FR2661582A1 - FIXED IMAGE ELECTRONIC CAMERA AND MAGNETIC DISC. - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnetic disk storing control information for controlling an electronic still image camera; the magnetic disk (D) being of the same type as that used to record an image and a sound. The control information is stored in a command track (D1) or an information track (D2) of the magnetic disk (D), and when the control information is stored in the information track (D2) , information indicating a command to be executed by the command information is stored in another information track (D2).

Description

FIXED IMAGE ELECTRONIC CAMERA

AND MAGNETIC DISC

  The present invention relates to an electronic still image camera into which a magnetic disc is inserted for recording an image. Still image electronic cameras have become very popular recently, since an image photographed by a still image electronic camera can be observed immediately after photography Another reason for the popularity of the still image electronic camera is that a magnetic disc used as a recording medium therein is easy to handle For example, when an image photographed by the electronic still image camera is recorded on a magnetic disc housed in the camera, even if parts of the magnetic disc remain unused, it can easily be removed from the device and placed in a reproducing device for

  observe the image that has just been photographed.

  The magnetic disc is usually provided with 52 tracks, and images and sounds are recorded on the tracks going from the first to the 50th track. The 52nd track is an order track which can be used to record a code by which picture and sound are combined appropriately, and no information is

recorded on the 5th track.

  Such a conventional still image electronic camera, however, can perform only operations such as a change of shot and exposure control which are fixed, and therefore, the photographer cannot modify these operations to

  get the desired photography operation.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to create an electronic still image camera which can freely execute different operations by a

simple system.

  The present invention provides for this purpose a magnetic disk inserted into an electronic still image camera, the magnetic disk comprising tracks for storing information, and a storage system for storing control information by which a photographing operation electronic still image camera is controlled; the memory system

  being formed in at least one of the tracks.

  The present invention further provides a magnetic disk comprising means for connecting it to the electronic still image camera; and at least one track for storing control information by which a camera photography operation

  still image electronics is performed.

  The present invention further provides a magnetic disk for storing control information by which a camera photographing operation

  still image electronics is ordered.

  The present invention also provides an electronic still image camera comprising a reading system and a control system. The reading system reads the control information stored in a magnetic disc inserted in the electronic still image camera. command commands a photographic operation of the electronic image camera

  fixed according to the order information.

  The present invention further provides a magnetic disc comprising a plurality of information storage tracks, the magnetic disc being characterized in that the information for controlling a photographing operation is stored in at least one

tracks.

  The present invention further provides an electronic still image camera comprising a mounting system, a reading system, a determination system and a control system. A magnetic disc is mounted in the mounting system, the reading system reads the information stored in the magnetic disc, the determination system determines whether or not the information is control information, and the control system controls a photographing operation of the electronic still image camera in accordance

order information.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows

  by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a first embodiment of an electronic still image camera according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of a magnetic disk; Figure 3 is a diagram of a program diagram; Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing photography control information; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first example of preparation for a photographic operation by the electronic still image camera; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of preparation for a photographic operation by the electronic still image camera; Figure 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a second embodiment of an electronic still image camera according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a third example of preparation for a photographic operation by the electronic still image camera; FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of preparation for a photographic operation by the electronic still image camera; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a fifth example of preparation for a photographic operation by the electronic still image camera; Figure 11 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a third embodiment of an electronic still image camera according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a schematic representation of an audio signal in a conventional disc; Figure 13 is a schematic representation of a control code; and Figure 14 is a schematic representation of photograph control information recorded under

  the form of a control code and an audio signal.

  The present invention will now be described in detail.

  referring to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  Figure 1 shows a control circuit of a first embodiment of an electronic still image camera of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows a magnetic disk which is inserted into the device

still image electronic photo.

  The system control unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a conventional microcomputer carrying out a control of

  the entire electronic still image camera.

  The system control unit is composed of a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), and it is connected to various operating switches 12 In a photography operation, an image of an object is formed on a CCD (charge coupled device) 15 as a solid state imaging device through a diaphragm of a lens 14 The CCD 15 is connected to an image processing circuit 17 by means of an image forming circuit 16 The image forming circuit 16 and the image processing circuit 17 are connected to, and controlled by, the image processing unit system control 11 A diaphragm control circuit 13 is also connected to, and controlled by, the system control unit 11, based on information received from a device

photometry not shown.

  An image formed on the CCD 15 is entered into the image processing circuit 17 through the image forming circuit 16 In the image processing circuit 17, the image signal input from the circuit forming image 16 is divided into differential color signals and a luminance signal; the two differential color signals (RY, BY) being arranged alternately every 1 H (a horizontal scanning period) The image processing circuit 17 is also connected to an image output terminal 18, and l the photographed image can be observed by connecting a reproduction device (not shown) to the terminal of

image output 18.

  A white balance detector 21 is connected to the control unit of the system II via a white balance processing circuit 22 for

  guarantee the correct tone of a photographed image.

  The disk drive device includes a magnetic head 31, a head control circuit 32 for driving and controlling the magnetic head 31, a spindle motor 33 for rotating a magnetic disk D, a motor control circuit 34 to control the motor 33, and a pulse generator coil (PG) 35 to detect a synchronization of rotation of the magnetic disc D The coil PG 35 is connected to the motor control circuit 34, and the motor control circuit 34 and the head control circuit 32 are connected to

  the system control unit 11.

