even when a plurality of photomovies are generated. 
         [0016]    According to an aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes an image pickup unit configured to shoot a subject to generate moving image data and still image data, a recording unit configured to record the moving image data generated by the image pickup unit according to an instruction for recording a moving image on a recording medium in a moving image recording format, and record still image data generated by the image pickup unit according to an instruction for recording a still image on the recording medium in a still-image recording format, a conversion unit configured to convert the still image data recorded on the recording medium into moving image data according to the moving image recording format to generate converted moving image data, a conversion instruction unit configured to generate an instruction for generating the converted moving image data at an arbitrary timing, a management unit configured to manage at least one piece of still image data recorded on the recording medium as one group when the instruction is generated by the conversion instruction unit, wherein the management unit newly generates a still image data group every time the conversion instruction unit generates the instruction, and a control unit configured to control the conversion unit to generate a plurality of pieces of converted moving image data based on still image data included in a plural still image data groups in response to an instruction for finalizing the recording medium and to control the recording unit to finalize the recording medium after the plurality of pieces of converted moving image data generated by the conversion unit is recorded on the recording medium in the moving image recording format. 
         [0017]    Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a structure of data recorded on a recording medium. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital video camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of recording processing circuits and circuit peripherals thereto according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of recording processing circuits and circuit peripherals thereto according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates how data is recorded on a disk according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a finalization procedure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates a menu screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates a menu screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  illustrates a configuration of a photomovie generation unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will now herein be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It is be noted that the relative arrangement of the components, the numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless it is specifically stated otherwise. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a data structure conforming to a DVD-video format. Referring to  FIG. 1 , on a recording medium  101 , information necessary for reproducing moving image data such as a video manager (VMG)  111  and Video Title Sets (VTSs) # 1   112  through VTS#n  114  are recorded. 
         [0030]    The VMG  111  includes video manager information (VMGI)  121 , a Video Manager Menu Video Object Set (VMGM_VOBS)  122 , and a Video Manager Information Backup (VMGI_BUP)  123 . The VMGI  121  is management information for controlling the entire recorded data. The VMGM_VOBS  122  is content information for setting a title menu screen. The VMGI_BUP  123  is a complete copy of the VMGI  121  and is used as backup information. 
         [0031]    The VTSs  112  through  114  (the VTS  114  is a last VTS) each include Video Title Set Information (VTSI)  124 , a Video Title Set Menu Video Object Set (VTSM_VOBS)  125 , a Video Title Set Video Object Set (VTSTT_VOBS)  126 , and a Video Title Set Information Backup (VTSI_BUP)  127 . 
         [0032]    The VTSI  124  is management information for controlling each of the VTSs  112  through  114 . The VTSM_VOBS  125  is content information for setting various menu screens in each of the VTSs  112  through  114 . The VTSTT_VOBS  126  is contents for reproducing a title, for example, video data. The above photomovie corresponds to the VTSTT_VOBS  126 . The VTSI_BUP  127  is a complete copy of the VTSI  124  and is used as backup information. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a digital video camera  200  of the present exemplary embodiment. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the digital video camera  200  includes an image pickup unit  201  and a microphone  202 . Furthermore, the digital video camera  200  includes a recording processing circuit  203 . The recording processing circuit  203  performs necessary processing on image data and audio data captured with the image pickup unit  201  and the microphone  202 . In addition, the recording processing circuit  203  encodes the image data and audio data based on a publicly known coding method to reduce a data amount. 
         [0035]    The digital video camera  200  also includes a recording/reproduction unit  204 . The recording/reproduction unit  204  writes and reads data on/from an optical disk  205  according to a predetermined file system such as Universal Disc Format (UDF). That is, the recording/reproduction unit  204  converts data output from the recording processing circuit  203  into a predetermined format suitable for recording data on the optical disk  205 , and records the converted data as a file on the optical disk  205 . In addition, the recording/reproduction unit  204  reads data recorded on the optical disk  205 . 
