JP2002218366A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video camera in which retrieval information can be made to correspond to each other between a memory card and a magnetic tape, even when the memory card is exchanged. SOLUTION: Number specific to a memory card 16, i.e., a card ID, and a tape ID assigned to each tape cassette are recorded on a magnetic tape 11. Folders for respective tape IDs are prepared in the memory card 16. A video at starting of recording of a dynamic image at a deck section DK is recorded as a thumbnail image for retrieval in the folder and positional information of the magnetic tape 11 at the starting of recording is recorded in correspondence with the thumbnail image. When the thumbnail image is displayed and selected, the magnetic tape 11 is searched for program head, based on the positional information of the magnetic tape 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera that captures an image with a camera and records the image on a magnetic tape, and more particularly to a video camera that can quickly search for an image recorded on a magnetic tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various proposals have been made for a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information by using a magnetic tape for facilitating retrieval of recorded information (program). As an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-57440 discloses that search information of a tape cassette is recorded using a removable IC memory card. Even in a video camera that captures an image with a camera, records the image on a magnetic tape, and reproduces the image, by employing this type of search method, it is possible to easily search for the image recorded on the magnetic tape.

[0003]

When a video camera is configured to record search information of video recorded on a magnetic tape on a removable IC memory card, the capacity of the memory card is limited. When the memory card is replaced, how to associate the memory card with the search information becomes a problem.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. Even when a memory card is exchanged, the memory card can be associated with the search information of the magnetic tape, and the video recorded on the magnetic tape can be reproduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video camera capable of quickly searching.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a camera unit (1-3) for photographing a subject image, and a tape cassette for photographing the subject image by the camera unit. Magnetic tape (11) stored in the box
A deck section (7 to 10) for recording and playing back as a moving image on the
A video camera comprising a card recording / reproducing unit (12 to 15) for recording and reproducing a subject image taken by the camera unit as a still image or a moving image on a removable memory card (16) as the still image or moving image. A card I for recording and reproducing a card ID, which is a unique number of each memory card loaded in the card recording / reproducing section, on the magnetic tape.
D recording and reproducing means, and for each of the individual memory cards,
Tape ID recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing a tape ID assigned to each tape cassette loaded in the deck section on the magnetic tape, and providing the card recording / reproducing section with the tape ID on the memory card. Folder creation means for creating each folder, thumbnail image recording and playback means for recording and playing back a video at the start of recording when the moving image is recorded by the deck unit as a search thumbnail image in the folder, Tape position information recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing the position information of the magnetic tape at the start corresponding to the thumbnail image,
A thumbnail image display control means (4, 5, 17, 18) for displaying one or a plurality of thumbnail images from a folder corresponding to a tape ID of a tape cassette loaded in the deck portion of the memory card; A selection unit for selecting one of a plurality of thumbnail images; and a cueing unit for cueing the magnetic tape based on position information of the magnetic tape corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the selection unit. Control means (5,
8) is provided, and a video camera is provided.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a video camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the video camera of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial block diagram showing an embodiment of the video camera of the present invention.
5 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the video camera of the present invention.

<Movie Recording / Reproducing Operation> First, a recording / reproducing operation for recording a moving image photographed by a camera on a magnetic tape or reproducing a moving image recorded on a magnetic tape will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, white arrows indicate the flow of the video signal, and solid arrows indicate the flow of the control signal. In FIG. 1, illustration of the flow of the audio signal is omitted. The subject image coming from the lens 1 is formed on a charge-coupled device (CCD) 2. CCD2
The photographed image output from the above is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 3 and input to the image processing DSP 4.
DSP is an abbreviation for Digital Signal Processor.
The lens 1 to the A / D converter 3 constitute a camera unit CM.

When an instruction to record a moving image (recording) is given by the operation unit 6, the instruction signal is input to the central processing microcomputer 5. The central processing microcomputer 5 is a control unit that controls the entire video camera. The central processing microcomputer 5 supplies the image processing DSP 4 and the deck control microcomputer 8 with a control signal indicating that a moving image recording instruction has been issued. The deck control microcomputer 8 is a control unit that controls a deck unit DK that records and reproduces information on and from the magnetic tape 11.

