JP2000267176A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a compact camera capable of recording recording data such as character information in good handleability. SOLUTION: This camera for recording an image on film 5 provided with a magnetic recording part 5b is equipped with a microphone 41 for inputting voice and outputting it as voice information, a voice input circuit 42 for converting a voice signal outputted from the microphone 41 into digital voice information, collating the voice information with that previously stored corresponding to plural data for recording and outputting the coincident data for recording, and a magnetic recording circuit 47 and a magnetic head 48 for recording the data for recording outputted from the circuit 42 in the magnetic recording part 5b of the film 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly, to a camera using a recording medium having an information recording section capable of recording information other than images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a silver halide film for recording an optical photographed image, various kinds of information such as photographing date and time, camera setting, photographing situation, photographing place, exposure data, message, title, etc. are recorded. Are provided on the market, and the magnetic recording section can record information, for example, for each photographed frame.

When photographing using such a film, if the above-described information is recorded by a camera, a service for reading out the information at a photo lab and printing text information together with the image is also available. It is becoming more common.

[0004] In recent digital cameras (electronic still cameras), various data can be recorded together with image information on a recording medium such as a flash memory.

[0005] Incidentally, since the shooting date and time, exposure data, and the like in the above-mentioned information are information automatically set by the camera, the photographer can copy the information without any troublesome operation. Can be recorded.

On the other hand, among the information described above, information represented by characters and symbols such as a photographing location, a message, and a title is information set arbitrarily by the photographer himself, so that some data input is required. Equipment is required.

As a first means for performing such data input, for example, an interface is provided in a camera,
Means for connecting a keyboard for character input to the camera via the interface can be considered.

Further, from the viewpoint of automatic input of character data limited to shooting location information, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-22429
There is a second means described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0 No. 0, in which a GPS (Global Positioning System) device is connected to a camera, and information on the current position is input to the camera from the GPS device.

Further, as a third means, various character information is stored in a memory in advance, and a photographer operates a manual operation member such as a button, so that any one of the stored character information can be selected. There is something to choose.

[0010]

However, as described in the first and second means, input by a keyboard or the like or G
If an attempt is made to adopt an input using a PS device or the like, it is difficult to incorporate these devices in a camera. Since these devices themselves have a certain size, it is difficult to maintain high portability even if they are configured to be detachable from the camera as an external accessory. Furthermore, these devices need to be purchased separately from the camera, but since these devices are not inexpensive, the financial burden on the user cannot be ignored.

In the third means, when the number of pieces of information stored in advance increases, the selection operation becomes cumbersome and the usability deteriorates.

As described above, conventionally, it has been difficult to easily record recording data such as character information on a recording medium without increasing the size of the camera.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact camera that can easily record data for recording.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a recording medium for recording an image, the information recording section being capable of recording information other than the image. Further, in a camera using a recording medium having the same, audio input means for inputting audio and outputting as audio information, conversion means for converting audio information output from the audio input means into recording data, Recording means for recording the recording data converted by the conversion means in the information recording section.

The camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the first aspect, wherein the conversion unit stores a plurality of the recording data corresponding to the audio information, A search unit that searches for the recording data stored in the storage unit based on the search unit; and an output unit that outputs the recording data searched by the search unit.

Further, the camera according to a third aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the first aspect, wherein the converting means recognizes the voice information by voice and converts the voice information into text data, and uses the text data as recording data. Things.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the camera, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera from the rear side, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a photographing preliminary operation detection circuit, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio input circuit, and FIG.
Is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the camera after the battery is loaded, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the camera after the battery is loaded, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of audio processing by the digital signal processing circuit. is there.

