JP2003009071A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a camera for performing photographing without interrupting recording sound. SOLUTION: When a release button 28A is operated by depression while sound data inputted via a microphone 16 and a sound digital signal processing part 32a is stored in an external memory 22, that is, while sound recording is performed, a CPU(central processing unit) 12 controls a synthetic processing part 36 so as to store image data which is inputted via a lens 14, a CCD 18 and an image digital signal processing part 30 in the external memory 22 without interrupting the sound data storing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera having both an image recording function and an audio recording function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a digital electronic still camera capable of recording audio in addition to recording still images. Further, recently, a digital electronic still camera capable of recording a moving image in addition to a still image and a sound has been commercialized.

In this type of digital electronic still camera,
Since it is not possible to record images and sound at the same time, if it is desired to take a picture while recording the sound, the picture is taken after interrupting the sound recording operation.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional digital electronic still camera, when it is desired to take a picture while recording the voice as described above, the picture is taken after interrupting the voice recording operation. It was necessary, so there was a problem that it was not possible to shoot without interrupting the recording.

Therefore, for example, in a performance using a slide or a projector, when recording all of the performer's speech and shooting / recording projected images one by one, the recording is performed without interruption. When I wanted to, I could not achieve the purpose.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of taking a picture without interrupting recording.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention has a storage means for storing image information and audio information, and an operation for storing the image information in the storage means. And the image information is stored in the storage means without interruption of storage of the voice information when the operation means is operated while the voice information is stored in the storage means. And a control means for controlling the above.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the camera is provided with storage means for storing image information and audio information, and the operating means is operated when storing the image information in the storage means. The storage means is a RAM (Random Acces
s Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable an
d Programmable Read Only Memory), Flash EE
Storage elements such as PROM (Flash EEPROM), smart media (SmartMedia (registered trademark)), compact flash (CompactFl)
ash (registered trademark), ATA (AT Attachment) card, floppy disk, hard disk, CD-R
(Compact Disc-Recordable), CD-RW (Compact D
A portable recording medium such as isc-ReWritable) is included. Also,
As the operation means, a release button (so-called shutter) conventionally provided in a camera can be applied, but other dedicated switches, buttons, etc. can also be applied.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operation means is operated while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, the image information is stored without interruption of the storage of the voice information. Controlled by the control means as stored in the means. As a specific example in which the image information is stored in the storage unit without interruption of the storage of the voice information, a unit for actually storing the voice information and a unit for actually storing the image information are provided. It is configured as a separate device to store audio information and image information independently and in parallel, and to provide a means for actually storing voice information and a means for actually storing image information. It is possible to exemplify that it is configured as one device, and the sound information and the image information are stored in a time-sharing manner at the same time apparently.

As described above, according to the camera of the first aspect, the operation means operated when the image information is stored in the storage means is operated while the voice information is stored in the storage means. At this time, since the image information is controlled so as to be stored in the storage unit without interruption of the storage of the voice information, it is possible to perform the shooting without interrupting the recording.

By the way, in a performance using a slide or a projector, for example, while recording all the speeches of the performers, the projected images are photographed and recorded one by one, and the audio information obtained by this is reproduced. At the same time, the image information obtained by the shooting is reproduced at the same timing as the image information obtained by the above-mentioned shooting, and the image information obtained by the shooting is stored while the audio information is being stored. You may want to play at the timing. This makes it possible to reproduce the image information in time series at the same time when the audio information is reproduced.

Therefore, in the camera described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, when the control means operates the operation means while the voice information is being stored in the storage means. When the image information stored in the storage unit in response to the operation reproduces the voice information being stored in the storage unit, the operation unit of the operation unit based on the storage timing of the voice information is reproduced. The audio information and the image information are controlled to be stored in the storage means in a state where they can be reproduced at the operation timing.

According to the camera of the second aspect, when the operation means is operated by the control means while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, it is stored in the storage means according to the operation. When the audio information stored in the storage means is reproduced, the audio information and the image information can be reproduced at the operation timing of the operation means based on the storage timing of the audio information. Are controlled to be stored in the storage means.

As described above, according to the camera of the second aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention of the first aspect, and at the same time the voice information is stored in the storage means, the operation means. When is operated, when the image information stored in the storage means in response to the operation reproduces the audio information being stored in the storage means, the storage timing of the audio information is used as a reference. Since the audio information and the image information are controlled to be stored in the storage means in a state where the audio information and the image information can be reproduced at the operation timing of the operating means, the image information can be reproduced in time series at the same time when the audio information is reproduced. .