The image processing DSP 4 converts the digital signal input from the A / D converter 3 into a luminance (Y) signal and a color difference (RY, BY) signal, and also performs AGC (automatic gain control). , Gamma correction, setup, etc., and input to a DV signal processing DSP 7.
In the present embodiment, a video camera based on the DV standard is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The DV signal processing DSP 7 performs compression processing, shuffling processing, and the like on the input signal, and also adds various control data such as tracking information, information on a subcode area, information on an audio recording format, time code, and date and time information. , DV format signals to the pre-recording amplifier 9.

The pre-recording amplifier 9 NRZI-modulates the input signal and supplies it to a plurality of heads 10. The head 10 is mounted on a rotating drum (not shown). Here, for simplification, only one head 10 is shown. The signal supplied to the head 10 is recorded on a magnetic tape 11 wound around a rotating drum.
The information is sequentially recorded as a track 11a. DV signal processing D
SP7 to the head 10 constitute a deck section DK.

On the other hand, the operation unit 6 controls the magnetic tape 11.
When an instruction to reproduce information recorded in the head is issued, the head 1
The signal from 0 is amplified by the pre-recording amplifier 9 and input to the DV signal processing DSP 7. DV signal processing D
The SP 7 subjects the input signal to decompression processing, deshuffling processing, and the like, and supplies it to the image processing DSP 4, and supplies the above-described various control data to the deck control microcomputer 8. The image processing DSP 4 converts the Y signal, the RY, and the BY signals into a component signal or a composite signal of the Y signal and the color (C) signal, and inputs the signal to the D / A converter 17.

A D / A converter 17 converts an input signal into an analog signal, and an AV output section 18 outputs a video signal and an audio signal. The control data input to the deck control microcomputer 8 is input to the central processing microcomputer 5. Among the control data, a time code, date and time information, and the like are input to the image processing DSP 4 as display information and are superimposed on a video signal.

<Still Image Recording / Reproducing Operation> In the video camera of the present invention, when a moving image recording instruction is given by the operation unit 6, the captured initial image (video at the start of recording) is stored in the memory card 16 as a still image. I try to record it. As described above, when an instruction signal for moving image recording is input from the operation unit 6 to the central processing microcomputer 5, the central processing microcomputer 5 supplies a control signal to the still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14 to perform still image recording. . The still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14 is a control unit that controls a still image recording / reproduction unit SC that records and reproduces a still image on the memory card 16.

The Y signal generated by the image processing DSP 4 and the R signal
The −Y and BY signals are input to the still image DSP 12.
The video signal input to the still image DSP 12
M13, the still image DSP 12 is stored in the SDRAM 1
3 is subjected to a JPEG compression process, and R, G,
It is supplied to the still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14 as a B signal. The still image recording / reproducing control microcomputer 14 sends a JP to the memory card 16 via the interface (I / F) unit 15.
Write the EG still image file. Still image DSP12 ~
The I / F unit 15 forms a still image recording / reproducing unit SC.

On the other hand, the memory card 1 is
When an instruction to reproduce the still image recorded in 6 is issued, the still image file is input to the still image DSP 12 via the I / F unit 15 and the still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14. The still image input to the still image DSP 12 is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 1
3, the still image DSP 12 subjects the still image from the SDRAM 13 to JPEG decompression processing,
Enter 4 The image processing DSP 4 inputs the Y and C signals of the still image to the D / A converter 17. D / A converter 17
Converts an input signal into an analog signal,
Outputs a video signal of a still image.

Various control data such as the image size of the still image and the date and time information are returned from the still image DSP 12 to the still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14. The control data input to the still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14 is input to the central processing microcomputer 5. Among the control data, date and time information and the like are input to the image processing DSP 4 as display information and are superimposed on the video signal. The above-described still image is reproduced when the still image recorded on the memory card 16 is used as a thumbnail image for searching for a video recorded on the magnetic tape 11, as described later in detail.

