JP2000253287A - Image pickup device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by storing video data outputted from an image pickup means in a memory until a system is detected to become a state where video data can be recorded in a recording medium, and sequentially reading video data stored in the memory after the system becomes the recording possible state, and recording data in the recording medium. SOLUTION: In a video camera 1, encoded data D1 are sequentially accumulated in FIFO 10, it is detected whether a system becomes a state where data can be recorded in an optical disk 3 or not. Encoded data D1 are sequentially read from FIFO 10 after the system becomes the state where data can be recorded in the optical disk 3 and encoded data D1 which are read are recorded in the optical disk 3. When a recording start instruction is given in the video camera 1, encoded data D1 are immediately accumulated in FIFO 10 and they can be recorded. Thus, video sound data on a scene to be taken are recorded without missing a head part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and a method therefor, and is suitably applied to, for example, a video camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a video camera, when a recording start command is given through an operation panel, a magnetic tape provided inside and a recording head are rotated so that a relative speed becomes constant. In this state, video data obtained by photoelectrically converting the optical image of the subject via the imaging unit is recorded on the magnetic tape.

[0003]

By the way, in the video camera having such a configuration, when a recording start command is given, the magnetic tape and the rotary head are driven to rotate via a predetermined drive unit, but the recording start command is given. Until the magnetic tape and the recording head rotate stably until video data can be recorded on this magnetic tape.
It takes about 10 seconds.

Therefore, in a video camera, video data cannot be recorded until a magnetic tape is in a recordable state even if a recording start command is given via an operation panel according to a scene desired by a user. In some cases, the beginning of the scene to be shot (about 10 seconds) may be missed, and there is a problem that it is not easy to use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an imaging apparatus and a method thereof that can improve the usability.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus for picking up an optical image of a subject and generating video data according to the optical image. Memory for sequentially storing video data output from the memory, recording means for recording video data output from the memory on a recording medium, and whether or not the recording means can record video data on the recording medium And state detection means for detecting the image data, and until the state detection means detects that the recording means has become capable of recording the video data on the recording medium, the video data output from the imaging means is stored in the memory. After the storage means detects that the recording means is ready to record video data on the recording medium by the state detection means, the video data stored in the memory is sequentially read. Out, and to record on a recording medium by the recording means the read video data.

As a result, the video data obtained from the imaging means when the recording start command is given is immediately stored in the memory without using a special recording medium for recording the head portion of the video data of the scene to be shot. It is possible to prevent the head portion of the video data of the scene desired to be photographed from being missed.

Further, according to the present invention, in the imaging method, an optical image of a subject is captured, and the image data generated according to the optical image is generated according to the optical image until the image data can be recorded on a recording medium. A first step of storing video data to be recorded in a memory, and a step of sequentially reading video data stored in the memory when the video data can be recorded on a recording medium, and recording the read video data on a recording medium. And two steps.

As a result, the video data obtained from the image pickup means when the recording start command is given is immediately stored in the memory without using a special recording medium for recording the head portion of the video data of the scene to be shot. It is possible to prevent the head portion of the video data of the scene desired to be photographed from being missed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of Video Camera According to First Embodiment In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a video camera to which the present invention is applied as a whole. DVD-
RAM (Digital Versatile Disc-Randam Access Memor)
y), DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disc-ReWrita
ble) can be removably loaded into the housing.

In the video camera 1, an operation panel 4 provided at a predetermined portion of the housing is connected to a system controller 6 via a system bus 5.
This allows the system controller 6 to operate the operation panel 4
Controls the entire video camera 1 on the basis of various control commands input through the CPU, thus recording or reproducing video data and audio data (hereinafter collectively referred to as video / audio data) on the optical disk 3. It has been made like that.

In practice, in the video camera 1, during data recording, an analog image pickup signal S1 obtained by photoelectrically converting an optical image of a subject by the solid-state image pickup device 7 and surrounding sounds are collected by the microphone 8. The obtained analog audio signal S2 is transmitted to the encoder 9.

