JP2006245797A - Image recording apparatus, control apparatus, and image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus for relieving a load imposed by image file division before an edit job and to provide a control apparatus thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The image recording apparatus includes: a connection means used to connect the control apparatus; a command reception means for receiving a command from the control apparatus; a recording means for recording information associated with an imaged image to a storage medium; a division means for dividing the information associated with the imaged image recorded by the recording means according to the command during the imaging; and a transmission means for transmitting the information associated with the imaged image to the control apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording device, a control device, and an image recording system for simultaneously executing division of a moving image file and generation of a thumbnail image during moving image recording.

  Digital video cameras that are currently widely used are equipped with digital interfaces such as IEEE 1394 and USB, and can transmit and receive information to and from external devices. Thereby, the photographed image can be transferred to, for example, a personal computer (PC), and a moving image can be edited on the PC.

Thumbnail images and video parts are frequently used when editing video. The user uses the thumbnail image to determine the approximate points to be edited from the video data, then determines the points to be edited by frame-by-frame selection, and divides the video file at the specified points To do. By repeating this operation, the user can create moving image parts according to his / her preference. By recombining the moving image parts generated by the above operations, a new edited moving image file can be created.
JP 2004-173069 A

  However, in a conventional digital video camera, once recording is started, the captured moving image data is only recorded in an image file created at the start of recording. For this reason, there is a burden that the user is required to divide the image file before starting the editing operation and to create a moving image part necessary for the editing operation of the moving image data.

  On the other hand, a method of dividing the image file during the recording by continuously performing the recording stop / start operation, closing the image file being recorded, and continuing the recording for the new image file may be considered. However, even with this method, there is still a problem that a time that is not recorded occurs even though it is a short time.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an image recording apparatus and a control apparatus for the same that reduce the burden of image file division before editing work.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a connection unit that connects a control device, a command reception unit that receives a command from the control device, and information related to the captured image in a storage medium. A recording unit for recording, a dividing unit for dividing information related to the captured image recorded by the recording unit during imaging according to the command, and a transmission for transmitting information related to the captured image to the control device And means.

  The control device according to the present invention includes a connection unit that connects an image recording device, a command transmission unit that transmits a command to the image recording device, and an image that receives information related to an image captured from the image recording device. Related information receiving means, recording means for recording information related to the captured image in a storage medium, and division position information receiving means for receiving information related to a division position of information related to the captured image from the image recording apparatus And a dividing unit that divides information related to the captured image based on information on the division position.

  Other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention.

  With the above configuration, according to the image recording apparatus and the control apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to divide an image file during recording of an image, and the burden of dividing an image file before editing work is reduced.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a device according to the first embodiment. A digital video camera 11 and a PC 12 are connected via an IEEE 1394 cable 13. An application 20 is running on the PC 12, and remote control can be executed by transmitting a control command to the digital video camera 11. Note that the digital video camera 11 and the PC 12 may be connected via, for example, a USB cable.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an execution screen of the application 20. A user interface corresponding to various operations of the digital video camera 11 is installed in the application 20, and when the user interface is operated, a corresponding control command is transferred to the digital video camera 11 via the IEEE 1394 cable 13.

  The user interface includes an image display unit 21 for displaying an image being recorded / played back, a playback button 22 for instructing playback of the recorded image, a recording button 23 for instructing recording start, and a still image button for instructing shooting of a still image 24, a rewind button 25 for instructing rewind / stop / fast-forward of the image being reproduced, a stop button 26, a fast-forward button 27, and a time display unit 28 for displaying the recording time of the moving image.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a digital video camera 11 which is an example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. The imaging control unit 301 controls the imaging unit 308. The main control unit 302 analyzes a command input from the digital interface 307 or the like and controls the entire digital video camera 11. A playback control unit 303 controls playback of images recorded on the storage medium 309. A recording control unit 304 controls the operation of recording an image on the storage medium 309. The image processing unit 305 converts the captured image into an appropriate format by encoding or the like. The DIF control unit 306 controls the digital interface 307, and the digital interface 307 communicates with an external device. The imaging unit 308 includes a lens and an imaging element. A storage medium 309 stores captured images, and includes a removable storage medium such as a recordable DVD and a built-in nonvolatile memory. The internal memory 310 is an area for temporarily storing captured images. The display unit 311 is a TFT liquid crystal display or the like, and displays an image being recorded / reproduced, a menu screen, and the like.