         [0036]    Furthermore, the digital video camera  200  includes a photomovie generation unit  212 . The photomovie generation circuit  212  decodes still image data recorded on the optical disk  205  and then encodes again the decoded data into MPEG format in order to convert the data into moving image data to generate a photomovie. In addition, the digital video camera  200  includes a reproduction processing circuit  206 . The reproduction processing circuit  206  decodes image data and audio data reproduced by the recording/reproduction unit  204  and outputs the decoded data. 
         [0037]    The digital video camera  200  includes a video data output terminal  207  and an audio data output terminal  208 . In addition, the digital video camera  200  includes a liquid crystal display (LCD)  209 . The LCD  209  is used for displaying an image related to image data output from the image pickup unit  201  and the reproduction processing circuit  206 . Furthermore, the digital video camera  200  includes a system controller  210  and an operating unit  211 . The system controller  210  controls an operation of the digital video camera  200 . The operation unit  211  includes a power switch, a recording trigger, a playback switch, and a stop switch, or an edit switch for editing a playback list. 
         [0038]    In the present exemplary embodiment, a DVD is used as the optical disk  205 , and moving image data is recorded on the optical disk  205  in the DVD-video format. The digital video camera  200  according to the present exemplary embodiment has a still-image recording and reproduction function as well as a moving-image recording and reproduction function. 
         [0039]    When a moving image shooting mode is set through an operation of the operating unit  211  and a start of recording is instructed through an operation of the recording trigger in the operating unit  211 , the system controller  210  controls the recording processing circuit  203  to start recording. The recording processing circuit  203  encodes image data and audio data captured by the image pickup unit  201  and the microphone  202  into a predetermined format, and then outputs the encoded data to the recording/reproduction unit  204 . 
         [0040]    The recording/reproduction unit  204  converts the encoded data output from the recording processing circuit  203  into a format suitable for recording by adding header information or other such additional information. After that, the recording/reproduction unit  204  records the encoded data on the optical disk  205 . 
         [0041]    When an instruction to stop recording is generated, recording of data on the optical disk  205  is suspended. In the present embodiment, moving image data and audio data recorded from the start through the end of recording is managed as one chapter in DVD-video format. Furthermore, the titles are divided and separately managed under a predetermined condition when the number of chapters in one title reaches 99, or the optical disk  205  is ejected. 
         [0042]    Furthermore, when a still image shooting mode is set via the operating unit  211  and an instruction for shooting a still image is issued through an operation of the recording trigger in the operating unit  211 , the system controller  210  controls the recording processing circuit  203  to start recording. The recording processing circuit  203  extracts image data of one frame output from the image pickup unit  201  at the timing an instruction to capture a still image is issued. Then, the recording processing circuit  203  encodes the still image data of one frame and outputs the encoded data to the recording/reproduction unit  204 . The recording/reproduction unit  204  adds header information and other additional information to the encoded still image data according to a predetermined file format, and records the still image data on the optical disk  205 . 
         [0043]    In the present embodiment, the still image data is managed as a file according to a format different from the DVD-video format. That is, the still image data is recorded on the optical disk  205  according to a format different from the moving image data. Therefore, still image data recorded on the optical disk  205  with the video camera according to the present embodiment cannot be reproduced by a general DVD player. However, the still image data can be reproduced by the video camera  200 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of primary components of the recording processing circuit  203  and circuits peripheral thereto according to the present embodiment. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the image pickup unit  201  sends image data to an image signal processing unit  301 . The image signal processing unit  301  performs subsampling on image data captured by the image pickup unit  201 , according to a predetermined encoding format, and outputs the processed data to an image data coding unit  302 . 
         [0046]    The image data coding unit  302  encodes moving image data captured by the image signal processing unit  301  according to Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2 (MPEG-2) format. Furthermore, the image data coding unit  302  encodes still image data sent from the image signal processing unit  301  according to the JPEG format. The encoded data is output to the recording data converting unit  306 . Furthermore, the image data coding unit  302  generates thumbnail image data as a representative image of one data file, and outputs the thumbnail image data to the recording data converting unit  306 . 