The encoder 9 converts the image signal S1 and the audio signal S2 given from the solid-state image sensor 7 and the microphone 8 into digital signals and performs predetermined signal processing.
MPEG-2 (Moving Picture)
The data is compressed and encoded by the Experts Group 2) method, and the coded data D1 thus obtained is sent to the parity adding circuit 11 via a FIFO (First In First Out) 10 used as a shock proof memory.

After the encoded data D1 given to the parity adding circuit 11 is added with parity data for error correction, the encoded data D1 in the first format conversion circuit 12 corresponds to the physical and logical format for the optical disc 3, for example. Identification information, a synchronization signal, and the like are added and separated for each sector unit.
LL (Run Length Limited) encoding and NRZI
The recording modulation processing (recording code processing) including (Non Return to Zero Inverse rule) processing is sent to the write pulse generation circuit 14 as recording code data D2.

At this time, the clock signal S3 is supplied from the frequency synthesizer 15 to the write pulse generation circuit 14, and the recording code data D2 supplied from the recording modulation circuit 13 based on the clock signal S3 generates a pulse corresponding to the pit. A pulse train (also referred to as a multi-pulse) process for subdividing the signal is performed, and the obtained write pulse data D3 is sent to the laser driver 16.

The laser driver 16 controls the recording laser power setting signal S4 supplied from the laser power switching circuit 18 under the control of the laser power controller 17.
, The write pulse data D3 given from the write pulse generation circuit 14 is converted into a recording current S5 of a predetermined level, and the recording current S5 is supplied from the high frequency superimposing circuit 19 to reduce the noise of the laser beam. Four
A high frequency of about 00 [MHz] is superimposed and transmitted to the optical head 20.

As a result, the optical head 20 emits a laser beam L1 corresponding to the recording current S5 supplied from the laser driver 16 from a predetermined light source (not shown), and the laser beam L1 is emitted by the spindle control circuit 22 of the disk drive unit 21. Irradiation is performed at a predetermined position on the recording surface of the optical disk 3 rotating at a predetermined number of revolutions in the direction, so that video and audio data can be recorded on the recording surface of the optical disk 3.

Incidentally, when the data recording method based on the phase change is applied to the optical disk 3, the optical head 20 irradiates a relatively high power laser beam L1 onto the recording surface of the optical disk 3 and then rapidly cools down. And a laser L1 having a relatively low power is applied to the recording surface of the optical disk 3 and then cooled to form a crystal state portion so that the recording surface of the optical disk 3 is formed. The video and audio data is recorded in the.

At this time, the optical head 20 irradiates the recording surface of the optical disk 3 with the light beam L1 and receives reflected light obtained by reflection on the recording surface by a light receiving unit (not shown). The focus control circuit 23 converts the photoelectric signal S6 obtained by photoelectrically converting the reflected light into a focus signal.
The signal is sent to the tracking control circuit 24 and the slide control circuit 25.

Thus, the focus control circuit 23 controls the focus based on the photoelectric signal S6 given from the optical head 20 by a method such as the astigmatism method,
The tracking control circuit 24 controls tracking by a method such as a DPP (Differential Push Pull) method based on the photoelectric signal S6, and the slide control circuit 25 controls the position of the optical head 20 based on the photoelectric signal S6.

On the other hand, in the video camera 1, at the time of data reproduction, the laser driver 16 controls the laser power switching circuit 18 under the control of the laser power controller 17.
Power setting signal S7 for reproduction laser beam given from
, A reproduction current S8 is generated based on the reproduction current S8.

Accordingly, the optical head 20 emits a laser beam L1 from the light source in accordance with the reproduction current S8 supplied from the laser driver 16, and transmits the laser beam L1 to the spindle control circuit 22.
Irradiates a predetermined position on the recording surface of the optical disk 3 rotating at a predetermined number of revolutions through the optical disk 3 so that the light beam L1 is reflected by the recording surface of the optical disk 3 to obtain a reflected light L2.
Is received by the light receiving section. An analog photoelectric signal S6 obtained by photoelectrically converting the reflected light L2 received by the light receiving section is converted into a waveform equivalent circuit 27 via a preamplifier 26.
To send to.

Incidentally, in this video camera 1, the focus, tracking and the position of the optical head 20 are controlled by the focus control circuit 23, the tracking control circuit 24 and the slide control circuit 25 in the same manner as in the data recording described above. .

