JP2004266535A - Audio recording and reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio recording and reproducing apparatus with which contents of an audio file recorded within a recording part can be intuitively recognized and the audio file can be visually easily searched and reproduced. <P>SOLUTION: When recording is started for recording audio in the recording part (step S53), an imaging device is operated to start imaging, and an image obtained as a result is recorded in the recording part (step S56). Afterwards, the image recorded in the recording part is iconified as an image for specifying the audio (step S74). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an audio recording / reproducing device capable of recording and reproducing audio.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various devices such as an IC recorder have been proposed as devices capable of voice recording and voice reproduction, and in recent years, devices capable of voice recording and voice reproduction have also been proposed for digital cameras. For example, Patent Document 1 is a proposal relating to a camera in which a microphone (hereinafter, referred to as a microphone) and a speaker are built in.
[0003]
In addition, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 propose a file management technique that allows a user to easily handle a file recorded in a recording unit as an audio file. In Patent Document 2, an audio file recorded in a recording unit, that is, an icon for identifying the audio signal is created in order to facilitate an audio signal search. In this patent document 2, an amplitude waveform, a sound pressure waveform, a frequency distribution, and the like of the recorded sound are displayed as icons. In Patent Document 3, an external voice is recognized, and an image file corresponding to the recognized voice is searched and displayed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-223403 A
[0005]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-160466
[0006]
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-9-135417
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 also proposes to create an icon corresponding to the audio file recorded in the recording means. However, this is done so that the recorded file is a predetermined audio file. This is for creating a symbol icon. For this reason, even when the user looks at the created icon, the user can only know that the file corresponding to the icon is an audio file, and intuitively understand what kind of audio is recorded in this audio file. It is difficult to recognize.
[0008]
In Patent Document 2, an icon is displayed on the content of a voice using an amplitude waveform, a sound pressure waveform, a frequency distribution, and the like of the voice signal. However, it is still difficult for a general user to judge what kind of sound is recorded only by looking at the waveform of the sound signal.
[0009]
Further, even in the proposal of Patent Document 3, when a plurality of files are recorded, it is difficult to intuitively recognize what data is recorded in the recording unit.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to intuitively recognize the contents of an audio file recorded in a recording unit, and to easily and visually recognize the audio file. An object of the present invention is to provide an audio recording / reproducing device capable of searching and reproducing.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a recording unit for recording a voice; a voice recording unit for recording a voice signal from the recording unit as one voice file; Means, an image recording means for recording an image photographed by the photographing means, and a specifying means for specifying the image recorded in the image recording means as an icon image representing the audio signal. .
[0012]
Further, in order to achieve the above object, an audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a recording means for recording audio input within a predetermined period, and an audio for recording the audio recorded by the recording means as an audio signal. Recording means, audio reproducing means for reproducing an audio signal recorded in the audio recording means as sound, photographing means for photographing the subject within the predetermined period, and recording an image of the subject photographed by the photographing means An image recording unit, a specifying unit that specifies an image of the subject recorded in the image recording unit as an image for representing the audio signal, and the audio recording unit based on the image specified by the specifying unit. Reproduction control means for reproducing the recorded audio signal as audio using the audio reproduction means.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Before that, the concept of the present invention will be described.
As described above, in recent years, digital cameras having a recording / reproducing function have been increasing. However, in the case of digital cameras, the recording and playback functions are often used as an aid in playing back moving images, etc., and for the function of recording only audio, a product with sufficient ease of use is considered. Has not been reached.
[0014]
In particular, at the time of photographing a still image, since sound is not always obtained at the time of photographing, it is preferable that sound and an image can be separately recorded. However, assuming that audio and images are recorded separately and only the audio is edited later, if there are multiple recorded audio files, what is the content of those audio files? Difficult to find. That is, in such a case, the content is confirmed while reproducing one by one, and it takes a very long time to search for the target audio file. In addition, since each audio file cannot be visually distinguished, it is necessary to assign a file name each time recording is performed in order to distinguish these audio files.
[0015]
On the other hand, in the search for an image file, a captured image can be reduced to an icon by directly reducing it, and this icon can be displayed in a list display format, so that a very efficient search is possible.
[0016]
Therefore, in the present invention, the search for the audio file is facilitated by enabling the audio file to be displayed in the form of a list display using icons, similarly to the image file. When only a small display unit that cannot display a list is provided, only one icon may be displayed, and the image may be switched by an arbitrary operation of the user.
