JP2001186393A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store only sound component data in a flash memory and to prevent large time lag between the operation timing of a shutter release button and the generation timing of pseudo operation sound. SOLUTION: When a 'file' is selected in a menu, the file name of a sound file recorded in a magneto-optical disk 54 is detected and the detected file name is displayed on a monitor 28. When the desired sound file is selected among the displayed file names, the selected sound file is opened in an SDRAM 24 and sound component data is extracted from the sound file. Extracted sound component data is written into the take-in sound area 36b of a flash memory 36. Sound component data stored in the take-in sound area 36b is reproduced in response to the operation of the shutter release button 58 and pseudo operation sound is emitted from a speaker 44.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera which generates a pseudo operation sound in response to an operation of a shutter button.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional camera of this type has been developed in June 1999.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-168646 [H04N5 / 225] filed on Mar. 22, 1999 and Aug. 27, 1999
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-231399 [G03B17 / 18], which was published on the day of the publication. These prior arts attempt to generate a desired pseudo sound stored in a memory in response to an operation of a shutter button.

[0003]

However, if there is a difference between the operation timing of the shutter button and the generation timing of the sound, the operator may be confused, for example, may mistake the photographing timing by the sound. Would. For how to resolve such a time lag,
Neither of the above prior arts is disclosed.

[0004] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of minimizing the difference between the operation timing of the shutter button and the sound generation timing as much as possible.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a first instruction means for instructing the acquisition of an audio signal, an acquisition means for acquiring an audio signal in response to an instruction from the first instruction means, and an audio signal acquired by the acquisition means. Extracting means for extracting a sound component signal starting from a sound component, a memory means for storing a sound component signal extracted by the extracting means, a second instructing means for instructing photographing, and responding to an instruction from the second instructing means And a first reproducing unit for reproducing a sound component signal from the memory unit in response to an instruction of the second instruction unit.

[0006]

When the first instruction means instructs the capture of the audio signal, the capture means captures the audio signal. The extracting means extracts a sound component signal starting from the sound component from the audio signal taken in by the taking means, and the memory means stores the sound component signal extracted by the extracting means. When photographing is instructed by the second instruction means, the subject is photographed by the photographing means, and the sound component signal is reproduced from the memory means by the first reproducing means.
Since voiced audio is extracted from the captured audio signal,
The sound component is promptly reproduced in response to the photographing instruction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the audio signal is
This is an audio file created in a predetermined format. The capturing means includes a file reading means, and the extracting means includes a first sound component extracting means. Among them, the file reading means reads the audio file from the removable recording medium,
The first sound component extraction means extracts a sound component signal from the read audio file. The first sound component extracting means includes:
Preferably, a detection unit for detecting a sound component start position of the audio file is included.

In one aspect of the present invention, the capturing means includes a microphone, and the extracting means includes a second sound component extracting means. The microphone captures the external voice, and the second voice component extraction unit extracts a voice component signal from the external voice signal captured by the microphone. The recording means records, on a recording medium, an audio file of a predetermined format including the sound component signal extracted by the second sound component extraction means. The second sound component extracting means preferably includes a comparing means for comparing the level of the audio signal with a predetermined threshold.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when the reproduction of the sound component signal is instructed by the third instruction means, the third reproduction means outputs the sound component signal from the memory means without activating the photographing means. To play.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a sound component signal is extracted from a fetched sound signal, and the sound component signal is reproduced in response to a photographing instruction. The shift in the generation timing can be minimized.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0012]

Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes a CCD imager (image sensor) 12 having a color filter (not shown) mounted on a front surface thereof. The light is irradiated on the light receiving surface of the CCD imager 12 through the color filter.

When the operator sets the monitor on / off key 64 to the on state, the system controller 66
A corresponding status signal is provided to CPU 34. Then, CP
U34 instructs the timing generator (TG) 14 to perform thinning-out reading, and the TG 14 drives the CCD imager 12 in a thinning-out reading system. As a result, a low-resolution camera signal (pixel signal) corresponding to the subject image is
Output from the imager 12. The output camera signal is subjected to well-known noise removal and level adjustment by the CDS / AGC circuit 16, and then is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 18.

