JP7490401B2 - Recording apparatus and control method for recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording device capable of accessing a recording medium, and a method for controlling the recording device.

Flash memory cards are widely used as recording media for imaging devices. In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for performance in terms of the read/write speed of flash memory cards, while the market is calling for the physical memory size to be kept the same or even smaller. However, improving the performance of flash memory cards requires increased power consumption and heat/temperature, and further miniaturization makes it more likely for heat to build up.

This temperature rise can cause hardware components to overheat beyond their guaranteed operating temperature, resulting in breakdowns and malfunctions. As a result, the content recorded by users may become unviewable due to media corruption.

To avoid overheating due to temperature rise, Patent Document 1 describes detecting the outside air temperature and dynamically controlling the speed according to the detected outside air temperature.

There is also a technology called "thermal throttling" that can be used to prevent breakdowns and damage caused by overheating. This is a technology in which the recording media stores its own temperature threshold inside the flash memory card, and if the temperature value obtained from the recording media's internal thermometer exceeds this temperature threshold, functionality restrictions such as access speed restrictions are imposed to prevent the temperature from rising above the threshold.

By using this technology, it is possible to maintain a guaranteed operating temperature for the hardware components inside the recording media even in harsh environments, thereby ensuring the reliability of the recorded content and extending the life of the recording media.

Thermal throttling (suppression of temperature rise by restricting functions) also has the disadvantage of slowing down the read/write speed. This is due to the characteristics of flash memory cards in which the read/write speed is proportional to the increase in heat/power. When thermal throttling is activated, the read/write speed is limited until the temperature of the recording media drops to the release threshold. When the temperature of the recording media falls below the release threshold, thermal throttling is released, and the write/read speed limit is lifted, restoring the read/write speed to the normal top speed.

CFexpress, a standard for recording media, provides a function called HCTM (Host Controlled Thermal Management) for thermal throttling. This HCTM function allows the host to set the temperature threshold at which thermal throttling is executed.

JP 2017-5323 A

In the HCTM function, for example, by setting the temperature threshold to the upper limit of the configurable temperature, it becomes possible to control the temperature so that thermal throttling is less likely to be triggered.

However, if the temperature threshold is set to the highest possible temperature using the HCTM function or similar to make it harder for thermal throttling to occur, high-speed data recording/reading will occur even when top speed is not required for data recording or reading. This makes it easier for the temperature to rise. If the temperature rises and the temperature of the recording media reaches its upper limit, it will become virtually impossible to write or read from the recording media. As a result, writing or reading will be impossible until the temperature of the recording media drops, and it will be impossible to shoot (record) or play back images, which could result in missing a photo opportunity, for example.

Therefore, even when the recording media is in use, it is necessary to dynamically change the temperature threshold in response to changes in the imaging device mode or shooting conditions, and to change the temperature threshold at an appropriate time so as not to interfere with recording.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a recording device that appropriately changes the temperature threshold settings for a recording medium.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the recording device of the present invention is a recording device that can access a recording medium, and has a memory that accumulates data to be recorded on the recording medium, a recording control means that records the data accumulated in the memory on the recording medium, and a control means that sets a temperature threshold at which functional restrictions are imposed on the recording medium, and the control means is characterized in that it switches between a first setting that sets the temperature threshold at which functional restrictions are imposed on the recording medium to the default value of the recording medium, and a second setting that sets the temperature threshold at which functional restrictions are imposed on the recording medium to a value greater than the default value, depending on the accumulation state of the data in the memory and the operating state of the recording device.

The present invention provides a recording device that can appropriately set the temperature at which the functions of the recording medium are restricted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus 100. 4 is a flowchart of a process for using an HCTM function executed by the imaging device 100. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether HCTM can be used; 11 is a flowchart showing a whitelist determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing a mode determination process. 11 is a flowchart showing an overwriting process of the HCTM temperature setting during shooting.

The following embodiments are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration of Imaging Device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image capturing apparatus 100, which is an example of a recording apparatus.

In FIG. 1, a lens unit 102, an imaging unit 103, a display unit 104, an operation unit 105, an imaging device temperature detection unit 106, a heat dissipation fan 107, and a CPU 108 are connected to an imaging device internal bus 101. Also connected to the imaging device internal bus 101 are an image processing unit 109, a first media control unit 110, a second media control unit 111, a RAM 112, a non-volatile memory 113, and a power supply unit 114. Each unit connected to the imaging device internal bus 101 is configured to be able to exchange data with each other via the imaging device internal bus 101.

The CPU 108 controls each part of the imaging device 100, for example, according to a program stored in the non-volatile memory 113, using the RAM 112 as a work memory.

The non-volatile memory 113 stores image data, audio data, other data, and various programs for the operation of the CPU 108. The non-volatile memory 113 is composed of, for example, a hard disk (HD) and ROM.

Based on the control of the CPU 108, the image processing unit 109 performs various image processing on image data stored in the non-volatile memory 113 or RAM 112, image data captured by the imaging unit 103 of an optical image of a subject incident through the lens unit 102, etc. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 109 includes A/D conversion processing, D/A conversion processing, image data encoding processing, compression processing, decoding processing, enlargement/reduction processing (resizing), noise reduction processing, color conversion processing, etc. The image processing unit 109 may be configured with a circuit block dedicated to performing specific image processing. Also, depending on the type of image processing, the CPU 108 can perform image processing according to a program without using the image processing unit 109.