As a concrete mode of the invention described in claim 2, as in the invention described in claim 3, while the control means is storing the voice information in the storage means. When the operation means is operated, the identification information capable of identifying the image information stored in the storage means in response to the operation is based on the storage timing of the audio information being stored in the storage means. The control means is inserted into the voice information and stored in the storage means at the operation timing of the operation means.

According to the camera of the third aspect, when the control means operates the operation means while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, the control means stores the voice information in the storage means in response to the operation. Identification information capable of identifying the image information is inserted into the voice information at the operation timing of the operation means with reference to the storage timing of the voice information being stored in the storage means, and stored in the storage means. Controlled as.

When the audio information stored in this way is reproduced, the image information indicated by the identification information inserted in the audio information is reproduced at a timing corresponding to the insertion position in the audio information of the identification information. By doing so, the image information obtained by shooting can be reproduced at the same timing as the shooting timing.

The identification information may include a file name of the image information when the image information is stored in the storage unit in a file format, address information indicating a storage position of the image information in the storage unit, and the like. The amount of such identification information is remarkably small as compared with the image information acquired by photographing.

That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, the interruption time of the storage of the voice information is set to almost 0 (zero) by inserting the identification information having a remarkably small amount of information as compared with the image information into the voice information. It is possible to store audio information capable of reproducing the image information obtained by shooting at the same timing as the shooting timing, in a state in which there is no apparent discontinuity due to shooting.

As described above, according to the camera of the third aspect, when the operating means is operated while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, it is stored in the storage means in accordance with the operation. Identification information capable of identifying the image information is inserted into the voice information at the operation timing of the operation means with reference to the storage timing of the voice information being stored in the storage means, and stored in the storage means. Since it is controlled as described above, the audio information capable of reproducing the image information obtained by the image capturing at the same timing as the image capturing can be stored in a state in which the interruption due to the image capturing does not appear.

As another specific embodiment of the invention described in claim 2, as in the invention described in claim 4, the control means is in the middle of storing the voice information in the storage means. When the operation means is operated, the identification information capable of identifying the image information stored in the storage means in response to the operation and the storage timing of the voice information being stored in the storage means are displayed. There is also one that controls so that the timing information indicating the operation timing of the operation means as a reference is stored in the storage means in association with each other.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the control means operates the operating means while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, the control means stores the voice information in the storage means in response to the operation. Stored in the storage means in association with the identification information capable of identifying the image information to be identified and the timing information indicating the operation timing of the operation means with reference to the storage timing of the audio information being stored in the storage means. Controlled to be done.

Then, when reproducing the audio information, the above-mentioned identification information and timing information are read from the storage means,
By reproducing the image information indicated by the identification information associated with the timing information at the timing indicated by the read timing information, the image information obtained by the photographing is reproduced at the same timing as the photographing timing. be able to.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, by storing the identification information and the timing information in association with each other in addition to the voice information, the storage of the voice information is interrupted due to the storage of the image information. I try not to.

The identification information may include a file name of the image information when the image information is stored in the storage unit in a file format, address information indicating a storage position of the image information in the storage unit, and the like.

As described above, according to the camera of the fourth aspect, when the operation means is operated while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, it is stored in the storage means according to the operation. Stored in the storage means in association with the identification information capable of identifying the image information to be identified and the timing information indicating the operation timing of the operation means with reference to the storage timing of the audio information being stored in the storage means. Since it is controlled so that the audio information can be stored without interruption, the audio information can be stored in a state where there is no interruption due to shooting, and the image information obtained by shooting is taken. It can be reproduced at the same timing as the timing.

Further, the camera according to claim 5 is the camera according to claim 2.
A list for displaying a plurality of images indicated by a plurality of image information stored in the storage unit while storing audio information to be reproduced, with respect to the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 4. Display means, and selection information input means for inputting selection information indicating a selection result of any one image from the plurality of images displayed by the list display means prior to reproduction of the audio information to be reproduced. And the operation means operates the operation means when the image information of the image indicated by the selection information input by the selection information input means is stored in the storage means when the audio information is reproduced. The audio information is controlled so as to be reproduced at the timing or at a timing that is a predetermined time back from the operation timing.