  The luminance signal and the two differential color signals included in the image signal are frequency modulated, respectively, and identification information (ID) such as a date of photography is

  modulated by differential phase shift (DPSK modulated).

  The DPSK modulated signals corresponding to the ID information are recorded in multiplex mode on the same track. To perform this operation, a frequency modulation circuit 41 and a frequency demodulation circuit 42 are connected to the image processing circuit 17, and a DPSK 47 modulation circuit and a demodulation circuit

  DPSK 49 are connected to the system control unit 11.

  The frequency modulation circuit 41 is connected to the magnetic head 31 via a head amplifier 43 and a contactor 44 The demodulation circuit 42 is connected to the magnetic head 31 via a head amplifier 45 and contactor 44 The DPSK modulation circuit 47 is connected to a point between the frequency modulation circuit 41 and the head amplifier 43 The DPSK demodulation circuit 49 is connected to a point located between the circuit frequency demodulation 42 and the head amplifier 45, via a low pass filter (LPF) 48. The contactor 44 is selectively switched on the side of the frequency modulation circuit 41 or on the side of the circuit frequency demodulation 42, under the control of the system control unit 11 Namely, the contactor 44 connects the head amplifier 43 of the frequency modulation circuit 41 to the magnetic head e 31 when recording the image information on the magnetic disk D, whereby the image information is frequency modulated, and ID information such as a photograph date is demodulated DPSK and recorded on the magnetic disc D Conversely, when an image recorded on the magnetic disc D is reproduced, the contactor 44 connects the head amplifier 45 of the frequency demodulation circuit 42 to the magnetic head 31 Consequently, the information of image recorded on the magnetic disk D is demodulated in frequency and entered into the image processing circuit 17, whereby the image can be reproduced by a reproduction device connected to the image output terminal 18 Information such as that a photograph date are demodulated DPSK and entered in the control unit of the system 11, whereby the date of

  photographic is reproduced at the same time as the image.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, the photograph control information comprising a number f and a shutter speed is stored in an order track of the magnetic disc D. An information reading circuit 46 for reading the photography control information is connected to a point located between the frequency demodulation circuit 42 and the head amplifier 45 The information reading circuit 46 is also connected to the control unit of the system 11, which analyzes the control information, whereby a photographing operation of

the device is controlled.

  In addition, a display device 51 for indicating a current state of the apparatus is connected to the monitoring unit.

system control 11.

  Figure 2 shows the magnetic disk D This magnetic disk D has the same appearance as a magnetic disk of the type of 2 inches used for a camera

  usual fixed image electronics, and which comprises 52 tracks.

  Among these tracks, the tracks going from the first to the ith track D 2, counted from the outer edge of the magnetic disc D, are information tracks used to record image information, audio information and the ID information such as a photograph date The 52 th DI track is an order track in which an order signal is recorded None

  signal is not recorded in the 5th track.

  Since the modulation frequency bands of the image information and the audio information are different, this information is recorded on different tracks. The command signal is used to combine the image information with the corresponding audio information. when an image and a sound are reproduced

both.

  In addition to an area for recording different information, the Di order track is provided with a user area which can be freely used by the user. In this embodiment, the photograph control information for controlling an operation still image electronic camera photography

  is stored in the user area.

  Figure 3 shows a program diagram as

  as an example of photography order information.

  This photograph control information defines a relationship between a number f and a shutter value, using an EV (exposure value) as

  parameter, and it is indicated by a solid line Si.

  A program diagram represented by a dashed line B1 is stored in a ROM of the control unit of the system il as basic photographic control information. It should be noted that, although in this embodiment the EV, the number f and the value of shutter are recorded in a table, an equation allowing to obtain the number f and the value of shutter according to EV can be memorized on the magnetic disc. Figure 4 shows a state of the information of

  photograph control stored in the order track.

  This control information includes a provision constituting a variant of an EV, of a number f, and of a shutter value. A point of the continuous line 51 of FIG. 3 corresponds to a set of the EV of the number f and the shutter value The information indicating a photography operation, such as a mode of priority to the shutter value, can be memorized at the beginning or at the end of the information shown in FIG. 4, Under the form

of a bit, for example.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing an operation of the electronic still image camera of this embodiment. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the basic photograph control information is previously stored in the

  System control unit RAM 11.