         [0047]    The microphone  202  outputs audio data to an audio signal processing unit  303 . The audio signal processing unit  303  converts the audio data sent from the microphone  202  into digital data, performs noise suppression and amplification on the data, and outputs the processed data to an audio data coding unit  304 . The audio data coding unit  304  encodes audio data sent from the audio signal processing unit  303  according to the MPEG-2 format and outputs the coded data to the recording data converting unit  306 . In the still-image shooting mode, audio data is neither input nor recorded. 
         [0048]    The recording data converting unit  306  adds necessary additional information to encoded moving image data and audio data in the moving image shooting mode, converts the data into a MPEG-2 transport stream format and outputs the data to the recording/reproduction unit  204 . Furthermore, in the still-image shooting mode, the recording data converting unit  306  adds necessary information to encoded still image data, and outputs the still image data to the recording/reproduction unit  204 . 
         [0049]    A metadata generation unit  305  generates metadata describing photography information such as shooting date and time and an F-number used in the shooting, and outputs the generated metadata to the recording data converting unit  306 . The recording data converting unit  306  arranges the metadata to be recorded in a header or a footer of an image data file and an audio data file. Then, the recording data converting unit  306  outputs the metadata to the recording/reproduction unit  204 . A menu screen generating unit  307  generates image data to be displayed on a menu screen for displaying thumbnail images each indicating a representative image of one data file in a list, as necessary. Then, the menu screen generating unit  307  outputs the image data to the recording data converting unit  306 . 
         [0050]    The digital video camera  200  according to the present embodiment performs shooting during an interval between the trigger to start recording to the trigger to stop recording, and records the captured image data and audio data as one file. Then, the recording data converting unit  306  stores metadata input from the metadata generation unit  305  in a header or footer of each file. In addition, in a header of each file, information such as a file name is also recorded. 
         [0051]    When a reproduction mode is set through an operation via the operating unit  211 , the system controller  210  controls the reproduction processing circuit  203  to decode a head image in a data file recorded on the optical disk  205 , generates thumbnail image data of the head image, and displays the generated thumbnail image on the LCD  209 . 
         [0052]    Then, a user verifies the thumbnail image displayed on the LCD  209 , and selects a file that the user desires to reproduce via an operation of the operating unit  211 . After the user selects a file to be reproduced, the system controller  210  controls the reproduction processing circuit  206  to display, on the LCD  209 , information regarding the metadata of a file that is currently reproduced. 
         [0053]    The reproduction processing circuit  206  controls the recording/reproduction unit  204  to reproduce the selected file. If the selected file includes still image data, the reproduction processing circuit  206  decodes the still image data and then outputs the decoded data via the image data output terminal  207 , and displays the reproduced image on the LCD  209 . 
         [0054]    Furthermore, if the designated file includes moving image data, the reproduction processing circuit  206  decodes the moving image data and audio data in the file, and outputs the moving image data via the output terminal  207  and the audio data via the output terminal  208 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the reproduction processing circuit  206  and circuit peripheral thereto according to the present embodiment. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 4 , when the system controller  210  issues a reproduction command to a reproduction analyzing unit  401 , the reproduction analyzing unit  401  analyzes a file name, a recording position, and a file type of the file selected by the user. Then, the system controller  210  instructs the recording/reproduction unit  204  to reproduce the selected file. The data reproduced by the recording/reproduction unit  204  is output to a reproduction data separating unit  402 . 
         [0057]    The reproduction data separating unit  402  detects image data and audio data from the reproduced data sequence, and further detects metadata from a header and a footer of the file. Then, the reproduction data separating unit  402  outputs the image data to an image data decoding unit  403  and the audio data to an audio data decoding unit  404 . 
