GB2245406A

GB2245406A - Electronic still camera and magnetic disk

Info

Publication number: GB2245406A
Application number: GB9108745A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yuichi Kurosawa; Nobuya Sakai; Shinichi Kakiuchi
Original assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Pentax Corp
Priority date: 1990-04-25
Filing date: 1991-04-24
Publication date: 1992-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-24
Also published as: DE4113547C2; GB2245406B; FR2661582A1; FR2661582B1; DE4113547A1; GB9108745D0

Description

ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA AND MAGNETIC DISE The Present invention relates to

an electronic still caneera into which a magnetic disk is inserted for recording an image.

Electronic still cameras have become very popular recently, since an image photographed by an electronic still camera can be observed immediately after. photographing. Another reason for the popularity of the electronic still camera is that a magnetic disk used as a recording medium therein is easy to handle. For example, when an image photographed by the electronic still camera is recorded on a magnetic disk housed in the camera, even though portions of the magnetic disk remain unused, it can be freely removed from the camera and set in a reproducing device to observe the just-photographed image.

The magnetic disk is usually provided with 52 tracks, and images or sounds are recorded on the Ist through 50th tracks. The 52nd track is a cue track which can be used for recording a code by which an image and a sound are properly combined, and no information is recorded on the 51st track.

Such a conventional electronic still camera, however, can carry out only operations such as a zooming and an exposure control which are fixed, and therefore, the photographer cannot change these cperations to achieve a desired photographing operation.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera which can freely carry out various 2 - operations by a simple mechanism.

According to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic disk for insertion into an electronic still camera. The magnetic disk comprises tracks for storing data, and a storing mechanism for storing control data by which a photographing operation of the electronic still camera is controlled; the storing mechanism being formed in at least one of the tracks.

ACCording to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic disk comprising means for connecting the same to the electronic still camera; and at least one track for storing control data by which a photographing operation of the electronic still camera is operated.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic disk for storing control data by which a photographing operation of the electronic still camera is controlled.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic still camera including a reading mechanism and a control mechanism. The reading mechanism reads control data stored in a magnetic disk inserted to the electronic still camera. The control mechanism controls a photographing operation of the electronic still camera in accordance with the control data.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic disk having a plurality of tracks for storing data, the magnetic disk being characterized in that data for controlling a photographing operation is stored in at least one of the tracks.

Accordincl to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic still camera including a mounting mechanism, a reading mechanism, a determining mechanism, and a control mechanism. A magnetic disk is mounted in the mounting mechanism, the reading mechanism reads data stored in the magnetic disk, the determining mechanism determines whether or not the data is control data, and the control mechanism controls a photographing operation of the electronic still camera in accordance with the control data.

The present invention will be better understood from the description of the preferred eTbodiments of the invention set forth below, together with the accal=ying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a first embodiment of an electronic still camera of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schemtic view of a magnetic disk ing the present invention; Figure 3 is a diagram of a program diagram; Figure 4 is a schematic view showing photographing control d a ta., Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a first example of a preparation for photographing operation by the electronic still camera; Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of a preparation for photographing opration by the electronic still camera; Figure 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a second embodiment of an electronic still camera of the present invention; Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a third example of a preparation for photographing operation by the electronic still camera; Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of a preparation for photographing operation by the electronic still camera; Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a fifth example of a preparation for photographing operation by the electronic still camera; Figure 11 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a third embodiment of an electronic still camera of the present invention; Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an audio signal in a usual disk; Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a control code; and Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of photographing control data recorded in the form of a control code of an audio signal.

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

A system controller 11 shown in Fig. I is a usual microcomputer carrying out control of the whole electronic still camera. The system controller 11 is composed of a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), and is connected to various operating switches 12. In a photography operation, an image of an object is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 15 as a solid state imaging device through an aperture and a lens 14. The CCD 15 is connected to an image processing circuit 17 through an imaging circuit 16. The imaging circuit 16 and the image processing circuit 17 are connected to and controlled by the system controller 11. An aperture control circuit 13 is also connected to and is controlled by the system controller 11, in accordance with information received from a photomtry device (not shown).

An image formed on the CCD 15 is inputted to the image processing circuit 17 through the imaging circuit 16. In the image processing circuit 17, the image signal inputted from the imaging circuit 16 is divided into differential color signals and a p luminance signal; the two differential color signals (R-Y, B-Y) being arranged alternately at each III (horizontal scanning period). The image processing circuit 17 is also connected to an image output terminal 18, and the photographed image can be observed by connecting a reproducing device (not shown) to the image output terminal 18.

A white balance sensor 21 is connected to the system controller 11 through a white balance processing circuit 22, to ensure a correct tone of a photographed image.

The disk drive device rises a magnetic head 31, a head drive circuit 32 for driving and controlling the magnetic head 31, a spindle motor 33 for rotating a magnetic disk D, a motor drive circuit 34 for controlling the motor 33, and a PG coil 35 for sensing a timing of rotation of the magnetic disk D. The PG coil 35 is connected to the motor drive circuit 34, and the motor drive circuit 34 and the head drive circuit 32 are connected to the system controller 11.

