JP2005252499A - Electronic camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera apparatus capable of surely recording a normal moving picture even when the electronic camera apparatus is configured unable to be loaded with a plurality of kinds of recording media whose data writing rate differs from each other. <P>SOLUTION: A flowchart indicating operations at video recording includes: steps SB1 to SB5 of detecting a maximum writing rate of data to a recording medium by actually writing moving picture data by several frames to the recording medium at a point of time when video recording of a moving picture is started; a step SB11 of decreasing a compression rate set as a video recording parameter to adjust the succeeding data rate to a rate not in excess of the maximum writing rate when the detected maximum writing rate is less than the data rate required for assuring the video recording quality set at that point of time (No at SB6); and steps SB10 to SB 14 of sequentially revising the setting as to video recording parameters whose adjustment is permitted in the setting image size and the setting frame rate when the adjustment of the compression rate is insufficient for the assurance of the recording image quality and carrying out the adjustment of decreasing the succeeding data rate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera device having a function of recording a moving image in a stream, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a moving image recording apparatus that performs stream recording that compresses an input moving image in real time and records it on a recording medium. For example, a digital camera having a moving image shooting function corresponds to this. Digital cameras generally use a variety of removable memory cards as recording media. When shooting a movie (recording), multiple recording parameters (mainly compression method, compression rate, image size, frame rate) Accordingly, image data (frame data) compressed for each frame is sequentially recorded on a memory card or the like. Digital cameras generally allow the user to set the quality of moving images to be recorded, that is, the recording quality (fine, normal, economy, etc.) in advance. In such a case, the recording parameters are automatically set according to the recording quality. Set to

  Here, at the time of recording, as the recording quality increases, the amount of data that must be processed within a certain period of time increases, which is the data writing speed (writeable speed) per unit time in a memory card or the like. If it exceeds the limit, frames of the video data may be dropped or sound may be interrupted. On the other hand, the data writing speed for a memory card or the like varies greatly depending on the type of the memory card or the like. Therefore, the recording parameters described above corresponding to the recording quality are fixedly determined according to the type of memory card used.

For example, in Patent Document 1 below, for example, in a digital camera capable of mounting two types of recording media, the data writing speed (speed performance) for each recording medium is detected and stored in advance, and unit time By recording still image data with a small amount of data on a recording medium with a low writing speed and recording moving image data with a large amount of data per unit time on a recording medium with a high writing speed. In addition, a method for preventing the occurrence of frame dropping or sound interruption in moving image data is described.
JP 2001-352510 A

  However, according to the above method, the moving image data can be reliably recorded. However, in implementing this, the digital camera is configured so that a plurality of types of recording media having different data writing speeds can be simultaneously mounted, and the moving image data is recorded. It is necessary to perform complicated control such that the recording medium to be recorded is appropriately switched according to the recording quality of recording.

  Therefore, even if the digital camera has a configuration in which a plurality of recording media can be mounted, the digital camera needs to be the same type, or when the digital camera has a general configuration in which only one recording medium can be mounted. However, there was a problem that the above method could not be adopted.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an electronic camera device capable of reliably performing normal moving image recording even in a configuration in which a plurality of types of recording media having different data writing speeds cannot be mounted. And it aims at providing the program used for the implementation | achievement.

  In the invention of claim 1, in an electronic camera device having a moving image photographing function for sequentially recording image data constituting a moving image, which is imaged at a predetermined frame period by an imaging means, on a detachable recording medium, Based on the speed acquisition means for acquiring the data writing speed of the recording medium and the writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition means, the value of the recording parameter for determining the amount of image data to be written to the recording medium in a certain time is adjusted, and the image Adjustment means for suppressing the data amount to be equal to or less than the data amount writable on the recording medium in a predetermined time is provided.

  In such a configuration, according to the data writing speed of the recording medium, the amount of image data to be written on the recording medium for a certain period of time is automatically suppressed to be less than the writable data amount, and during the recording of a moving image composed of captured images. Can prevent the temporal failure of the moving image recording process.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the speed acquisition means acquires the data writing speed in consideration of a time other than the image data writing process within a predetermined time.

  In such a configuration, the data writing speed of the recording medium can be obtained accurately.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided recording quality selection means for allowing a user to select a recording quality, and the adjustment means determines the recording quality that the recording quality selection means selects for the user. The data writing speed required for recording is limited to the recording quality that does not exceed the data writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition means.

  In such a configuration, when the recording quality is specified by the user, a high image quality that cannot be actually secured is not set, and as a result, the amount of image data to be written on the recording medium can be automatically written. During recording of a moving image that is suppressed to a data amount or less and that is a captured image, it is possible to prevent temporal failure of the moving image recording process.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided parameter specifying means for allowing a user to specify a recording parameter, and the adjusting means is based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquiring means, and the user is specified by the parameter specifying means. The value of the recording parameter specified in advance is adjusted.

  In such a configuration, the value of the recording parameter designated in advance by the user is adjusted so that the amount of image data to be written on the recording medium in a certain time can be automatically written according to the data writing speed of the recording medium. Less than the amount.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, there are a plurality of recording parameters that can be adjusted by the adjusting means, and a priority order specifying means for allowing a user to specify a priority order for the plurality of recording parameters, the adjusting means Is based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition means, and sequentially determines the values of one or a plurality of recording parameters in accordance with the priority specified in advance by the user by the priority specification means.

