JP2000147634A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera with a sound recording function, capable of easily recording information related to a subject and its circumstances and arbitrary information as voice information at photographing. SOLUTION: This camera is provided with an operation button part 9, with which a voice mode for recording and reproducing voice and a photographing made for recording the subject can be switched and a memory part 16. In the voice mode, the voice information corresponding to the loaded film or the specified voice information can be recorded and reproduced and also properly controlled according to a control program in a control part 10, so that the voice information corresponding to the film is not only provided as the information concerning a photographic frame but also applied to usages, such as a message which functions as other memoranda which are not directly related to the photographic frame.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera with a recording function capable of recording voice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, cameras having various additional functions have been proposed in addition to a basic function as a camera for photographing on a silver halide film. For example, the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-55015 has an audio input unit and a recording unit, and can record surrounding sounds and description of a situation at the time of shooting, and associates the silver halide film with the audio information. The present invention relates to a still photo camera for recording a recorded mark and an information reading device for reading the recorded information.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-224320 discloses a photographic film still camera system provided with audio recording. The camera system has a mechanism for inputting audio data to a magnetically recordable silver halide film, and the camera body is provided with a microphone and a speaker, so that the input data can be confirmed by the speaker. Is recorded on a film as magnetic data.

[0004]

However, each of these prior arts has the following disadvantages. That is, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-55015, the data input from the input unit is recorded and stored in the memory card, but the recorded contents can be confirmed unless a dedicated information reading device is used after the film development. could not. Therefore, after photographing several images, data input as a memo cannot be used at all. On the other hand, the camera system disclosed in JP-A-5-224320 discloses
Although it has an audio recording function, if re-confirmation after photographing is necessary, the film must be rewound and the magnetic data corresponding to the frame must be read. Further, since recording is performed on film, the recording amount corresponding to one frame is naturally limited, and only a very short time of voice input can be input.

Further, when a user carries a camera in anticipation of taking a picture, a situation in which various kinds of information are desired to be temporarily stored as a memo is considered in detail. There are times when it is desired to make a memo (including a voice recording) of a schedule, a train schedule, and the like in advance. In addition, in the case of some kind of event, sometimes you want to make a note of when and where it is scheduled and what it is. Alternatively, it is convenient to make a note of an appointment with a friend or contact information. Similarly, at the time of shooting, there may be a case where the user wants to temporarily write down information attached to the photograph or a favorite phrase. These are not contents to be stored as images in the photographs themselves, but must be temporarily recorded like a memo pad.

In general, it is often complicated to carry around a memo pad, and it is often difficult to make a memo, such as in a swaying vehicle, at the seaside, or in the weather. Also, many photographers who carry cameras usually use film 1
Rather than consuming a book in a short time at once, if you keep it in the camera for more than a few days, you may not know when you loaded the film into the camera.

As described above, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and allows information relating to a subject and its situation, arbitrary information, and the like to be easily recorded as audio information at the time of photographing or the like. It is to provide a camera with a recording function.

[0008]

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object. For example, according to the first aspect, in a camera capable of switching between an audio mode for recording and reproducing audio and a photographing mode for recording a subject, in the case of the audio mode, audio information corresponding to the loaded film or A camera configured to record and reproduce predetermined audio information is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera according to the first aspect, wherein the audio information corresponding to the film is suitable for an operation in which the audio information is information other than that relating to a photographed frame. I do. According to a third aspect, the present invention is a camera capable of recording and reproducing audio information, comprising: a memory unit for recording the audio information; and a reproducing unit for reproducing the audio information recorded in the memory unit. The memory means provides a camera configured to have a first storage area for recording information relating to photographing and a second storage area for recording arbitrary information.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A camera having a recording function according to the present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1A to 1D show the overall appearance of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1A shows a top view of the camera, and FIG. 1B shows a front view of the camera. In front of the camera, a photographic lens 1 is provided near the center, a finder 2 is provided thereon, and a strobe 3 is provided at a position adjacent thereto. Also, a release button 4 is protrudably provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface to which the right index finger can reach, and a zoom lever 5 is similarly slidably provided at an upper rear portion to which the right thumb can reach, as shown in FIG. It can be seen from c).

