JP2004357031A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record images of high image quality and transmit the images to a network at the same time, to confirm images which are formed by extending decompressed during recording, and image quality on a transfer rate of an actual network, and further to suppress power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging device 100 has a storage device 7 and a network device 9 where images are recorded, and data thereof can be transmitted to an outside server 11 through a network 10 at the same time. Thus, if the network is in a high-speed, the image data during recording are transmitted to the server through the network as they are, and if not in the high-speed, the data read from the storage device by so called chasing reproduction are transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to, for example, an imaging apparatus having a storage device and a network connection function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing device in a conventional imaging device.
In the image pickup apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 16, high-quality image data imaged by the image pickup device 1 and signal-processed by the camera signal processing apparatus 2 is compressed by the image compression apparatus 12, and then the storage device 7 is stored by the storage device control apparatus 6. When a moving image is sent as it is to the network device 9 via the network device controller 8 via the network device 9 using a low-speed network, the transfer rate of the latter is low, and the frame may drop or become a still image. However, in the worst case, the image may break down, making it unbearable for viewing.
[0003]
Conversely, information on the transfer rate of the network is received from the buffer memory control device 16 via the network device control device 8, and in order to prevent the above-mentioned phenomenon, the image compression device 12 reduces the recording transfer rate of the moving image, If a means for sending a still image is used only when transfer is possible, the image quality of the image recorded on the storage device 7 will be reduced.
[0004]
Note that the imaging device 100 is controlled by a control microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a control microcomputer) 50, and directly or directly outputs high-quality image data imaged by the imaging device 1 and signal-processed by the camera signal processing device 2. After the compressed image recorded in the storage device 7 is decompressed by the image decompression device 13, it can be displayed on the display devices 4 and 5 via the display device control device 18.
[0005]
Patent Document 1 discloses a data input unit for inputting transmission data, a data storage unit for temporarily storing input transmission data, a data compression unit for extracting data from the data storage unit and compressing the data, Data transmission means for transmitting data via a wireless line, a data transfer delay caused by a change in throughput on the line is absorbed by the data storage means, and a compression ratio is controlled according to the change in throughput. Accordingly, a wireless transmission device that performs transmission at an optimum data rate has been disclosed.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-152310 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional imaging apparatus, first, when an image currently being recorded is transferred to a server via a low-speed communication line, a process of lowering the resolution according to the transfer rate or a process of reducing the bit rate is performed. It is necessary to degrade the image quality by performing the process of lowering the image quality. Further, processing such as continuous transmission of still images instead of moving images was required. As a result, when only one image compression device is mounted, there is a disadvantage that the image quality on the recording side of the storage device is also deteriorated.
[0008]
Also, when sending images to the server using a high-speed communication line that can send the image being recorded to the server without failure, using the follow-up playback function can reduce the speed of the storage device compared to normal recording. Must be kept at least twice or more, so that power consumption cannot be reduced.
[0009]
Second, since images that can be confirmed on a plurality of display devices are either images being recorded or being reproduced, there is a disadvantage that an image obtained by expanding a compressed image cannot be confirmed during recording.
[0010]
Further, when a compressed image is used to confirm the image during recording, there is a disadvantage in that power consumption increases because the image decompression device must be operated.
[0011]
Third, there is an inconvenience that the image quality cannot be checked at the actual transfer rate of the network before the start of recording.
[0012]
In addition, when an image is to be checked when network transfer is not possible, using data read from a storage device takes time to display and increases power consumption.
[0013]
Further, in Patent Literature 1, since the bit rate is changed in accordance with the transfer rate, there is an inconvenience that the quality of an image is reduced.
[0014]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a point, it is possible to send a high-quality image to the network at the same time as recording, and also, it is possible to confirm an image obtained by expanding a compressed image during recording, It is another object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus capable of confirming image quality at an actual transfer rate of a network and suppressing power consumption.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first imaging apparatus according to the present invention has a storage device and a network function, and can simultaneously transmit data to an external server via a network while recording an image.
[0016]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the following operations are performed.
