JPH11136623A - Digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the digital still camera that reproduces a still image and audio data even when relation information relating to either of recording mode of an image data file and an audio data file is lost by recording the relating information with respect to the recording mode to both the audio data file and the image file in the case of recording the still image and the audio data simultaneously. SOLUTION: The digital still camera having a still image recording mode with an audio function that records a still image and audio data is provided with a CCD 3 that photographs an object to generate image data, an A/D converter 5 or the like, a microphone 16 that transduces sound data into an electric signal to obtain audio data, a D/A converter 18 or the like, and a card memory 9 that stores the image data as an image data file in a prescribed form and the audio data as an audio data file in a prescribed form, and a CPU 13 records relating information in the still image recording mode with an audio function to part of the image data file and the audio data file when the still image recording mode with an audio function mode is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a digital still camera, and more particularly, to a digital still camera that inputs a still image, audio, and the like, converts the image into digital data, and records the digital data on a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a demand for a device capable of directly inputting an image and a voice to an information device, and a recording medium (information recording device) such as a memory card, a hard disk, and an MO.
Alternatively, image and audio information is input to the information device by electronic transmission. In such a system, there is a demand for an information recording device having a data format with excellent handling and operability on the information equipment side.

For example, in a digital still video camera, a photographed image and sound are often converted into digital image and sound data, compressed, and then recorded on an attached memory card or the like. In recent years, with the increase in the capacity of the memory card and the progress of compression technology, various efforts have been made to generate a file name at the time of recording.

[0004] For example, in a data filing system described in JP-A-8-63485, image data, audio data, and text data are input from a data input unit. These data are formed into a data file of a predetermined format by the file generation unit. The classification unit classifies the data files according to a classification instruction from the outside.
The minimum image file generation unit generates a file of reduced image data representing each data file based on the classification information. The information file generation unit generates directory information in which each file is hierarchically associated based on each classification information. These files and information are stored on the optical disc by the recording device 300.
That is, the data filing system has the association information as a separate file.

[0005]

However, the filing system has an advantage that the related information can be found only by searching the file, but all the related information is lost when the file is lost. There is a problem that will be.

In addition, the filing system has to perform an operation of rewriting an associated file every time image data or audio data is recorded due to file management, and there is a problem that the processing becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and by recording related information on a recording mode in both an audio data file and an image data file when a still image and audio data are simultaneously recorded. , Even if the relevant information regarding one of the recording modes of the image data file and the audio data file is lost,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital still camera capable of reproducing a still image and audio data.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital still camera having at least a digital still camera recording mode with audio for simultaneously recording a still image and audio data. In a camera, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject to obtain image data,
Sound input means for converting sound into an electric signal to obtain sound data, and storage means for storing the image data as an image data file in a predetermined form and storing the sound data as a sound data file in a predetermined form, When the still-image with sound recording mode is selected, information related to the still-image with sound recording mode is recorded in a part of the image data file and the sound data file.

A digital still camera according to a second aspect is the digital still camera according to the first aspect,
A photographing mode is recorded as related information of the still image recording mode with sound.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital still camera according to the first or second aspect, the digital still camera corresponds to a part of the image data file as related information of the still image recording mode with sound. The file name of the audio data file to be stored and the file name of the image data file corresponding to a part of the audio data file are stored.

A digital still camera according to a fourth aspect is the digital still camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the file name is recorded in ASCII code or binary code.

A digital still camera according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the digital still camera according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the related information of the still image recording mode with audio is an image data file and an audio data. It is stored in the header of the data file.

A digital still camera according to a sixth aspect of the present invention provides at least a still image recording mode with audio for simultaneously recording a still image and audio data, and a continuous image recording with audio for simultaneously recording a continuous image and audio data. A digital still camera comprising: a digital still camera comprising: an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject to obtain image data; an audio input unit configured to convert audio into an electric signal to obtain audio data; Storage means for storing the audio data as an audio data file in a predetermined form as a file, and when the still image recording mode with audio or the continuous shot image recording mode with audio is selected, the image data file and the audio A part of the data file relates to the still image recording mode with sound or the continuous shot image recording mode with sound. It is used to record the broadcast.

[0014]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital still camera according to the present invention.