The luminance signal and the two differential color signals imlUded in the image signal are frequency-modulated, respectively, and ID data such as a photographing date are differential-phaseshift-keying-modulated (DPSK-modulated). The DPSH-modulated signals corresponding to ID data are multiplex-recorded on the same track. To effect this operation, a frequency-modulation circuit 41 and a frequency-demodulation circuit 42 are connected to the image processing circuit 17, and a DPSK modulation circuit 47 and a DPSK demodulation circuit 49 are connected to the system controller 11. The frequency-modulation circuit 41 is connected to the magnetic head 31 through a head amplifier 43 and a switch 44. The frequencydemodulation circuit 42 is connected to the ragnetic head 31 through a head amplifier 45 and the switch 44. The DPSK modulation circuit 47 is connected to a point between the frequency-modulation circuit 41 and the head amplifier 43. The DPSK demodulation circuit 49 is connected to a point between the frequency-demodulation circuit 42 and the head amplifier 45, through a low pass filter UPF) 48.

1 The switch 44 is selectively switched to t_he side of the frequencymodulation circuit 41 or the ride of the frequency- demodulation circuit 42, under the control of the system controller 11. Namely, the switch 44 connects the head amplifier 43 of the frequency- modulation circuit 41 to the magnetic head 31 when recording the image data to the magnetic disk D, whereby the image data is frequency- modulated, and 10 data such as a photographing date are DPSK-modulated and recorded on the magnetic disk D. Conversely, when an image recorded on the magnetic disk D is reproduced, the switch 44 connects the head amplifier 45 of the frequency-demodulation circuit 42 to the magnetic head 31. Therefore, the image data recorded on the magnetic disk D is frequency-demodulated and inputted to the image processing circuit 17, whereby the image can be reproduced by a reproducing device connected to the image output terminal 18. Data such as a photographing date are DPSK- demodulated and inputted to the system controller 11, whereby the photographing date is reproduced together with the image.

In this embodiment, as described later, the photographing control data including an f-number and a shutter speed are stored in a cue track of the magnetic disk D. A data reading circuit 46 for reading the photographing control data is connected to a point between the frequency- demodulation circuit 42 and the head amplifier 45. The data reading circuit 46 is also connected to the system controller 11, which analyzes the control data, whereby a photographing operation of the camera is controlled.

Further, an indicating device 51 for indicating a present state of the camera is connected to the system controller 11.

Figure 2 shows the magnetic disk D. This magnetic disk D has the same appearance as a 2-inch type magnetic disk used for a usual electronic still camera, and has 52 tracks. Among these tracks, the 1st through 50th tracks D2, counted from the outside edge of the disk D, are data tracks used for recording image data, audio data 1 and ID data such as a photographing date. The 52nd track D1 is a cue track in which a cue signal is recorded. No signal is recorded-in the 51st track.

Since the modulation bands of the image data and the audio data are different, these data are recorded on different tracks. The cue signal is used to combine the image data with corresponding audio data when an image and sound are both reproduced.

In addition to an area for recording various information, the cue track D1 is provided with a user's area which can be freely used by the user. In this embodiment, photographing control data for controlling a photographing operation of the electronic still camera are stored in the user's area.

Figure 3 shows a program diagram as an example of the photographing control data. This photographing control data defines a relationship between an f-number and a shutter value, using an EV (Exposure Value) as a parameter, and is indicated by a solid line S1. A program diagram shown by a broken line B1 is stored in a ROM of the system controller 11 as basic photographing control data. Note that, although in this embodiment the EV, the f-number and the shutter value are recorded in a table, an equation obtaining the fnumber and the shutter value based on the EV may be stored in the magnetic disk.

Figure 4 shows a state of the photographing control data stored in the cue track. This control data comprises an alternate arrangement of an EV, an f-number, and a shutter value. One point on the solid line S1 of Figure 3 is indicated by a set of EV, f-number and shuttpx values - Information denoting a photographing operation, such as a shutter speed priority mode, may be stored at the beginning or at the end of the data shown in Figure 4, in the form of a bit, for example.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic still camera of this embodiment. Note that, in this embodiment, the A t basic photographing control data is previously stored in the RAM of the system controller 11.

In step 81, a iragnetic disk is inserted into the disk drive device of the electronic still camera, and in step 82, data in the cue track of the magnetic disk is read. TI.nn in step 83, in accordance with the data read in step 82, it is determined whether or not photographing control data are stored in the cue track. Note, hereinafter a disk storing photographing control data in a cue track is referred to as a data disk, and a conventional disk in which photographing control data are not stored is referred to as a usual disk. Namely, in step 83, it is determined whether or not a data disk is set in the disk drive device.