The CPU 34 also gives predetermined processing instructions to the signal processing circuit 20 and the video encoder 26. The signal processing circuit 20 performs processing such as color separation, white balance adjustment, and YUV conversion on the camera data provided through the A / D converter 18 to generate YUV data corresponding to the subject image. Then, the generated YUV data is output to the memory control circuit 22 together with the write request. The YUV data output from the signal processing circuit 20 is written to the SDRAM 34 by the memory control circuit 22. On the other hand, the video encoder 26 requests reading of the YUV data from the memory control circuit 22 in response to the processing command from the CPU 34, and converts the YUV data read by the memory control circuit 22 into an NTSC composite image signal. . The converted composite image signal is provided to the monitor 28 through the switch SW1, and as a result, a real-time moving image (through image) of the subject is displayed on the monitor 28.

The switch SW1 is connected to the character generator 40 at a predetermined timing when a character signal is output from the character generator 40. The character signal is mixed with the composite video signal by the switch SW1, and as a result, the corresponding character is displayed on the monitor 28 by OSD.

When the operator half-presses the shutter button 56, the system controller 66 provides the CPU 34 with a status signal indicating the half-press. Then, CPU
Reference numeral 34 adjusts shooting conditions such as a shutter speed and a white balance. When the operator fully presses the shutter button 56, a state signal indicating full press is given from the system controller 66 to the CPU 34. The CPU 34 performs the following photographing and recording processing in response to the state signal.

The CPU 34 first instructs the TG 14 to photograph a subject at an optimum shutter speed and to read all photoelectrically converted pixel signals. As a result, a high-resolution camera signal corresponding to the still image at the time when the shutter button 56 is operated is output from the CCD imager 12. The output camera signal is subjected to the same processing as described above, and high-resolution YUV data is secured in the SDRAM 24.

The CPU 34 reads predetermined audio data from the flash memory 36 immediately after instructing the TG 14 to take a picture, and outputs the read audio data to the D / A converter 42. The audio data is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter, and the converted audio signal is output from the speaker 44. That is, almost at the same time when the shutter button 56 is fully pressed, a predetermined pseudo operation sound is emitted from the speaker 44.

Subsequently, the CPU 34 gives a compression command to the JPEG codec 38. JPEG codec 3
8 responds to this compression instruction and causes the memory control circuit 22 to
Request reading of UV data. When reading is requested, the memory control circuit 22
One frame of high-resolution YUV data secured in M24, that is, one screen of still image data is read. The read still image data is supplied to the JPEG codec 38 and subjected to JPEG compression. When the compressed image data (JPEG signal) is thus generated, the JPEG codec 38 supplies the compressed image data to the memory control circuit 22 together with a write request. Therefore, the compressed image data is also stored in the SDRAM 24.

When the compressed image data is stored in the SDRAM 24, the CPU 34 gives a recording command to the disk controller 46. The disk controller 46 requests the memory control circuit 22 to read compressed image data in response to the recording command, and takes in the compressed image data read by the memory control circuit 22. Then, the optical pickup 50 and the recording head 52 are driven to record the compressed image data on a removable magneto-optical disk 54 such as an AS-MO. When the recording process is completed, the CPU 3
4 performs the through image display processing again, and as a result, the through image is displayed on the monitor 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the flash memory 36 has a default audio area 36a and a fetched audio area 36a.
b is formed. The default audio area 36a is an area for storing default audio data prepared in advance, and this default audio data is not updated by another audio data. On the other hand, the captured voice area 36b is an area for storing voice data captured later by the operator. When the operator takes in audio data from outside through the microphone 30 and the A / D converter 32, or takes in an audio file reproduced from the magneto-optical disk 54 and reads out the audio data from this file, the audio data is taken out. It is written in the embedded voice area 36b. That is, the voice data in the captured voice area 36b is arbitrarily changed by the operation of the operator.

