JP2007325052A - Movie photography system and video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a program search signal to be recorded without bothering a photographer. <P>SOLUTION: A still camera 10 is provided with a timing signal 13 for generating a photographic timing signal in response to operation of a release button 11. The photographic timing button is caused to be wirelessly transmitted to a video camera 10 from the still camera 10. The video camera 20 records the program search signal for finding the top of a photographed scene corresponding to the timing in a recording medium 25 when the photographic timing signal is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a moving image shooting system and a video camera.

  To record a video shot by a video camera on a recording medium such as a video tape or DVD, and to easily search for a desired scene when playing back the video or editing the recorded video. For this purpose, a technique for recording a cue signal for cueing a specific scene is known. By recording this cue signal, for example, if fast-forwarding is performed during playback, playback will start after fast-forwarding to the scene where the cue signal is recorded, or playback specified by the scene specified by the cue signal Can be started.

Patented technology for generating index images used for video search (cueing) with information specific to the recording media that recorded the video, track number and time code to specify the recording position of the scene to be searched Known from document 1. A camera that communicates with a data server via a communication network and receives image data is known from Patent Document 2.
JP-A-2005-354412 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-164282

  By the way, in order to be able to easily search for a desired scene, it is necessary to record a cue signal with respect to a specific scene. Recording the cue signal by operating the video camera for each scene that seems to be important while performing the operation has a problem that the operation is cumbersome and it is impossible to concentrate on shooting, and it is impossible to move away from the video camera. For example, at a wedding or lecture event, a video camera user may shoot the entire event unattended by fixing the video camera in order to participate in the event. Cannot operate to record the cue signal.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. The cueing signal is used at a timing useful for searching a scene of a captured moving image. It is an object of the present invention to provide a moving image photographing system and a video camera that can be recorded even when performing.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the moving image shooting system according to claim 1, a release unit operated when shooting a subject, and a still image shooting unit for shooting a subject image in response to the operation of the release unit, One or more still cameras including timing signal generating means for generating a shooting timing signal in response to an operation of the release means, and transmission means for transmitting the shooting timing signal wirelessly, and a moving picture for shooting a moving picture A shooting unit, a moving image recording unit that records a moving image shot by the moving image shooting unit on a recording medium, a receiving unit that receives the shooting timing signal, and a scene corresponding to the reception timing of the shooting timing signal And a video camera provided with a cue signal recording means for recording a cue signal for recording on the recording medium.

  In the moving image photographing system according to claim 2, the cueing signal recording means cues a scene where the number of times of reception of the photographing timing signal received by the previous receiving means within a predetermined unit time has reached a preset number. Is recorded on the recording medium.

  4. The moving image shooting system according to claim 3, further comprising a server that receives the shooting timing signal from the transmitting means and transmits the shooting timing signal to the video camera, and the receiving means receives the shooting timing signal from the server. It is a thing. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the moving image photographing system according to claim 4, wherein when the number of times of reception of the photographing timing signal from the still camera within a predetermined unit time reaches a preset number of times, the server sends a photographing timing signal to the video camera. It is intended to be transmitted.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video camera for capturing a video, a video recording unit for recording the video captured by the video camera on a recording medium, and detecting strobe emission from an external strobe device. A light emission detecting means for generating a detection signal when light emission is detected, and a head for recording cue information for cueing a scene corresponding to the generation timing of the detection signal in response to the detection signal on the recording medium. Output signal recording means.

  7. A video camera according to claim 6, wherein a moving image shooting unit for shooting a moving image, a moving image recording means for recording a moving image shot by the moving image shooting unit on a recording medium, and acquiring an external sound and outputting a sound signal An operation sound detection means having an analysis means for determining whether or not the acquired sound signal matches the operation sound of the shutter device registered in advance, and generating a detection signal when the sound signal matches, the detection signal And a cue signal recording means for recording cue information for cueing a scene corresponding to the generation timing of the detection signal on the recording medium.

  8. The video camera according to claim 7, wherein the cueing signal recording means records the cueing signal for cueing a scene in which the number of occurrences of the detection signal within a predetermined unit time reaches a preset number. It is recorded on the media.