When a data disk is set in the disk drive device, steps 84 through 87 are carried out. Namely first, in step 84, photographing control data stored in a RAM of the system controller 11 are deleted, and then in step 85, photographing control data stored in the cue track of the magnetic disk, i.e. the program diagram (data indicated by the solid line S1 in Figure 3) is written to the RAN of the system controller 11. Step 86 is a photographing wait state, in which a photographing"operation in accordance with the photographing control data stored in the RAM, i.e. the photographing control data recorded in the cue track of the magnetic disk, is possible. In this state, if a shutter button of the camera is released, a photographing operation in accordance with the diagram shown by the solid line S1 in Figure 3 is carried out.

In step 87, it is determined whether or not an qDerating switch 12a disposed in the camera has been operated. This operating switch 12a is provided for selecting whether photographing control data read from the cue track of the magnetic disk or the basic photographing control data previously stored in the ROM of the system controller 11 is to be used as a program diagram for a photographing operation. If this operating switch 12a has not been operated, the process returns to step 86, and thus a photographing mode using a photographing control data read from the cue track, 1 f i.e. an optional photographing mode, is maintained. Conversely, in step 87, if it is determined that the operating switch 12a has been operated, step 92 and the following steps are carried out, whereby the mode is changed to a photographing mode using the basic photographing control data previously stored in the ROM of the system controller 11, i.e. a basic photographing mode is maintained.

When it is determined that a data disk is not set in the disk drive device in step 83, i.e., when a usual disk is set in the disk drive device, step 91 and the following steps are carried out. Namely, in the RAM of the system controller 11, a program diagram shown by the broken line B1 in Figure 3, for example, usually, is stored as the basic photographing control data. Therefore, in step 91, the indicating device 51 indicates that the camera is now set to carry out a photographing operation in accordance with the basic photographing control data, i.e. the basic photographing mode is maintained.

In step 92, it is determined whether or not the photographing control data stored in the ROM of the system controller 11 coincides with the photographing control data stor'ed in the RAM. If these photographing control data are the same, the process goes to step which is a photographing wait state, and thus a photographing operation in accordance with the basic photographing data currently stored in the RAM is possible. Conversely, in step 92, if it is determined that the photographing control data stored in the ROM and the RAM are different, step 93 is carried out and the data stored in the RAM is deleted, and then in step 94, the basic photographing control data stored in the ROM is written to the RAM.

Then, in step 95, the camera is held in a photographing wait state in which a photographing operation by the basic photographing control data newly stored in the RAM can be carried out. In this state, if the shutter button of the camera is released, a photographing operation in accordance with the diagram indicated by the broken line B1 in Figure 3 is carried out.

In step 96, an in step 87, it is determined whether or not the operating switch 12a has been operated. If this operating switch 12a. has not been operated, the process returns to step 95, and thus a photographing mode using the basic photographing control data stored in the RAM in the present state, i.e. the basic photographing mode, is maintained. Conversely, in step 96, if it is determined that the operating switch 12a has been operated, step 82 and the following steps are carried out, and if a data disk has been set in the disk drive device, the photographing mode is changed to the optional photographing mode. Note that, in a case in which, although it is determined in step 96 that the operating switch 12a has been operated, a data disk is not set in the disk drive device, the photographer can recognie that a data disk is not set, by an indication of the basic photographing mode indicated in step 91.

Note that, in an electronic still camera which is not provided with the operating switch 12a, steps 87 and 96 are omitted. In this case, the photographing mode is definitely determined by whether the inserted magnetic disk is a data disk or a usual disk. Therefore, all image data recorded in data tracks of the magnetic disk are photographed in accordance with the same photographing control data.

As described above, the electronic still camera of this embodiment can be operated by both a data disk and a usual disk, but when the electronic still camera of the present invention is to be operated only by a data disk, then the flowchart of Figure 5 consists only of steps 81, 82, 84, 85 and 86.

In the embodiment described above, a photographing operation can be carried out by photographing control data stored in the cue track of the magnetic disk. Therefore, a photographing operation can be carried out in accordance with photographing control data different from the basic photographing control data stored in the ROM of the system controller, whereby various photographing operations become possible. Further, since such photographing data are obtained from the magnetic disk, there is no necessity to 1 1 provide the camera with a special operating mechanism, and therefore, the construction of the camera is greatly simplified.

Further, although the photographing control data are stored in the ROM of the system controller in a conventional camera, the photographing control data are obtained from the magnetic disk in this embodiment. Accordingly, the ROM for storing the photographing control data need not be housed in the camera.

Furthermore, since the embodiment is constructed in such a manner that the photographing control data is obtained from the magnetic disk, to select a required photographing condition, only a magnetic disk having control.data corresponding to the object need be selected, which simplifies the operation of the camera.

A volume of the cue track of the magnetic disk is about 16K bytes, which is large enough to store the photographing control data. The data reading circuit 46 for reading the data of the cue track is easily realized by using an IC, and thus a particularly complicated construction is not required.

Note that, in the above embodiment, to simplify the explanation of the present invention, a description of a construction for recording sound is omitted, but when sound is to be recorded together with an image, an audio processing circuit is added to the circuit shown in Figure 1.