As described above, since two types of voice data, the default voice and the captured voice, are stored in the flash memory 36, it is up to the operator to select which voice is to be generated from the speaker 44. Furthermore, since there is a case in which it is not desired to generate any sound, the generation / non-generation of the pseudo operation sound is also left to the selection of the operator.

The specific processing of the CPU 34 relating to the pseudo operation sound will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11 are executed when the mode key 60 is pressed and a corresponding state signal is input from the system controller 66.

First, the CPU 34 controls the character generator 40 and the switch SW1 in step S1.
A menu screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the monitor 28 by OSD. The menu screen is a screen for setting whether or not to generate a pseudo operation sound, in which items of “operation sound generation” and “non-operation sound generation” and a cursor pointing to one of the items are displayed. Here, if the operator operates the cursor key 62, the CPU 34 proceeds to step S3.
Is determined as YES, and the cursor is moved to a desired position in step S5. Then, the process returns to step S3. on the other hand,
When the operator presses the set key 58, the CPU 34 determines YES in step S7, and determines the item to which the cursor points in step S11.

If the cursor points to "operation sound generation", the CPU 34 determines YES in step S11,
In step S13, the operation sound flag 34a is set, and in step S15, operation sound selection processing is performed. On the other hand, if the cursor is pointing to "no operation sound", the CPU 34 determines NO in step S9, and resets the operation sound flag 34a in step S15. After ending the processing in step S15 or S17, the CPU 34 returns to step S3. When the mode key 60 is pressed after a desired setting state regarding the pseudo operation sound is obtained, the CPU
34 determines YES in step S19, and ends the process.

The CPU 34 processes the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 in step S15. First, in step S21, the character generator 40 and the switch S
By controlling W1, the menu screen shown in FIG. The four menu items that can be selected are "microphone", "file", "default", and "listening". Of these, "microphone", "file" and "default" are selected by operating the cursor key 62 and the set key 58, and "listening" is selected by operating the shutter button 56.

After displaying such a menu screen, C
The PU 34 performs steps S23, S27, S29 and S
Cursor key 62, set key 5
8. It is determined whether or not the shutter button 56 and the mode key 60 have been operated.

When the cursor key 62 is operated, the CP
U34 proceeds from step S23 to step S25, and moves the cursor to a desired position. And step S
Return to 23. When the set key 58 is operated, the CPU
34 determines YES in step S27 and returns to step S3
In steps 9 and S41, it is determined which item has been selected. When the set key 58 is pressed with the cursor pointing at "microphone", the CPU 34 determines that "microphone" has been selected and performs steps S45 to S59.
Then, the process returns to step S23. On the other hand, if the set key 58 is pressed with the cursor pointing at "file", the CPU 34 determines that "file" has been selected and performs steps S61 to S79. Then, the process returns to step S23. On the other hand, when the set key 58 is pressed while the cursor is pointing at “default”, the CPU
34 determines that "default" has been selected, and sets a default flag 34b in step S43. Then, the process returns to step S23.

When the shutter button 56 is pressed, CP
U34 determines YES in step S29, and proceeds to step S29.
At 31, the state of the default flag 34b is determined. If the default flag 34b is set, the default audio data stored in the default audio area 36a is reproduced in step S33, and the process returns to step S23. On the other hand, if the default flag 34b is in the reset state, the audio data stored in the captured audio area 36b is reproduced in step S35, and the process returns to step S23. That is, by pressing the shutter button 56, it is possible to test what kind of pseudo operation sound is reproduced.

When the mode key 60 is pressed, the CPU 3
In step S4, YES is determined in step S37, and the process returns to the routine shown in FIG.

When the process proceeds to step S45 in FIG. 9 by selecting "microphone", the CPU 34 first determines whether or not the shutter button 56 has been pressed.
In step S47, external audio data is fetched through the microphone 30 and the A / D converter 32. Then, the level of the fetched external audio data is compared with a predetermined threshold value in step S49. Here, if the audio level is below the threshold,
The CPU 34 returns to step S47 without performing the processing after step S51. On the other hand, if the audio level exceeds the threshold, the CPU 34 writes this audio data in the audio area 36b in step S51. Through the processing in steps S49 and S51, sound component data is extracted from the external sound data, and the extracted sound component data is stored in the captured sound area 36b.