The waveform equivalent circuit 27 subjects the photoelectric signal S6 provided from the optical head 20 via the preamplifier 26 to waveform equivalent processing for amplifying the high-frequency component thereof, and then performs digital conversion, thereby obtaining waveform equivalent data D4. To the reproduction signal detection circuit 28 and the first and second clock generation circuits 29 and 30.

In this case, the first and second clock generation circuits 29 and 30 generate a first clock signal S9 for detecting the address of the optical disk 3 or the recording code data based on the waveform equivalent data D4 supplied from the waveform equivalent circuit 27. The second clock signal S10 for detecting D2 is generated and sent to the reproduction signal detection circuit 28.

The reproduction signal detection circuit 28 generates a signal based on the first and second clock signals S9 and S10 supplied from the first and second clock generation circuits 29 and 30.
The recording code data D2 included in the waveform equivalent data D4 provided from the waveform equivalent circuit 27 is detected and sent to the reproduction / demodulation circuit 31.

The recording code data D2 given to the reproduction / demodulation circuit 31 is subjected to a predetermined demodulation process and then returned to the original format of the coded data D1 in the second format conversion circuit 32. An error correction process based on the parity data is performed in the correction circuit 33 as necessary.
It is sent to the decoder 34 via O10.

Then, the decoder 34 controls the FIFO 10
Is decoded, and the obtained video / audio data D5 can be output to the outside.

In this video camera 1, the FI
The encoder 9 and the decoder 34 process the encoded data D1 at a predetermined first transfer rate from the FO 10, and the parity addition circuit 11 and the error correction circuit 33 perform a predetermined transfer rate higher than the first transfer rate on the FIFO 10 side. The encoded data D1 is processed at the second transfer rate.

Therefore, when the encoded data D1 is recorded on the optical disk 3 at the time of data recording, the FIFO 10 does not store more encoded data D1 than the predetermined unit. The data D1 is read as soon as it is stored.

Therefore, in this video camera 1, F
Each time the encoded data D1 of a predetermined unit is read out from the IFO 10 and recorded on the optical disc 3, the recorded encoded data D1 is reproduced from the optical disc 3, and is processed in the same manner as in the above-described data reproduction to correct the error. The error correction circuit 33 detects whether or not an error has occurred in the encoded data D1, and notifies the system controller 6 of the detection result.

Based on the detection result given from the error correction circuit 33, the system controller 6 sets a state in which data cannot be temporarily recorded on the optical disk 3 due to an external shock applied to the video camera 1 or the like. When it is detected whether or not the data has been temporarily recorded in the optical disc 3, the reading of the encoded data D 1 is stopped in the FIFO 10 via the memory control unit 35. Encoded data D1 provided from the encoder 9 is sequentially stored and stored, and the optical disk 3 functions as a shock-proof memory that reads out the encoded data D1 again after the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3.

Thus, in the video camera 1, even when data cannot be temporarily recorded on the optical disk 3 during data recording, video and audio data of a scene to be shot is recorded on the optical disk 3 without interruption. Have been made to gain.

At the time of data reproduction, the encoded data D1 is sequentially read out while the encoded data D1 for a plurality of predetermined units are stored in the FIFO 10.

Accordingly, in the video camera 1, when the encoded data D1 is reproduced from the optical disk 3, the encoded data D1 is processed in the same manner as described above and supplied to the error correction circuit 33.
, An error is detected, and the detection result is notified to the system controller 6.

Then, based on the detection result provided from the error correction circuit 33, the system controller 6 sets the video camera 1 to a state in which data cannot be temporarily reproduced from the optical disk 3 due to an external shock or the like. When it is detected whether or not data has been temporarily unreproducible from the optical disc 3,
After the storage of the encoded data D1 is stopped in the FIFO 10 via the memory control unit 35, the already stored encoded data D1 is read out and sent to the decoder 34, and after the data can be reproduced from the optical disc 3, It again functions as a shock-proof memory for storing the encoded data D1.

Thus, in the video camera 1, even if data cannot be reproduced from the optical disk 3 temporarily during data reproduction, the video and audio data recorded on the optical disk 3 are reproduced without interruption. It is made to be able to do.