In the above-described first embodiment, the photographing control data are stored in the cue track D1. In another embodiment of the present invention, however, the photographing control data such as an f-number and a shutter speed are stored in the data tracks D2 (Figure 2) and information indicating that the magnetic disk D is a data disk storing the photographing control data is stored in the cue track D1. The contents recorded in the tracks of the magnetic disk D differ in accordance with whether the magnetic disk D is a usual disk or a data disk, and the circuit components operating in accordance with the magnetic disk D are different.

Namely, in this embodiment,It is not necessary to determine whether or not the magnetic disk D is a data disk, because only certain Predeternined circuits are operated in accordance with the kind of reproducing signal inputted from the magnetic head 31.

Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of program diagrams shown by the solid line S1 in Figure 3 are stored in the data tracks D2.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of another operation of the electronic still camera of this eiment.

In 101, a magnetic disk is inserted into the disk drive device of the electronic still camera, and in step 102, data in the cue track of the magnetic disk is read. In step 103, in accordance with the data read in step 102, it is determined whether or not the magnetic disk set in the camera is a data disk, i.e., it is determined whether photographing control data are stored in this magnetic disk. When the magnetic disk is a data disk, step 111 and the following steps are carried out, but when the magnetic disk is a usual disk, steps 104 through 109 are carried out.

If a data disk has been set, and step 111 and the following steps have been carried out, the program diagram shown by the solid line S1 in Figure 3 is stored in the RAM of the system controller 11. Conversely, if step 111 and the following steps have not been carried out, the program diagram shown by the broken line B1 in Figure 3, for example, is stored as the basic photographing control data. In step 104, the present content of the RAM is indicated by the indicating device 51.

In step 105, it is determined whether the photographing control data stored in the ROM of the system controller 11 is the same as the photographing control data stored in the RAM. When these data are the same, the process goes to step 106 which is a photographing wait state, and thus a photographing operation in accordance with the photographing control data stored in the RAM becomes possible.

Conversely, when it is determined in step 105 that the photographing control data stored in the ROM and the RAM are different, it is determined in step 107 whether the photographing control data currently stored in the RAM should be used for the photographing operation. This determination is carried out by an operation in which the photographer operates an operation switch 12b in accordance with the indication by the indicating device 51, for example.

When a photographing operation is carried out by using the photographing control data currently stored in the RAM, the process goes to step 106. Conversely, when the photographing is not carried out by using the photographing control data currently stored in the RAM, the process goes to step 108, and the data stored in the RAM are deleted. Then, the basic photographing control data stored in the ROM is written to the RAM in step 109, and in step 110 the content of the RAM is indicated. Step 106 is the photographing wait state in which a photographing operation by the basic photographing control data newly stored in the RAM can be carried out. In this state, when the shutter button of the camera is released, a photographing operation in accordance with the diagram shown by the broken line B1 in Figure 3 is carried out.

On the other hand, in step 103, if it is determined that a data disk is mounted in the disk drive device, step 111 and the following steps are carried out. First, in step Ill, it is determined which track of the magnetic disk is to be read. The instruction for this reading is given by an operation of the operating switch 12b by the photographer. When an instruction for reading a track is given, the photographing control data stored in the designated track are reproduced by the data reading circuit 46 in step 112, and the photographing control data stored in the RAN of the controller 11 are deleted at stop 113. Then, in step 114, the photographing control data reproduced in step 112 are written to the RAM of the system controller 11.

In step 115, the content of the photographing control data currently stored in the RAM is indicated by the indicating device 51, for example. Accordingly, the photographer can read the photographing control data, determine whether or not the present hotogra control data are acceptable at step 120, and operate the cperating switch 12b accordingly. When it is determined by the photographer that the present photographing control data are acceptable, the process is ended. Conversely, when it is determined by the photographer that the present photographing control data are not acceptable, step 111 and the following steps are again carried out.

On the other hand, in step 111, when it is determined that an instruction for which track of the magnetic disk is to read has not been given, step 121 and the following steps are carried out, whereby the photographing control data are reproduced and it is determined whether or not the photographing control data are acceptable.

Namely, in step 121, a counter "t" is set to "1". Then, in step 122, the photographing control data stored in No."C track are reproduced by the data reafing circuit 46. Steps 123, 124 and 125 are the same as steps 113, 114 and 115 respectively. Namely, the photographing control data stored in the RAM of the system controller 11 until that time are deleted, and new photographing control data are written into the RAM, and the content of the photographing control data stored in the RAM then indicated by the indicating device 51. In step 130, it is determined by the photographer whether the present photographing control data are acceptable. If the data are acceptable, the process comes to an end.

In step 130, when it is determined that the present photographing control data are not acceptable, the process goes to step 131 in which the counter "t" is increased by 2", and then in step 132 it is determined whether the counter "t" has become more than or equal to '49". If the counter is less than "49", steps 122 through 130 are again carried out. Namely, the next photographing - is - control data are reproduced, and it is determined whether this photographing control data are acceptable. Note, the counter 'IC is increased by '2" in step 131 because the photographing control data are stored on alternate tracks of the disk.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 132 that the counter "t is more than or equal to "49", the process returns to step 121, whereby the counter 't" is set to "V and steps 122 through 130 are again carried out.