The CPU 34 then proceeds to a shutter button 56
In step S53, it is determined whether or not the pressed state has been released, and in step S55, it is determined whether or not the written audio data amount (the sound component data amount) has reached the capacity of the capture audio area 36b. Then, step S5
If NO in both Step 3 and S55, Step S
Returning to step S47, if either one is YES, the process proceeds to step S57. Therefore, if the shutter button 56 is kept pressed and the remaining capacity of the set sound area 36b is sufficient, the writing of the sound component data is continued. on the other hand,
When the finger is released from the shutter button 56 or the set sound area 36b becomes full, the writing is completed.

In step S57, the setting voice area 36b
Audio data (sound component data) written in
The audio file is stored in a format audio file, and the audio file is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 54. According to the WAV format, management information such as data size is stored in a header of a file, and audio data is stored after the header. Such an audio file is created on the SDRAM 24 and thereafter recorded on the magneto-optical disk 54 by the disk controller 46. When recording of the audio file is completed,
The CPU 34 returns to the step S23 through the reset processing of the default flag 34b in the step S59.
When the default flag 34b is reset, the content is reproduced at the time of the trial listening because of the above-described processing.
6b is the sound component data written in 6b.

When the process proceeds to step S61 in FIG. 10 by selecting the "file", the CPU 34 first performs an audio file selection process. By this selection processing, a desired audio file is reproduced from the magneto-optical disk 54,
It is stored in the RAM 24. The audio file to be played is W
Although the file conforms to the AV format, the file is not limited to the audio file created in steps S45 to S59 described above. That is, the audio file may be a WAV format audio file created by a general-purpose processing device such as a personal computer.

In step S63, the pointer 1 is placed at the end of the header of the audio file stored in the SDRAM 24. In the following step S65, it is determined whether or not sound component data exists at the pointing destination of the pointer 1. This determination is made by comparing the audio data level with a predetermined threshold.
If the data existing at the pointing destination of the pointer 1 is a silent component, the CPU 34 determines NO in step S65, and advances the pointer 1 by a predetermined byte in step S67.
Then, the process returns to step S65. On the other hand, if there is a sound component at the pointing destination of the pointer 1, the CPU 34 proceeds to step S
It is determined YES at 65 and the process proceeds to step S69. When the audio file as shown in FIG. 3 is developed on the SDRAM 24, the pointer 1 is arranged at the head position of the sound component when YES is determined in step S65.

In step S69, the pointer 2 is located at a position advanced by a predetermined byte from the current position of the pointer 1.
Subsequently, in step S71, it is determined whether or not the data existing at the pointing destination of the pointer 2 is a silent component, and whether or not the amount of data between the pointers 1 and 2 has reached the capacity of the capture audio area 36b. Is determined in step S73. The determination in step S71 is made by comparing the audio data level with a predetermined threshold. Steps S71 and S
If any of 73 is NO, the CPU 34 advances the pointer 2 by a predetermined byte in step S75, and returns to step S71.

On the other hand, steps S71 and S7
If YES is determined for one of the three, the CPU 34 proceeds to step S77 and writes the audio data (sound component data) between the pointers 1 and 2 into the capture audio area 36b. That is, the sound component data included in the audio file is extracted by the processing of steps S65 to S77,
It is stored in the captured voice area 36b.

If the sound component data amount of the audio file shown in FIG. 3 is less than the capacity of the captured audio area 36b, the CPU
When the pointer 2 moves to the position shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S77, and the valid voice data shown in FIG. 34 is written in the capture voice area 36b. When writing is completed, CP
U34 resets the default flag 34b in step S79, and returns to step S23.