According to the camera of the fifth aspect, the plurality of images indicated by the plurality of image information stored in the storage means while the voice information to be reproduced is stored are displayed in a list by the list display means. Then, the selection information indicating the selection result of any one of the plurality of displayed images is input by the selection information input means before the reproduction of the audio information to be reproduced. The list display means includes various displays such as a cathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and an EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The selection information input means includes various buttons and switches, and a list display means. When a display is applied as above, a touch panel or the like mounted on the surface of the display is included.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit stores the image information of the image indicated by the selection information input by the selection information input unit when the audio information is reproduced by the control unit. Operation timing of the operation means of
Alternatively, the audio information is controlled so as to be reproduced from a timing that is a predetermined time back from the operation timing.

As described above, according to the camera of the fifth aspect, the same effect as that of the invention of any one of the second to fourth aspects can be obtained, and the audio information to be reproduced is transmitted. A list of a plurality of images indicated by a plurality of image information stored in the storage means during storage is displayed,
Selection information indicating the selection result of any one of the plurality of displayed images is input prior to the reproduction of the audio information to be reproduced, and when the audio information is reproduced, the input selection information is input. Is controlled so that the audio information is reproduced from the operation timing of the operation means when the image information of the image indicated by is stored in the storage means, or the timing that goes back a predetermined time from the operation timing. The plurality of images shown can be used as an index for designating the temporal position of the reproduction start of the audio information, and the audio information can be easily reproduced from a desired scene.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments in which the present invention is realized as a digital electronic still camera will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] First, referring to FIG.
The configuration of the digital electronic still camera 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a digital electronic still camera 10 according to the present embodiment has a CPU (central processing unit) 1 that controls the overall operation of the digital electronic still camera 10.
2, a lens 14 for forming a subject image, a microphone 16 for converting sound pressure into electric energy and outputting it as an analog audio signal, and a lens 14 arranged behind the optical axis of the lens 14 and formed by the lens 14. A CCD (Charge Coupl) that captures a subject image and outputs it as an analog image signal
ed Device) 18, an integrated processing unit 20 in which a processing system other than the CPU 12 is integrally configured, audio data obtained by recording that is removable from the digital electronic still camera 10, and is mainly obtained by recording. An external memory 22 for storing the image data, a liquid crystal display 24 for displaying an image and various messages shown by the image data, and a speaker 26 for emitting a voice shown by the voice data. There is.

The integrated processing section 20 is a one-chip LSI.
The digital electronic still camera 10 is downsized, highly reliable, and cost-effective. In addition, the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the present embodiment
Then, as an external memory 22, a smart
Employs media.

Further, the digital electronic still camera 10 is provided with a release button (so-called shutter) 28A which is pressed by the user at the time of photographing, and a recording button 28B which is pressed by the user at the time of recording. .

The digital electronic still camera 10 according to the present embodiment has two shooting modes, a still image mode for shooting a still image and a moving image mode for shooting a moving image. When the still image mode is set by a mode setting button (not shown), a still image is taken at the timing when the release button 28A is pressed, and when the moving image mode is set, the release button 28A is pressed. Shooting of the moving image is started at such timing, and the shooting of the moving image is ended by pressing the release button 28A again during shooting. Recording is started at the timing when the recording button 28B is pressed, and the recording is ended by pressing the recording button 28B again during recording.

On the other hand, the integrated processing section 20 includes an image digital signal processing section 30 for performing various processing such as conversion processing of analog image signals into digital image data and compression processing of the digital image data in a predetermined image compression format. When,
An audio digital signal processing unit 32 that performs various processes such as a conversion process of an analog audio signal into digital audio data and a compression process of the digital audio data in a predetermined audio compression format, an image digital signal processing unit 30, and an audio digital signal. After various processing by each of the image digital signal processing unit 30 and the audio digital signal processing unit 32, a reproduction unit 34 that performs various processing related to reproduction using the digital image data and digital audio data after various processing by each processing unit 32. And a comprehensive processing unit 36 that performs comprehensive processing on the digital image data and the digital audio data.

In the digital electronic still camera 10 according to this embodiment, the predetermined image compression format is
For digital image data of still images, use JPEG (Jo
The intPhotographic Experts Group (MPEG) method is used for moving picture digital image data.
Experts Group) system is applied, and MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-III) is applied as the predetermined audio compression format.