Therefore, after the photographing control data is written to the RAM of the system controller 11, the photographer sets a usual disk to the disk drive device and carries out a photographing operation in accordance with the selected photographing control data. Then, when the photographer wishes to change the photographing control data, the data disk is again set to the disk drive device, and the above-described operation is carried out.

As described above, this embodiment is constructed in such a manner that a photographing operation can be carried out in accordance with the photographing control data stored in data tracks of the riagnetic disk. Since 25 kinds of photographing control data, for example, can be stored on one data disk, a photographing operation can be carried out in accordance with photographing control data different from the basic photographing control data stored in the ROM of the system controller, andthus various photographing operations can be carried out. Further, since the photographing control data are obtained from the magnetic disk, the camera does not require an exclusive operating mechanism for storing the photographing control data. Accordingly, the construction of the camera is simplified.

Although the photographing control data are obtained from the ROM of the system controller in a conventional camera, the photographing control data are obtained from the magnetic disk in this embodiment. Therefore, the ROM for storing the photographing control data need not be housed in the camera, or an area in the ROM for storing the photographing control data can he deleted.

Figure 7 shows a control circuit of a second eiment of the electronic still camera of the present invention; in which parts common to the eiment of Figure 1 have been given like reference numerals.

This embodiment is provided with an audio processing circuit, which is not provided in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Namely, in this embodiment, when the magnetic disk is a usual disk, sound can be recorded together with an image, and when the magnetic disk is a data disk, the content of the photographing control data can be indicated vocally.

As shown in Figure 7, a microphone 61 is connected to an audio signal processing circuit 63 through a microphone amplifier 62, and the audio signal processing circuit 63 is connected to an A-D converter 65 through a switch 64. Therefore, sound inputted through the microphone 61 is inputted to the AWconverter 65, and high frequency components of the sound are removed by the audio signal processing circuit 63 and A-D converted. The A-D converter 65, a digital signal processing circuit 66, a RAM 67 and a D-A converter 68 are interconnected by a data bus 69. The digital signal processing circuit 66 outputs a clock signal to the A-D converter 65, the RAN 67 and the D-A converter 68, and carries out writing to and reading from the RAM 67. The digital signal processing circuit 66 is connected to an audio signal processing CPU 71, which is connected to the system controller 11. Namely, the audio signal processing CPU 71 carries out an input and an output of data to the digital signal processing circuit 66 and the system controller 11.

The D-A converter 68 is connected to a compression audio signal record processing circuit 72, which is connectedtothe frequency-modulation circuit 41 through a switch 73. The switch 73 is constructed in such a manner that the frequencymodulation circuit 41 is selectively connected to the image processing circuit 17 or to the compression audio signal record processing circuit 72. Namely, the switch 73 is connected to the image processing circuit 17 when recording an image, and conntcted to the compression audio signal record processing circuit 72 when recording sound. Therefore, when recording sound, the audio signal is inputted from the audio signal processing circuit 63 to the A-D converter 65, to he converted to a digital signal, then once transferred to the RAM 67, converted to an analogue signal by the D-A converter 68, and inputted to the compression audio signal record processing circuit 72. Then, the audio signal is compressed to a period for which the magnetic disk D turns for one revolution thereof (for example, 1/60 seconds), and then is frequencymodulated and recorded in a track of the magnetic disk D.

A compression audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74 is provided between the frecluency-denx)dulation circuit 42 and the switch 64, which is switched under the a control of the system controller 11 through the audio signal processing CPU 71. The switch 64 is connected to the audio signal processing circuit 63 when recording a sound, and connected to the compression audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74 when reproducing the sound. Therefore, when reproducing the sound, an audio signal recorded on the magnetic disk D is frequency-demodulated, and then is subjected by the compression audio signal reproduction processirg circuit 74 to a process which is the reverse of that of the process carried out by the compression audio signal record processing circuit 72, and thus is expanded to a predetermined period.

This audio signal is transmitted through the A-D converter 65, the RAM 67 and the D-A converter 68 to a further audio sicJnal Processing circuit 75, where a high frequency component of the signal is removed. The audio signal is then amplified to a predetermined level, and reproduced by a reproducing device connected to an audio signal output terminal 77.

Figure 8 is a flowchart of an operation of the electronic still camera having the circuit shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, the contents currently stored in the RAM of the system controller 11 are outputted vocally from a speaker 76, for example, so that the photographer can easily judge whether or not the photographing control data are as required.

To obtain this vocal confirmation of the photographing control data, steps 116 through 118, and 126 through 128 are provided. Namely, steps 116 through 118 correspond to step 115 of the flowchart of Figure 6, and steps 126 through 128 correspond to step 125 of the flowchart of Figure 6. The operations of the steps other than steps 116 through 118 and steps 126 through 128 are the same as those of the corresponding steps of Figure 6, and therefore, an explanation of these other steps is omitted in the following description.