Thus, if the network is high speed, the image data being recorded is sent to the server via the network as it is, and if not, the data read from the storage device by so-called chasing playback is sent.
[0017]
In addition, the above two types of data are adaptively switched according to the network environment and sent to the server. Further, when the transfer rate of the network and the storage device is high when the network is interrupted halfway, the chase reproduction is stopped when the read position catches up with the recording position, and the power consumption is reduced.
[0018]
A second imaging apparatus according to the present invention is a photographing apparatus having a network function, in which a plurality of the latter images are recorded before recording or while the images are being sent to an external server via a network while being recorded on a storage device. It has a function of confirming with a display device.
[0019]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the following operations are performed.
Thus, the preview can be performed at the actual transfer rate of the network, and the transferred image can be confirmed even when the network is stopped.
[0020]
Here, power consumption can be suppressed by displaying an image before compression.
[0021]
A third imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus having a network function, wherein the image is transmitted to an external server via a network while being recorded on a storage device, and the latter image is displayed on a plurality of display devices. It has a function to confirm.
[0022]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the following operations are performed.
Thus, when the user checks the image sent to the server via the network, if the image is a compressed image being recorded, the image decompression device is stopped and the image before compression is displayed.
[0023]
Here, power consumption can be suppressed by displaying an image before compression.
[0024]
When the image is a recorded compressed image, the image decompression device is operated to display the output image. These operations are automatically switched according to the status of the network.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[0026]
[First Embodiment]
In recent years, communication infrastructure has been rapidly developed, and it has become possible to send images using a network. The imaging apparatus applied to the embodiment of the present invention is obtained by adding communication means with the outside to the conventional imaging apparatus, and by using this, the captured image is recorded in the storage device and sent to the server using the network. It becomes possible.
[0027]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system in which an imaging device applied to an embodiment of the present invention is used.
In the imaging device 100 shown in FIG. 1, an image being captured is sent to the camera signal processing device 2 via the imaging device 1. The output is sent to the video signal processing device 3, subjected to compression processing, and recorded on the storage device 7 via the storage device control device 6.
[0028]
On the other hand, the image to be sent to the server via the network is either the image being recorded on the storage device 7 or the image recorded on the storage device 7 depending on the state of the communication line, and the image which has passed through the storage device control device 6. Either. This image data is sent to the network device 9 via the network device controller 8 and finally sent to the AV server 11. Note that the network device 9 in FIG. 1 may be either wireless or wired.
[0029]
At present, transfer rates of communication means are as low as about several tens of kbps to as high as over 100 Mbps. Also in the communication method, isochronous transfer, which is a transfer method that guarantees bandwidth but does not guarantee data, data is guaranteed. However, there is asynchronous transfer, which is a transfer method whose bandwidth is not guaranteed.
[0030]
Note that the imaging device 100 is controlled by a control microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a control microcomputer) 50, and directly or directly outputs high-quality image data imaged by the imaging device 1 and signal-processed by the camera signal processing device 2. After the compressed image recorded in the storage device 7 is decompressed by the image decompression device 13, it can be displayed on the display devices 4 and 5 via the display device control device 18.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the first video signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The image being captured by the image sensor 1 is compressed by the image compression device 12 and recorded in the storage device 7 via the storage device control device 6. This first compressed image is also connected to one input terminal of the signal switch 14.
[0032]
On the other hand, the second compressed image recorded in the storage device 7 is read by the storage device controller 6 and input to the other input terminal of the signal switch 14. The third compressed image output from the signal switch 14 is written to the buffer memory 17 via the buffer memory controller 16.
[0033]
The data in the buffer memory 17 is sent to the network device 9 via the buffer memory controller 16 and the network device controller 8.
[0034]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation when recording and network transfer are performed simultaneously.
First, in step S1, when recording is started, the data buses 21 and 22 are connected by the switch 14 so that the input terminal on the read side is connected to the output terminal. To record.
[0035]
In step S2, it waits until the network becomes available for transfer. When transfer becomes possible in step S2, in step S3, reading of the second compressed image, which is the recorded first compressed image, from the storage device 7 is started.