[0017]
In order to perform such icon display, in the present invention, the recording unit is recorded as an image of the surrounding state at the time of recording by effectively utilizing the photographing function already possessed by the digital camera or the like. However, if shooting is always performed during recording, energy consumption is increased, which is extremely inefficient. Therefore, in the present invention, in order to enhance the energy saving effect and to differentiate each audio file, various methods are added to a method of capturing an image at the time of recording.
[0018]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an internal configuration of an audio recording / reproducing device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
In FIG. 1, a control unit (CPU) 1 is a control unit including a microcomputer or the like. The CPU 1 determines the operation states of various switches by the user, and controls a sequence of the entire device, for example, a shooting sequence and a recording sequence. Further, the CPU 1 also performs various arithmetic processes such as a distance measurement operation based on the input data.
[0020]
The release switch 1a connected to the CPU 1 is a switch for detecting whether or not an instruction to start shooting has been given by the user. The operation switch unit 1b is a switch for instructing selection of an image, enlargement / reduction of an image, and the like.
[0021]
Next, a configuration and an operation related to image capturing corresponding to the “photographing unit” described in the claims will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the photographing means includes a photographing lens 2, a zoom / focus control unit 2a, an image sensor 3, an analog / digital (A / D) conversion unit 3a, an image processing unit 4, a compression / decompression unit 6, and a distance measurement unit 10. And a CPU 1 for controlling these.
[0022]
At the time of photographing, first, the distance to the subject 20, that is, the subject distance is calculated by the distance measuring unit 10, and the focus position of the photographing lens 2 is determined accordingly. The focus position may be determined by the distance measuring unit 10 using, for example, a known triangulation method or a method using an image signal acquired by the image sensor 3. Since the operation of the distance measuring unit 10 is not the essence of the present embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
[0023]
After the focus position of the photographing lens 2 is determined by the distance measuring unit 10, the focusing of the photographing lens 2 is performed via the zoom / focus control unit 2a. The zoom / focus control section 2a also has a function of an "angle-of-view changing means" in the claims, and changes the angle of view of the photographic lens 2 at the time of shooting, that is, the zoom position, under the control of the CPU 1. . The change of the angle of view will be described later.
[0024]
After the focusing of the photographic lens 2 is completed, an image of the subject 20 in focus is formed on the image sensor 3 including a CCD, a CMOS sensor, and the like. After the image from the subject 20 is converted into an electric signal (referred to as an image signal) by the image pickup device 3, the image signal is output to the A / D converter 3a and input to the A / D converter 3a. The converted image signal is converted to a digital quantity. After that, the digitally converted signal is output to the image processing unit 4.
[0025]
Next, the image processing unit 4 performs various image processing such as γ correction processing, white balance processing, and edge processing. Through these image processing, the obtained image is optimized so that it can be easily seen by human eyes.
[0026]
The image processed by the image processing unit 4 is output to the compression / decompression unit 6. The compression / decompression unit 6 compresses an input signal by a predetermined compression method, and converts the compressed signal as an image file from various recording media such as a memory card via a recording control unit 8a. Is recorded in the recording unit 8. The recording unit 8 is not limited to a memory card and can be used as long as it is a non-volatile recording unit. The recording unit 8 may be detachable from the device or may be built in the device.
[0027]
Further, at the time of such exposure control, the CPU 1 determines the brightness of the subject 20, and controls the strobe unit 11 corresponding to the "strobe means" according to the claims according to the result of the determination. Flash light is projected on the subject 20. Thereby, the exposure at the time of shooting is supplemented.
[0028]
Next, the configuration and operation corresponding to the "display means" described in the claims will be described. That is, the configuration corresponding to the display means includes the LCD driver 9a, the display unit 9, and the CPU 1 that controls these components.
[0029]
When displaying the image file recorded on the recording unit 8 on the display unit 9, first, the image file recorded on the recording unit 8 is read out via the recording control unit 8 a, The signal is expanded, and then the expanded image is displayed on the display unit 9 via the LCD driver 9a.
[0030]
Next, the configuration and operation corresponding to the “recording means” described in the claims will be described. That is, the configuration corresponding to the recording means includes the microphone 5, the amplifier 5a, the analog / digital (A / D) conversion unit 5b, the compression / decompression unit 6, and the CPU 1 that controls these.