In step 116, data of audio waveforms correponding to the photographing control data written to the RAM of the system controller 11 in step 114 are read. In this embodiment, the photographing control data are stored in odd number tracks of the magnetic disk, and the audio waveform data are stored in even number tracks. Further, each audio waveform data is stored at one track inside and adjacent to the track of the corresponding photographing control data. Therefore, in step 116, the number of the track storing audio waveform data,which number is obtained by adding one to the number of the track of the photographing control data, is read.

The audio waveform data are A-D converted and stored in the RAN 67 of the audio signal processing circuit in step 117. In step 118, an audio indication indicating the contents of the photographing control data is outputted through the speaker 76 or an audio reproducing device connected to the audio output terminal 77. The photographer can determine by this vocal output whether or not the photographing control data are as required, and then can input reqiured data, if necessary, by operating a predetermined switch in step 120.

The operations of steps 126 through 128 are the same as those of steps 116 through 118 respectively. Namely, audio waveform data corresponding to the photographing control data written to the RAM of the system controller 11 in step 124 are read, are A-0 converted, and are then stored in the RAM 67 of the audio signal processing circuit, and thereafter, are reproduced by the speaker 76 or other reproducing device.

As described above, in this embodiment, the photographing control data currently stored in the RAM of the system controller 11 are vocally confirmed. Accordingly, the photographer can easily and accurately confirm the content of the photographing control data, and thus easily determine whether or not the photographing control data are as required.

Note, in the embodiment of Figure 7, although the audio waveform data corresponding to the photographing control data are stored in a data track adjacent to a data track in which the photographing control data are stored, the present invention is not restricted to this construction. Namely, the audio waveform data may be stored in another track. For example, the photographing control data may be stored in the 1st through 25th tracks of the magnetic disk, and the audio waveform data may be stored in the 26th through 50th tracks. In this case, information for correlating the photographing control data to the audio waveform data is stored in the cue track, for example, or in a control code of an audio signal, described later with reference to Figures 12 through 14.

Figure 9 is a flart of another operation of the electronic still camera. In this operation, an example correctly expressing a characteristic of the photographing control data currently stored in the RAN of the system controller 11 is shown by a reproducing device (not shown) connected to the image output terminal 18, whereby the photographer can easily determine whether or not the photographing control data is as required.

To confirm the photographing control data by the example of the image, steps 119 and 129 are provided. These steps 119 and 129 correspond to steps 115 and 125, respectively, of the flowchart shown in Figure 6. Since the operations of the steps other than steps 119 and 129 are the same as those of the corresponding steps of Figure 6, an explanation of the other steps is omitted.

In step 119, image data corresponding to the photographing control data written to the RAM of the system controller 11 in step 114 is read. This image data shows a typical example of an image photographed in accordance with the photographing control data. The image is outputted to the reporducing device and projected on the display surface thereof, as described above.

As in the eiment of Figure 8, the photographing control data is stored in odd number tracks of.the mgnetic disk, and the image data is stored in even number tracks, respectively. Each image data is stored in a track adjacent to and inside the track in which the corresponding photographing control data is stored. Therefore, in step 119, image data of a track, the number of which is obtained by adding one to the number of the track of the photographing control data, are reproduced. The photographer can determine by this image whether or not the photographing control data is as required, and in step 120, input a "correct" or incorrect" signal to the camera by operating a predetermined swi tch.

The operation in step 129 is the same as that in step 119.

Therefore, in this embodiment, an example of the photographing control data currently stored in the RAM of the system controller 11 is confirmed by an image. Accordingly, the photographer can accurately recognize the content of the photographing control data, and easily determine whether or not the photographing control data is as required.

Note that the image data corresponding to the photographing control data is not necessarily stored in a track adjacent to the track in which the photographing control data is stored, and instead may be stored in another track. For example, the photographing control data may be stored in the 1st through 25th tracks of the magnetic disk, and the image data may be stored in the 26th through 50th tracks. In this case, information for relating the photographing control data to the image data is stored in a cue track, for example.

Figure 10 is a flowchart of yet another operation of the electronic still camera. In this operation, similar to the operation shown in Figure 9, the photographer can select the photographing control data by using an image.

In step 201, it is determined whether or not a switch 12c (Figure 1 or Figure 7) for advancing the track of the magnetic disk is turned ON. If the switch 12c is not turned ON, step 202 is skipped, and step 203 is carried out. Conversely, if the switch 12c is turned ON, step 202 is carried out and one data track is fed. In step 203, it is determined whether or not a reproducing button 12d provided in the camera is turned ON. Note when the button 12d is not turned ON, this process is ended, but when the button 12d is turned ON, step 204 and the following steps are carried out, and a selection of the photographing control data is carried out.

In step 204, image data stored in a data track selected at that time, and reference data, are read. This image shows a typical example of an image photographed in accordance with the corresponding photographing control data, and is recorded in the same way as by the usual disk. Namely, the image signal is divided into a luminance signal and differential color signals, and frequency-modulated and recorded on the disk. Further, although ID data such as a photographing date is usually DPSK-modulated and multiplex recorded on a track on which an image is recorded, in a data disk of this embodiment, the number of the track, as the reference data, on which the photographing control data corresponding to the image is DPSX-modulated and multiplex recorded on a user's area, on which data is recorded in the form of a DPSK- modulation.