  In such a configuration, the value of one or a plurality of recording parameters is adjusted in the order in accordance with the priority specified in advance by the user, so that data is written to the recording medium at a certain time according to the data writing speed of the recording medium. The amount of image data is automatically suppressed below the writable data amount.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided information acquisition means for acquiring a remaining capacity in which image data can be recorded on the recording medium and / or a battery remaining amount in the apparatus, and the adjustment means includes the speed acquisition. Based on the writing speed acquired by the means, the value of the recording parameter is determined in consideration of the remaining capacity and / or the remaining battery capacity acquired by the information acquisition means.

  In such a configuration, the value of the recording parameter is finely adjusted according to the remaining capacity of the recording medium and the remaining battery level.

  Further, in the invention of claim 7, there is provided shooting mode selection means for allowing the user to select one of a plurality of shooting modes prepared in advance corresponding to different shooting scenes, and the adjusting means includes a speed Based on the writing speed acquired by the acquisition means, the value of the recording parameter determined corresponding to the shooting mode previously selected by the user by the shooting mode selection means is adjusted.

  In such a configuration, the value of the recording parameter is adjusted according to the difference in the shooting mode preselected by the user, so that the amount of image data to be written on the recording medium in a certain time according to the data writing speed of the recording medium is reduced. The amount of data that can be automatically written is suppressed below.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the speed acquisition means acquires the data writing speed by performing a data writing process on the recording medium.

  In such a configuration, a more accurate speed reflecting the data recording state in the recording medium is acquired as the data writing speed of the recording medium.

  Also, in the invention of claim 9, the speed acquisition means reads the data recorded in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium and writes the read data to a predetermined area of the recording medium The data writing speed is obtained by performing the above.

  Even in such a configuration, the data writing speed of the recording medium can be acquired at an arbitrary time. Further, it is possible to efficiently perform the data writing operation on the recording medium required for obtaining the data writing speed.

  In the invention of claim 10, the data used by the speed acquisition means for data writing processing on the recording medium is image data that has been subjected to image processing at a predetermined frame period during the recording of moving images. It was supposed to be.

  In such a configuration, when the data writing speed of the recording medium fluctuates during recording, the value of the recording parameter is automatically adjusted accordingly.

  In the invention of claim 11, the speed acquisition means reads speed information for specifying a data writing speed in the recording medium from the recording medium, and acquires the data writing speed based on the read speed information. To do.

  Even in such a configuration, the data writing speed of the recording medium can be acquired at an arbitrary time.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the speed acquisition means writes the data on the recording medium based on correction information unique to a device for correcting a data writing speed indicated by the speed information in addition to the speed information. The speed was to be acquired.

  In such a configuration, the data writing speed of the recording medium can be obtained accurately.

  Further, the invention of claim 13 is provided with notifying means for notifying that when the recording parameter value that has already been determined is changed with adjustment by the adjusting means. .

  In such a configuration, the user can be notified that the set recording quality cannot be maintained.

  Further, in the invention of claim 14, when the adjustment of the value of the recording parameter based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition means by the adjustment means is impossible, the second is notified. An informing means was provided.

  In such a configuration, the user can be informed that recording with the determined minimum image quality cannot be performed.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera device having a moving image photographing function for sequentially recording image data constituting a moving image, which is imaged at a predetermined frame period by an imaging means, on a removable recording medium. A computer having a speed acquisition means for acquiring a data writing speed of the recording medium, and a value of a recording parameter for determining an amount of image data to be written on the recording medium in a predetermined time based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition means And a program for causing the image data amount to function as an adjustment unit that suppresses the amount of image data to be equal to or less than the amount of data that can be written to the recording medium in a predetermined time.

  In the present invention, according to the data writing speed of the recording medium, the amount of image data written to the recording medium for a certain period of time is automatically controlled to be less than or equal to the writable data amount, and during the recording of moving images consisting of captured images. Has made it possible to prevent temporal failure of the moving image recording process. Therefore, normal moving image recording can be reliably performed even in a configuration in which a plurality of types of recording media having different data writing speeds cannot be mounted.

  In particular, in the invention of claim 2, the data writing speed of the recording medium can be obtained accurately. Therefore, high-quality video recording that maximizes the data writing performance of the recording medium is possible.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform high-quality recording utilizing the data writing performance of the recording medium by preventing the setting of high image quality that cannot actually be ensured.

  In the invention of claim 4, by adjusting the value of the recording parameter designated in advance by the user, the amount of image data to be written on the recording medium for a predetermined time is automatically suppressed to be less than the amount of data that can be written. It was made to be. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform normal moving image recording while maintaining the kind of quality that is important to the user.

  In the invention of claim 5, the value of one or a plurality of recording parameters is adjusted in the order in accordance with the priority order designated in advance by the user, whereby the amount of image data to be written on the recording medium in a predetermined time is automatically set. To be less than the writable amount of data. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably perform normal moving image recording while maintaining the quality emphasized by the user for each type to the maximum.

  In the invention of claim 6, the value of the recording parameter is finely adjusted according to the state of the remaining capacity of the recording medium and the remaining battery level. Therefore, it is possible to improve the controllability of the recording quality.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the amount of image data to be written on the recording medium for a predetermined time is automatically written by adjusting the value of the recording parameter according to the difference of the photographing mode preselected by the user. Less than possible data volume. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform normal moving image recording while maintaining important types of quality in each shooting mode.