In addition to this configuration, in the case of the video camera 1, as shown in FIG. 2, when a recording start command is given via the operation panel 4, the system controller 6 controls the optical disc 3 via the disc drive unit 21. At the same time as the rotation is started, the address counter clear signal S15 for writing and reading is sent to the FIFO 10 via the memory control unit 35.
And S16, and initializes the write and read address counters provided inside the FIFO 10.

In this state, the system controller 6
Are the spindle control circuit 22 and the focus control circuit 2
3. Tracking control circuit 24 and slide control circuit 2
5 via the system bus 5 respectively.
17 to S20, and these control status signals S
Based on 17 to S20, the coded data D1 obtained through the solid-state imaging device 7 and the microphone 8 and the encoder 9 is detected by the FIFO 10 while detecting whether data can be recorded on the optical disk 3 or not. To be sent.

At this time, the system controller 6 sends out the write address signal S21 to the FIFO 10 via the memory control unit 35, thereby sequentially storing the encoded data D1 given from the encoder 9 in the FIFO 10.

Thus, the system controller 6
Sequentially stores the encoded data D1 in the FIFO 10,
Thereafter, the spindle control circuit 22 and the focus control circuit 2
3. Tracking control circuit 24 and slide control circuit 2
5, when it is detected that data can be recorded on the optical disk 3 based on the control status signals S17 to S20 given from the system bus 5 via the system bus 5, the read address signal S2 is sent to the FIFO 10 via the memory control unit 35.
2 is transmitted, the encoded data D1 stored in the FIFO 10 is sequentially read from the FIFO 10 and transmitted to the parity adding circuit 11 to be recorded on the optical disc 3.

Thus, in this video camera 1,
In addition to the function of the FIFO 10 as a shock-proof memory, the encoded data D1 is used instead of the optical disc 3 until the data can be recorded on the optical disc 3.
Is also used as a recording medium for temporarily recording, when a recording start command is input via the operation panel 4 in accordance with a scene to be photographed, the solid-state imaging device 7 and the microphone 8 And encoded data D1 obtained sequentially through the encoder 9 and can be stored. As a result, the video and audio data of the scene to be shot can be recorded on the optical disc 3 without missing the head portion. It has been made like that.

Incidentally, this FIFO 10 is provided with the encoder 9
Data D1 generated per unit time by
S [bit / sec], and the time from when the recording start command is input until the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3 is T [sec], the capacity M [bit]
Is

[0045]

(Equation 1)

At least this time T
The encoding data D1 generated during [sec] is selected so that it can be stored.

Therefore, if the capacity of the FIFO 10 is made relatively large, even if a recording start command is input to the FIFO 10 prior to loading the optical disc 3 into the housing, for example, the optical disc 3 is transferred from the input of the recording start command. Various types of data can be stored, such as storing the encoded data D1 until the data can be recorded after loading, or storing the encoded data D1 while exchanging the optical disk 3 during shooting. The video and audio data of the scene to be taken can be easily recorded in the optical disc 3 in such a manner that the video and audio data can be easily taken or prevented from being interrupted.

Here, actually, the system controller 6
At the time of data recording, the first recording start processing procedure RT shown in FIG.
1 starts in step SP1, and the following step SP
2 waits for a recording start command to be given via the operation panel 4.

When the recording start command is given in step SP2, the system controller 6 proceeds to the next step SP3, in which the system controller 6 starts rotating the optical disk 3 via the disk drive unit 21 and also starts the memory control unit 3
5, the address counter clear signals S15 and S16 are sent to the FIFO 10 for initialization.

Next, the system controller 6 proceeds to step SP4, where the solid-state imaging device 7 and the microphone 8
And the encoder 9 sequentially to generate encoded data D1 and send it to the FIFO 10. At this time, by sending the write address signal S21 to the FIFO 10 via the memory control unit 35, the encoded data D1 is sent to the FIFO 10 Starts to sequentially store the coded data D1.

Subsequently, the system controller 6 proceeds to step SP5, where control status signals S17 to S2 provided from the spindle control circuit 22, the focus control circuit 23, the tracking control circuit 24, and the slide control circuit 25 are provided.
0, it is detected whether data can be recorded on the optical disc 3 or not.