  According to the present invention, a shooting timing signal, strobe light emission, and shutter sound generated in response to a release operation of a still camera are detected, and a cue signal for cueing a scene at that time is recorded on a recording medium. Thus, a cueing signal for cueing a scene that will be shot with a still camera as an important scene can be recorded without bothering the user of the video camera.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a moving image shooting system in which the first embodiment of the present invention is implemented. The moving image shooting system includes one or more still cameras 10 and a video camera 20. The still camera 10 includes a release button 11, a still image photographing unit 12, a timing signal generation circuit 13, and a communication circuit 14. If the still camera 10 is a camera that performs a still image in response to the pressing operation of the release button 11, it is a film camera that exposes a photographic film, and the captured image is converted into image data to a medium such as a memory card. Any digital still camera for recording may be used, or a digital camera built in a mobile phone may be used.

  The still image capturing unit 12 captures a still image in response to the pressing operation of the release button 11. For example, in the case of a digital still camera, the still image capturing unit 12 includes a photographing lens, an image sensor that converts an optical subject image formed by the photographing lens into an electrical image signal, and outputs the image signal. Consists of a signal processing circuit that performs various signal processing such as amplification processing, white balance correction, gamma correction, and digital conversion on the image signal from the sensor, and a memory that records image data obtained by performing the signal processing. . The timing signal generation circuit 13 generates a photographing timing signal when the release button 11 is pressed. The communication circuit 14 wirelessly transmits a shooting timing signal to the video camera 20.

  The video camera 20 includes a moving image capturing unit 21, a moving image recording unit 22, a communication circuit 23, and a cue signal recording unit 24. The moving image shooting unit 21 for shooting a moving image includes a shooting lens, an image sensor that converts an optical subject image formed by the shooting lens into an electrical image signal, and outputs the image signal. It comprises a signal processing circuit that performs various signal processing such as amplification processing, white balance correction, and gamma correction on the image signal. The moving image photographing unit 21 sends an image signal obtained by photographing a moving image to the moving image recording unit 22.

  The moving image recording unit 22 records the captured moving image on the recording medium 25, and sequentially records the image signal from the moving image shooting unit 21 on the recording medium 25. The recording format of the image signal on the recording medium 18 may be any recording format as long as it can record the cue signal as will be described later. Further, the recording medium 25 is used in accordance with the recording format of the image signal, but the type is not particularly limited. For example, a video tape may be used as the recording medium 18, and an analog image signal may be magnetically recorded on the video tape. The image signal is digitally converted to a recording medium 18 such as a DVD or a hard disk device, and MPEG-2 or the like is used. You may record in a recording format.

  The communication circuit 23 is a receiving means for receiving a photographing timing signal from the still camera 10. When the photographing timing signal transmitted by radio is received, the communication circuit 23 generates a detection signal, and this detection signal is generated as a cue signal recording unit 24. Send to.

  A wireless LAN is used for connection between the still camera 10 and the video camera 20 for transmission and reception of shooting timing signals by the communication circuits 14 and 23. For example, the communication circuit 23 on the video camera 20 side receives the shooting timing signal. The profile to that effect is broadcast, and the communication circuit 14 on the still camera 10 side receives this profile. As a result, the IP address of the video camera 20 under the same subnet from which the still camera 10 is to receive the timing signal is acquired, and the still camera 10 designates the IP address of the video camera 20 and sends a shooting timing signal. It becomes like this. Note that the still camera 10 may send a shooting timing signal without specifying a partner, and the connection form may be a connection type or a connectionless type.

  Further, the communication method between the still camera 10 and the video camera 20 is not limited to the above as long as a shooting timing signal can be transmitted from the still camera 10 to the video camera 20. For example, a wired system may be used, but a wireless system is preferable because wiring is unnecessary and mobility of a digital still camera or a video camera is not impaired. Moreover, you may employ | adopt another radio system. For example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be adopted as a communication means. In this case, a profile for transmitting and receiving a shooting timing signal between the digital still camera 10 and the video camera 20 is transmitted via the communication circuits 14 and 23. By exchanging them, communication can be performed in a predetermined format.

  The cue signal recording unit 24 records a cue signal for cueing a scene corresponding to the reception timing of the photographing timing signal on the recording medium 25 on the recording medium. When the detection signal is inputted, the cue signal for cueing the scene corresponding to the input time is recorded on the recording medium 25. In this way, it is assumed that an important scene is when shooting is performed by performing a release operation with the still camera 10, and a cue signal is recorded so as to cue the scene.

