Abstract:
Disclosed is a recording apparatus capable of recording image data on a removable recording medium having a plurality of partitions. The apparatus includes a partition recognition unit ( 1001 ) for recognizing partitions of a loaded recording medium; a recording/playback unit ( 105 ) for selectively recording on any partition of the recording medium; a association storage unit ( 1003 ) for storing association information indicating association between a recording setting and a recording-destination partition; and a system controller ( 106 ) for specifying a data recording-destination partition based upon the association information and adopting this partition as a recording-destination partition. As a result, in a recording apparatus for recording on a removable recording medium, it is possible to readily set a recording destination in a case where a plurality of partitions exist on a single recording medium.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a recording apparatus and method for recording on a removable recording medium. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a conventional apparatus such as a digital camera for recording images and audio on a removable recording medium, the general practice is to use a single recording medium in a single logical format (file system). In other words, a single recording medium is handled as a single partition. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a digital camera serving as such a recording apparatus according to the prior art. As shown in  FIG. 5 , entrant light from an optical system  101  such as a lens is converted to an electrical signal by an image sensor  102 . A camera signal processor  103  applies processing such as a digital conversion and white balance adjustment to the electrical signal that is output from the image sensor  102 . At the time of recording, a recording/playback signal processor  104  converts the signal received from the camera signal processor  103  to data for recording on a recording medium  110 . The recording medium  110  is a removable read/write recording medium (e.g., an IC card) in which the entirety of the medium has been logically formatted as one volume. At the time of recording, a recording/playback unit  105  writes data from the recording/playback signal processor  104  to the recording medium  110 . A system controller  106 , which has, e.g., a CPU, RAM and ROM. Management of the status of each unit in the apparatus and control of executed processing are performed by having the CPU of the system controller execute a program, which has been recorded in the ROM, while utilizing the RAM. A control console  107  comprises buttons and switches on the main body of the apparatus, or a remote controller, whereby a processing execute/halt command such as for starting and ending photography and various settings are input to the apparatus by the user. 
     An output processing unit  108  receives a signal for output from the recording/playback signal processor  104  and outputs display data or data conforming to various interfaces. A display unit  109  such as a viewfinder or liquid crystal panel displays a signal for output (confirmation of a recorded image, a setting menu, etc.) from the recording/playback signal processor  104 . 
     At the time of playback, an operation that is the reverse of that at the time of recording is executed. In other words, the recording/playback unit  105  reads out data that has been recorded on the recording medium  110 , the recording/playback signal processor  104  subjects this data to a signal conversion for output and outputs the resultant signal to the output processing unit  108 . 
     Though there is no particular illustration regarding audio, an analog voice signal acquired using a microphone is digitized by the camera signal processor  103 , noise removal and filter processing are applied as necessary by the recording/playback signal processor  104 , and then the resultant signal is written to a recording medium by the recording/playback unit  105 . Further, at the time of playback, the recording/playback unit  105  reads out data that has been recorded on the recording medium  110 , the recording/playback signal processor  104  applies signal processing to obtain a signal for output, and the signal is delivered to the output processing unit  108 . The signal is amplified by the output processing unit  108  and output from a speaker, which is not shown. 
     A recording apparatus that is capable of utilizing a plurality of recording media has also been proposed. For example, the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-153376 proposes an arrangement having at least first and second recording media (an IC memory card and a hard disk card) of different data recording formats, in which the hard disk card can be used only when the apparatus is driven by an AC power supply. Further, the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-267818 (WO00/55719) proposes a method of implementing a plurality of partitions by an exchangeable recording medium. 
     Conventionally, the storage capacity of a removable recording medium is comparatively small and the medium is considered to be unsuitable for storing a large quantity of data. However, increasing the capacity of a removable recording medium would enable the recording of a large amount of data and therefore methods of utilizing such recording medium are now being reexamined. 
     Furthermore, increasing the capacity of a removable recording medium means that the capacity capable of being handled by the conventional logical format (file system) will be exceeded, and novel logical formats that are not compatible with the conventional-type logical format are now being utilized. In view of these circumstances, in order to maintain compatibility with conventional-type logical formats and for the sake of data classification, it is predicted that areas that have been logically formatted differently from one another will be mixed in the same recording medium and that a recording area will be used upon being divided into a plurality of partitions. In fact, in personal computers, an increase in the capacity of hard disks (although these are not removable storage media) has been accompanied by the dividing of the storage area of the hard disk into a plurality of partitions and the selective usage of the partitions depending upon the application. 
     However, the selection of a recording destination in a case where a plurality of partitions exist on a single recording medium has not been considered in a conventional recording apparatus that uses a removable recording medium. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a prime object of the present invention, which deals with a case where a plurality of partitions exist in a recording medium, is to automatically select a recording-destination partition by a setting to thereby reduce the labor involved in a user operation for selecting a partition and diminish selection errors. 
     The foregoing object is attained by providing a recording apparatus capable of recording image data on a removable recording medium having a plurality of partitions, comprising: recognition means for recognizing partitions of a loaded recording medium; recording means capable of selectively recording on any partition of the recording medium; storage means for storing association information indicating association between an image-data recording setting and a recording-destination partition setting; and selection means for specifying an image-data recording-destination partition based upon the association information and adopting this partition as a recording-destination partition in which recording is performed by the recording means. 
     The foregoing object is also attained by providing a recording method for recording image data on a removable recording medium having a plurality of partitions, comprising: recognizing partitions of a loaded recording medium; specifying an image-data recording destination partition by referring to storage means in which has been stored association information indicating association between an image-data recording setting and a recording-destination partition setting; and recording image data in the recording-destination partition specified. 
     Other objects and advantageous besides those discussed above shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which follows. In the description, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which from a part thereof, and which illustrate an example of the various embodiments of the invention. Such example, however, is not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating processing at the time of recognition of a recording medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating processing at the time of a change in a recording setting according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of an association list in an association storage unit in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram for describing the structure of a typical recording apparatus according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram useful in describing the course of processing for changing an association setting in the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating processing for changing an association setting in the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which components identical with those of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5  are designated by like reference characters and need not be described again. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a partition recognition unit  1001  recognizes valid partitions in a removable recording medium  110 . A partition selector  1002  selects a recording-destination partition (namely a partition in which data is to be recorded) from the valid partitions that have been recognized by the partition recognition unit  1001 . An association storage unit  1003  stores association settings between set values of recording setting items, such as recording format and size, and partitions utilized preferentially in recording. A setting-changing control panel  1071  included in the control console  107  comprises buttons and keys by which the user specifies a setting menu display on the display unit  109  and changes, switches over or selects a recording setting utilizing the association storage unit  1003 . For the sake of simplicity, the removable recording medium  110  has been divided into two partitions, namely a partition A ( 1101 ) and a partition B ( 1102 ). Of course, the recording medium may be partitioned into three of more partitions. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are flowcharts for describing the operation of the recording apparatus according to this embodiment.  FIG. 2  illustrates an operation executed in a case where the power supply of the apparatus has been turned on or loading of the recording medium has been recognized. The various processing operations described below are implemented by control performed by the system controller  106  that executes a control program recorded in the ROM (not shown), as described above. 
     At step S 201  in  FIG. 2 , the partition recognition unit  1001  investigates the loaded recording medium to determine whether it contains a valid partition that the recording apparatus can recognize and notifies the system controller  106  of the result. Next, at step S 202 , the system controller  106  determines whether a plurality of valid partitions recognized at step S 201  exist. Control proceeds to step S 203  if a plurality of partitions have been recognized. If a plurality of partitions have not been recognized, processing similar to that of the prior art is executed. In other words, a setting is performed using the single recognized valid partition as the destination selected by the partition selector  1002 . If a recognizable valid partition does not exist, a recording error decision is rendered and prescribed error processing is executed. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of association settings stored by the association storage unit  1003 . Here, using recording formats as recording setting items and using logical formats (file systems) as information representing partitions utilized preferentially in recording, preferential-recording logical formats are associated with respective ones of the recording formats. The recording formats in this embodiment signify the recording of images that have been compressed by various compression formats, such as a JPEG-compressed image, a CCD-RAW compressed image, a motion-JPEG-compressed image, an MPEG2-compressed image and an MPEG4-compressed image. 