The image digital signal processing unit 30 has a CCD 1
8, the microphone 16 in the audio digital signal processing unit 32,
The image digital signal processing unit 30 is connected to each
Various processes are performed on the analog image signal input from the CD 18, and the audio digital signal processing unit 32 uses the microphone 16
Various processes are applied to the analog audio signal input from. A liquid crystal display 24 and a speaker 26 are connected to the reproducing unit 34, and the reproducing unit 34 performs processing for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 24 using digital image data and a speaker 26 using digital audio data. Performs processing for the generation of voice.

Further, the integrated processing unit 36 has an external memory 2
2. The image digital signal processing unit 30, the audio digital signal processing unit 32, and the reproducing unit 34 are connected, and the general processing unit 36 transfers the digital image data input from the image digital signal processing unit 30 to the external memory 22. , Storing digital audio data input from the audio digital signal processing unit 32 in the external memory 22, reading digital image data and digital audio data stored in the external memory 22, reading digital image data and digital audio data It is possible to control the reproducing unit 34 for reproducing the. In the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the present embodiment, digital image data and digital audio data are stored in the external memory 22 as an image file and an audio file, respectively.

Further, the CPU 12 has a release button 2
8A, a recording button 28B, and each unit (image digital signal processing unit 30, audio digital signal processing unit 32, reproduction unit 34, and general processing unit 36) provided in the integrated processing unit 20 are connected, and the CPU 12 Release button 28A
Also, the pressing operation state of the record button 28B can be constantly detected, and control of each unit provided in the integrated processing unit 20 and input / output of various data handled by each unit can be performed.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows an external memory 22 provided in the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the present embodiment.
The memory configuration of is shown. As shown in the figure, the external memory 22 is provided with an audio data storage area which is an area for storing audio data and an image data storage area which is an area for storing image data, A plurality of the above-mentioned sound files can be stored in the sound data storage area, and a plurality of the above-mentioned image files can be stored in the image data storage area.

By the way, in the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the release button 28 is pressed during recording.
When A is pressed, shooting is performed in parallel with the recording. Therefore, in this case, the sound file by the recording is created in the external memory 22 and the image file by the shooting is created in the external memory 22.

At this time, in the audio file according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the audio digital signal processing unit 3 is used.
The digital audio data compressed by 2 is stored in time series, and at the timing when the release button 28A is pressed, an image file created in the external memory 22 by photographing according to the press of the release button 28A is stored. Data indicating a file name (corresponding to "identification information" of the present invention, hereinafter referred to as "image file name data") is inserted into the audio data. The image file according to the present embodiment stores the digital image data itself that has been compressed by the image digital signal processing unit 30.

The CPU 12 is the control means of the present invention, the external memory 22 is the storage means of the present invention, and the liquid crystal display 24.
Corresponds to the list display means of the present invention, and the release button 28A corresponds to the operation means of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the digital electronic still camera 10 according to this embodiment will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 4, a recording and photographing process executed by the digital electronic still camera 10 will be described. It should be noted that FIG. 4 shows the recording and shooting executed by the CPU 12 of the digital electronic still camera 10 when the user of the digital electronic still camera 10 presses the record button 28B while the power of the digital electronic still camera 10 is turned on. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of processing of a processing program. In addition, here, it is assumed that the user of the digital electronic still camera 10 sets the still image mode as a shooting mode by a mode setting button (not shown).

At step 100 in the figure, the general processing section 3
Recording is started by transmitting instruction data for instructing 6 to start recording. Upon receiving the instruction data, the overall processing unit 36 receives the audio digital signal processing unit 3
The storage of the digital audio data after the compression processing, which is input via 2 in the external memory 22, in the file format is started.

In the next step 102, it is determined whether or not the release button 28A has been pressed by the user. If the release button 28A has been pressed (in the case of affirmative judgment), the process proceeds to step 104 and the general processing section 36 is photographed. Shooting is performed by transmitting instruction data to instruct. Upon receiving the instruction data, the overall processing unit 36 stores the compressed digital image data input via the image digital signal processing unit 30 at this point in the external memory 22 in a file format.

At the next step 106, the general processing section 36
On the other hand, the external memory 2
The instruction data for instructing the storage of the file name of the image file stored in 2 is transmitted, and then step 108
Move to. Comprehensive processing unit 36 that received the instruction data
Then, the external memory 22
The image file name data indicating the file name of the image file stored in is stored in the digital audio data stored in the external memory 22 until then.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 102 that the release button 28A has not been pressed by the user (negative determination), the process proceeds to step 108 without executing the processes of steps 104 and 106. .

