Patent Publication Number: US-10334336-B2

Title: Method of controlling digital photographing apparatus and digital photographing apparatus using the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/829,236, filed Dec. 10, 2015, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/324,680, filed Jul. 7, 2014, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/899,491, filed Jul. 26, 2004, which claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-8184, filed on Feb. 7, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of all being incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus using the same, and more particularly, to a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus storing moving image data recorded on a recording medium in a moving image photographing mode and a digital photographing apparatus using the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional digital photographing apparatuses, for example, the digital cameras disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication Nos. 331,689 titled “Digital camera” and 223,377 titled “Digital camera and a method of controlling the same,” set an operating condition at a user&#39;s choice in a setting mode, display an input image on a display panel in a preview mode, record image data on a recording medium in a photographing mode, and display images of the image data stored on the recording medium on the display panel. 
     In a moving image photographing mode, a conventional digital photographing apparatus operates as follows. When a user presses a button, such as a shutter release button, on a conventional digital photographing apparatus, a moving image file is created in a recording medium, and any moving image data that is being input is processed and stored in the moving image file. When the user presses the shutter release button again, the moving image data that is being input stops being stored, and the moving image file is completed. This operation is frequently performed in a moving image photographing mode. In other words, when the user presses the shutter release button again, another moving image file is created. Then, the moving image data being input is processed and stored in the moving image file. When the user presses the shutter release button again, the moving image data being input stops being stored, and the moving image file is completed. 
     According to the method of controlling the conventional digital photographing apparatus, whenever a user presses a button for photographing moving images, a moving image file is created. Therefore, it is not possible for the user to consecutively reproduce moving images photographed at different times. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus using the same, which can consecutively reproduce moving image data photographed at different times at a user&#39;s choice. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus recording moving image data being input to a recording medium in a moving image photographing mode. The method includes creating a moving image file in the recording medium and storing the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a first signal is generated by a first button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by a user, stopping storing the moving image data being input when the first signal is generated by a second button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by the user, continuing to store the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a second signal is generated by the second button pressed by the user, and stopping storing the moving image data being input and completing the moving image file when the second signal is generated by the first button pressed by the user. 
     In the method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus according to the present invention, signals generated by the second button are additionally used. Therefore, the moving images is divided into different time frames at a user&#39;s choice can be stored in the same moving image file. Accordingly, the moving images photographed at different times can be consecutively reproduced. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital photographing apparatus using the above method. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a digital photographing apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view showing the back of the digital photographing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows the entire configuration of the digital photographing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a main algorithm of a digital signal processor of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm of performing a moving image photographing mode of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a timing diagram illustrating a first example of performing Steps  4210  through  4219  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the structure of a moving image file obtained from the first example of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a timing diagram illustrating a second example of performing Steps  4210  through  4219 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a timing diagram illustrating a third example of performing Steps  4210  through  4219 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm of performing a preview mode of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm of performing a still image photographing mode of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the front part of a digital photographing apparatus  1  according to the present invention includes a microphone MIC, a self-timer lamp  11 , a flash  12 , a shutter release button  13 , a viewfinder  17   a , a flash light intensity sensor  19 , a power switch  31 , a lens unit  20 , and a remote receiver  41 . 
     In a self-timer mode, the self-timer lamp  11  operates for a set period of time from when the shutter release button  13  is pressed to when an image starts to be captured. When the flash  12  operates, the flash light intensity sensor  19  senses the intensity of light generated by the flash  12  and inputs the sensed intensity of the light to a digital signal processor (DSP)  507  of  FIG. 3  via a micro controller  512  of  FIG. 3 . The remote receiver  41  receives a command signal, for example, a photographing command signal and inputs the photographing command signal to the micro controller  512 . 
     The shutter release button  13  has two levels. In other words, referring to  FIGS. 5 and 11 , after operating a wide angle-zoom button  39   W  and a telephoto-zoom button  39   T , when a user presses the shutter release button  13  to a first level, a first level signal S 1  from the shutter release button  13  is turned on. When the user presses the shutter release button  13  to a second level, a second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is turned on. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the back of the digital camera  1  according to the present invention includes a mode dial  14 , functional buttons  15 , a manual focusing/deleting button  36 , a manual adjusting/reproducing button  37 , a reproducing mode button  42 , a speaker SP, a monitor button  32 , an automatic focusing lamp  33 , a viewfinder  17   b , a flash standby lamp  34 , a color LCD panel  35 , the wide angle-zoom button  39   W , the telephoto-zoom button  39   T , and an external interface unit  21 . 
     The mode dial  14  is used for selecting any one of the operating modes of the digital camera  1  such as a simple photographing mode, a program photographing mode, a character photographing mode, a night view photographing mode, a manual photographing mode, a moving image photographing mode  14   MP , a user setting mode  14   MY , and a recording mode  14   V . 
     After selecting the moving image photographing mode  14   MP , when a user presses the shutter release button  13 , a moving image file is created in a memory card, i.e., a recording medium, and moving image data that is being input is stored in the moving image file. When the user presses a macro/move down/stop-continue button  15   P  out of the functional buttons  15 , the moving image data that is being input stops being stored. When the user presses the macro/move/stop-continue button  15   P  again, the moving image data being input continues to be stored in the moving image file. When the user presses the shutter release button  13  again, the moving image data being input stops being stored, and the moving image file is completed. Since all of the moving image data photographed at different times are stored in the same moving image file, moving images in different time frames can be consecutively reproduced. The moving image photographing mode  14   MP  will later be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 9 . 
     The user setting mode  14   MY  indicates an operating mode for setting photographing information needed for a still image mode or a moving image photographing mode. The recording mode  14   V  is an operating mode for recording only sounds, such as a user&#39;s voice. After selecting the recording mode  14   V , when a user presses the shutter release button, an audio file is created in the memory card and sounds being input are stored in the audio file. When the user presses a macro/move down/stop-continue button  15   P  that is one of the functional buttons  15 , audio data being input stops being stored. When the user presses the macro/move/stop-continue button  15   P  again, the audio data being input continues to be stored in the audio file. When the user presses the shutter release button  13  again, the audio data being input stops being stored, and the audio file is completed. Since all of the audio data recorded at different times can be stored in the same audio file, sounds in different time frames can be consecutively reproduced. 
     The functional buttons  15  are used for operating specific functions of the digital camera  1 . The functional buttons  15  are also used as direction-movement buttons for an active cursor on the menu screen of the color LCD panel  35 . For example, in the still mode or moving image photographing mode  14   MP , a user may set automatic proximity focusing by pressing the macro/move down/stop-continue button  15   P . When the user presses the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  while viewing a menu that sets a condition within an operating mode (the menu being displayed after pressing a menu/select-confirm button  15   M ), the activated cursor is moved down. The functionality of the macro/move down/stop-continue button  15   P  in the moving image photographing mode  14   MP  or in the recording mode  14   V  is as described above. 
     When a user presses a voice-memo/move-up button  15   R , a 10 second recording is possible upon consecutive photographing. When the user presses the voice-memo/move up button  15   R  while viewing a menu for setting a condition for an operating mode (the menu being displayed after pressing the menu/select-confirm button  15   M ), the activated cursor is moved up. If the user presses the menu/select-confirm button  15   M  when the active cursor is on a selection item, an operation corresponding to the selection item is performed. 
     The manual focusing/deleting button  36  is used for manual focusing or deletion by the user in a photographing mode. The manual adjusting/reproducing button  37  is used for manual adjustment of specified conditions and for stopping or reproducing in a reproducing mode. The reproducing mode button  42  is used for converting to a reproducing or preview mode. 