  In step 81, a magnetic disk is inserted into the disk drive in the electronic still image camera, and in step 82, the information in the order track of the magnetic disk is read Then in step 83 as a function of the information read in step 82, it is determined whether or not the photograph control information is stored in the order track. It should be noted that in the following, a disc storing photographic control information in an order track is designated as an information disc, and a conventional disc in which photographic control information is not stored is designated as a usual disc Namely, in step 83, it is determined whether or not an information disc is placed in the disk drive. When an information disc is placed in the disk drive, steps 84 to 87 are performed, that is, in step 84, the photograph control information stored in a RAM of the control unit system it is erased, and then in step 85, the photograph control information stored in the order track of the magnetic disc, i.e. the program diagram (the information indicated by the line continuous If in FIG. 3) is written in the RAM of the system control unit 11 Step 86 is a photograph standby state, in which a photograph operation, according to the control information of photograph stored in RAM, i.e. photograph control information recorded in the order track of the magnetic disc, is possible In this state, if a camera shutter button is released, a photography operation according to the diagram shown by the solid line Si of figure 3 is executed. In step 87, it is determined whether or not the control switch 12 a located in the apparatus has been operated. This control switch 12 a is provided for selecting whether the photograph control information read from the command track of the magnetic disc or whether the basic photograph control information previously stored in the unit ROM system control it must be used as a program diagram for a photography operation If this control switch 12a has not been operated, the control returns to step 86, and thus a photography mode using a photograph control information read from the command track, i.e. an optional photograph mode is maintained Conversely, in step 87, if it is determined that the control switch 12 has been operated, step 92 and the following steps are executed, whereby the mode is replaced by a photography mode using the photography control information previously stored in the ROM of the control of the system 11, that is to say, that a basic photography mode is

maintained.

  When it is determined that an information disc is not inserted in the disk drive, in step 83, that is, when a conventional disk is inserted in the disk drive, step 91 and the following steps are performed i.e., in the RAM of the system control unit 11, a program diagram shown by the dashed line Bl in Figure 3, for example, usually is stored as basic photography control information Therefore, in step 91, the display device 51 indicates that the camera is now ready to perform a photography operation based on the information basic photography command, that is, the mode of

basic photography is maintained.

  In step 92, it is determined whether or not the photograph control information stored in the ROM of the system control unit coincides with the photograph control information stored in RAM If this control information are the same, the command goes to step 95 which is a photography standby state, and thus a photography operation based on the basic photography control information currently stored in RAM is possible Conversely , in step 92, if it is determined that the photograph control information stored in RAM and in ROM is different, step 93 is executed and the information stored in RAM is erased, and then in step 94, the basic photography control information stored in the ROM is written to the RAM Then, in step 95, the camera is maintained in a photography standby state in which a photography operation with the basic photography control information newly stored in RAM can be executed In this state, if the camera's shutter button is released, a photography operation according to the diagram indicated by the line

  dashed Bl of Figure 3 is executed.

  At step 96, as at step 87, it is determined whether or not the control switch 12 a has been operated If this control switch 12 has not been operated, the control returns to step 95, and thus a photography mode using the basic photography control information stored in the RAM in the current state, i.e. the basic photography mode, is maintained Conversely, in step 96 s it is determined that the control switch 12 has been operated, step 82 and the following steps are executed, and if an information disc has been placed in the disk drive, the photography mode is replaced by the optional photography mode It should be noted that, in a case in which, although it is determined in step 96 that the control switch 12 has been operated, an information disc is not placed in the disk drive, the photographer can recognize that an information disk is not set up by a display of the basic photography mode

indicated in step 91.

  It should be noted that in an electronic still image camera which is not provided with the control switch 12 a, steps 87 and 96 are omitted. In this case, the photography mode is determined definitively by the fact that the inserted magnetic disc is an information disc or a usual disc Therefore, all the image information recorded in the information tracks of the magnetic disc is photographed according to the same photograph control information. As described above, the still image electronic camera of this embodiment can be operated as well as by an information disc as by a conventional disc, but when the electronic camera is still image according to the present invention must be implemented only by an information disc, then the flow diagram of FIG. 5

  consists only of steps 81, 82, 84, 85 and 86.

  In the embodiment described above, a photography operation can be executed by the photography control information stored in the order track of the magnetic disc Therefore, a photography operation can be executed according to a photography control information different from the basic photography control information stored in the RAM of the system control unit, whereby different photography operations become possible In addition, since such photography information is obtained from the magnetic disc, there is no need to equip the device with a special implementation system, and therefore, the

  device construction is greatly simplified.

  Further, although the photography control information is stored in the ROM of the system control unit in a conventional apparatus, the photography control information is obtained at

  from the magnetic disk in this embodiment.

  Therefore, the ROM for storing the photography control information does not need to be housed in

the device.

  In addition, since the embodiment is constructed in such a way that the photographic control information is obtained from the magnetic disc, to select a necessary photographic condition, only a magnetic disc having the digital control information photograph corresponding to the object must be

  selected, which simplifies the operation of the device.

  The volume of the order track of the magnetic disk is about 16 K bytes, which is large enough.

  to store the photograph control information.

  The information reading circuit 46 for reading the information from the order track is easily achieved using an integrated circuit (IC), and thus a particularly complicated construction is not

necessary.

  It should be noted that in the above embodiment, to simplify the explanation of this

  invention, a description of an embodiment for

  sound recording has been omitted, but when sound is to be recorded as an image, an audio processing circuit is added to the circuits shown in the

figure 1.

  In the first embodiment described above, the photograph control information is stored in the D1 command track. In another embodiment of the present invention, however, the photograph control information such as a number f and a shutter speed is stored in the information tracks D 2 (FIG. 2) and the information indicating that the magnetic disc D is an information disc storing the photograph control information is stored in the order track Dl The content recorded in the tracks of the magnetic disc D differs according to the fact that the magnetic disc D is a usual disc or an information disc, and the components of the processing circuit are different depending of the magnetic disk DA, namely, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to determine whether the magnetic disk D is or not an information disk, since only certain circuits predetermine rminés are implemented according to the nature of the signal

  reproduction entered from the magnetic head 31.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of program diagrams shown by the continuous line Si in FIG. 3 are stored in the information tracks D 2. FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of an operation of the apparatus still image electronic photo for this mode

of achievement.