The display unit 104 displays images and GUI screens constituting a GUI (Graphical User Interface) under the control of the CPU 108. The CPU 108 generates a display control signal according to a program, and controls each part of the imaging device 100 to generate a video signal for display on the display unit 104 and output it to the display unit 104. The display unit 104 displays an image based on the output video signal. Note that the imaging device 100 itself is only provided with an interface for outputting a video signal for display on the display unit 104, and the display unit 104 may be configured as an external monitor (such as a television).

The operation unit 105 is an input device for receiving user operations, and includes a touch panel, a power button, a shutter button, a mode switching dial, a cross key, an operation dial, a menu button, and the like. The touch panel is an input device that is configured to be planar and overlaid on the display unit 104, and is configured to output coordinate information according to the touched position.

The power supply unit 114 has a power supply input terminal to which a battery 115 and an AC adapter 116 can be attached, and a power supply selection circuit composed of a comparator, load switch, etc., selects the power supply by giving priority to the side with the higher voltage or the AC adapter 116.

The power supply unit 114 also includes a battery interface that connects the imaging device 100 and the battery 115. The battery interface includes not only a power supply and a ground, but also a communication terminal with a microcomputer (not shown) inside the battery 115, and a temperature detection unit (not shown) inside the battery 115. The power supply unit 114 also includes an AC adapter interface that connects the imaging device 100 and the AC adapter 116. The AC adapter interface includes a power supply, a ground, and a detection unit that detects the AC adapter 116.

The power supply unit 114 can also notify the CPU 108 of information about the battery 115 and the AC adapter 116 via the imaging device internal bus 101. The power supply unit 114 also regulates the voltage from the selected power source using a DC/DC converter or series regulator (not shown) and supplies power to each component of the imaging device 100. The power supply unit 114 also A/D converts the voltage of each of the attached battery 115 and AC adapter 116, and notifies the CPU 108 of the value.

The imaging unit 103 is an imaging element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The lens unit 102 is a lens unit that includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, a shutter, an aperture, a distance measurement unit, an A/D converter, etc.

The imaging unit 103 is capable of capturing still images and moving images. Image data of the captured image is transmitted to the image processing unit 109, where it is subjected to various processes and then recorded as a still image file or a moving image file on the first recording medium 150 or the second recording medium 160.

The heat dissipation fan 107 is a cooling fan. The temperature inside the imaging device 100 is detected by the imaging device temperature detection unit 106 and notified to the CPU 108. The CPU 108 controls the fan speed of the heat dissipation fan 107 based on the temperature, and adjusts the temperature inside the imaging device 100.

The imaging device 100 can access the first recording medium 150 via the first media control unit 110 and the first media interface 155, and can record still image and video data that has been subjected to image processing, encoding processing, and compression processing by the image processing unit 109 onto the first recording medium 150. The imaging device 100 can also read out still image and video data recorded onto the first recording medium 150 via the first media control unit 110 and the first media interface 155. The imaging device 100 displays on the display unit 104 an image obtained by decoding the read out data using the image processing unit 109.

The first recording medium 150 is a recording medium that is removable from the imaging device 100, and in this embodiment is a memory card that complies with the CFexpress standard.

The first media control unit 110 can also communicate control commands with the first memory controller 152 via the first media interface 155. The control commands include commands for recording and playing back data, as well as commands for acquiring vendor information, temperature information, and write count information, etc.

The first recording medium 150 includes a first memory controller 152, a first NAND memory unit 153, and a first media temperature detection unit 154, each of which is connected by a first recording medium internal bus 151.

The first memory controller 152 records the still image and video data transferred from the first media control unit 110 in the first NAND memory unit 153. At this time, the first memory controller 152 controls writing to the cache area of the first NAND memory unit 153 and controls the movement of data to the main data area. The first memory controller 152 can also perform garbage collection to move and organize fragmented data in the first NAND memory unit 153 and secure free space.

The first memory controller 152 also acquires the temperature of the first NAND memory unit 153 detected by the first media temperature detection unit 154. The first memory controller 152 controls the clock frequency to the first NAND memory unit 153, controls access prohibition/permission, and controls the access speed according to the acquired temperature.

The second recording medium 160 is connected to the imaging device 100 via the second media control unit 111 and the second media interface 165, and has the same configuration and functions as the first recording medium 150. The second memory controller 162, the second NAND type memory unit 163, and the second media temperature detection unit 164 correspond to the first memory controller 152, the first NAND type memory unit 153, and the first media temperature detection unit 154, respectively. The second memory controller 162, the second NAND type memory unit 163, and the second media temperature detection unit 164 are connected by the second recording medium internal bus 161.

When the still image shooting mode is selected by the user using the mode switching dial, the imaging device operates in the still image shooting mode. In the still image shooting mode, the CPU 108 controls the imaging unit 103 to capture a still image in response to the operation of the shutter button, and transmits the image data of the captured still image to the image processing unit 109 for various processing. The CPU 108 then generates a still image file from the image data that has been subjected to image processing, and performs recording control to record the still image file on the first recording medium 150 or the second recording medium 160 via the first media control unit 110 or the second media control unit 111.

When the user operates the mode switch dial to select video capture mode, the imaging device operates in video capture mode. In video capture mode, the CPU 108 starts capturing video using the imaging unit 103 in response to operation of the shutter button or video capture button, and continues capturing video until the shutter button or video capture button is operated again. The CPU 108 transmits image data of the captured video to the image processing unit 109 for various processing, generates a video file from the image data that has been subjected to image processing, and performs recording control to record the file on the recording media (150 or 160) via the media control unit (110 or 111).