  In the invention of claim 8, a more accurate speed reflecting the data recording state on the recording medium is acquired as the data writing speed of the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-quality recording that maximizes data writing performance according to the recording state of data included in the recording medium.

  In the invention of claim 9 as well, since the data writing speed of the recording medium can be obtained at an arbitrary time, the degree of freedom of the recording parameter adjustment processing procedure can be expanded. Furthermore, since the data writing operation to the recording medium required for obtaining the data writing speed can be performed efficiently, the data writing speed can be measured efficiently.

  In the invention of claim 10, when the data writing speed of the recording medium fluctuates during recording, the value of the recording parameter is automatically adjusted accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-quality video recording that maximizes the data writing performance corresponding to the data recording state at that time of the recording medium.

  In the invention of claim 11, the data writing speed of the recording medium can be acquired at an arbitrary time. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the recording parameter adjustment processing procedure can be expanded. Further, it is possible to simplify the process for obtaining the data writing speed of the recording medium.

  Furthermore, in the invention of claim 12, since the data writing speed of the recording medium can be obtained accurately, high quality recording that maximizes the data writing performance of the recording medium becomes possible.

  According to the invention of claim 13, the user can be notified that the set recording quality cannot be maintained. Therefore, usability is improved.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the user can be informed that recording with the determined minimum image quality is not possible. This also improves usability.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera common to each embodiment of the present invention. This digital camera has a moving image shooting function and has the following configuration.

  The digital camera includes a camera body 1 and a recording medium 20 that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 1, and the camera body 1 receives an optical system 2 composed of a plurality of lenses, and receives light through the optical system 2. A CCD 3 having a color filter such as a Bayer array, which is an imaging means for forming an optical image of a subject on the surface, is disposed. The CCD 3 is driven by a drive signal sent from the timing generator 7, photoelectrically converts the light image of the subject and outputs it as an imaging signal. The output signal from the CCD 3 is subjected to correlated double sampling and gain adjustment by the CDS circuit 4 and converted to a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 5. The A / D-converted Bayer data is input to the DSP unit 6 and subjected to processing such as pedestal clamping, and then converted into a luminance (Y) signal and a color difference (UV) signal by a luminance / color difference matrix circuit in the block. . Note that the DSP unit 6 also performs processing for improving image quality such as auto iris, auto white balance, contour enhancement, and pixel interpolation.

  The YUV data converted by the DSP unit 6 is converted to a preset image size by the resolution conversion block 8, and then one frame of data is sequentially stored in the built-in memory 14 (for example, SDRAM). The YUV data for one frame stored in the built-in memory 14 is sent to the display controller 11 where it is converted into a video signal and then displayed as a through image on an LCD (liquid crystal display) 12. The LCD 12 also functions as a notifying unit and a second notifying unit of the present invention at the time of moving image shooting described later.

  The YUV data stored in the built-in memory 14 at the time of moving image shooting is sequentially sent to the data compression / decompression block 9 and is encoded after data compression by a codec of a predetermined moving image recording method (for example, Motion-JPEG or MPEG). After being temporarily stored, it is sequentially written to the recording medium 20 as frame data (video data) via the media controller 10. Such a series of operations is repeatedly executed for each frame. That is, stream recording is performed. The frame rate for moving image shooting is determined by the timing signal generated by the timing generator 7, and the compression rate of the encoded data is determined by the quantization table value in the data compression / decompression block 9. The built-in memory 14 functions as a buffer for holding a plurality of frames of frame data (compressed data) before writing to the recording medium 20, and the built-in memory 14 has a capacity for that purpose.

  The YUV data for one frame stored in the built-in memory 14 at the time of still image shooting is encoded after data compression by the JPEG method or the like in the data compression / decompression block 9 and converted into a file in the built-in memory 14. Then, it is recorded as still image data on the recording medium 20 via the media controller 10. Further, the data compression / decompression block 9 decompresses still image or moving image data read from the recording medium 20 when reproducing a still image or moving image, and expands it in the built-in memory 14 as still image data or frame data.

  The voice processing block 15 converts voice input to the microphone 16 built in the camera body 1 into a digital signal at the time of moving image shooting, and sends it to the built-in memory 14 as audio data after data compression. The audio data sent to the built-in memory 14 is sequentially written to the recording medium 20 as a series of stream data together with the frame data. The audio processing block 15 decodes the audio data sent from the built-in memory 14 and converts it into an analog audio signal, and then outputs the sound from the built-in speaker 17 built in the camera body 1 when reproducing the moving image.

  The key input block 18 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button, a power key, and a MENU key, and outputs a key input signal corresponding to the key operation by the user to the CPU 13. The shutter button also functions as a recording start / end button when shooting a moving image.

  Each block described above is controlled by the CPU 13, and programs and data necessary for the CPU 13 to control each block are stored in the program memory 19. The CPU 13 operates as the speed acquisition unit, the adjustment unit, and the parameter designation unit of the present invention by operating based on the program and the key input signal. The program memory 19 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. In addition to the program and data, system data set by the user and setting data relating to each function, such as recording parameters, are stored as needed. .