In this case, obtaining a positive result in step SP5 means that the spindle motor, focus and tracking servos are locked, and the optical head is moved to a predetermined position to access a predetermined sector of the optical disk 3. This indicates that data can be recorded on the optical disk 3 as a result. At this time, the system controller 6 proceeds to the next step SP6 and writes the write address signal S21 and the read address signal to the FIFO 10 via the memory control unit 35. S22 is sent out, while the coded data D1 provided from the encoder 9 is stored in the FIFO 10, the coded data D1 stored therein is sequentially read out and recorded on the optical disk 3, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP7 to proceed to step SP7. 1 finishes the recording start processing procedure RT1.

(1-2) Operation and Effect of First Embodiment In the above configuration, in the video camera 1, when a recording start command is input via the operation panel 4 at the time of data recording, the video camera 1 The optical disk 3 is started to be rotated via the drive unit 21, and the coded data D1 obtained via the solid-state imaging device 7 and the microphone 8 and the encoder 9 is stored and stored in the FIFO 10.

The video camera 1 can detect whether or not data can be recorded on the optical disk 3 while sequentially storing the encoded data D1 in the FIFO 10 as described above, and can record data on the optical disk 3. After that, the coded data D1 is sequentially read from the FIFO 10 and the read coded data D1 is recorded on the optical disc 3.

Therefore, in the video camera 1, when a recording start command is given, the coded data D1 is immediately stored in the FIFO 10, and after the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3, the coded data D1 is stored first through the FIFO 10. Since the encoded data D1 and the encoded data D1 can be recorded on the optical disc 3, it is possible to record the video / audio data of the scene to be photographed on the optical disc 3 without missing the leading portion.

In this video camera 1, the FIFO 1
0 has a function as a shock-proof memory and a function as a recording medium for recording the encoded data D1 in place of the optical disc 3, so that a special part for recording the head of the video and audio data of the scene to be shot is provided. The video and audio data of the scene to be shot can be easily recorded on the optical disc 3 without using the recording medium, without having to shoot the head portion.

According to the above configuration, when the recording start command is input, the coded data D1 obtained by imaging the object is stored in the FIFO 10 until the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3. After the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3, the user wants to take a picture by storing the encoded data D1 in the FIFO 10 and sequentially reading the encoded data D1 stored in the FIFO 10 and recording the encoded data D1 on the optical disk 3. Without using a special recording medium to record the head part of the video and audio data of the scene, the head part of the scene to be shot can almost certainly be prevented from being removed, thus improving usability. Video camera can be realized.

(2) Second Embodiment (2-1) Configuration of Video Camera According to Second Embodiment FIG. 4 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG.
Shows a video camera 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and includes a system controller 41, an encoder 42, and a FIFO 4
The configuration is the same as that of the video camera 1 (FIG. 1) according to the above-described first embodiment except for the configuration of FIG.

In this case, the system controller 41 assigns the same reference numerals to parts corresponding to those in FIG.
At the time of data recording, the compression rate of the video / audio data in the encoder 42 is set to a first compression rate of, for example, about 30 [Mbps], and the video / audio data is controlled so as to perform a compression encoding process. Is given until data can be recorded on the optical disk 3 after the
The compression rate of the video and audio data in the encoder 42 is set to a second compression rate of, for example, about 10 [Mbps], and control is performed so that the video and audio data is subjected to compression encoding processing.

As a result, in the video camera 40, until the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3, the compression rate of the video and audio data in the encoder 42 is increased to thereby increase the data amount of the encoded data D1 obtained as a result. Thus, the capacity of the FIFO 43 can be reduced as compared with the video camera 1 according to the above-described first embodiment.

When the encoder 42 compresses and encodes the video / audio data to generate the coded data D1, the header of the coded data D1 includes information on the compression ratio at the time of the compression coding (hereinafter, this is referred to as compression (Referred to as rate information), so that the encoded data D1 can be properly decoded by the decoder 34 at the time of data reproduction based on the compression rate information.

Here, in practice, the system controller 4
At the time of data recording, 1 starts the second recording start processing procedure RT2 shown in FIG. 6 in step SP10, and waits for a recording start command to be given via the operation panel 4 in the subsequent step SP11.