     At step S 203 , the fact that a recording setting item that has been stored by the association storage unit  1003 , which is implemented as one area of, e.g., a non-volatile RAM (not shown), is a recording format is read out, and the recording format that has been set in the apparatus is read out. Next, at step S 204 , the partition item (here the logical format) that is applicable to the recording setting (here the recording format) of the apparatus is read out of an association list  401 . Then, at step S 205 , it is determined whether the partition that has been read out at step S 204  exists in the recording medium  110 . Control proceeds to step S 206  if the partition exists and to step S 207  if it does not exist. 
     The relevant partition read out at step S 204  is selected by the partition selector  1002  at step S 206 . On the other hand, at step S 207 , a default partition (here a primary partition), for a case where a relevant partition does not exist, registered in the association list  401  is selected by the partition selector  1002 , or the user is alerted to the fact that a usable partition does not exist and is prompted to change the setting again. 
     Next, reference will be had to the flowchart of  FIG. 3  to describe processing in case where a recording setting has been changed in a state in which a recording medium has been loaded. 
     First, at step S 301 , based upon the results of step S 202  ( FIG. 2 ) executed when a recording medium has been loaded, it is determined whether a plurality of partitions have already been recognized. Control proceeds to step S 302  if a plurality of partitions have already been recognized. If a plurality of partitions have not been recognized, processing is exited. 
     It is determined at step S 302  whether a recording setting that has been changed by the user is a recording setting item (here a recording format) that has been stored in the association storage unit  1003 . If the applicable setting change has been made, control proceeds to step S 303 ; otherwise, processing is exited. At step S 303 , the partition item (here the logical format) that is applicable to the recording setting (here the recording format) of the apparatus is read out of the association list  401 . Then, at step S 304 , it is determined whether the partition that has been read out at step S 303  exists in the recording medium  110 . Control proceeds to step S 305  if the partition exists and to step S 306  if it does not exist. 
     The partition read out at step S 303  is selected by the partition selector  1002  at step S 305 . At step S 306 , a default partition (here a primary partition), for a case where a relevant partition does not exist, registered in the association list  401  is selected by the partition selector  1002 , or the user is alerted to the fact that a usable partition does not exist and is prompted to change the setting again. 
     It should be noted that in a case where the apparatus has a function (a logical format function) that provides a plurality of partitions in a recording medium, and a configuration change that forms a plurality of partitions in a recording medium having a signal partition has been carried out, it is also possible to deal with a configuration change after loading of the recording medium by executing processing similar to that executed at the time of loading described in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
     Further, respective ones of recording formats and logical formats are used as associated items of recording settings and recording partitions. However, it is also possible to use any image-recording parameters as recording settings, examples of which are recorded-image size (number of pixels), compression rate (image quality), camera shooting setting and mode and profile level used in the MPEG-2 standard, etc. It is also possible to use partition attributes and partition size, etc., as the items of recording partitions associated. In other words, by associating the values of any parameters at the time of recording and parameters that are capable of specifying recording-destination partitions, it is possible to specify a recording-destination partition of data that satisfies the value of any parameter at the time of recording. 
     Furthermore, although the selection of a recording-destination partition is performed when a recording medium is recognized and when a setting is changed, it is also possible to select a recording-destination partition immediately before recording on a recording medium by executing processing similar to that of  FIG. 2  when recording is executed. 
     It should be noted that although there is one association list in this embodiment, it is also possible to perform the selection of a recording-destination partition using a plurality of association lists by providing an order of priority. For example, it can be so arranged that if a partition that has been associated with a certain recording setting item does not exist, a recording-destination partition is selected using a list that associates another recording setting item and a recording-destination partition. 
     Thus, in accordance with the first embodiment, as described above, in a recording apparatus that is capable of utilizing a removable recording medium having a plurality of recording partitions, the plurality of recording partitions and recording setting items are associated in advance and a recording-destination partition is selected automatically based upon the association. As a result, not only is it possible to utilize the recording medium in accordance with the volition of the user but it is also possible to reduce the labor involved in setting a recording-destination partition and to prevent setting errors at the same time. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
     The recording apparatus according to this embodiment has a function for changing the association list  401  stored by the association storage unit  1003  shown in  FIG. 1 . In other words, the system controller  106  operates as means for changing an association. 