[0036]
Here, a time chart of the operation when the transfer rate of recording is constant and the transfer rate of the network changes as shown in FIG. 3 is shown.
[0037]
T1 in FIG. 3 is when the transfer rate of the recording TW shown in FIG. 3A is higher than that of the network TN. At this time, the processing of steps S4 to S7 is repeated in FIG. Specifically, in step S4, data is written to the buffer memory 17, and in step S5, it is determined whether or not the buffer memory 17 is full. In step S6, the input terminal on the recording side of the switch 14 is connected to the output terminal. It is determined whether or not the write speed of the storage device 7 is higher than the read speed in step S7.
[0038]
At T2 in FIG. 3, the transfer rate of the recording TW shown in FIG. 3A is lower than that of the network TN, and the network DN which is the reading speed from the storage device 7 shown in FIG. 3B exceeds that of the recording DW. If you have. At this time, in FIG. 4, the process of determining whether the write position of the storage device 7 is the same as the read position in steps S4 to S8 is being repeated.
[0039]
When this state continues, the reading position from the storage device 7 shown in FIG. 3B soon catches up with the recording position. T3 in FIG. 3A shows the state after that. At this time, it is determined whether or not the writing to the device has been completed in step S9 of FIG. 4. If it is determined that the writing has not been completed, the data bus is switched in step S11 of FIG. That is, the bus 20 and the bus 22 are connected such that the input terminal on the recording side is connected to the output terminal in the switch 14 of FIG.
[0040]
Further, the reading from the storage device 7 is stopped in step S12 in FIG. 4, and the process returns to step S4. Thereby, the power consumption of the device can be suppressed.
[0041]
T4 in FIG. 3A is a case where the network suddenly becomes unable to communicate. At this time, the reading of data from the buffer memory 17 in FIG. 2 is stopped. Therefore, it is determined that the buffer memory 17 is full in step S5 in FIG. 4, and the writing of data into the buffer memory 17 is stopped in step S13 in FIG.
[0042]
Next, the buses 21 and 22 are connected by the processing of step S1 in FIG. 4 so that the input terminal on the read side is connected to the output terminal in the switch 14 in FIG. Then, a recovery of the network is awaited in step S2 of FIG.
[0043]
T5 in FIG. 3A indicates a period from the recovery of the state of the network TN to the end of the recording TW. After the network is recovered in step S2 of FIG. 4, data reading from the storage device 7 is started in step 3 of FIG.
Thereafter, the processing of steps S4 to S8 in FIG. 4 is repeated. The end of the recording is performed according to the instruction of the control microcomputer 50 in FIG.
[0044]
T6 in FIG. 3A indicates a period from the end of the recording TW to the completion of the transfer to the network TN. When the processing of steps S4 to S8 in FIG. 4 continues, the reading position of the storage device 7 soon catches up with the recording position. Since the writing to the storage device 7 has been completed (recording completed) in step S9 in FIG. 4, when the buffer memory 17 in FIG. 2 becomes empty in step S10 in FIG. Is completed, and all the processes are completed.
[0045]
Although not shown in FIG. 3, if the state is maintained after T3 in FIG. 3A and the recording ends as it is, the processing of steps S7 to S8 in and after step S6 in FIG. 4 is omitted. The processing after step S9 in FIG. 4 is the same as above.
[0046]
In the image pickup apparatus of the first embodiment described above, when transferring an image using a low-speed network that is lower than the transfer rate of the image being picked up by the image pickup device 1, the second compressed image is sent, Sometimes, the first compressed image is sent.
[0047]
Further, the transfer rate of the network and the total data transfer amount, and the transfer rate of the storage device 7 and the total data transfer amount are compared, and the first compressed image and the second compressed image are adaptively switched according to the result. To do.
[0048]
When the first compressed image is being sent, reading from the storage device 7 is stopped.
[0049]
According to the first embodiment described above, when a network having a lower transfer rate than the recording transfer rate is used, it is possible to simultaneously transfer the recording to the server without deteriorating the image quality currently being recorded.