Then, this system controller 41
When a recording start command is given in step SP11, the process proceeds to step SP12, in which the compression rate of the encoder 42 is set to the second compression rate.

Next, this system controller 41
Proceeding to step SP13, the optical disc 3 starts to be rotated via the disc drive unit 21 and the memory control unit 3
5 and the address counter clear signals S15 and S16 are sent to the FIFO 43 to initialize them.

Subsequently, the system controller 41 proceeds to step SP14, generates an image pickup signal S1 by photoelectrically converting the optical image of the object by the solid-state image pickup device 7, and collects surrounding sounds by the microphone 8. To generate an audio signal S2.
After subjecting the audio signal S2 to predetermined processing such as digital conversion in the encoder 42, the encoder 42 compression-encodes the audio signal S2 at the second compression ratio, and sends the obtained encoded data D1 to the FIFO 43.

At this time, the system controller 41 sends out the write address signal S21 to the FIFO 43 via the memory control unit 35, whereby the FIFO 43
To start storing the encoded data D1 in sequence.

Subsequently, the system controller 41 proceeds to step SP15, and controls the control status signals S17 to S17 provided from the spindle control circuit 22, the focus control circuit 23, the tracking control circuit 24 and the slide control circuit 25.
Based on S20, it is detected whether data can be recorded on the optical disc 3 or not.
If a positive result is obtained in step 5, the process proceeds to the next step SP16, and the compression ratio in the encoder 42 is set to the first compression ratio.

Then, the system controller 41
Proceeding to step SP17, the video and audio data are compression-coded by the encoder 42 at the first compression ratio, and the obtained coded data D1 is sent to the FIFO 43. At this time, the write address signal is sent to the FIFO 43 via the memory control unit 35. By sending the S21 and the read address signal S22, the coded data D1 given from the encoder 42 is sequentially stored in the FIFO 43, and the coded data D1 stored therein is sequentially read and started to be recorded on the optical disc 3. Then, the process proceeds to step SP18 to end the second recording start processing procedure RT2.

(2-2) Operation and Effect of Second Embodiment In the above configuration, in the video camera 40, when a recording start command is given via the operation panel 4 during data recording, the system controller 41 By encoder 4
2 is set to the second compression ratio. In this state, the video and audio data is encoded by the encoder 42 until the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3.
, And the obtained encoded data D1 is sequentially stored and stored in the FIFO 43.

After the video camera 40 is ready to record data on the optical disc 3, the system controller 41 sets the compression rate of the encoder 42 to the first compression rate lower than the second compression rate. Then, the video and audio data is compression-encoded by the encoder 42 at the first compression ratio, and the obtained encoded data D1 is FIFO-encoded.
At the same time, the encoded data D1 stored in the FIFO 43 is sequentially read from the FIFO 43 and recorded on the optical disc 3.

Therefore, in the video camera 40, the compression ratio of the encoder 42 is compared between the time when the recording start command is given via the operation panel 4 and the time when data can be recorded on the optical disk 3. In order to compress and encode the video and audio data by setting the second compression ratio to an extremely high compression ratio, the data amount of the encoded data D1 generated until the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3 is reduced by the above-mentioned amount. 1
It is possible to greatly reduce the size compared with the video camera 1 (FIG. 1) according to the embodiment, and accordingly, the size of the FIFO 43 can be reduced and the entire video camera 40 can be reduced in size.

According to the above arrangement, the video and audio data is converted into the second audio data by the encoder 42 from when the recording start command is given via the operation panel 4 until the data can be recorded on the optical disk 3. After the encoded data D1 obtained by compression encoding at the compression ratio is stored in the FIFO 43 and stored, and after the data can be recorded on the optical disc 3, the encoder 42 converts the video and audio data to a value lower than the second compression ratio. While the encoded data D1 obtained by compression encoding at a low first compression ratio is stored in the FIFO 43 and the encoded data D1 stored therein is sequentially read and recorded on the optical disc 3, In addition to the effects obtained by the first embodiment,
3 can be reduced in size, and thus the video camera 40
Can be made smaller than the video camera 1 (FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment described above.