         [0058]    When the reproduced data is still image data, the reproduction data separating unit  402  sends the still image data to the image data decoding unit  403 . When the reproduced data is moving image data, the image data decoding unit  403  decodes the moving image data encoded according to the MPEG format and outputs the decoded data to an image output unit  405 . The image output unit  405  converts the decoded image data into a format suitable for displaying and processing in an external monitor and other external devices, and then outputs the converted data to the image data output terminal  207  or the LCD  209 . 
         [0059]    The audio data decoding unit  404  decodes audio data input from the reproduction data separating unit  402  and outputs the decoded data to an audio output unit  406 . The audio output unit  406  converts the decoded audio data into a format suitable for processing in an external device, and outputs the converted data to the audio data output terminal  208 . 
         [0060]    When the reproduced data is still image data, the image data decoding unit  403  decodes the still image data encoded according to the JPEG format, and then sends the decoded data to the image output unit  405 . The image output unit  405  includes a memory. The image output unit  405  stores the decoded still image data of one screen in the memory, and then repeatedly outputs the stored still image data to the video data output terminal  207 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  illustrates how moving images, still images, and a photomovie are recorded on a disk. Here, a photomovie  1  is generated based on still images  1  and  2 , and a photomovie  2  is generated based on still images  3  through  5 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an example  501  illustrates a case where a photomovie is generated and recorded according to an instruction for generating a photomovie. In the present embodiment, a user can issue an instruction for generating a photomovie at an arbitrary timing. 
         [0063]    Every time a user detects photomovie generation events  501   a  and  501   b  through his operation, the photomovie generation unit  212  immediately generates photomovies  1  and  2 . When shooting a still image and generation of a photomovie are performed, a current tile of previously recorded moving image data is closed. Data captured from a next shooting is recorded as a new title. Thus, in the case of the example  501 , six titles are created. Note that division of titles under different conditions is not considered here. 
         [0064]    An example  502  in  FIG. 5  illustrates a case where a photomovie is generated by the digital video camera  200  according to the present embodiment. The photomovie generation unit  212  does not immediately generate a photomovie when the photomovie generation evens  502   a  and  502   b  are detected. 
         [0065]    That is, when an instruction for generating a photomovie is issued, the system controller  210  sets a photomovie generation flag described in Temporary Video Manager Information (TMP_VMGI) as management information alternative to the VMGI  121 , which is written at the time of closing a title. 
         [0066]    Then, the system controller  210  checks a status of the photomovie generation flag during finalization of the optical disk  205 . If the photomovie generation flag is set, photomovie generation unit  212  generates a photomovie in a predetermined unit. One such predetermined unit includes one or more still images captured during a period from the time a previous photomovie generation event is issued, to the time a next photomovie generation event is newly issued. 
         [0067]    Instead of recording a photomovie generation flag in the TMP_VMGI, group information can be added to the still image data captured during the period from the time a previous photomovie generation event is issued and to the time a next photomovie generation event is newly issued. 
         [0068]    In the case of the example  502 , the system controller  210  records group information indicating a group  1  as information added to the still images  1  and  2  which are captured in the still-image shooting mode. When the photomovie generation event  502   a  is issued, the system controller  210  records group information indicating a group  2  as information added to still images  3  through  5 , which are shot after the photomovie generation event  502   a  is issued. 
         [0069]    From then on, the system controller  210  increments the group number every time a photomovie generation event is detected. The group number is used when a photomovie is generated during the finalization processing. That is, the system controller  210  generates one photomovie with the photomovie generation unit  212 , based on still image data having the same group number. 
         [0070]    Instead of the group information, information similar to the group information can be written to temporary management information such as still image management information and the TMP_VMGI. That is, the information similar to the group information can be alternatively used in the present embodiment. 
         [0071]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the photomovie generation unit  212  and blocks peripheral thereto. 