In this embodiment, a so-called silver halide camera using a silver halide film as a recording medium will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 1, the silver halide film used in this embodiment is configured by storing a roll film (hereinafter, abbreviated as a film) 5 as a recording medium in a film cartridge 3. A plurality of perforations 5a are provided along the feeding direction, and a magnetic recording section 5b as an information recording section to which a magnetic recording medium is added is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, this camera controls an operation sequence of the whole camera, and includes a control circuit 1 as a control means including, for example, a CPU for generating magnetic recording data to be described later, and a finger or the like. A main operation member 45 for setting the camera to an operation state or a non-operation state by operating the camera; turning on / off according to the position of the main operation member 45 and outputting a signal corresponding to the state to the control circuit 1; Main operation member detection switch (hereinafter abbreviated as main switch) 46 and the film cartridge 3
D for reading DX code information printed on the circumference of
An X code input circuit 2 and a magnetic head 4 as a recording means for performing magnetic recording on the magnetic recording portion 5b of the film 5 or reproducing the film 5 in accordance with a film feeding operation described later.
8, a magnetic recording circuit 47 as recording means for controlling the magnetic head 48 based on a drive signal relating to magnetic recording data supplied by the control circuit 1, and a film 5 sent from the film cartridge 3. A film feeding mechanism 7 for feeding the film, a film feeding motor 6 serving as a driving source of the film feeding mechanism 7, and a film being controlled by controlling the film feeding motor 6 under the instruction of the control circuit 1. 5, a film feed circuit 4 for feeding
A film feeding state detection circuit 24 for detecting the feeding state (movement amount) of the film 5 by the perforations 5a and the like, and a zoom operation for zooming in the tele direction or the wide direction by pressing with a finger or the like. Buttons 28 and 29 and zoom operation buttons 28 and 2
9, a zoom detection switch 35 including a tele switch and a wide switch which are turned on in accordance with the operation of the zoom lens 37, a zoom lens 37 which is a part of a photographing optical system, and the zoom lens 37 for performing a zooming operation. Controlling the zoom motor 38 based on a zoom mechanism 39, a zoom motor 38 serving as a drive source of the zoom mechanism 39, and a drive control signal output from the control circuit 1 according to the state of the zoom detection switch 35. , A zoom motor drive circuit 36 for performing a zooming operation, a zoom lens position detection circuit 40 for detecting a movement position (that is, focal length information) of the zoom lens 37, and a release button 32 composed of a push-type operation button. And 1st which operates by half-pressing the release button 32
Release detection switch 33 and release button 32
A second release detection switch 34 which is operated by fully pressing (deeply pressing) a function as a shutter for controlling the passage time of the photographing light beam, and a function as a diaphragm for opening and closing the exposure aperture for defining the passing range of the photographing light beam. A sector shutter 17 also serving as a control unit; a plunger 18 serving as a drive source of the sector shutter 17; a shutter control circuit 16 controlling the operation of the plunger 18 based on a drive control signal output from the control circuit 1; A sector position detection switch 19 for detecting whether the position of the sector shutter 17 is, for example, at an initial position or an open position, and a case where the photographer is gripping the grip portion or observing the viewfinder, for example. A preliminary shooting operation detection circuit 43 for detecting whether or not a preliminary shooting operation is being performed, and a sound being input and converted into an electric signal A microphone 41 serving as an audio input means for outputting the sound signal, an audio input circuit 42 serving as a conversion means for processing an audio signal output from the microphone 41 and outputting data for magnetic recording to the control circuit 1 as described later, And a strobe circuit 26 having a strobe main capacitor for controlling light emission of the strobe light emitting unit 27 and accumulating (charging) electric charge for light emission. A photometric sensor 15 that receives subject light to convert the subject light into an electrical signal to output the subject brightness, an ambient light measuring circuit 14 that outputs subject brightness information based on the output signal of the photometric sensor 15, Light-emitting element 10 such as a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits a photometric light beam for measuring the distance to , The light emitting element 1
A light projecting lens 11 for projecting a light beam emitted from 0 toward the subject 9, a light receiving lens 12 for condensing a reflected light beam from the subject 9, and a light receiving lens 12 for receiving the light beam condensed by the light receiving lens 12. A light receiving element 13 such as a semiconductor position detecting device (PSD) which converts the electric signal into an electric signal corresponding to the light receiving position and outputs the electric signal, and a distance measuring circuit which detects the distance to the subject 9 based on the output of the light receiving element 13 8, a focus lens 21 forming a part of a photographing optical system for adjusting the focus of a subject image formed on the film 5, a focus lens driving mechanism 23 for driving the focus lens 21, Focus lens drive mechanism 2
3 and a focus motor 2 based on a drive control signal output from the control circuit 1 in accordance with the subject distance detected by the distance measuring circuit 8.
2. A focus motor drive circuit 2 for moving the focus lens 21 to a focus position by controlling
0 and a focus lens position detection circuit 25 for detecting the current position of the focus lens 21.