[0050]
Also, use a network that is faster than the recording transfer rate, read the data at a higher speed than the recording transfer rate, and when the reading position catches up with the recording position, transfer the image being recorded as it is via the network. By sending the data to the server and stopping reading from the storage device, the power consumption of the imaging device can be reduced.
[0051]
[Second embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the second video signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The image pickup apparatus applied to the second embodiment of the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having a network function, and while recording the image to a storage device and sending the image to an external server via the network. The present invention relates to an apparatus having a function of confirming the latter image on a plurality of display devices.
[0052]
The second video signal processing device of the imaging device applied to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is the first video signal processing device of the imaging device applied to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference is that the data switching determination device 15 displays the image expansion device 13 that expands the output image of the switch 14, the image captured by the image sensor 1, and the expanded image expanded by the image expansion device 13. And a display device control device 18 for controlling a plurality of display means.
[0053]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the display device control device 18 in FIG.
This operation will be described with reference to the diagram showing the operation of the display device in FIG. 7 and the flowchart showing the display switching operation in FIG.
[0054]
After the recording in the storage device 7 is started in step S21 in FIG. 8, in step S22 in FIG. 8, the bus 20 and the bus 20 are connected so that the input terminal on the recording side is connected to the output terminal in the signal switch 14 in FIG. When it is determined that the output 22 is connected and the output of the signal switch 14 is the output 20 (first compressed image) of the image compression device 12, the operation of the image expansion device 13 is stopped in step S28 in FIG.
[0055]
In the next step S29 in FIG. 8, the display is switched to non-compressed data. At this time, the uncompressed data 19 (39) in FIG. 6 is input to each of the display conversion devices (45, 44) by switching the switches (41, 40) by the microcomputer control signal 51, and the display drive device (47). , 46) is displayed on the display device (4, 5).
[0056]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S22 in FIG. 8 that the output of the signal switch 14 in FIG. 2 is the output 21 (second compressed image) of the storage device control device 6, the compressed image is output in step S23 in FIG. A determination is made whether to confirm. If the compressed image is not displayed in step S23, the display is switched so that the image decompression device 13 is stopped in step S24 and the uncompressed image is displayed in step S25. At this time, according to the user's instruction, the value of the microcomputer control signal 51 becomes 0 as indicated by 81 in FIG. 7, and the uncompressed data 19 (39) is input to each of the display conversion devices (45, 44), and the display drive is performed. The information is displayed on the display device (4, 5) via the devices (47, 46).
[0057]
When displaying a compressed image in step S23, the image expansion device 13 is operated in step S26 in FIG. The compressed and decompressed image signal is indicated by 24 in FIG. This signal 24 is input to the switches (41, 40). The switches (41, 40) can selectively output the other uncompressed image by the microcomputer control signal 51. These outputs are input to the respective display conversion devices (45, 44) and displayed on the display devices (4, 5) via the display driving devices (47, 46).
[0058]
FIG. 7 summarizes the operation of the display device described above. According to the instruction of the data switching determination device 15 of FIG. 2 indicated by 82 as shown in FIG. 7, while the compressed image being recorded is being sent to the network, the image is automatically decompressed as indicated by 85 regardless of the instruction of the user. The operation of the device 13 is stopped, and the uncompressed images are output to the display devices 4 and 5 as indicated by 83 and 84. Thereby, the power consumption of the imaging device 100 can be reduced.
[0059]
On the other hand, in the case where the value of the microcomputer control signal 51 becomes 1 to 3 as indicated by 81 in FIG. 7 according to the user's instruction while the compressed image recorded on the network is being sent, and the compressed image is displayed, As shown at 83 and 84, the image decompression device of FIG. 2 is operated and sent to the display device.
[0060]
Further, these two operations are automatically switched by an instruction of the data switching determination device 15 indicated by 82. Specifically, the switching signal generator 35 of the display device controller 18 outputs the switching signals 37 and 36 according to the instruction 32 of the data switching determining device 15 and the microcomputer control signal 51 in accordance with the table of FIG. The switches 41 and 42 can output an uncompressed image according to the table in FIG. 7 by these switching signals.