When the playback mode button is operated by the user, the imaging device enters playback mode. In playback mode, the CPU 108 reads image files (still image files, video files) recorded in the first recording medium 150 and the second recording medium 160 via the first media control unit 110 and the second media control unit 111, and performs playback control to display them on the display unit 104. In playback mode, for still image files, the CPU 108 displays image data of the still image file on the display unit 104. For video files, the CPU 108 first reads a representative image or a frame image of the first frame of the video and displays it on the display unit 104, and then performs video playback in which multiple frame images of the video file are continuously played and displayed in response to a command to start video playback input by the user.

<HCTM function of recording media>
Some memory cards that comply with the CFexpress standard can use a function called HCTM (Host Controlled Thermal Management). However, since HCTM is an optional function, some recording media do not support it. As described above, in the recording media (150, 160), the memory controller (152, 162) performs function restriction control such as clock frequency control, access prohibition/permission control, and access speed control based on the temperature detected by the media temperature detection unit (154, 164). In the HCTM function, the temperature that is the threshold for performing this function restriction control can be set in the recording media (150, 160) from the host-side media control unit (110, 111).

In HCTM, a first value and a second value (first value < second value) can be set as the temperature threshold. When the temperature detected by the media temperature detection unit (154, 164) is less than the first value, the memory controller (152, 162) does not perform function restriction control, so that the access speed is not restricted, but the current consumption is not restricted either. Therefore, when recording 4K video, etc., the rush current at the time of writing becomes large. When the temperature detected by the media temperature detection unit (154, 164) is equal to or greater than the first value and less than the second value, the memory controller (152, 162) performs function restriction control and operates in a first restriction mode that restricts the current consumption and writing speed. The writing speed restriction in the first restriction mode varies depending on the recording medium, but writing is often possible for recording of about 4K video. If the temperature detected by the media temperature detection unit (154, 164) is equal to or higher than the second value, the memory controller (152, 162) operates the recording media (150, 160) in a second restriction mode in which functions are more significantly restricted than in the first restriction mode. In the second restriction mode, power consumption and writing speed are significantly restricted, so that writing/reading to the media is often not possible. The second restriction mode can lower the temperature of the recording media by significantly restricting functions (effectively disabling writing/reading). In this way, the media control unit (110, 111) of the host imaging device can control the timing of transition to the first restriction mode and the second restriction mode in the HCTM-compatible recording media by setting the first and second values.

Default values (DEFAULT_TMT1, DEFAULT_TMT2) for the first and second values are set for each recording medium. In addition, an upper temperature setting limit (MXTMT) and a lower temperature setting limit (MNTMT) that indicate the range of temperature settings that can be set are also set for each recording medium. The media control unit (110, 111) of the imaging device uses a command to obtain media capability information from the recording media (150, 160), allowing the imaging device to obtain media capability information including the upper temperature setting limit (MXTMT) and lower temperature setting limit (MNTMT) set for the recording media. Then, within the temperature setting range indicated by the upper temperature setting limit and lower temperature setting limit, the imaging device can set a first value and a second value that are the temperature thresholds for executing the first restriction mode and the second restriction mode.

When power is supplied to the recording medium and the power is turned on, the memory controller of the recording medium initializes the first and second values to default values (DEFAULT_TMT1, DEFAULT_TMT2), respectively. If the first and second values are not set by the media control unit (110, 111) of the imaging device, these default values are used. The use of default values is referred to as "HCTM standard use." The media control unit of the imaging device can change the first and second values within the range from the lower temperature setting limit (MNTMT) to the upper temperature setting limit (MXTMT) set in the recording medium by using a command related to the HCTM function. Note that the first and second values are stored in the volatile memory of the recording medium, and are therefore erased when the recording medium power is turned off, and the default values are set when the power is turned on again. In contrast to "HCTM standard use", setting the first and second values to values close to the temperature setting upper limit (MXTMT) is referred to as "HCTM upper limit use". In this embodiment, when using HCTM upper limit, the second value is set to the temperature setting upper limit (MXTMT) and the first value is set to a temperature one degree below the temperature setting upper limit (MXTMT), but the temperature settings of the first and second values when using HCTM upper limit are not limited to this. In order to make it difficult to enter the first and second limit modes even if the temperature rises, it is sufficient to set the first and second values closer to the temperature setting upper limit (MXTMT) than when using HCTM standard. Furthermore, by making the first value when using HCTM upper limit larger than the second value when using HCTM standard, the first and second limit modes are less likely to be activated when using HCTM upper limit, and the performance of the recording medium can be maximized. However, in this case, the temperature is more likely to rise.

In this embodiment, the recording medium is a memory card that complies with the CFexpress standard. However, the present invention can also be applied to recording media of different standards, as long as the host device has a function that allows it to set a temperature at which it places functional restrictions on the recording medium, such as the HCTM function of the CFexpress standard.

<Processing flow for using HCTM function>
2 is a main flowchart of the process for using the HCTM function executed by the imaging device 100. This flowchart is realized by the CPU 108 executing a control program stored in the non-volatile memory 113 to control each part of the imaging device 100. Note that this flowchart mainly describes the process related to the recording medium, but in addition to these processes, shooting process, image playback process, display process of captured images and menu screens, menu setting process, etc. are also performed. Also, in the explanation of this flowchart, the process for the first recording medium 150 is described, but the process for the second recording medium is also performed in the same way.

The process of this flowchart is executed when the power button is pressed and the imaging device 100 is turned on.