Although a battery as a power source is not shown in FIG. 1, the power to the electric elements such as the various circuits, elements, and actuators as described above is supplied from the battery. Has become. Further, the control circuit 1 controls power supply to each electric element.

Next, the appearance of the camera will be described with reference to FIG.

A sound collecting hole 57 is formed on the upper left side of the rear surface of the camera body 50. The sound collecting hole 57 is used for collecting the sound uttered by the photographer inside the sound collecting hole 57. A microphone 41 is provided.

An eyepiece 54 of a finder is provided above the rear surface of the camera body 50. On the left side of the eyepiece 54, the photographing preliminary operation detecting circuit 43 is provided.
Is disposed.

The face sensor 55 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the photographer is observing the subject via the eyepiece 54. For example, the face sensor 55 includes a pair of light emitting and receiving devices including an LED 55a and a phototransistor 55b. It is configured to have.

With this configuration, when the photographer is observing through the eyepiece lens 54, the LED 55
a is reflected by the face of the photographer and is incident on the phototransistor 55b.
The output of 5b changes. By detecting this output change by an electric circuit described later, the photographer can use the eyepiece lens 5.
4 to determine whether or not observation is being performed.

On the right side of the camera body 50, there is provided a grip portion 51 for the photographer to grip.
Is disposed, and has a pair of electrodes 56a and 56b.

The grip sensor 56 is for detecting that the photographer is gripping the grip portion 51. When the photographer does not grip the grip portion 51, the two electrodes 56a are used. , 56b become insulated,
On the other hand, when holding, the two electrodes 56a and 56b are configured to be in a conductive state via the palm of the photographer.

In this way, by detecting whether the pair of electrodes 56a and 56b are in an insulated state or a conductive state by an electric circuit described later, it is determined whether or not the photographer is gripping the grip portion 51. You can do it.

Further, on the left side of the upper surface of the camera body 50, the main operation member 45, which is, for example, a slide-type operation member, is disposed, and the main operation member 45 is moved to the ON position. When the camera is operated, the camera is in the operating state, and when the camera is operated to the off (OFF) position, the camera is in the inoperative state.

On the right side of the upper surface of the camera body 50, the release button 32, which is a push-type operation member for instructing the start of a photographing operation, is provided.

On the other hand, a zoom lens barrel 52 for holding a photographing optical system including the focus lens 21 and the zoom lens 37 therein is disposed on the front surface of the camera body 50.

On the right side of the eyepiece 54 on the back of the camera body 50, the zoom lens barrel 5 is provided.
The zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 for instructing a change (zooming) of the focal length of the photographing optical system by the zoom lens 37 in 2 are provided. One zoom operation button 28 is for giving an instruction to change the focal length to the tele side, and the other zoom operation button 29 is for giving an instruction to change the focal length to the wide side.

Next, a detailed circuit configuration of the photographing preliminary operation detecting circuit 43 will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the face sensor 55, which is a part of the photographing preliminary operation detection circuit 43, includes the LED 55a and the phototransistor 55b.

The LED 55a is connected to the port P1 of the control circuit 1, and is connected to the phototransistor 55b.
Is connected to the port P2 of the control circuit 1.

Then, the LE from the port P1 of the control circuit 1
When the control signal (Low signal) of D55a is output, the LED 55a emits light.