  The digital video camera 11 of the present embodiment is connected to the PC 12 via the digital interface 307. When a recording start command of the digital video camera 11 is input from the digital interface 307, the recording start is input by the DIF control unit 306. The command is transferred to the main control unit 302. After the command is analyzed, the main control unit 302 passes the processing to the imaging control unit 301 so that the imaging control unit 301 controls the imaging device in the imaging unit 308, takes an image, and is captured from the imaging device. The recorded image data is temporarily recorded in the internal memory 310. After the image processing unit 305 converts the image data into a target data format, the recording control unit 304 records the image data in the storage medium 309 as a file object. Thereby, recording according to the recording start command input from the digital interface 307 becomes possible.

  In the PC 12 of this embodiment, when the recording button 23 on the application 20 is selected, the application 20 generates a recording start command, and the PC 12 transmits the recording start command to the digital video camera 11 via the IEEE 1394 cable 13.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the digital video camera 11 receives a command from the PC 12. A series of processing is performed by the main control unit 302.

  First, in step S101, command reception confirmation is performed. Reception confirmation may be performed in the form of a handler that is read periodically, or in the form of a handler that is read in response to the occurrence of an event. When the command is received, in step S102, it is confirmed whether or not the received command is a recording start command. If the received command is not a recording start command, the process proceeds to step S105, a process corresponding to the received command is performed, and the process returns to step S101. If the received command is a recording start command, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, it is confirmed whether or not the current state of the digital video camera 11 is recording. If the digital video camera 11 is not recording, the process proceeds to step S106, recording is started, and the process returns to step S101. If the digital video camera 11 is recording, the process proceeds to step S104.

  As described above, in the series of steps up to step S104, the digital video camera 11 interprets the recording start command in two ways depending on whether recording is in progress. That is, when the digital video camera 11 is not recording, it is interpreted as a recording start command as it is, but when it is being recorded, it is interpreted as a “command for generating thumbnails and dividing files”. Accordingly, in step S104, the digital video camera 11 interprets the recording start command transmitted from the PC 12 as a “command for generating thumbnails and dividing files”, and the main control unit 302 first converts the images recorded so far. A corresponding thumbnail image is generated, and the recording control unit 304 records it in the storage medium 309. Next, the recording control unit 304 closes the file that records the images that have been recorded so far and completes it as one file, and creates a new file for recording the subsequent image data. Next, the process returns to step S101, and the recording process for the new file is continued.

  In the present embodiment, the recording start command received during recording by the digital video camera 11 has been described as “a command for generating thumbnails and dividing files”. However, for example, playback generated by the playback button 22 is performed. The command may be interpreted as “a command for generating a thumbnail and dividing a file”, or a dedicated division button may be provided.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the recording start command received from the PC 12 during recording by the digital video camera 11 is interpreted as a “command for generating thumbnails and dividing files”.

  This makes it possible to generate thumbnails and divide files during recording by the digital video camera 11, and reduce the burden when editing images after recording.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the recorded image data is only stored in the storage medium 309 in the digital video camera 11, but in the second embodiment, the same image data is simultaneously stored in the hard disk (not shown) in the PC 12 or the like. Save to. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the work of moving the image data to the PC 12 after image shooting and before editing. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the digital video camera 11 and the application 20 may be the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  In the present embodiment, the image being captured by the digital video camera 11 is isochronously transferred to the PC 12 via the IEEE 1394 cable 13, and the PC 12 converts the received image data into a recording format and then stores it in a hard disk or the like. The recording button 23 of the application 20 transmits a recording start command to the digital video camera 11 and also instructs the PC 12 to start saving a captured image.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the digital video camera 11 receives a command from the PC 12. Steps S501 to S504 are the same as Steps S401 to S404, Step S506 is Step S405, and Step S507 is Step S406. In step S <b> 505, the digital video camera 11 transmits the file size of the divided file to the PC 12 via the IEEE 1394 cable 13. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the captured image is always isochronously transferred to the PC 12 via the IEEE 1394 cable 13 during recording.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the application 20 is operated during recording by the digital video camera 11. A series of processing is performed by a CPU (not shown) of the PC 12.