  The scene corresponding to the reception timing of the shooting timing signal may not exactly match the scene captured by the video camera 20 at the reception timing. Therefore, for example, it may be a scene (frame) output by the moving image capturing unit 21 when the detection signal is generated. If there is little time deviation, the cue signal may be recorded so as to cue the scene recorded on the recording medium 25 at the time when the detection signal is generated. In addition, a cue signal may be recorded so as to cue a scene that is slightly shifted in time.

  As the recording format of the cueing signal, various recording media 25 and various recording formats corresponding to the recording format of the image signal can be employed. For example, when a video tape is used, a signal for performing cueing at a recording position on the video tape of a scene to be cued may be recorded so as not to affect the video signal and the audio signal. In addition, when a moving image is recorded as MPEG2 stream data, a PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) that is packetized from a scene that was shot at the time when a detection signal was input or audio data corresponding to the scene was recorded. Information for cueing can be recorded as a cueing signal for the packet header. When recording data on a disk medium such as a CD or DVD, the address of the block corresponding to the moving image position is recorded as a cue signal in the TOC (Table Of Contents) recorded at the beginning of the track on which the moving image is recorded. can do.

  Note that the recording timing of the cue signal may be recorded at a timing corresponding to the recording format of the cue signal. For example, if the cue signal is recorded on the video tape as described above, the cue signal may be recorded at the position where the moving image is recorded almost simultaneously with the reception of the shooting timing signal, that is, the generation timing of the detection signal. . When recording in the TOC, the block number indicating the scene specified at the detection signal generation timing may be held in the memory or the like until the TOC data is actually recorded.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. When the power of the video camera 20 is turned on, immediately after the power is turned on, the communication circuit 23 broadcasts the profile at a certain interval thereafter. On the other hand, the still camera 10 is in a state where the communication circuit 14 can receive a profile when the power is turned on.

  For this reason, when broadcasting by the video camera 20 is performed while the still camera 10 is powered on, the profile from the video camera 20 is received by the communication circuit 14, and the still camera 10 acquires the IP address of the video camera 20. As a result, communication is established, and the communication circuit 13 is set so that a shooting timing signal is transmitted to the acquired IP address. If there are a plurality of still cameras 10, communication is established with the video camera 20 in the same manner for any of the still cameras 10.

  The user of the video camera 20 performs framing appropriately at a wedding venue, for example, and then operates an operation unit (not shown) to start recording by the video camera 20. When recording is started, shooting of the subject is started by the moving image shooting unit 21, and image signals output by the shooting are sequentially sent to the moving image recording unit 22. The moving image recording unit 22 sequentially records image signals on the recording medium 25. When recording is started in this way, the video camera 20 enters a standby state for a shooting timing signal.

  After the recording state is set as described above, the user of the video camera 20 does not need to perform an operation for recording the cue signal on the video camera 20 in particular. And can concentrate on framing. Alternatively, the still camera 10 may be operated to perform shooting.

  On the other hand, the user of the still camera 10 performs shooting by pressing the release button 11 in a desired scene. When the release operation is performed, a photographing process is performed by the still image photographing unit 12, and a still image of the subject is photographed. In response to the release operation, the timing signal generation circuit 13 generates a photographing timing signal, which is transmitted from the communication circuit 14.

  As described above, when the photographing timing signal transmitted from the still camera 10 is received by the communication circuit 23 of the video camera 20, a detection signal is generated by the communication circuit 23, and this detection signal is generated as a cue signal recording unit. 24.

  When the detection signal is input, the cue signal recording unit 24 records a cue signal for cueing the recording position of the scene at that time on the recording medium 25. For example, if the recording medium 25 is a video tape, the cue signal is recorded at the tape position on the recording when the detection signal is input. In addition, in the case of recording a moving image as MPEG2 stream data, when a PES obtained by packetizing scene data captured at the time when a detection signal is input is recorded, it is cued in a PES packet header included therein. Signal information is recorded.

  As described above, every time a release operation is performed on any one of the still cameras 10, the video camera 20 receives the shooting timing signal sent from the still camera 10 to cue the scene at that time. Are recorded on the recording medium 25.

  As described above, when the recording medium 25 on which the moving image is recorded is reproduced, if the operation unit of the reproducing apparatus is operated to indicate the cueing, it is fast-forwarded or rewinded to the scene where the cueing signal is recorded. Or, since it is reproduced by moving directly to the scene, quick cueing can be performed.