In step 205, it is determined by the DPSK-modulated data whether the magnetic disk is a data disk or a usual disk. If it is a usual disk, a usual reproduction is carried out, i.e., in step 206, an image recorded on the usual disk is reproduced at a display surface of the reproducing device. Conversely, when it is determined in step 205 that a data disk is mounted in the disk drive device, information that a photographing by the photographing control data can be carried out is indicated by the indicating device 51 in step 207, and the image read in step 204 is displayed at a surface of the reproducing device.

By observing this image, the photographer can determine whether or not the photographing control data is as required, and then cperate- the operation switch 12b, in step 208, to select the photographing control data. Namely, when the photographing control data is correct, the photographing control data is read from thedata disk to the RAM of the system controller 11 in step 209, and the process is ended. Thereafter, a photographing operation in accordance with the photographing control data is carried out.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 208 that the photographing control data is not correct, step 209 is skipped and the photographing control data stored in the RAM of the system controller 11 is not changed. In this case, the photographer operates the track advancing switch 12c (steps 201 and 202), t=s the reproducing button 12d ON (step 203), and checks the next image (steps 207 and 208). The correct photographing control data is selected by repeating this operation.

In Figure 9 is obtained.

this embodiment, the same effect as that shown in Figure 11 shows a control circuit of a third embodiment of the electronic still camera of the present invention.

This embodiment has basically the same construction as the second enbodiment shown in Figure 7, and parts common to both embodiments have like reference numerals. Namely, this electronic still 1 camera is provided with an audio signal processor which includes the microphone 61, the microphone amplifier 62, the audio signal processing circuit 63, the switch 64, the A-D converter 65, the digital signal processing circuit 66, the RAM 67, the D-A converter 68, the audio signal processing CPU 71, the compression audio signal record processing circuit 72, the switch 73, and the compression audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74. This electronic still camera, however, is not provided with the data reading circuit 46. Further, a main difference between the second embodiment and the third embodiment is that, in this embodiment, the photographing control data is stored in the magnetic disk in a form of a control code of an audio signal.

In this embodiment, the photographing control data such as an f-number and a shutter speed are stored in the data tracks D2 (Figure 2) and information indicating that the magnetic disk D is a data disk storing the photographing control data is stored in the cue track DI.

The photographing control data is recorded on the magnetic disk in a form of a control code of an audio signal. Accordingly, before describing a recording format of the photographing control data, the recording of audio data in this electronic still camera is described below.

Figure 12 shows a format of an audio signal in a usual disk, wherein one track is divided into four sectors, and a signal which is started at a start flag Fl and ended at an end flag F2 is recorded in each sector. A control code Cl for recording a date, and an audio waveform signal C2, are recorded immediately after the start flag Fl. In a sector in which the audio waveform signal C2 is recorded, the start flag F1 is a high level signal as shown in Figure 12, and the end flag F2 is a low level signal as shown in Figure 12, when an audio signal exists in the next sector, and is a high level signal when the audio signal er)ds at that sector.

As shown in Figure 13, the control code Cl is composed of, a synchronization code C3 and data codes C4, which each consist of 8 bits, and a CRC code CS consisting of two 8 bit signals. Each code is separated by a start bit S. Nine bytes of data codes C4 are provided in one control code Cl. The synchronization code C3 denotes a start of the control code, and the CRC code CS is provided for sensing an error when reading the control code.

As described above, although the start flag PI is a high level signal when an audio signal C2 is recorded in that sector, the start f lag Fl is a low level signal when an audio signal C2 is not recorded there. Accordingly, when the start flag Fl is a low level signal, the audio signal processor does not regard signals following the start flag as audio signals. This embodiment takes advantage of this phenomenon. Namely, the start flag PI is set to a low level signal, and the photographing control data is recorded in a form of the control code behind this start flag. This data is then read by the audio signal processor and transmitted to the system controller 11.

Figure 14 schematically shows the photographing control data stored in the magnetic disk in a form of the control code. One sector starts at the start flag Fl which is a low level signal. This sector is provided with 64 control codes Cl and ends at the end flag F2. A maximum of four such sectors is provided in one data track.

below.

Namely, the photographing control data as shown in Figure 4 is stored on the data disk in a form of a control code, and is read by the audio signal processor.

A reading operation by the audio signal processor is described First, the reading of an audio signal on a usual disk is described. A control signal denoting a time, e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds or 20 seconds, for which an audio signal is recorded, is outputted by the system controller 11. This control signal is stored in the RAM 67 through the audio signal processing CPU 71 and the digital signal processing circuit 66. At the same time, an audio signal is transmitted through the audio signal processing circuit 63 and stored in the RAM 67 through the A-D converter 65. The control signal and the audio signal stored in the RAM 67 are recorded on the magnetic disk D through the D-A converter 68, the compression audio signal record processing circuit 72, the frequency-modulation circuit 41, and the amplifier 43.