[0031]
At the time of recording, the input voice is converted into an electric signal via the microphone 5. This signal is amplified by the amplifier 5a and then converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 5b.
[0032]
The audio signal processed in this way is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 6 according to a predetermined compression method, and then the compressed audio signal is recorded in the recording unit 8 via the recording control unit 8a as an audio file. Is done. That is, in the present embodiment, the recording unit 8 performs both recording of an image file (“image recording unit” described in claims) and recording of an audio file (“audio recording unit” described in claims). Used for
[0033]
When the audio signal recorded in the recording unit 8 is reproduced as audio as an operation of the “audio reproduction unit” described in the claims, first, the audio signal recorded in the recording unit 8 is recorded via the recording control unit 8a. After the audio signal is read, it is expanded in the compression / expansion unit 6, and the expanded audio signal is converted into an analog signal by a digital / analog (D / A) converter 7b. Thereafter, this signal is amplified by the amplifier 7a, and then output from the speaker 7 as sound.
[0034]
Next, display performed on the display unit 9 when searching for an audio file or an image file recorded in the recording unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view of the camera as an example of the audio recording / reproducing device in a state where the display unit 9 is exposed and arranged.
[0035]
As described above, in the present embodiment, a list display (index display) 9b as shown in FIG. In the list display 9b, image files and audio files recorded in the recording unit 8 are displayed as a list with icons. At this time, when a switch included in the operation switch section 1b is operated, the cursor 9c moves, and the icon can be selected.
[0036]
When an icon is selected by the user, the image of the selected icon is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 9. If there is an audio file associated with the selected icon, the audio is reproduced via the speaker 7. In FIG. 2, in order to distinguish between the image file and the audio file, if there is an audio file associated with the icon image, a character string of “audio” is also displayed on the icon image. ing.
[0037]
As described above, by displaying the files recorded in the recording unit 8 as a list, not only image files but also audio files can be visually and easily searched. FIG. 2 shows an example of a digital camera as an example of the audio recording / reproducing device. In the present embodiment, the audio recording / reproducing device including the display unit 9 capable of displaying a list as shown in FIG. Then, it can be applied to other devices. The digital camera of FIG. 2 will be described later in detail.
[0038]
In order to perform the list display 9b as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, whenever a voice is recorded, a characteristic image representing the voice (hereinafter, this image is referred to as an “icon image”) ) To shoot. When recording the icon image, the recording control unit 8a records the icon image data and the corresponding audio data in association with each other.
[0039]
FIG. 3 shows a conceptual diagram of data recorded in the recording unit 8. Of the data relating to the audio file or the image file recorded in the recording unit 8, the file management information such as the file name is recorded in the directory entry 8b, and the actual data part is recorded in the cluster unit 8c. Further, in addition to the file name, information such as the head address of the data written in the cluster part is recorded in the directory entry 8b.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 3, the data of the photographed icon image is recorded in the cluster unit 8c as a part of the actual data. When a certain file is specified, the icon image data corresponding to the file is read out according to a predetermined format, and is displayed on the display unit 9 as an icon.
[0041]
Conversely, when an icon is selected on the display unit 9, the recording unit access function unit (not shown in FIG. 1) inside the CPU 1 determines which file the icon indicates. Then, based on the result of this determination, the portion of the icon image data is skipped according to the above-mentioned predetermined format, and only the data portion is read. Thereafter, an enlarged display is performed on the display unit 9 in accordance with the read data, or reproduced as audio from the speaker 7. With such a data structure, icon image data and audio data can be managed in the same recording unit.
[0042]
Here, the icon image represents the content of the sound to be recorded, and is photographed before the start of recording, during recording, or after the end of recording. For example, when recording the contents of a meeting or the like, a surrounding image at the time of the meeting is photographed as an icon image before, during or after the recording.
[0043]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when recording the contents when the user 21 meets with the person 20, the device 12 is placed on a table as shown to start recording. At this time, the operation of photographing the icon image also starts in synchronization with the start of the recording operation, and the image obtained via the photographing lens 2 is recorded in the recording unit 8.
[0044]
At this time, if the photographing lens 2 is a zoom lens and the zoom position is set on the telephoto side, only a narrow range as shown by a region T in FIG. 4B is photographed. Sometimes only fluorescent lights on the ceiling are captured. In this case, even if this image is viewed after the end of the recording, it is not possible to guess what kind of sound was recorded at all, which is not preferable as an icon image.