First, in S201, the media control unit 110 initializes the PCIe bus for the recording media 150. Here, physical layer level commands are exchanged between the first media control unit 110 of the host-side imaging device and the recording media 150, startup processing of the recording media is performed, and the power of the recording media is turned on. Then, in S202, the media control unit 110 performs initialization according to the NVMe protocol, and performs startup processing including the Submission Queue and Completion Queue. In S202, unlike the physical layer level initialization in S201, initialization required by the software level protocol is performed.

Next, in S203, the media control unit 110 issues an Identify command to obtain detailed capabilities (media capability information) of the recording media 150. This Identify command is one of the commands for obtaining basic information such as commands and functions supported by the recording media. The capability information that can be obtained through this command includes, for example, the model name, firmware version, support or non-support of specific commands and functions, the number of low power consumption modes, and specific power consumption values. Then, in S204, the CPU 108 analyzes HCTM compatibility information from the capability information of the recording media 150 obtained by the Identify command in S203. Then, in S205, the CPU 108 determines whether the recording media 150 supports HCTM as a result of the analysis in S204, and if it is determined that the recording media 150 supports HCTM, proceeds to the control sequence of the recording media using the HCTM function from S206 onwards. If it is determined in S205 that HCTM is not supported, the processing of this flowchart ends and processing of the recording media that does not use HCTM functions is performed.

In S206, the CPU 108 obtains the current upper temperature setting limit (MXTMT) and lower temperature setting limit (MNTMT) of the recording media 150 from the media capability information obtained in S203. These values are valid only if HCTM is supported, and indicate the upper and lower temperature limits (first and second values) that can be set from the host side. In other words, the range of settable temperature settings is obtained here. The CPU 108 stores the obtained upper temperature setting limit (MXTMT) and lower temperature setting limit (MNTMT) in the RAM 112.

Next, in S207, the first media control unit 110 issues a Get Feature command, which is a detailed function information acquisition command. This command is a command for acquiring information about the recording medium 150, but it can acquire information different from that of the Identify command. The Get Feature command is a command that can acquire more detailed information than the Identify command. By using the Get Feature command, it is possible to acquire the set temperature (first value, second value) in the HCTM function currently set in the recording medium 150. The set temperature acquired here is a value acquired immediately after the power supply of the recording medium is turned on, without changing the temperature setting, and therefore becomes the default value set in the recording medium 150. In other words, the default value of the temperature setting threshold (first value, second value) of the recording medium is acquired here. The CPU 108 stores the first value acquired here as DEFAULT_TMT1 and the second value as DEFAULT_TMT2 in the RAM 112.

Next, in S208, the CPU 108 judges whether HCTM can be used. This will be described in detail in FIG. 3 below. HCTM is not a mandatory function, but an optional function, so there may be recording media that do not support it. In addition, since it is a function that has no advantage for recording media vendors, there is a possibility that detailed prior vendor inspection has not been performed, as with the Suspend Address Command of the Video Speed Class standard. For this reason, in S208, the validity of the upper and lower temperature setting limits acquired in S206 and the default value of HCTM acquired in S207 is confirmed, and whether or not to use the HCTM function is determined based on the confirmation result. Then, in S209, if the judgment result in S208 is that HCTM can be used, the CPU 108 proceeds to S210. If the judgment result in S208 is that HCTM cannot be used, the process of this flowchart is terminated, and processing of the recording media that does not use the HCTM function is performed.

In S210, the CPU 108 performs a whitelist determination. A detailed explanation will be given in FIG. 4. In S211, the CPU 108 proceeds to S212 if the determination is successful based on the result of the whitelist determination in S210. If the determination is unsuccessful, the processing of this flowchart ends, and processing of the recording media that does not use the HCTM function is performed.

In S212, the CPU 108 performs mode determination. Details are described in FIG. 5. This mode determination determines the current operating mode of the imaging device, and determines whether to "use HCTM standard" or "use HCTM upper limit" depending on the operating mode. As described above, in the case of "use HCTM standard", the default value acquired in S207 is used as is, and in the case of "use HCTM upper limit", a value based on the temperature setting upper limit value acquired in S206 is used. In this way, the temperature at which the recording medium transitions to the first restriction mode or the second restriction mode is switched depending on the operating mode of the imaging device. In an operating mode that does not require speed, the HCTM standard is used using the default value, thereby preventing the temperature from rising more than necessary. In an operating mode that requires speed, the HCTM upper limit is used, making it possible to continue to draw out the performance of the recording medium until the temperature becomes higher than when the HCTM standard is used.

In S213, the CPU 108 determines whether or not HCMT upper limit use is set as a result of the mode determination in S212. If HCMT upper limit use is set, the process proceeds to S214. In S214, the CPU 108 determines the second value as the upper limit temperature setting value MXTMT as the HCTMT temperature setting to be set on the recording media, and determines the first value as MXTMT-1. In this embodiment, the first value is set to MXTMT-1, which is one degree lower than MXTMT. However, the first value when using the HCTMT upper limit does not have to be MXTMT-1, and may be set to another value depending on the operating conditions and heat rise curve as long as it is a value greater than the default value DEFAULT_TMT1.

In S213, if it is determined that HCTM standard use is set instead of HCMT upper limit use as a result of the mode determination in S212, the process proceeds to S215. In S215, the CPU 108 determines the HCTM temperature setting to be set in the recording media to be the default value. That is, the CPU 108 determines the first value to be DEFAULT_TMT1 and the second value to be DEFAULT_TMT2. In this embodiment, the default value of the recording media is used in standard use, but if there is another index value, that value may be used instead of the default value. Note that even if the default value is not used, the first value in HCTM standard use is smaller than the first value in HCTM upper limit use, and the second value in HCTM standard use is smaller than the second value in HCTM upper limit use.