  The recording parameters are an image size, a frame rate, and a compression rate that determine the amount of image data to be written to the recording medium 20 at a fixed time during moving image shooting, that is, a data rate (maximum bit rate) that is a data writing speed necessary for normal recording. In the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the user can select one of fine, normal, and economy for recording quality at the time of moving image shooting, and the recording parameters have the specified values shown in FIG. 2 corresponding to the recording quality. An image size, a frame rate, and a compression rate corresponding to the selected recording quality are set at any time during moving image shooting. Note that [data rate = image size × frame rate × compression rate], and the illustrated compression rate is a value shown for convenience. As will be described later, the image size, the frame rate, and the compression rate can be automatically adjusted. In the automatic adjustment, the specified value becomes the adjustment reference. Further, regarding the image size and the frame rate, the user can select in advance whether or not automatic adjustment is possible.

  Next, the operation according to the present invention in the digital camera having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of automatic adjustment parameter setting processing executed by the CPU 13 when a user selects a setting mode for setting a recording parameter to be automatically adjusted in moving image shooting from various setting modes at an arbitrary time. It is.

  When the setting mode is selected, the CPU 13 displays a predetermined parameter selection screen on the LCD 12, and allows the user to select recording parameters (image size and frame rate) that enable automatic adjustment (step SA1). When the image size is selected (YES in step SA2), the automatic adjustment of the image size is set to be possible (step SA3). When the frame rate is further selected (YES in step SA4), the frame rate is automatically adjusted. Setting is possible (step SA5). Note that automatic adjustment impossible is set as an initial setting for the image size and frame rate, and automatic adjustment impossible setting is maintained for recording parameters that are not selected. The setting contents are stored in the program memory 19.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the CPU 13 mainly related to automatic recording parameter setting processing during the recording operation when the user performs a recording start operation. The digital camera acquires an amount of time (hereinafter referred to as a net writing time) that can be used for data writing processing within one second (unit time) after the imaging processing by the CCD 3 is started in response to a recording start operation (step SB1). (Step SB2). In such processing, it is assumed that the audio compression processing time during recording is substantially constant, and that the audio data file processing and other processing take almost no time, and the above time is obtained by the following equation.

  [Net writing time = voice compression processing time (fixed value) generated in 1-1 seconds−operation margin (fixed value)]

  Next, after waiting for a predetermined frame of data to be stored in the buffer (built-in memory 14) (YES in step SB3), the recorded data for several frames, that is, the recording quality set at that time is set. By actually writing the frame data compressed according to the corresponding recording parameters to the recording medium 20, the amount of data (hereinafter referred to as unit data amount) that can be written to the recording medium 20 per second is obtained by the following equation (step SB4). ).

  [Unit data amount = amount of data written ÷ write processing time]

  Subsequently, based on the net writing time acquired at step BS2 and the unit data amount acquired at step BS4, the maximum writing speed (A), that is, the substantial data rate, is calculated by adding the overhead to the recording medium 20 by the following equation. (Step SB5).

  [Maximum writing speed (A) = Net writing time x Unit data amount]

  Thereafter, it is determined whether the calculated maximum writing speed is less than the current data rate, that is, the data rate based on the recording parameter value (reference setting value) in the recording quality mode designated by the user (step SB6). If the determination result is YES, for example, if the recording quality mode is fine, the net writing time is 0.8 seconds, and the actually measured data amount is less than 640 kb, normal recording is performed with the current recording quality. If possible, the recording process is continued. If the determination result is NO, it is determined that normal recording cannot be continued with the current recording quality, and adjustment processing for changing the compression rate of the recording parameter is performed (step SB7).

  In such processing, as shown in FIG. 5, until the maximum compression rate that can be set is reached (NO in step SB111), the compression rate set corresponding to the recording quality mode is set to, for example, 1/4, 1 / 6, 1/8... (Step SB112), and a new data rate (B) based on the set image size and frame rate and the changed compression rate is calculated (step SB113). It is determined whether or not the new data rate (B) is less than the aforementioned maximum writing speed (A) (step SB114). Meanwhile, when the new data rate (B) becomes less than the maximum writing speed (A) (YES in step SB114), the recording parameter is updated with the compression rate at that time (step SB115), and the adjustment is completed as shown in FIG. Return to processing. On the other hand, even if the compression rate is changed to the maximum compression rate, if the changed data rate (B) does not become less than the maximum writing speed (A) (YES in step SB111), the adjustment is impossible (step SB116). Returning to the process of FIG.

  When the adjustment is completed by changing the compression ratio (YES in step SB8), a warning message such as “Recording in a quality lower than the recording quality mode setting” is displayed on the LCD 12 (step SB9). Continue the recording process using later recording parameters. If adjustment by changing the compression ratio is impossible (NO in step SB8), it is first checked whether automatic adjustment of the image size is possible, and if it is possible (YES in step SB10). Adjustment processing for changing the image size of the recording parameter is performed (step SB11).

  In this process, as shown in FIG. 6, the image size set corresponding to the recording quality mode is sequentially reduced (step SB122) until the settable minimum size is reached (NO in step SB121). A new data rate (B) based on the image size, the set frame rate and the maximum compression rate is calculated (step SB123), and is the new data rate (B) less than the maximum writing speed (A) described above? It is determined whether or not (step SB124). Meanwhile, if the new data rate (B) becomes less than the maximum writing speed (A) (YES in step SB124), the recording parameter is updated with the image size at that time (step SB125), and the adjustment is completed as shown in FIG. Return to processing. On the other hand, even if the image size is changed to the minimum size, if the changed data rate (B) is not less than the maximum writing speed (A) (YES in step SB121), the adjustment is impossible (step SB126). Return to the process of 4. For example, when only two types of image sizes of 640 × 480 and 320 × 240 shown in FIG. 2 are prepared, the image size is set to 320 × 240 (minimum size) in the recording quality mode. Sometimes, the adjustment is automatically disabled and the process returns to the process of FIG.