Further, according to FIG.
, Release button 4, zoom lever 5, display section 6
It can be seen that a microphone 7, a speaker 8, and an operation button unit 9 including a plurality of buttons are provided on the outer surface of the camera. The display unit 6 is made of a liquid crystal display element or the like so that predetermined information on a photographing frame or the like that can be recognized by the user is displayed and output. Microphone 7 and speaker 8
Is an input / output unit for audio data provided integrally with the camera body. Also, the camera according to the present invention has an operation button unit 9 so that it can be switched from a normal "shooting mode" for recording a subject to an "audio mode" for recording / reproducing a sound desired by a user. , A voice mode button is provided. In addition, various buttons for erasing audio information and updating the number of frames are arranged (details will be described later).

FIG. 2 shows only the operation button section 9 described above in an enlarged manner. According to the illustration, this operation button section 9
Is composed of a plurality of operation buttons 9a to 9f including an audio mode button 9a, a record button 9b, a play button 9c, a frame number up button 9d, a frame number down button 9e, and a delete button 9f from the left. I understand. Specifically, the audio mode button 9a is a button for switching to the audio mode when pressed for a predetermined time. The display of the audio mode is configured to be notified by blinking of the frame number display. Record button 9b
Is a button for taking in sound by pressing the microphone 7 in the ON state only during the pressing time in the sound mode. On the other hand, the play button 9c is a button for playing a message corresponding to the number of displayed frames from the speaker 8 when pressed. The frame number up button 9d and the frame number down button 9e are buttons for sequentially changing the blinking frame display. The delete button 9f is a button for deleting the temporarily stored contents.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the camera according to the present invention. The following functional elements are connected to the control unit 10 for comprehensively controlling the camera according to the present invention, as shown in the figure. That is, the operation button unit 9 including a plurality of operation buttons described above, the zoom driving unit 11 that drives the focal length of the optical system of the camera to be continuously changed, and the shutter based on the pressing operation of the release button 4 Drive unit 12 for driving the
An AF driving unit 13 that drives the optical system so that the focal length of the optical system is automatically adjusted to the distance to a subject measured by a distance measuring unit 22 described later; a strobe light emitting unit 14 that performs flash light emission with a strobe; A film drive unit 15 for feeding the exposed film to a position where exposure and recording can be performed, a memory unit 16 for electrically recording information, including audio information, to be temporarily stored, and an input from the microphone 7 The sound and the output to the speaker 8 are appropriately controlled, and the memory unit 1 is controlled.
And a film information unit 20 for processing information relating to the loaded film.
And a photometric unit 21 for determining a photometric value suitable for exposing the film, and a distance measuring unit 22 for measuring a distance to a subject, and a control program (see below) that operates in the control unit 10. These components are appropriately controlled based on the above.

The film to be used is, for example, a conventional silver halide film (ie, 135-type film or APS).
(Advanced Photo System) It is possible to use the film without being limited to a special film or the like.

When the voice mode button 9a is pressed to enter the "voice mode" and the recording button 9b is pressed, the voice control unit 17 converts the voice input signal from the microphone 7 into a digital signal. Then, a command to store the data in a predetermined area of the memory unit (for example, flash memory) 16 is issued. On the other hand, in the case of the reproduction mode, an instruction is issued so that the information recorded in the memory unit 16 is output from the speaker 8 via the audio control unit 17.

The control of the camera according to the present invention for such audio information will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 4 particularly illustrates a processing procedure of reproduction and recording. When the audio mode button 9a is pressed for a predetermined time or more to enter the audio mode, the following "audio mode" is started from step S10 (S10). And the audio mode is O
The setting for N is performed (S11). Subsequently, a return timer for measuring a predetermined time starts a timing operation (S12). Here, in step S13, the frame number display is blinked to prompt the user to confirm (S13).

In step S14, it is determined whether or not the reproduction button 9c has been pressed and turned on (S14). Here, if the play button 9c is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, when the play button 9c is pressed, in step S15, data corresponding to the number of frames is extracted from the memory unit 16 (S15). Then, the extracted data is reproduced and output from the speaker 8 (S16).

In step S17, the recovery timer is reset and restarted (S17). Step S1
In step 8, it is determined whether the return timer has exceeded a predetermined limit time (S18). If the limit has not been exceeded, the process returns to step S14. If the limit time has been reached, the next step S1
9, the display output is restored to the current number of frames (S1).
9) Then, the process returns to the main routine of the camera sequence (not shown) (S20).

In step S21, it is determined whether the number-of-frames up button 9d or the number-of-frames button 9e has been pressed and turned on (S21). If any of the above buttons 9d and 9e has been pressed and turned on, it is determined. Is the step S
Then, the process proceeds to step S22 to shift to the number of display frames (S22). Then, the display blinking of the number of frames is performed (S23), and the process returns to the step S17.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that neither the frame number up button 9d nor the frame number down button 9e has been pressed and is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S21.
At 24, it is determined whether or not the recording button 9b has been pressed and turned on (S24). If the recording button 9b remains OFF without being pressed, the process proceeds to step S18.
Return to On the other hand, when the recording button 9b is pressed and turned on, in step S25, a voice is fetched from the microphone 7 (S25).
6 and recorded (S26). Then, in step S27, when the recording ends, the recording button 9b is
FF is performed (S27), and a series of input processing ends (S27).
28). Then, the process returns to step S17.

FIG. 5 particularly shows a processing procedure relating to data erasure. Similarly, when the audio mode button 9a is pressed for a predetermined time or more to enter the audio mode, the following "audio mode" is started (S3).
0) First, an initial setting for turning on the audio mode is performed (S31), and a return timer for measuring a predetermined time starts a timing operation (S32). First, the display of the number of frames is blinked to prompt the user to change or confirm (S
33).

In step S34, it is determined whether or not the delete button 9f has been pressed and turned on (S34). Here, if the delete button 9f is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S41. On the other hand, when the delete button 9f is pressed, the data corresponding to the number of frames is deleted from the memory unit 16 in step S35 (S35). In step S36,
The reset timer is reset and restarted (S3
6).

In step S37, it is determined whether or not the return timer has exceeded a predetermined limit time (S37).
If the limit has not been exceeded, the process returns to step S34. In the following step S38, the display output is restored to the current number of frames (S38).
The process returns to the main routine of the camera sequence (not shown) (S40).

In step S41, it is determined whether the frame number up button 9d or the frame number down button 9e has been pressed and turned on (S41). If none of these buttons is pressed and remains OFF, the above step S
Return to 37. On the other hand, if any one of the buttons 9d and 9e is pressed and turned on, the process proceeds to step S42 to shift to the number of display frames (S42). Then, the display blinking of the number of frames is performed (S43), and the process returns to step S36.

Here, the data structure recorded / reproduced in the camera of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The memory data (reproduction information) temporarily recorded and held in the memory unit 16 has a predetermined data area in a variable length format as shown in the drawing, which comprises data identification information indicating a data type and an input message. Will be recorded.

The contents of the data discrimination information are composed of frame number data and data relating to year, month, day, hour, and minute. This data discrimination information is written at the time of shooting. However, the photographed data discrimination information is stored as it is. On the other hand, the input message is A / D converted from an arbitrary voice message by the user and written in the input message area in the memory unit 16.

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate the display of the camera according to the first embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 7A shows that the display unit 6 includes eight display elements (eight segments). Normally, nothing is displayed in this segment as shown, but the number of frames is a two-digit number (for example, “00” to “36”).
, Etc.).

FIG. 7B shows the character "S" output and displayed by the eight segment of the display unit 6. This "S" is a display character when a "start area" is provided in addition to the frame number data portion, and is used to notify the user that the corresponding position of the currently recorded and reproduced frame is the "start area". It is a display character. Then, the camera saves "start information" at the time of film setting while displaying the display character "S". More specifically, the “start information” is information composed of a film type and a date. In the film type, data on ISO sensitivity and the number of recordable windings is written in a predetermined format. The date data has the contents of year, month, day, hour, and minute.

Next, the display character "A" illustrated in FIG.
"L" is an example in which "AL" is set as an output display for designating reproduction of all the recorded contents (that is, ALL). When the display character is "AL" as shown in the figure, the reproduction button 9c is pressed. By pressing the button, the reproduction operation of all contents is performed, and for example, the reproduction operation is continuously performed in the recorded order.

Similarly, by pressing the delete button 9c when the display character is "AL", the delete operation of all contents is continuously performed. The processing procedure related to the above-described erasing operation is illustrated in detail in the flowchart of FIG. Basically, when a new film is loaded, all audio information recorded and held so far is erased. That is, step S5
The erasing process from 0 is started (S50). First, the rear cover on the back of the camera is opened, a new film is loaded, and the camera is locked upon recognizing that it has been closed again (S5).
1) Automatic loading is performed to a position where the new film can be exposed (S52). Further, the first frame of the new film is set (S53).

In step S54, the memory unit 16
, For example, the contents of a storage area (commonly called “S area”) for “start information” are erased and initialized (S
54). Subsequently, in order to write new film information, the film type and date are written in the S area by the film information section 20 as start information (S5).
5) Then, the process returns to the main routine of the camera sequence (not shown) (S56).

(Function and Effect 1) According to the camera of the first embodiment, since the microphone 7 for inputting audio data and the speaker 8 for reproduction are provided, the recording button 9b must be pressed. Thus, the microphone 7 enables voice input such as a voice message and a memo of a situation. At the beginning of the recording, frame data for the shot frame (number of frames, etc.)
Message, and then the frame number up button 9
It is possible to input either before or after the current number of frames for shooting by using d or the number-of-frames down button 9e. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the digital audio information is temporarily recorded and held in the memory unit 16 in a reproducible manner together with the identification information indicating the audio data. afterwards,
Frame number up button 9d or Frame number down button 9e
When the reproduction button 9c is pressed while the liquid crystal display is adjusted to the required number of frames, the recorded message can be reproduced following the data corresponding to the number of frames. The desired voice data is stored in the voice control unit 1
It is accessed under the control of 7 and reproduced so that it can be confirmed on the speaker 8 (output device including the earphone). If you want to selectively delete specific audio information,
Similarly, after adjusting the required number of frames with the frame number up button 9d or the frame number down button 9e, the erase button 9f
Can be erased by pressing.

Therefore, a user who carries the camera with a recording function of the present invention can easily record information related to the subject and the situation at the time of photographing, or a message to be recorded as a memo, as voice information in the camera. It becomes possible to record by a simple operation. Therefore, as an actual case, for example, when bringing this camera to a children's athletic meet and trying to take a picture, using a camera loaded with a new film, the tournament program etc. the day before, and the starting event etc. Of the child, it will be ready even if it is played back and confirmed again in the morning of the day, so that the child will not miss a photo opportunity to capture an important scene. In addition, since an explanation message of the shooting scene and the like can be voice-recorded in real time by a simple operation in a storage area corresponding to the number of frames, it is useful for DPE and album organization at a later date.

(Modification 1) In addition, the present invention can be modified as follows. For example:-Display for notifying the user whether the level of the input voice is optimal or not (example, ○, ×, level over, etc.)
May be output to the display unit 6. An earphone jack-like device may be used to substitute for the speaker 8 and output to the outside of the camera body. An external terminal that can be connected to another external device may be additionally provided, and audio information in the memory unit 16 may be transferred to an external memory. In order to increase the storage capacity of the memory unit 16 in the camera so that recording and holding can be performed corresponding to a plurality of films of the past several films, the number of films may be increased as needed. For example, the recording of the loaded film may be read by a film scanner so as to correspond to the data stored in the memory unit 16 on the camera side based on the frame number data. The first data to be recorded is not limited to the automatically recorded month / date / hour data when the film is loaded, but may be arbitrary data other than the number of frames. The film to be loaded is not limited to the 135 type silver halide film, but various types can be used.

The character "S" meaning "start information" output and displayed by the eight segment of the display unit 6
Besides ", for example," S1 "," S
2 ”, or a recording area for recording information that is not directly related to the photographed frame, such as“ E1 ”,“ E2 ”,. Alternatively, characters that correspond to the information may be displayed and output. In operation, the “end information” may be a voice recording of a memo about a main subject in the film whose use is nearing completion, an explanation of the overall shooting scene, a reference message for the DPE, or the like.

This camera may be a waterproof camera, and more preferably a waterproof microphone and a waterproof speaker. Waterproofing is convenient, for example, when shooting of an outdoor event cannot be performed much due to sudden wind and rain. In other words, instead of taking a picture, the recording of the event can be supplemented by continuously recording the situation at that time with a waterproof camera that is brought in, so that bringing the camera is not wasted.

(Other Embodiments) In addition to these, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention includes the following inventions. (1) The type of camera is a silver halide camera. The feature is that audio information can be input and output freely so as to be compatible with the number of frames or date information without adding any new recording on the film. Can be provided. (2) The type of the camera is a silver halide camera, and an input / output unit for audio information, a control unit for freely controlling the input / output of the audio information, and the audio information can be stored in association with the number of frames or date information. A camera having a memory unit can be provided. (3) It is possible to provide a camera in which audio information that needs to be recorded is input and held in a storage element in the camera in association with the number of frames and date data of the film, and then output as needed.

(4) It is possible to provide a camera characterized in that information relating to the date when a film is loaded is automatically recorded as audio when the film is loaded. (5) It is possible to provide a camera characterized in that sound recording is maintained until the film is taken out of the camera and a new film is loaded.

(6) It is possible to provide a camera characterized in that when a new film is loaded in the camera, information recorded so far is automatically deleted. (7) Not only the frame of the loaded film,
A camera characterized in that desired audio data can be recorded like a memo can be provided. (8) A camera characterized in that the display unit outputs predetermined display characters using an eight-segment display element so as to output not only a display related to a frame of a film but also a display having a desired meaning. Can be provided.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera with a recording function which can easily record information relating to a subject and its situation, or arbitrary information as audio information at the time of photographing or the like. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A to 1D show the appearance of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1A is a top view of the camera;
(B) is a front view of the camera, (c) is a side view of the camera, and (d) is a rear view of the camera.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing each button of an operation button unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the camera according to the present invention,
Particularly, a flowchart showing a recording / playback processing procedure.

FIG. 5 shows the operation of the camera according to the present invention,
In particular, a flowchart showing an erasing processing procedure.

FIG. 6 shows recording / recording in the camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing data contents to be reproduced.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show an embodiment relating to a display unit of the camera of the present invention, wherein FIG. 7A is a plan view showing a display element, and FIG. Illustrated illustration,
(C) is an explanatory view showing another display form.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera of the present invention, and particularly showing a processing procedure of start information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photography lens, 2 ... Viewfinder, 3 ... Flash, 4 ... Release button, 5 ... Zoom lever, 6 ... Display part, 7 ... Microphone, 8 ... Speaker, 9 ... Operation button part, 9a ... Voice mode button, 9b ... Record button 9c Playback button 9d Frame up button 9e Frame down button 9f Delete button 10 Control unit 11 Zoom drive unit 12 Shutter drive unit 13 AF drive unit Reference numeral 14 denotes a strobe light emitting unit, 15 denotes a film drive unit, 16 denotes a memory unit, 17 denotes a voice control unit, 20 denotes a film information unit, 21 denotes a photometric unit, and 22 denotes a distance measuring unit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] An audio mode for recording and reproducing audio;
In a camera capable of switching between a shooting mode for recording a subject and an audio mode, the audio mode is configured to record and reproduce audio information corresponding to a loaded film or predetermined audio information. And the camera. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the audio information corresponding to the film is information other than the information regarding the photographed frame. 3. A camera capable of recording and reproducing audio information, comprising: a memory means for recording the audio information; and a reproducing means for reproducing the audio information recorded in the memory means. A camera comprising: a first storage area for recording information relating to photographing; and a second storage area for recording arbitrary information.