WO2005067291A1

WO2005067291A1 - Image recording device and image recording method

Info

Publication number: WO2005067291A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/000154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takayuki Ogawa; Takaomi Fujimoto
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2004-01-07
Filing date: 2005-01-07
Publication date: 2005-07-21
Also published as: JPWO2005067291A1; JP4592594B2

Abstract

When a user wants to capture a still image from a moving picture and presses a still image key (30) of an operation unit (13), processing is performed by switching to a two-division processing unit (5b) of an image output unit (5). The screen of a display unit (6) is divided into a left half for displaying the moving picture and a right half for displaying a still image captured. Simultaneously with this, a still image acquisition unit (4) captures a still image of one frame from the moving picture according to a control signal from a central control unit (12) and stores it in a frame memory not depicted. By the two-division display, the user can simultaneously check the moving picture part and the still image part and if the user finds a scene which is a best shot, the user can update the still image. Finally, the user records the still image which the user thinks best in a card type recording medium (9). Thus, it is possible to effectively use the storage capacity without recording an unnecessary still image which the user does not want in the recording medium.

Description

Specification

Image recording apparatus and image recording method

Technical field

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method for capturing a still image while displaying a moving image and recording the image on a recording medium such as an HD, DVD, or memory card.

Background art

[0002] In television broadcasts and the like, for example, the content of a recipe in a cooking program, the destination of a viewer's present, or a still image of a shot of a soccer player, etc., has been recorded. is there. Therefore, in recent years, an image recording apparatus capable of recording the still image as well as the moving image on a recording medium such as a PC card, HD, or DVD has been provided. For example, in Patent Document 1, a small screen called a small screen is provided in a part of a display screen, a moving image is displayed on a main screen, and a still image recorded on a recording medium is compressed and displayed on the small screen.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-9-224213

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0003] However, in the television receiver disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a still image is captured from a moving image, recording on a recording medium is executed at that time, so that an image is recorded without a user's intention. There was something. For example, even if the user determines that it is worth recording the moving image power of a television image and then records a still image, an image that is worth recording further may be displayed thereafter. Also in this case, all the still images are recorded on the recording medium for the time being, and a large number of unnecessary images are recorded, so that valuable storage capacity is wasted. Further, complicated processing such as deleting unnecessary image files later was required.

[0004] In addition, the conventional image recording apparatus requires a dedicated key for recording a still image in addition to a key for recording a moving image as an operation key of a remote controller or the like, in order to have a function of capturing and recording a still image. It was. For this reason, the number of keys is increased, and the operation is also a factor that hinders downsizing of the device.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, the present invention records unnecessary still images that the user does not intend on a recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus and an image recording method capable of effectively utilizing a storage capacity without recording.

Means for solving the problem

[0006] The image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a first operation unit for instructing to capture a still image from a moving image, a second operation unit for instructing to record the captured still image on a recording medium, and a still image from the moving image. A still image capturing unit for capturing an image, a display image output unit for generating image data for simultaneously displaying the moving image and the captured still image, and a display based on the display image data generated by the still image output unit. A recording unit for recording a still image captured by the still image capturing unit on the recording medium in accordance with an instruction from the second operation unit,

When the still image capturing unit captures a still image, the display image output unit performs display processing for simultaneously displaying the captured still image and moving image, and responds to an instruction from the first operation unit. Therefore, the present invention is characterized in that a moving image being displayed is captured with a new still image, and the still image in the display image output unit is updated.

When the still image capturing unit captures a still image and simultaneously displays the moving image, the still image capturing unit may perform a still image capturing process in accordance with an instruction from the first operation unit. As will be described in detail later, a still image may be automatically captured at predetermined time intervals, and a difference process may be performed between the captured still images.

[0007] Further, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when the number of still images captured by the still image capturing unit exceeds the maximum number of captured images stored in advance, the display image output unit is displaying. It is characterized by updating to a new captured still image.

[0008] The image recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the still image output unit divides a screen into two and generates image data for displaying a moving image and a still image in the same size.

[0009] Further, the image recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a still image update instruction is issued using the enter or confirm key of the operation unit.

[0010] Further, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the operation unit includes: a still image key for displaying a still image by a pressing operation thereof; and a recording key for instructing recording of the still image. A still image is displayed on the screen by pressing the image key, Is characterized in that a process of recording the still image is performed by pressing

[0011] The image recording method of the present invention includes a step of capturing a moving image, a step of generating image data for simultaneously displaying a moving image and the captured still image, and a step of generating the display image. With the step of displaying based on the data and displaying the video screen and the captured still screen simultaneously, capture the still image from the video being displayed according to the instruction of the first operation unit, and then capture the still image. Update the image data generated for display of the still image as a new still image, and a new still image from the currently displayed moving image according to the instruction of the first operation unit that issues an instruction to capture the still image. Capturing an image, updating the still image of the image data generated in the image data generating step, and instructing the second operating unit to record the captured still image on a recording medium. Recording the still image captured by the still image capturing unit on a recording medium.

[0012] In the image recording method according to the present invention, in the updating step, when the number of captured still images exceeds a previously stored maximum number of captured images, a new still image captured from the displayed moving image is used. It is characterized by updating to an image.

[0013] In the image recording method of the present invention, in the image data generating step, a screen is divided into two to generate image data for displaying a moving image and a still image in the same size. Effect

[0014] According to the present invention, when the still image capturing unit captures a still image, the display unit displays a moving image surface and the captured still screen, and further views the moving image to display a new still image. When capturing, the user can update to a new still image according to the instruction of the choreographer, so that the user can compare the moving image with the still image and update it to the still image that he wants to record. Thus, even if a still image is captured, if there is still a still image to be captured in the subsequent moving image, it is captured and updated to a new still image. This makes it possible to effectively use the storage capacity of recording unnecessary still images, and eliminates the need to delete unnecessary still images. [0015] Also, a plurality of still images are captured and displayed up to the maximum number of captured images, and when the number of captured images exceeds the maximum number of captured images, the still images are updated. Can capture only the still images that the user really wants to record and record them on a recording medium, which can be recorded as a minimum amount of information on the recording medium.

In addition, when a moving image and a still image are displayed in the same size, when a new still image is captured, comparison between the moving image and the still image becomes easy, and a desired still image can be easily captured.

[0016] Further, since the update instruction of the still image is performed using the determination or determination key of the operation unit, for example, the update operation can be performed without unnecessarily increasing the number of keys of the remote controller.

Furthermore, since a still image is displayed on the screen by pressing the still image key and the still image is recorded by pressing the recording key, it is necessary to provide a dedicated key for still image recording and a dedicated key for moving image recording. Absent.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystal television receiver as an embodiment of an image recording device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the external appearance of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure around a card-type recording medium.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a still image is captured.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the display unit when the still image recording process is performed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystal television receiver which is another embodiment of the image recording device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a plurality of still images are captured.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a display unit when a recording process of a plurality of still images is performed. Explanation of symbols

[0018] 1 antenna

2 Receiver

3 Selection section

4 Still image capture unit

5 Image output section 5a Overall display processing section

5b 2-split display processing unit

6 Display

7 Audio output section

8 Speaker

9 Card type recording media

10 Slot section

11 Card controller

12 Central control unit

13 Operation section

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystal television receiver which is an embodiment of the image recording device according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an antenna 1 for receiving a television broadcast signal, a receiving unit 2 for image-detecting the television broadcast signal received by the antenna 1 and outputting an image signal and an audio signal are provided. A selection unit 3 for selecting and switching image signals to be input / output, a still image capture unit 4 for capturing a still image from a moving image signal, and converting an input image signal into R, G, B signals. An image output unit 5 for outputting, a liquid crystal display unit 6 for displaying based on this RGB signal, an audio output 7 for processing so that an input audio signal can be output as an audio, and a Speaker 8 for outputting sound, card-type storage medium 9 such as a memory card, slot 10 in which card-type storage medium 9 is inserted, and card control for communicating with card-type storage medium 9 inserted in slot 10 Part 11 and A central control unit 12 for controlling each section, a configuration consisting of the operation unit 13 for a user to input various instructions to the central control unit 9.

Here, the selecting unit 3 has a function of selecting an image of the card recording medium 9 or an image of the receiving unit 2 as an image signal to be displayed on the display unit 6 or recorded on the card recording medium 9, Generally, it is also called a selector, and some are realized as integrated circuit ICs.

That is, at least the image on the card recording medium 9 is unilaterally transmitted to the selecting unit 3. There is also a line for making the input line for writing the image of the receiving unit 2 that functions not only the output line but also the input line. In addition, the function of the selection unit 3 can be performed simultaneously with the image data from the reception unit 2 and the image data recorded on the card can be selected at the same time. The image data received from the card recording medium 9 is simultaneously selected and displayed on the screen in two screens.

The still image capturing section 4 holds the captured still image in a frame memory (not shown). The display unit 6 is not limited to the liquid crystal in the present embodiment, but may be a CRT or a plasma display.

The operation unit 9 is a remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller), and transmits an input operation selected by the user to the liquid crystal television by infrared rays. FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the operation unit 9. As operation keys, a power key 21, a numeric keypad 22, a channel sequential selection key 23, a volume key 24, a return key 25 for returning the operation, and an end for ending the operation It consists of a key 26, an enter key 27 for deciding the operation, a cursor key 28 for moving the cursor in the left, right, up and down directions of the display screen, and a recording / reproducing key group 29 for performing a reproduction / recording operation. The recording / reproducing key group 29 includes a still image key 30 for capturing a still image and a recording key 31 for recording on a recording medium.

Next, the structure around the card type recording medium 9 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slot section 10 includes a card connector 41 for storing the inserted card-type storage medium 9 and a card-type storage medium 9 inserted into the card connector 41. Push rod 42 for taking out, ejection preparation state detection sensor 43 that detects that the push rod 42 has shifted to the ejection preparation state, and status according to the output from the card connector 41 and ejection preparation state detection sensor 43. And a signal detector 44 for outputting a signal.

[0027] The push rod 42 is of a type that ejects the card-type storage medium 9 by a two-stage operation, and is, for example, a bent-type push rod. That is, in a state in which the card-type storage medium ₉ is inserted into the card connector 41, Ri by the bending fold as shown in FIG. _{3 (a),} the card-type in connection with erroneous operation of the push rod 42 of the protruding state This prevents the storage medium 9 from being unintentionally ejected. As a specific embodiment of the push rod 42 for realizing such a discharge mechanism, for example, a commercially available push switch having a locked state is used. A switch and a similar switch member may be used.

When ejecting the card-type storage medium 9 from the card connector 41, the bent portion of the push rod 42 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 As shown in FIG. 3 (b), with the push rod 42 straightened, push the push rod 42 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 (b) (second operation) to push the unillustrated ejector lever. The card type storage medium 9 is ejected.

The discharge preparation state detection sensor 43 is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor, and is disposed at a position for detecting a bent portion of the push rod 42, as shown in FIG. 3, and detects the presence or absence of a bent portion of the push rod 42. As a result, it is detected that the first operation for rotating the bent portion of the push rod 42 has been performed and the state has shifted to the discharge preparation state, and a discharge preparation state detection signal is output to the signal detection section 44.

The signal detection unit 44, upon receiving the ejection preparation state detection signal from the ejection preparation state detection sensor 43, detects the connection between the card connector 41 and the card-type storage medium 9 and detects the force. When the card-type storage medium 9 is inserted into the card connector 41, an ejection preparation state detection signal is output to the card control unit 11. Further, the signal detection unit 44 detects ejection of the card type storage medium 9 from the card connector 41 by performing a card detection process for detecting a connection state between the card connector 41 and the card type storage medium 9, When the ejection of the card type storage medium 9 from the power connector 41 is detected, an ejection confirmation signal is output to the card control unit 11.

The card control unit 11 reads out image data as an image signal and an audio signal stored in the card-type storage medium 9, and outputs the image signal to the image output unit 5 and the audio signal to the audio output unit 7. Playback processing for output and recording processing for writing image signals and audio signals output from the receiving unit 2 to the card-type storage medium 9 as image data are performed.

When the card preparation unit 11 receives the ejection preparation state detection signal from the signal detection unit 44, the card control unit 11 performs a communication state confirmation process for confirming the communication state with the card type storage medium 9. When communicating with the type storage medium 9, a warning is output from the speaker 8 via the audio output unit 7 and a warning is displayed on the display unit 6 via the image output unit 5 to notify the user of the warning. To stop the user from removing the card-type storage medium 9. Urge.

Next, an operation of the liquid crystal television receiver according to the present embodiment will be described.

The receiving unit 2 of the LCD television receiver receives a control instruction from the central control unit 12 for the channel selected by the user from the operation unit 13, detects the television broadcast signal received by the antenna 1, The image signal is output to the selection unit 3 and the audio signal is output to the audio output unit 7. The selection unit 3 outputs an image signal to the image output unit 5 and the still image capture unit 4 under the control of the central control unit 12 when displaying a television image on the display unit 6 according to a user instruction from the operation unit 13. .

[0034] The image output unit 5 includes a full-screen display processing unit 5a for displaying the entire image on one screen and a two-division processing unit 5b for dividing and displaying the image on two screens. Normally, the entire image is displayed on one screen by the entire display processing unit 5a. When the user captures a still image, the user presses the still image key 30 of the operation unit 13 and switches to the two-segment processing unit 5b of the image output unit 5, performs processing, and performs processing on the screen of the display unit 6. Is divided into two parts to display a moving image on the left and a captured still image on the right. At the same time, the still image capturing unit 4 captures one frame of the still image from the moving image based on the control signal from the central control unit 12 and stores it in a frame memory (not shown). Then, the image signal output from the receiving unit 2 via the selecting unit 3 is taken into the frame memory as still image data, and the image signal is output to the image output unit 5.

The user can simultaneously check the moving image portion and the still image portion by the two-split display, and can update the still image if there is a scene considered to be the best shot. Finally, the still image that the user considers best can be recorded on the card type recording medium 9. When the capacity of the still image capturing unit 4 is large, a plurality of still images are stored in the frame memory and only the still image which is finally desired to be recorded is recorded.

Next, a process for capturing a still image will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a still image is captured, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the display unit when the still image recording processing is performed.

As shown in FIG. 5 (a), an image of a television broadcast is displayed on the display unit 6 of the liquid crystal by the display image data from the entire display processing unit 5a. In this display example, the ball Is displayed. Therefore, an image in which the ball is falling downward is displayed on the screen of the display unit 6 (see FIG. 5B). It is assumed that the user has pressed the still image key 30 of the operation unit 13 at the time of the image of FIG. The central control unit 12 confirms that the still image key 30 has been pressed (step S1), and when the still image key 30 is pressed, the display processing unit 5a of the image output unit 5 performs two-split display processing. Switch to section 5b (step S2). At this time, the still image capturing unit 4 holds the still image specified by the user in the frame memory according to the control signal from the central control unit 12, and outputs the image to the image output unit 5. As shown in Fig. 5 (c), the two-segment display processing unit 5b of the image output unit 5 divides the screen into two, and displays the moving image on the left screen and the display data for displaying the captured still image on the right screen. Supply to Part 6.

After that, when the user wants the image of FIG. 5B, that is, the moving image on the left screen of FIG. 5D as a still image, he presses the enter key 27 of the operation unit 13. The central control unit 12 checks whether the enter key 27 has been pressed (step S3), and if it has been pressed, proceeds to step S4. If any other key has been pressed, proceeds to step S5.

In step S4, the still image capturing unit 4 captures the image shown in FIG. 5C according to the control signal of the central control unit 12, and updates the still image. When the still image capturing unit 4 captures a new still image, the two-segment display processing unit 5b of the image output unit 5 updates the still image on the right screen to a newly captured image. Thus, the display unit 6 displays the image as shown in FIG. Then, the process returns to step S3. In this way, the still image to be taken into the still image taking section 4 can be updated any number of times.

[0040] When a key other than the enter key 27 is pressed, the central control unit 12 checks whether the recording key 31 has been pressed (step S5), and proceeds to step S6 when the recording key 31 has been pressed. If any other key has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S 6, when the recording key 31 is pressed, the still image data of the still image capturing unit 4 is sent to the card control unit 11 via the selection unit 3 by the control signal of the central control unit 12. Is recorded on the card type recording medium 9.

[0042] In step S7, the central control unit 12 checks whether the still image key 30 has been pressed again.

When the still image key 30 is pressed, the image output unit 5 switches to the full-screen display processing unit 5a.

Then, a moving image is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit 6 (step S8). [0043] In this way, the moving image and the captured still image are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 6 to check the same, and the still image that has been further captured is changed to a still image captured last time as a new still image, and the update is performed so as to be captured and displayed. Therefore, the user can easily compare a moving image with a still image, and can capture and record only a still image that the user really wants to record on a recording medium. As a result, the storage capacity for recording unnecessary still images on the still image capturing unit 4 and the card-type recording medium 9 can be effectively used, and the operation of deleting unnecessary still images on the recording medium is also unnecessary. .

[0044] In step S7, the force described only when the still image key 30 is pressed. As also described in Fig. 2, even if the back key 25 or the end key 26 is pressed, the entire screen is displayed on one screen. Return to the display.

Although the above flow chart describes the case of recording a still image, if the recording key 31 is pressed in a mode other than the still image mode, the moving image displayed on the display unit 6 is displayed on a card-type recording medium. Record in 9.

In the above embodiment, the frame memory of the still image capturing unit 4 captures a still image of one screen (one frame). However, a frame memory having a capacity capable of capturing a plurality of still images is used. Good. Next, another embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystal television receiver as another embodiment of the image recording device according to the present invention.

The television receiver includes an antenna 51, a tuner 52, a still image processing unit 53 for capturing a still image from a moving image, a still image memory 54 capable of storing a plurality of captured still images, a video processor 56 serving as an image output unit, an image signal. (Movie, still image) switch 59, a slot unit 60 having a control unit that enables recording and playback processing, an external memory 61 as a card-type recording medium, and a microcomputer as a central control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer). ) 63, a light receiving section 64 for receiving an operation instruction from the remote control 13, a ROM 65, and a liquid crystal display section 66. The video processor 56 includes a switch 57 and an image display processing unit 58. The ROM 65 stores data such as a still image display maximum setting value and a recording target identification mark, which will be described later. The tuner 52 of the television receiver receives a control instruction from the microcomputer 63 via the light receiving unit 64 to the channel selected by the user from the remote controller 13 shown in FIG. The detected television broadcast signal is detected, and the image signal is output to the still image processing unit 53, the switch 59, and the video processor 56.

[0048] The video processor 56 performs processing of simultaneous display of both the still image and the moving image captured by the still image processing unit 53 in the image display processing unit 58, and the microcomputer 63 controls the switch 57 to receive the received image. The moving image and the image of the image display processing section 58 are selected and displayed on the liquid crystal display section 66. Normally, the switch 57 selects the received moving image of the tuner 52, and the moving image is entirely displayed on the liquid crystal display section 66. When the user presses the still image key 30 on the operation unit (remote control) 13, the switch 57 is switched to the signal of the image display processing unit 58, the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 66 is divided into two, and the moving image is displayed on the left side And display the captured still image on the right. At the same time, the still image processing unit 4 captures one frame of the still image from the video and stores it in the still image memory 54 based on the control signal from the microcomputer 63. Note that multiple right-side still images that are divided into two can be displayed.

Next, a process for capturing a plurality of still images will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a plurality of still images are captured, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the display unit when the still image recording processing is performed.

The switch 57 of the video processor 56 selects the received signal of the tuner 52, and the moving image of FIG. 8A is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 66. The microcomputer 63 reads and sets the maximum number of still images to be displayed from the ROM 65. The maximum number of still images to be displayed is also determined by the storage capacity of the still image memory 54 and the capacity of the still images (step S11). Therefore, the maximum number of still images to be displayed may be referred to as the maximum number of still images to be captured.

Also, the user can set the maximum number of displayed images from the remote controller 13 within the maximum number of displayed still images in the ROM 65. At this point, since the still images have not been captured, the microcomputer 63 sets the number of still images n = 0.

[0051] The user presses the still image key 30 of the remote controller at a scene to be captured while watching the moving image surface of the liquid crystal display unit 66 (step S12). The capture instruction signal is input to the microcomputer 63 via the light receiving unit 64, and the microcomputer 63 sends a still image from the TV signal to the still image processing unit 53. Is captured, and the still image is stored in the still image memory 54.

In step S13, under the control of the microcomputer 63, the image display processing unit 53 of the video processor 56 performs scaling processing (two-screen display processing), and the switch 57 selects the signal of the screen display processing unit 58, and The display section 66 displays a two-split screen as shown in FIG. 8 (b). The image display processing unit 58 displays a moving image (received signal) on the left side and a still image on the right side, but reduces the image while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image and displays the image in the same size on the left and right sides. Further, a blanking process is performed so that a portion other than the image display portion is displayed in black. At the top right of the still image, an identification display “see” indicating that the image is to be recorded is displayed. The microcomputer 63 sets the number of still images n to 1, and displays “1Z3” which is “the number of still images Z set number” in the blanking area (step S13). In this way, the user can compare a moving image and a still image of the same size, and thus can easily determine the ability to capture the image.

Further, if the user watches the left moving image on the liquid crystal display unit 66 and finds an image of interest, he presses the enter key 27 of the remote control. When confirming that the enter key 27 has been input (step S14), the microcomputer 63 checks whether or not the number of still images n + 1 is equal to or less than the maximum set value (step S15). Here, the number n of still images is 2, which is smaller than the maximum set value of 3, so the process proceeds to step S16, and the number n of still images is set to n + n, that is, the number of still images is set to 2 (step S16).

Next, in step S 17, the still image processing unit 53 performs a still image capturing process, stores the still image in the still image memory 54, and sends data to the image display processing unit 58. As shown in FIG. 8C, the image display processing unit 58 performs a scaling process of displaying a moving image on the left side and two still images on the right side, and simultaneously performs a blanking process on a portion other than the display portion. Then, the identification display “reference” indicating that the image is to be recorded is displayed at the upper right of the newly added lower still image, and the microcomputer 63 sets the number of still images to 2, and displays “still image” in the blanking area. “2Z3” as the “number of sheets Z set number of sheets” is displayed, and the process returns to step S14.

[0055] Once again, the enter key 27 is pressed and the microcomputer 63 confirms it (step S14). When the number of still images n + 1 is 3, which is the same as the maximum set value of 3 (step S15), step S16 Then, the number of still images n is set to 3, and the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the still image processing unit 53 captures a new image, and three still images are stored in the still image memory 54. . Then, as shown in FIG. 8D, scaling processing and blanking processing are performed by the video processor 56, and three still images are displayed on the right side of the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 66. Then, the identification display “see” is displayed on the newly displayed still image to be recorded, and “3Z3” is displayed as “the number of still images Z set number” in the blanking area.

Next, returning to step S14, if a signal indicating that the enter key 27 has been pressed is input to the microcomputer 63, in step S15, the number of still images n + 1 is 4, and the maximum number of displayed images is In order to exceed 3, go to step S18. Since the process does not proceed to step S16, the number of still images remains at 3.

[0057] In step S18, the still image capture processing unit 53 performs a still image capture process. Then, the old image deletes the still image stored in the still image memory 54, stores the newly captured still image, and simultaneously sends the data to the image display processing unit 58. As shown in Fig. 8 (e), the image display processing unit 58 updates the moving image on the left and the newly captured still image on the right instead of the old still image to three images, and further maintains the image aspect ratio. At the same time, the scaling process for displaying the image while reducing it is performed, and at the same time, the blanking process is performed on the portion other than the display portion. Then, the identification display `` see '' indicating that it is a recording target is displayed on the upper right of the newly added lower still image, and `` 3Z3 '' of `` the number of still images Z maximum set number '' is displayed in the blanking area. Let it. Then, the process returns to step S14 again. After that, even if the enter key 27 is pressed to capture the still image, the number n of still images is still 3, and the process of step S18 is repeated.

Although the old still image was deleted here, let the user select the still image to be deleted.

The process of capturing a still image up to this point will be described. Next, a process of selecting a captured still image with a medium power and recording it in the external memory 61 will be described.

If the microcomputer 63 confirms that the cursor key 28 for up, down, left and right has been pressed without pressing the enter key 27 (step S14) (step S19), the recording identification is performed as shown in FIG. 8 (f). The mark is moved between the displayed still images according to the cursor key 28 (step S20). When the cursor key 28 is not pressed, the microcomputer 63 checks whether the recording key 31 is pressed (step S21). When the recording key 31 is pressed, the recording identification mark is input. The data of the stored still image is read out from the still image memory 54 and sent to the slot section 60 via the switch 59. Then, the data is recorded in the external memory 61 (step S22).

If the recording key 31 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S14.

[0059] The user can simultaneously check the moving image portion and the still image portion by the two-split display, and if there is a scene that seems to be the best shot, the still image can be captured. Can be stored and the video can be displayed at the same time. Finally, the user can select a still image considered to be the best and record it in the external memory 61 which is a card-type recording medium.

[0060] In this embodiment, the user is allowed to select the updated still image. However, for example, the still image may be captured at a predetermined time interval. In this case, the microcomputer 63 is provided with a timer function, and the still image processing unit 53 captures a still image at predetermined time intervals. If the number of still image memories is three, for example, three frames may be fetched at a predetermined time interval (for example, 5 seconds) after the user presses the still image key 30 of the remote controller 13. Further, when the user presses the enter key when there is another still image, the still image processing unit 53 updates the acquired three still images and acquires the next three images.

The microcomputer 63 performs a difference process on the still images captured at predetermined time intervals. If the still image is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the microcomputer 63 stores the still images in the still image memory 54 as a still image, May be displayed. When the storage capacity of the still image memory 54 is exceeded, processing such as deleting old data and updating the old data is performed.

[0062] Further, there is a case where a group of image data such as MPEG is captured to the still image capturing unit 4 in a single operation. In a technology such as MPEG, a one-frame image is encoded by an I picture, a P picture, and further by a B picture according to a coding technique. An I picture is an intra-frame encoded image, and can be decoded only from data corresponding to the frame. P-pictures and B-pictures are inter-frame encoded images which are encoded with reference to another frame as a predicted image, and it is necessary to decode the referenced image first. For P pictures, only unidirectional prediction (for example, forward prediction) is used, and for B pictures, bidirectional prediction (forward prediction and backward prediction) is used. Therefore, when the user presses the still image key 30 or the enter key 27, for example, For example, a plurality of I-pictures are stored as long as the frame memory capacity of the still image capturing unit 4 permits. Thus, a single press can capture multiple different still images.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a first operation unit for instructing to capture a still image from a video,

A second operation unit for instructing recording of the captured still image on a recording medium,

A still image capturing unit for capturing a still image from a video,

A display image output unit for generating image data for simultaneously displaying a moving image and a captured still image;

A display unit that performs display based on the display image data generated by the still image output unit;

A recording unit that records a still image captured by the still image capturing unit on the recording medium in accordance with an instruction of the second operation unit,

When the still image capturing unit captures a still image, the display image output unit performs display processing for simultaneously displaying the captured still image and moving image, and responds to an instruction from the first operation unit. Accordingly, an image recording apparatus is characterized in that a moving image being displayed is taken in, a new still image is captured, and the still image in the display image output unit is updated.

[2] If the number of still images captured by the still image capturing unit exceeds the previously stored maximum number of captured images, a new still image captured by the display image output unit from the moving image being displayed. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is updated.

3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the still image output unit divides a screen into two and generates image data for displaying a moving image and a still image in the same size.

4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction to update a still image is issued by using a decision key or a decision key of the operation unit.

[5] The operation unit includes a still image key for displaying a still image by a pressing operation thereof, and a recording key for instructing recording of the still image. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a process of displaying an image on a screen and recording the still image is performed by further pressing the recording key.

[6] capturing a still image from the video,

Generating image data for simultaneously displaying a moving image and the captured still image; Performing a display based on the generated display image data, and capturing a still image from the displayed moving image in accordance with an instruction of the first operation unit while simultaneously displaying the moving image surface and the captured still screen. Updating image data generated for display with the still image captured as a new still image;

Moving image power, in accordance with an instruction of the first operation unit for instructing to capture a still image, capturing a new moving image being displayed, and updating the still image of the image data generated in the image data generating step. ,

Instructs to record the captured still image on the recording medium.

Recording the still image captured by the still image capturing unit on a recording medium.

[7] In the updating step, when the number of captured still images exceeds a previously stored maximum number of captured images, updating is performed to a new still image captured from a moving image being displayed. The image recording method according to claim 6, wherein

[8] The image data generating method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the image data generating step, a screen is divided into two to generate image data for displaying a moving image and a still image in the same size. Image recording method.