In recent years, it has become common in video cameras to mount a memory card, record a still image (or a compressed moving image) on the memory card, and use it as a digital still camera. In the present embodiment, the memory card 16 for recording a still image as a thumbnail image for searching for a video recorded on the magnetic tape 11 is used exclusively for recording a search thumbnail image. When a memory card for recording a normal still image is also installed, two memory card insertion ports are provided,
As shown in FIG. 2, the memory card 16 is used exclusively for recording a search thumbnail image, and the memory card 16 'is used for normal still image recording.

As described above, the still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14 uses the initial image of the shot moving image as a still image as an I /
The data is recorded on the memory card 16 via the F section 15. Since a video camera is used as a digital still camera, when recording a normal still image, the normal still image is stored in an I / F.
The data is recorded on the memory card 16 'via the unit 15'.

<Magnetic Tape Search Information Recording Operation> In the video camera of the present invention, the tape I
D and a tape number are assigned, a folder is created in the memory card 16 for each tape ID, and the above-described still image as a thumbnail image is recorded in the folder. The magnetic tape 11 records a tape ID and a unique number (card ID) of the memory card 16. A memory card such as a multimedia card has a serial number, and the serial number is readable. In this embodiment, at least a part of the serial number is used as the card ID of the memory card 16. In this embodiment, as a preferred embodiment, the last four digits of the serial number are used as they are. If the last four digits are used, the ID is sufficient.

When the power is turned on, the central processing microcomputer 5 (still image recording / reproducing control microcomputer 14) reads the used maximum tape ID, the used maximum tape number and the card ID from the memory card 16. When the tape cassette is loaded, the central processing microcomputer 5 (deck control microcomputer 8)
The magnetic tape 11 is slightly rewound, and the tape ID and the card ID written on the magnetic tape 11 are read. If the tape ID or card ID could not be read,
Judging that this is a new tape cassette, the maximum tape I
D + 1 is assigned as the tape ID of the tape cassette. Then, the central processing microcomputer 5 (still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14) stores the tape I in the memory card 16.
Create folder D.

In FIG. 3, as an example, the folder 16F
The example which created 1,16F2 is shown. Folder 16
F1 is a folder of tape ID 0001, and folder 16F2 is a folder of tape ID 0002. Here, a state is shown in which the thumbnail images TN are recorded in the respective folders 16F1 and 16F2. This will be described later. The tape ID is assigned to each tape cassette for each memory card 16 (each card ID). Therefore, the first, second, third,...
No. 2, No. 3, No. 3, etc. Card IDs and tape IDs of a plurality of memory cards 16 may be recorded in one tape cassette.

The memory card 16 has a tape ID.
And a table 16T in which the table 16T is associated with the tape number. When the card ID read from the magnetic tape 11 and the card ID read from the memory card 16 match, the central processing microcomputer 5 sets the tape number corresponding to the tape ID read from the magnetic tape 11 in the table 16.
Read from T. If the tape cassette is a new tape cassette, the maximum tape number + 1 is assigned as the tape number of the tape cassette, and written in the table 16T. In the example of FIG. 3, the tape number of the tape ID 0010 is 2, which is the same as the tape number of the tape ID 0002. The reason will be described later.

As described above, when an instruction to record a moving image is given by the operation unit 6, a thumbnail image T of, for example, about 160 pixels in the horizontal direction × 120 pixels in the vertical direction is obtained from the image at the time of the start of shooting.
Generate N. The tape ID of the magnetic tape 11 is 0001
, The still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14
As shown in FIG. 3, the thumbnail image TN is written in the folder 16F1 of the tape ID 0001. The position information (time code) of the magnetic tape 11 managed by the deck control microcomputer 8 is input to the still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14 via the central processing microcomputer 5, and the time code TC at the start of shooting is determined by the thumbnail image TN Is written in association with. The tape ID and the card ID are continuously written (for example, on all tracks) in the subcode area 11a1 of the track 11a of the magnetic tape 11.