[0045]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, at the time of recording, after changing the angle of view of the photographing lens 2 to the wide angle side by the zoom / focus control unit 2a, the icon image is photographed. In this case, since a wide range shown by the area W in FIG. 4B can be photographed, there is a high possibility that an image in which the content of the recorded voice can be easily analogized is obtained.
[0046]
However, even in this case, an image suitable for the icon image may not be obtained. Therefore, after an instruction to start recording is made and before actually starting the recording operation, a warning may be issued to urge the user to shoot an icon image. Such a warning may be given after the end of recording. The user who has received such a warning can take an icon image with his / her favorite composition as shown in FIG.
[0047]
Also, without displaying a warning, an icon image taken during recording is displayed after the recording is completed, so that a user who has seen the displayed image can determine whether or not to re-capture the icon image. Is also good. Further, the device itself may determine whether or not an image captured during recording is appropriate as an icon image. This may be performed, for example, by determining whether or not a high-contrast subject indicating the main subject exists in the image signal acquired by the image sensor 3.
[0048]
Note that even when the user shoots an icon image, if the shooting is performed in the area T, the amount of information is considered to be small as the icon image for estimating the recorded content. Is preferably performed. Therefore, after issuing a warning, the angle of view of the photographing lens 2 is automatically changed to the wide angle side by the zoom / focus control unit (view angle changing unit) 2a.
[0049]
Further, the icon image is only used for displaying the list, and it is not necessary to convert all the regions of the photographed images into icons. Therefore, as shown in a region 22 shown in FIG. The icon image may be created by limiting only a partial area in the captured image. Further, the icon images are photographed a plurality of times during recording, and a plurality of icon images as a result of the photographing are displayed in a list as shown in FIG. The user may be able to select a desired image as an icon image from.
[0050]
Next, control of icon image shooting performed during such recording will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The example of FIG. 6 is an example in which an icon image is shot at the time of recording, and thereafter, a display for confirming the shot icon image is made. The flowchart in FIG. 6 may be started, for example, when a recording button (not shown) provided on the device 12 is operated.
[0051]
When the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started, the CPU 1 first controls the zoom / focus control unit 2a to increase the angle of view of the photographing lens 2 on the wide-angle side as the operation of the “switching control unit” described in the claims. After that, the recording is started (step S2). At the same time as the start of the recording, the timer (not shown) starts counting (step S3). Next, it is determined whether or not the timer has counted a predetermined time (step S4). If it is determined in step S4 that the timer has not counted the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0052]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the timer has counted the predetermined time, an image signal is obtained using the image sensor 3 (step S5). Next, the currently acquired image signal is compared with the image signal acquired immediately before to determine whether or not there is a significant change between these image signals (step S6). If it is determined in step S6 that the image signal has a large change, the image signal is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 4, and the obtained image is recorded in the recording unit 8 as an icon image candidate. (Step S7), and then the process proceeds to Step S8. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that there is no significant change in the acquired image signal, the process proceeds to step S8 without recording the captured image in the recording unit 8.
[0053]
In the next step, it is determined whether or not the recording has been completed (step S8). If it is determined in step S8 that the recording is not completed, the process returns to step S3, and thereafter, the operations in steps S3 to S8 are repeated until the recording is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the recording has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S9.
[0054]
That is, in the present embodiment, an image is shot a plurality of times from the start of recording to the end of recording. This control, that is, the loop control of S3 to S8 corresponds to the “imaging control unit” described in the claims. In the present embodiment, a temporal change in the image signal acquired by the image sensor 3 in a plurality of shootings is determined, and the image is recorded in the recording unit 8 only when there is a large change in the image signal. . This is to save the recording capacity of the recording unit 8 by preventing the recording unit 8 from recording a plurality of similar images. Here, the determination in step S5 is made based on the temporal change of the image signal. However, for example, the determination may be made based on the temporal change in the subject distance calculated by the distance measuring unit 10.
[0055]
After the recording is completed, a list of images taken during the recording is displayed on the display unit 9 (step S9). Then, the CPU 1 determines whether or not an image suitable for the icon image exists (step S10). Here, as the determination in step S10, the contrast of each captured image is detected, and it is determined whether a high-contrast portion exists in the detected contrast. That is, a high-contrast subject is considered to have a large amount of information for the user to identify later.