When the photographer observes the light projected from the LED 55a through the eyepiece 54,
Reflected on the face of the photographer, the phototransistor 5
5b.

Then, since the voltage level of the port P2 changes from low (Low) to high (High), the control circuit 1 determines whether or not the photographer is observing through the eyepiece 54 by this. You can do it.

The grip sensor 56, which is a part of the photographing preliminary operation detecting circuit 43, is connected to the port P3 of the control circuit 1 while one electrode 56a is pulled up by a resistor 58, and the other is. Is connected to the ground.

Therefore, if the photographer does not hold the grip portion 51, the state of the port P3 becomes High. On the other hand, when the photographer grips the grip portion 51, the two electrodes are brought into conduction through the palm of the photographer. Therefore, the port P3 is connected to the ground via the electrode 56a → the palm → the electrode 56b, and the voltage is applied. The level is low (L
ow). The control circuit 1 determines whether or not the photographer is gripping the grip unit 51 by detecting the change in the voltage level of the port P3.

Next, referring to FIG.
2 will be described in detail.

The audio input circuit 42 includes an analog processing circuit 61 for performing an amplification process and the like on an analog audio signal output from the microphone 41, and an A / D converter for converting an output of the analog processing circuit 61 into a digital audio signal. A conversion circuit 62; a digital signal processing circuit 63 which is a search means and an output means for converting the digital audio signal (audio information) from the A / D conversion circuit 62 into data for magnetic recording and outputting the data; And a storage circuit 64 serving as storage means, for example, a removable nonvolatile memory in which data to be referred to when outputting data for magnetic recording from the digital audio signal is stored. Power is supplied from a power supply control circuit 65 to each circuit in the audio input circuit 42 via a power supply line.

The power supply control circuit 65 is controlled based on a power supply control signal output from the control circuit 1.

In such a configuration, the sound collected by the microphone 41 is transmitted to the microphone 4
After being converted into an analog electric signal in 1, it is input to the audio input circuit 42.

Then, after an amplification process is first performed in the analog processing circuit 61, the signal is converted into digital audio information by the A / D conversion circuit 62, and then input to the digital signal processing circuit 63.

The digital signal processing circuit 63 has an A / D
The converted digital audio information is subjected to audio analysis (see Table 1), converted into magnetic recording data by referring to information in the storage circuit 64 (see Table 2), and transmitted to the control circuit 1. Has a function.

Here, as an example of retrieving and recording place name data by voice input, the storage circuit 64 stores place name information for search and corresponding place name data for magnetic recording. The digital signal processing circuit 63
Searches the search place name information in the storage circuit 64 using the obtained digital audio information as a search key, and if a match is found, performs an operation of reading the corresponding magnetic record place name data.

When an instruction to turn on power is sent from the control circuit 1 by a power control signal, the power control circuit 65 supplies power to each circuit in the audio input circuit 42,
On the other hand, when an instruction to turn off the power is sent, the operation is performed to stop the power supply to each circuit.

In the state where the power supply is stopped,
Since power consumption in each circuit in the voice input circuit 42 can be suppressed to zero, and when voice input is unnecessary in the camera sequence, the voice input is reduced in order to reduce power consumption (energy saving). The power supply to the circuit 42 is preferably turned off.

Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a series of operations after a battery is loaded into the camera. These are originally one drawing, but are divided into two drawings for convenience of description.

When a battery serving as a power supply is loaded into the camera, power is supplied to the control circuit 1 so that the control circuit 1 is power-on reset and starts a series of operations.

First, it is determined whether the main operation member 45 is set to the ON position or the OFF position by checking the state of the main switch 46 (step S1).

If the main switch 46 is off, a subroutine "Initialize" is executed (step S2). This subroutine mainly includes the lens barrel 5
2 is driven to a storage position (for example, a retracted position).

Thereafter, the operation state of the circuit in the camera is set to the low power consumption state (energy saving state), and the operation waits until the main switch 46 is turned on (step S3).
This low power consumption state is realized by stopping the operation clock of the control circuit 1 and cutting off the power supply to other circuits.