The recording of the thumbnail image TN to which the time code TC is added is performed every time the recording is started.
Note that the start of recording may be a case in which recording is started from a recording standby state in which recording is temporarily stopped with video being input from the camera unit CM.
The video from M may be interrupted, and the recording may be started from a recording stopped state in which the recording is completely stopped. Note that the former is preferable because the thumbnail images TN are generated in a considerably large number. When the memory card 16 is 8 Mbytes and one thumbnail image TN is 2 Kbytes, about 4000 scenes can be managed. Assuming that 20 scenes are recorded by one tape cassette, management of about 200 lines is possible.

Here, the reason why the same tape number is assigned to a plurality of tape IDs will be described. As described above, when the tape ID or the card ID cannot be read, it is determined that the tape cassette is a new tape cassette, and a new tape ID is assigned. For example, even if a used tape cassette is not started to be newly recorded immediately after recording is finished, it may be determined that the used tape cassette is a new tape cassette. In this case, a new tape ID is assigned to the magnetic tape 11 of the tape cassette, and a new tape number is assigned corresponding to the tape ID. In this state, one tape cassette has two tape IDs and tape numbers.

For example, if it is determined that a plurality of tape IDs exist in one tape cassette when reproducing the magnetic tape 11 of the tape cassette, the central processing microcomputer 5 (still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14) Moves the thumbnail image TN of the folder of another tape ID to the folder of one tape ID. In FIG. 4, a folder 16F2 of the tape ID 0002 and a tape ID 00
It is assumed that ten folders 16F10 have been created for the magnetic tape 11 of the same tape cassette. The still image recording / reproducing control microcomputer 14 has, for example, a tape ID 0
Thumbnail image TN in the folder 16F10 of 010
Is moved to the folder 16F2 of the tape ID 0002.

Then, the tape I in the table 16T
Rewrite the tape number of D0010 to 2, and
Are linked with the tape ID 0002 and the tape ID 0010. In the present embodiment, the tape I with the earlier recording date and time is used.
Folder 16F10 in folder 16F2 of smaller D
Although the thumbnail images TN within are grouped, the present invention is not limited to this. By doing so, useless folders can be eliminated, and control at the time of search becomes easy.

<Tape cueing operation> As described above, when the tape cassette is loaded, the central processing microcomputer 5 (deck control microcomputer 8) rewinds the magnetic tape 11 a little, and the tape written on the magnetic tape 11 Read the ID and card ID. Thus, the tape ID of the loaded tape cassette is determined. If the card ID of the memory card 16 matches the card ID read from the magnetic tape 11, the search thumbnail image TN can be read from the folder corresponding to the tape ID.

In response to an operation of a switch for instructing a search in the operation unit 6, one or more (for example, about six) thumbnail images TN for search are read from a folder corresponding to the tape ID. For example, if the tape ID is 0001, a thumbnail image TN as shown in FIG. The number given to the thumbnail image TN is provided for convenience in selecting the thumbnail image TN. The cursor in the initial state (displayed with hatching on the number) is located at the first thumbnail image TN. When a larger number of thumbnail images TN for search are stored, the thumbnail images TN may be sequentially displayed by turning the page.

The cursor is moved to the thumbnail image TN to be located, and the thumbnail image TN to be located is determined by pressing a switch or the like. The still image recording / reproduction control microcomputer 14 reads the time code TC added to the selected thumbnail image TN. The read time code TC is input to the central processing microcomputer 5 and compared with the current position of the magnetic tape 11. The central processing microcomputer 5
A control signal is supplied to the deck control microcomputer 8 so as to rewind the tape when the cueing position is before the current position and to fast-forward when the tape position is after the current position. Thereby, a moving image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image TN is reproduced.