[0056]
If it is determined in step S10 that a high-contrast subject does not exist, a warning is issued as an operation of the warning unit described in the claims to urge the user to re-capture the icon image ( Step S11). The warning may be such that sound is reproduced from the speaker 7 or light may be emitted from a light source such as the strobe unit 11. After the warning in step S11, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has issued an instruction to start re-imaging (step S12). If it is determined in step S12 that there is no instruction to start re-imaging, the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that there is an instruction to start re-photographing, after photographing an image (step S13), the process proceeds to step S14.
[0057]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that a high-contrast subject is present, or after the image is captured in step S13, the images are displayed again in a list (step S14).
[0058]
In the present embodiment, the user can select his or her favorite image from the images displayed in the list and iconify it. Further, it is also possible to cut out only a part of the selected image and convert it to an icon. Such a cutout operation is performed by, for example, a user instructing a limited image area so that only the area 22 is iconified from the image as shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the control in steps S15 to S18 corresponds to this control.
[0059]
After the processing of steps S15 to S18, the obtained image is specified as an icon image (a specifying unit) and is recorded in the recording unit 8 (step S19). Thereafter, the recording control of this flowchart ends.
[0060]
Here, in the determination in step S10, the CPU 1 is caused to determine an image suitable for the icon image. However, the user looks at the images displayed in the list on the display unit 9 and determines whether there is an image to be iconified. May be determined. Further, the determination by the CPU 1 and the determination by the user may be used in combination.
[0061]
As described above, in the present embodiment, an image for an icon is automatically taken at the time of recording, recorded in the recording unit, and displayed in a list using the image for the icon. become. In addition, when an icon image is photographed a plurality of times, an image having no change from a past image is not recorded, so that the storage capacity of the storage unit can be saved.
[0062]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A and 7B are external views of the digital camera. FIG. 7A is an external view of the camera body 12 as viewed obliquely from behind. In FIG. 7A, a finder window 12b is provided on the back of the camera body 12. The finder window 12b is an opening provided in the camera body 12, and in the state of FIG. 7A, a part of the display unit 9 is exposed through the finder window 12b. That is, in the state of FIG. 7A, the display unit 9 has a function as an image display unit for a finder, and the user can see the image displayed on the finder unit to know the state of the subject at the time of shooting. it can.
[0063]
Further, when the photographer presses a release button 1a provided on the upper surface of the camera, the release switch 1a in FIG. 1 is turned on. The CPU 1 determines the ON state of the release switch 1a and starts the above-described shooting sequence. The above-described photographing lens 2 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 12. This photographing lens 2 will be described later.
[0064]
FIG. 7B is an external view of the camera body 12 as viewed from the front. 7A, the microphone 5 and a grip portion 12c for gripping the camera body 12 are provided on the front surface portion 12a of the camera body 12. Further, on the front surface of the camera body 12, there is provided a strobe light emission window 11a which is a light emission window of the above-mentioned strobe unit 11.
[0065]
The front part 12a of the camera is configured to be openable and closable. That is, when the front part 12a is opened, the entire screen of the display unit 9 is exposed as shown in FIG. Further, by opening the front portion 12a, the speaker 7 formed on the back surface of the front portion 12a is also exposed. Further, in the state of FIG. 2, by operating the operation button unit 1b, each switch included in the operation switch unit 1b of FIG. 1 is turned on / off to perform various operations such as selection of image files and audio files. Can be.
[0066]
In other words, the camera is used with the front part 12a closed in the shooting mode or the recording mode for recording images or sounds, and used with the front part 12a opened in the reproduction mode for reproducing images or sounds.
[0067]
The internal configuration of the camera will not be described because the configuration described in FIG. 1 can be applied as it is.
[0068]
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the main operation of the camera. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 8 describes an example in which an icon image is captured before and during recording.
[0069]
First, the CPU 1 determines the current camera mode. That is, in steps S20, S35, and S45 of the flowchart in FIG. 8, it is determined whether the current camera mode is a recording mode, a shooting mode, or a playback mode. If it is not any of these modes, other control is performed. Here, zoom control (step S52 and step S53) is shown as another control, but there is another control. This mode determination can be made based on the open / close state of the front part 12a of the camera, the state of a mode switch (not shown), and the like.