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment in which a cueing signal is recorded when the number of receptions of imaging timing signals within a unit time reaches a predetermined threshold. In addition, except being demonstrated below, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, The same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structural member, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cue signal recording unit 24 of the video camera 20 includes a reception number determination unit 31. The threshold value of the reception frequency determination unit 31 is set by the setting unit 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the reception frequency determination means 31 sets the number of times the detection signal from the communication circuit 23 is input within a predetermined unit time, that is, the number of receptions of the imaging timing signal within the predetermined unit time. When the threshold value is reached, the cue signal recording unit 24 is controlled to record the cue signal.

  For example, when the video camera 20 starts recording, the reception frequency determination unit 31 resets the timer and the counter, then starts the timer to start timing, and starts the counter to start the detection signal input count. Start counting. When the time measured by the timer reaches a unit time, for example 1 second, the contents of the counter are referred to and it is determined whether or not a set threshold value, for example, 3 times has been reached. If the threshold value has been reached, the process for recording the cue signal for cueing the scene at that time is performed, and then the timer and counter are reset and restarted. Immediately reset the timer and counter and restart. According to this configuration, a cue signal is not added to a scene that does not actually need to be cued by the release operation of each still camera 10.

  The setting means 32 is for setting a threshold value in the reception frequency determination means 31. For example, if a predetermined threshold value is set, the threshold value is written in the setting means 32 at the time of manufacture or the like. What is necessary is just to comprise with a memory, and if a user sets a threshold value arbitrarily, what is necessary is just to use it as the member which is operated from the outside and selects or inputs a threshold value.

  In the first and second embodiments, the still camera and the video camera are configured to directly communicate with each other. However, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. And the video camera 20 may communicate with each other. The server 35 establishes communication between each of the still camera 10 and the video camera 20, receives a shooting timing signal from the still camera 10, and transmits it to the video camera 20.

  When a function equivalent to the reception frequency determination means of the second embodiment is added to the server 35 and the shooting timing signal received by the server 35 reaches a preset threshold value within a predetermined unit time, video is recorded. An imaging timing signal may be transmitted to the camera 20, and the video camera 20 may be configured to record the cue signal in response to the imaging timing signal from the server 35.

  In the following, a fourth embodiment for recording a cueing signal using strobe light emission of a still camera will be described. In addition, except being demonstrated below, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, The same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structural member, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the still camera 40 includes a strobe device 40 a that performs shooting by the still image shooting unit 12 by operating the release button 11 and emits strobe light in synchronization with the shooting. As the still camera 40, any camera equipped with a strobe device can be used.

  The video camera 20 includes a light emission detection unit 42 that detects strobe light emission. The light emission detection unit 42 includes a light receiving element 42a and a detection circuit 42b that detects strobe light emission from a change in an output signal from the light receiving element. For example, a photodiode is used as the light receiving element 42a, and a photoelectric signal corresponding to the intensity of received light is output. The detection circuit 42b generates a detection signal when the photoelectric signal suddenly and discontinuously rises above a predetermined level, that is, when the luminance of the subject suddenly and discontinuously increases. Thereby, strobe light emission is detected and a detection signal is generated. Note that the light receiving element 42a preferably receives light from the direction in which the video camera 20 captures the image.

  According to this example, as shown in FIG. 7, when strobe photography is performed by the still camera 40, the photoelectric signal from the light receiving element 42 a suddenly and discontinuously increases due to the strobe emission, and the detection signal is increased. When this is generated and sent to the cue signal recording unit 24, a cue signal for cueing the scene at that time is recorded on the recording medium 25.

  In the above embodiment, a light receiving element is provided to detect a change in luminance. However, strobe light emission is similarly detected from the luminance change using an output signal from an image sensor used in the moving image photographing unit, that is, an image signal. The cueing signal may be recorded.

  A fifth embodiment for recording a cue signal using the shutter sound of a still camera will be described. In addition, except being demonstrated below, it is the same as that of the said embodiment, The same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structural member, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the still camera 45 may be any camera as long as it generates an operating sound of the shutter device. The shutter operation sound is not limited to a sound that is mechanically generated when the shutter device is operated, and may be a sound that is electrically reproduced.

The video camera 20 is provided with an operation sound detection unit 48. The operation sound detection unit 48 includes:
A microphone 48a that acquires an external sound and outputs a sound signal, and determines whether or not the sound acquired by the microphone 48a matches the operation sound of the shutter device registered in advance in the memory 48b. And an analysis circuit 48c for generating a signal.