The image processing DSP 4, the central processing microcomputer 5, the D / A converter 17, and the AV output unit 18 constitute a thumbnail image display control means. The operation unit 6 constitutes a selection unit for selecting one of the one or more thumbnail images TN. The central processing microcomputer 5 and the deck control microcomputer 8 constitute cueing control means for cueing the magnetic tape 11.

In this embodiment, the thumbnail image TN is a still image, but may be a moving image. Still image recording / playback unit S
C can record and reproduce a moving image by sequentially switching a plurality of still images. The moving image as the thumbnail image TN may be a part of the image at the start of shooting.

[0033]

As described in detail above, the video camera of the present invention records and reproduces the card ID, which is the unique number of each memory card loaded in the card recording and reproducing section, on the magnetic tape on the deck section. And a tape ID assigned to each tape cassette loaded in the deck unit for each memory card.
And a tape ID recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing a video on a magnetic tape, a card recording / reproducing section, a folder creating means for creating a folder for each tape ID on a memory card, and a recording start when recording a moving image by the deck section. Thumbnail image recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing a video at the time as a thumbnail image for search in a folder, and tape position information recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing magnetic tape position information at the start of recording in association with the thumbnail image And,
A thumbnail image display control means for displaying one or a plurality of thumbnail images from a folder corresponding to a tape ID of a tape cassette loaded in a deck portion of the memory card; and a selection means for selecting one of the one or a plurality of thumbnail images. And cueing control means for cueing the magnetic tape based on the position information of the magnetic tape corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the selecting means, so that even if the memory card is replaced, Can be made to correspond to the search information of the magnetic tape, and the video recorded on the magnetic tape can be quickly searched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a partial block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 lens 2 charge-coupled device 3 A / D converter 4 image processing DSP 5 central processing microcomputer 6 operation unit 7 DV signal processing DSP 8 deck control microcomputer 9 pre-recording amplifier 10 head 11 magnetic tape 12 still image DSP 13 SDRAM 14 still image Recording / reproduction control microcomputer 15 Interface unit 16 Memory card 17 D / A converter 18 AV output unit CM camera unit DK deck unit SC Still image recording / reproduction unit (card recording / reproduction unit)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/76 H04N 5/907 B 5/907 5/782 K (72) Inventor Hideyuki Kosaka Yokohama, Kanagawa 3-12-12 Moriyacho, Kanagawa-ku, Japan Inside Victor Company of Japan (72) Inventor So Matsuo 3-12-12 Moriyacho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (72) Inventor Hidetaka Koizumi Kanagawa Prefecture 3-12 Moriyacho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi F-term in JVC Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H054 AA01 BB07 2H104 AA12 AA16 5C018 FA02 FB02 FB04 5C022 AA00 AC31 AC42 AC54 AC69 AC79 AC80 5C052 AA01 AA17 AC08 GA03

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A camera section for photographing a subject image, a deck section for recording and reproducing a moving picture of the subject image photographed by the camera section on a magnetic tape stored in a tape cassette, and a subject image photographed by the camera section A card recording / reproducing section for recording and reproducing a still image or a moving image on a removable memory card as a still image or a moving image, wherein the deck section has a unique number assigned to each memory card loaded in the card recording / reproducing section Card ID recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing a certain card ID on the magnetic tape;
Tape ID recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing, on the magnetic tape, a tape ID assigned to each tape cassette loaded in the deck section for each of the individual memory cards; A folder creating means for creating a folder for each of the tape IDs on the memory card; and a video at the start of recording when a moving image is recorded by the deck section is recorded and reproduced in the folder as a thumbnail image for search. Thumbnail image recording / reproducing means, and tape position information recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing the position information of the magnetic tape at the start of recording in association with the thumbnail images, further comprising: One or more thumbnail images from the folder corresponding to the tape ID of the loaded tape cassette A thumbnail image display control unit to be displayed; a selection unit to select one of the one or more thumbnail images; and the magnetic tape position information corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the selection unit. A video camera comprising: a cueing control means for cueing a magnetic tape. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein the card ID is at least a part of a serial number of the memory card.