Next, in S216, the CPU 108 and the first media control unit 110 use a detailed function setting command called the Set Feature command to set the temperature thresholds (first value, second value) of the HCTM function determined in S214 or S215 to the recording media 150. Specifically, the first value and second value determined in S214 or S215 are set as arguments for setting the HCTM temperature threshold in the Set Feature command, and the Set Feature command is issued to the recording media 150. By setting the temperature thresholds in S216, the temperature thresholds for executing the first restriction mode and the second restriction mode in the recording media 150 are changed.

In S217, the CPU 108 determines whether the operation mode of the imaging device 100 has changed. If the mode has changed, proceed to S212. If the mode has not changed, proceed to S218. In addition, when the user operates the mode switching dial in the imaging device, the mode is switched to still image shooting mode or video shooting mode. In addition, when the playback button is operated, the mode is switched to playback mode, and when the menu button is operated, the mode is switched to a setting mode in which a setting screen is displayed on the display unit 104 and various settings are made according to user operations. In addition to switching to still image shooting mode, video shooting mode, playback mode, and setting mode, the operation state of the imaging device, such as changing the image to be played during playback mode and executing a specific function such as a function to copy image data between media, is also included in the mode change in this embodiment. Therefore, in S217, it is determined that the mode has been changed even when the operation state has changed, and the processes of S212 to S216 are executed for the changed mode.

In S218, the CPU 108 determines whether a power-off operation has been performed. If a power-off operation has been performed, this process ends and processing for turning off the power is performed. If a power-off operation has not been performed, the process returns to S217. In other words, the processes of S212 to S216 are repeated each time the mode is changed.

Referring to Figure 3, we will now provide a detailed explanation of the process of determining whether HCTM can be used in S208 of Figure 2.

First, in S301, the CPU 108 checks whether the upper limit temperature setting (MXTMT) and the lower limit temperature setting (MNTMT) acquired in S206 are both 0. If the upper limit temperature setting or the lower limit temperature setting is 0°C despite the HCTM support, it is not interpreted as actually being 0°C, but rather it is assumed that the initial value of 0 is entered because the vendor has not entered a value. If neither the upper limit temperature setting nor the lower limit temperature setting is 0, the process proceeds to S302. If either the upper limit temperature setting or the lower limit temperature setting is 0, the process proceeds to S304, where the CPU 108 determines that HCTM is unavailable. In this embodiment, it is determined that HCTM is unavailable if either the upper limit temperature setting or the lower limit temperature setting is 0, but it may be determined that HCTM is unavailable only if both the upper limit temperature setting and the lower limit temperature setting are 0.

Next, in S302, the CPU 108 checks whether the temperature setting upper limit value (MXTMT) is within a predetermined range to confirm the validity of the value. Specifically, if the temperature setting upper limit value (MXTMT) is within the range of 60 to 110 (°C), it is determined to be valid. In this embodiment, the temperature range determined to be valid is preset to 60°C to 110°C, but is not limited to this. If the temperature setting upper limit value (MXTMT) is within the temperature range of 60 to 110, the process proceeds to S303. If it is outside the range, the process proceeds to S304, where the CPU 108 determines that HCTM is not available.

Next, in S303, the CPU 108 compares DEFAULT_TMT2 corresponding to the second value of the default values acquired in S207 with the upper temperature setting limit (MXTMT) acquired in S206. If DEFAULT_TMT2, which was set in the recording medium as the default value for the second value, is greater than MXTMT, which is the upper temperature setting limit, the value of DEFAULT_TMT2 or MXTMT set in the recording medium is inappropriate. Therefore, if DEFAULT_TMT2 is greater than MXTMT, which is the upper temperature setting limit, the process proceeds to S304, where the CPU 108 determines that HCTM is not available. If DEFAULT_TMT2 is equal to or less than the upper temperature setting limit, the process proceeds to S305, where the CPU 108 determines that HCTM is available.

In the above, in this embodiment, whether HCTM is available or not is determined by checking S301, S302, and S303, but other determinations may also be made. For example, the upper temperature setting limit (MXTMT) may be compared with the lower temperature setting limit (MNTMT), and if MXTMT is smaller than MNTMT, it may be determined that HCTM is not available.

Next, the whitelist determination process will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Note that, in order to make this determination, information (whitelist) of reliable recording media must be stored inside the imaging device 100 beforehand. In this embodiment, ModelName will be used as a specific example of the stored information, but this is not limited to this, and VenderID obtained from PCIe physical layer communication may also be used.

First, in S401, the CPU 108 analyzes the media capability information acquired in S203 to acquire the ModelName. Next, in S402, the CPU 108 compares it with information previously stored internally. In S403, the CPU 108 determines whether the ModelName acquired in S401 is included in the internally stored information (whether there is a hit), and if there is no hit, in S404, the CPU 108 determines that the whitelist determination has failed and ends the process. If the ModelName is included in the internally stored information, in S405, the CPU 108 determines that the whitelist determination has been successful, and ends the whitelist determination process.