     The monitor button  32  is used for controlling the operation of the color LCD panel  35 . For example, in the photographing mode, when the user presses the monitor button  32 , an image of a subject and photographing information are displayed on the color LCD panel  35 . When the user presses the monitor button  32  again, the power applied to the color LCD panel  35  is cut off. In the reproducing mode, when the user presses the monitor button  32  while an image file is being reproduced, photographing information about the image file being reproduced is displayed on the color LCD panel  35 . When the user presses the monitor button  32  again, only pure images are displayed. 
     The automatic focusing lamp  33  operates when a focus is well adjusted. The flash standby lamp  34  operates when the flash  12  of  FIG. 1  is in a standby mode. A mode indicating lamp  14   L  indicates a selection mode of the mode dial  14 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the entire configuration of the digital camera of  FIG. 1 . The entire configuration and operation of the digital camera  1  of  FIG. 1  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     An optical system (OPS) includes the lens unit  20  and a filter unit and optically processes light. The lens unit  20  of the OPS includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a compensation lens. 
     When the user presses the wide angle-zoom button  39   W  or the telephoto-zoom button  39   T  included in a user input unit (INP), a signal corresponding to the wide angle-zoom button  39   W  or the telephoto-zoom button  39   T  is input to the micro controller  512 . The micro controller  512  controls a lens driver  510 , thereby running a zoom motor M Z , which, in turn, moves the zoom lens. In other words, when the user presses the wide angle-zoom button  39   W , a focal length of the zoom lens becomes short, thereby widening an angle of view. When the user presses the telephoto-zoom button  39   T , the focal length of the zoom lens becomes long, thereby narrowing the angle of view. Because the position of the focus lens is adjusted in a state where the position of the zoom lens is set, the angle of view is hardly affected by the position of the focus lens. 
     In the automatic focusing mode, a main controller built into the DSP  507  controls the lens driver  510  through the micro controller  512 , thereby driving a focus motor M F . Accordingly, the focus lens is moved, and, in this process, the position of the focus lens having the largest high frequency component of an image signal is set. This position may, for example, correlate to a certain number of driving steps of the focus motor M F . 
     The compensation lens in the lens unit  20  of the OPS is not separately operated because the compensation lens compensates for an entire refractive index. A reference numeral M A  indicates a motor for driving an aperture (not shown). 
     An optical low pass filter included in the filter unit of the OPS eliminates optical noises of a high frequency component. An infrared cut filter included in the filter unit of the OPS blocks an infrared component of incident light. 
     A photoelectric conversion unit (OEC) of a charge coupled device or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor converts light from the OPS into an electrical analog signal. Here, the DSP  507  controls a timing circuit  502  to control the operations of the OEC and a correlation double sampler and analog-to digital converter (CDS-ADC)  501 , which is an analog-digital converter. The CDS-ADC  501  processes an analog signal from the OEC, eliminates high frequency noises, adjusts amplitude, and then converts the analog signal into a digital signal. 
     A real time clock (RTC)  503  provides time information to the DSP  507 . The DSP  507  processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC  501  and generates a digital image signal classified into a luminance signal and a chromaticity signal. 
     A light source (LAMP) is operated by the micro controller  512  in response to a control signal generated by the DSP  507  including the main controller. The light source (LAMP) includes the self-timer lamp  11 , the automatic focusing lamp  33 , the mode indicating lamp  14   L , and the flash standby lamp  34 . The INP includes the shutter release button  13 , the mode dial  14 , the functional buttons  15 , the monitor button  32 , the manual focusing/deleting button  36 , the manual adjusting/reproducing button  37 , the wide angle-zoom button  39   W , and the telephoto-zoom button  39   T . 
     A dynamic random access memory (DRAM)  504  temporarily stores a digital image signal from the DSP  507 . An electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM)  507  stores algorithm and setting data. A user&#39;s memory card is inserted or removed in a memory card interface  506 . The digital image signal from the DSP  507  is input to a LCD driver  514 , thereby displaying an image on the color LCD panel  35 . 