(3) Other Embodiments In the above-described first and second embodiments, a case has been described in which video and audio data are compressed and coded by the MPEG method. Not only
Video and audio data may be compressed and encoded by various other compression encoding methods and stored in the FIFO 10.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, when a recording start command is given through the operation panel 4, the system controllers 6 and 41 communicate with the FIFOs 10 and 43 via the memory control unit 35. Address counter clear signals S15 and S16 for writing and reading
Has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the FIFO 10 and 43 can store and read the encoded data D in time,
The system controllers 6 and 41 output the write and read address counter clear signals S15 and S16 via the memory control unit 35 at various timings, respectively.
It may be sent to the IFOs 10 and 43.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, (1, 7) RL
The recording modulation process (the case where the recording code process is performed) including the L encoding process and the NRZI rule process has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the EFM (Eight to Fourt
een Modulation) Plus encoding processing and recording modulation processing (recording encoding processing) consisting of NRZI law processing, etc.
Other various recording modulation processes may be executed.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the system controllers 6 and 41 cause the FIFOs 10 and 43 to realize the function of the shockproof memory based on the notification from the error correction circuit 33 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the system controllers 6 and 41 transmit the FIFOs based on the control status signals S17 to S20 given from the disk drive unit 21.
O10 and 43 are provided with a function of a shock-proof memory, or a disk drive is provided with a predetermined detection circuit capable of detecting that data cannot be recorded on or reproduced from the optical disk 3. Based on the result, the FIFOs 10 and 43 may realize the function of the shock proof memory.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the case where the coded data D1 is started to be stored in the FIFOs 10 and 43 when the recording start command is input via the operation panel 4 is described. As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the encoded data D1 is stored in the FIFOs 10 and 43 when the power of the video cameras 1 and 40 is turned on.
May be started to be stored.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the present invention is applied to the above-described video cameras 1 and 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to an imaging apparatus that records video and audio data on various other recording media, such as a video camera that records video and audio data obtained by imaging on a magnetic tape.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the solid-state image sensor 7 and the encoders 9 and 42 serve as imaging means for capturing an optical image of a subject and generating video data corresponding to the optical image. Is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. If it is possible to capture an optical image of a subject and generate video data corresponding to the optical image, various other image capturing units may be used. Can be applied.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the case where the FIFOs 10 and 43 are applied as the memories for sequentially storing the video data output from the image pickup means has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and various other memories can be applied as long as video data output from the imaging unit can be sequentially stored.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the optical disk 3 is applied as the recording medium for recording the video data output from the memory has been described. Not limited to this, magnetic disks such as hard disks, MO (Magneto Optica
l) Various other recording media such as a magneto-optical disc such as a disc and a tape-shaped recording medium such as a magnetic tape can be applied.

In the first and second embodiments, the optical head 20 and the disk drive 21 are used as recording means for recording video data output from a memory on a recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other recording means can be applied as long as video data output from a memory can be recorded on a recording medium.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, as the state detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording means can record video data on the recording medium,
Although the case where the system controllers 6 and 41 are applied has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and if it is possible to detect whether or not the video data can be recorded on the recording medium, various other types can be used. Can be applied.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the image data is stored in the imaging means until the recording means detects that the video data can be recorded on the recording medium by the state detection means. The compression ratio of the first
After setting the predetermined second compression ratio higher than the compression ratio of the recording device, and detecting that the recording device is in a state where the video data can be recorded on the recording medium by the status detection device, the imaging device outputs the video data of the video data. The case where the system controllers 6 and 41 are applied as setting means for setting the compression rate to the first compression rate has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording means is stored in the recording medium by the state detecting means. Until it is detected that the video data can be recorded, the imaging means sets the compression rate of the video data to a predetermined second compression rate higher than the predetermined first compression rate. After the recording means detects that the recording means can record video data on the recording medium, the image data can be set to the first compression rate by the imaging means. It can be applied setting unit.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup means for picking up an optical image of a subject and generating video data corresponding to the optical image, and a video output from the image pickup means Memory for sequentially storing data, recording means for recording video data output from the memory on a recording medium, and state detection for detecting whether or not the recording means can record video data on the recording medium Means for storing the video data output from the imaging means in a memory until the state detection means detects that the recording means is ready to record video data on the recording medium, After the recording means detects that the recording means is ready to record video data on the recording medium, the video data stored in the memory is sequentially read, and the read video data is read. The recording means is recorded on the recording medium by the recording means, without using a special recording medium to record the head portion of the video data of the scene to be taken, when the recording start command is given, the imaging means It is possible to immediately store the obtained video data in the memory and prevent the head portion of the video data of the scene to be shot from being missed, thus realizing an imaging apparatus that can improve the usability.