The digital still camera shown in FIG. 1 includes a lens 1, a mechanical mechanism 2 including an autofocus, a CCD 3,
CDS circuit 4, A / D converter 5, digital signal processing circuit 6, compression / expansion circuit 7, DRAM 8, memory card 9,
LCD 10, driver 11, SG 12, CPU 13, operation unit 14, strobe 15, microphone 16, AMP / FIL
TER 17, D / A converter 18, audio data compression / expansion circuit 19, A / D converter 20, AMP / FILTER2
1 and the OSD 22 and the like.

The lens unit includes a lens 1, a mechanical mechanism 2 including an autofocus (AF), an aperture, and a filter unit.
The mechanical shutter of the mechanical structure 2 performs simultaneous exposure of two fields. CCD (charge coupled device)
Reference numeral 3 converts an image input via the lens unit into an electric signal (analog image data). The CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 4 is a circuit for reducing noise in the CCD type image pickup device. Also, the A / D converter 5
The analog image data input from the CCD 3 via the CDS circuit 4 is converted into digital image data. That is,
The output signal of the CCD 3 is supplied to the A / D converter 5 through the CDS circuit 4 at an optimum sampling frequency (for example, NTSC).
The signal is converted to a digital signal at an integer multiple of the subcarrier frequency of the signal.

The digital signal processing section 6 divides the image data input from the A / D converter 5 into color difference data and luminance data, and performs various processing, correction, and data processing for image compression / decompression.

The image compression / decompression circuit 7 is, for example, a JPE
It performs orthogonal transformation / inverse orthogonal transformation which is a process of G-compliant image compression / decompression, and Huffman coding / Huffman compounding which is a process of JPEG-compliant image compression / decompression.

On the other hand, the sound is converted into an electric signal by a sound-electric signal conversion element such as a microphone 16 to become sound data, amplified by an AMP / FILTER 17 and cut off to a required band, and then a D / A converter 18. Is converted into digital audio data at a sampling frequency twice or more the predetermined band. Further, the digital audio data is subjected to compression / encoding processing by the data compression / expansion unit 19.

The DRAM 8 temporarily stores the compressed image data. The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 9 as an image data file, and the compressed audio data is recorded on the memory card 9 as an audio data file.

An image corresponding to the image data recorded on the memory card 9 is displayed on the LCD 10.
The LCD 10 displays the set state of the digital still camera, for example, the set mode display and error display. The operation unit 14 includes buttons for externally performing function selection, shooting instructions, and other various settings.

The CPU 13 responds to an instruction from the operation unit 14 or an external operation instruction from a remote controller (not shown).
The operation of each unit of the digital still camera is controlled according to a control program stored in a ROM (not shown). For example, the CPU 13 controls the recording operation of the image data and the audio data on the memory card 9 and controls the reproduction operation of the image data file and the audio data file recorded on the memory card 9.

Next, the recording operation of the image data of the digital still camera will be described. First, the image of the subject through the lens 1 is
After being converted into an electric signal (analog image data) by the CCD 3, the signal is input to the A / D converter 5 via the CDS 4, and the analog image data is converted into digital image data. The converted digital image data is signal-processed by the digital signal processing circuit 6 and stored in the DRAM 8 via the CPU bus. The digital image data stored in the DRAM 8 is input to the compression / decompression circuit 7 via the CPU bus, compressed, and stored in the DRAM 8 again.
When the compression process is completed, the CPU 13 records the compressed image data stored in the DRAM 8 on the memory card 9 in a predetermined format as an image data file via the CPU bus.

Next, the operation of reproducing image data by the digital still camera will be described. When an image data file of the memory card 9 to be reproduced is specified by the operation of the operation unit 14, image data obtained by performing a compression process on the specified image data file is read and stored in the DRAM 8. The image data stored in the DRAM 8 is input to the compression / decompression circuit 7 via the CPU bus, decompressed, and
It is stored in the DRAM 8 again. The decompressed image data stored in the DRAM 8 is input to the digital signal processing circuit 6 via the CPU bus, converted into a video signal, and displayed on the LCD 10.

Next, the recording mode of the digital still camera having the above configuration will be described.

The digital still camera includes a first mode for recording a still image (still image mode), a second mode for recording a still image and audio (still image + audio mode (still image recording mode with audio)), and audio. Mode (sound mode) for recording images, fourth mode (sequential shooting mode) for recording continuous images, and fifth mode (sequential shooting + audio mode (sequential image recording mode with sound) for recording continuous images and audio) ) Is provided as a recording mode, and a recording mode selection operation is performed by an operation of the operation unit 14 by an operator, and the obtained still image, audio information, and the like are stored in a predetermined area of the memory card 9 in a predetermined form. Is done.

FIG. 2 shows an example of each code in the recording mode. As shown, "00" indicates the first mode (still image mode), and "01" indicates the second mode (still image mode). Picture +
Audio mode), “02” indicates the third mode (audio mode), and “03” indicates the fourth mode (continuous shooting mode).
And "04" is the fifth mode (continuous shooting + voice mode)
The codes “00” to “04” are recorded in the image header of the image data file and the audio header of the audio data file. When the second mode (still image + audio mode) or the fifth mode (continuous shooting + audio mode) is selected, the memory card 9 stores the corresponding audio data file in the image header of the image data file. The corresponding name of the image data file is recorded in the audio header of the audio data file.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the memory card 9. This format is the same as the format of the DOS for personal computers.

As shown in FIG. 3, the memory card 9 has an attribute area 91 for storing card attribute information such as a device type, an access speed, and a storage capacity; a boot selector area 92; a FAT area 93; 94, an image data file storage area 95 for storing image data files, and an audio data file storage area 96 for storing audio data files.

The boot selector area 92 records parameters necessary for reading and writing data from the memory card 9, that is, the number of FATs (file allocation tables), the number of directory entries, and the like.

In the FAT area 93, an FAT entry, which is information on a state in which data of each file is recorded, is written. The position on the memory where the data is recorded is indicated by a cluster number which is the number of the data write unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of data stored in the directory entry area 94.

In the directory entry area 94, FIG.
As shown in the table, information on the file name of recorded data, file attribute, reserved area, creation / update time, creation / update date, the physical position (FAT start number) of the corresponding file or subdirectory entry, and the size of the file Are recorded respectively. When the corresponding file is a data file, a file name including an extension which is one of the attribute information of the file is recorded as the file name.

The structure of the image data file area 95 is as shown in FIG. 5, and each image data file (for example, RIM00001.JPG, RIM00002.JPG, RIM00003.JPG, RIM0)
0004.JPG,...) Are sequentially written as fixed-length data. The image data file includes an image header and image data as shown in the figure. In the image header, a recording mode and a related file name in the recording mode are recorded as file attributes, individual standard names, standard versions, related information of the image data body, and related information of the recording mode.

The configuration of the audio data file area 96 is as shown in FIG. 6, and each audio data file (for example, RS00001.WAV, RS00002.WAV, RS00003.WAV,...)
・) Are sequentially written as fixed-length data. The audio data file includes an audio header and audio data as shown. In the audio header, a recording mode and an associated file name in the recording mode are recorded as file attributes, individual standard names, standard versions, audio data body related information, and recording mode related information. Note that the image header and audio header include AS
Data is recorded in CII code or binary code.

For example, the second mode (still image + audio mode) for recording a still image and audio is selected. At this time, the image data file storing the captured still image is stored in “RIM000
01.JPG "and the audio data file for storing the recorded audio information as" RS00001.WAV ", FIG.
As shown in (A), the image data file “RIM00001.J
In the image header of “PG”, “01” indicating the second mode (still image + audio mode) is recorded as a recording mode, and “RS00001.WAV” that is a corresponding audio data file name is recorded as a related file name. As shown in FIG. 7B, the audio header of the audio data file “RS00001.WAV” has a second mode (still image +
“01” indicating the audio mode) is “RIM00001.J” which is the corresponding image data file name as the related file name.
PG ”is recorded.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the still image recording mode with audio (second mode) or the continuous image recording mode with audio (fifth mode) is selected, the memory card 9, the recording mode is recorded in the image header of the image data file and the corresponding audio data file name is recorded, while the recording mode is recorded and the corresponding image data file name is recorded in the audio header of the audio data file. Because it was configured
The image and audio data can be reproduced even when the related information regarding one of the recording modes of the image data file and the audio data file is lost.
In addition, when the still image recording mode with audio (second mode) or the continuous shooting image recording mode with audio (fifth mode) is selected, the operation of rewriting the association file every time image data or audio data is recorded. Is unnecessary, and file management becomes easy.

[0039]

According to the digital still camera of the first aspect, in a digital still camera having at least a still image recording mode with audio for simultaneously recording a still image and audio data, an image of an object is captured and image data is recorded. Imaging means for obtaining, audio input means for converting audio to an electric signal to obtain audio data, and storage means for storing image data as an image data file in a predetermined format and storing audio data as an audio data file in a predetermined format. When the still image recording mode with sound is selected, information related to the still image recording mode with sound is recorded in a part of the image data file and the audio data file. If the relevant information on either recording mode is lost, still image and audio data It is possible to live.

According to the digital still camera of the second aspect, in the digital still camera of the first aspect, the recording mode is recorded as the related information of the still image recording mode with sound. Even when the relevant information regarding one of the recording modes of the file and the audio data file is lost, the still image and the audio data can be reproduced with a simple file configuration.

According to the digital still camera of the third aspect, in the digital still camera of the first or second aspect, a part of the image data file is supported as related information of the still image recording mode with sound. Since the file name of the audio data file to be stored is stored as the file name of the image data file corresponding to a part of the audio data file, the relevant information regarding one of the recording modes of the image data file and the audio data file is not stored. Even in the case of disappearance, still image and audio data can be reproduced with a simple file configuration.

According to the digital still camera of the fourth aspect, in the digital still camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, the file name is changed to ASCII.
Since the recording is performed using the code or the binary code, the data amount can be reduced.

A digital still camera according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the digital still camera according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the related information of the still image recording mode with audio is an image data file and an audio data. Since the information is stored in the header portion of the file, it is possible to store the related information of the still image recording mode with sound with a simple data configuration in the image data file and the sound data file.

In the digital still camera according to the present invention, at least a still image recording mode with audio for simultaneously recording a still image and audio data, and a continuous image recording with audio for simultaneously recording a continuous image and audio data. And a digital still camera having a mode, an imaging unit that captures an image of an object to obtain image data, an audio input unit that converts audio into an electric signal to obtain audio data, and an image data file in a predetermined format. Storage means for storing audio data as an audio data file in a predetermined format, wherein when the still image recording mode with audio or the continuous shooting image recording mode with audio is selected, one of the image data file and the audio data file is selected. Record related information of the still image recording mode with sound or the continuous shooting image recording mode with sound. Because, if the relevant information about one of the recording mode of the image data file and audio data file is lost, it becomes possible to reproduce the image data and audio data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital still camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of each code in a recording mode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a format of the memory card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of data stored in a directory entry area of the memory card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an image data file area of the memory card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an audio data file area of the memory card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of an image data file and an audio data file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 lens 2 mechanical mechanism 3 CCD 4 CDS circuit 5 A / D converter 6 digital signal processing circuit 7 compression / expansion circuit 8 DRAM 9 memory card 10 LCD 11 driver 12 SG 13 CPU 14 operation unit 15 strobe 16 microphone 17 AMP / FILTER Reference Signs List 18 D / A converter 19 Audio data compression / expansion circuit 20 A / D converter 21 AMP / FILTER 22 OSD 91 Attribute area 92 Boot selector 93 FAT area 94 Directory entry area 95 Image data file area 96 Audio data file area

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A digital still camera having a still image recording mode with sound for simultaneously recording a still image and sound data, an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data, and converting sound into an electric signal. Voice input means for obtaining voice data, and said image data as an image data file in a predetermined form,
Storage means for storing the audio data as an audio data file in a predetermined form, wherein when the still image recording mode with audio is selected, the image data file and a part of the audio data file have A digital still camera which records information related to a still image recording mode. 2. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein a shooting mode is recorded as related information of the still image recording mode with sound. 3. A file name of an audio data file corresponding to a part of the image data file, and a file name of an image data file corresponding to a part of the audio data file, as related information of the still image recording mode with audio. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital still camera is stored. 4. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the file name is recorded in ASCII code or binary code. 5. The digital device according to claim 1, wherein the related information of the still image recording mode with sound is stored in a header portion of an image data file and a sound data file. Still camera. 6. A digital still camera having at least a still image recording mode with audio for simultaneously recording a still image and audio data and a continuous image recording mode with audio for simultaneously recording a continuously shot image and audio data. An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject to obtain image data; an audio input unit that converts audio into an electric signal to obtain audio data; and the image data is an image data file in a predetermined form.
Storage means for storing the audio data as an audio data file in a predetermined form, when the still image recording mode with audio or the continuous shooting image recording mode with audio is selected, the image data file and the audio data file A digital still camera characterized by partially recording information related to the still image recording mode with audio or the continuous shot image recording mode with audio.