In this low power consumption state, the control circuit 1 stops operating, but it is possible to detect only a change in the state of the main switch 46. If the photographer operates the main operation member 45, When the main switch 46 is changed from off to on by operating to the on position, the low power consumption state is released and normal operation is started.

In step S1 or S3, if it is detected that the main switch 46 is turned on, the initial winding (idling) of the film 5 is performed based on the information from the film feeding state detecting circuit 24. It is checked whether the state has been completed (step S4).

If the idle feeding has not yet been completed (that is, the state where the film cartridge 3 is loaded and the camera back cover or the like is closed), a subroutine "initial feeding" for initial winding of the film 5 is performed. Is performed (step S5).

If step S5 is completed or if it is determined in step S4 that the idle feeding has already been completed, the main flash in the flash circuit 26 is controlled based on the information from the flash circuit 26. It is determined whether or not the charging of the capacitor has been completed (step S6).

If the charging is not completed,
By executing the subroutine "Strobe Charge",
The charge for light emission is stored in the strobe main capacitor (step S7).

If this step S7 is completed, or if it is determined in step S6 that the charging of the strobe main capacitor has already been completed, the port P to which the phototransistor 55b is connected is connected.
By checking the state of No. 2, it is determined whether or not the photographer is observing through the eyepiece 54 (step S8).

Here, when the port P2 is high, it is determined that the photographer is observing through the eyepiece 54 of the viewfinder (that is, the photographing preliminary operation is being performed). The process proceeds to step S13 described later.

On the other hand, if the port P2 is low, it is determined that the photographer is not observing through the eyepiece 54, and then the electrode 56a of the grip sensor 56 is connected. The state of the port P3 that has been checked is checked (step S9).

If the port P3 is high, it is determined that the photographer is not holding the grip 51, and the process proceeds to step S10 described later.

On the other hand, when the port P3 is low, it can be determined that the photographer is gripping the grip portion 51 (that is, the photographing preliminary operation is being performed). The process proceeds to step S13 described below.

Whether the photographer is observing through the eyepiece 54 of the finder, or
If it is determined that the user is holding the power supply 1, the power supply control circuit 65 is instructed to supply power to each circuit in the voice input circuit 42 (step S13).

Thereafter, a subroutine "voice input" is executed (step S14). This subroutine performs a process of taking in magnetic recording data from the digital signal processing circuit 63 in the audio input circuit 42.

As a result of executing the subroutine "voice input" in step S14, it is determined whether or not magnetic recording data has been input (step S15). If no magnetic recording data has been input (for example, a predetermined If the photographer did not speak after a while,
Or if you could n’t perform voice recognition due to noise, etc.)
The process proceeds to step S11 described below.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that there is a voice input, the flow advances to step S16 to execute a subroutine "data setting" for setting data based on the magnetic recording format.

The operation of this subroutine is to convert the data sent from the audio input circuit 42 into a magnetic recording format. As a result, a drive for driving the magnetic head 48 via the magnetic recording circuit 47 is performed. A signal is generated.

After the subroutine "data setting" is completed, the process proceeds to step S11 described later.

Further, step S8 and step S8
If it is determined by the check in step 9 that the photographer has not observed the viewfinder and has not gripped the grip portion 51, it is determined that the photographing preparatory operation has not been started, and the above-described power supply control is performed in order to save power. It instructs the circuit 65 to cut off the power supply to each circuit in the audio input circuit 42 (step S10). Therefore, even if a voice is uttered in this state, the camera does not generate the data for magnetic recording.

If either of steps S10 and S16 is completed, or if it is determined in step S15 that no sound has been input, the state of the zoom detection switch 35 is checked and the photographer is checked. It is determined whether or not is operating the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 (step S11).

When the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 are operated, a subroutine "zoom" is executed (step S12).

The subroutine "zoom" in step S12 is performed by the zoom motor drive circuit 36 in response to the operation of the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29.
Is driven to change the focal length of the photographing optical system.