In step 108, it is determined whether or not the record button 28B is pressed by the user. If it is determined that the record button 28B has not been pressed (in the case of a negative judgment), the process returns to the step 102 and the steps 102 to 106 are executed again. Processing is performed, and when the button is pressed (step 108
(When a positive determination is made), the process proceeds to step 110.

In step 110, the recording is stopped by transmitting the instruction data for instructing to stop the recording to the general processing section 36, and then the main recording and photographing processing is ended. Upon receiving the instruction data, the general processing unit 36 closes the stored audio file.

By this recording / shooting process, an audio file as shown in FIG. 3 is created in the audio data storage area of the external memory 22, and the image file indicated by the image file name data stored in the audio file is
In addition, an image file including digital image data obtained by photographing and compressed is created in the image data storage area of the external memory 22.

Next, the reproducing process executed by the digital electronic still camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that FIG. 5 shows the digital electronic still camera 10 in a state where the digital electronic still camera 10 is powered on.
CPU 12 in the digital electronic still camera 10 when a playback button (not shown) is pressed by the user
7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a reproduction processing program executed by. Further, here, description will be made on the assumption that the user has designated an audio file to be reproduced by an audio file specification button (not shown).

In step 200 of the figure, a voice file designated in advance by the user is read from the voice data storage area of the external memory 22 via the general processing section 36, and in the next step 202, a digital file is read from the read voice file. The audio data only is sequentially extracted from the start address of the audio file for each predetermined size, and is transmitted to the reproducing unit 34. In response to this, the reproducing unit 34 performs decompression processing according to the compression format on the digital audio data received from the CPU 12, and then the speaker 2
After converting into an analog audio signal capable of driving 6, the speaker 26 is started using the analog audio signal.

In the next step 204, it is determined whether or not the timing for reproducing the image data has arrived by determining whether or not the image file name data has been detected from the audio file. In the case of), the process proceeds to step 206, the detected image file name data is transmitted to the reproducing unit 34, and then step 2
Move to 08. Upon receiving the image file name data, the reproducing unit 34 reads out the image file indicated by the image file name data from the image data storage area of the external memory 22 via the general processing unit 36, and outputs the digital image data included in the image file. Is subjected to decompression processing according to the compression format, converted into an analog image signal that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 24, and then an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24 using the analog image signal.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 204 that the timing for reproducing the image data has not arrived (if a negative determination is made), then step 206 is performed.
The process moves to step 208 without executing the process of.

In step 208, the above step 200 is performed.
By determining whether or not the digital audio data included in the audio file read in step 3 has been transmitted to the reproducing unit 34 to the end, it is determined whether or not the reproduction of the audio data is completed. In the case of a negative determination), the process returns to step 204, the processes of steps 204 to 206 are performed again, and when the process ends (step 20).
When 8 is an affirmative judgment), this reproduction processing is ended.

By this reproduction processing, it is possible to reproduce desired audio data and, at the same time, reproduce the image data acquired by photographing while recording the audio data at the same timing as the photographing timing.

As described in detail above, in the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the first embodiment, the digital image data is stored in the external memory 22 while the digital audio data is stored in the external memory 22. When the release button 28A operated at this time is operated, the control is made so that the digital image data is stored in the external memory 22 without the storage of the digital audio data being interrupted. You can shoot without.

In the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the first embodiment, the release button 2 is pressed while the digital audio data is stored in the external memory 22.
When 8A is operated, the digital image data stored in the external memory 22 according to the operation is stored in the external memory 2
When the digital audio data being stored in 2 is reproduced, the digital audio data and the digital image data can be reproduced at the operation timing of the release button 28A based on the storage timing of the digital audio data as a reference. Since it is controlled to be stored in the memory 22, digital image data can be reproduced in time series at the same time when the digital audio data is reproduced.

Further, in the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the first embodiment, the release button 2 is pressed while the digital audio data is stored in the external memory 22.
When 8A is operated, image file name data capable of identifying the digital image data stored in the external memory 22 according to the operation is stored timing of the digital audio data being stored in the external memory 22. Since it is controlled to be inserted into the digital audio data and stored in the external memory 22 at the operation timing of the release button 28A with reference to, the digital image data obtained by the shooting is the same as the shooting timing. Digital audio data that can be played back at a timing can be stored in a state where there is no apparent interruption due to shooting.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The digital audio data stored in the external memory 22 is reproduced from the beginning and the digital audio data has image file name data (corresponding to "identification information" of the present invention).
Although an example of the mode of inserting the audio data has been described, in the second embodiment, the digital audio data stored in the external memory 22 is reproduced from the timing when the image selected by the user goes back a predetermined time. A form example in which the image file name data and the data indicating the image capturing timing of the image indicated by the image file name data are stored in the external memory 22 in association with each other separately from the digital audio data will be described. .