  When the adjustment is completed by changing the image size (YES in step SB12), the same caution display as described above is displayed on the LCD 12 (step SB9), and the recording process is continued using the adjusted recording parameter. If the adjustment by changing the image size is impossible (NO in step SB12), and if the determination result in step SB10 is NO and the automatic adjustment of the image size is not possible, the frame rate is next set. If it is possible (YES in step SB13), adjustment processing for changing the frame rate of the recording parameter is further performed (step SB14).

  In such processing, as shown in FIG. 7, the frame rate set corresponding to the recording quality mode is set to, for example, 15 fbs, 10 fbs, 5 fbs, 1 fbs until the settable minimum rate is reached (NO in step SB131). , (Hereinafter, 1 frame for 2 seconds, 1 frame for 2 seconds,...) (Step SB132), and a new data rate (B) based on the minimum image size, the changed frame rate, and the maximum compression rate. Is calculated (step SB133), and it is determined whether or not the new data rate (B) is less than the maximum writing speed (A) described above (step SB134). Meanwhile, when the new data rate (B) becomes less than the maximum writing speed (A) (YES in step SB134), the recording parameter is updated with the frame rate at that time (step SB135), and the adjustment is completed as shown in FIG. Return to processing. On the other hand, even if the frame rate is changed to the minimum rate, if the changed data rate (B) is not less than the maximum writing speed (A) (YES in step SB131), the adjustment is impossible (step SB136). Return to the process of 4.

  When the adjustment is completed by changing the frame rate (YES in step SB15), the same caution display as described above is displayed on the LCD 12 (step SB9), and the recording process is continued using the adjusted recording parameter. Further, when the adjustment by changing the frame rate is impossible (NO in step SB15), and when the determination result in step SB13 is NO and the automatic adjustment of the frame rate is impossible, the “recording parameter is changed”. An error message such as “Cannot adjust automatically. Change the setting of the recording parameter to be automatically adjusted. Recording will be stopped” is displayed on the LCD 12 (step SB16), and the subsequent recording process is stopped.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, after the start of moving image shooting, the data writing speed (performance) of the recording medium 20 is slower than the data rate corresponding to the recording quality selected by the user. In this case, the reference setting value of the recording parameter set in advance according to the recording quality is automatically adjusted, and thereby the data rate at the time of recording is suppressed to a speed lower than the data writing speed to the recording medium 20. Therefore, even when a recording medium 20 having a low data writing speed is used, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the data writing process fails in the middle of recording a moving image. Thereby, even if the digital camera has a configuration in which a plurality of types of recording media having different data writing speeds cannot be mounted, normal moving image recording can be surely performed. In addition, high-quality video recording utilizing the data writing performance of the installed recording medium 20 is possible.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the data writing speed in the recording medium 20 is the same as the data amount when the generated frame data is actually written in the recording medium 20 in one second during recording, and the data writing to the recording medium 20. Since the maximum writing speed obtained based on the time that can be used only for writing data excluding time other than the operation (net writing time including overhead) is used, the data writing speed of the recording medium 20 is accurate and recording is performed. The speed reflecting the data recording state on the medium 20 can be acquired. Therefore, recording with higher quality is possible by making use of the data writing performance of the recording medium 20.

  In addition, a setting mode is provided for setting a recording parameter that can be automatically adjusted during moving image shooting, and whether or not the image size and frame rate of the recording parameter are to be automatically adjusted by the user. Can be selected in advance. Therefore, high quality recording can be performed using the data writing performance of the recording medium 20 while maintaining the kind of quality that the user attaches importance to, and the user can record a moving image with the intended quality.

  Further, when any of the recording parameters is automatically adjusted, it is possible to notify the user that the set recording quality cannot be maintained by a caution display. Furthermore, when the adjustment range of all adjustable recording parameters is exceeded and the data rate required during moving image shooting cannot be adjusted to a speed lower than the data writing speed to the recording medium 20, the determined minimum image quality is set. It is possible to notify the user by an error display that recording cannot be performed by. Therefore, it is easy to use.

  In the present embodiment, when acquiring the time (net writing time) that can be used for writing data in 1 second in step SB2, the time other than the data writing operation to the recording medium 20 (audio compression processing time, operation margin) When a fixed value is used as the), but it cannot be defined, the time required for frame processing such as compression processing and display processing other than data writing processing may be measured and used.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum writing speed of the recording medium 20 is acquired at the time when recording is started, and the recording parameters are adjusted based on the maximum writing speed. The recording parameters (compression rate, etc.) may be dynamically adjusted at predetermined intervals, such as every time the amount of data to be recorded reaches a certain amount, or by acquiring the maximum writing speed at any time. In that case, even if the maximum writing speed fluctuates due to the recording state of the data on the recording medium 20 at that time, the accurate maximum writing speed after the fluctuation can be obtained, so the data according to the data recording state High-quality recording that maximizes writing performance is possible.