In the imaging method, an optical image of a subject is captured, and the video data generated according to the optical image is stored in a memory until the video data generated according to the optical image can be recorded on a recording medium. In the first step of storing the video data in the recording medium,
A second step of sequentially reading the video data stored in the memory and recording the read video data on a recording medium, so that the head portion of the video data of the scene to be shot is specially recorded. Without using a recording medium, it is possible to immediately store video data obtained from the imaging means when a recording start command is given to a memory to prevent a head portion of video data of a scene to be shot from being missed. Thus, an imaging method capable of improving the usability of the imaging device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the configuration of a video camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating recording of encoded data in a FIFO.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first recording start processing procedure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video camera according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for describing control of a compression ratio of an encoder by a system controller.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second recording start processing procedure;

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 40 ... video camera, 3 ... optical disk, 6, 4
1 ... system controller, 7 ... solid-state image sensor,
9, 42 ... encoder, 10, 43 ... FIFO, 3
3 ... Error correction circuit, 35 ... Memory control unit, D1 ...
Encoded data, RT1... First recording start processing procedure, R
T2: Second recording start processing procedure.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image capturing means for capturing an optical image of a subject and generating video data according to the optical image, a memory for sequentially storing the video data output from the image capturing means, and a memory output from the memory. Recording means for recording the video data on a recording medium, and state detection means for detecting whether or not the recording means has become capable of recording the video data on the recording medium, wherein the state detection means Until the recording unit detects that the video data can be recorded on the recording medium, the video data output from the imaging unit is stored in the memory, and the recording is performed by the state detection unit. After the means detects that the video data can be recorded on the recording medium, the video data stored in the memory is sequentially read, and the reading is performed. Imaging device, wherein a video data recorded on the recording medium by said recording means. 2. The memory according to claim 1, wherein said memory stops reading said video data stored during said non-recordable state when said recording means temporarily becomes unable to record said video data on said recording medium. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording means is again in a state where the video data can be recorded on the recording medium, the recording device comprises a shock-proof memory for reading out the stored video data. 3. A compression ratio of said video data in said imaging means is set to a predetermined value until said recording means detects that said video data can be recorded on said recording medium by said status detection means. After setting the predetermined second compression ratio higher than the first compression ratio, and detecting the state that the recording means has become capable of recording the video data on the recording medium by the state detection means, Setting means for setting the compression rate of the video data to the first compression rate in the imaging means, wherein the imaging means compresses the video data at the first compression rate or the second compression rate; The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encoded data is output to the memory. 4. An optical image of a subject is captured, and the video data generated according to the optical image is stored in a memory until the video data generated according to the optical image becomes recordable on a recording medium. A first step of storing, and when the video data can be recorded on the recording medium, a step of sequentially reading the video data stored in the memory and recording the read video data on the recording medium. 2. An imaging method, comprising: 5. In the second step, when the video data is temporarily unrecordable in the recording medium, the video data stored in the memory is stored during the non-recordable state. When the reading is stopped and the video data can be recorded on the recording medium again, the video data stored in the memory is read again, and the memory is used as a shock-proof memory. Item 5. The imaging method according to Item 4. 6. In the first step, the video data generated in accordance with the optical image is compression-encoded at a predetermined second compression ratio higher than a predetermined first compression ratio, and the obtained code is obtained. Storing the encoded data in the memory, in the second step, sequentially reading the encoded data stored in the memory, recording the read encoded data in the recording medium, and writing the encoded data in the optical image. 5. The imaging method according to claim 4, wherein the video data generated in response to the compression is encoded at the first compression ratio, and the obtained encoded data is stored in the memory.