If the subroutine "zoom" in step S12 is completed, or if it is determined in step S11 that the zoom operation buttons 28 and 29 have not been operated, the process proceeds to FIG. The state of the detection switch 33 is checked to determine whether or not the release button 32 is half-pressed (step S20).

Here, the first release detection switch 33
If is not turned on, the photographer has no intention to perform photographing, and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, when the first release detection switch 33 is turned on, a subroutine "DX code reading" is executed, and the ISO sensitivity information and the like of the loaded film 5 are read from the DX code input circuit 2. Read (step S21).

Next, the distance measuring circuit 8 is operated to detect the subject distance, and a subroutine "ranging" for driving the focus lens 21 to the in-focus position is executed based on the information (step S22). .

When the focus lens 21 stops at the in-focus position, the control circuit 1 outputs a drive control signal in response to a detection signal from the focus lens position detection circuit 25, and the focus motor drive circuit 20 controls the focus motor 22. Is controlled by controlling

Subsequently, a subroutine "photometry" for operating the ambient light measurement circuit 14 to detect the luminance of the object is performed.
Is executed (step S23).

Then, the second release detection switch 34
Is checked, and it is determined whether or not the release button 32 is fully pressed (step S24).

If the second release detection switch 34 is not turned on, it is determined again whether the first release detection switch 33 is turned on (step S).
31) If it is determined that the first release detection switch 33 is not turned on, the photographer presses the release button 3
Since the finger has been released from Step 2, the process directly returns to Step S1.

On the other hand, if the first release detection switch 33 remains on in step S31,
Since the photographer has continued to half-press the release button 32, the photographer returns to step S24 again and returns to step S24.
It waits for the second release detection switch 34 to be turned on.

Thus, in the above step S24,
If it is detected that the second release detection switch 34 has been turned on, a subroutine "exposure" is executed (step S25).

In the subroutine "exposure", the control circuit 1 outputs a drive control signal to the shutter control circuit 16 based on the photometry result in step S23 while checking the state of the sector position detection switch 19. The shutter control circuit 16 drives the plunger 18 to open and close the sector shutter 17 (that is, perform an exposure operation).

After the exposure operation on the film 5 is completed, the subroutine "1 frame winding" is executed to drive the film feed motor 6 to generate a drive control signal for winding up the film 5 by one frame. The output is output to the film feeding circuit 4 (step S26). At this time, whether or not the film 5 has been wound by one frame is determined based on the output signal of the film feeding state detecting circuit 24.

During the feeding of the film 5 in the subroutine "1 frame winding" in the subroutine of step S26, the above-described magnetic recording data is transmitted to the magnetic recording circuit 47 and the magnetic head 48 by a known technique. Be recorded.

Next, it is determined whether or not the film end has been reached (step S27). If it is not the film end, the process returns to the step S1, and if it has reached the film end, the subroutine "rewind" is executed. By executing, the film 5 is stored in the film cartridge 3 (step S28).

After the subroutine "rewind" in step S28 is completed, the subroutine "initialize" similar to step S2 is executed again to return the camera to the initial state (step S29). Wait for reloading (step S3
0).

Note that unless the film cartridge 3 is reloaded, the state does not return from the state of step S30. Then, after reloading is performed, the above-described step S1 is performed.
To return to.

Next, the operation of the digital signal processing circuit 63 in the audio input circuit 42 will be described in detail.

As described above, the digital signal processing circuit 6
The third function is to output to the control circuit 1 magnetic recording data corresponding to the digital audio information A / D converted by the A / D conversion circuit 62.

As a specific example, if the photographer is "Kyoto"
, The data in the storage circuit 64 is searched using the voice input data as a search key, and if there is a match, the magnetic recording data “00” stored correspondingly
010111 ”is read from the storage circuit 64 and transmitted to the control circuit 1.

Table 1 shows an example of the relationship between the input audio information and the corresponding magnetic recording data.
This will be specifically described with reference to Table 2 and Table 2. Note that these tables show sightseeing spot data for all over Japan as an example.