  In step 101, a magnetic disc is inserted into the disc unit of the electronic still image camera, and in step 102, the information in the order track of the magnetic disc is read. step 103, as a function of the information read in step 102, it is determined whether or not the magnetic disc placed in the apparatus is an information disc, that is to say, it is determined if the photography control information is stored in this magnetic disc When the magnetic disc is an information disc, step 111 and the following steps are executed, but when the magnetic disc is a usual disc, steps 104 to 109 are

executed.

  If an information disc has been placed, and step 111 and the following steps have been performed, the program diagram shown by the continuous line Si in figure 3 is stored in the RAM of the system control unit Conversely, if step 111 and the following steps have not been performed, the program diagram shown by the dashed line B1 in Fig. 3, for example, is stored as basic photography control information Then in step 104, the current contents of the RAM

  is indicated by the display device 51.

  In step 105, it is determined whether the photograph control information stored in the ROM of the system control unit 11 is the same as the photograph control information stored in the RAM When this information is the Likewise, the command goes to step 106 which is a photograph standby state, and thus a photograph operation based on the photograph control information stored in the RAM becomes possible. Conversely, when it is determined in step 105 that the photography control information stored in the ROM and in the RAM is different, it is determined in step 107 whether the photography control information currently stored in the RAM must be used for the photography operation This determination is carried out by an operation in which the photographer actuates a control switch 12 b according to the indication provided by the device

display 51, for example.

  When a photography operation is performed using the photography control information currently stored in RAM, the control goes to step 106 Conversely, when the photography is not performed using the photography control information currently stored in RAM, control goes to step 108, and information stored in RAM is cleared Then, basic photography control information stored in ROM is written to RAM in step 109 , and in step 110 the contents of RAM are displayed. Step 106 is a photography standby state in which a photography operation with the basic photography control information newly stored in RAM can be performed. In this state, if the shutter button of the camera is released, a photography operation according to the diagram indicated by the dashed line Bl of Figure 3

is executed.

  On the other hand, in step 103, if it is determined that an information disc is mounted in the disk drive,

  step 111 and the following steps are executed.

  First, in step 111, it is determined which track of the magnetic disc should be read. The instruction for this reading is given by an operation of the control switch 12b by the photographer When an instruction for reading a track is given, the photograph control information stored in the designated track is reproduced by the information reading circuit 46 in step 112, and the photograph control information stored in the unit's RAM control command 11 is cleared Then, in step 114, the photograph control information reproduced in step 112 is written to the

  System control unit RAM 11.

  In step 115, the content of the photography control information currently stored in the RAM is indicated by the display device 51, for example. Therefore, the photographer can read the photography control information, determining whether the photograph control information present is or is not acceptable, and

  actuate the control switch 12 b accordingly.

  When it is determined by the photographer that the photography order information present is acceptable, the order ends Conversely, when it is determined by the photographer that the photography order information present is not acceptable, the step 111 and the following steps are performed again. On the other hand, in step 111, when it is determined that no instruction has been given to determine which track of the magnetic disc should be read, step 121 and the following steps are executed this whereby the photographic control information is reproduced and it is determined whether the photographic control information

photography is or is not acceptable.

  Namely, in step 121, a counter "t" is set to "1" Then in step 122, the photograph control information stored under the track number "t" is reproduced by the read circuit information 46 Steps 123, 124 and 125 are the same as steps 113, 114 and 115 Namely, the photograph control information stored in the RAM of the system control unit 11 up to this time is erased, the new photography control information is written to the RAM, and the content of the photography control information stored in the RAM is then indicated by the display device 51 In step 130, it is determined by the photographer if the photo ordering information present is acceptable If the information is

  acceptable, the order goes to the end.

  In step 130, when it is determined that the photograph control information present is not acceptable, the command goes to step 131 in which the counter "t" is increased by "2", and then in step 132 it is determined whether the counter "t" has become greater than or equal to "49" If the counter is smaller than "49", steps 122 to 130 are executed again Namely, the information next photograph control command is reproduced, and it is determined whether this photograph control command information is acceptable Note that the counter "t" is increased by "2" in step 131 because the control command information photograph is memorized

both tracks of the disc.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 132 that the counter "t" is greater than or equal to "49", the command returns to step 121, whereby the counter "t" is set to "1", and steps 122 to 130 are performed again. Therefore, after the photograph control information has been written to the RAM of the system control unit 11, the photographer places a usual disc in the disc unit and performs a photograph operation according to the selected photograph control information Then, when the photographer wishes to modify the photograph control information, the information disc is again placed in the disk drive, and the operation described above

is executed.

  As described above, this embodiment is constructed in such a way that a photography operation can be performed according to the photography control information stored in the information tracks of the magnetic disc, and since twenty-five kinds of photography information, for example, can be stored on an information disc, a photography operation can be performed according to photography control information different from the photography control information basic memorized in the ROM of the system control unit 11, and thus various photography operations can be performed Furthermore, since the photography control information is obtained from the magnetic disk, the apparatus does not require an exclusive implementation system for storing photography control information Therefore

  the construction of the device is simplified.