[0061]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another video signal processing device. The difference between the other video signal processing devices shown in FIG. 9 and the video signal processing device shown in FIG. 5 is that the storage device 7 supplies the image input to the image decompression device 13 to the other input terminal of the switch 14. The point is that the image is read from the image.
[0062]
In the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment, when the first compressed image is being recorded in the storage device 7 and the third compressed image is the first compressed image, the operation of the image decompression device 13 is stopped. Further, an image captured by the uncompressed image sensor 1 is displayed on the plurality of display devices 4 and 5.
[0063]
Further, when the first compressed image is being recorded in the storage device 7 and the third compressed image is the second compressed image, the image decompression device 13 is operated by the user's instruction to execute the second compressed image. The expanded image of the second compressed image expanded by the image expansion device 13 is displayed on at least one or more of the plurality of display devices 4 and 5.
[0064]
Further, when the first compressed image is being recorded in the storage device 7 and the third compressed image is the second compressed image, the operation of the image decompression device 13 is stopped by the user's instruction, and the uncompressed imaging is performed. An image captured by the element 1 is displayed on the plurality of display devices 4 and 5.
[0065]
Further, in conjunction with the data switching determination device 15, when the first compressed image is being recorded in the storage device 7 and the third compressed image is the first compressed image, the operation of the image decompression device 13 is stopped. Further, a case where an image captured by the uncompressed image sensor 1 is displayed on the plurality of display devices 4 and 5 and a case where the first compressed image is being recorded in the storage device 7 and the third compressed image is in the second compressed image When the image is an image, the user expands the second compressed image by operating the image expansion device 13 according to a user's instruction, and displays the expanded image of the second compressed image expanded by the image expansion device 13 on a plurality of display devices 4. 5 and automatically display at least one or more of them.
[0066]
According to the above-described second embodiment, when a compressed image is read from a storage device during recording according to a user's instruction, the image being transferred to the network can be confirmed by simultaneously operating the image decompression device.
[0067]
Further, when the image being transferred to the network is the output of the image compression device, the operation of the image expansion device is stopped, and the power consumption can be suppressed by displaying the uncompressed image on the display device.
[0068]
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third video signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The imaging apparatus applied to the third embodiment of the present invention is an imaging apparatus having a network function, and before sending an image to an external server via a network before recording or while recording on a storage device. The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of confirming the latter image on a plurality of display devices (preview function).
[0069]
The third video signal processing device of the imaging device applied to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is the first video signal processing device of the imaging device applied to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that the data switching determination device 15 shown in FIG. 2 uses the image expansion device 13 for expanding the output image of the switch 14 It is possible to control a display device control device that controls a plurality of display means to display an image, and to output a fourth compressed image read from the buffer memory 17 in response to a request from the network device 9. On the other hand, the fifth compressed image read out according to the user's request can be output, and further, information necessary for calculating the transfer rate of the network device 9 is output. And also controlling the Ffamemori controller 16 is possible to control the switching unit 53 in addition further.
[0070]
First, a case in which an image to be sent to a network is confirmed before recording will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the buffer memory control device 16 in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation in the case of confirming an image before starting recording. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data switching operation.
[0071]
In steps S31 to S32 in FIG. 12, the first compressed image is written in the buffer memory 17 by the address counter 3 (74) and the data control device 3 (75) in FIG. In step S33 in FIG. 12, readout preparation for preview display data is performed. The setting of the switch in FIGS. 10 and 11 at this time is shown in FIG. Display and network transfer are started in steps S34 to S35 in FIG.
[0072]
In FIG. 11, the signal line 29 goes to the high level H if the network transfer is possible, and goes to the low level L otherwise. If this signal is at a high level H, the value of the address counter 1 (61) is counted up; otherwise, the counting is stopped.