[0095]

[Table 1]

[Table 2]

Here, Table 1 shows the A / D corresponding to the input voice.
Table 2 shows the converted data, and Table 2 shows the magnetic recording place name data corresponding to the search place name data, using the A / D converted audio data as search place name data.

When a voice input as shown in the left column of Table 1 is performed, the voice is converted into an electric signal by the microphone 41, and then processed and converted into a digital signal. By performing voice analysis,
A / D conversion data as shown in the right column of Table 1 is obtained. Here, "H" at the end of the A / D conversion data indicates that it is a hexadecimal number.

Then, the A / D converted data is converted into magnetic recording data with reference to a data table in the storage circuit 64. Table 2 shows the contents of the data table at this time. The data for magnetic recording shown in the right column of this data table is represented by a binary number.

The operation flow of the digital signal processing circuit 63 will be described with reference to FIG.

When audio processing by the digital signal processing circuit 63 is started, first, the digital signal processing circuit 63 waits for input of digitized audio data from the A / D conversion circuit 62 (step S41). If there is, the voice data is temporarily stored (step S42).

Next, a subroutine "memory search" is executed to execute a search for reference data stored in the storage circuit 64 (step S43).

In this subroutine "memory search", search place name data stored in the storage circuit 64 as a data table, for example, as shown in Table 2 above, are sequentially read out and temporarily stored in step S42. This is to be compared with the audio data.

Then, it is determined whether or not reference data matching the voice data is found (step S44). If no matching data is found, there is no corresponding data or erroneous recognition of the voice information. Return to step S41.

If a match with the audio data is found in step S44, a subroutine "refer to magnetic recording data" is executed to store the magnetic recording data corresponding to the audio data in the storage circuit. 64 (step S45).

Subsequently, a subroutine "data transmission" is executed to transmit the read magnetic recording data to the control circuit 1 (step S46). Thereafter, the flow returns to step S41.

In the above description, since the storage circuit 64 composed of a non-volatile memory or the like in which magnetic recording data is stored is searched in accordance with the audio input data, the photographer can select the storage circuit 64 according to the purpose. It is necessary to prepare a memory in which the magnetic recording data is stored, that is, for example, a memory for a sightseeing spot, a memory for a message, and the like, and attach the memory to the camera before photographing.

On the other hand, as another means, an arrangement may be made wherein the input voice is recognized by voice and directly converted into text data.

That is, the digital signal processing circuit 63
In addition, the digital signal processing circuit 63 converts the speech data into text data as it is by providing a function of recognizing speech data and converting the speech data into text data. And output to the control circuit 1.

Various techniques for converting audio data into text data have been proposed or commercialized. Conventionally, the digital signal processing circuit 63 has:
Such techniques can be used as appropriate.

Since the nonvolatile memory element and the like used in the storage circuit 64 are expensive, preparing a plurality of memories storing various data places an economic burden on the photographer. If such a speech recognition technique is used, the storage circuit 64 becomes unnecessary, so that cost can be improved.

As described above, since text data is recorded on the magnetic recording section 5b of the film 5, even when the data is read by another device such as a general-purpose printer, There are advantages such as no need for a special conversion algorithm.

In the above description, a silver halide camera using a film having a magnetic recording unit has been described as an example of a camera for inputting character information by voice, but the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the present invention can be widely applied to an electronic camera (electronic still camera) using an image sensor such as a CCD, a video camera for recording a moving image, and the like.

Further, as the character information to be input by voice, a place name has been described above as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and means for inputting various character information such as a message, a title, and a comment. It is possible to apply as.

According to such an embodiment, since the input of character information conventionally performed by a keyboard or the like can be performed by voice, the operability is extremely good and simple. Since no external device is required, the portability of the camera is not impaired.

When the storage circuit is constituted by a removable non-volatile memory, character data to be input can be easily changed.

Further, if the voice inputted by the voice recognition is directly converted into text data, it is not necessary to store a plurality of memories for storing the data for conversion according to the purpose, which is economical for the photographer. The burden can be reduced. Furthermore, the advantage of data versatility by using text data can be enjoyed.