Next, the mode determination process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. First, in S501, the CPU 108 determines whether the current operation mode of the imaging device is a still image shooting mode. If it is determined that it is a still image shooting mode, the process proceeds to S506, and if not, the process proceeds to S502 to make the next determination. In S502, the CPU 108 determines whether the current operation mode of the imaging device is a video shooting mode. If it is determined that it is a video shooting mode, the process proceeds to S506, and if not, the process proceeds to S503 to make the next determination. In S503, the CPU 108 determines whether the current operation mode of the imaging device is a playback mode. If it is determined that it is a playback mode, in S504, the CPU 108 determines whether the mode change operation detected in S217 is an operation on the video playback button to instruct video playback. If it is an instruction to play video, the process proceeds to S506. If it is not an instruction to play video, but rather a transition to a playback mode other than video playback, playback of a still image, playback of one frame of an image in a video file, etc., the process proceeds to S505. In addition, when the image to be played is changed (switched) in the playback mode, the next still image or the representative image of the next video (only the image of the first frame) is played, so even if the image to be played is changed, the process proceeds to S505. In addition, if it is determined in S503 that the mode is not the playback mode, the process proceeds to S505. In S505, the CPU 108 decides to use the HCTM standard. Then, in S506, the CPU 108 decides to use the HCTM upper limit. In this way, in this embodiment, it is determined whether to use the HCTM standard or the HCTM upper limit depending on the operating mode and operating state of the imaging device.

In this embodiment, the HCTM upper limit is used when switching to still image shooting mode, when switching to video shooting, and when video playback is performed in playback mode. The HCTM standard is used in other modes (setting mode and when playing back still images in playback mode). In still image shooting mode and video shooting mode, it is decided to use the HCTM upper limit in order to bring out the best performance of the recording media so that the user does not miss the shooting timing/opportunity intended by the user.

When playing back video, if the video cannot be read in time with the playback interval, a so-called underflow occurs and video playback stops, so we have decided to use the HCTM upper limit, which allows us to achieve the best performance from the recording media even if the temperature rises slightly.

In addition, HCTM standard is used in playback mode for still image playback, simultaneous playback of multiple thumbnails, and in setting mode. In playback mode, HCTM standard is used when playing back a video file, and only one frame image of the video file (representative image or selected frame) is played back, just like still image playback. In addition, HCTM standard is used when executing functions of the imaging device, such as RAW image development function, recording media initialization function, image data copy function between multiple media, and video cut-out and editing function, because there are no time constraints and it is not necessary to bring out the best performance of the recording media. When executing RAW image development function, image data copy function between media, and video cut-out and editing function for image data with large data size, the temperature may rise by 20°C to 25°C. Therefore, HCTM standard is used, which can suppress temperature rise more than HCTM upper limit use, rather than HCTM upper limit use, which is likely to cause temperature rise.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether the mode is still image shooting mode, video shooting mode, or video playback, and in this case the HCTM upper limit is used, and in other cases the HCTM standard is used. However, this is not limited to this, and other variations are possible. For example, it is possible to use the HCTM upper limit in shooting mode without distinguishing between still image shooting mode and video shooting mode. Also, in video playback, it is possible to determine whether the video is one that requires the best performance of the recording media based on the video bit rate, and use the HCTM upper limit for videos with a high bit rate and use the HCTM standard for videos with a low bit rate.

Thus, in this embodiment, in S217, the CPU 108 monitors changes in the operating mode and operating state related to the change between using the HCTM standard and using the HCTM upper limit, and if there is a change, determines whether to use the HCTM standard or the HCTM upper limit through mode determination processing. Then, in S216, the temperature threshold value in the HCTM function of the recording media is changed by setting the first value or second value corresponding to the determined use of the HCTM standard or use of the HCTM upper limit. In other words, with regard to S216, if the setting before the change is the same as the setting after the change, the processing of S216 may be omitted.

When a mode change occurs, the temperature threshold setting may be changed to HCTM standard use or HCTM upper limit use before processing in each mode (operating state) begins, or the processing in each mode and the temperature threshold setting change may be performed in parallel. However, for video playback, it is recommended that the temperature threshold setting be changed before video playback processing begins.

<Changing temperature threshold during shooting>
Next, the process of changing the threshold of the HCTM temperature setting during shooting will be described with reference to FIG. 6. This process is executed in response to the shooting instruction button of the operation unit 105 being operated and an instruction to start shooting moving images or still images continuously being input. This process is also realized by the CPU 108 executing a control program stored in the non-volatile memory 113 to control each unit of the imaging device 100. In addition, in this embodiment, a case where an image is recorded in the first recording medium 150 will be described, but the image may be recorded in the second recording medium 160 instead of the first recording medium 150. The user can set which recording medium to record the image in via the operation unit 105.

First, the CPU 108 starts the shooting process (S601). In the shooting process, the CPU 108 controls the imaging unit 103 to shoot an image, and the image processing unit 109 to perform image processing on the shot image to generate image data. Then, the CPU 108 starts the storage process to store the image data generated by the shooting process in the RAM 211 (S602). After that, this shooting process and storage process continue until shooting is completed. The image data is divided into data for one still image in still image shooting, one video frame in video shooting, or a video recording unit (for example, 15 frames). Then, the CPU 108 judges whether the image data has been stored up to this division (S603). If it is judged that the image data has been stored up to the division, the image data stored in the RAM 211 up to the division is started to be recorded on the first recording medium 150 via the first recording medium control unit (S604). If it is judged that the image data has not been stored up to the division, the process proceeds to the next step without starting the recording of the image data on the first recording medium.