     The system controller  106  in this embodiment causes the display unit  109  to display a user interface that is for changing the association list  401  of the association storage unit  1003  and changes the content of the association list  401  in accordance with an input from the setting-changing control panel  1071  included in the control console  107 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram useful in describing an example of the user interface that the system controller  106  presents on the display unit  109 , as well as change processing using this user interface, according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , use is made of a graphical user interface that employs a hierarchical menu commonly utilized in electronic devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras. The user operates arrow keys and an execute key (inclusive of other keys and buttons that function equivalently) included on the setting-changing control panel  1071  and selects desired menu items to apply commands, whereby the system controller  106  operates in accordance with these commands to execute processing to change a setting. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart for describing processing to change a setting in the recording apparatus of this embodiment. This processing will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The processing shown in  FIG. 7  is executed in a case where, e.g., a change in an association list has been specified through the control console  107 . 
     First, if a command to change a recording partition item has been detected at step S 701 , control proceeds to step S 702 ; otherwise, control proceeds to step S 705 . At step S 702 , the system controller sets an item that is to be a factor when the partition selector  1002  of  FIG. 1  selects a recording partition. 
     A recording-partition setting screen ( 601  in  FIG. 6 ) is displayed at step S 702 . As mentioned earlier, it is possible to utilize a partition attribute or volume in addition to a logical format as a recording-partition setting item. The setting screen  601  allows the user to select what association to make (change) between an item among settable items and a partition as a recording-destination selection factor. 
     It will be assumed here that a change in the association between a logical format and a partition has been specified, as illustrated at  601  in  FIG. 6 . In response to the command, the system controller  106  causes a sub-menu  602  to be displayed. 
     At step S 703 , the details of the factor set (selected) at step S 702  and the used-attribute of the present selection-destination partition are displayed on the setting screen  602 . Since a logical format has been designated on the setting screen  601 , this recording apparatus indicates an association between a list of logical formats that are capable of being recognized, recorded and reproduced, and individual logical formats. 
     More specifically, in the example of setting screen  602 , the loaded recording medium has three partitions. An A format and a C format have been associated with first and second partitions, respectively, and no partition has been associated with a B format. 
     From the setting screen  602 , the user selects and specifies the logical format for which an association is desired. In response to the command made, the system controller  106  displays a setting screen  603  corresponding to the logical format selected. 
     In this embodiment, in order to prevent different logical formats from being set with respect to the same partition (i.e., in order to prevent overlapping registration), a gray-out is displayed with regard to a partition that has already been selected (i.e., a partition that is not selectable), thereby visually expressing the fact that this setting cannot be made. (The second partition that has already been associated with the C format is displayed as a gray-out on the setting screen  603 ). Of course, it is also possible to present a warning display when a non-selectable partition has been selected. 
     Using the setting screen  603 , the user selects and specifies a partition desired to be associated with the logical format selected at step S 702 , or selects non-association (i.e., selects not to use this logical format). 
     In response to this command, the system controller  106  updates the recording partition item in the association list (step S 704 ). 
     A recording setting screen ( 604  in  FIG. 6 ) is displayed at step S 705 . It is also possible to utilize a still-picture recording format, a still-picture size, a moving-picture recording format and a moving-picture size as a recording setting item, as mentioned above. The setting screen  604  allows the user to select what association to make (change) between an item among settable items and a partition. 
     It will be assumed here that a change in the association between a still-picture recording format and a partition has been specified, as illustrated at  604  in  FIG. 6 . In response to the command, the system controller  106  causes a sub-menu  605  to be displayed. 
     At step S 706 , the details of the item set (selected) at step S 705  and the used-attribute of the present selection-destination partition are displayed on the setting screen  605 . Since the still-picture recording format has been designated on the setting screen  604 , this recording apparatus indicates an association between a list of still-picture recording formats that are capable of being recognized, recorded and reproduced, and individual recording formats. 