First, the configuration of the digital electronic still camera 10 'according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that, in the figure, parts that operate in the same way as in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 and their explanations are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the digital electronic still camera 10 'according to the second embodiment has a CPU more than that of the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the first embodiment.
The only difference is that an image selection button 28C connected to 12 is newly provided.

On the other hand, the audio file created in the digital electronic still camera 10 'according to the second embodiment is a digital file compressed by the audio digital signal processing unit 32 as shown in FIG. 7A. The audio data is stored in time series, and a header is added to the beginning.

As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7B, this header has a release button 28 based on the recording start time.
The time when A is pressed, that is, the time when shooting is performed (corresponding to "timing information" of the present invention. Hereinafter, "shooting time")
Say. ) And image file name data indicating an image file created by the shooting (“identification information” of the present invention).
Equivalent to. ) Is associated with and stored. The image file according to the second embodiment also includes the image digital signal processing unit 30 as in the first embodiment.
The digital image data itself that has been subjected to compression processing is stored.

The image selection button 28C corresponds to the selection information input means of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the digital electronic still camera 10 'according to the second embodiment will be described. First, the recording / shooting process executed by the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG.
When the recording button 28B is pressed by the user of the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ while the power of the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ is turned on, a recording and photographing processing program executed by the CPU 12 of the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ is executed. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of processing. In addition, here, it is assumed that the user of the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ has set the still image mode as a shooting mode by a mode setting button (not shown). Furthermore, in FIG.
The same step numbers as those in FIG.

As shown in the figure, in the recording / shooting processing according to the second embodiment, the processing in step 106 is different from the recording / shooting processing according to the first embodiment in that the header of the audio file is updated. The only difference is that it is designated as an instructing step 106 '.

That is, when the release button 28A is pressed during recording, step 106 '
Then, the overall processing unit 36 stores the image file name data indicating the image file stored in the external memory 22 by the processing of step 104 and the shooting time at this time in the header in association with each other (update the header). Instruction data for instructing to do so, and then step 1
Move to 08. Upon receiving the instruction data, the general processing unit 36 receives the image file name data indicating the file name of the image file stored in the external memory 22 by the process of step 104 and the shooting time, and the header of the audio file by then. The image file name data and the shooting time stored in the memory are continuously stored.

By the above recording / shooting process, an audio file as shown in FIG. 7 is created in the audio data storage area of the external memory 22, and the image indicated by the image file name data stored in the header of the audio file. An image file that is a file and that includes digital image data that has been acquired by photography and has been compressed is created in the image data storage area of the external memory 22.

Next, the reproducing process executed by the digital electronic still camera 10 'will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 9 shows the digital electronic still camera 1.
When the user of the digital electronic still camera 10 'presses a play button (not shown) while the power of 0'is turned on, the flow of processing of the reproduction processing program executed by the CPU 12 of the digital electronic still camera 10'. It is a flowchart showing. Further, here, description will be made on the assumption that the user has designated an audio file to be reproduced by an audio file specification button (not shown).

In step 300 of the figure, a voice file previously designated by the user is read from the voice data storage area of the external memory 22 via the general processing section 36, and in the next step 302, a header is read from the read voice file. All image file name data stored in the image data storage area of the external memory 22 are extracted from the image data storage area of the external memory 22 in step 304. Read through.

In the next step 306, the above step 3
It is indicated by digital image data using the digital image data stored in the image file read in 04 and the shooting time and image file name data stored in the header of the audio file read in step 300 above. Thumbnail screen data capable of displaying a list of all images is created, and in the next step 308, the thumbnail screen is transmitted to the reproducing unit 34 by transmitting the screen data of the thumbnail to the reproducing unit 34. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24.
In response to this, the reproducing unit 34 converts the received screen data into an analog image signal that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 24, and then displays a thumbnail on the liquid crystal display 24 using the analog image signal.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the thumbnail displayed on the liquid crystal display 24 at this time. In the example shown in the figure, the number of images indicated by the image file name data stored in the header of the audio file to be reproduced is 4, and at the bottom of each displayed image,
The image file name and shooting time of the corresponding image are displayed.

