JP2004187317A - Image recording apparatus and image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus constructed so as to perform speedy image recording without looking away from a finder by merging the motion picture recording or still picture recording and AF inhibition/implementation instructions into the same operation when instructing these operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image recording apparatus having a motion picture recording function or a still picture recording function is provided with a focusing means for performing automatic focusing control to an object, and an operating means for instructing the implementation or inhibition of the focusing means together with a timing of motion picture recording or still picture recording. The instruction of "AF implementation/inhibition" and "recording" may be performed by one operating means, such that operability for performing AF implementation/inhibition and recording is remarkably improved, photographic conditions are widened and further, recording may be more easily reflected with photographer's intention. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus capable of performing automatic focus adjustment as necessary when performing moving image recording or still image recording.

  In recent years, in the field of magnetic recording, the demand for high-density recording has been increasing, and the tape running speed has also been reduced in a video tape recorder (VTR), so that higher-density magnetic recording has been performed.

  When the running speed of the tape is reduced, for example, when an audio signal is recorded using a fixed head, the relative speed cannot be increased, and the reproduced sound quality deteriorates. As one means for solving this problem, there is a method in which the length of a track scanned by a rotary head is made longer than before, and an audio signal whose time axis is compressed is sequentially recorded in an extended portion thereof.

  More specifically, in a rotary two-head helical scan type VTR, a magnetic tape is conventionally wound around a rotary cylinder by 180 degrees or more, but in this method, a magnetic tape is wound around a rotary cylinder by (180 + θ) degrees or more, and extra winding is performed. This is a method of recording an audio signal that has been converted to PCM and time-axis-compressed in the portion of θ ″.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a tape running system of such a VTR, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a recording locus on a magnetic tape by the VTR shown in FIG. Here, 71 is a magnetic tape, 72 is a rotating cylinder, 73 and 74 are heads mounted on the cylinder 72, 75 is a video signal recording area of a track formed on the tape 71, and 76 is a PCM audio signal recording area. Part. The video area 75 is traced by 180 degrees of the rotating cylinder 72 by the heads 73 and 74, and the PCM area 76 is traced by θ of the rotating cylinder 72.

  As described above, as an example of applying the method of recording a digital signal in another area while recording a video signal, it has been proposed to record a still image as a digital signal in the digital signal (PCM) recording area. ing. That is, since the information amount is small in the case of a still image, it is possible to record all the information on the magnetic tape by scanning the PCM area a plurality of times. According to this method, not only can a still image be photographed using the same photographing device and the same recording medium as in the case of moving image photographing, but also, as in a conventional VTR, the running of the tape is stopped and the video signal of the same track is transmitted. It is possible to obtain higher quality still images as compared to still images to be reproduced.

  Even when the above-described moving image recording and still image recording are performed, automatic focus adjustment control (hereinafter, simply referred to as AF) is included as an essential technology and as one function of various devices.

  However, since the AF always measures the distance, it operates delicately not only at the time of large blur but also near the focal point. Also, unexpected AF operation may be performed due to movement of the subject, camera shake of the photographer, or the like. As a result, the focus of the subject to be recorded may be suddenly blurred or the focus position may not be appropriate. Inconvenience may occur.

Furthermore, when photographing, if it is desired to stop the AF operation or to appropriately select the prohibition / execution of AF as necessary, it must be performed in parallel with the original operation for performing image recording. Therefore, the following disadvantages are observed.
(1) A shooting opportunity may be missed depending on the time required for an operation for instructing prohibition or execution of AF.
(2) Since a switch for instructing prohibition / execution of AF must be searched and pressed, it is necessary to keep an eye on the finder, and it takes time and effort to operate, and the subject image in the finder is lost. I will.
(3) There is also a case where a switch is searched and pressed while looking at the viewfinder without performing the operation as in the above (2), and another switch may be erroneously contacted, and a malfunction may be caused by the activation.
(4) The operation of the switch or the vibration of the switch itself causes camera shake.

  These disadvantages described above significantly impair the role of the image recording apparatus.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to combine an operation for instructing moving image recording or still image recording and an operation for instructing prohibition / execution of AF into a single instruction operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus configured to enable quick image recording without taking an eye from a finder.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides an image recording apparatus having a moving image recording function or a still image recording function, in which focusing means for performing automatic focus adjustment control on a subject, and instructing execution or prohibition of the focusing means. And operation means for instructing the moving image recording or the still image recording timing at the same time.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the operation of instructing the execution or prohibition (stop of operation) of the automatic focus adjustment control and the operation of recording a moving image or a still image can be designated by operating one operation unit. In addition, the continuous operation of recording and AF execution / prohibition becomes extremely easy, and a moving image or a still image can be photographed at an appropriate focal point without the influence of the photographing due to the operation.