  Although the photograph control information is obtained from the ROM of the system control unit in a conventional apparatus, the photograph control information is obtained from the magnetic disc in this embodiment Therefore , the ROM for storing photography control information does not need to be located in the camera or an area in the ROM for storing photo control information

  photograph command can be deleted.

  Figure 7 shows a control circuit of a second embodiment of the electronic camera to

  still image of the present invention.

  This embodiment is provided with an audio processing circuit, which is not provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 Namely, in this embodiment, when the magnetic disc is a usual disc, sound can be recorded at the same time as an image, and when the magnetic disc is an information disc, the content of the control command information

  photograph can be indicated by voice.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a microphone 61 is connected to an audio signal processing circuit 63 via a microphone amplifier 62, and the audio signal processing circuit 63 is connected to an AD converter (analog-to-digital) 65 via a contactor 64 Consequently, sound input by means of the microphone 61 is entered into the AD converter 65, and the high frequency components of the sound are removed by the signal processing circuit audio 63 and converted from analog to digital The AD converter 65, a digital signal processing circuit 66, a RAM 67 and a DA (digital-analog) converter 68 are interconnected by a data bus 69 The signal processing circuit digital 66 outputs a clock signal to the AD 65 converter, the RAM 67 and the DA 68 converter and it writes to and reads from the RAM 67 The processing circuit digital signal processor 66 is connected to an audio signal processing CPU 71, which is connected to the system control unit 11 Namely, the audio signal processing CPU 71 performs information input and output of the digital signal processing circuit 66 and the control unit

of the system 11.

  The DA converter 68 is connected to a compressed audio signal recording processing circuit 72, which is connected to a frequency modulation circuit 41 by means of a contactor 73 The contactor 73 is designed so that the frequency modulation circuit 41 is selectively connected to an image processing circuit 17 or to the compressed audio signal recording processing circuit 72 Namely, the contactor 73 is connected to the image processing circuit 17 when recording an image and it is connected to the compressed audio signal recording processing circuit 72 when recording sounds Therefore, when recording sounds, the audio signal is input from of the audio signal processing circuit 63 in the AD converter 65, to be converted into a digital signal, then once transferred into the RAM 67, converted into an analog signal by the conversion ur DA 68, and entered the compressed audio signal recording processing circuit 72 Then, the audio signal is compressed to a period for which the magnetic disc D makes a revolution (for example, 1/60 of a second), and then it is frequency modulated and recorded on a track of the magnetic disc D. A compressed audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74 is provided between a frequency demodulation circuit 42 and the contactor 64, which is switched under the control of the the control unit of the system there via the audio signal processing CPU 71 The contactor 64 is connected to the audio signal processing circuit 63 when recording sounds, and it is connected to the audio processing circuit reproduction of compressed audio signal 74 during reproduction of sounds Consequently, during reproduction of sounds, an audio signal recorded on the magnetic disc D is demodulated in frequency, and then i l is subjected by the compressed audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74 to a reverse processing of that of the process executed by the audio signal recording compression processing circuit 72, and thus it is expanded up to a predetermined period . This audio signal is transmitted via the converter AD 65, the RAM 67 and the converter DA 68 to the audio signal processing circuit 75, where a high frequency component of the signal is removed The audio signal is then amplified to a level predetermined, and it is reproduced by a reproduction device connected to

  an audio signal output terminal 77.

  FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an operation of the electronic still image camera comprising the circuit shown in FIG. 7 In this embodiment, the content currently stored in the RAM of the system control unit 11 is voice output from speaker 76, for example, so the photographer can easily judge whether the order information

  or not is as required.

  To obtain this voice confirmation of the photograph control information, steps 116 to 118, and 126 to 128 are provided, namely, steps 116 to 118 correspond to step 115 of the flow diagram of FIG. 5, and the steps 126 to 128 correspond to the step of the flow diagram of FIG. 5 The operations of the steps other than the steps 116 to 118 and the steps 126 to 128 are the same as those of the corresponding steps of FIG. 5, and by therefore an explanation of these

  other steps are omitted from the following description.

  In step 116, the information of the audio waveforms corresponding to the photograph control information written in the RAM of the system control unit 11 in step 114 is read. In this embodiment, the photograph control information is stored in the odd track numbers of the magnetic disc, and the audio waveform information is stored in the even track numbers In addition, each waveform information is stored in a track inside and next to the corresponding photograph control information track Therefore, in step 116, the track number, storing the audio waveform information which number is obtained adding 1 to the track number of the control command information

  corresponding photograph, is read.

  The audio waveform information is converted from analog to digital and stored in RAM 67 of the audio signal processing circuit in step 117 In step 118, an audio indication indicating the content of the information photograph control unit is output via an audio reproducing device connected to the speaker 76 or to the output terminal 77 The photographer can determine by this voice output whether or not the photograph control information is as required , and then he can enter the required information, if necessary, by operating a contactor

predetermined in step 120.