     The digital image signal from the DSP  507  can be transmitted as serial communications via a universal serial bus connector  21   a  or a RS232C interface  508  and RS232C connector  21   b . The digital image signal from the DSP  507  can also be transmitted via a video filter  509  and a video output unit  21   c  as a video signal. Here, the DSP  507  includes the main controller. 
     An audio processor  513  outputs a voice signal from the microphone MIC through the DSP  507  or the speaker SP. In addition, the audio processor  513  outputs an audio signal from the DSP  507  through the speaker SP. The micro controller  512  controls the operation of a flash controller  511  in response to a signal from the flash light intensity sensor  19 , thereby driving the flash  12 . 
     A main algorithm of the DSP  507  of  FIG. 3  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     When power is applied to the digital photographing apparatus  1 , the DSP  507  is initialized (Step S 1 ). After the initialization (Step S 1 ), the DSP  507  performs a preview mode (Step S 2 ). In the preview mode, an image input is displayed on the display panel  35 . An operation related to the preview mode will later be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
     The DSP  507  identifies a present operating mode (Step S 3 ). Hereinafter, a description of the recording mode will be omitted. The DSP  507  performs the still image photographing mode or the moving image photographing mode depending on the present operation mode (Steps S 41  or S 42 ). The algorithm of performing the still image photographing mode (Step S 41 ) will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . The algorithm of performing the moving image photographing mode (Step S 42 ) will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 9 . 
     Of input signals generated by the INP, when signals corresponding to a setting mode are input (Step S 5 ), the setting mode for setting an operating condition in response to the input signals from the INP is performed (Step S 6 ). When a termination signal is not generated, the DSP  507  continues to perform the following steps (Step S 7 ). 
     When a signal is generated by the reproducing mode button  42  in the INP, a reproducing mode (Step S 4 ) is performed (Step S 9 ). In the reproducing mode, operating conditions are set in response to the input signals from the INP, and reproducing is performed. When a signal is generated by the reproducing mode button  42  again (Step S 10 ), the above steps are re-performed. 
     The algorithm of performing the moving image photographing mode (Step S 42 ) of  FIG. 4  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3  and  FIG. 5 . 
     The DSP  507  inspects a remaining capacity of the memory card (Step S 4201 ) and determines whether the memory card has a capacity for recording digital moving image data (Step S 4202 ). When the memory card does not have enough recordable capacity, the DSP  507  indicates a lack of capacity of the memory card (Step S 4203 ). When the memory card has enough recordable capacity, the following steps are performed. 
     The DSP  507  sets a white balance according to a present photographing condition, and parameters related to the white balance (Step S 4204 ). In an automatic exposure mode (Step S 4205 ), the DSP  507  calculates the exposure to incident luminance, drives the aperture driving motor M A  according to the calculated exposure, and sets a shutter speed (Step S 4206 ). In an automatic focusing mode (Step S 4207 ), the DSP  507  performs automatic focusing and drives the focus lens (Step S 4208 ). 
     When the first level signal S 1  from the shutter release button  13  is on (Step S 4209 ), the DSP continues to perform the following steps. 
     The DSP  507  identifies whether the second level signal S 2  is on (Step S 4210 ). When the second level signal S 2  is not on, it means that the user did not press the shutter release button  13  to the second level to take a photograph. Therefore, the DSP  507  repeats Steps  4205  through  4210 . When the second level signal S 2  is on, it means that the user pressed the shutter release button  13  to the second level. Therefore, the DSP  507  creates one moving image file in the memory card (Step S 4211 ). The DSP  507  compresses moving image data from the CDS-ADC  501  using the compressing algorithm of a motion picture experts group (MPEG) or a motion joint photographic experts group (MJPEG) and stores the compressed moving image data in the moving image file (Step S 4212 ). 
     As described above, in this process of compressing the moving image data and storing it in the moving image file, when a stop-continue signal is not generated by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P , and both the first level signal S 1  and the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  are on, the DSP  507  stops storing the moving image data being input and completes the moving image file (Steps S 4213 , S 4218 , S 4219 , and S 4220 ). 
     However, when the stop-continue signal is generated by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  (Step S 4213 ), the DSP  507  stops storing the moving image data (Step S 4214 ). While storing is stopped, when the stop-continue signal is generated again from the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  (Step S 4215 ), the DSP  507  re-performs Step S 4212 . In addition, when both the first level signal S 1  and the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  are on, the DSP  507  stops storing the moving image data being input and completes the moving image file (Steps S 4216 , S 4217 , and S 4220 ). 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a first example of performing Steps S 4210  through S 4219  of  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , reference numerals S 2 , SP, and DS indicate a second level signal from the shutter release button  13  of  FIG. 1 , the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  of  FIG. 2 , and moving image data stored in a memory card, respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 1  (Step S 4210 ), one moving image file is created in the memory card (Step S 4211 ), and first moving image data DS 1  is stored in the moving image file (Step S 4212 ). When a stop-continue signal is generated by the macro/move down/stop-continue button  15   P  at time t 2  (Step S 4213 ), the first moving image data DS 1  stops being stored (Step S 4214 ). When the stop-continue signal is generated again by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  at a time t 3  (Step S 4215 ), second moving image data DS 2  is stored in the same moving image file (Step S 4212 ). When the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 4 , the second moving image data DS 2  being input stops being stored, and the moving image file is completed (Steps S 4219  and S 4220 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the moving image file  7  obtained from the first example of  FIG. 6  includes a file starter  71 , head data  72 , the first moving image data DS 1 , the second moving image data DS 2 , a first audio data  741 , a second audio data  742 , miscellaneous data  75 , and a file terminator  76 . The file starter  71  includes data notifying a file start. The head data  72  includes data notifying a file format. 
     Both the first moving image data DS 1  and the second moving image data DS 2 , divided into different time frames at a user&#39;s choice, are stored in the same moving image file  7 . Accordingly, moving images photographed at different times can be consecutively reproduced. Furthermore, the first audio data  741  corresponding to the first moving image data DS 1  and the second audio data  742  corresponding to the second moving image data DS 2  are stored in the same moving image file  7 . Here, the first audio data  741  and the second audio data  742  might not be stored in the moving image file  7  depending on moving image photographing conditions set by a user. The miscellaneous data  75  may include subtitle data at a user&#39;s choice. 
       FIG. 8  is a timing diagram illustrating a second example of performing Steps S 4210  through S 4219 . Reference numerals of  FIG. 8  that are identical to those of  FIG. 6  indicate identical elements with identical functionalities. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , when a second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 1  (Step S 4210 ), a first moving image file is created in a memory card (Step S 4211 ), and first moving image data DS 1  is stored in the first moving image file (Step S 4212 ). When the stop-continue signal is generated by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  at time t 2  (Step S 4213 ), the first moving image data DS 1  stops being stored (Step S 4214 ). When the stop-continue signal is generated again by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  at time t 3  (Step S 4215 ), second moving image data DS 2  is stored in the first moving image file (Step S 4212 ). When the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 4 , the second moving image data DS 2  being input stops being stored, and the first moving image file is completed (Steps S 4219  and S 4220 ). 
     When the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 5  (Step  4210 ), a second moving image file is created in the memory card (Step S 4211 ), and moving image data is stored in the second moving image file (Step S  4212 ). When the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 6 , the moving image data being input stops being stored, and the second moving image file is completed (Steps S 4219  and S 4220 ). 
       FIG. 9  is a timing diagram illustrating a third example of performing Steps S 4210  through S 4219 . Reference numerals of  FIG. 9  that are identical to those of  FIG. 6  indicate identical elements with identical functionalities. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 9 , when a second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 1  (Step S 4210 ), a first moving image file is created in a memory card (Step S 4211 ), and moving image data is stored in the first moving image file (Step S 4212 ). When the stop-continue signal is generated by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button  15   P  at time t 2  (Step S 4213 ), the moving image data stops being stored (Step S 4214 ). When the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 3 , the moving image data being input stops being stored, and the first moving image file is completed (Steps S 4215  through S 4217  and Step S 4220 ). 
