JP2013141074A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device capable of appropriately processing a high-definition image.SOLUTION: An image pickup device comprises: an imaging sensor 12 that picks up an image; division means that divides the image picked up by the image sensor into a plurality of area images; a plurality of processors (main processors 21, 31, 41, 51) that, regarding the plurality of area images, encode the respective area images; and a plurality of recording medium mounting units (memory card slots 23, 33, 43, 53) that are respectively mounted with a plurality of recording media for recording the respective area images respectively encoded by the plurality of processors. Then, any of the plurality of processors comprises a format execution unit 72 that creates directories for respectively recording the encoded area images in the respective recording media mounted on the recording medium mounting units in association with directory names, respectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus that divides a screen into a plurality of recordings and a control method thereof.

  An imaging apparatus such as a digital video camera shoots a subject as a moving image, performs encoding using an encoding method such as H.264, and stores the encoded moving image in a storage medium. Here, as a resolution of an image photographed by an existing digital video camera, a standard resolution (SD: Standard Definition) of 720 × 480 pixels and a high resolution (HD: High Definition) of 1920 × 1080 pixels are generally used. is there.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for photographing higher-definition images, and development of an apparatus that enables photographing in a so-called 4K2K image format in which the high-resolution method is further expanded to 3840 × 2160 pixels is underway. .

  However, in order to encode such a large-capacity image using a single LSI, a very high LSI performance is required. Therefore, a method of dividing a captured image into a plurality of small areas and processing each divided image with an individual LSI has been studied (Patent Document 1).

  In the encoding apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, when a 4K2K size ultra-high-definition image is divided and encoded, in order to suppress deterioration in quality of the encoded image that occurs at the image division boundary, a divided region inversion unit is provided. It is characterized by being provided separately. With this configuration, intra prediction encoding can be performed without losing the continuity of the division boundary.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an imaging apparatus that performs image encoding with a plurality of encoding units and records encoded data on a plurality of recording media. Here, the imaging apparatus calculates a code amount of the encoded data encoded by each encoding unit, and a code amount of the encoded data stored in each storage medium. And a recording code amount calculation unit. And the selection part provided between each encoding part and each recording medium shall be the structure which selects the recording destination of the encoding data encoded by the some encoding part based on these code amounts Thus, it is possible to make the recording code amount on each recording medium uniform.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a data processing device for reducing the editing load of video data recorded on a plurality of recording media. The data processing apparatus includes: a determination unit that determines whether the divided video data is divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media; and one data that is divided and recorded on another recording medium in the case of the divided video data. Search means for searching for the divided video data of a part. A configuration that presents a list of image information representing divided video data recorded on a plurality of recording media by the search, thereby reducing the editing load of video data divided and recorded on the plurality of recording media. Can do.

JP 2010-98633 A JP 2011-35863 A JP 2011-205262 A

  In order to reduce the weight of the imaging apparatus, for example, a card-type recording medium represented by a memory card or the like has a great advantage over other recording media such as a hard disk, but has a relatively large recording capacity. There is a problem of being small. In particular, in an imaging apparatus that captures and records a large-capacity image of 4K2K, it is difficult to capture for a long time when a memory card having a small recording capacity is used as a recording medium.

  As one means for solving such a problem, a configuration in which a plurality of recording media can be mounted on the imaging apparatus and images encoded by a processor are sequentially recorded on the plurality of recording media. The method can be considered.

  However, in a configuration in which a high-definition image of 4K2K is encoded by one processor and stored one by one in each memory card, high performance is required for the processor. Therefore, it is preferable from the viewpoint of distributing the processing load that the image is divided into a plurality of regions, each region is individually encoded by a plurality of processors, and stored in parallel on a plurality of recording media.

  On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, it is necessary to read and combine the divided images recorded separately on a plurality of recording media and reproduce the divided images. Control occurs.

  How to perform the control depends on the configuration of the processor installed in the imaging apparatus. It also depends on how images encoded by each processor are stored and managed in a plurality of recording media.

  Here, the imaging apparatus according to the background art has not taken into consideration the problems caused by such control. Therefore, for example, there is a problem that an unnecessary process such as retrieving an image from the memory card or an erroneous image is reproduced even when the wrong memory card is inserted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can appropriately process a high-definition image without complicating the control required for reproduction and recording.

An imaging apparatus (1) according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image imaging unit (imaging element 12) that captures an image, a dividing unit that divides an image captured by the image imaging unit into images of a plurality of regions, A plurality of processors (first to fourth main processors 21, 31, 41, 51) that encode each of the images of each region, and each of the regions that are encoded by the plurality of processors. A plurality of recording medium mounting portions (first to fourth memory card slots 23, 33, 43, 53) for mounting each of a plurality of recording media for recording each of the images of the plurality of processors, At least one of the processors formats the plurality of recording media respectively mounted on the plurality of recording medium mounting units (format execution). 72), and the formatter creates each directory for recording the image of each area encoded by each of the plurality of processors on each of the plurality of recording media in association with a directory name. It is characterized by doing.
In the imaging apparatus, the dividing unit divides an image captured by the image capturing unit into first to fourth region images, and the plurality of processors encode the first region images. 1 processor, a second processor for encoding an image of the second area, a third processor for encoding an image of the third area, and an image of the fourth area And a format processor configured to format the first to fourth recording media mounted in the first to fourth recording medium mounting portions, respectively, when formatting the first to fourth recording media. First to fourth directories for recording the images of the first to fourth areas encoded by the first to fourth processors on the recording medium in a state where the directory names are associated with each other. Features.
In the imaging apparatus, the formatting means includes at least a directory number of each of the first to fourth directories and a serial number of the own apparatus and an identification number assigned to each of the first to fourth recording media. The first to fourth directories are created as directory names.
In the imaging apparatus, the formatting means determines whether or not the first to fourth recording media are respectively attached to all of the first to fourth recording medium attachment units, and the first to fourth recording media are attached. The formatting is performed when it is determined that the first to fourth recording media are respectively mounted on all four recording medium mounting portions.
In the imaging apparatus, the formatting unit records an image encoded in a predetermined format for the entire image captured by the image imaging unit on at least one of the first to fourth recording media. Create more directories.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of appropriately processing a high-definition image without complicating the control required for reproduction and recording.

It is a side view which shows typically the structure of the imaging device concerning embodiment. It is a side view showing the composition of the imaging device concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display screen of an imaging device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of an imaging device. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of an imaging device functionally. It is a block diagram which shows functionally the structure of the control part of a 1st main processor. It is a figure for demonstrating the directory of the formatted memory card. It is a figure for demonstrating the directory where the encoding file was memorize | stored. It is a figure for demonstrating the encoding file at the time of recording in normal mode. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which installed another memory card in the 1st card slot. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which installed another memory card in the 4th card slot. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which recorded the HD image on the 1st memory card. It is a figure for demonstrating the serial number of the directory produced when using a some memory card. It is a figure for demonstrating the state from which the number of files contained in a memory card does not correspond. It is a figure for demonstrating the state from which the encoding file contained in a memory card does not match. It is a figure for demonstrating deletion of an encoding file. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of an alert display. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of an alert display. It is a figure which shows the icon display of the state in which a memory card is not matched. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of reproduction | regeneration processing. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of a recording process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure for switching the icon display of a memory card. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of MP4 file. It is a table | surface which shows a positional information typically. It is a table | surface which shows typically the data structure of free atom. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of a horizontal direction position and a vertical direction position. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional information at the time of recording in non-overlapping mode. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional information when an adjacent area | region overlaps 16 pixels. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional information at the time of recording in normal mode. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional information when a whole image is divided into 4 in the horizontal direction. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional information when a whole image is divided into 16. It is a flowchart which shows the creation process of a thumbnail image. It is a flowchart which shows the creation process of a thumbnail image.