         [0072]    When a photomovie generation instruction is issued from the system controller  210 , a still image reproduction designating unit  901  instructs the recording/reproduction unit  204  to reproduce still image data selected by the user. When the still image data is reproduced by the recording/reproduction unit  204 , the still image reproduction designating unit  901  sends the reproduced still image data to a still image decoding unit  902 . 
         [0073]    The still image decoding unit  902  decodes the reproduced still image data and stores the data in a memory  903 . Then, a moving image encoding unit  904  changes a size of the still image data stored in the memory  903  into a predetermined size (for example, Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) size of 720×480 pixels). Then, the moving image encoding unit  904  repeatedly reads the data for a predetermined period, i.e., several seconds and encodes the read still image data according to the MPEG-2 format to convert the still image data into moving image data. 
         [0074]    The data of the photomovie thus generated is sent to the recording data converting unit  306  of the recording processing circuit  203  and recorded on the optical disk  205  by the recording/reproduction unit  204  as described above. 
         [0075]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the system controller  210  instructs the still image reproduction instructing unit  901  and the moving image coding unit  904  to generate one photomovie based on still image data in the same group. 
         [0076]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a series of processing performed during finalization by the digital video camera  200  according to the present embodiment. 
         [0077]    When the operating unit  211  generates an instruction for finalization, the system controller  210  instructs the reproduction processing circuit  206  to read temporary management information recorded on the optical disk  205  (step S 601 ). Then, the system controller  210  reads a photomovie generation flag in the temporary management information to determine whether a photomovie is to be generated (step S 602 ). 
         [0078]    If, as a result of the determination, it is determined that no photomovie is to be generated (NO in step S 602 ), then the system controller  210  advances to step S 605 . On the other hand, if, as a result of the determination in step S 602 , it is determined that a photomovie is to be generated (YES in step S 602 ), then the system controller  210  generates a photomovie on the group basis as described above (step S 603 ). 
         [0079]    Then, the system controller  210  determines whether generation of a photomovie is completed (step S 604 ). As a result of the determination in step S 604 , if it is determined that the generation of a photomovie has not been completed yet (NO in step S 604 ), then the system controller  210  returns to step S 603 . In step S 603 , the system controller  210  generates a remaining photomovie. 
         [0080]    On the other hand, if, as a result of the determination in step S 604 , it is determined that the generation of a photomovie has been completed (YES in step S 604 ), then the system controller  210  determines whether the menu screen generating unit  307  generates a menu screen that displays representative images of each chapter in a list (step S 605 ). If, as a result of the determination in step S 605 , it is determined that a menu screen is to be generated (YES in step S 605 ), then the menu screen generating unit  307  generates a menu screen (step S 606 ). On the other hand, if, as a result of the determination in step S 605 , it is determined that a menu screen is not to be generated (NO in step S 605 ), then the system controller  210  advances to step S 607 . 
         [0081]    Then, the recording/reproduction unit  204  performs finalization (a file system, a lead-in, a lead-out, and if necessary, dummy data, are written in the finalization) (step S 607 ), and the system controller  210  ends the processing. Thus, the optical disk  205  conforming to the DVD-video format is obtained. 
         [0082]    As described above, in the present embodiment, photomovies are collectively generated during finalization. Accordingly, each photomovie can be managed as a chapter and up to 99 photomovies can be collectively managed as one title. Furthermore, a title is not divisionally made between moving images when a photomovie is generated. Accordingly, the maximum recordable number of images can be increased. 
         [0083]    For example, an actual photomovie is not generated between moving images  4  and  5  illustrated in the example  502  in  FIG. 5 . Accordingly, in this case, a title is not divided. Thus, in the example  502 , four titles are generated. If the number of photomovies exceeds 99, a title is generated as needed. 
         [0084]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , although the same content is recorded in the examples  501  and  502 , the number of titles in the example  502  is smaller than the example  501 . That is, the number of titles is reduced in the example  502 . Furthermore, portions of a moving image that is not divided for a new title due to generation of a photomovie can be seamlessly reproduced. 