[0073]
On the other hand, in the data control device 1 (67), if the signal 29 is at the high level H, the control signal 69 of the buffer memory 17 is moved, and the data from the buffer memory 17 is operated based on this and the value of the address counter 1 (61). Is read. This data is input from the data control device 1 (67) via the switching device 72 to the image decompression device 13 via the second switching device 53 in FIG. 10, and the image is decompressed.
[0074]
Thereafter, this data is displayed on the display device 1 (4) or the display device 2 (5) via the display device control device 18.
[0075]
If the image confirmation is continued in step S36 of FIG. 12 and it is determined in the next step S37 that the buffer memory 17 is not full, the writing of the first compressed image is continued in step S38.
[0076]
Conversely, when it is determined that the buffer memory 17 is full, writing to the buffer memory 17 is stopped in step S39. The processing in steps S36 to S39 is continued until the image confirmation is completed.
[0077]
Next, a method of creating a preview image when recording is being performed and the network is stopped will be described.
FIG. 13-6 shows the settings of each switch. FIG. 14 shows a flowchart at this time.
[0078]
When the network is down, the buffer memory 17 is full.
That is, the address counter 1 (61) and the address counter 3 (74) are stopped. In steps S41 to S43 in FIG. 14, the output signal 55 of the data switching determination device 15 in FIG. This signal is supplied to the address counter 2 (62) and the data controller 2 (68) in FIG. If this signal is at a high level H, the value of the address counter 2 (62) is counted up; otherwise, the counting is stopped.
[0079]
On the other hand, in the data control device 2 (68), if the signal 55 is at the high level H, the control signal 70 of the buffer memory 17 is operated, and the data from the buffer memory 17 is operated by this and the value of the address counter 2 (62). Is read. This data is input from the data control device 2 (68) to the image expansion device 13 via the second switching device 53 of FIG. 10 via the switching device 72, and the image is expanded.
[0080]
Thereafter, this data is displayed on the display device 1 (4) or the display device 2 (5) via the display device control device 18. When the image confirmation is completed in step S43 in FIG. 14, the output of the data switching determination device 15 is set to low level L, and the reading of data from the buffer memory 17 is completed.
[0081]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another video signal processing device. The other video signal processing device shown in FIG. 15 differs from the video signal processing device shown in FIG. 10 in that the buffer memory control device 16 directly reads out from the buffer memory 17 without passing through the second switch 53. The point is that the compressed image is input to the image decompression device 13.
[0082]
In the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment described above, the image decompression device 13 is used when the first compressed image is recorded on the storage device 7 before and after the recording is started, and when the network transfer of the image is performed by the network device 9. Is displayed on a plurality of display devices 4 and 5, the sixth compressed image input to the image decompression device 13 is a fifth compressed image, and the data is a fourth compressed image. I do.
[0083]
When the first compressed image is being recorded in the storage device 7 and the network transfer of the image is not performed by the network device 9, the sixth compressed image input to the image decompression device 13 is the fifth compressed image. And the compressed image is different from the fourth compressed image.
[0084]
According to the third embodiment described above, the recording data is stored in the buffer memory before the start of recording, and while transferring the data to the server via the network, the data is input to the image decompression device to perform image decompression. By checking the image on the display device, the image quality can be checked at the actual transfer rate of the network.
[0085]
In addition, when the network is in a halt state, by using the image data stored in the buffer memory, the image can be checked at a higher speed than when using the data read from the storage device.
Further, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where data read from a storage device is used.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the 1st imaging device of this invention, when using the network slower than the transfer rate of recording, it can transfer to a server simultaneously with recording, without spoiling the image quality currently recording.
[0087]
Also, use a network that is faster than the recording transfer rate, read the data at a higher speed than the recording transfer rate, and when the reading position catches up with the recording position, transfer the image being recorded as it is via the network. By sending the data to the server and stopping the reading from the storage device, the power consumption of the imaging device can be reduced.
[0088]
Further, according to the second imaging apparatus of the present invention, when reading a compressed image from a storage device during recording according to a user's instruction, the image decompressing apparatus is operated at the same time, so that the image being transferred to the network can be confirmed. it can.