  In this embodiment, when the recording parameters need to be automatically adjusted, they are sequentially performed in accordance with the determined priorities such as the compression rate, the image size, and the frame rate. However, the CPU 13 is used as the priority order specifying means. Further, it may function so that the user designates the priority order. Even in such a case, high-quality recording can be performed by utilizing the data writing performance of the recording medium 20 while maintaining the quality of the type that the user attaches importance to, and the user can record the intended quality video. Can do. In this case, the priority order may be specified in parallel with the selection of the recording parameter for automatic adjustment, or only the priority order may be specified. Conversely, recording parameters that can be automatically adjusted by the user may not be specified.

  The recording parameters that can be automatically adjusted are not limited to those described above as long as they determine the amount of image data (data rate) to be written in the recording medium 20 for a certain period of time. If the compression method can be used, the compression method may be used as a recording parameter, and the amount of image data written to the recording medium 20 in a predetermined time may be adjusted by changing the compression method. However, in that case, dynamic adjustment during recording is not possible for the compression method. The recording parameters do not need to be plural, and only specific recording parameters (for example, compression rate) may be used.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment relates to a digital camera that automatically sets the recording parameters described above before starting moving image shooting. The digital camera according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, and the program memory 19 causes the CPU 13 to perform processing to be described later. A program for functioning as a speed acquisition unit, an adjustment unit, a recording quality selection unit, and an image quality restriction unit is recorded. In addition, in a predetermined area of the recording medium 20, measurement data that is used when measuring a data writing speed described later is recorded in advance.

  The operation according to the present invention in the present embodiment will be described below. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure relating to image quality setting of a moving image executed by the CPU 13 at the time of system startup accompanying the operation of turning on the main power. This flowchart exemplifies a case where the main power source is turned on in a state in which the moving image shooting mode is set.

  The CPU 13 starts to operate when the system is started, and first enables the recording medium 20 by authenticating the recording medium 20 and initializing the system (step SC1). Next, the measurement data is read from the predetermined area of the recording medium 20, and the read data is sequentially stored in its own internal memory, and this is continued until the measurement data for the predetermined area is written (step SC2). , SC3, NO in step SC4).

  Subsequently, when the storage of measurement data for a predetermined area of the recording medium 20 to the internal memory is completed (YES in step SC4), the timer function is activated by the system clock and time measurement is started (step SC5). Measurement data is read from the memory (step SC6), and writing of the read measurement data to a predetermined area of the recording medium 20 is started (step SC7). Note that the measurement data is written by the same method as when moving image data (stream data) is actually written during moving image recording.

  Next, when the writing of the measurement data is completed (YES in step SC8), the time measurement by the timer function is ended (step SC9), and the maximum data for the recording medium 20 based on the measurement result and taking into account the overhead is included. Write speed is calculated (step SC10). For example, when using FAT (File Allocation Table) as a file system, considering the table reference, writing sector distribution, writing in cluster units, etc., from the above measurement time, the same as in the first embodiment. A time that can be actually used only for writing the moving image data is once obtained, and the writing speed is calculated from the time and the amount of data written to the recording medium 20, and is set as the maximum writing speed.

  Furthermore, based on the calculated maximum writing speed, the compression rate, the frame rate, and the data rate (maximum bit rate), which is the data writing speed necessary for normal video recording, are values that do not exceed the maximum writing speed. The image size, that is, the value of the recording parameter used for recording the moving image is determined (set), and the setting value of the recording parameter is recorded in the program memory 19 (step SC11). In other words, the image quality of the moving image to be recorded is automatically set, and then the process proceeds to the imaging process by the CCD 3 for moving image shooting.

  The specific method for determining the recording parameter in the process of step SC11 is arbitrary. For example, first, the data rate when the compression rate, the frame rate, and the image size are set to the maximum settable values is obtained, and the data rate is determined. In the same way as in the first embodiment, the compression rate setting is increased in order until the value does not exceed the maximum writing speed, and the data rate is set to the maximum writing speed even if it reaches the maximum value that can be set. When it exceeds, the final recording parameters are determined by lowering the settings in the order of the image size and the frame rate. In addition, here, the case where the main power supply is turned on while the movie shooting mode is set has been described. However, the main power supply was turned on when a mode other than the movie shooting mode was set. Sometimes, all the operations of steps SC1 to SC11 described above are repeated.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows an image quality setting mode for setting the recording quality in moving image shooting from various setting modes by the user at an arbitrary time after the recording parameters are recorded in the program memory 19 by the above-described processing of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU13 when is selected.

  When the image quality setting mode is selected, the CPU 13 reads the automatically set recording parameters from the program memory 19 (step SD1), and the data rate at the time of recording is selected from the recording quality (see FIG. 2) prepared in advance. Then, the recording quality that is equal to or lower than the data rate according to the read recording parameter setting value is confirmed (step SD2). Next, a predetermined recording quality selection screen in which only the confirmed recording quality or a plurality of recording qualities is selected is displayed on the LCD 12, and the user selects a desired recording quality by a predetermined key operation (step SD3). In addition, on the image quality selection screen displayed here, the recording quality by automatic setting is displayed as a selection candidate together with the one or more recording qualities described above.