         [0085]    Furthermore, when data is recorded in the method illustrated in the example  502 , a moving image and a photomovie are separated from each other. Accordingly, the menu screen can be configured so that the user can easily confirm the content of the moving image and the photomovie. 
         [0086]      FIGS. 7 and 8  each illustrate an example of a menu screen generated during the recording processing performed in the examples  501  and  502  of  FIG. 5 . As illustrated in the examples in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a photomovie is reproduced at a midpoint in the example of  FIG. 7 , but a photomovie is reproduced in the latter half in the example of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0087]    In the present embodiment, the optical disk  205  is used as a recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to an optical disk, and any recording medium that would enable practice of the present invention is applicable. Furthermore, the present invention can be interpreted as a method including a series of processing procedures as well as the digital video camera  200  that performs the processing procedures described above. 
         [0088]    In the present embodiment, photomovies are collectively generated during finalization. However, generation of photomovies is not limited to this approach. For example, instead of collectively generating photomovies during finalization, photomovies can be generated at the timing of closing a title of moving image data. Also, photomovies can be generated at such timing that the number of captured moving image clips exceeds 99 chapters, an aspect ratio of a screen is changed, a recording rate is changed, and a disk is ejected. In addition to these methods of generating photomovies, any other methods that would enable practice of the present invention are applicable. 
         [0089]    That is, photomovies are collectively generated at a predetermined timing that is different from a timing of issuing an instruction for generating a photomovie. Therefore, still image data can be converted into a photomovie at an arbitrary timing while the number of titles for moving image data is reduced. 
         [0090]    Each unit constituting the imaging apparatus according to the above-described exemplary embodiments and each step in the method for controlling the imaging apparatus can be implemented by executing a computer-readable program stored in a RAM or a ROM of a computer. The program and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program are included in the scope of the present invention. 
         [0091]    Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented, for example, in a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, and a recording medium. In particular, the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices and to an apparatus that includes one device. 
         [0092]    The present invention can be implemented by directly or remotely supplying a program of software implementing functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments (in the exemplary embodiments, the program corresponding to the processing performed according to the flow chart in  FIG. 6 ) to a system or an apparatus, and reading and executing supplied program codes with the system or a computer of the apparatus. 
         [0093]    Accordingly, the program code itself, which is installed to the computer for implementing the functional processing of the present invention in the computer, implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes the computer program implementing the functional processing of the present invention. 
         [0094]    Accordingly, the program can be configured in any form, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to an operating system (OS). 
         [0095]    As the recording medium for supplying such program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and a DVD (a DVD-ROM and a DVD-R) can be used. 
         [0096]    The above program can also be supplied by connecting to a web site on the Internet by using a browser of a client computer and by downloading the program from the web site to a recording medium such as a hard disk. In addition, the above program can also be supplied by downloading a compressed file that includes an automatic installation function from the web site to a recording medium such as a hard disk. 
         [0097]    The functions of the above embodiments can also be implemented by dividing the program code into a plurality of files and downloading each divided file from different web sites. That is, a WWW server for allowing a plurality of users to download the program file for implementing the functional processing constitutes the present invention. 
         [0098]    Further, in another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the above program can also be supplied by distributing a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and the like which stores the program according to the present invention after an encryption thereof, allowing the user who is qualified for a prescribed condition to download key information for decoding the encryption from the web site via the Internet, and executing and installing in the computer the encrypted program code by using the key information. 
         [0099]    In addition, the functions according to the embodiments described above can be implemented not only by executing the program code read by the computer, but also implemented by the processing in which an operating system (OS) or the like carries out a part of or the whole of the actual processing based on an instruction given by the program code. 
         [0100]    Further, in another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU and the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit carries out a part of or the whole of the processing to implement the functions of the embodiments described above. 
         [0101]    While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions. 
         [0102]    This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-154954 filed Jun. 2, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.