  According to this, as shown in FIG. 9, when shooting is performed by the still camera 45, the shutter sound generated at that time is acquired by the microphone 48a, and whether or not the acquired shutter sound is recorded in the memory 48b. Is determined by the analysis circuit 48c. When they match, a cue signal for cueing the scene at that time is recorded on the recording medium 25.

  It should be noted that the shutter sound used when determining whether or not it matches the operation sound of the shutter device may be written in advance in a memory at the time of manufacture, or made available by a user that has been recorded and created. Also good. Alternatively, a plurality of shutter sounds may be prepared so that the user can select one or a plurality of shutter sounds. Furthermore, the cue signal may be recorded only by detecting the shutter sound without determining whether the shutter sound matches.

  In the fourth to fifth embodiments, as in the second embodiment, the cueing signal is generated when the number of times that the strobe light emission is detected within a predetermined unit time or the number of times that the shutter sound matches reaches the threshold value. It can be configured to record. Furthermore, an external device provided separately from the video camera is used to determine whether or not the strobe of the still camera emits light, or the shutter sound is detected and matched, and send a detection signal to the video camera wirelessly to record the cue signal. Can be configured.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the moving image shooting system of 1st Embodiment which implemented this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of recording the cueing signal in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the moving image shooting system of 2nd Embodiment which records a cue signal when the frequency | count of reception within the unit time of a shooting timing signal reaches a threshold value. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of recording the cueing signal in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the moving image shooting system of 3rd Embodiment which transmits a shooting timing signal from a still camera to a video camera via a server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the moving image shooting system of 4th Embodiment which records a cue signal when detecting strobe light emission. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of recording the cueing signal in 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the moving image shooting system of 5th Embodiment which records a cueing signal when a shutter sound is detected. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of recording the cueing signal in 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Still camera 11 Release button 13 Timing signal generation circuit 14, 23 Communication circuit 20 Video camera 21 Movie recording part 22 Movie recording part 24 Cue signal recording part 35 Server 42 Light emission detection part 48 Operation sound detection part

Claims (7)

Release means operated when photographing a subject, a still image photographing unit for photographing a subject image in response to the operation of the release means, and a timing signal generation for generating a photographing timing signal in response to the operation of the release means One or more still cameras provided with a means and a transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a photographing timing signal;
Corresponding to a moving image shooting unit for shooting a moving image, a moving image recording unit that records a moving image shot by the moving image shooting unit on a recording medium, a receiving unit that receives the shooting timing signal, and a reception timing of the shooting timing signal A video camera system comprising: a video camera provided with a cue signal recording means for recording a cue signal for cueing a scene to be recorded on the recording medium.   The cue signal recording means provides a cue signal for cueing a scene in which the number of receptions within a predetermined unit time of the photographing timing signal received by the receiving means reaches a preset number to the recording medium. The moving image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein the moving image photographing system is recorded.   2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising a server that receives the shooting timing signal from the transmission unit and transmits the shooting timing signal to a video camera, wherein the receiving unit receives the shooting timing signal from the server. 2. The moving image shooting system according to 2.   The server transmits a shooting timing signal to the video camera when the number of receptions of a shooting timing signal from the still camera within a predetermined unit time reaches a preset number of times. 3. The moving image shooting system according to 3.   A movie shooting unit for shooting a movie, a movie recording means for recording a movie shot by the movie shooting unit on a recording medium, and a strobe emission of an external flash device are detected, and a detection signal is output when the emission is detected. A video comprising: a light emission detecting means for generating; and a cue signal recording means for recording cue information for cueing a scene corresponding to the generation timing of the detection signal in response to the detection signal on the recording medium. camera.   A moving image shooting unit for shooting a moving image, a moving image recording unit for recording the moving image shot by the moving image shooting unit on a recording medium, a microphone for acquiring external sound and outputting a sound signal, and the acquired sound signal It is determined whether or not the operation sound of the registered shutter device matches, and an operation sound detection unit having an analysis unit that generates a detection signal when the operation sound matches, and generation of the detection signal in response to the detection signal A video camera comprising cue signal recording means for recording cue information for cueing a scene corresponding to timing on the recording medium.   The cue signal recording means records a cue signal for cueing a scene in which the number of occurrences of the detection signal within a predetermined unit time reaches a preset number of times on the recording medium. The video camera according to claim 5 or 6.

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