When the photographer is not performing the preliminary photographing operation, the power supply to the audio input circuit is cut off, so that effective power saving can be achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In a camera using a recording medium for recording an image, the recording medium further including an information recording section capable of recording information other than the image, a sound is inputted to the camera. Voice input means for outputting as information,
Conversion means for converting the audio information output from the audio input means into recording data, and recording means for recording the recording data converted by the conversion means in the information recording unit. Camera.

(2) The conversion means stores a plurality of the recording data corresponding to the voice information, and searches the recording data stored in the storage means based on the voice information. Search means, output means for outputting the recording data searched by the search means,
(1) The camera according to (1), further comprising:

(3) The camera according to (1), wherein the conversion means recognizes the voice information by voice, converts the voice information into text data, and uses the text data as recording data. .

(4) The camera according to (1), wherein the recording medium is a silver halide film, and the information recording section is a magnetic recording section.

(5) The recording medium is a digital recording medium, and the information recording section is a part of a recording area of the digital recording medium.
The camera according to.

Therefore, according to the invention described in the appendix (1), since the audio information is converted into recording data and recorded in the information recording section of the recording medium, the data is recorded. In this case, it is sufficient to input a voice, and recording can be performed conveniently without increasing the size of the camera.

According to the invention described in Appendix (2),
The present invention has the same effect as the invention described in Appendix (1), and since the recording data corresponding to the audio information is stored in the storage means, it is possible to quickly and easily search and output the recording data. .

Further, according to the invention described in the supplementary note (3), the same effect as that of the invention described in the supplementary note (1) can be obtained, and the voice information is converted into text data by voice recognition. This eliminates the need for storage means, thereby reducing the economic burden on the user. Furthermore, by using text data, recording data can be used for a wide range of purposes.

According to the invention described in the supplementary note (4), the same effect as that of the invention described in the supplementary note (1) can be obtained in a camera using a silver halide film provided with a magnetic recording portion.

According to the invention described in the supplementary note (5), the same effect as the invention described in the supplementary note (1) can be obtained in a camera that digitally records an image on a recording medium.

[0130]

As described above, according to the camera of the first aspect of the present invention, since audio information is converted into recording data and recorded in the information recording section of the recording medium, the data is When recording is to be performed, it is sufficient to input a voice, and the recording can be performed conveniently without increasing the size of the camera.

According to the camera of the second aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the recording data corresponding to the audio information is stored in the storage means. It is possible to quickly and easily search and output recording data.

Further, according to the camera of the third aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the voice information is converted to text data by voice recognition. No means is required, and the economic burden on the user can be reduced. Furthermore, by using text data, recording data can be used for a wide range of purposes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera according to the embodiment from the rear side.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a photographing preliminary operation detection circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the audio input circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the camera according to the embodiment after battery loading.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the camera according to the embodiment after the battery is loaded.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of audio processing by the digital signal processing circuit of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control circuit 5 ... Roll film (recording medium) 5b ... Magnetic recording part (information recording part) 41 ... Microphone (sound input means) 42 ... Sound input circuit (conversion means) 47 ... Magnetic recording circuit (recording means) 48 ... Magnetic head (recording means) 63 ... Digital signal processing circuit (retrieval means, output means) 64 ... Storage circuit (storage means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera using a recording medium for recording an image, the recording medium further comprising an information recording unit capable of recording information other than the image, wherein audio information is input to the camera. Voice input means for outputting the voice data, conversion means for converting voice information output from the voice input means into recording data, and recording means for recording the recording data converted by the conversion means in the information recording section. A camera comprising: 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit stores a plurality of the recording data corresponding to the audio information, and a search for searching the recording data stored in the storage unit based on the audio information. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: an output unit configured to output recording data retrieved by the retrieval unit. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said converting means converts the voice information into text data by performing voice recognition on the voice information, and uses the text data as recording data.
The camera according to.