The image data to be recorded that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 109 is stored in the RAM 211, and is released (deleted) from the RAM 211 when recording to the first recording medium 150 is completed. In this way, the total amount of image data stored in the RAM 211 fluctuates. In S605, the CPU 108 determines whether the amount of image data (also called the buffer amount/accumulated data amount/data accumulation amount) stored in the RAM 211 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If it is determined that the accumulated image data is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the CPU 108 determines that the buffer is full and stops accumulating the image data (S606). In this way, by stopping the accumulation process when the buffer is full, the image data captured while the accumulation process is stopped will not be recorded, but it is possible to prevent a situation in which the image data cannot be accumulated in the RAM 211 and overflows. Then, in the case of the buffer being full, the CPU 108 decides to use the HCTM standard, and the first recording medium control unit 110 sets the HCTM temperature setting threshold of the first recording medium to the temperature threshold of the HCTM standard (S607). Here, the CPU 108 executes the same processes as S215 and S216 in FIG. 2 to set the temperature threshold value using the HCTM standard for the first recording medium 150. If it is determined that the buffer is not full, the process proceeds to S608.

As described above, the amount of image data stored in the RAM 211 varies. The CPU 108 holds the amount of image data stored in the RAM 211 (amount of stored data) in a predetermined area of the RAM 211, and later compares it with the amount of data recorded previously (S608). Specifically, when the CPU 108 determines that an accumulation break has occurred in S603, it records the amount of image data stored in the RAM 211 (amount of stored data) at the time of the break in a predetermined area of the RAM 211. When recording of image data up to the break is started, the amount of image data stored in the RAM 211 (amount of stored data) may decrease, so the amount of stored data before recording of image data up to the break is recorded. Then, when the CPU 108 next determines that an accumulation break has occurred, it compares the amount of stored data recorded in the predetermined area at the time of the previous accumulation break determination with the current amount of stored data in the RAM 211. In S609, the CPU 108 switches the next process depending on whether the current amount of stored data has increased by a predetermined amount or more from the previous amount of stored data as a result of the comparison. If it is determined that the current amount of stored data is greater than the previous amount of stored data by a predetermined amount or more, the CPU 108 decides to use the HCTM upper limit, and sets the threshold of the HCTM temperature setting of the first recording medium to the temperature threshold of the HCTM upper limit use by the first recording medium control unit 110 (S610). Here, the CPU 108 sets the temperature threshold of the HCTM upper limit use to the first recording medium 150 by executing the same process as S214 and S216 in FIG. 2. If it is determined that the current amount of stored data is not greater than the previous amount of stored data by a predetermined amount or more, the CPU 108 decides whether the amount of stored data is equal to or less than the threshold (S611). If it is determined that the amount of stored data is equal to or less than the threshold, the CPU 108 decides to use the HCTM standard, and sets the threshold of the HCTM temperature setting of the first recording medium to the temperature threshold of the HCTM upper limit use by the first recording medium control unit 110 (S612). Here, the CPU 108 executes the same processes as S215 and S216 in FIG. 2 in the same way as S607, thereby setting the temperature threshold for HCTM standard use in the first recording medium 150. If it is determined that the amount of stored data is not equal to or less than the threshold, it sets the HCTM upper limit use (S610).

The accumulation of shooting data in the RAM 211 and the recording of image data in the first recording medium 150 are performed simultaneously. During this, HCTM standard use and HCTM upper limit use are used depending on the fluctuation in the amount of accumulated image data.

In S613, the CPU 108 determines whether the shooting instruction button on the operation unit 105 has been operated and an instruction to end shooting of moving images or continuous still images has been input. If an instruction to end shooting has not been input, the process returns to S603 and repeats the processes of S603 to S613. If it is determined that an instruction to end shooting has been input, the CPU 108 ends the shooting process and the storage process, and records all remaining image data stored in the RAM 211 to the first storage media 150 by the first storage media control unit 110, and ends this process.

In this way, in this embodiment, the system switches between setting HCTM standard usage and setting HCTM upper limit usage depending on the amount of data stored in the memory.

Specifically, when the buffer full state is reached, the accumulation process is stopped, the HCTM standard usage is set, and the recording of the accumulated image data to the recording medium 150 continues. Then, when the buffer full state is released, the accumulation process of the image data is resumed. The buffer full state is released when it is determined that the amount of accumulated data is not equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, as in the determination in S605. However, it may be determined that the buffer full state is released using a threshold different from that in S605, for example, a threshold smaller than that in S605, or when the amount of data becomes zero. Then, by setting the HCTM standard usage until the buffer full state is released, the temperature rise of the first recording medium 150 is suppressed, and it is expected that the first recording medium will perform well after the accumulation process is resumed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the accumulation process is resumed when the buffer full state is released. However, in still image shooting (continuous shooting), the accumulation process may be stopped in the buffer full state and resumed when the buffer full state is released, and in video shooting, different processing may be performed. For example, in video shooting, the HCTM standard usage may be set in response to the buffer full state, and the accumulation process may be stopped as shooting ends, and the accumulation process may not be resumed even if the buffer full state is released. Even in this case, since the HCTM standard usage is set after the buffer full state is reached and data accumulation is stopped, a rise in temperature can be suppressed and the performance of the recording media can be expected to be demonstrated in the next shooting.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the amount of accumulated data increases significantly, the HCTM upper limit usage is set. When the amount of accumulated data increases significantly, the buffer is likely to become full, and when the buffer becomes full, the accumulation process is stopped and image data cannot be recorded. Therefore, by setting the HCTM upper limit usage, it is possible to prevent the first restriction mode from being executed on the recording media and the recording speed being restricted, and to prevent the first restriction mode from restricting the recording speed and further increasing the amount of accumulated data.