When such a thumbnail is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24, the digital electronic still camera 1 concerned is displayed.
The user of 0'selects an image showing a scene where reproduction is desired to be started by operating the image selection button 28C. Therefore, in the next step 310, the process waits for the selection of the image showing the scene where the user wants to start the reproduction, and then proceeds to step 312.

In step 312, only the digital audio data is extracted from the read audio file, and the shooting time stored in the header in association with the image file name data corresponding to the image specified by the user in step 310 is stored. From the extracted digital audio data, and the reproduction time when the digital audio data is reproduced from the extracted digital audio data is the predetermined time from the time corresponding to the extracted shooting time (5 seconds in the present embodiment). It starts to sequentially extract from the address corresponding to the traced time and transmit it to the reproducing unit 34. In response to this, the reproducing unit 34 performs decompression processing according to the compression format on the digital audio data received from the CPU 12, converts it into an analog audio signal capable of driving the speaker 26, and then converts the analog audio signal. Start driving the speaker 26 using the audio signal.

At the next step 314, the image data is reproduced by determining whether or not the reproduction time of the audio data by the reproduction unit 34 has reached any of the photographing times stored in the header of the audio file. Whether or not the timing has come is determined, and if it has come (when the determination is affirmative), the process proceeds to step 316, and the image file name data stored in the header in association with the shooting time at this time is reproduced by the reproducing unit 34. To step 318
Move to. Playback unit 3 that received the image file name data
4 reads out the image file indicated by the image file name data from the image data storage area of the external memory 22 via the general processing section 36, and expands the digital image data contained in the image file according to the compression format. After processing, the image is converted into an analog image signal that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 24, and then an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24 using the analog image signal.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 314 that the timing for reproducing the image data has not arrived (if a negative determination is made), then step 316 is performed.
The process shifts to step 318 without executing the process of.

In step 318, the above step 300 is performed.
By determining whether or not the digital audio data included in the audio file read in step 3 has been transmitted to the reproducing unit 34 to the end, it is determined whether or not the reproduction of the audio data is completed. In the case of negative determination), the process returns to the above step 314, the processes of steps 314 to 316 are performed again, and when the process ends (step 31).
When 8 is an affirmative judgment), this reproduction processing is ended.

By this reproducing process, it is possible to reproduce desired audio data and simultaneously reproduce the image data acquired by the image capturing during recording of the audio data at the same timing as the image capturing timing.

As described in detail above, in the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ according to the second embodiment, the digital image data is stored in the external memory 22 while the digital audio data is being stored in the external memory 22. When the release button 28A that is operated during the operation is operated, the digital image data is controlled so as to be stored in the external memory 22 without interruption of the storage of the digital audio data, so that the recording is interrupted. It is possible to shoot without taking.

Further, in the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ according to the second embodiment, when the release button 28 A is operated while the digital audio data is being stored in the external memory 22, the operation is performed according to the operation. When the digital image data stored in the external memory 22 reproduces the digital audio data being stored in the external memory 22, the operation timing of the release button 28A is based on the storage timing of the digital audio data. Since the digital audio data and the digital image data are controlled to be stored in the external memory 22 in a reproducible state, the digital image data can be reproduced in time series at the same time when the digital audio data is reproduced.

In the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ according to the second embodiment, when the release button 28 A is operated while the digital audio data is stored in the external memory 22, the operation is performed in response to the operation. Shooting showing the operation timing of the release button 28A based on the image file name data capable of identifying the digital image data stored in the external memory 22 and the storage timing of the digital audio data being stored in the external memory 22. Since it is controlled so that the time and the time are associated with each other and stored in the external memory 22, the interruption of the storage of the digital audio data can be eliminated, and the digital audio data is stored in a state in which there is no interruption due to photographing. be able to.

Further, in the digital electronic still camera 10 'according to the second embodiment, while the digital audio data to be reproduced is being stored, a plurality of digital image data stored in the external memory 22 are displayed. Image is displayed as a thumbnail as a list, and selection information indicating the selection result of any one image from the plurality of displayed images (in the present embodiment, is input to the CPU 12 by the user's operation of the image selection button 28C). Signal) is input prior to the reproduction of the digital audio data to be reproduced, and the digital image data of the image indicated by the input selection information is stored in the external memory 22 when the digital audio data is reproduced. Digital audio data from the time corresponding to the timing which goes back a predetermined time from the operation timing of the release button 28A Since it is controlled to be played back, multiple images shown by digital image data
It can be used as an index for designating the time position of the reproduction start of the digital audio data, and the reproduction of the digital audio data from a desired scene can be easily performed.