In step S61, a subroutine shown in FIG. 11 is processed. The CPU first proceeds to step S81.
Then, based on the management information recorded on the magneto-optical disk 54, the file name of the audio file recorded on the disk is detected. Next, a file list including the detected voice file name is displayed on the monitor 28 in step S83 by OSD.
indicate. A plurality of file names and a cursor pointing to any one of the file names are displayed on the monitor 28 in the manner shown in FIG. Subsequently, the CPU 34 determines in step S85 whether the cursor key 62 has been operated, and determines in step S89 whether the set key 58 has been operated.

When the cursor key 62 is operated, the cursor is moved in step S87, and then in step S8.
Return to 5. On the other hand, if the set key 58 has been operated, the flow advances to step S91 to instruct the disk controller 46 to reproduce the audio file pointed by the cursor. At this time, the disk controller 46 drives the optical pickup 50 to reproduce a desired audio file from the optical disk 54, and provides the reproduced audio file to the memory control circuit 22 together with a write request. As a result, the desired audio file is stored in the SDR by the memory control circuit 22.
Expanded to AM24. Upon completion of the process in the step S91, the process returns to the routine shown in FIG.

The processing shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 is an interrupt routine started in response to the operation of the mode key 60. Unless such an interrupt routine is processed, the flow shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described. The figure is processed.

First, the CPU 34 determines whether or not the monitor on / off key 64 has been set to the "on" side in step S101. When a determination result of YES is obtained, a through image display process is performed in step S103. Specifically, while instructing the TG 14 to perform thinning-out reading,
A predetermined processing instruction is given to the signal processing circuit 20 and the video encoder 26. As a result, the through image is displayed on the monitor 28.
Will be displayed.

The CPU 34 then proceeds to the shutter button 56
It is determined in step S105 whether or not has been pressed halfway. If “NO” here, the process in step S105 is repeated. If “YES”, the shooting conditions such as the shutter speed and the white balance are adjusted in step S107. When the adjustment of the shooting conditions is completed, the CPU 34 proceeds to step S
At 109, it is determined whether the shutter button 56 has been pressed or released, and at step S111, it is determined whether the shutter button 56 has been fully pressed. And
When the pressing of the shutter button 56 is released, step S1 is performed.
Returning to step S05, when the shutter button 56 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S113. Unless the shutter button 56 is fully pressed, a through image is continuously displayed on the monitor 28.

When the process proceeds to step S113 in response to the full depression of the shutter button 56, the CPU 34 instructs the TG 14 to read all pixels. In response to this command, the TG 14 switches the driving method of the CCD imager 12 from thinning-out reading to all-pixel reading, and stops reading when one frame of camera signal is output from the CCD imager 12. After instructing reading of all pixels, the CPU 34 determines the state of the operation sound flag 34a in step S115. If the operation sound flag 34a is in the reset state, the process directly proceeds to step S123, and the recording process of the photographed subject image is performed. That is, since the YUV data (still image data) corresponding to the camera signal read out from all the pixels is secured in the SDRAM 24, the JPEG codec 38 and the disk controller are used to compress the still image data and record the compressed image data. Provide compression and recording instructions to each of the 46. As a result, a WAV format image file containing the compressed image data is recorded in the magneto-optical disk 54. Upon completion of the recording process, the CPU 34 returns to step S101. As a result, the through image is displayed on the monitor 28 again.

On the other hand, in step S115, the operation sound flag 3
If it is determined that 4a is set, the CPU 34
Determines the state of the default flag 34b in step S117. If the default flag 34b is set, the flow advances to step S119 to reproduce the default audio data written in the default audio area 36a. On the other hand, if the default flag 34b is in the reset state, the process proceeds to step S121, where the capture audio area 36b
The audio data (valid audio data) written in is reproduced. Therefore, a pseudo operation sound according to the menu setting of the operator is output from the speaker 44. Step S119
Alternatively, when the processing of S121 is completed, the CPU 34 performs the above-described captured image recording processing in step S123, and then returns to step S101.