     More specifically, in the example of setting screen  605 , a second partition has been associated with a CCD-RAW recording format, and a first partition has been associated with associated with JPEG fine and JPEG normal. 
     From the setting screen  605 , the user selects and specifies the recording format for which an association is desired. In response to the command made, the system controller  106  displays a setting screen  606  corresponding to the recording format selected. 
     In this embodiment, in order to prevent an association of recording setting to be set with respect to a partition that is not used, a gray-out is displayed with regard to a partition that is not selectable, thereby visually expressing the fact that this setting cannot be made. (The third partition, which is unusable, is displayed as a gray-out on the setting screen  606 ). Of course, it is also possible to present a warning display when a non-selectable partition has been selected. 
     Using the setting screen  606 , the user selects and specifies a partition desired to be associated with the recording format selected at step S 706 . 
     In response to this command, the system controller  106  updates the recording partition item in the association list (step S 704 ). 
     In a case where an end command (not shown) has been entered from any setting screen, processing is exited (step S 709 ). If the end command is not issued, then control returns to step S 701 . Of course, it may be so arranged that processing is exited automatically when updating of a list ends. 
     By virtue of the processing above, an association list  607  is set in the association storage unit  1003  and is utilized at the time of recording. 
     Thus, in accordance with the first embodiment, as described above, it is possible for a user to associate a recording setting and a recording partition. As a result, by making an association setting for maintaining compatibility or making an association setting for data classification conforming to a recording setting, it is possible to select a recording-destination partition that conforms to the preferences of the user. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Although the foregoing embodiments have been described only with regard to a recording apparatus comprising a single device, equivalent functions may also be implemented by a system comprising a plurality of devices. 
     Further, a FAT (File Allocation System) 16, FAT 32 and HFS (Hierarchical File System), etc., are conceivable as the above-mentioned logical formats, although the present invention is not limited to these systems. 
     It should be noted that the present invention also covers a case where software programs for implementing the functions of the above embodiments are supplied directly from a recording medium, or through use of wired/wireless communication, to a system or apparatus having a computer that is capable of executing the above-mentioned programs, and the system or apparatus executes the supplied programs to thereby implement the equivalent functions. 
     Accordingly, program code per se supplied to and installed in a computer in order that the computer may execute the processing of the present invention also implements the invention. In other words, the computer program that implements the processing of the present invention also is covered by the present invention. 
     In this case, so long as the system or apparatus has the functions of the program, the form of the program, e.g., object code, a program executed by an interpreter or script data supplied to an operating system, etc., does not matter. 
     Examples of recording media by which the program can be supplied are magnetic recording media such as floppy disk, hard disk and magnetic tape, optical/magneto-optical storage media such as a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD-RW, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory. 
     As for the method of supplying the program using wired/wireless communication, the computer program itself for forming the present invention in the server of a computer network, or a data file (program-data file) that can serve as a computer program for forming the present invention in a client computer, such as a compressed file having an automatic install function, can be stored and the program-data file can be downloaded to a connected client computer. In such case the program-data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files and the segment files can be deployed at different servers. 
     In other words, the present invention also covers a server apparatus that allows multiple users to download a program-data file for the purpose of implementing the functions of the present invention by computer. 
     Further, it is also possible to encrypt and store the program of the present invention on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distribute the storage medium to users, allow users who meet certain requirements to download decryption key information from, e.g., a website via the Internet, and allow these users to run the encrypted program by using the key information, whereby the program is installed in the user computer. 
     Furthermore, besides the case where the aforesaid functions according to the embodiments are implemented by executing the read program by computer, an operating system or the like running on the computer can perform all or a part of the actual processing based upon commands in the program so that the functions of the foregoing embodiments are be implemented by this processing. 
     Furthermore, after the program read from a recording medium is written to a function expansion board inserted into the computer or to a memory provided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU or the like mounted on the function expansion board or function expansion unit can perform all or a part of the actual processing based upon commands in the program so that the functions of the foregoing embodiments can be implemented by this processing. 
     As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims. 
     CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-159834 filed on May 28, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.