  The operations of steps 126 to 128 are the same as those of steps 116 to 118 Namely, the audio waveform information corresponding to the photograph control information written in the RAM of the system control unit 1 i in step 124 is read, it is converted from analog to digital, and it is then stored in RAM 67 of the audio processing circuit, and subsequently, it is reproduced by loudspeaker 76 or

  another reproductive device.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the photograph control information currently stored in the RAM of the system control unit 11 is confirmed by voice. Therefore, the photographer can easily have confirmation. precisely the content of the photograph control information, and thereby easily determine whether or not the photograph control information is such

than required.

  Note that in the embodiment of FIG. 7, although the audio waveform information corresponding to the photograph control information is stored in the information track adjacent to the audio track. information in which the photograph control information is stored, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment i.e., the audio waveform information can be stored in another track For example, the information of photography command can be stored in tracks from the first to the 25 th track on the magnetic disc, and audio waveform information can be stored in the tracks from the 26 th to the 50 th track In this case, the information for matching the photography control information to the audio waveform information is stored in the order track, for example, or in an audio signal control code, describedmore

  further referring to Figures 12-14.

  FIG. 9 is another flow diagram of an operation of the electronic still image camera In this operation, an example correctly presenting a characteristic of the photograph control information currently stored in the RAM of the scanning unit system control it is shown by a reproduction device (not shown) connected to the image output terminal 18, whereby the photographer can easily determine whether the control information of

  photograph is or is not as required.

  To have confirmation of the photograph control information by the example of the image, steps 119 and 129 are provided. These steps 119 and 129 correspond to steps 115 and 125, respectively of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. the operations of the steps other than those of steps 119 and 129 are the same as those of the corresponding steps of FIG. 6, an explanation of the

other steps are omitted.

  In step 119, image information corresponding to the photograph control information written in the RAM of the system control unit 11 in step 114, is read in. This image information shows a typical example of a photographed image according to the photograph control information The image is output to the reproduction device and projected onto the screen of

  this one as described above.

  As in the embodiment of Fig. 8, the photograph control information is stored in an odd numbered track of the magnetic disk, and the image information is stored in an even numbered track, respectively Each information of image is stored in a track adjacent to the indoor track in which the corresponding photograph control information is stored Therefore, in step 119, the image information of a track whose number is obtained by adding 1 to the number of the track of the photography control information, is reproduced The photographer can determine by this image whether the photography control information is or not as required, in a step 120, he can enter a signal " correct "or" incorrect "in the device by the operation of a

predetermined contactor.

  The operation of step 129 is the same as step 119. Therefore, according to this embodiment, an example of photograph control information currently stored in the RAM of the system control unit is confirmed by an image Therefore, the photographer can accurately recognize the content of the photographic control information, and can easily determine whether the photographic control information

  photograph is or is not as required.

  Note that the image information corresponding to the photography control information is not necessarily stored in a track adjacent to the track in which the photography control information is stored, and instead it can be stored in another track For example, the photograph control information can be stored in the tracks from the first to the 25 th track of the magnetic disc, and the image information can be stored in the tracks from the 26 th to the ith track In this case, the information for matching the photograph control information to the image information is stored in the order track,

for example.

  Figure 10 is yet another flow diagram of an operation of the still image electronic camera, in this operation, similar to the operation shown in Figure 9, the photographer can select the photograph control information by use

of an image.

  In step 201, it is determined whether or not a contactor 12 c (FIG. 1 or 7) for advancing the track of the magnetic disc is turned ON If the contactor 12 c is not turned ON, step 202 is skipped, and step 203 is executed Conversely, if the contactor 12 c is set to ON, step 202 is executed and one of the information tracks is read In step 203, it is determined whether a 12 d reproduction button placed in the device is set to ON or not It should be noted that when the 12 d button is not set to ON; this process ends, but when the key 12 d is turned ON, step 204 and the following steps are executed, and a selection of the photography control information is executed. In step 204, the image information stored in an information track selected at this time, and the reference information, are read. This image shows a typical example of an image photographed as a function of the information. control command for the corresponding photograph, and it is recorded in the same way as by the usual disc, namely, the image signal is divided into a luminance signal and differential color signals, and

  it is frequency modulated and recorded on disk.

  In addition, although ID information such as a photograph date is usually DPSK modulated and recorded in multiplex mode on a track on which an image is recorded, in an information disc of this embodiment, a number of the track, as reference information, on which the photograph control information corresponding to the image is modulated DPSK and recorded in multiplex mode on a user area on which the information is recorded under

the form of a DPSK modulation.

  In step 205, it is determined by the modulated information DPSK whether the magnetic disc is an information disc or a usual disc If it is a usual disc, a usual reproduction is executed, that is to say in step 206, an image recorded on the usual disk is

  reproduced on a screen of the reproduction device.

  Conversely, when it is determined in step 205 that an information disc is mounted in the disk drive, the information that a photograph by the photograph control information can be executed is indicated by the display device 51 in step 207, and the image read in step 204 is displayed on the screen of the reproduction device. By observing this image, the photographer can determine whether or not the photograph control information is as required, and then he can operate a control switch 12b, in step 208, to select the camera control information. photography Namely, when the photography control information is correct, the photography control information is read from the information disc to the RAM of the system control unit 11 in step 209, and the process ends Then, a photography operation according to the photography control information is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 208 that the photograph control information is not correct, step 209 is skipped and the photograph control information stored in the RAM of the system control unit 11 is not modified In this case, the photographer operates the track advance switch 12 c or 12 d (steps 201 and 202), turns ON the play button (step 203), and tests the next image (steps 207 and 208) The photograph control information

  correct is selected by repeating this operation.