[0089]
Further, when the image being transferred to the network is the output of the image compression device, the operation of the image decompression device is stopped and the power consumption can be suppressed by displaying the uncompressed image on the display device.
[0090]
Further, according to the third imaging apparatus of the present invention, the recording data is stored in the buffer memory before the recording is started, and while the recording data is transferred to the server via the network, the data is input to the image decompression device to perform the image decompression. And confirming the image on the display device, the image quality can be confirmed at the actual network transfer rate.
[0091]
In addition, when the network is in a halt state, by using the image data stored in the buffer memory, the image can be checked at a higher speed than when using the data read from the storage device.
[0092]
Further, there is an effect that power consumption can be reduced as compared with a case where data read from a storage device is used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in which an imaging device applied to an embodiment of the present invention is used.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first video signal processing device.
FIG. 3 is a time chart of an operation when a transfer rate of recording is constant and a transfer rate of a network is changed.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when recording and network transfer are performed simultaneously.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second video signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device control device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the display device.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display switching operation.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second other video signal processing device.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a third video signal processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a buffer memory control device.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a case where image confirmation is performed before recording is started.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation of data switching.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of creating a preview image when recording is being performed and the network is in a stopped state.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third other video signal processing device.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional video signal processing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image sensor 2, 2 ... Camera signal processing device, 3 ... Video signal processing device, 4 ... Display device 1, 5 ... Display device 2, 6 ... Storage device control device, 7 ... Storage device, 8 Network device control device 9 Network device 10 Network 11 AV server 12 Image compression device 13 Image decompression device 14 Switching device 15 Data switching Judgment device, 16 ... Buffer memory control device 16, 17 ... Buffer memory, 18 ... Display device control device, 53 ... Switcher

Claims (12)

In an imaging apparatus capable of recording an image captured by an imaging unit in a recording unit and transferring the image to an external server via a network,
A communication means for communicating with an external server via the network;
Compression means for compressing the image signal imaged by the imaging means;
A recording control unit capable of reading the second compressed image recorded in the recording unit at the same time while recording the first compressed image that is the output of the compression unit in the recording unit,
Switching means for switching and outputting the first compressed image and the second compressed image,
Storage means for storing a third compressed image which is the output of the switching means;
Transfer control means for reading the data of the third compressed image in response to the request of the communication means while managing the storage means, and further outputting information necessary for calculating the transfer rate of the communication means;
The output of the transfer control unit and the information necessary for calculating the transfer rate of the recording unit from the recording control unit are received, and further, information on whether or not transfer is possible is received from the transfer control unit, and based on those information, A control signal of the switching means for switching and outputting the first compressed image and the second compressed image is output, and a criterion for determining whether or not the second compressed image can be read for the recording control means. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a data switching determination unit that outputs a determination signal. The imaging device according to claim 1,
When transmitting an image using a low-speed network that is less than the transfer rate of the image being captured by the imaging unit, the second compressed image is transmitted; otherwise, the first compressed image is transmitted. An imaging device characterized by the following. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The transfer rate of the network and the total data transfer amount, and the transfer rate of the recording unit and the total data transfer amount are compared, and the first compressed image and the second compressed image are adaptively determined according to the result. An imaging device characterized by switching. The imaging device according to claim 3,
An image pickup apparatus, wherein reading from the recording means is stopped when the first compressed image is being sent. In an imaging apparatus capable of recording an image captured by an imaging unit in a recording unit and transferring the image to an external server via a network,
A communication means for communicating with an external server via the network;
Compression means for compressing the image signal imaged by the imaging means;
A recording control unit capable of reading the second compressed image recorded in the recording unit at the same time while recording the first compressed image that is the output of the compression unit in the recording unit,
Switching means for switching and outputting the first compressed image and the second compressed image,
Storage means for storing a third compressed image which is the output of the switching means;