[0070]
First, the control of the recording mode starting from step S21 will be described. If it is determined that the current shooting mode is the recording mode, it is determined whether or not a recording start instruction has been given by an operation of the user (step S21). If it is determined in step S21 that the recording start instruction is not issued, the process returns to step S20. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the recording start instruction has been issued, the angle of view of the photographing lens 2 is changed to the wide angle side in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S22). By changing the angle of view of the photographing lens 2 to the wide-angle side in this way, there is also an effect that the depth of field becomes deep and the focusing range becomes wide. By utilizing this effect, the zoom position of the photographing lens 2 is fixed to the wide-angle side so that it is not necessary to perform focus control each time an icon image is photographed (step S23).
[0071]
Next, an image is captured, and the image obtained by this is recorded in the recording unit 8 (step S24). Here, since the icon image does not need to be photographed at a high resolution, photographing is performed at a low resolution in the photographing of step S24. In this low-resolution shooting, for example, signals from some pixels may be skipped and recorded instead of reading signals from all pixels of the image sensor 3.
[0072]
After capturing the icon image, the timer (not shown) starts counting time (step S25). At the same time, the sound recording is started (step S26). Next, it is determined whether or not the timer has counted a predetermined time (step S27). If it is determined in step S27 that the timer has not counted the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S31.
[0073]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the timer has counted the predetermined time, an image signal is obtained using the image sensor 3 (step S28). The image signal acquired in step S28 is also used by skipping some pixel signals. Next, the currently acquired image signal is compared with the image signal acquired one time before to determine whether or not there is a large change between these image signals (step S29). If it is determined in step S29 that there is a large change in the image signal, the image signal is processed by the image processing unit 4, and the obtained image is recorded in the recording unit 8 as an icon image ( Step S30). After that, it moves to step S31. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S29 that there is no significant change in the acquired image signal, the process proceeds to step S31 without recording the captured image in the recording unit 8.
[0074]
Here, at the time of photographing the images in step S24 and steps S28 to S30, it is assumed that the flash unit 11 is prohibited from emitting light to perform photographing (prohibiting means). That is, the purpose of capturing an icon image is to capture an image that can be intuitively understood by the user, and it is not related to slight underexposure. This makes it possible to suppress energy consumption due to strobe light emission.
[0075]
After the recording of the image is completed, it is determined whether or not the recording is completed (step S31). If it is determined in step S31 that the recording is not completed, the process returns to step S27, and thereafter, the operations of steps S27 to S31 are repeated until the recording is completed, and the icon image is photographed a plurality of times. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the recording has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S32.
[0076]
Next, the icon image recorded in the recording unit 8 is displayed on the display unit 9 as described above (step S32). Thereafter, the CPU 1 converts the selected image into an icon, that is, identifies the selected image as an icon image (step S33). After the icon image data is recorded in the recording section 8 together with the audio data (step S34), the control of this flowchart is ended.
[0077]
Although the description is omitted here, in the present embodiment, a part of a captured image can be cut out and iconified as in the flowchart of FIG.
[0078]
Next, control of the photographing mode starting from step S36 will be described. In this shooting mode, first, it is determined whether or not the release switch 1a has been turned ON by the user (step S36). If it is determined in step S36 that the release switch 1a has not been turned ON, the process returns to step S20.
[0079]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the release switch 1a has been turned ON, distance measurement and photometry are performed (step S37). Then, focusing of the photographing lens 2 is performed based on the distance measurement result (step S38). Next, it is determined whether or not the subject has low brightness based on the photometry result in step S37 (step S39). If it is determined in step S39 that the subject has low luminance, exposure is performed while projecting strobe light from the flash unit 11 toward the subject (step S40), and the process proceeds to step S42. . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S39 that the subject is not low-luminance, normal exposure is performed (step S41), and the process proceeds to step S42.
[0080]
After the exposure, the image processing unit 4 performs image processing such as γ correction (step S42). Next, an icon image of the photographed image is created (step S43). Then, after causing the recording section 8 to record the photographed image and the icon image in association with each other (step S44), the control of this flowchart ends.
[0081]
In other words, the shooting mode differs from the recording mode in that distance measurement, photometry, and focusing are performed prior to shooting an image, and a strobe is used as necessary.