Also, as described above, in this embodiment, even if the increase in the amount of accumulated data is not large, if the amount of accumulated data is equal to or less than the threshold, the HCTM standard usage is set, and if it is not equal to or less than the threshold, the HCTM upper limit usage is set. If the amount of accumulated data is not equal to or less than the threshold, there is a possibility that the buffer will become full and image data will not be able to be recorded, so the HCTM upper limit usage is set, and it is possible to prevent the recording speed from being restricted by the first restriction mode, which would result in a further increase in the amount of accumulated data. If the amount of accumulated data is equal to or less than the threshold, there is a low possibility that the buffer will become full and image data will not be able to be recorded, so the HCTM standard usage is set and the temperature rise is suppressed.

In this way, by dynamically changing the HCTM temperature setting during shooting according to the amount of data stored in RAM 211 (buffer), it is possible to achieve a good balance between suppressing the rise in temperature of the recording media during shooting and providing the best performance from the recording media.

In the above embodiment, the setting is switched between HCTM upper limit use and HCTM standard use depending on two judgment results: whether the increase in the amount of accumulated data is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and whether the amount of accumulated data is less than or equal to a threshold. However, the judgment method is not limited to this, and for example, it is also possible to only judge whether the amount of accumulated data is less than or equal to a threshold without judging the increase in the amount of accumulated data. In this case, if the amount of accumulated data is less than or equal to the threshold, it is set to HCTM standard use, and if the amount of accumulated data is not greater than or equal to the threshold (less than the threshold), it is set to HCTM upper limit use. Alternatively, if the amount of accumulated data is less than or equal to a first threshold, it is set to HCTM standard use, and if the amount of accumulated data is a second threshold (first threshold < second threshold), it is set to HCTM upper limit use. In this case, if the amount of accumulated data is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the HCTM temperature setting is not changed.

Alternatively, it is possible to determine only the increase (decrease) in the amount of accumulated data without determining whether the amount of accumulated data is below a threshold (or above a threshold). In this case, it is possible to set it to use the HCTM upper limit if the increase is a predetermined amount or more, set it to use the HCTM standard if the increase is negative, i.e., decreasing, or has decreased by a predetermined amount or more, and not change the HCTM temperature setting in any other cases.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention has been described above in detail based on its preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

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

Therefore, the program code that is supplied to and installed on a computer to realize the functional processing of the present invention also realizes the present invention. In other words, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

100 Imaging device 108 CPU
110 First media control unit 111 Second media control unit 112 RAM
113 Non-volatile memory 150 First recording medium 160 Second recording medium

Claims (16)

A recording device capable of accessing a recording medium,
a memory for storing data to be recorded on the recording medium;
a recording control means for recording the data stored in the memory onto the recording medium;
a control means for setting a temperature threshold at which a function restriction is performed in the recording medium,
The recording device is characterized in that the control means switches between a first setting in which the temperature threshold at which functional restrictions are imposed on the recording medium is set to a default value of the recording medium, and a second setting in which the temperature threshold is set to a value greater than the default value, depending on the accumulation state of data in the memory. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control so as to perform the first setting when the amount of accumulated data in the memory is equal to or less than a threshold, and to perform the second setting when the amount of accumulated data in the memory is not equal to or less than the threshold. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control so as to perform the first setting when the amount of accumulated data in the memory is equal to or less than a first threshold, and performs control so as to perform the second setting when the amount of accumulated data in the memory is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the second setting when the amount of data stored in the memory increases by a predetermined amount or more. The recording device described in claim 2, characterized in that the control means determines whether the amount of accumulated data in the memory is below a threshold value when the amount of accumulated data in the memory has not increased by more than a predetermined amount, and controls to perform a first setting when the amount of accumulated data is below the threshold value. The recording device described in claim 2 or 5, characterized in that the control means determines whether the amount of accumulated data in the memory is below a threshold value when the amount of accumulated data in the memory has not increased by more than a predetermined amount, and controls to perform the second setting when the amount of accumulated data is not below the threshold value. 7. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the storage of data in the memory to stop when the amount of stored data in the memory reaches a predetermined threshold , and controls the storage of data in the memory to perform the first setting. A recording device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control means sets a first value which is a temperature threshold at which a first restriction mode is executed on the recording medium, and a second value which is greater than the first value and is a temperature threshold at which a second restriction mode which is more restrictive than the first restriction mode is executed. a range acquisition means for acquiring, from the recording medium, a range of values that can be set as a temperature threshold value for which a function restriction is performed in the recording medium;
9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the control means sets the first value and the second value within the range of settable values acquired by the range acquisition means. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, in the second setting, the control means sets the second value to an upper limit value within the range of settable values, and sets the first value to a value smaller than the second value and larger than the second value in the first setting. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the control means sets, in the second setting, the first value to a value that is 1 smaller than an upper limit value within the range of settable values. a default value acquisition unit that acquires, from the recording medium, a default value of a temperature threshold value at which a function is restricted in the recording medium,
A recording device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the default value acquisition means acquires the temperature threshold set on the recording medium before changing the setting of the temperature threshold at which functional restrictions are imposed on the recording medium, and sets the acquired value as the default value. the recording medium is a memory card that complies with the CFexpress standard,
13. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means sets the temperature threshold value using a Host Controlled Thermal Management (HCTM) function. A method for controlling a recording device capable of accessing a recording medium, comprising the steps of:
a recording control step of recording the data stored in the memory onto the recording medium;
a control step of setting a temperature threshold at which a function restriction is performed in the recording medium,
A control method for a recording device, characterized in that in the control process, a first setting is performed in which the temperature threshold value at which functional restrictions are imposed on the recording medium is set to a default value of the recording medium, or a second setting is performed in which the temperature threshold value is set to a value greater than the default value, depending on the accumulation state of data in the memory. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means according to any one of claims 1 to 13 . A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for a recording apparatus according to claim 14 .

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