  When the user selects a recording quality other than the recording quality automatically set (YES in step SD4), the recording parameter value (specified value) corresponding to the selected recording quality is a value used for moving image shooting. (Step SD5), and the image quality setting mode ends. When automatic setting is selected, if the current setting is automatic (YES in step SD6), the image quality setting mode is terminated as it is, and the current recording parameter value must be a value set automatically. That is, in other words, when a recording quality other than the recording quality by automatic setting has been selected by the user (NO in step SD6), the setting value recorded in the program memory 19 is re-set to the recording parameter setting value used for moving image shooting. After setting (step SD7), the image quality setting mode is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the recording parameter, that is, the recording quality (recording parameter) is automatically set according to the data writing speed (performance) of the recording medium 20 when the system is started, so The data rate is suppressed to a speed lower than the data writing speed to the recording medium 20. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, even when a plurality of types of recording media having different data writing speeds cannot be mounted, normal moving image recording can be reliably performed during moving image shooting. In addition, high-quality video recording utilizing the data writing performance of the recording medium 20 becomes possible. In addition, since the maximum writing speed of data to the recording medium 20 is calculated in consideration of the overhead, higher quality recording can be performed using the data writing performance of the recording medium 20.

  Further, the data actually recorded on the recording medium 20 at the time of obtaining the maximum writing speed is used as measurement data recorded in a predetermined area of the recording medium 20 in advance, and the measurement data is read from the predetermined area and is stored in the predetermined area. The maximum writing speed was acquired by writing back. Therefore, compared with the case where moving image data recorded on the recording medium 20 is used, it is confirmed whether there is data (moving image data replacing the measurement data) that can be used on the recording medium 20 in advance, or measurement data. Therefore, it is not necessary to confirm the writable area in advance, and data can be efficiently written to the recording medium 20 when the maximum writing speed is obtained. Therefore, the data writing speed can be efficiently measured. In addition, the recording parameters can be automatically set at any time regardless of the presence or absence of moving image data or the like in the recording medium 20.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the measurement data read from the predetermined area of the recording medium 20 is written back to the predetermined area as it is has been described. However, the area in which the measurement data is written may be determined in advance. Even when the measurement data is written in an area different from the storage area for the data for use, the data writing speed can be measured efficiently. Further, even if the above-described measurement data is arbitrary data recorded for purposes other than the acquisition of the maximum writing speed, the data actually recorded on the recording medium 20 at the time of acquiring the maximum writing speed is further stored in the camera. The measurement data may be stored in advance in the program memory 19 or the built-in memory 14 on the main body side. In this case, it is not necessary to secure a recording area for measurement data on the recording medium 20, and the recording medium 20 can be used more effectively.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the user selects the video recording quality by the image quality setting mode, the data rate at the time of recording is selected from the recording qualities prepared in advance, except for the automatic recording quality. Since only the recording quality having a value equal to or lower than the data rate according to the read recording parameter setting value is selected as a selection candidate, depending on the type and type of the recording medium 20 being used by the user, a high recording quality that cannot be actually secured is obtained. It is not easy to set up and is easy to use.

  In the present embodiment, the automatic setting of recording parameters is performed immediately when the system is started, but it can also be performed at any other time. For example, the recording medium 20 may be replaced or immediately after the above-described image quality setting mode or moving image shooting mode is selected.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the maximum writing speed of data in the recording medium 20 is obtained by actually writing data in the recording medium 20. For example, the maximum writing speed is measured in advance (for example, at the time of manufacture) on the recording medium 20 in advance, and writing speed data indicating this is recorded. In a digital camera, the writing speed stored in the recording medium 20 is recorded. You may make it acquire the maximum writing speed by performing the process which reads data. Even in that case, the recording parameters corresponding to the data writing performance of the recording medium 20 can be acquired at an arbitrary time. In addition, the process for obtaining the maximum writing speed can be simplified.

  Further, the writing speed data recorded in advance on the recording medium 20 may not be data directly indicating the maximum writing speed, and if the data can specify the maximum writing speed, for example, the type of the recording medium, etc. It may be the card type data shown. In that case, a table for speed acquisition indicating the relationship between the plurality of card type data and the maximum writing speed of the card of the type indicated thereby is stored in the program memory 19 or the like, and the maximum writing from the table is stored. What is necessary is just to acquire speed.

  Further, when data is actually written to the recording medium 20 on which the writing speed data is recorded, an error from the maximum writing speed indicated by the writing speed data described above, which is caused by a difference in the configuration of the digital camera or the like. Specific correction data for correction may be stored in a digital camera (program memory 19 or the like), and the maximum writing speed may be acquired based on the correction data and the writing speed data or the like. In that case, since a more accurate maximum writing speed can be obtained, high-quality video recording that maximizes the data writing performance of the recording medium 20 is possible.

  In the first and second embodiments, the description has been given of the case where the user can select one of fine, normal, and economy for which a prescribed value is prepared for the recording parameter as the recording quality at the time of moving image shooting. The present invention can be applied even if the user can set the recording quality by individually setting all or a part of the setting values of the recording parameters, and the above-described effects can be obtained even in that case. Can do.

  Further, when adjusting the recording parameters to be performed at the time of recording operation in the first embodiment and at the time of system startup in the second embodiment, the CPU 13 is made to function as the information acquisition means of the present invention. Information on the remaining recordable capacity of the recording medium 20 and / or the remaining battery level of a power source battery (not shown) of the camera body is acquired, and the recording parameters are set in consideration of the recordable capacity and / or remaining battery level. It may be determined. In this case, since the value of the recording parameter can be finely adjusted according to the remaining recordable capacity and the remaining battery capacity, the controllability of the recording quality can be improved.