     At time t 4 , when the moving image photographing mode is off, even though the stop-continue signal is generated by the macro/move down/stop-continue button  15   P  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ), photographing moving images is not performed. 
     When the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 5  (Step S 4210 ), a second moving image file is created in the memory card (Step S 4211 ), and moving image data is stored in the second moving image file (Step S 4212 ). When the second level signal S 2  from the shutter release button  13  is on at time t 6 , the moving image data being input stops being stored, and the second moving image file is completed (Steps S 4219  and S 4220 ). 
     The algorithm of performing the preview mode Step  2  of  FIG. 4  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 through 3  and  FIG. 10 . 
     The DSP  507  performs automatic white balancing (AWB) and sets parameters related to the white balance (Step S 201 ). In the automatic exposure mode (Step S 202 ), the DSP  507  calculates the exposure to incident luminance, drives the aperture driving motor M A  according to the calculated exposure, and sets a shutter speed (Step S 203 ). 
     The DSP  507  performs gamma correction on input image data (Step S 204 ) and scales the gamma corrected image data to meet display standards. The DSP  507  converts the scaled input image data from a red R-green G-blue B format into a luminance-chromaticity format (Step S 206 ). The DSP  507  processes the input image data depending on resolution and displayed location, and filters the input image data (Step S 207 ). 
     The DSP  507  temporarily stores the input image data in the DRAM  504  of  FIG. 3  (Step S 208 ). The DSP  507  synthesizes the data temporarily stored in the DRAM  504  of  FIG. 3  and on-screen display (OSD) data (Step S 209 ). The DSP  507  converts the synthesized image data from the R-G-B format into the luminance-chromaticity format (Step S 210 ) and outputs the image data in the converted format on the LCD driver  514  of  FIG. 3  (Step S 211 ). 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an algorithm of performing the still image photographing mode of  FIG. 4  (Step S 41 ). The algorithm of performing the still image photographing mode (Step S 41 ) will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3  and  FIG. 11 . Here, the present position of the zoom lens is already set. 
     The DSP  507  inspects a remaining capacity of the memory card (Step S 4101 ) and determines whether the memory card has enough capacity for recording a digital image signal (Step S 4102 ). When the memory card does not have enough recordable capacity, the DSP  507  indicates a lack of capacity of the memory card and stops performing the still image photographing mode (Step S 4103 ). When the memory card has enough recordable capacity, the following steps are performed. 
     The DSP  507  sets while balance according to a present photographing condition, and parameters related to the white balance (Step S 4104 ). In the automatic exposure mode (Step S 4105 ), the DSP  507  calculates the exposure to incident luminance, drives the aperture driving motor M A  according to the calculated exposure, and sets a shutter speed (Step S 4106 ). In the automatic focusing mode (Step S 4107 ), the DSP  507  performs automatic focusing and drives the focus lens (Step S 4108 ). 
     When the first level signal S 1  from the shutter release button  13  is on (Step S 4109 ), the DSP  507  continues to perform the following steps. 
     The DSP  507  identifies whether the second level signal S 2  is on (Step S 4110 ). When the second level signal S 2  is not on, it means that the user did not press the shutter release button  13  to the second level to take a photograph. Then, the DSP  507  re-performs Steps S 4105  through S 4110 . When the second level signal S 2  is on, it means that the user pressed the shutter release button  13  to the second level. Then, the DSP  507  creates a still image file in the memory card (Step S 4111 ). The DSP  507  captures a still image (Step S 4112 ). In doing so, the DSP  507  receives still image data from the CDS-ADC  501 . Then, the DSP  507  compresses the received still image data (Step S 4113 ). The DSP  507  stores the compressed still image data in the still image file (Step S 4114 ). 
     As described above, in a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus adopting the same according to the present invention, signals generated by two buttons are used, and moving image data divided into different time frames at a user&#39;s choice can be consecutively reproduced. 
     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.