  According to the present invention, the instructions of “execution / prohibition of AF” and “recording” can be executed by one operation means, so that the operability for executing / prohibition of AF and recording is significantly improved, The range of photographing conditions can be expanded, and the intention of the photographer can be more easily reflected in the record.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration shown in the drawing is a hardware configuration common to the first to fourth embodiments described in detail below.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens system, which includes a focusing lens for performing focus adjustment. A stop (iris) 102 controls the amount of incident light. Reference numeral 103 denotes an imaging device such as a CCD that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed on an imaging surface by the focusing lens 101 and converts the image into an imaging signal.

  104 is a sample / hold circuit, 105 is a camera signal processing circuit for converting a predetermined television signal, 106 is a video signal processing circuit for outputting a moving image recording (MV) signal, and 107 is an A / D converter for the television signal. A / D conversion circuit, 108 is a rate conversion circuit for compressing an A / D converted digital television signal, 109 is a PCM conversion circuit for outputting a PCM-converted still picture recording (SV) signal, 110 is a recording circuit It is.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a focus detection circuit for detecting a focus state of a subject by extracting, for example, a high-frequency component from a video signal output from the camera signal processing circuit 105. Reference numeral 112 denotes an SV / MV mode switch for setting a still image recording (SV) or a moving image recording (MV) as a recording method. Reference numeral 113 denotes a two-stage trigger switch (hereinafter, simply referred to as a trigger) for simultaneously giving an instruction of permission / prohibition of AF and an instruction of recording.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes a focus control command output from the output of the focus detection circuit 111, a recording method designated by the output of the SV / MV mode switch 112, and a trigger 113 output (open / half-press / full-press). This is a control circuit for controlling execution of recording and permission / prohibition of AF. Reference numeral 115 denotes a drive motor for executing commands such as the rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation / stop of the focusing lens 101 in accordance with a focus control command from the control circuit 114.

  FIG. 2 shows a control flow in the SV mode. First, in step S1, it is determined whether the recording mode is the SV mode. If it is the SV mode, it is determined in step S2 whether the trigger is open. If it is open, AF is executed in step S3, and if it is not open, it is determined in step S4 whether the trigger is half-pressed. If the trigger is not half-pressed, it is determined in step S5 whether the trigger is fully pressed. When the button is fully pressed, AF is prohibited in step S8, and a subject on the imaging screen is captured in step S9, and the A / D, rate, and PCM conversion described above are performed to record a still image.

  If the trigger is not fully pressed, the flow returns to step S3 to execute AF (at this time, the trigger is in the open state).

  If the trigger is half-pressed in step S4, AF is prohibited in step S7. Then, in step S8, it is determined whether the trigger is fully pressed. If not, the process returns to step S2 to determine whether the trigger is released. If the trigger is fully pressed, AF is prohibited in step S6, the subject on the imaging screen is captured in step S9, and a still image is recorded as described above.

  FIG. 3 shows a control procedure when the recording mode is the MV mode. In step S11, it is determined whether the recording mode is the MV mode. If it is the MV mode, it is determined in step S12 whether the trigger is open. If it is open, AF is executed in step S13. If it is not open, it is determined in step S14 whether the trigger is half-pressed.

  If the trigger is not half-pressed, it is determined in step S15 whether the trigger is fully pressed. If the button is fully pressed, AF is executed in step S16, and in step S19, the subject on the image screen is subjected to the above-described video signal processing to record a moving image.

  If the trigger is not fully pressed, the process returns to step S13 to execute AF (at this time, the trigger is in the released state). If the trigger is half-pressed in step S14, AF is prohibited in step S17. Then, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed in step S18. If not, the process returns to step S12 to determine whether or not the trigger is released.

  If the trigger is fully pressed, AF is performed in step S16, and a subject on the imaging screen is recorded as a moving image in step S19.

  If the trigger is half-pressed in step S20 during recording, AF is prohibited in step S21. If it is not half-pressed, it is determined in step S22 whether the trigger is open. If it is open, the process returns to step S16 to execute AF, and recording is performed in step S19.

  If it is not released, it is determined in step S23 whether or not the trigger has been fully pressed again. If it has not been fully pressed, recording is performed as it is. If it is fully pressed, the recording is stopped in step S24.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of chattering prevention for detecting a half-pressed state of the trigger. The flow is not limited to the half-pressing of the trigger, and the same flow is applied to other states of the trigger.