[0082]
Next, the control of the reproduction mode starting from step S46 will be described. In the reproduction mode, the above-described list display 9b is performed on the display unit 9 (step S46). In this state, it is determined whether an icon has been selected by the user (step S47). If it is determined in step S47 that the icon has been selected, the display is switched so that the selected icon image is enlarged and displayed (step S48). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not it is determined by a user operation to reproduce the file corresponding to the icon image (step S49). If it is determined in step S49 that the file corresponding to the icon image is to be reproduced, it is determined whether the file to be reproduced is an audio file (step S50). Note that the audio file here also includes audio accompanying a moving image or the like. If it is determined in step S50 that the file to be reproduced is an audio file, the audio file corresponding to the icon image is reproduced (step S51), and the control of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that the file to be reproduced is an image file, the image file corresponding to the icon image is reproduced (step S52), and the control of this flowchart ends.
[0083]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a camera that can easily manage audio files by effectively utilizing an existing imaging function of a normal camera in a shooting mode.
[0084]
In addition, even when editing work such as combining a photograph and sound with a personal computer or the like is performed later, it is easy to search for a file and it is very easy to use.
[0085]
Further, in photographing an icon image during recording, strobe light emission is prohibited, or fixed focus control is performed without performing autofocus control, thereby performing photographing control appropriate for photographing an icon image. That is, since an image to be iconized is photographed, there is no relation to a slight shift in focus or insufficient exposure. Therefore, in consideration of energy saving and shortening of the photographing time, in the present embodiment, extra control such as focus control is not performed at the time of icon image photographing.
[0086]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described first and second embodiments, the amount of information at the time of shooting is increased by shooting with the angle of view of the shooting lens 2 set to the wide angle side when shooting an icon image. The third embodiment of the present invention is an example in which the amount of information at the time of shooting can be further increased compared to the first and second embodiments described above. FIG. 9A shows an external configuration diagram of the device of the present embodiment.
[0087]
As shown in FIG. 9A, in the present embodiment, the lens barrel 2b is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure. By rotating the lens barrel 2b, it is possible to perform photographing while changing the photographing range during recording. Such a rotatable lens barrel 2b corresponds to the "imaging range changing means" described in the claims.
[0088]
Here, the structure of the lens barrel 2b of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9B, when the CPU 1 rotates the motor 33 via the motor driving unit 34, the pinion gear 32 rotates in conjunction with the rotation. Further, the rotation of the pinion gear 32 is transmitted to the gear 31, and the rotation of the gear 31 causes the lens barrel 2b to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9B. If the lens barrel 2b having such a structure is used, it is possible to acquire an image from a wider range in photographing during recording.
[0089]
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of icon image shooting when the lens barrel 2b having such a structure is used. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, first, after changing the angle of view of the photographing lens 2 to the wide-angle side (step S61), recording of audio is started (step S62). After the start of the recording, the sound input from the microphone 5 is detected to detect the volume of the sound (step S63).
[0090]
Next, it is determined whether or not the volume detected in step S63 has changed more than a predetermined level (step S64). If it is determined in step S64 that the volume has changed more than the predetermined level, the direction of the photographing lens 2 is switched (step S65). The switching of the lens direction is performed, for example, in a direction in which the volume of the sound input through the microphone 5 is increased. This is because when the volume input through the microphone 5 is large, there is a high possibility that a person or the like exists near the device. When the volume does not change, the memory capacity can be saved by not taking a picture.
[0091]
After the direction of the photographing lens 2 is switched in step S65, an image signal of the subject is acquired at a low resolution (step S66). Next, it is determined whether or not a high contrast area exists in the acquired image signal (step S67). If it is determined that a high contrast area exists, the image processing is performed, and Recording is performed (step S68). Since an image with a low contrast has a small amount of information and is considered to be unfavorable as an icon image, such an image is determined in step S67 so as not to be recorded.
[0092]
After recording the image in step S67, it is determined whether or not the recording has been completed (step S69). If it is determined in step S69 that the recording has not been completed, the process returns to step S62. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S69 that the recording has been completed, the process exits the flowchart in FIG. 10 and proceeds to step S9 in FIG. Is performed.