  First, in step S601, it is confirmed whether or not the application 20 has been operated. The operation confirmation may be performed in the form of a handler that is read periodically, or may be performed in the form of a handler that is read in response to the occurrence of an event. When the application 20 is operated, it is confirmed in step S602 whether the recording button 23 has been operated. If the operated button is other than the recording button 23, the process proceeds to step S607, a process corresponding to the operation is performed, and the process returns to step S601. When the operated button is the recording button 23, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, a recording start command is generated, the recording start command generated via the IEEE 1394 cable 13 is transmitted to the digital video camera 11, a standby timer for a response to the recording start command is started, and the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S604, a response from the digital video camera 11 is waited. If the response cannot be confirmed, the process proceeds to step S608, and it is checked whether the standby timer has exceeded a predetermined standby time. If the predetermined standby time has been exceeded, the standby timer is reset in step S609, and the process returns to step S601. If it is within the predetermined waiting time, a response from the digital video camera 11 is again waited in step S604. If there is a response, the process proceeds to step S605. In other words, the process of the PC 12 reciprocates between step S604 and step S608 while waiting for a response. If there is a response, the process proceeds to step S605. If there is no response for a predetermined standby time, the standby timer is reset (S609). Return to the beginning (S601).

  In step S605, it is confirmed whether the response from the digital video camera 11 is information indicating the file size. If it is not information indicating the file size, for example, if it is information such as an error message, processing corresponding to the response is performed in step S610, and the process proceeds to step S608. Since the subsequent processing is the same as when waiting for the above-mentioned response, detailed description is omitted. If the response is information indicating the file size, the process proceeds to step S606.

  This information indicating the file size corresponds to the information transmitted by the digital video camera 11 in step S505. Therefore, in step S606, the application 20 interprets the value of the file size confirmed in step S605 as “the division point of the image file being recorded on the hard disk”. The PC 12 generates a thumbnail image at the corresponding point from the image data recorded on the hard disk according to the value, divides the file recording the image recorded so far into the corresponding file size, and completes it as one file, A new file for recording subsequent image data is created. Next, the process returns to step S301. As a result, the same file as the file divided and generated by the digital video camera 11 can be generated also by the PC 12.

  In the present embodiment, the digital video camera 11 transmits the file size to the PC 12 in consideration of the possibility that the digital video camera 11 and the PC 12 may receive a file division instruction when the recording button 23 is pressed. This is because the file is divided at the same time. Therefore, as long as the same purpose can be achieved, for example, information regarding the end time of the file divided by the digital video camera 11 and the number of frames may be used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same data as the data divided and stored on the digital video camera 11 is stored in the hard disk or the like on the PC 12.

  Thereby, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the work of moving the image data to the PC 12 after image capture and before editing.

<Other embodiments>
The processing of each embodiment described above provides a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes embodying each function, and the system or apparatus computer (or CPU or MPU) stores the storage medium. It can also be realized by reading and executing the program code stored in the. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM Etc. can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Includes the case where the functions of the respective embodiments described above are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a configuration diagram of a digital video camera, a PC, and an IEEE 1394 cable in each embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the execution screen of the application which controls the digital video camera on PC in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram of the digital video camera of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when the digital video camera receives a command from a PC in the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when a digital video camera receives a command from a PC in the second embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when an application on a PC is operated during recording with a digital video camera in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (13)

Connection means for connecting the control device;
Command receiving means for receiving a command from the control device;
Recording means for recording information related to the captured image in a storage medium;
A dividing unit that divides information related to the captured image recorded by the recording unit according to the command during imaging;
Transmitting means for transmitting information related to the captured image to the control device;
An image recording apparatus comprising:   2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the captured image includes at least one of a moving image and a thumbnail image corresponding to the moving image divided by the dividing unit. .   The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the thumbnail image is a still image of a first frame of the divided moving image.   4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit also transmits information related to a division position of information related to the captured image divided by the division unit. 5. .   5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the information on the division position is information on a size after the division of the moving image in a case where the information related to the captured image includes the moving image. Recording device.   5. The information on the division position is information on a time length after division of the moving image when information related to the captured image includes the moving image. The image recording apparatus described.   The information on the division position is information on the number of frames after division of the moving image when the information related to the captured image includes the moving image. Image recording device. Connection means for connecting the image recording device;
Command transmitting means for transmitting a command to the image recording apparatus;
Image-related information receiving means for receiving information related to an image captured from the image recording device;
Recording means for recording information related to the captured image in a storage medium;
Division position information receiving means for receiving information on a division position of information related to the captured image from the image recording device;
A dividing unit that divides information related to the captured image based on information on the dividing position;
A control device comprising:   9. The control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information related to the captured image includes at least one of a moving image and a thumbnail image corresponding to the moving image.   The control according to claim 9, wherein the information on the division position is information on a size after division of the moving image in a case where the information related to the captured image includes the moving image. apparatus.   The information on the division position is information on a time length after division of the moving image when the information related to the captured image includes the moving image. The control device described.   The information on the division position is information on the number of frames after division of the moving image when the information related to the captured image includes the moving image. Control device.   An image recording system comprising: the image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and the control device according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

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