  If it is determined in step S31 that the trigger is half-pressed, the timer in step S32 is started, and in step S33, time is counted until the timer ends. This time determines the sensitivity of reading the half-pressed state of the trigger. This time is not the same in both the SV mode and the MV mode. For example, in the case of the SV mode, the time is short, the half-pressed state is read sensibly, and in the MV mode, the trigger is directly pressed from the release of the trigger and recorded. In consideration of the above, the length can be set longer, and may be set according to each mode or control function.

If the half-pressed state is maintained after the elapse of the timer time in step S34, the half-pressed state of the trigger is detected in step S35.
(Embodiment 2)
In the SV mode, it is not always necessary to perform AF when the two-step trigger is released and to prohibit AF when half-pressed as in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment described in detail below, as shown in FIG. 5, AF is prohibited when the two-step trigger is open, and AF is executed when the two-step trigger is half-pressed. First, in step S41, it is determined whether the recording mode is the SV mode. If it is the SV mode, it is determined in step S42 whether the trigger is open. If it is open, AF is prohibited in step S43, and if it is not open, it is determined in step S44 whether the trigger is half-pressed.

  If the trigger is not half-pressed, it is determined in step S45 whether the trigger is fully pressed. When the button is fully pressed, AF is prohibited in step S46, and a subject on the imaging screen is captured in step S49, and the above-described A / D conversion, rate conversion, and PCM conversion are performed to record a still image.

  If the trigger is not fully pressed, the process returns to step S43 to prohibit AF (at this time, the trigger is open).

  If the trigger is half-pressed in step S44, AF is executed in step S47. Then, in step S48, it is determined whether the trigger is fully pressed. If not, the process returns to step S42 to determine whether the trigger is released.

If the trigger is fully pressed, AF is prohibited in step S46, and a subject on the imaging screen is captured in step S49 to record a still image.
(Embodiment 3)
When the recording mode is set to the MV mode, the execution and prohibition of the AF during recording (that is, when the trigger is fully pressed) is the state of the previous AF (trigger released, half-pressed). It is also possible to configure to follow.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S51, it is determined whether the recording mode is the MV mode. If it is the MV mode, it is determined in step S52 whether or not the trigger is open. If it is released, AF is executed in step S53, and if not, it is determined in step S54 whether or not the trigger is half-pressed.

  If the trigger is not half-pressed, it is determined in step S55 whether the trigger is fully pressed. If it is fully pressed, moving image recording is performed in step S56. If the trigger is not fully pressed, the flow returns to step S53 to execute AF (at this time, the trigger is in an open state).

  If the trigger is half-pressed in step S54, AF is prohibited in step S57. Then, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed in step S58. If not, the process returns to step S52 to determine whether or not the trigger is released. If the trigger is fully pressed, moving image recording is performed in step S56 while AF is prohibited.

During recording, if the trigger is half-pressed in step S59, AF is prohibited in step S60, and if not half-pressed, it is determined in step S61 whether the trigger is released. If it is not open, the process returns to step S56 to record a moving image. If it is open, AF is executed in step S62. Next, in step S63, it is determined whether or not the trigger has been fully pressed again. If the trigger has not been fully pressed, recording is performed as it is. If it is fully pressed, the recording is stopped in step S64.
(Embodiment 4)
When the MV mode is set as the recording mode, the half-pressed state of the two-step trigger may have no function (that is, acts as a one-step trigger switch). Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, recording is performed without having the function of executing / prohibiting AF by releasing and fully pressing the trigger.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an image recording apparatus capable of performing automatic focus adjustment as needed when performing moving image recording or still image recording.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure in a still image recording (SV) mode according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure in a moving image recording (MV) mode according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for detecting a half-pressed state of a two-stage trigger switch. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the rotary head by a prior art. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a recording locus on a magnetic tape according to a conventional technique.

Explanation of reference numerals

101 Shooting lens system (focusing lens)
102 Aperture 103 Image sensor 104 Sample / hold circuit 105 Camera signal processing circuit 106 Video signal processing circuit 107 A / D conversion circuit 108 Rate conversion circuit 109 PCM conversion circuit 110 Recording circuit 111 Focus detection circuit 112 SV, MV mode switch 113 Two-stage trigger switch 114 Control circuit 115 Drive motor

Claims (2)

In an image recording apparatus having a moving image recording function or a still image recording function,
Focusing means for performing automatic focus adjustment control on the subject;
An image recording apparatus comprising: an operation unit that instructs execution or prohibition of the focusing unit and also instructs a timing of the moving image recording or the still image recording.   2. The execution / prohibition of the focusing unit according to claim 1, wherein a two-stage trigger switch is used as the operation unit, and the focusing unit is activated during recording of a moving image or a still image according to whether the trigger switch is opened, half-pressed, or fully pressed. An image recording apparatus, wherein:

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