  In addition to the above, a plurality of shooting modes corresponding to a predetermined shooting scene (for example, sports or night view) are prepared, and the CPU 13 functions as a shooting mode selection unit of the present invention, and is desired by the user as necessary. In the configuration in which the shooting mode is selected, when adjusting the recording parameters, for example, when a shooting mode for sports shooting is selected, only the compression rate other than the frame rate and the image size are adjusted in advance. Only the predetermined recording parameter corresponding to the shooting mode selected by the user may be adjusted. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of types of recording parameters to be adjusted (adjustable), the priority order for adjusting the individual recording parameters may be determined for each shooting mode.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera having a moving image shooting function has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is configured to stream-record moving images during recording. Can be employed in various electronic camera devices such as a digital video camera, a mobile phone with a camera, a PDA with a camera, and a personal computer with a camera. Even in that case, the above-described effects can be obtained.

It is a block diagram of a digital camera common to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the video recording quality in 1st Embodiment, and the reference | standard setting value of a video recording parameter. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the automatic adjustment parameter setting process in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the video recording operation | movement in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment process by the change of a compression rate. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment process by the change of an image size. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment process by the change of a frame rate. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of system starting in 2nd Embodiment 4 is a flowchart showing an operation in an image quality setting mode in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Camera body 2 Optical system 3 CCD
12 LCD
13 CPU
14 Built-in memory 17 Built-in speaker 18 Key input block 19 Program memory 20 Recording medium

Claims (15)

In an electronic camera device having a moving image shooting function for sequentially recording image data constituting a moving image, which is captured at a predetermined frame period by an imaging unit, on a detachable recording medium,
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a data writing speed of the recording medium;
Based on the writing speed acquired by this speed acquisition means, the value of the recording parameter that determines the amount of image data to be written to the recording medium in a fixed time is adjusted, and the amount of image data that can be written to the recording medium in a fixed time An electronic camera apparatus comprising: an adjusting unit that suppresses the following.   The electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the speed acquisition unit acquires the data writing speed in consideration of a time other than the image data writing process within a predetermined time.   A recording quality selection means for allowing a user to select a recording quality, and the adjustment means selects a recording quality that the recording quality selection means selects for the user, and a data writing speed required for recording the moving image on the recording medium The electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording quality is limited to a recording quality that does not exceed a data writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition unit.   Parameter specifying means for allowing a user to specify a recording parameter is provided, and the adjusting means adjusts a value of the recording parameter specified by the user in advance by the parameter specifying means based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquiring means. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera device is an electronic camera device.   There are a plurality of recording parameters that can be adjusted by the adjusting unit, and a priority order specifying unit that allows the user to specify a priority order for the plurality of recording parameters is provided, and the adjusting unit adjusts the writing speed acquired by the speed acquiring unit. 5. The electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or a plurality of recording parameter values are sequentially determined based on a priority order previously designated by a user by the priority designation means.   The information acquisition means for acquiring the remaining capacity of the image data that can be recorded in the recording medium and / or the remaining battery capacity of the apparatus, and the adjustment means is based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition means. 6. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the recording parameter value is determined in consideration of the remaining capacity and / or the remaining battery level acquired by an acquisition unit.   It comprises a shooting mode selection means for allowing the user to select one of a plurality of shooting modes prepared in advance corresponding to different shooting scenes, and the adjustment means is based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquisition means, 7. The electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a recording parameter value determined in accordance with a photographing mode previously selected by the user by the photographing mode selection unit is adjusted.   The electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the speed acquisition unit acquires the data writing speed by performing a data writing process on the recording medium.   The speed acquisition means reads the data recorded in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium, and acquires the data writing speed by executing a process of writing the read data to a predetermined area of the recording medium. The electronic camera device according to claim 1.   9. The electronic camera according to claim 8, wherein the data used by the speed acquisition unit to write data to the recording medium is image data that has undergone image processing at a predetermined frame period during recording of a moving image. apparatus.   8. The speed acquisition unit reads speed information for specifying a data writing speed in the recording medium from the recording medium, and acquires the data writing speed based on the read speed information. Or a moving image recording apparatus according to claim 1.   12. The speed acquisition unit acquires the data writing speed of the recording medium based on correction information unique to a device that corrects a data writing speed indicated by the speed information in addition to the speed information. The moving image recording apparatus described.   13. The moving image according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying when a predetermined value of the recording parameter is changed with adjustment by the adjusting unit. Image recording device.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second notifying unit for notifying the recording parameter when the adjusting unit cannot adjust the value of the recording parameter based on the writing speed acquired by the speed acquiring unit. 14. A moving image recording apparatus according to any one of 1 to 13. A computer having an electronic camera device having a moving image photographing function for sequentially recording image data constituting a moving image, which is imaged by an imaging means at a predetermined frame period, on a detachable recording medium;
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a data writing speed of the recording medium;
Based on the writing speed acquired by this speed acquisition means, the value of the recording parameter that determines the amount of image data to be written to the recording medium in a fixed time is adjusted, and the amount of image data that can be written to the recording medium in a fixed time A program for functioning as an adjustment means to suppress below.

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