When reading this audio signal from the magnetic disk D, the audio signal and the control signal are stored in the RAM 67 through the amplifier 45, the frequency-demodulation circuit 42, the compression audio signal reproduction processing circuit 74 and the A-D converter 65. The control signal stored in the RAM 67 is transmitted to the RAM of the system controller 11 by the digital signal processing circuit 66 and the audio signal processing CPU 71. Under the control of the system controller 11, the audio signal stored in the RAM 67 is outputted from the speaker 76 through the D-A converter 68 and the further audio signal processing circuit 75, in accordance with a time (for example, 5 seconds) denoted by the control signal.

The above description is of a case in which the magnetic disk is a usual disk. Therefore, the start flag F1 is a high level signal. On the other hand, when the magnetic disk is a data disk, the start flag F1 is a low level signal. In this case, a signal stored in the data disk is stored in the RAM 67 through the amplifier 45, the frequncy-demodulation circuit 42, the compression audio signal reproducing circuit 74, and the A-D converter 65. The photographing control data read from the data disk to the RAM 67 is stored in the RAM of the system controller 11 through the digital signal processing circuit 66 and the audio signal processing CPU 71, and then is analyzed by the system controller 11, and thus the electronic still camera is controlled in accordance with the photographing control data. Note that the RAM 67 provided as an audio memory can be used as a RAM for storing photographing control data, so that the RAM in the system controller 11 can be omitted.

i i i A preparation for a photographing operation by the electronic still camera of this embodiment is carried out in accordance with the flowchart shown in Figure 8 or 9. Note, in step 112, the photographing control data is reproduced by the audio signal processor. The remaining operation is the same as described with regard to Figures 8 and 9.

The same effects as in the first and second embodiments are obtained in this third embodiment. Further, since in the third embodiment the photographing control data is stored on the magnetic disk in a form of the control code of an audio signal, a circuit used exclusively for.reading the photographing control data need not be provided, and therefore the construction of the whole control circuitry is made much simpler.

Although, as an example of the photographing control data stored in the magnetic disk in the above described embodiments, a program diagram consisting of the EV, the f-number and the shutter value is described, the present invention is not resctricted to this example, and the photographing control data may be a program for carrying out a zooming operation. In this case, the system controller 11 controls a zooming mechanism in accordance with the program obtained from the magnetic disk. Further, the control data obtained from the magnetic disk is not necessarily related to a photographing operation, and may be data for carrying out a control other than the photographing operation.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, obviously many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in this art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

A magnetic disk for insertion into an electronic still camera, said magnetic disk comprising:

tracks for storing data; and means for storing control data by which a photographing operation of the electronic still camera is controlled, said storing means being formed in at least one of said tracks.

A magnetic disk according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic disk has a cue track able to store a cue signal, and said control data is stored in said cue track.

3. A magnetic disk accord.ing to claim 1, wherein said magnetic disk has at least one data track able to store one of a video signal and an audio signal, and said control data is stored in said data track.

4. A magnetic disk according to claim 3, wherein said control data is stored in said data track in a form of a control code of an audio signal.

5. A magnetic disk according to claim. 1, 3 or 4, wherein said Pagnetic disk has a first data track for storing said control data, a second data track for storing information indicating a control carried out by said control data, and means for relating said control data to the corresponding information.

6. A magnetic disk according to claim 5, wherein said information is stored in said second track in a form of an audio signal.

7. A magnetic disk according to claim 5, wherein said information is stored in said second track in a form of a video signal.

8. A magnetic disk according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control data is used for controlling an exposure of said electronic still camera.

F An electronic still camera including a magnetic disk according to any one- of the preceding claim and further rising: means for connecting said magnetic disk to the electronic still camera.

10. An electronic still camera for use with a magnetic disk according to any one of the preceding claims; said electronic still camera c=prising: means for reading control data stored in the magnetic disk; and reans for controlling a photographing operation of said electxonic still camera in accordance with the control data.

11. An electronic still camera according to claim 10, as dependent upon claim 5, further cising means for reproducing information indicating a control carried out by the control data.

12. An electronic still camera according-to claim 10 or 11, further rising means for storing said control data stored in said magnetic disk.

13. An electronic still camera according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further rising means for indicating information denoting a photographing operation.

14.

An electronic still camera conprising: means for mounting a magnetic disk: means for reading data stored in the magnetic disk; means for determining whether the data is control data; and means for controlling a photographing operation of said electronic still camera in accordance with the control data.

15. A magnetic disk according to claim 25, wherein the control data is used for controlling an exposure of said electronic still caiwxa.

16. A magnetic disk for insertion into an electxonic still camera, said magnetic disk substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accaq:)anying drawings.

1 17. An electronic still camera substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accmTpanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office, Concept House. Cardffr Road, Newport. Gwent NP9 I IRK Further copies maybe obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point, CwrnfeWach, Cross Keys, Newport. NP1 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent.