JP2000215648A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily retrieve and edit the recorded contents in a relatively long time. SOLUTION: A track division of data recorded in a period from the start of recording to the end of recording is operated in each relatively short fixed time, and a thumb nail image is generated for each track. Also, the tracks divided in this way are gathered as one group. Then, at the time of operating thumb nail display for retrieving those tracks, the display is operated so that the grouping can be visualized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device, such as a video camera device, capable of recording a captured image on a predetermined recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, video cameras in which an image pickup device such as a camera and a recording / reproducing device such as a video deck are integrated have become widespread.

[0003]

When searching for contents recorded on a recording medium in such a video camera, one of the methods is to manage the contents recorded on the recording medium in file units. However, it is conceivable that the search can be performed in file units. Such a search can be realized more easily with a digital video camera that records a captured image as digital data, for example, than with an analog video camera.

[0004] Regarding how to set the file unit, for example, one file per one shot (continuous recording contents from the operation of starting recording until the operation of ending recording) is performed. Is generally considered. However, when the file is set in this manner, for example, when the photographing time is relatively long, the reproduction time of one file also becomes long.
For this reason, for example, when the user searches for the contents in the middle of the file and tries to play it back, the user must perform operations such as fast forward and fast rewind in the file, making the search difficult. Things.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, in the present invention, for example, in a video camera or the like, the recorded contents recorded on a recording medium can be searched as easily as possible, thereby improving the usability of the user. It is intended for that purpose.

[0006] For this reason, an image pickup means for obtaining a picked-up image, a recording means capable of converting the picked-up image into image data and recording it on a predetermined recording medium in a form managed on a file basis, and File management means for performing file management such that image data for one shot continuously recorded over a period from the start to the end of recording is divided in file units at predetermined time lengths; A representative image data generating unit for generating representative image data representing the file; and using the representative image data generated by the representative image data generating unit, output is performed so as to obtain a predetermined display mode as a search screen. The recording apparatus is configured to include a display output unit that can perform the operation.

According to the above configuration, when a captured image is recorded (recorded) as moving image data, the recorded moving image data is divided and set as a file for each predetermined recording time length. In other words, the recorded content obtained by shooting one shot is automatically divided as a file for each predetermined time length. Then, such a representative image for each file is displayed as a search screen. With this, it is possible to search the recorded content obtained by shooting one shot in file units at predetermined time intervals. It is what becomes.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is mounted on a portable video camera in which a camera device unit and a recording / reproducing device unit capable of recording and reproducing images (still images or moving images) and audio are integrated. Take the case as an example. Further, the recording / reproducing device section mounted on the video camera of the present embodiment adopts a configuration for recording and reproducing data corresponding to a so-called mini disk, which is known as a kind of magneto-optical disk. The description will be made in the following order. 1. Disk format 2. 2. External configuration of video camera 3. Internal configuration of video camera 4. Configuration of media drive section 5. Example of disk structure corresponding to this embodiment 6. Thumbnail image generation processing Script 8. 8. Thumbnail display Recording operation and thumbnail display according to present embodiment 9-1. Operation overview 9-2. Processing operation

1. Disc Format The recording / reproducing device section mounted on the video camera of this example is assumed to be compatible with a format called MD data, which records / reproduces data in correspondence with a mini disc (magneto-optical disc). . As this MD data format, two types of formats called MD-DATA1 and MD-DATA2 have been developed, but the video camera of this example is capable of recording at higher density than MD-DATA1. It is assumed that recording and reproduction are performed in accordance with the format. So first, MD
-Disc format of DATA2 will be described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 conceptually show an example of a track structure of a disk as MD-DATA2. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, showing an enlarged portion enclosed by a broken line A in FIG. As shown in these figures, two types of grooves (grooves) are previously formed on the disk surface: a wobbled groove WG provided with wobbles (meandering) and a non-wobbled groove NWG provided with no wobble. It is formed. The wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG
Exist in a double spiral on the disk so as to form a land Ld therebetween.

In the MD-DATA2 format, the land Ld is used as a track. Since the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG are formed as described above, the track Tr / A is used as the track. , Tr and B are independently formed in a double spiral (double spiral) shape. The track Tr · A is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is located on the outer peripheral side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is located on the inner peripheral side of the disk. On the other hand, the track Tr · B is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is located on the inner peripheral side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is located on the outer peripheral side of the disk. In other words, it can be considered that wobbles are formed only on one side of the outer circumference of the disk with respect to the track Tr · A, and wobbles are formed only on one side of the inner circumference of the disk with respect to the track Tr · B. . In this case, the track pitch is the track Tr adjacent to each other.
・ It is the distance between each center of A and track Tr ・ B,
The track pitch is 0.95 μm as shown in FIG.
It has been.

Here, the wobble formed in the groove as the wobbled groove WG is formed based on a signal in which a physical address on the disk is encoded by FM modulation + biphase modulation. For this reason, it is possible to extract the physical address on the disk by demodulating the reproduction information obtained from the wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG at the time of recording / reproduction. Further, the address information as the wobbled groove WG is commonly effective for the tracks Tr · A and Tr · B. In other words, the track Tr · A located on the inner periphery of the wobbled groove WG and the track Tr · B located on the outer periphery share the address information by the wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG. . Such an addressing method is also called an interlace addressing method. By adopting this interlace addressing method, for example, it is possible to reduce the track pitch while suppressing crosstalk between adjacent wobbles. Also, regarding a method of recording an address by forming a wobble in a groove, A
Also called DIP (Adress In Pregroove) method.

The identification of which of the tracks Tr.A and Tr.B sharing the same address information is being traced as described above can be performed as follows. For example, in a state where the main beam is tracing a track (land Ld) by applying a three-beam method, the remaining two side beams trace grooves located on both sides of the track on which the main beam is tracing. It is possible to make it.

FIG. 2B shows, as a specific example, a state where the main beam spot SPm traces the track Tr · A. In this case, of the two side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2, the inner side beam spot SPs1 traces the non-wobbled groove NWG and the outer side beam spot S
Ps2 traces the wobbled groove WG. On the other hand, although not shown, if the main beam spot SPm traces the tracks Tr and B, the side beam spot SPs1 traces the wobbled groove WG and the side beam spot SP
s2 traces the non-wobbled groove NWG. Thus, the main beam spot SPm
Tracing the track Tr · A and the track T
In the case of tracing rB, the grooves to be traced by the side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2 are necessarily replaced by the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG.

Side beam spots SPs1, SPs2
As a detection signal obtained by the photodetector due to the reflection of light, different waveforms are obtained depending on which of the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG is being traced. By determining which of the side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2 traces the wobbled groove WG (or the non-wobbled groove NWG), the main beam is moved to the tracks Tr · A,
Which of Tr and B is being traced can be identified.

FIG. 3 shows the main specifications of the MD-DATA2 format having the track structure as described above.
It is a figure shown in comparison with D-DATA1 format.
First, in the MD-DATA1 format, the track pitch is 1.6 μm and the pit length is 0.59 μm / bi.
t. The laser wavelength λ is set to 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head is set to 0.45. As a recording method, a groove recording method is adopted. That is, the groove is used as a track for recording and reproduction. As a method of addressing, a method of forming a groove (track) by a single spiral and using a wobbled groove in which wobbles as address information are formed on both sides of the groove is adopted.

EFM (8
-14 conversion). As an error correction method, ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-
Solomon Code) and a convolutional data interleave. Therefore, the data redundancy is 46.3%.

In the MD-DATA1 format, a CLV (Constant Linear V) is used as a disk drive system.
erocity), and the linear velocity of CLV is
1.2 m / s. The standard data rate during recording and reproduction is 133 kB / s, and the recording capacity is 140 MB.

On the other hand, the MD-DATA2 format which can be supported by the video camera of this embodiment has a track pitch of 0.95 μm and a pit length of 0.39 μm / b.
It can be seen that both are shorter than the MD-DATA1 format. For example, in order to realize the pit length, the laser wavelength λ = 650 nm and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head are set to 0.52, thereby narrowing the beam spot diameter at the in-focus position and expanding the band as the optical system. .

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a land recording system is adopted as a recording system, and an interlace addressing system is adopted as an address system. As a modulation method of recording data, an RLL (1, 7) method (RLL;
Run Length Limited), the RS-PC method is used as an error correction method, and the block complete type is used as data interleaving. As a result of adopting each of the above methods, the data redundancy can be suppressed to 19.7%.

Also in the MD-DATA2 format, CLV is adopted as a disk drive system, but the linear velocity is 2.0 m / s, and the standard data rate for recording / reproducing is 589 kB / s. It is said. As a result, a recording capacity of 650 MB can be obtained. Compared with the MD-DATA1 format, this means that a high-density recording of about four times is realized. For example, assuming that a moving image is recorded in the MD-DATA2 format, the moving image
In the case where the compression encoding by 2 is performed, it is possible to record a moving image of 15 minutes to 17 minutes, depending on the bit rate of the encoded data. Also, assuming that only the audio signal data is recorded, the ATR
When a compression process using AC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) 2 is performed, recording can be performed for about 10 hours.

2. 6A, 6B, and 6C are a side view, a plan view, and a rear view showing an example of the appearance of the video camera of the present example. As shown in these figures, the main body 200 of the video camera of the present embodiment includes:
A camera lens 201 provided with an imaging lens and a diaphragm for taking a picture is provided so as to be exposed. A pair of left and right microphones 202 is provided. That is, in this video camera, recording of an image taken by the camera lens 201 and
It is possible to record stereo sound collected by the microphone 202.

The display unit 6 is provided on the side of the main body 200.
A, a speaker 205 and an indicator 206 are provided. The display unit 6A is a part that displays and outputs a captured image, an image reproduced by an internal recording and reproducing device, and the like. The display device actually used as the display unit 6A is not particularly limited here,
For example, a liquid crystal display or the like may be used. Also,
The display unit 6A also displays a message such as characters or characters for notifying the user of a required message in accordance with the operation of the device. Speaker 20
5 reproduces the recorded voice when reproducing the recorded voice, and also outputs a required message voice such as a beep sound. The indicator 206 is lit, for example, during a recording operation, and indicates to the user that the video camera is performing a recording operation.

A viewfinder 204 is provided on the rear side of the main body 200, and displays an image taken from the camera lens 201, a character image, and the like during a recording operation and a standby state. The user can shoot while looking at the viewfinder 204. Further, the disc slot 203, the video output terminal T
1. A headphone / line terminal T2 and an I / F terminal T3 are provided. The disc slot 203 is a slot portion for inserting or ejecting a disc as a recording medium corresponding to the video camera of the present embodiment. The video output terminal T1 is a terminal for outputting a reproduced image signal or the like to an external video device, and the headphone / line terminal T2 is a terminal for outputting a reproduced audio signal to an external audio device or headphones. The I / F terminal T3 is, for example, an input / output terminal of an interface for performing data transmission with an external data device.

Further, in each part of the main body 200, various operators for user operation are provided. Hereinafter, the main operators will be described. Main dial 300
Are operators for setting on / off of the video camera, recording operation, and reproduction operation. When the main dial is at the "OFF" position as shown in the figure, the power is off. When the main dial is turned to the "STBY" position, the power is turned on and the recording operation is in a standby state. In addition, "P
By turning to the position "B", the power is turned on and the reproduction operation enters a standby state.

The release key 301 functions as a recording start and a recording shutter operator when in a recording standby state.

A zoom key 304 is an operation element for operating a zoom state (tele side to wide side) for photographing an image. The eject key 305 is
This is an operator for ejecting the disc loaded in the inside. Play / pause key 306, stop key 307,
Search keys 308 and 309 are prepared for various operations during reproduction with respect to the disc.

The cross / click key 310 allows the user to
It is used to move the pointer display in the left, right, up, and down directions on a thumbnail display screen described later. In this case, a click operation can be performed by pressing a central portion of the key. The jog dial 311 is a key for performing a necessary selection operation or input operation by performing a rotation operation in each operation mode. For example, in a state where the character input mode is set, it is possible to select a character to be input by rotating the jog dial 311. When the input character is determined, a click operation may be performed using the cross / click key 310, for example.

Note that the appearance of the video camera shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and may be changed as appropriate according to the use conditions and the like actually required for the video camera of the present embodiment. Of course, various types of operation elements, operation methods, and connection terminals with external devices can be considered.

3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the video camera of the present embodiment. The lens block 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, an optical system 11 actually including an imaging lens and a diaphragm. The camera lens 201 shown in FIG. 6 is included in the optical system 11. The lens block 1 includes a focus motor for causing the optical system 11 to perform an autofocus operation, a zoom motor for moving the zoom lens based on the operation of the zoom key 304, and the like.
Provided as

The camera block 2 is provided with a circuit section for mainly converting image light photographed by the lens block 1 into a digital image signal. For the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 21 of the camera block 2,
An optical image of the subject transmitted through the optical system 11 is provided. C
In the CD 21, an image pickup signal is generated by performing photoelectric conversion on the optical image, and the sample hold / AGC (A
utomatic Gain Control) circuit 22. The sample hold / AGC circuit 22 adjusts the gain of the imaging signal output from the CCD 21 and performs waveform shaping by performing sample hold processing. The output of the sample hold / AGC circuit 2 is a video A / D
By being supplied to the converter 23, it is converted into digital image signal data.

The above CCD 21, sample hold / AG
Signal processing timing in the C circuit 22 and the video A / D converter 23 is controlled by a timing signal generated by a timing generator 24. The timing generator 24 receives a clock used for signal processing in a data processing / system control circuit 31 (in the video signal processing circuit 3) described later and generates a required timing signal based on the clock. Is done. Thereby, the signal processing timing in the camera block 2 is synchronized with the processing timing in the video signal processing unit 3. Camera controller 2
Reference numeral 5 is for performing necessary control so that each of the functional circuit units provided in the camera block 2 operates properly, and for performing autofocus, automatic exposure adjustment, aperture adjustment, zooming, and the like on the lens block 1. Is controlled. For example, in the case of auto-focus control, the camera controller 25 performs, based on focus control information obtained in accordance with a predetermined
Controls the rotation angle of the focus motor. As a result, the imaging lens is driven to be in the just-focused state.

At the time of recording, the video signal processing unit 3 performs a compression process on the digital image signal supplied from the camera block 2 and the digital audio signal obtained by collecting sound by the microphone 202, and compresses the compressed data. The data is supplied to the subsequent media drive unit 4 as user recording data. Further, an image generated from the digital image signal and the character image supplied from the camera block 2 is supplied to the viewfinder drive unit 207 and displayed on the viewfinder 204. Further, at the time of reproduction, demodulation processing is performed on user reproduction data (data read from the disk 51) supplied from the media drive unit 4, that is, image signal data and audio signal data that have been subjected to compression processing, and these are reproduced. , And output as a reproduced audio signal.

In this embodiment, as a compression / expansion processing method of image signal data (image data), MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 is adopted for moving images, and JPEG (Joint Photographic) is applied for still images.
Coding Experts Group). Also, the audio signal data compression / expansion processing method includes ATR
AC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) 2 shall be adopted.

The data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing section 3 mainly performs control processing relating to compression / expansion processing of image signal data and audio signal data in the video signal processing section 3 and video signal processing section 3. Executes the process for controlling the input and output of the data passing through. The data processing / system control circuit 31
The control processing for the entire video signal processing unit 3 including
The video controller 38 is made to execute. The video controller 38 includes, for example, a microcomputer and the like, and can communicate with the camera controller 25 of the camera block 2 and a driver controller 46 of the media drive unit 4 described later via, for example, a bus line (not shown). Have been.

As a basic operation at the time of recording in the video signal processing unit 3, image data supplied from the video A / D converter 23 of the camera block 2 is input to the data processing / system control circuit 31. The data processing / system control circuit 31 supplies the input image signal data to, for example, the motion detection circuit 35. The motion detection circuit 35 performs image processing such as motion compensation on the input image signal data while using the memory 36 as a work area, and supplies the processed image signal data to the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33.

In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, for example, while using the memory 34 as a work area, the input image signal data is subjected to a compression process in accordance with the MPEG2 format, and a compressed data bit stream (MPEG2 Bit stream). In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, for example, when extracting image data as a still image from image signal data as a moving image and performing compression processing on the extracted image data, the compressed image data as a still image in accordance with the JPEG format is used. Is configured to generate It should be noted that JPEG was not adopted and MPEG
As compressed image data in the second format, an I picture (Intra Picture), which is regular image data, may be treated as still image data. MPEG
The image signal data (compressed image data) compression-encoded by the two video signal processing circuit 33 is written into the buffer memory 32 at a predetermined transfer rate and temporarily stored. In the MPEG2 format, as is well known, a so-called encoding bit rate (data rate) is used as a constant bit rate (CBR).
ate) and a variable bit rate (VBR), and the video signal processing unit 3 can cope with these.

For example, when performing image compression processing by VBR, for example, the motion detection circuit 35 performs motion detection on the image data within a range of several tens to several hundreds of frames in units of macroblocks, and determines that there is motion. If this is done, the detection result is transmitted to the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33 as motion vector information. In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, the quantization coefficient for each macroblock is determined by using the required information such as the motion vector information so that the image data after the compression and encoding has a certain required data rate. It will be decided.

The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 includes:
A / D converter 64 (display / image / audio input / output unit 6)
For example, the sound collected by the microphone 202 is input as digital sound signal data via the inside. The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 performs compression processing on the input audio signal data in accordance with the ATRAC2 format as described above. This compressed audio signal data is also written into the buffer memory 32 by the data processing / system control circuit 31 at a predetermined transfer rate, and is temporarily stored here.

As described above, the compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data can be stored in the buffer memory 32. The buffer memory 32 mainly absorbs a speed difference between the data transfer rate between the camera block 2 or the display / image / audio input / output unit 6 and the buffer memory 32 and the data transfer rate between the buffer memory 32 and the media drive unit 4. Has a function for Buffer memory 3
The compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data stored in 2 are read out sequentially at a predetermined timing during recording, and transmitted to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 of the media drive unit 4. However, for example, the operation of reading data stored in the buffer memory 32 during reproduction and the operation of recording the read data from the media drive unit 4 to the disk 51 via the deck unit 5 are performed intermittently. No problem. The control of writing and reading data to and from the buffer memory 32 is executed by, for example, the data processing / system control circuit 31.

The operation at the time of reproduction in the video signal processing section 3 is roughly as follows. At the time of reproduction, compressed image data and compressed audio signal data (user reproduction data) read from the disk 51 and decoded according to the MD-DATA2 format by the processing of the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 (in the media drive unit 4) Data processing / system control circuit 31
Will be transmitted. The data processing / system control circuit 31 temporarily stores the input compressed image data and compressed audio signal data in the buffer memory 32, for example. Then, the compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data are read from the buffer memory 32 at a required timing and at a transfer rate at which the reproduction time axis can be matched.
The compressed audio signal data is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 33, and the compressed audio signal data is supplied to the audio compression encoder / decoder 37.

In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33,
Decompresses the input compressed image data,
It is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31. In the data processing / system control circuit 31,
The decompressed image signal data is supplied to the video D / A converter 61 (in the display / image / audio input / output unit 6). The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 performs an expansion process on the input compressed audio signal data,
/ A converter 65 (in display / image / audio input / output unit 6)
To supply.

In the display / image / audio input / output unit 6,
The image signal data input to the video D / A converter 61 is converted into an analog image signal here, and is branched and input to the display controller 62 and the composite signal processing circuit 63. The display controller 62 drives the display unit 6A based on the input image signal. As a result, a reproduced image is displayed on the display unit 6A. Further, in the display unit 6A, not only an image obtained by reproducing from the disk 51 but also a captured image obtained by photographing with a camera part including the lens block 1 and the camera block 2 is naturally displayed. It is possible to display and output almost in real time. Further, in addition to the reproduced image and the captured image, as described above, a message display such as a character or a character for notifying the user of a required message in accordance with the operation of the device is also performed. Such a message display should be output from the data processing / system control circuit 31 to the video D / A converter 61 so that required characters, characters, and the like are displayed at predetermined positions under the control of the video controller 38, for example. Processing for synthesizing image signal data such as required characters and characters may be performed on the image signal data.

The composite signal processing circuit 63 converts the analog image signal supplied from the video D / A converter 61 into a composite signal and outputs the composite signal to the video output terminal T1. For example, if a connection is made to an external monitor device or the like via the video output terminal T1, an image reproduced by the video camera can be displayed on the external monitor device.

In the display / image / sound input / output unit 6, the sound signal data input from the sound compression encoder / decoder 37 to the D / A converter 65 is converted into an analog sound signal here, and is supplied to a headphone / line terminal. T
2 is output. In addition, the analog audio signal output from the D / A converter 65 is also branched and output to the speaker SP via the amplifier 66, whereby the reproduced audio and the like are output from the speaker SP. Become.

The media drive unit 4 mainly encodes recording data according to the MD-DATA2 format so as to conform to the disc recording and transmits the encoded data to the deck unit 5 at the time of recording. By performing decoding processing on the read data, reproduction data is obtained and transmitted to the video signal processing unit 3.

The MD-DAT of the media drive unit 4
When recording, the A2 encoder / decoder 41
Recording data (compressed image data + compressed audio signal data) is input from the data processing / system control circuit 31, the recording data is subjected to a predetermined encoding process in accordance with the MD-DATA2 format, and the encoded data is temporarily stored. The data is stored in the buffer memory 42. Then, the data is transmitted to the deck unit 5 while being read at a required timing.

At the time of reproduction, the digital reproduction signal read from the disk 51 and input via the RF signal processing circuit 44 and the binarization circuit 43 is subjected to MD-DAT.
A decoding process according to the A2 format is performed, and the data is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing unit 3 as reproduction data. Also at this time, if necessary, the reproduced data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 42, and the data read therefrom at a required timing is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31 for output. Such write / read control for the buffer memory 42 is performed by the driver controller 46. Note that, for example, when the servo is disengaged due to disturbance or the like during reproduction of the disk 51 and reading of a signal from the disk becomes impossible, the read data is stored in the buffer memory 42 during the period during which the read data is accumulated. If the reproduction operation for the disc is resumed, the chronological continuity as the reproduction data can be maintained.

The RF signal processing circuit 44 includes a disk 51
By performing the required processing on the read signal from
For example, it generates an RF signal as reproduction data, a servo control signal such as a focus error signal and a tracking error signal for servo control of the deck unit 5, and the like. RF
The signal is binarized by the binarization circuit 43 as described above, and input to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 as digital signal data. The generated various servo control signals are supplied to the servo circuit 45. In the servo circuit 45, based on the input servo control signal,
The required servo control in the deck section 5 is executed.

In this example, MD-DATA1
An encoder / decoder 47 corresponding to the format is provided, and the recording data supplied from the video signal processing unit 3 is encoded in accordance with the MD-DATA1 format and recorded on the disk 51. It is also possible to perform decoding processing on data encoded in accordance with the MD-DATA1 format, and transmit and output it to the video signal processing unit 3. That is, as the video camera of this example, the MD-DATA2 format and the MD-DATA2 format are used.
It is configured to obtain compatibility with the DATA1 format. The driver controller 46 is a functional circuit unit for controlling the media drive unit 4 as a whole.

The deck section 5 is a part comprising a mechanism for driving the disk 51. Although not shown here, the disc 5 to be loaded is
1 is detachable, and has a mechanism (disk slot 203 (see FIG. 6)) that can be replaced by a user's work. Further, it is assumed that the disk 51 here is a magneto-optical disk corresponding to the MD-DATA2 format or the MD-DATA1 format.

In the deck section 5, a spindle motor 5 for rotatingly driving the loaded disk 51 by CLV is provided.
2 is driven to rotate by the CLV. The optical head 53 irradiates the disk 51 with laser light during recording / reproduction. The optical head 53 performs high-level laser output for heating the recording track to the Curie temperature during recording, and performs relatively low-level laser output for detecting data from reflected light by the magnetic Kerr effect during reproduction. . Therefore, the optical head 53
Although not shown in detail here, a laser diode as a laser output unit, an optical system including a polarizing beam splitter and an objective lens, and a detector for detecting reflected light are mounted. The objective lens provided in the optical head 53 is held, for example, by a biaxial mechanism so as to be displaceable in the radial direction of the disk and in the direction in which the disk comes into contact with and separates from the disk.

The optical head 5 with the disk 51 interposed therebetween
A magnetic head 54 is arranged at a position facing 3. The magnetic head 54 performs an operation of applying a magnetic field modulated by recording data to the disk 51. Although not shown, the thread motor 55
And a thread mechanism driven by the thread mechanism. By driving the thread mechanism, the entire optical head 53 and the magnetic head 54 can be moved in the disk radial direction.

The operation unit 7 is provided with each of the operation elements 300 to 300 shown in FIG.
311 and the like, and various operation information of the user by these operators are supplied to, for example, the video controller 38. The video controller 38 supplies, to the camera controller 25 and the driver controller 46, operation information and control information for causing each unit to execute necessary operations according to a user operation.

The external interface 8 is provided so that data can be transmitted between the video camera and the external device. For example, the external interface 8 is provided between the I / F terminal T3 and the video signal processing unit as shown in the figure. Can be The external interface 8 is not particularly limited here, but may be, for example, IEEE 1394 or the like. For example, when an external digital imaging device and the video camera of this embodiment are connected via the I / F terminal T3, it becomes possible to record an image (audio) captured by the video camera on the external digital imaging device. . In addition, image (audio) data reproduced by an external digital image device or the like is captured via the external interface 8 so that MD-
It is also possible to record on the disk 51 in accordance with the DATA2 (or MD-DATA1) format. Further, for example, a file as character information used for inserting a caption can be captured and recorded.

The power supply block 9 supplies a required level of power supply voltage to each functional circuit unit using a DC power supply obtained from a built-in battery or a DC power supply generated from a commercial AC power supply. The power supply on / off by the power supply block 9 is controlled by the video controller 38 in accordance with the operation of the main dial 300 described above. During the recording operation, the video controller 38 causes the indicator 206 to emit light.

4. Configuration of Media Drive Unit Next, as the configuration of the media drive unit 4 shown in FIG. 4, a detailed configuration in which a functional circuit unit corresponding to MD-DATA2 is extracted will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 5, the deck unit 5 is shown together with the media drive unit 4. However, since the internal configuration of the deck unit 5 has been described with reference to FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as in FIG. I do. In the media drive unit 4 shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to the ranges corresponding to the blocks in FIG.

Information detected by data reading operation of the optical head 53 from the disk 51 (photocurrent obtained by detecting laser reflected light by a photodetector)
Is supplied to the RF amplifier 101 in the RF signal processing circuit 44. The RF amplifier 101 generates a reproduction RF signal as a reproduction signal from the input detection information and supplies the reproduction RF signal to the binarization circuit 43. The binarization circuit 43 binarizes the input reproduction RF signal to obtain a digital reproduction RF signal (binary RF signal). This binarized RF signal is supplied to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41, and first, the AGC / clamp circuit 103
, And then input to the equalizer / PLL circuit 104. The equalizer / PLL circuit 104 performs equalizing processing on the input binary RF signal, and
5 is output. In addition, binarization R after equalizing processing
By inputting the F signal to the PLL circuit, the binarized RF
Clock C synchronized with signal (RLL (1,7) code string)
Extract LK.

The frequency of the clock CLK corresponds to the current disk rotation speed. For this reason, the CLV processor 11
1, the clock C is output from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104.
LK is input, error information is obtained by comparing with a reference value corresponding to a predetermined CLV speed (see FIG. 3), and this error information is used as a signal component for generating a spindle error signal SPE. In addition, the clock CLK includes, for example, the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106 and the like.
It is used as a clock for processing in a required signal processing circuit system.

The Viterbi decoder 105 has an equalizer / P
The binary RF signal input from the LL circuit 104 is subjected to a decoding process according to a so-called Viterbi decoding method. As a result, reproduced data as an RLL (1, 7) code string is obtained. This playback data is RLL (1,
7) The signal is input to the demodulation circuit 106, where RLL (1,
7) The data stream is subjected to demodulation.

The data stream obtained by the demodulation processing in the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106 is written to the buffer memory 42 via the data bus 114, and is developed on the buffer memory 42. The data stream expanded on the buffer memory 42 in this manner is first subjected to error correction processing in error correction block units according to the RS-PC system by the ECC processing circuit 116, and further descramble / E
The DC decoding circuit 117 performs a descrambling process and an EDC decoding process (error detection process). The data processed so far is the reproduction data DA
TAp. The reproduction data DATAp is transmitted at a transfer rate according to the transfer clock generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121, for example, from the descrambling / EDC decoding circuit 117 to the data processing / processing of the video signal processing unit 3.
The data is transmitted to the system control circuit 31.

The transfer clock generation circuit 121 includes, for example,
When a crystal clock is used for data transmission between the media drive unit 4 and the video signal processing unit 3 and data transmission between functional circuit units in the media drive unit 4,
This is a portion for generating a transfer clock (data transfer rate) having a frequency appropriately determined. Further, it generates a clock of a required frequency to be supplied to each functional circuit unit of the media drive unit 4 and the video signal processing unit 3 according to the operation state of the video camera.

The detection information (photocurrent) read from the disk 51 by the optical head 53 is transmitted to the matrix amplifier 1
07 is also supplied. The matrix amplifier 107 performs required arithmetic processing on the input detection information, thereby obtaining a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, and groove information (absolute address information recorded as a wobbled groove WG on the disk 51) GFM. Are supplied to the servo circuit 45. That is, the extracted tracking error signal TE and focus error signal FE are supplied to the servo processor 112, and the groove information GFM is stored in the ADIP bandpass filter 108.
Supplied to

The groove information GFM band-limited by the ADIP band-pass filter 108 is supplied to an A / B track detection circuit 109, an ADIP decoder 110, and a CLV.
It is supplied to the processor 111. In the A / B track detecting circuit 109, based on the input groove information GFM, for example, the track currently being traced is determined by the method described in FIG.
A, TR or B is determined, and the track determination information is transmitted to the driver controller 46.
Output to The ADIP decoder 110 decodes the input groove information GFM to extract an ADIP signal, which is absolute address information on the disk, and outputs the signal to the driver controller 46. The driver controller 46 executes necessary control processing based on the track discrimination information and the ADIP signal.

The CLV processor 111 receives the clock CLK from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104 and the groove information GFM via the ADIP bandpass filter 108. The CLV processor 111 generates a spindle error signal SPE for CLV servo control based on, for example, an error signal obtained by integrating a phase error between the groove information GFM and the clock CLK, and outputs the spindle error signal SPE to the servo processor 112. The required operation to be executed by the CLV processor 111 is controlled by the driver controller 46.

The servo processor 112 performs various servo control signals based on the tracking error signal TE, the focus error signal FE, the spindle error signal SPE, the track jump command and the access command from the driver controller 46, and the like. (Tracking control signal, focus control signal, thread control signal, spindle control signal, etc.) are generated and output to the servo driver 113. In the servo driver 113,
A required servo drive signal is generated based on the servo control signal supplied from the servo processor 112. Here, the servo drive signal includes a two-axis drive signal (two types of focus direction and tracking direction) for driving the two-axis mechanism, a sled motor drive signal for driving the sled mechanism, and a spindle motor drive signal for driving the spindle motor 52. Becomes By supplying such a servo drive signal to the deck section 5, focus control and tracking control on the disk 51 and CLV control on the spindle motor 52 are performed.

When a recording operation is performed on the disk 51, for example, the data processing /
Scramble / ED from system control circuit 31
The recording data DATAR for the C encoding circuit 115
Will be input. This user record data DAT
Ar is input in synchronization with a transfer clock (data transfer rate) generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121, for example.

Scramble / EDC encoding circuit 11
In step 5, for example, the recording data DATAR is written to the buffer memory 42 and developed, and the data scramble processing is performed.
DC encoding processing (addition processing of an error detection code by a predetermined method) is performed. After this processing, for example, the ECC processing circuit 116 adds an error correction code according to the RS-PC method to the recording data DATAR developed in the buffer memory 42. The recording data DATAR that has been processed up to this point is read from the buffer memory 42 and transmitted to the RL via the data bus 114.
The signal is supplied to the L (1, 7) modulation circuit 118.

In the RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118, RLL (1, 7) is applied to the input recording data DATAR.
7) A modulation process is performed, and the recording data as the RLL (1, 7) code string is output to the magnetic head drive circuit 119.

Incidentally, the MD-DATA2 format employs a so-called laser strobe magnetic field modulation system as a recording system for a disk. The laser strobe magnetic field modulation method refers to a recording method in which a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a recording surface of a disk, and a laser beam to be irradiated on the disk is pulsed in synchronization with the recording data. In such a laser strobe magnetic field modulation method, the process of forming a pit edge recorded on a disk does not depend on transient characteristics such as the reversal speed of a magnetic field, but is determined by the laser pulse irradiation timing. For this reason, the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is compared with, for example, a simple magnetic field modulation method (a method in which a laser beam is constantly irradiated onto a disk and a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a disk recording surface). In this case, it is possible to make the jitter of the recording pit extremely small. That is, the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is a recording method advantageous for high-density recording.

The magnetic head drive circuit 119 of the media drive unit 4 operates so that a magnetic field modulated by the input recording data is applied from the magnetic head 54 to the disk 51. Further, the RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 outputs a clock synchronized with the recording data to the laser driver 120. The laser driver 120 controls the optical head 5 so that the disk is irradiated with a laser pulse synchronized with recording data generated as a magnetic field by the magnetic head 54 based on the input clock.
The third laser diode is driven. At this time, the laser pulse emitted and output from the laser diode is based on a required laser power suitable for recording. In this way, the recording operation as the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is enabled by the media drive unit 4 of the present embodiment.

5. Next, an example of a data structure of the disk 51 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 conceptually shows an example of the structure of a disk 51 which is assumed to correspond to the present embodiment. Note that the physical format of the disk 51 shown in this figure is as described above with reference to FIGS.

In the disk 51, for example, PTOC and RTOC areas are provided as management information areas. In the PTOC, required management information is recorded in a pit form, for example, in a premastered area (pit area) on the innermost circumference of the disk. The contents of the PTOC cannot be rewritten. For example, a magneto-optical recording area in which magneto-optical recording and reproduction can be performed is formed around the premastered area where the PTOC is recorded. Then, first, the RTOC area is provided for a section of a predetermined size in the innermost circumference. The RTOC records, for example, basic information necessary for managing data recorded on a disc. For example, in the case of this example, as data recorded on the disc,
Information for managing a track (which may be synonymous with a file) and a folder (structure for grouping and managing tracks) to be described later during recording and reproduction are stored. The contents of the U-TOC in the management area are as follows:
For example, it is assumed that rewriting is sequentially performed in accordance with the result of data recording on a disc and the result of editing processing such as deletion of tracks (files) and folders.

A data area for recording user data is provided on the outer peripheral side of the RTOC.
In the present embodiment, the data area is a volume folder (Volume Folder) located in one root folder.
er). In the present embodiment, a volume is defined as a complete set of user data, and is defined as having only one volume on one disk. The data contained in this volume is stored as folders and tracks under the volume folder except for those managed by the PTOC and RTOC.

In the volume folder, first,
A predetermined size (for example, 12 clusters) at a physically innermost position (a management track priority area near the RTOC)
Volume Index Trac
k) is placed. The volume index track is defined as an area in which sub-management information is recorded, for example, if the above-mentioned PTOC and RTOC are the main management information, and includes a track (file), a folder, and auxiliary data (Auxiliary Data). And a table in which information for managing packet data forming a property, a title, and a track related to the track is recorded.

Also, at least the first one cluster is RT
As a track recorded so as to be located in the management track priority area near the OC, a thumbnail track (Thumb
nailPicture Track) can be placed as an option. In the present embodiment, one file with a predetermined resolution is associated with each file recorded on the disc.
It is possible to have a number of still images as thumbnail images. The thumbnail image is treated as a representative image for making the file visually recognizable. The thumbnail track is recorded together with index information indicating the correspondence with the file (track) recorded on the disc and the storage position of the thumbnail image. The data length of the thumbnail track can be arbitrarily expanded according to the number of stored thumbnail images and the like.

For example, image / audio data recorded by the user by photographing or the like is managed on a file basis, and is placed in the volume folder as a track under the volume folder or in a folder placed below the volume folder. Will be placed. FIG. 7 shows a state in which a certain file is represented as one track and this track is stored in a certain folder. As described above, a folder has a structure for managing tracks or folders in one group. Therefore, in the structure below the volume folder, an arbitrary number of tracks or folders is stored within the range defined by the maximum number of records that can be stored in the volume folder and the maximum number of levels in the folder hierarchical structure.

An auxiliary data track storing auxiliary data (Auxiliary Data) is stored in the volume folder.
(Auxiliary Data Track) is placed. The information to be stored in the auxiliary data track is arbitrary depending on, for example, an application to be actually applied. In the present embodiment, script information as playback control information is stored.

By the way, the PTO, which is the management information described above,
The information stored in the C, RTOC, or even the volume index track (these information is collectively referred to as “management information” in the present embodiment) is read, for example, when a disc is loaded. For example,
The data is held in a predetermined area of the buffer memory 42 (or the buffer memory 32) of the media drive unit 4. At the time of data recording or editing, the management information stored in the buffer memory is rewritten according to the recording result or the editing result. The management information of the disk 51 is rewritten (updated) based on the content of the held management information (however, P
No update is performed for the TOC).

Note that the example of the disk structure shown in this figure is merely an example, and the physical positional relationship of each area on the disk may be changed according to actual use conditions and the like, and data is stored. The structure can be changed.

6. Thumbnail Image Generation Process The thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail track shown in FIG. 7 can be generated by the video camera of the present embodiment. Here, the thumbnail image generation process will be described. deep. Here, a case where a thumbnail image of an image file once recorded on a disc is generated will be described.

As described above, the management information (PTOC, RTOC, volume index track) recorded on the disk 51, for example, is read out at a predetermined timing such as when the disk is loaded, and is stored in the buffer memory 42 (or the buffer memory 42). 32).

The driver controller 46 refers to the management information stored in the buffer memory 42, for example, and records the image data designated as the thumbnail image for the file from which the thumbnail image is to be generated. By obtaining an address on the disk and accessing the address to execute a read operation on the disk, image data as a thumbnail image generation source is obtained. This image data is
The data is sequentially transmitted from the media drive unit 4 to the video signal processing unit 3 and supplied to the data processing / system control circuit 31. Unless otherwise specified, the image data specified as the thumbnail image generation source by the management information is assumed to specify, for example, the first frame (or field) image data in the file.

Then, the data processing / system control circuit 31 first controls the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33 for the supplied screen data,
Decompression processing according to the EG2 format is performed, and data decoded to the level of image data in field image units is obtained.

For example, at the stage of image data decoded to the level of the field image unit, usually,
The data is data having an image size (the number of pixels) enough to be displayed on a display screen at almost full size. Therefore,
After the full-size image data in the unit of the field image is obtained, reduction processing is performed on the full-size image data so that processing is performed so that the thumbnail image size actually required is obtained. Become. In order to reduce the image size, for example, the original full-size image data is sampled at appropriate timing for pixel data, and a signal is generated to reconstruct the image data using the sampled pixel data. What is necessary is just to perform a process.

Then, for example, the video controller 38
Generates index information (described with reference to FIG. 7) for the thumbnail image data thus obtained,
Control is performed so that the thumbnail image data is recorded on the thumbnail track of the disk together with the index information. In this way, thumbnail image data corresponding to each file is obtained and recorded on the disc.

In the present embodiment, as can be seen from the above description, in addition to image data (including audio data), audio data using only audio, and character information data can be recorded as a file. However, for example, when there is no image data from which the thumbnail image is generated in the file such as audio data and character information data, for example, it is visually determined that the data is audio data or character information data in advance. Prepare image data of a pattern that can be recognized by the user (for example, RO of video controller 38).
M, or stored in a predetermined area of a disk), and this image data may be used as a thumbnail image.

7. Script In the present embodiment, it is possible to perform an editing process on a file (mainly a recorded file) recorded by the video camera, such as specifying a reproduction order and giving a required special effect at the time of reproduction. In performing the editing as described above, in the present embodiment, a script is provided as playback control information capable of giving a required playback output mode for a recorded file. In a video camera, for example, the video controller 38 By interpreting the script, a reproduction output mode (for example, reproduction order) according to the editing result is obtained. In the editing stage, the content of the script is updated to execute the editing process. In addition,
Here, the “script” refers to a procedure writing structure described in a predetermined programming language.

First, a script used as reproduction control information in the present embodiment will be schematically described.

In this embodiment, SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) is used as a script.
ge). SMIL is a language standardized by W3C (Internet standardization organization) in order to realize, for example, television program broadcasting and presentation on the Internet.
It is intended to realize a chronological presentation or the like based on the grammar of a (super set of TML).

First, the scheduling includes <seq>, <
par>. <Seq>
Means sequential, that is, serial, and the information enclosed by this tag is reproduced in chronological order. <
par> means parallel, that is, parallel,
The information enclosed by the tags is reproduced synchronously.

Here, for example, in a file assumed to be recorded on a disc, video1, video1
2, for a file of image data represented as video3, video1 → video2 → video3
<Seq><video src = “video 1”><video src = “video 2”><video src = “video 3”></seq> or <seq><play video 1 ><Playvideo2><playvideo3></seq>

Also, the file video1 → video
2 → video3 and video1
For audio1 which is a file of audio data
<Seq><par><video src = “video1”><audio src = “audio1”></par><video src = “video2”><video src = ”video3” The description will be performed as in "></seq>.

A description is also provided for designating, for a file to be reproduced synchronously with a certain file, starting from a position several seconds after the reproduction of the certain file. For example, in a case where a caption (for example, an image as character information) is displayed 5 seconds after the image file of video 1 is displayed (reproduced), <par><video src = “video 1”><image src = "Scratch1" begi
n = “5s”></par> The description is made as follows.

For example, if the user instructs to display the file picture 1 as a still picture file for 5 seconds, <image src = “picture 1” dur
= "5s">.

[0096] When a part of a certain moving image file is played back by so-called frame mute, "range" is used. For example, SMPTE (Society of Motion Pictu
re and Television) standard, <video src = “video1” range
= "Smpte: 10: 07: 00-10: 07: 3"
3 ">.

To repeat a file by designating a certain file, "repeat" is used. For example, vi
If the file of video1 is repeated 10 times, <video src = “video1” repe
at = “10”>.

In the present embodiment, such a script called SMIL is used to execute display control for giving a required display form as a thumbnail display. For this reason, for example, in the video camera system of the present embodiment, this S
Interpretation and script description (generation) corresponding to MIL
, A subset of XML is prepared. For example, the program may be stored in advance in a ROM or the like in the video controller 38 as a program to be executed by the video controller 38, or may be recorded in an application layer of a disc and read out.

In the present embodiment, such a script is generated or updated by the video controller 38 in, for example, an editing stage (or a stage in which a recording operation is being performed). It is to be kept in the area. Then, the script held in the buffer memory 32 in this manner is recorded on a disk at a predetermined opportunity or timing. The script data is stored as a script file for the auxiliary data track (Auxiliary Data Track) described with reference to FIG.
By recording the script on the disk in this way, the next time the disk is newly loaded, the script recorded on the disk is read out, for example,
By holding the data in the buffer memory 32 and referring to the data, it is possible to perform editing and reproduction in accordance with the reproduction order and the like obtained by the previous editing.

8. Thumbnail Display In the video camera of the present embodiment, when searching for a file recorded on the disc and performing various editing processes, a so-called thumbnail display for presenting a thumbnail image corresponding to each file recorded on the disc is performed. This thumbnail display is used as a so-called GUI as an operation screen (file search screen) for recording / reproducing and editing operations. Therefore, an example of a basic display form of thumbnail display according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

It is to be noted that the files handled in the following description will be described on the premise that they are recorded files for convenience of description. As described above, the recorded file is a moving image file obtained by recording an image captured by the video camera, and is a file that can also include sound collected by a microphone.

For example, when the main dial 300 is turned on from the off state by operating the main dial 300 in a state where a disk on which files are recorded is loaded into the video camera apparatus of the present embodiment, for example, the display unit For the display screen of 6A, the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8 is performed as an initial screen.

In the thumbnail display shown in this figure, thumbnail images of up to 12 files can be displayed. In this case, the thumbnail images 401, 401,... Is displayed.

The numerical values (1) to (12) shown in each thumbnail image 401 indicate the file reproduction order specified by the script. That is, in the present embodiment, the thumbnail images are displayed in a predetermined arrangement order according to the file reproduction order specified by the script.

The thumbnail image generation processing is as described above. The image processing for displaying thumbnails using the generated thumbnail image data and the control for realizing the thumbnail processing will be described later. Is a file of a moving image, for example, obtained by forming a representative image in the moving image as a reduced still image. Therefore, by looking at the thumbnail display of the present embodiment as shown in FIG.
The user can visually recognize the contents of the files recorded on the disc, and also can visually grasp the reproduction order of these files.

In the thumbnail display, 1
A pointer 402 for designating one thumbnail image is displayed. The pointer 402 is, for example, the cross key 3
The display is performed such that adjacent thumbnail images 401 are sequentially moved in the direction according to the operation performed on the thumbnail image 401. The search keys 308, 309
, The pointer 402 may be able to move between thumbnail images according to the playback order.

In this case, the pointer 402 selects and designates a file which is a base point of a reproduction or recording start position. For example, in the case of reproduction, the user operates the reproduction key 306 after operating the pointer 402 with respect to the thumbnail image corresponding to the desired file by operating the cross key 310 or the like. To be. As a result, in the video camera, the playback key 306
The reproduction of the file corresponding to the thumbnail image on which the pointer 402 is located at the time of the operation is started. After the reproduction of the file is started as described above, the file is sequentially reproduced in the file reproduction order specified by the script until an operation for stopping the reproduction is performed. Specifically, assuming that the reproduction in the reproduction order (7) shown in FIG. 8 is selected and the reproduction is started, the reproduction order (8) (9)
File playback is performed in the order of (10)... Also, if the file to be played is managed so that a post-recording track is attached,
This after-recording track is also reproduced synchronously according to the description contents of the script. When a file is being reproduced, the reproduced image is displayed instead of the thumbnail display shown in FIG. If the reproduction is stopped, the display may return to the thumbnail display shown in FIG.

Here, an example of description contents of a script for realizing the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8 is shown below. As described above, the arrangement order of the thumbnail images in the thumbnail display is based on the reproduction order described by the script. Therefore, the following script is a script indicating the playback order of the 12 files corresponding to each thumbnail image shown in FIG. Here, the file names of the recording files corresponding to the reproduction order of (1) to (12) shown as the thumbnail images in FIG.
If it is video1 to video12, the contents of the script are <seq><videosrc = “video1”><videosrc = “video2”><videosrc = “video3”><videosrc = ”video4”> video src = “video5”><video src = “video6”><video src = “video7”><video src = ”video8”><video src = “video9”> = “Video11”><video src = “video12”><//seq>

9. Recording operation and thumbnail display according to present embodiment 9-1. Outline of Operation Based on the above description, a recording operation of a captured image and a thumbnail display performed by the video camera according to the present embodiment will be described.

Here, as a comparison with the present embodiment, FIG. 9 shows a general example of a method of setting a track when a captured image is recorded. For example, FIG.
Suppose that the user of the video camera performs a recording start operation to start recording of a captured image (recording) and then performs an operation for ending recording 1 minute and 15 seconds later. That is, recording of one shot for one minute and fifteen seconds is performed. Thus, for example, in a video camera, captured image data having continuous contents of 1 minute and 15 seconds is recorded. Here, the captured image data for one minute and fifteen seconds obtained by this one shot is managed as one track (for example, Track # 1). Then, as shown in FIG.
A file of one thumbnail image (thumbnail # 1) is generated as a search image corresponding to ck # 1, and recorded on the thumbnail track of the disk.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, FIG.
The track is set at the time of one recording as shown in FIG. In this case as well, the user performs a recording start operation by operating the release key 301, for example, so that 1
It is assumed that an operation to end recording is performed 15 minutes later. That is,
On the disc, captured image data of 1 minute and 15 seconds taken by the user is continuously recorded. In this respect, there is no difference from the case shown in FIG. 9B.

However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, the track numbers are given in ascending order every predetermined time (here, 10 seconds) from the recording start time. Division is performed. In this case, the image data of 1 minute and 15 seconds is
Since the recording is divided every 0 seconds, for example, if the track division is started from Track # 1 starting from the recording start point, it is divided into eight tracks having the track numbers of Track # 1 to Track # 8. Will be. Here, each track from Track # 1 to Track # 7 has a length of 10 seconds, while the last Track # 8 has a length of the last remaining 5 seconds.

In this case, for each of Track # 1 to Track # 8 obtained as described above, eight thumbnails # 1 to # 8 as shown in FIG. An image file is generated and recorded on a disk. It is preferable that the time interval for the track division be set in consideration of the time length of one track, which is sufficient for the user to be satisfied during reproduction. Here, the time interval is set to 10 seconds, but may be appropriately changed and set according to the actual situation. It is also conceivable that the track division time can be arbitrarily set by a user's predetermined operation.

Further, the present applicant collectively manages a plurality of tracks having continuous track numbers as one group, and displays the obtained group on the thumbnail display screen so as to be reflected. (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-202934) has been proposed. In the present embodiment, a plurality of files obtained by one recording as described above are collectively managed as one group. In the case of FIG. 10B, as shown in the figure, Track # 1 to Track # 8 are set to 1
It is managed as a group.

When thumbnail display is performed on the display unit 6A at a certain opportunity after the recording is performed as described above, the display is performed as shown in FIG. 11, for example. Here, each thumbnail image 4
01, the display contents are omitted, and the display frame of each thumbnail image 401 has a playback order (here, the track number corresponding to each thumbnail image 401 also).
Only one is shown for convenience.

In the display shown in FIG. 11A, it is visually recognized that the eight thumbnail images 401 corresponding to Track # 1 to Track # 8 described above with reference to FIG. 10 belong to the same group. It is displayed as possible. In other words, these eight thumbnail images 401 are displayed so as to be grouped together by the group surrounding frame 404. Also, here, Track # 1 to Track # T
It is assumed that “group 1” is given and managed as a group number (group name) for the group in which the track # 8 is put together, and in order to reflect this, this group Is also displayed as a “group 1”. With such a display mode, Trac
This visually indicates that k # 1 to Track # 8 are recorded files belonging to the same group. In other words, the display mode is such that the group 1 is expanded and each of the eight thumbnail images included in the directory as the group 1 is presented so as to be visually recognizable. You can see that it has been.

Here, after Track # 8,
It is assumed that four tracks, Track # 9 to Track # 12, are recorded on the disc. Therefore, here, following the thumbnail image 401 corresponding to Track # 8 of Group 1, Track # 9 to Track # 1
The four thumbnail images corresponding to each of No. 2 are sequentially arranged and displayed.

For example, if the user performs a click operation on the group tab 403 shown in FIG.
It is changed as shown in FIG. That is, FIG.
As shown in (a), eight thumbnail images 401 (Track
Track # 2 to Track # 8), which are in the order of reproduction from the second and subsequent tracks in Group 1
The display of the thumbnail image 401 of k # 8 is no longer performed, and only the first thumbnail image 401 of Track # 1 in the group 1 is displayed as a representative. At this time, the group surrounding frame 404 is configured to surround only the thumbnail image 401 of Track # 1, and the group surrounding frame 404 is displayed with the group tab 403 attached thereto.

That is, the group display in FIG.
This can be regarded as a display mode in which group 1 is grouped together. In this case, since the first thumbnail image 401 is displayed, this Track #
The thumbnail image of No. 1 is treated as a representative image of Group 1, and the subsequent thumbnail images of Track # 2 to Track # 8 are potentially folded in the thumbnail image display (Track # 1) as Group 1. Treated as stored. Normally, it is considered appropriate that the thumbnail image representing the group is the thumbnail image of the first track in the group, but it may be the thumbnail image of another remaining track. .

Then, the remaining Track # 9-Track
The four thumbnail images corresponding to each of # 12 are arranged and displayed following the thumbnail image display as Group 1.

Then, for example, under the display state shown in FIG. 11B, the group tab 403 indicating the group 1 is again displayed.
When a click operation is performed on, the display screen is displayed as shown in FIG.
The display mode is returned to the display mode shown in FIG. That is, by performing a click operation on the group tab 403 indicating the group 1, switching between the expanded display of the group shown in FIG. 11A and the folded display shown in FIG. 11B is performed.

In the present embodiment, FIG.
Thumbnail display corresponding to grouping as in (b) is also performed based on the description of the script. For this purpose, description contents indicating that a plurality of thumbnail images (recorded files) specified by the above-described specifying operation have been grouped may be added to the script for specifying the reproduction order. As a description example of such a script designating grouping, the description content corresponding to FIG. 11 is as follows. Note that, here, Track # 1 to Tra # 1 shown in FIG.
Recording files up to ck # 12 are represented as video1 to video12 on the script. <Seq><group><video src = "video1"><video src = "video2"><video src = "video3"><video src = "video4">"Video6"><video src = "video7"><video src = "video8"></group><video src = "video9"><video src = "video10"><video src = "video src =" src = “video12”></seq> As can be understood from the above description, <group> is a tag indicating that the recording file belongs to one group.
>, And in this case, <videosrc
= "Video1"> ~ <video src = "vi
files up to <deo8 ″>
By enclosing it with a tag of group>, Track # 1
Expresses that eight thumbnail images (recorded files) corresponding to Track # 8 belong to one group.

Further, in this embodiment, the switching between the group display mode and the group display mode is not described by the script, but by the video controller 38 corresponding to the click operation on the group tab 403 in the present embodiment. Display control (this will be described later)
Shall be realized by Further, in the configuration proposed by the applicant of the present invention (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-202934), a configuration in which groups are further hierarchized and set within a group is also disclosed. May be applied.

9-2. Processing Operation Next, a processing operation for realizing the operation at the time of recording according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Note that the processing operation shown in this figure is realized, for example, by the video controller 38 functioning as a master controller and the driver controller 46 and the camera controller 25 executing control processing as necessary.

In step S101, the process waits for a recording start operation for recording a captured image as a recording file on a disc. If it is determined that the recording start operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S101. Proceed to S102.

In step S102, the variable n corresponding to the track number of the recording file to be recorded from now on
(Track number #n). Track number #
In the setting of n, for example, in principle, as described above with reference to FIG. 8, the setting is made in accordance with the track number corresponding to the thumbnail image as the base point at which the click operation is performed. I just need. For example, if no recorded file has been recorded before, track number # 1
If the recording start operation is performed without specifying the thumbnail on the thumbnail screen, the track number following the last track number among the tracks recorded so far may be set.

In the following step S103, for example, a timer provided inside the video controller 38 is reset, and then the counting is started. This timer is used to measure the time length of the track division, and in the following step S104, the recording is started as Track # n set in the previous step S102. That is, a control process for recording the captured images obtained by the lens block 1 and the camera block 2 on a disc as a recording file is executed.

Subsequently, in step S105, a process for generating a thumbnail image for the current Track #n is executed. The thumbnail image generated here is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the buffer memory 32, for example, and is not shown in this flowchart, but may be recorded on the thumbnail track of the disk at a predetermined timing. As for the thumbnail image generation processing, for example, it is conceivable to collectively generate the thumbnail images after recording of one shot is completed.
In this case, step S105 is omitted.

In the following step S106, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time corresponding to the track division time has elapsed with respect to the time measured by the timer. Here, if a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S108, where it is determined whether or not a recording end operation has been performed. If no recording end operation has been performed, the process returns to step S106.

If a positive result is obtained in step S106, the flow advances to step S107 to increment the variable n indicating the track number as n ← n + 1, and then returns to step S103. Here, the process returns from step S107 to step S103, and when step S104 is reached, in step S104, actually, the recording of the captured image up to now is continued, so that one shot continuous from the recording start point is actually processed. Make sure that the recorded content is available. However, step S106
The recording position corresponding to the timing at which the predetermined time has elapsed is managed as Track #n with the track number incremented in step S107.

As before, step S101
From step S103 to step S1.
07 (and step S108) is repeated, so that the track division is performed automatically at predetermined time intervals as described with reference to FIG. Generation will be performed.

If it is determined in step S108 that the recording end operation has been performed, the flow advances to step S109 to end the operation of recording the recording file on the disk, which has been performed so far. Then, the following step S11
At 0, for example, a script that defines the reproduction order is updated so that tracks additionally recorded on the disk by recording one shot so far are properly managed. At this time, if the track is divided into a plurality as a result of one recording operation time being longer than a predetermined time, a description is also made so that these tracks are treated as a group (group setting). ). In addition to the script defining the reproduction order, if there is management information that needs to be updated in accordance with the recording results so far, these are also updated. Such a script update is executed by, for example, the video controller 38 functioning as a master controller using a subset of XML. Then, when the processing in step S110 is completed, the processing shown in FIG.

The processing operation shown in FIG. 12, that is, the recording operation described with reference to FIG. 11, may be configured to be always executed at the time of video recording.
And the general recording operation shown in FIG.
It is also conceivable that a user can arbitrarily select a desired operation.

Next, a processing operation for realizing the thumbnail display reflecting the group shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This processing operation is also realized by the video controller 38 functioning as a master controller and the driver controller 46 and the camera controller 25 executing control processing as necessary.

In the routine shown in FIG. 13, first,
In step S201, for flag F, F = 0
Then, the process proceeds to step S202. The significance of the flag F will be described later.

In step S202, a script indicating the playback order currently held in the buffer memory 32 is stored in, for example, an internal R for controlling the thumbnail display.
A process for taking (writing) into the AM is executed.
Then, in the following step S203, in order to analyze the description content of the current thumbnail image (recorded file) in the script read into the RAM, the description portion of the current thumbnail image is written to the video controller 38.
Is executed. Here, the current thumbnail image refers to a recording file from which the description content is read.
Assuming that the processing is for displaying the thumbnail shown in FIG. 1, at the stage where the processing first reaches step S203,
The description portion of the recording file (Video 1) of Track # 1 which is the first in the reproduction order is read. That is, reading is started from the line next to <seq>. Thereafter, every time the process of step S203 is performed by the process described below,
Reading of the description contents of the next recording file is executed as the reproduction order.

After the required description portion of the script is read by the processing of step S203, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, it is determined whether or not the grouping process is currently being performed. Here, the “grouping process” refers to the process of step S207 described later, and finally the process of step S207.
213 (or step S217).

If it is determined in step S204 that the grouping process is not currently being performed, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, it is determined whether or not a <group> tag indicating the start of grouping is added immediately before the description content of the script for the current thumbnail image currently being read. Here, the case where a negative result is obtained means that the grouping process is not currently performed and the <group> tag is not obtained, and the recording files read in step S203 are grouped. Means that it is not in a separate directory (top level). Therefore, if a negative result is obtained in step S205,
Proceeding to step S206, a control process for displaying the current thumbnail image at a required arrangement position according to the reproduction order on the thumbnail display is executed. For example,
Assuming that the processing shown in this figure is to perform the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 11, the case where the processing of step S206 is executed means that Track # 9 to Tra shown in FIG.
This corresponds to the case where each thumbnail image of ck # 12 is mapped and displayed. In this case, the image data of the thumbnail image used for displaying the thumbnail image is obtained by reading the required thumbnail image data from the above-described thumbnail track of the disc.

When the processing in step S206 is completed, the flow advances to step S215, and it is determined whether or not the display of the thumbnail image for one page has been completed by the previous thumbnail image display processing. That is, for example, FIG.
Whether thumbnail display images satisfying the number of displayed thumbnail images (12 in this case) as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the thumbnail image has been displayed. If it is determined that the display of the thumbnail image for one page has not been completed, the process returns to step S203 to return to the next line of the script (the next current thumbnail image (recorded file) or tag).
Is read.

On the other hand, in step S205, it is affirmed that the <content> tag indicating the start of grouping is added immediately before the description portion of the recording file corresponding to the current thumbnail image as the description content of the script currently being read. If the result is obtained, step S207
Proceed to.

In step S207, grouping is started from this point, and control processing for displaying and outputting the current thumbnail image is executed as the head of the group, and the flow advances to step S208.

In step S208, it is determined whether or not an instruction to expand and display has been issued for the group whose grouping has been started in step S207. In this determination process, basically, three situations are considered. One is a case where the processing shown in FIG. 13 is performed in response to an instruction by a click operation on the group tab 403 by the user described above. In this case, the group at the time of the click operation is performed. Depends on whether the display is expanded or folded. For example, if a click operation is performed on the group tab 403 in a state in which the group tab 403 is displayed in an expanded state, it indicates that a folding display is instructed.
In step S208, a negative result is obtained.
Further, in the case of a change display or the like in response to the grouping setting, for example, it is set in advance whether the display should be expanded display or folded display (display not expanded), and the determination is performed according to the set contents. do it. Also, for example, when the thumbnail display is first displayed in response to, for example, power-on, whether each group is expanded or folded as the last display state at a stage earlier than this is displayed. Write information to a disc,
Alternatively, the determination processing in step S208 may be performed by storing the information in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in the video controller 38 and using this information.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step S208, the process once proceeds to step S209, where F = 1 is set for the flag F, and then the process proceeds to step S215. That is, the flag F indicates whether or not the expansion display is instructed for the group that is currently being grouped. If F = 1, the expansion display is instructed, and if F = 0, the expansion display is instructed. Indicates that folding display is instructed. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S208, the process directly proceeds to step S2
It is made to go to 15.

By executing the processing described so far, if the <group> tag is added to the script in the playback order, the processing returns to step S203 via step S208 → step S209 → step S215, and the group returns to step S203. The conversion process is executed. In this process, a positive result is obtained in step S204, and the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, it is determined whether or not a </ group> tag indicating that this is the last recorded file in the group immediately after the description of the script for the current recorded file (thumbnail image). Is determined. If it is determined that the tag of </ group> is not added, that is, if it is determined that the current recording file is not the last file in the group, the process proceeds to step S211 and the flag F is set.
Is determined as to whether or not F = 1. That is, it is determined which of the expansion / fold display is instructed for this group. here,
If an affirmative result is obtained in step S211, that is, if an instruction is given to expand and display, the process proceeds to step S212, where the current thumbnail image is reproduced for the group currently being grouped. The display is controlled so as to be added in order, and the process proceeds to step S215. By executing the processing of step S212, the thumbnail images in the group are displayed so as to be sequentially mapped in the order of reproduction.
The expanded display of group 1 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, folding display is instructed for the group currently being grouped, and step S21 is performed.
If a negative result is obtained in step 1, the process returns to step S203. By this process, even if the script indicates that the group has been set, only the thumbnail image that is the first in the reproduction order in the group is displayed and output by the process of step S207 described above. Therefore, the subsequent thumbnail images in the reproduction order in the group are skipped without being displayed and output. By such processing, a folded display state such as Group 1 shown in FIG. 11B is finally obtained.

[0147] Also, under the processing progress from step S204 to step S210 assuming that the grouping processing is being performed, a tag of </ group> is added immediately after the description content of the script of the current recording file. Is determined, the process proceeds from step S210 to step S21.
3 is performed.

In step S213, the grouping processing that has been executed so far ends. Then, a control process for displaying one or a plurality of thumbnail images which have been displayed and output in the process of the grouping process so as to be presented as a group is executed. In other words, a thumbnail image displayed in the process of grouping up to now is displayed with a group surrounding frame 404 and a group tab 403 added thereto as shown in FIG.
When this process ends, the flow advances to step S214 to clear the flag F to F = 0, and then to step S2.
15 is returned.

If it is determined in step S215 that the thumbnail image display processing for one page has been completed,
The process proceeds to step S216. Step S21
In 6, it is determined whether the grouping process started in step S207 has been completed. The state in which the grouping has not been completed at the stage when this step S216 has been reached is not illustrated or described in FIG. 11, but, for example, the thumbnail display processing is performed while a certain group is expanded and displayed. However, this corresponds to a case where the display of up to the last thumbnail image of a certain group is not completed when the maximum number of thumbnail images that can be displayed in one page is reached. In such a case, by proceeding to step S217, the previous grouping process is terminated, and for the time being, a display form indicating that the images are grouped by the thumbnail images that have been grouped so far is provided. Execute control. That is, the thumbnail images that have been grouped so far are surrounded by the group surrounding frame 40, and the group tab 403 is displayed.
Is added and displayed.

After the processing in step S217 has elapsed, and when it is determined in step S216 that the grouping processing has been completed, the processing for displaying thumbnail images up to now is completed. Will be.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made. Thumbnail display and an actual display form reflecting a group in the thumbnail display are not limited to actual ones. It may be changed in consideration of the use conditions, usability, and the like.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the image processing apparatus of the present invention is mounted on a video camera apparatus capable of recording and reproducing data corresponding to a mini-disc. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing a file such as an image corresponding to another disk medium, a VTR (Video Tape Recorder)
It is also possible to apply a recording / reproducing device corresponding to tape media such as r).

Further, as the video camera of the present embodiment, a disk recording / reproducing device based on MD-DATA2 is used as a video recording / reproducing portion. However, the video recording / reproducing portion has a configuration other than that of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the recording / reproducing apparatus may be a recording / reproducing apparatus compatible with other types of disc-shaped recording media. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the MPEG2 method is used for compressing moving image data. However, for example, a method capable of compressing and encoding other moving image data may be adopted. Also, the compression method for still image data and audio data need not be particularly limited to those exemplified as the present embodiment (JPEG, ATRAC2, etc.).

[0154]

According to the above description, the configuration of the present invention has the following effects. In the present invention, for example, 1
Even if the recording time for a shot is relatively long, track division is automatically performed at a relatively short predetermined time length set in consideration of the user not to be bored. become. For this reason, the user can obtain the captured image data in the unit of the track divided in a short time at the time of shooting without performing a special editing operation such as a track division.

If the recording is performed as described above, for example, when reproducing the recorded data for one shot thereafter, it is possible to perform the cueing in a track unit at a predetermined reproduction progress time. this is,
For example, when playing a video obtained by shooting for a relatively long time, if the user gets tired on the way and wants to play further, it means that it can be sent earlier by track search. This is a quicker and easier operation than, for example, performing a fast-forward operation. Also, when performing some editing, such as moving a track (changing the playback order) or deleting a track, tracks that are separated in a short time and at a fixed time become the editing material. For example, the editing can be performed by a simpler operation than the so-called timeline editing.

Further, even when a search is performed on the thumbnail display screen, it is possible to search the contents of the continuous recording contents by one-shot recording for each track of a predetermined time. . Then, these tracks are managed as a group as a group, and the thumbnail display is performed so as to reflect this, so that it is easy to visually recognize that these tracks have continuous recorded contents. As described above, the present invention has an effect that it is possible to easily reproduce or search the contents of the recorded content obtained by recording one shot in track units.

[0157] In general, contents that have been shot for a long time often include many redundant and unnecessary contents when actually reproduced. For this reason, there has been known a conventional video camera in which a recording time length is set in advance and recording is automatically terminated when a predetermined time elapses from a recording start operation time. That is, the shooting time of one shot is defined in advance. However, such a recording operation may hinder the user's flexibility in recording. On the other hand, if the recording operation is such that the track is automatically divided at regular intervals as in the present invention, the user's degree of freedom in recording as described above is not hindered.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a track structure of a disc corresponding to a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a track portion of a disc corresponding to the video camera of the embodiment in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing specifications of a disc corresponding to the video camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of a media drive unit of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view, a plan view, and the like of the video camera according to the embodiment;
And a rear view.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a data structure in a disk according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a basic display form of thumbnail display in the video camera of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a generally considered track setting for recorded data.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing track setting for recorded data as the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form example of a thumbnail display reflecting a group in the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing a track division setting and a grouping setting at the time of recording according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing a thumbnail display reflecting a group in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 lens block, 2 camera block, 3 video signal processing section, 4 media drive section, 5 deck section,
6 display / image / audio input / output unit, 6A display unit, 7 operation unit, 8 external interface, 9 power supply block,
Reference Signs List 11 optical system, 12 motor unit, 22 sample hold / AGC circuit, 23 A / D converter, 24 timing generator, 25 camera controller, 31
Data processing / system control circuit, 32 buffer memory, 33 video signal processing circuit, 34 memory, 35 motion detection circuit, 36 memory, 37 audio compression encoder / decoder, 38 video controller,
41 MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder, 42
Buffer memory, 43 binarization circuit, 44 RF signal processing circuit, 45 servo circuit, 46 driver controller, 51 disk, 52 spindle motor, 53
Optical head, 54 magnetic head, 55 thread motor, 61 video D / A converter, 62 display controller, 63 composite signal processing circuit, 64 A /
D converter, 65 D / A converter, 66 amplifier, 101 RF amplifier, 103 AGC / clamp circuit, 104 equalizer / PLL circuit, 105 Viterbi decoder, 106 RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit, 107
Matrix amplifier, 108 ADIP bandpass filter, 109 A / B track detection circuit, 110 ADI
P decoder, 111 CLV processor, 112 servo processor, 113 servo driver, 114 data bus, 115 scramble / EDC encoding circuit, 116 ECC processing circuit, 117 descramble / EDC decoding circuit, 118 RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit, 119 Magnetic head drive circuit, 120 laser driver, 121 transfer clock generation circuit, 201 camera lens, 202 microphone, 203 disk slot, 204 viewfinder, 205 speaker, 3
00 main dial, 301 release key, 304
Zoom key, 305 Eject key, 306 Play key, 307 Stop key, 308, 309 Search key,
310 Cross / click key, 311 jog dial, 401 thumbnail image, 402 pointer, 40
3 Group tab, 404 group frame, Ld land, NWG non-wobbled groove, WG wobbled groove, TrA, TrB track

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image capturing means for obtaining a captured image, a recording means capable of converting the captured image into image data and recording it on a predetermined recording medium in a form managed on a file basis, File management means for performing file management such that image data for one shot continuously recorded over a period from the start to the end of recording is divided for each predetermined time length in file units; A representative image data generating unit for generating representative image data representing the file; and using the representative image data generated by the representative image data generating unit, output is performed so as to obtain a predetermined display mode as a search screen. A recording device comprising: a display output unit capable of performing the operation. 2. The file management means can set a file obtained by dividing the image data for one shot as one group, and the display output means can display the file of the group in the search screen. As a display mode, the representative image of each file in the same group can be visually recognized as belonging to the same group, and the group itself is regarded as one representative image assuming that the files belong to the same group. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device performs output so as to be displayed.