  According to this embodiment, the same effect as that

shown in Figure 9 is obtained.

  Figure 11 shows a control circuit for a third embodiment of the camera

  still image electronics of the present invention.

  This embodiment has basically the same construction as the second embodiment shown in Figure 7 Namely, this electronic still image camera is equipped with an audio signal processing circuit which includes the microphone 61, the amplifier microphone 62, audio signal processing circuit 63, contactor 64, AD converter 65, digital signal processing circuit 66, RAM 67, DA converter 68, audio signal processing CPU 71, audio signal recording compression processing circuit 72, contactor 73, and compressed audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74 This still image electronic camera, however, is not equipped with the playback circuit information 46 In addition, a main difference between the second and the third embodiment lies in the fact that, in this embodiment, the photograph control information is stored. stored in the magnetic disc in the form of an audio signal control code. In this embodiment, the photograph control information such as a number f and a shutter speed is stored in the information tracks D 2 (FIG. 2) and the information indicating the magnetic disc D is a information disc storing the photograph control information, is stored in the track

Dl orders.

  The photography control information is recorded on the magnetic disk D as an audio signal control code Therefore, before describing a recording format of the photography control information, the recording audio information in this still image electronic camera is

described below.

  FIG. 12 shows a format of an audio signal in a conventional disc, in which a track is divided into four sectors, and a signal which is started at a start mark F1 and ended at an end mark F 2 is recorded in each sector A control code Ci for recording a date, and an audio waveform signal C 2, are recorded immediately after the start mark Fl In a sector in which the audio waveform signal C 2 is recorded , the start mark Fl is a high level signal as shown in Figure 12, and the end mark F 2 is a low level signal as shown in Figure 12 When a signal exists in the area next, and it's a high level signal

  when the audio signal ends in this area.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the control code Ci is composed of a synchronization code C 3 and information codes C 4, which each consist of eight bits, and of a code CRC (control code cyclical by

  redundancy) C 5 consisting of two eight-bit signals.

  Each code is separated by a start bit S Nine bytes of information codes C 4 are provided in one of the control codes Cl The synchronization code C 3 indicates a start of the control code, and the CRC code C 5 is provided for detecting an error when reading the command code. As described above, although the start mark F1 is a high level signal when a signal C 2 is recorded in this sector, the start mark F1 is a low level signal when there is has no audio signal C 2 recorded here Therefore, when the start mark F1 is a low level signal, the audio signal processing circuit ignores the signals which follow the start mark as audio signals Ce embodiment takes advantage of this phenomenon Namely, the start mark F1 is set to a low level, and the photograph control information is recorded in the form of the control code behind this start mark This information is then read by the audio signal processing circuit and transmitted to

  the system control unit 11.

  FIG. 14 schematically shows the photograph control information stored in the magnetic disc in the form of the control code A sector starts at the start mark F1 which is a low level signal This sector is provided with 64 codes of command Cl and ends at the end mark F 2 A maximum of four of these sectors is placed in one of the information tracks. Namely, the photograph control information as shown in Fig. 4 is stored on the information disc in the form of a control code, and it is read by the audio signal processor. A signal processor read operation

audio is described below.

  First, the playback of an audio signal on a conventional disc is described. A control signal indicating a duration, for example, five seconds, ten seconds or twenty seconds, during which an audio signal is recorded, is output by the system control unit 11 This control signal is stored in RAM 67 via the audio signal processing CPU 71, and the digital signal processing circuit 66 At the same time, an audio signal is transmitted by the via the audio signal processing circuit 63 and it is stored in RAM 67 via the AD converter 65 The control signal and the audio signal stored in RAM 67 are recorded on the magnetic disc D via the DA converter 68, the compressed audio signal recording processing circuit 72, the frequency modulation circuit 41, and

amplifier 43.

  When this audio signal is read from the magnetic disc D, the audio signal and the control signal are stored in RAM 67 by the amplifier 45, the frequency demodulation circuit 42, the compressed audio signal reproduction processing 74 and the AD converter 65 The control signal stored in RAM 67 is transmitted to the RAM of the system control unit 11 by the digital signal processing circuit 66 and the processing CPU audio signal 71 Under the control of the system control unit 11, the audio signal stored in the RAM 67 is output from the loudspeaker 76 via the DA converter 68 and the audio signal processing circuit 75, in accordance with a duration (for example, five

  seconds) indicated by the control signal.

  The description above is that of a case in

  which the magnetic disc is a usual disc Consequently, the start mark Fl is a high level signal On the other hand, when the magnetic disc D is an information disc, the start mark Fl is a low level signal In this case, a signal stored in the information disc is stored in RAM 67 via the amplifier 45, the frequency demodulation circuit 42, the compressed audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74, and from the AD converter 65 The photograph control information read from the information disc to the RAM 67 is stored in the RAM of the system control unit 11 via the digital signal processing circuit 66 and of the audio signal processing CPU 71, and it is then analyzed by the system control unit 11, and thus the electronic still image camera is controlled according to the photograph control information Note that the RAM 67 intended to be an audio memory can be used as a RAM to store the photograph control information, so that the RAM in the unit

  system control 11 can be omitted.