In the second embodiment, the case where the audio file has the format shown in FIG. 7 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the format shown in FIG. 3 can also be used. Needless to say. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where a still image is taken has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a form where a moving image is taken can be used. In this case, the moving image data obtained by shooting the moving image is compressed by a moving image compression format (for example, MPEG system). Also in this case, the same effect as that of each of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the processing system other than the CPU 12 is integrally configured as a one-chip LSI has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the CPU 12 is also included. 1-chip LSI
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which In this case, it is possible to achieve size reduction, higher reliability, and lower cost than the digital electronic still cameras 10 and 10 'according to each of the above embodiments.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the smart media is applied as the storage means of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Other recording media, eg compact flash,
ATA card, floppy disk, CD-R, CD-
The RW or the like may be applied, or a combination of a plurality of types of storage means may be applied. Also in this case, the same effect as that of each of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the JPEG format is applied as the compression format of the digital image data has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the MPEG format, MMR (Modified Modif).
It goes without saying that other compression formats such as ied Read format can be applied. Also in this case, the same effect as that of each of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[0091]

According to the camera of the present invention, while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, when the operation means operated when the image information is stored in the storage means is operated, Since the image information is controlled so as to be stored in the storage unit without interruption of the information storage, it is possible to take an image without interrupting the recording.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital electronic still camera 10 according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a digital electronic still camera 1 according to the embodiment.
0 and external memory 2 of digital electronic still camera 10 '
It is a schematic diagram which shows the memory structure of 2.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a format configuration of an audio file in the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a recording / shooting processing program executed in the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a reproduction processing program executed in the digital electronic still camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital electronic still camera 10 ′ according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a format structure of an audio file in a digital electronic still camera 10 ′ according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a recording and photographing processing program executed in the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a reproduction processing program executed in the digital electronic still camera 10 ′ according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of thumbnails.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10 'digital electronic still camera 12 CPU (control means) 14 lenses 16 microphone 22 External memory (storage means) 24 Liquid crystal display (list display means) 26 speakers 28A Release button (operation means) 28B record button 28C Image selection button (selection information input means) 30 image digital signal processing unit 32 audio digital signal processing unit 34 Playback Department 36 General Processing Department

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H054 AA01                 5C022 AA13 AC03 AC32 AC42 AC71                       AC72                 5C053 FA06 FA10 FA27 GB11 GB36                       HA00 JA07 JA22 KA04 KA05                       LA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing image information and audio information, operation means operated when storing the image information in the storage means, and the audio information being stored in the storage means. The control means for controlling the image information to be stored in the storage means without interrupting the storage of the voice information when the operating means is operated. 2. The control means, when the operation means is operated while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, displays image information stored in the storage means in response to the operation. When the audio information being stored in the storage means is reproduced, the audio information and the image information are reproduced in a state where the audio information can be reproduced at the operation timing of the operation means with reference to the storage timing of the audio information. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is controlled to be stored in a storage means. 3. The control means displays image information stored in the storage means in response to the operation when the operation means is operated while the voice information is being stored in the storage means. The identifiable identification information is inserted into the voice information at the operation timing of the operation means with reference to the storage timing of the voice information being stored in the storage means, and is stored in the storage means. The camera according to claim 2, which is controlled. 4. The control means, when the operation means is operated while the voice information is being stored in the storage means, displays the image information stored in the storage means in response to the operation. The identifiable identification information and the timing information indicating the operation timing of the operation means based on the storage timing of the voice information being stored in the storage means are stored in the storage means in association with each other. The camera according to claim 2, which is controlled as follows. 5. A list display unit for displaying a list of a plurality of images indicated by a plurality of image information stored in the storage unit while storing audio information to be reproduced, and a display by the list display unit. A selection information input unit for inputting selection information indicating a selection result of any one image from the plurality of selected images prior to the reproduction of the audio information to be reproduced, and the control unit. When reproducing the audio information, the operation timing of the operation means when the image information of the image indicated by the selection information input by the selection information input means is stored in the storage means, or a predetermined time is traced back from the operation timing. The camera according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein control is performed so that the audio information is reproduced from a different timing.