Transfer control means for reading the data of the third compressed image in response to the request of the communication means while managing the storage means, and further outputting information necessary for calculating the transfer rate of the communication means;
The output of the transfer control unit and the information necessary for calculating the transfer rate of the recording unit from the recording control unit are received, and further, information on whether or not transfer is possible is received from the transfer control unit, and based on those information, It outputs a control signal of the switching means for switching and outputting the first compressed image and the second compressed image, and serves as a criterion for determining whether or not the second compressed image can be read out to the recording control means. Data switching determination means for outputting a determination signal;
Image expansion means for expanding the first compressed image and the second compressed image, which is the third compressed image,
Display control means for controlling a plurality of display means for displaying an image taken by the image pickup means, an expanded image of the first compressed image or the second compressed image expanded by the image expansion means. An imaging device, comprising: The imaging device according to claim 5,
When the first compressed image is being recorded in the recording unit and the third compressed image is the first compressed image, the operation of the image decompression unit is stopped, and the image is captured by the uncompressed imaging unit. An image pickup apparatus, wherein the displayed image is displayed on the plurality of display units. The imaging device according to claim 5,
When the first compressed image is being recorded on the recording means and the third compressed image is the second compressed image, the image decompression means is operated by a user's instruction to operate the second compressed image. An image pickup apparatus, wherein an image is expanded, and an expanded image of the second compressed image expanded by the image expansion unit is displayed on at least one of the plurality of display units. The imaging device according to claim 5,
When the first compressed image is being recorded on the recording unit and the third compressed image is the second compressed image, the operation of the image decompression unit is stopped by a user's instruction, and the uncompressed image is further compressed. An image pickup apparatus, wherein an image picked up by the image pickup means is displayed on the plurality of display means. The imaging device according to claim 5,
In conjunction with the data switching determination means, when the first compressed image is being recorded on the recording means and the third compressed image is the first compressed image, the operation of the image decompression means is stopped. Further, a case where an image taken by the uncompressed image pickup means is displayed on the plurality of display means, and a case where the first compressed image is being recorded on the recording means and the third compressed image is the second When the compressed image is a compressed image, the user expands the second compressed image by operating the image decompression means in accordance with a user's instruction, and decompresses the expanded image of the second compressed image decompressed by the image An image pickup apparatus for automatically switching between display of at least one of the display means. In an imaging device capable of recording an image captured by the imaging unit on a recording unit and transferring the image to an external server via a network, a communication unit for performing communication with the external server via the network,
Compression means for compressing the image signal imaged by the imaging means;
A recording control unit capable of reading the second compressed image recorded in the recording unit at the same time while recording the first compressed image that is the output of the compression unit in the recording unit,
First switching means for switching and outputting the first compressed image and the second compressed image,
A storage means for storing a third compressed image which is an output of the first switching means; and a fourth compression read out from the storage means in response to a request from the communication means while managing the storage means. The image can be output, while the fifth compressed image read out at the request of the user can be output, and further, the information necessary to calculate the transfer rate of the communication means is output. Control means;
Second switching means for switching and outputting the second compressed image and the fifth compressed image,
The output of the transfer control unit and the information necessary for calculating the transfer rate of the recording unit from the recording control unit are received, and further, information on whether or not transfer is possible is received from the transfer control unit, and based on those information, A control signal of the first switching means for switching and outputting the first compressed image and the second compressed image is generated and output, and in addition, a control signal to the second switching means is provided by a user's instruction. Data switching determining means for generating and outputting;
Image expansion means for expanding the first compressed image and the second compressed image, which is the third compressed image,
Display control means for controlling a plurality of display means for displaying an image taken by the image pickup means, an expanded image of the first compressed image or the second compressed image expanded by the image expansion means. An imaging device, comprising: The imaging device according to claim 10,
Displaying the output of the image decompression means on the plurality of display means when the first compressed image is being recorded on the recording means before and during the recording, and while the network is being transferred by the communication means; An image pickup apparatus, wherein the sixth compressed image input to the image decompression means is the fifth compressed image, and the data is the fourth compressed image. The imaging device according to claim 10,
If the first compressed image is being recorded on the recording means and the network transfer of the image is not being performed by the communication means, the sixth compressed image input to the image decompression means is the fifth compressed image. Wherein the compressed image is different from the fourth compressed image.

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