  Preparation for a photographic operation by the electronic still image camera of this embodiment is carried out according to the flowchart presented in FIG. 8 or in FIG. 9 It should be noted that in step 112, the photograph control information is reproduced by the audio signal processor The remaining operation is the same as that described in

relationship to Figures 8 and 9.

  The same effects as those of the first and second embodiments are obtained with this third embodiment In addition, since in the third embodiment the photograph control information is stored on the magnetic disk in the form of the code of control of an audio signal, a circuit used exclusively for reading photographic control information need not be provided, and therefore the construction of all of the control circuits is

made much simpler.

  Although, as an example of photograph control information stored in the magnetic disk in the embodiments described above, a program diagram consisting of the EV, the number f and the shutter value be described, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the photograph control information can be a program for executing a plan change operation In this case, the system control unit controls a mechanism change of plan according to the program obtained from the magnetic disc In addition, the photograph control information obtained from the magnetic disc is not necessarily related to a photographing operation, and it can be information to execute another

  order that a photography operation.

  Although some preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made

  here without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (19)

  1 magnetic disk mounted in an electronic still image camera, said magnetic disk (D) being characterized in that it comprises: tracks for storing information (D 2); and means for storing photography control information by which the photography operation of said electronic still image camera is controlled, said storing means being formed   in at least one of said tracks (D 2).   2 magnetic disk according to claim 1, characterized in that said magnetic disk (D) has an order track (Dl) capable of storing an order signal, and in that said control information is   stored in said order track (Dl).   3 magnetic disk according to claim 1, characterized in that said magnetic disk (D) has at least one information track (D 2) capable of storing one of a video signal and an audio signal, and in what said photograph control information is   stored in said information track.   4 magnetic disk according to claim 3, characterized in that said photograph control information is stored in said information track   in the form of a control code and an audio signal.   Magnetic disc according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic disc (D) comprises a first information track for storing said photograph control information, a second information track for storing information indicating a command executed by said information control, and means for connecting said control information   photograph of the corresponding information.   6 magnetic disk according to claim 5, characterized in that said information is stored in   said second track in the form of an audio signal.   7 magnetic disk according to claim 5, characterized in that said information is stored in   said second track in the form of a video signal.   8 Magnetic disk according to claim 1, characterized in that said photograph control information is used to control an exhibition   said electronic still image camera.   9 Magnetic disk mounted in an electronic still image camera, said magnetic disk (D) comprising: means for connecting said magnetic disk (D) to said electronic still image camera, and at least one track for storing information of photography control by which the photography operation of said electronic still image camera is implemented.   Magnetic disk according to claim 9, characterized in that said photograph control information is used to control an exhibition   said electronic still image camera.   11 Magnetic disc mounted in an electronic still image camera, characterized in that said magnetic disc (D) stores control information by which the photographing operation of said   still image electronic camera is ordered.   12 Magnetic disk according to claim 11, characterized in that said photograph control information is used to control an exhibition   said electronic still image camera.   13 Magnetic disc comprising a plurality of tracks (D 2) for storing information, said magnetic disc (D) being characterized in that the information for controlling the operation of photography is stored in at least one of said tracks ( D 2) 14 Electronic still image camera in which a magnetic disk (D) is shown; characterized in that said still image electronic camera comprises: means for reading the control information stored in said magnetic disk (D); and means for controlling the photography operation of said electronic still image camera based on said control information. 15. Electronic still image camera according to claim 14, characterized in that said magnetic disc (D) has an order track (Dl) capable of memorizing an order signal, and in that said control information is stored in said track of orders (Dl).   16 electronic still image camera according to claim 14, characterized in that said magnetic disk (D) has at least one information track (D 2) capable of storing one of a video signal and a signal audio, and in that said photograph control information is stored in said information track. 17 electronic still image camera according to claim 16, characterized in that said photograph control information is stored in said information track in the form of a control code and a audio signal.   18 electronic still image camera according to claim 14, characterized in that the magnetic disc (D) comprises a first information track for storing said photograph control information, a second information track for storing information indicating a control executed by said control information, and means for connecting said photograph control information to said corresponding information.   19 electronic still image camera according to claim 18, characterized in that said information is stored in said second track in the form of a audio signal.   Electronic still image camera according to claim 18, characterized in that said information is stored in said second track in the form of a video signal.   21 electronic still image camera according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises   means for reproducing said information.   22 electronic still image camera according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises means for memorizing said control information   stored in said magnetic disk (D).   23 electronic still image camera according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises means for displaying information (51) indicating a photography operation.   24 electronic still image camera according to claim 14, characterized in that said control information is used to control an exhibition   said electronic still image camera.   Electronic still image camera characterized in that it comprises: means for mounting a magnetic disc (D); means for reading information stored on the magnetic disk (D); means for determining whether said information is control information; and means for controlling the photography operation of said electronic still image camera   based on said order information.   26 electronic still image camera according to claim 25, characterized in that said control information is used to control an exhibition   said electronic still image camera.