[0093]
As a modification of the third embodiment, control according to the flowchart in FIG. 10 may be performed using the device shown in FIG. The device shown in FIG. 11 is provided with a plurality of microphones 5 (two microphones 5c and 5d in FIG. 13) to enable audio input from two directions. The switching of the direction of the photographing lens 2 when the device shown in FIG. 11 is used will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0094]
In the flowchart of FIG. 12, first, it is determined whether or not the volume of the voice input from the microphone 5c is higher than the volume of the voice input from the microphone 5d (step S70). If it is determined in step S70 that the volume of the microphone 5d is higher than the volume of the microphone 5c, the photographing lens 2 is rotated upward (direction of arrow a) in FIG. 11 (step S71). The control exits from this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S70 that the volume of the microphone 5c is higher than the volume of the microphone 5d, the photographing lens 2 is rotated downward (the direction of arrow b) in FIG. 11 (step S72). Then, the control exits from this flowchart.
[0095]
Here, the direction of the photographing lens 2 is automatically changed according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 or FIG. 12, but the direction of the photographing lens 2 can be arbitrarily changed by a user by operating a remote controller or the like. You may do something like this.
[0096]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to capture images in various directions during recording.
[0097]
Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the present invention. is there.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to intuitively recognize the contents of an audio file recorded in the recording means, and to easily and visually search this audio file. It is possible to provide an audio recording / reproducing device which can reproduce the audio data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an internal configuration of an audio recording / reproducing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view of a camera as an example of an audio recording / reproducing device in a state where a display unit is exposed and arranged.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of data recorded in a recording unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example when recording contents at a meeting;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an image selection and cutout operation.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of icon image shooting control during recording.
FIG. 7 is an external view of a digital camera as an audio recording / reproducing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main operation of the camera.
FIG. 9A is an external view of a device according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a structural diagram of a mechanism for driving a lens barrel.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of icon image shooting according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an external view of a modified example of the third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure for changing the direction of a photographing lens in a modification of the third embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... control unit (CPU), 1a ... release switch, 1b ... operation switch unit, 2 ... photographing lens, 2a ... focus control unit, 3 ... imaging device, 3a, 5b ... analog / digital (A / D) converter, 4 image processor, 5 microphone, 5a, 7a amplifier, 6 compression / expansion unit, 7b digital / analog (D / A) converter, 7 speaker, 8 recording unit, 8a: Recording control unit, 9: Display unit, 9a: LCD driver, 10: Distance measuring unit, 11: Flash unit

Claims (12)

Recording means for recording voice,
Voice recording means for recording the voice signal by the recording means as one voice file;
Photographing means for photographing a subject;
Image recording means for recording an image photographed by the photographing means,
Specifying means for specifying an image recorded in the image recording means as an icon image representing the audio signal;
An audio recording / reproducing device comprising: Angle-of-view changing means for changing the angle of view at the time of shooting by the shooting means,
Switching control means for switching the angle of view to the wide-angle side by the angle-of-view changing means when the subject is being imaged by the imaging means;
The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Shooting control means for causing the shooting means to perform shooting a plurality of times;
Selecting means for selecting the icon image from a plurality of images obtained as a result of a plurality of shootings of the shooting means by the shooting control means,
The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising display means for selecting and displaying a different image from among the plurality of images obtained as a result of the plurality of shootings. 4. The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image recording unit selects and records only different images from among the plurality of images obtained as a result of the plurality of shootings. 2. The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means starts recording audio following the photographing of the subject by the photographing means. 2. The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a photographing range changing unit that changes a photographing range during photographing by the photographing unit. 2. The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that warns the user to perform photographing after the recording by the recording unit. A strobe means for projecting a strobe light to a subject,
Prohibiting means for prohibiting the operation of the flash means when photographing the subject by the photographing means;
The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a low-resolution recording unit configured to record an image having a lower resolution than an image at the time of normal photographing when the image photographed by the photographing unit is recorded in the image recording unit. Audio recording and playback equipment. 2. The audio recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein photographing is performed with a fixed focus during photographing by the photographing means. Recording means for recording voice input within a predetermined period,
Voice recording means for recording the voice recorded by the recording means as a voice signal;
Audio playback means for playing back the audio signal recorded in the audio recording means as audio;
Photographing means for photographing a subject within the predetermined period;
Image recording means for recording an image of a subject photographed by the photographing means;
Specifying means for specifying an image of the subject recorded in the image recording means as an image for representing the audio signal;
Reproduction control means for reproducing the audio signal recorded in the audio recording means as audio using the audio reproduction means, based on the image specified by the identification means;
An audio recording / reproducing device comprising:

Images