As can be understood from the above description, when "microphone" is selected from the menu shown in FIG. 5 and the shutter button 56 is pressed, external sounds are output from the microphones 30 and A.
The audio data is fetched through the / D converter 32 and the voiced data is extracted from the fetched audio data. The extracted sound component data is written into the fetched audio area 36b of the flash memory 36, and is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 54 through a process of converting the audio file into a WAV audio file. On the other hand, when "File" is selected from the menu, the file name of the audio file recorded on the magneto-optical disk 54 is displayed as shown in FIG. 6, and when the desired audio file is selected, the desired audio file is selected. Sound component data is extracted from the audio file. Then, the extracted sound component data is written into the captured audio area 36b. When "microphone" or "file" is selected, the default flag 34b is reset, whereby the audio data in the captured audio area 36b is validated.

On the other hand, when "default" is selected from the menu, a default flag 34b is set, and
Thereby, the audio data written in the default audio area 36a at the time of manufacturing is validated. The audio data thus activated is output from the speaker 44 in response to the operation of the shutter button 58 when photographing the subject. That is, audio data captured from the microphone 30, audio data read from the magneto-optical disk 54,
Alternatively, audio data prepared from the beginning is emitted from the speaker 44.

According to this embodiment, when a voice is captured from a microphone or a removable recording medium, a sound component is extracted from the captured voice, and only the extracted voice component is stored in the memory. Therefore, a large time lag does not occur between the operation timing of the shutter button and the generation timing of the pseudo operation sound.

In this embodiment, when extracting the sound component data from the audio data taken in from the microphone and the audio data included in the audio file expanded in the SDRAM, both the head part and the end part of the audio data are extracted. Is removed, but in order to eliminate the time lag described above, it is sufficient to remove only the silent component at the beginning. In other words, the above-described time lag can be eliminated by extracting the audio data starting from the voiced portion and storing it in the captured audio region.

Further, as the pseudo operation sound reproduced in this embodiment, in addition to a cry of an animal and a shout of a person, a shutter sound generated by a silver halide camera of various camera manufacturers can be considered.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flash memory.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a structure of an audio file in a WAV format;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing one example of a menu screen displayed on a monitor;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing another example of the menu screen displayed on the monitor;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing one example of a file list displayed on a monitor;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera 12 ... CCD imager 22 ... Memory control circuit 24 ... SDRAM 26 ... Video encoder 28 ... Monitor 30 ... Microphone 34 ... CPU 36 ... Flash memory 54 ... Magneto-optical disk

Claims (6)

[Claims] A first instruction unit for instructing the acquisition of an audio signal; an acquisition unit for acquiring the audio signal in response to an instruction of the first instruction unit; a sound from the audio signal acquired by the acquisition unit; Extraction means for extracting a sound component signal starting from a component; memory means for storing the sound component signal extracted by the extraction means; second instruction means for instructing photographing; responsive to an instruction from the second instruction means A camera comprising: a photographing unit for photographing a subject by means of a camera; and a first reproducing unit for reproducing the sound component signal from the memory unit in response to an instruction from the second instruction unit. 2. The audio signal is an audio file created in a predetermined format, the capturing means includes a file reading means for reading the audio file from a removable recording medium, and the extracting means comprises: The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a first sound component extracting unit that extracts a sound component signal. 3. The camera according to claim 3, wherein said first sound component extracting means includes a detecting means for detecting a sound component start position of the audio file. 4. The capturing means includes a microphone for capturing external sound, the extracting means further includes a second sound component extracting means for extracting the sound component signal from an external sound signal captured by the microphone, 4. The camera according to claim 3, further comprising a recording unit that records the audio file of the predetermined format including the sound component signal extracted by the second sound component extraction unit on the recording medium. 5. 5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein said second sound component extracting means includes a comparing means for comparing a level of said audio signal with a predetermined threshold value. 6. A third instruction means for instructing reproduction of said sound component signal, and in response to an instruction of said third instruction means, said memory means is provided with said audio component without activating said photographing means. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising third reproducing means for reproducing a signal.