(overall structure)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a left side surface of the imaging apparatus 1. The imaging device 1 includes an imaging element that captures a moving image (in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the image indicates a moving image). Furthermore, the imaging device 1 encodes (encodes) a divided image obtained by dividing an image captured by the image sensor. That is, the divided image is an image obtained by spatially dividing one frame image. The imaging device 1 records the encoded divided image on a recording medium such as an SD memory card. The imaging device 1 captures a high-definition image (hereinafter referred to as a 4k image) having a 4K2K resolution. Furthermore, HD resolution images (hereinafter, HD images) can also be recorded. That is, recording can be performed by switching between a high-resolution mode with 4K2K resolution and a normal mode with HD resolution.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1 is provided with a main body unit 2, a lens unit 11, a monitor unit 64, and a viewfinder 66. The main body 2 includes an image pickup device (image pickup means) such as a CMOS sensor and a CCD sensor, a control system for performing various controls, a battery for supplying power to each device, and a housing for storing these. Have. A lens unit 11 that guides light from the subject to the image sensor is provided on the front side of the main body unit 2. A viewfinder 66 for visually recognizing an image picked up by the image pickup device is provided on the rear end side of the main body 2.

  A monitor unit 64 is attached to the side surface of the main body unit 2 via a hinge 64a so as to be opened and closed. The monitor unit 64 has a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. On the display screen of the monitor unit 64, an image captured by the imaging device 1 or an image being reproduced is displayed. Furthermore, information on the image recorded by the imaging device and the image being reproduced is displayed on the display screen of the monitor unit 64. Alternatively, the monitor unit 64 displays an image reproduction time, a recording time, a remaining battery level, and the like. Furthermore, the monitor unit 64 displays a list of recorded scenes so that an image to be reproduced can be selected. When the monitor unit 64 is opened, the display screen of the monitor unit 64 faces rearward, and the user can visually recognize the screen. An input unit 15 having buttons, levers and the like is provided on the side surface of the main body unit 2. Specifically, the input unit 15 includes a recording button, a playback button, a resolution switching button, and the like. The user can operate the input unit 15 to perform recording, reproduction, various settings, and the like. Of course, the monitor unit 64 may be a touch panel and the monitor unit 64 may be the input unit 15.

  Four card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53 are provided on the side surface of the main body 2. Here, four card slots 23, 33, 43, 53 are arranged below the monitor unit 64. A memory card such as an SD memory card is inserted into and removed from each of the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53. Therefore, the imaging apparatus 1 can be equipped with four memory cards at the same time. Specifically, the memory card is inserted by inserting the memory card into each of the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. As a result, the image captured by the image capturing apparatus 1 can be recorded on a removable memory card.

  Of course, the memory card is not limited to the SD memory card, and other recording media such as a memory stick and a compact flash (registered trademark) card can be used. The four memory cards are the same type of recording medium. In the following description, the four card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53 are appropriately referred to as the first card slot 23, the second card slot 33, the third card slot 43, and the fourth card slot 53. Sometimes.

  Note that the capacity of the four memory cards used at the same time need not be equal.

  Further, four HDMI terminals 67 are provided below the card slots 23, 33, 43, 53 and the input unit 15. The HDMI terminal 67 is used for connection with an external display device such as a personal computer monitor or a TV. That is, data transfer can be performed between the external display device and the imaging device 1 by connecting the HDMI cable to the HDMI terminal 67. The HDMI terminal 67 is compatible with 1920 × 1080 full HD.

(Slot arrangement)
The arrangement of the card slots 23, 33, 43, 53 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the arrangement of the card slots 23, 33, 43, 53, as viewed along the insertion direction of the memory card. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image displayed on the monitor unit 64.

  As shown in FIG. 2, four card slots 23, 33, 43, 53 are arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix. Specifically, the first card slot 23 is arranged at the upper left, the second card slot 33 is arranged at the upper right, the third card slot 43 is arranged at the lower left, and the fourth card slot 53 is arranged at the lower right. In other words, the first card slot 23 is arranged on the left side of the second card slot 33 and above the third card slot 43. The second card slot 33 is arranged on the right side of the first card slot 23 and above the fourth card slot 53. The third card slot 43 is disposed below the first card slot 23 and on the left side of the fourth card slot 53. The fourth card slot 53 is disposed below the second card slot 33 and on the right side of the third card slot 43. Note that the thickness direction of each memory card coincides with the vertical direction.

  The imaging apparatus 1 divides an image captured by the imaging element (hereinafter also referred to as an entire image) into four parts and encodes them. Then, the imaging apparatus 1 records an encoded file obtained by encoding the divided image that has been divided into four into four memory cards mounted in the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the entire image 90 is divided into a first area 91, a second area 92, a third area 93, and a fourth area 94 and encoded. A first encoded file obtained by encoding the first area 91 is recorded on a memory card attached to the first card slot 23. Similarly, a second encoded file in which the second area 92 is encoded is recorded on a memory card mounted in the second card slot 33, and a third encoded file in which the third area 93 is encoded is A fourth encoded file that is recorded on the memory card inserted in the third card slot 43 and that encodes the fourth area 94 is recorded on the memory card inserted in the fourth card slot 53.

  An encoded file obtained by encoding image data of each region is encoded in, for example, the MP4 format. If the resolution of the entire image 90 is 3840 × 2160 pixels (4K2K), the resolution of each region is 1920 × 1080 pixels (HD: High Definition). Of course, the resolution of each area is the same size. When recording a 4k image, the 4k image is spatially divided and recorded on four memory cards. By doing so, the longest recording time of the encoded file that can be recorded on one memory card can be extended. Furthermore, since the size of the encoded file with the same recording time can be reduced to ¼, data transfer can be easily performed. The encoding format may be MOV format, AVI format, etc., and is not limited to MP4 format.

  The positional relationship between the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53 is matched with the positional relationship between the first region 91 to the fourth region 94. For example, the encoded file in the upper left first area 91 in the entire image 90 is recorded in a memory card attached to the upper left first card slot 23. The encoded file in the upper right second area 92 in the entire image 90 is recorded in a memory card mounted in the upper right second card slot 33. Similarly, the encoded file in the lower left third area 93 in the whole image 90 is recorded in the memory card mounted in the lower left third card slot 43, and the encoded file in the lower right fourth area 94 is recorded. Is recorded in the memory card mounted in the lower right fourth card slot 53. In this manner, the positional relationship between the areas 91 to 94 on the display screen and the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53 are arranged to correspond to each other. By doing so, it is possible to easily recognize which area of data is stored in which memory card.

  Further, on the display screen, a card icon display section 95 is displayed that indicates a memory card mounting state with respect to the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53. A card icon display unit 95 is provided at the upper right of the display screen, that is, at a position corresponding to the second region 92. When a memory card is inserted in each of the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53, all four icons A to D are displayed. The first card slot 23 corresponds to the icon A, the second card slot 33 corresponds to the icon B, the third card slot 43 corresponds to the icon C, and the fourth card. The slot 53 corresponds to the icon D. As described above, the card icon display unit 95 displays the four icons A to D corresponding to the first to fourth card slots. Further, the imaging device 1 detects whether or not a memory card is installed in each of the first to fourth card slots, and if no memory card is installed, the icon corresponding to the card slot blinks, or You may make it not display. Further, if the installed memory card is not properly formatted, or if the card class of the memory card is not compatible, it may blink.

(Control system)
As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 divides and encodes the entire screen. And the imaging device 1 produces | generates the encoding file for every divided image, and has recorded it on a different memory card, respectively. Hereinafter, a control system for generating an encoded file for each divided image and recording the encoded file on different memory cards will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the imaging apparatus 1.

  The imaging device 1 includes an imaging device 12, an audio IC 13, a voice input / output unit 14, main processors 21, 31, 41, 51, memories 22, 32, 42, 52, card slots 23, 33, 43, 53, a sub processor 61, a memory 62, a display driver 63, a monitor unit 64, a display driver 65, and a viewfinder 66. As shown in FIG. 4, these configurations are connected by a bus line. In the following description, in order to identify the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51, they are appropriately referred to as a first main processor 21, a second main processor 31, a third main processor 41, and a fourth main processor 51. Similarly, in order to identify the memories 22, 32, 42, 52, they are appropriately referred to as a first memory 22, a second memory 32, a third memory 42, and a fourth memory 52.

  The imaging element 12 receives light that has passed through the lens unit 11 from the subject and images the subject. The image sensor 12 is a CMOS sensor capable of capturing a moving image with a resolution of 4K2K, for example. The data of the 4k image captured by the image sensor 12 is output to the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. The audio input / output unit 14 is provided with an internal microphone, a speaker, an external microphone terminal, an XLR terminal, a headphone terminal, and the like, and inputs / outputs audio data. At the time of moving image capturing, audio data collected by the internal microphone or the external microphone is output to the audio IC 13. The audio IC 13 performs A / D conversion on the audio data and outputs the audio data to the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. This sound is encoded together with image data to be described later. During moving image reproduction, audio data reproduced by the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 is output to the audio IC 13. The audio IC 13 D / A converts the audio data and outputs it to a speaker or headphones.

  The main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 encode image data of divided areas obtained by dividing the captured image. Specifically, the first main processor 21 encodes the image data in the first area 91, the second main processor 31 encodes the image data in the second area 92, and the third main processor 41 The image data in the third area 93 is encoded, and the fourth main processor 51 encodes the image data in the fourth area 94.

  Memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 are mounted in the card slots 23, 33, 43, 53 of the imaging device 1. Here, in order to identify the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54, they are appropriately referred to as a first memory card 24, a second memory card 34, a third memory card 44, and a fourth memory card 54. The first memory card 24 is installed in the first card slot 23, the second memory card 34 is installed in the second card slot 33, and the third memory card 44 is installed in the third card slot 43. The fourth memory card 54 is inserted into the fourth card slot 53. Then, the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 write the encoded files into the corresponding memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54.

  The main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 encode a divided image obtained by dividing the image captured by the image sensor 12 into four. Since the image sensor 12 has 4K2K resolution, the encoded file recorded in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 includes AV stream data having HD resolution, management information, and the like. A 4k image is input to the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. Then, the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 extract the image data of the area assigned to each, and perform the encoding process. For example, the first main processor 21 extracts the image data corresponding to the first area 91 and encodes it. Therefore, the first main processor 21 does not encode the image data corresponding to the second area, the third area, and the fourth area. Similarly, the second main processor 31 extracts the image data corresponding to the second area 92 and encodes it. The third main processor 41 extracts the image data corresponding to the third area 93 and encodes it. The fourth main processor 51 extracts the image data corresponding to the fourth area 94 and encodes it. As described above, the divided image obtained by dividing the entire image 90 into four can be processed at high speed by encoding the divided images in parallel by the four main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. In addition, as the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51, general-purpose ICs that encode HD resolution image data can be used. Furthermore, since the 4k image is divided and encoded by the four main processors 21, 31, 41, 51, the burden of encoding processing of one main processor can be reduced.

  When the recorded image is played back, the first main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 decode the image data and transmit it to the sub-processor 61. The sub processor 61 combines the four image data. Thereby, the image data divided | segmented into the 1st-4th area | regions 91-94 is synthesize | combined. The sub processor 61 outputs the combined image to the display driver 63 or the display driver 65. The display driver 63 outputs a display drive signal for driving the monitor unit 64 based on the image data from the sub processor 61. The monitor unit 64 displays the synthesized 4k image based on the display drive signal. Similarly, the display driver 63 outputs a display drive signal for driving the viewfinder 66 based on the image data from the sub processor 61. The viewfinder 66 displays the synthesized 4k image based on the display drive signal. As a result, the 4k image is reproduced by the monitor unit 64 or the viewfinder 66. Note that the user may be able to select whether the monitor unit 64 or the viewfinder 66 displays the 4k image. Note that, when an image being recorded is reproduced as a live view, the first main processor 21, 31, 41, 51 transmits image data before encoding to the sub processor 61. Similarly to the above, the sub-processor 61 combines the four image data and outputs them to the display driver 63 or the display driver 65.

  The memories 22, 32, 42 and 52 are buffer memories built in the imaging apparatus 1 and are used for processing in the corresponding main processors 21, 31, 41 and 51. The memories 22, 32, 42 and 52 are DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memory) such as DDR memories (Double Data Rate). For example, the first main processor 21 temporarily stores data necessary for encoding processing or the like in the first memory 22. Similarly, the second main processor 31 temporarily stores data necessary for encoding processing or the like in the second memory 32, and the third main processor 41 stores data required for encoding processing or the like in the first memory 22. The fourth main processor 51 temporarily stores data necessary for encoding processing or the like in the first memory 22. The memory 62 is a buffer memory built in the imaging apparatus 1 and is used for processing in the sub processor 61. For example, the sub processor 61 temporarily stores data necessary for the decoding process or the like in the memory 62.

  The HDMI terminal 67 is connected to the HDMI terminal 101 provided in the external display device 102 such as a TV via an HDMI cable. Here, four HDMI terminals 67 are connected to the external display device 102. Thereby, data transfer between the imaging device 1 and the external display device 102 becomes possible. The HDMI terminal transfers the encoded file encoded by the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 to the external display device 102. For example, the encoded file encoded by the first main processor 21 is transferred from the first HDMI terminal 67. Similarly, the encoded file encoded by the second main processor 31 is transferred from the second HDMI terminal 67, and the encoded file encoded by the third main processor 41 is transferred from the third HDMI terminal 67. The encoded file encoded by the fourth main processor 51 is transferred from the fourth HDMI terminal 67. The external display device 102 also decodes and combines encoded files in the same world. Thereby, a 4k image can be displayed on the external display device 102.

  Further, the first main processor 21 is provided with a camera control unit camera control unit 27 and a system control unit 28. Camera control unit 27 The camera control unit 27 performs pre-processing related to zoom and iris. The system control unit 28 performs processing such as file management and thumbnail image generation. Further, the system control unit 28 is connected to the H.264. An H.264 encoder is provided to encode image data. These processes will be described later. The same camera control unit 27 and system control unit 28 are provided for the second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51, but are omitted.

(Recording process)
First, control functions in the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the control configuration of the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. In addition, about the structure which overlaps with said description, it abbreviate | omits suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first main processor 21 includes a control unit 21a, a first encoding unit 21b, a first image storage unit 21c, and a first image reading unit 21d. The second main processor 31 includes a second encoding unit 31b, a second image storage unit 31c, and a second image reading unit 31d. Similarly, the third main processor 41 includes a third encoding unit 41b, a third image storage unit 41c, and a third image reading unit 41d, and includes a third encoding unit 51b, a fourth image storage unit 51c, and a fourth image. A reading unit 51d is provided.

  For example, when recording, the user presses the recording disclosure button of the input unit 15. Then, the input unit 15 receives a recording instruction operation from the user and outputs a recording instruction signal to the first main processor 21. Thereby, the control unit 21 a provided in the first main processor 21 controls each unit of the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. For example, the control unit 21a outputs a control signal for performing recording processing such as encoding processing and storage processing to the main processors 31, 41, 51 via the bus line. A 4k image captured by the image sensor 12 is input to the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51.

  The imaging device 12 outputs 4k image data to the first encoding unit 21b, the second encoding unit 31b, the third encoding unit 41b, and the fourth encoding unit 51b. The first encoding unit 21b extracts and encodes the divided image that becomes the first region 91 from the 4k image. Similarly, the second encoding unit 31b, the third encoding unit 41b, and the fourth encoding unit 51b extract the corresponding divided images and encode them. The first image storage unit 21 c stores the divided image encoded by the first encoding unit 21 b in the first memory card 24. Similarly, the second image storage unit 31c, the third image storage unit 41c, and the fourth image storage unit 51c are encoded by the second encoding unit 31b, the third encoding unit 41b, and the fourth encoding unit 51b, respectively. The divided images are stored in the second memory card 34, the third memory card 44, and the fourth memory card 54. When the user presses the recording stop button, the input unit 15 receives a recording end operation and outputs a recording stop signal to the first main processor 21. The control unit 21a of the first main processor 21 causes all the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 to perform the recording end process. As a result, the first memory card 24, 34, 44, 54 stores an encoded file obtained by encoding a moving image from the start of recording to the end of recording.

(Reproduction processing)
Next, a case where an image included in the encoded file is reproduced will be described. When playing back images recorded on the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54, the user presses the playback start button of the input unit 15. The input unit 15 receives a reproduction instruction operation from the user and outputs a reproduction instruction signal to the first main processor 21. Thereby, the control unit 21 a provided in the first main processor 21 controls each unit of the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. For example, the control unit 21a outputs a control signal for performing a reproduction process such as a data read process to the main processors 31, 41, and 51 via the bus line.

  The main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 read images recorded on the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54, respectively. For example, the first main processor 21 reads an encoded file corresponding to the first area 91 recorded in the first memory card 24. Similarly, the second main processor 31 reads an encoded file corresponding to the second area 92 recorded on the second memory card 34. The third main processor 41 reads the encoded file corresponding to the third area 93 recorded on the third memory card 44, and the fourth main processor 51 reads the fourth file recorded on the fourth memory card 54. The encoded file corresponding to the area 94 is read out. Then, the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 decode the read encoded file and output HD image data to the sub processor 61. The sub processor 61 combines the four HD images. Then, the sub processor 61 outputs the image data of the combined image to the display driver 63.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 divides and encodes the entire screen. And the imaging device 1 produces | generates the encoding file for every divided image, and has recorded it on a different memory card, respectively. Therefore, in order to correctly reproduce the entire image, it is necessary to read the corresponding encoded file from each memory card. That is, it is necessary to record and reproduce a plurality of encoded files in a consistent manner. Hereinafter, a method for managing the encoded file will be described. The configuration of the control unit 21a for managing a plurality of encoded files below will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the control configuration of the first main processor 21.

  Furthermore, in the following description, it demonstrates suitably with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16 are diagrams schematically showing the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 and directories created in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 21a includes an instruction signal input unit 71, a format execution unit 72, a memory card confirmation unit 73, a recording start instruction unit 76, an alert screen display instruction unit 77, an image reading instruction unit 78, a file name. A match determination unit 81, a time measurement unit 82, a file name reception unit 83, and an image reading stop instruction unit 84 are provided. The memory card confirmation unit 73 includes a directory name confirmation unit 74 and a directory name confirmation unit 74.

[Format processing]
First, the format processing of the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54 will be described. When formatting the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54, the user presses the format button with the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 mounted. The input unit 15 receives a format operation by the user and outputs a format instruction signal to the control unit 21a. The format instruction signal is input to the instruction signal input unit 71. The instruction signal input unit 71 outputs a format instruction signal to the format execution unit 72. The format execution unit 72 formats the first memory card 24 and outputs a format control signal to the main processors 31, 41, 51. When a format control signal is input to the main processors 31, 41, 51, the main processors 31, 41, 51 format the memory cards 34, 44, 54, respectively. Then, before recording in the 4k mode, the number of files in the memory card is set to zero.

  When the format instruction signal is input to the format execution unit 72, the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 format the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 and code the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54. Create a directory to record the digitized files. At this time, the directory names created in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54 are matched. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the identification symbol of the first memory card 24 is A, the identification symbol of the second memory card 34 is B, the identification symbol of the third memory card 44 is C, and the identification symbol of the fourth memory card 54 Is D. In this case, the format execution unit 72 creates a directory having a directory name of 98A_0000 in the first memory card 24. Further, the format execution unit 72 outputs a format control signal to the second main processor 31 so that the second main processor 31 creates the directory “98B_0000” in the second memory card 34. Similarly, the format execution unit 72 outputs a format control signal to the third main processor 41 and the fourth main processor 51, and the directory “98C_0000” and the directory “98D_0000” are output to the third memory card 44 and the fourth memory card 54, respectively. "Create.

  In this manner, directories having directory names of “98A_0000”, “98B_0000”, “98C_0000”, and “98D_0000” are created in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54, respectively. The hierarchy of these directories is the same for the memory cards 24, 34, 44 and 54. Here, “98” included in the directory name indicates the serial information of the imaging apparatus 1, and is specifically the last two digits of the manufacturing serial number. In different imaging devices 1, the first two characters of the directory name are different numbers. As described above, “A” to “D” included in the directory name are identification numbers (identifiers) of the memory card. Accordingly, the directory names created in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 include the serial number of the own device and the card numbers assigned to the memory cards.

  Further, “0000” after the underbar included in the directory name is the identifier of the created directory, and is a serial number (serial number) corresponding to the order of creation. The sequential number of the directory is carried over to other memory cards. For example, when another four memory cards are formatted, the serial number of a newly created directory is “0001”. The serial number increases according to the number of formatting. Each time formatting is performed, the serial number of the directory name is incremented. In order to manage the directory names of the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54, the formatting can be executed only when all four memory cards are mounted. Then, the imaging device 1 can perform recording and reproduction with the four memory cards formatted at the same time. That is, based on the directory name, it is determined whether or not there are four memory cards that are simultaneously formatted.

(File management)
When recording is performed in the high-resolution mode after formatting, the encoded file is saved in each directory. That is, when a recording instruction signal is input to the instruction signal input unit 71, the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 perform recording as described above. As a result, the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 write the encoded file including the AV stream data in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the file names are assigned so that the encoded files stored in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54 are matched.

  For example, the file names stored in the directory “98A — 0000” of the first main processor 21 are “98A — 0001.mp4”, “98A — 0002.mp4”, and “98A — 0003.mp4”. Here, “98A” included in the file name is the serial number of the imaging apparatus 1 and the identification number of the first main processor 21 as described above. Then, “0001” to “0003” after the underbar included in the file name are serial numbers added in the order of creation. This serial number increases in accordance with the number of scenes (number of files) included in the content. Therefore, after creating an encoded file of “98A — 0001.mp4”, an encoded file of “98A — 0002.mp4” is created. Similarly, after the encoded file “98A_0002.mp4” is created, “98A_0003.mp4” is created. Thus, every time an encoded file is created, the serial number of the file name is incremented. Further, mp4 after the comma included in the file name is the file format (extension) of the encoded file. That is, the captured image is encoded in the MP4 format.

  The file names stored in the directory “98B — 0000” are the same except for the memory card identification number. That is, “98B — 0001.mp4” and “98B — 0002.mp4” are stored in the directory “98B — 0000” of the second memory card 34. It is stored in “98B — 0003.mp4”. The same applies to the directories “98C_0000” and “98D_0000” of the third memory card 44 and the fourth memory card 54, and the encoded files of the file names having the memory card identification numbers C and D are stored. The sequential number is incremented in the order of creation of the encoded file.

  In the file name of the encoded file, the encoded file in which the serial number of the imaging device and the serial number of the file name are the same and the identification symbol of the memory card is different is an encoded file in which the same scene is recorded. . On the other hand, in the code file name, the encoded file in which the serial number of the imaging device or the serial number of the file name is different is an encoded file in which different scenes are imaged. In this manner, it is determined whether or not the encoded file is a scene recorded at the same time according to the file name.

  When playing back a 4k image, as described above, the first image reading unit 21d, the second image reading unit 31d, the third image reading unit 41d, and the fourth image reading unit 51d are “98A — 0001.mp4” and “98B — 0001, respectively. .Mp4 "," 98C_0001.mp4 ", and" 98D_0001.mp4 "are read. Then, the sub processor 61 combines them and reproduces them.

  Furthermore, the user can switch the imaging device 1 to a normal mode in which imaging is performed with HD resolution. For example, in the normal mode, encoding is performed in the AVCHD format. Of course, you may encode by MP4 format or MOV format. At this time, the encoded file recorded in the AVCHD format is stored in the first memory card 24. An example of the file name at this time is shown in FIG. In the normal mode, the encoded file is recorded with file names of “98000.mts” and “98001.mts”. Here, “98” included in the file name is the serial number of the imaging apparatus 1, and “000” and “001” are serial numbers given in the order of creation. This serial number increases in accordance with the number of scenes included in the content. Furthermore, mts after the comma is a file format (extension).

  Of course, the memory card for recording HD images is not limited to the first main card 24. For example, it may be recorded on any of the second memory card 34, the third memory card 44, and the fourth memory card 54. Furthermore, an HD image encoded file may be recorded on two or more memory cards. Also, at the time of formatting, it is preferable to create a separate directory for storing HD images and record the HD images and 4k images in different directories. Further, not only a moving image but also a still image may be recorded on the first memory card 24. In this case, 4k images, HD images, and still images may be recorded in different directories. An example of a directory hierarchy in which a directory for recording 4k images is created is “PRIVATE / JVC / JMAV”, and an example of a directory hierarchy in which HD images are recorded is “PRIVATE / JVC”. An example of a directory hierarchy in which still images are recorded is “PRIVATE / DCIM”. The main processors 21, 31, 41, and 51 create these directories in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54, respectively, at the time of formatting. In this case, any one directory of “98A — 0000” to “98D — 0000” is created below the directory of JMAV.

  If only the first memory card 24 is used as a memory card for recording still images or HD images, the remaining capacity of the first memory card 24 is smaller than that of other memory cards. Therefore, the memory card for recording still images or HD images may be a different memory card from the memory card for recording 4k images. In other words, a memory card for recording still images or HD images may be prepared separately. Then, when recording a still image or HD image, the memory card is replaced. Alternatively, a still image or an HD image may be recorded on a memory card having a large remaining capacity among the four memory cards.

  Management can be performed using the directory names and file names of the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54. Recording start may be instructed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and recording may not be performed when the predetermined condition is not satisfied. Specifically, in the following case, control is performed so that 4k images cannot be recorded in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54.

(A) When four memory cards matched with the card slot are not loaded, for example, a memory card formatted with different imaging devices 1 or a memory card (b) format formatted with different timings with the same imaging device 1 When a memory card that is not yet installed is installed, that is, when a memory card for which the above directory is not created is installed. (C) Four matched memory cards are not installed in the corresponding card slots. In this case, for example, when the memory card 24 of the directory “98A_0000” corresponding to the first main processor 21 is installed in the second card slot 33. (d) The number of scenes is not uniform on four memory cards.
(E) When the protect switch is locked on one or more memory cards

Regardless of the four card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53, control is performed such that recording is not possible even under the following conditions.
(F) When the number of files and the file number have reached the management upper limit

  Note that, when recording is restricted, the monitor unit 64 may display an alert screen. If memory cards that are not matched are used as in (a), the directory names will not match. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the first memory card 24 to be attached to the first memory card 24 is a different card (described as A ′ in FIG. 10), the directory names do not match. If the memory cards are not matched, recording and playback are disabled. Note that HD images or still images can be recorded in the first memory card 24. When recording an HD image or a still image on the first memory card 24, the memory card used in the second card slot 33, the third card slot 43 or the fourth card slot 53 is replaced with the first card slot 23. You may attach to. For example, in this case, the memory card in which the directory “98B — 0000” is created is inserted into the first card slot 23 and an HD image or a still image is recorded. Note that when the four memory cards are exchanged in this way so that HD images or still images can be recorded, directories are created in the above-described hierarchy on the four memory cards at the time of formatting.

  Further, when the fourth memory card 54 is lost, when another memory card (denoted as D ′ in FIG. 11) is inserted into the fourth card slot 53, the directory names do not match as shown in FIG. Also in this case, recording and playback are disabled. Note that HD images and still images can be recorded in the first memory card 24. When recording 4k images continuously, four new memory cards are prepared. Then, the four memory cards are formatted to create a matching directory. In this case, the directory names are “98A_0001”, “98B_0001”, “98C_0001”, and “98D_0001”, respectively. In consideration of loss of the card, it is desirable to prepare four memory cards as spares. Of course, if a matching memory card D is found, the memory card 54 may be inserted into the fourth card slot 53.

  FIG. 12 shows a state where an HD image is recorded on the first memory card 24.

  FIG. 13 shows a case where a memory card having a combination of directory name serial numbers “0000” is full and replaced with a memory card having a combination of directory name serial numbers “0001”. For example, it is assumed that there is no remaining capacity when an encoded file having a serial number “0003” is recorded in a memory card having a serial number “0000” in the directory. In this case, a sequential number is added to the file name from the next sequential number “0004” to the memory card of the combination “0001”. That is, even when the memory card is changed, the sequential number of the file name is continuous. The serial number of the file is stored in an EEPROM or the like. For this reason, even when the power is turned off or the memory card is replaced, serial numbers are continuously added.

  Furthermore, it is assumed that the memory card is replaced with a memory card having a directory serial number “0000” and the memory card having a directory serial number “0001” is installed in the card slot. Then, it is assumed that an encoded file with sequential numbers up to “0006” is recorded on the memory card with the sequential number of the directory “0001”. In this state, when the memory card is replaced again and a memory card having a directory number “0000” is attached, the number of the encoded file to be recorded next is “0007”. When the serial number of the file name reaches the upper limit value “9999”, the format and the format for resetting the management number are required. Of course, after the memory card in which the serial number of the directory name is “0000” becomes full, a part of the encoded file is deleted or moved on a PC or the like to increase the free space and again “0000”. When using a memory card with a combination of “,” the serial number increments in the same way. That is, the serial number of the file name is incremented every time an encoded file is created regardless of the directory name.

  When the serial number of the directory name does not match, recording and playback are disabled. For example, assume that the directories of the memory cards 24, 34, and 54 are “98A — 0000”, “98B — 0000”, and “98D — 0000”, respectively, and the directory name of the third memory card 44 is “98C — 0100”. In this case, since the directory names of the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54 are not matched, recording and reproduction are disabled.

  Further, when a memory card formatted by another imaging apparatus 1 is included, recording and reproduction are disabled. For example, it is assumed that the memory card 44 formatted by the imaging device 1 with the last two digits of the serial number “50” is installed in the third card slot 43. Then, in the first card slot 23, the second card slot 33, and the fourth card slot 53, the first memory card 24, the second memory card 34, and the like that are formatted by the imaging device 1 whose last two digits are “98”, It is assumed that it is attached to the fourth memory card 54. If the serial number of the imaging device 1 in the directory name does not match, recording and reproduction are disabled. In this way, it is determined whether or not the directory names of the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54 are consistent with each other, and it is determined whether recording or reproduction is possible. That is, the recordable / reproducible conditions are set based on the directory name.

  Even when the serial number of the imaging device 1 to be recorded and the serial numbers included in the directory names of the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54 do not match, recording / playback can be performed. The four memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 formatted by the imaging device 1 whose last two digits are “50” can be used in the imaging device 1 whose last two digits are “98”. In other words, the memory cards 24, 34, 4, 54 with matching directory names can be used in any imaging device 1.

  FIG. 14 shows a case where the number of files (number of scenes) included in the directory does not match. The number of files here is the number of encoded files (that is, mp4 format files) obtained by encoding 4k images, and the number of other files such as HD image encoded files and still image files is as follows. Not included. As shown in FIG. 14, the number of encoded files included in the third memory card 44 is larger than that of encoded files included in other memory cards. For example, if the encoded files of the first memory card 24, the second memory card 34, and the fourth memory card 54 are deleted by a PC or the like, the number of scenes becomes excessive or insufficient. In such a case, the file name can be reproduced up to the point where the serial numbers match. The encoded file with the serial number “0004” recorded in the third memory card 44 is deleted. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the scenes having the serial numbers “0001” and “0003”. If the number of scenes does not match, recording is not possible.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a case where the number of files is the same, but the serial numbers of the file names are shifted in the middle. In the first memory card 24, the second memory card 34, and the fourth memory card 54, encoded files having serial numbers “0001”, “0003”, and “0004” are recorded. Are encoded files having serial numbers “0001”, “0004”, and “0005”. In this case, the number of files matches with three, but the serial numbers do not match. For example, in the second from the top of the list, the serial numbers are “0003”, “0003”, “0004”, “0003”, and the four do not match.

  In such a case, the 4k image is reproduced for a predetermined time to notify the user that there is a shift in the serial number. For example, a 4k image is reproduced only for 5 seconds. Then, since only the third area 93 is a different scene, the user can recognize that there is a shift in the file name. Also, the playback time (recording time) is different in the encoded files of different scenes. Therefore, it may be determined whether or not the scene is different from the mismatch of the reproduction times. Since the positional relationship of the 4k image division corresponds to the positional relationship of the card slots, it is possible to easily grasp which card slot has a shift.

  A user who recognizes that there is a discrepancy in the file name deletes the encoded file of the combination that does not match on the PC or the like. Here, the user deletes the encoded file in which “0003” or “0005” is added to the serial number. Specifically, the user deletes the encoded file of the serial number “0003” included in the first memory card 24, the second memory card 34, and the fourth memory card 54, and includes it in the third memory card 44. The encoded file with the serial number “0005” is deleted. As a result, only the encoded files with serial numbers “0001” and “0004” remain in the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54. Therefore, the number of scenes and the file name can be matched. When the number of files matches, recording is possible. When recording, the next sequential number, here “0006”, or subsequent sequential numbers is added to the file name. Even in this case, 4k images with serial numbers “0006” and thereafter are normally recorded and reproduced.

  Furthermore, scenes recorded on the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54 may be protected on software. Protected scenes cannot be deleted or edited. Unify the four encoded files to set and release protection. For example, in the playback pause state where the scene being played back is paused, the protection of the scene can be set and released. When protection is set, four encoded files having the same file number serial number are simultaneously protected. Furthermore, protection may be set and canceled from an index screen that displays a list of recorded scenes. In the index screen, the file names of the encoded files recorded in the first memory card 24 are displayed in a list, and the protection setting is performed by checking the file names in the list. Scene protection sets and releases four memory cards at the same time. A protected encoded file is displayed with a key mark.

  Similarly, when a scene is deleted, a playback pause state and a scene deletion operation can be accepted from the index screen. When deleting a scene, four encoded files are deleted simultaneously. A case where the user deletes a scene will be described with reference to FIG. When the user checks the file name of the scene, it checks the file name before deleting it. If there is a mismatch between the file names, the deletion is stopped and the screen returns to the index screen. That is, if the file names match, the file deletion is executed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, only the second memory card 34 has no encoded file with the serial number “0003”, and thus there is a mismatch in file names. Therefore, the deletion of the encoded file after the serial number “0003” is canceled and the screen returns to the index screen. Also, an alert (caution) sentence such as “Deletion failed (card C)” may be displayed.

  When deleting, it is checked whether or not the scene to be deleted is protected. If the scene to be deleted is protected, the deletion is stopped and an alert text such as “could not be deleted” is displayed. In addition, when protection is set or canceled by a PC or the like, there are cases where there are combinations in which the protection states do not match among the four memory cards. For example, only “98D — 0001.mp4” may be protected, and “98A — 0001.mp4”, “98B — 0001.mp4”, and “98C — 0001.mp4” may not be protected. Also in this case, before the deletion, the first main processor 21 detects the protection state of each encoded file and stops the deletion.

  As described above, files can be managed easily by performing file management according to the number of files and directory names. For example, the directory name and the number of files are transmitted from the second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51 to the first main processor 21 with the memory card attached. Then, it is determined whether the directory name and the number of files are consistent. Furthermore, when reproducing or deleting an image, the file name of the target encoded file is transferred from the second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51 to the first main processor 21. Send. Then, the control unit 21a of the first main processor 21 determines whether the file names of the four encoded files are consistent.

  By doing so, the file names of all the encoded files recorded on the four memory cards need not be managed by the first main processor 21 at all times. When the file names are always managed, since the serial number of the file name corresponds to “9999”, it is necessary to manage a maximum of 40000 encoded files. When management is always performed using file names, the first main processor 21 needs to manage all file names. On the other hand, managing files according to the number of files and directory names eliminates the need to manage the file names of all encoded files, and allows easy management. When performing protection setting / cancellation or file deletion processing, information on the number of encoded files from the list is sent from the first main processor 21 to the second main processor 31. The data is transmitted to the third main processor 41 and the fourth main processor 51. The second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51 transmit file names or playback times to be processed to the first main processor 21.

  By doing so, the amount of data transmitted from the second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51 to the first main processor 21 via the bus line can be reduced. In other words, only the number of files and the directory name are transmitted in advance from the 2 main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51 to the first main processor 21 via the bus line. Send the file name. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted through the bus line can be reduced and can be easily managed. Further, for the second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51, it is not necessary to grasp the file names processed by other main processors. Therefore, file management can be easily performed, and the processing load can be reduced.

  The same CPU can be used as the first main processor 21, the second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51.

  If the memory card, directory name, file name, etc. do not match, an alert (caution) display may be performed. For example, the third memory card 44 is formatted by the imaging device 1 whose last two digits are “50”, and the first memory card 24 and the second memory are formatted by the imaging device 1 whose last two digits are “98”. When the card 34 and the fourth memory card 54 are formatted, an alert screen is displayed as shown in FIG. The alert screen of the monitor unit 64 notifies the user that the combination of cards is different and the memory cards are not aligned. Therefore, the user recognizes that recording and reproduction cannot be performed. It is also possible to recognize an inconsistent memory card from the alert display text. For example, the monitor unit 64 may display “Card combination is not correct (card C)”.

  Further, FIG. 18 shows an example in which the memory cards inserted in the second card slot 33 and the third card slot 43 are reversed. In this case, the memory card having the directory “98C_0001” is inserted into the second card slot 33, and the memory card having the directory “98C_0001” is inserted into the third card slot 43. In this case, the alert screen is as shown in FIG. As a result, the user recognizes that the memory cards are not aligned and cannot be recorded or reproduced. It is also possible to recognize an inconsistent memory card from the alert display text. For example, the monitor unit 64 may display “Card is not inserted correctly (Card B, Card C)”.

  The directory name is displayed together with the alert display. By doing so, it is possible to grasp which memory card is not aligned in which card slot. Convenience can be improved by including incompatible memory card information during alert display. Further, an alert screen indicating that recording cannot be performed or playback cannot be performed may be displayed. For example, it is possible to improve convenience by displaying an alert on a process that is prohibited due to a mismatch in the directory name or the number of files.

  Further, the display of the card icon display unit 95 may notify the user of memory cards that are not matched. After the alert display is performed for 5 seconds, a display screen as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. If the second memory card 34 is not matched, the icon B is displayed blinking as shown in FIG. By changing the display of the icon corresponding to the memory card that is not matched to the icon corresponding to the matched memory card, the user can easily recognize the memory card that is not matched. Furthermore, as described above, the positional relationship between the four icons is matched with the positional relationship between the four card slots. That is, the positional relationship between the upper left, upper right, lower left, and upper left of the four icons A to D matches the positional relationship of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and upper left of the installed card slot. As a result, the user can easily understand which memory card is not aligned in which card slot. By displaying an icon indicating the memory card mounting state, the alert display can be quickly turned off. That is, even when the alert display disappears after a lapse of a certain time, the user can recognize the malfunction in the wearing state by the icon display. Similarly, when the directory name does not match, the number of scenes does not match, or the card class does not correspond, an alert display or an icon blinking display may be performed. Thereby, a defective memory card is easily recognized.

  In the case of file management as described above, when the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 are inserted into the card slots 23, 33, 43, 53, the first main processor 21 reads the memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54, respectively. Receives information about the directory name and the number of files. If the directory name and the number of files do not match, an alert is displayed as described above. At this stage, the file names of the encoded files recorded on the memory cards 34, 44, 54 from the main processors 31, 41, 51 are not transmitted to the first main processor 21. When a scene to be reproduced, deleted or protected is selected, the file names of the encoded files recorded on the first memory card 24 are displayed in a list. When the user selects a scene to be processed from the list, information indicating what number scene has been selected from the list is transmitted from the first main processor 21 to the second main processors 31, 41, 51. Then, based on the order in the list, the main processors 31, 41, 51 read out the file names of the encoded files recorded in the memory cards 34, 44, 54 and send them to the first main processor 21. Then, the first main processor 21 determines whether the four encoded files are consistent. If they are consistent, they are played as usual, and if they are not matched, they are played for a predetermined time, and an alert is displayed.

(Reproduction process flow)
Next, a control flow at the time of reproduction processing when the number of files matches will be described using FIG. 6 and FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the reproduction process. The instruction signal input unit 71 determines whether or not a reproduction instruction signal has been input (step S101). When the user presses the playback button, the input unit 15 receives a user operation and inputs a playback instruction signal to the control unit 21a (YES in step S101). When there is no reproduction instruction (NO in step S101), the process waits until there is a reproduction instruction. A reproduction instruction signal from the input unit 15 is input to the instruction signal input unit 71 of the control unit 21a.

  Then, the memory card confirmation unit 73 confirms the memory card (step S102). First, the directory name confirmation unit 74 transmits a memory card confirmation instruction signal to confirm whether or not the directory names created on the four memory cards are prepared (step S103). For example, each main processor reads the directory name of the memory card and transmits it to the memory card confirmation unit 73 as memory card information. The memory card confirmation unit 73 confirms the directory name based on the memory card information. That is, it is confirmed whether the directory names created in the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 satisfy a predetermined condition. Specifically, when the serial numbers and serial numbers of the devices are matched and the card identification numbers are A to D, it is determined that the directory names are aligned.

  If the memory card confirmation unit 73 determines that the directory names created on the four memory cards are not complete (No in step S103), the memory card confirmation unit 73 outputs a mismatch signal to the alert screen display instruction unit 77. . Then, the alert screen display instruction unit 77 outputs an alert screen display instruction signal to the sub-processor 61, and issues an alert screen display instruction (step S104). As a result, an alert screen indicating that the directory names do not match is displayed on the monitor unit 64. Further, as described above, an icon of a memory card whose directory name is not consistent may be blinked.

  When the memory card confirmation unit 73 determines that the directory names created on the four memory cards are complete (YES in step S103), the card class confirmation unit 75 transmits a memory card confirmation instruction signal to It is confirmed whether the card class of the memory card is appropriate (step S105). For example, each main processor reads the card class of the memory card and transmits it to the memory card confirmation unit 73 as memory card information. The memory card confirmation unit 73 determines whether or not the card class is appropriate based on the memory card information. For example, the memory card checking unit 73 determines that the card class 6 or higher is an appropriate card class.

  If it is determined that the card class is not appropriate (No in step S105), the memory card confirmation unit 73 outputs a mismatch signal to the alert screen display instruction unit 77. Then, the alert screen display instruction unit 77 outputs an alert screen display instruction signal to the sub-processor 61, and issues an alert screen display instruction (step S106). As a result, an alert screen indicating that the card class is not appropriate is displayed on the monitor unit 64.

  If it is determined that the card class is appropriate (YES in step S105), the list number is set to X (step S107). The list No. is the order in the scene list specified by the user. For example, the encoded file with the file number serial number “0002”, “0004”, “0005” is recorded, and the user operates to play an image with the file name serial number “0004”. In this case, X is “2”. As described above, the list No. is determined based on the serial number of the file name of the encoded file recorded on the memory card and the serial number of the encoded file reproduced by the user.

  Then, the memory card confirmation unit 73 outputs a coincidence signal to the image reading instruction unit 78. As a result, the image reading instruction unit 78 outputs an image reading signal to each main processor, and the main processor is instructed to read the Xth image in the designated directory (step S108). That is, among the plurality of encoded files recorded on each memory card, the Xth encoded file is read from the one with the smallest sequential number. As a result, 4k images are reproduced. Further, the file name receiving unit 83 receives the file name of the image read from each main processor (step S109). Then, the file name match determination unit 81 determines whether the file names are complete (step S110).

  When the file names do not match (No in step S110), the file name match determination unit 81 outputs a mismatch signal to the alert screen display instruction unit 77 and the time measurement unit 82. If the file names do not match, the encoded file has been deleted from some of the memory cards as shown in FIG. The alert screen display instruction unit 77 outputs an alert screen instruction signal indicating that the file names are not complete to the sub-processor 61, and issues an alert screen instruction (step S111). Furthermore, the time measuring unit 82 starts measuring a predetermined time set in advance (step S112).

  Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step S113). That is, when the predetermined time has elapsed in the time measuring unit 82, the image reading stop instruction unit 84 outputs an image reading stop instruction signal to each main processor. Thereby, after a predetermined time elapses, the image reading is stopped and the reproduction of the 4k image is stopped. Here, since images of different scenes are reproduced in some areas, the user can recognize that some memory cards are not matched. For example, an image shifted by the image of the second region 92 is reproduced. By doing so, the user can grasp the mismatch of the file names, and the convenience can be improved. The alert screen may be displayed before or after the image is reproduced.

  If the file names match (Yes in step S110), the file name match determination unit 81 determines whether there is a reproduction stop instruction (step S114). When there is a reproduction stop instruction (Yes in step S114), the image reading stop instruction unit 84 outputs an image reading stop signal to each main processor, and the process ends. Therefore, the image reading stop is interrupted and processed, and the reproduction of the 4k image is stopped. If there is no playback stop instruction during playback of the 4k image (No in step S114), playback is continued until the playback time of the 4k image. When reproducing the next scene, the list No is incremented (step S115), and the process returns to step S108. Then, the same process is performed, and the next sequential number 4k image is reproduced.

(Recording process flow)
The recording process will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a recording process flow. The instruction signal input unit 71 determines whether or not a recording instruction signal is input (step S201). When the user presses the recording button, the input unit 15 receives a user operation and inputs a recording instruction signal to the control unit 21a (YES in step S201). If there is no recording instruction (NO in step S201), the process waits until there is a recording instruction. The recording instruction signal from the input unit 15 is input to the instruction signal input unit 71 of the control unit 21a.

  Then, the memory card confirmation unit 73 confirms the memory card (step S202). First, the directory name confirmation unit 74 transmits a memory card confirmation instruction signal and confirms whether or not the directory names created on the four memory cards are prepared (step S203). For example, each main processor reads the directory name of the memory card and transmits it to the memory card confirmation unit 73 as memory card information. The memory card confirmation unit 73 confirms the directory name based on the memory card information. That is, it is confirmed whether the directory names created in the four memory cards 24, 34, 44, 54 satisfy a predetermined condition. Specifically, when the serial numbers and serial numbers of the devices are matched and the card identification numbers are A to D, it is determined that the directory names are aligned.

  When the memory card confirmation unit 73 determines that the directory names created on the four memory cards are not complete (No in step S203), the memory card confirmation unit 73 outputs a mismatch signal to the alert screen display instruction unit 77. . Then, the alert screen display instruction unit 77 outputs an alert screen display instruction signal to the sub-processor 61, and issues an alert screen display instruction (step S204). As a result, an alert screen indicating that the directory names do not match is displayed on the monitor unit 64. Further, as described above, an icon of a memory card whose directory name is not consistent may be blinked.

  If the memory card confirmation unit 73 determines that the directory names created on the four memory cards are complete (YES in step S203), the card class confirmation unit 75 transmits a memory card confirmation instruction signal to It is confirmed whether or not the card class of the memory card is appropriate (step S205). For example, each main processor reads the card class of the memory card and transmits it to the memory card confirmation unit 73 as memory card information. The memory card confirmation unit 73 determines whether or not the card class is appropriate based on the memory card information. Here, for example, the card class confirmation unit 75 determines that the card class 6 or higher is an appropriate card class.

  If it is determined that the card class is not appropriate (No in step S205), the memory card confirmation unit 73 outputs a mismatch signal to the alert screen display instruction unit 77. Then, the alert screen display instruction unit 77 outputs an alert screen display instruction signal to the sub-processor 61 to instruct an alert screen display (step S206). As a result, an alert screen indicating that the card class is not appropriate is displayed on the monitor unit 64.

  If it is determined that the card class is appropriate (YES in step S205), the memory card confirmation unit 73 outputs a coincidence signal to the recording start instruction unit 76. Then, the recording start instruction unit 76 transmits a recording start instruction signal to each main processor, and issues a recording start instruction (step S207). Thereby, the divided image of the area to which the four main processors are allocated is encoded and recorded as an encoded file. Thus, since it is known that the number of files stored in the memory card in advance matches, recording can be performed without confirming the file name.

  The above control is summarized as follows. Format four memory cards as a set at the same time. Then, at the time of formatting, a directory for storing the encoded file for 4k images is created. Further, the directory name is determined according to a preset rule. File management is performed assuming that multiple sets of memory cards are used. Specifically, recording and playback are restricted when the directory names of the four memory cards are not consistent. The directory name includes a part of the serial number of the imaging device and the card number (A to D). Recording is possible under the condition that the serial numbers match and the card names (A to D) respectively assigned to the memory cards according to the installed card slots are included in the directory name.

  Specifically, recording and playback are restricted when a memory card formatted by another imaging device 1 is used or when the memory card is not inserted into an appropriate card slot. Similarly, if the number of files on the four memory cards does not match, recording and playback are restricted. In such a case, the monitor unit 64 displays an alert screen. If the number of files on the four memory cards matches, but the file names do not match, some playback is restricted and recording is not restricted. When reproducing, an encoded file to be read from four memory cards is specified in the list No, and it is determined whether or not the file names are consistent. If the file names do not match, only the preset time (for example, about 5 seconds) is reproduced for the user to recognize. By managing in this way, user convenience can be improved.

(Control icon display)
Control for displaying the card icon display unit 95 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 21a. A part of the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is omitted. An icon display instruction unit 85 is provided in the control unit 21a. The memory card confirmation unit 73 confirms the four memory cards. Then, the confirmation result is output to the icon display instruction unit 85. As shown in FIG. 19, the icon display instruction unit 85 blinks the icon corresponding to the memory card that is not matched. Of course, the display of non-matching memory cards is not limited to blinking display, and the color may be changed or an x mark or the like indicating non-matching may be displayed in duplicate. Thereby, even after the alert display is completed, the user can easily grasp the memory cards that are not matched.

  Thus, the card icon display part 95 is provided in a display screen. Then, the display of the icons A to D is changed according to the mounting state of the memory card in the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53. That is, the display of the icons A to D is switched from the lighting display to the blinking display. Further, the positional relationship between the icons A to D in the card icon display unit 95 is made to coincide with the positional relationship between the first card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53. Here, the icon A corresponding to the first card slot 23 corresponds to the upper left, the icon B corresponding to the second card slot 33 corresponds to the upper right, the icon C corresponding to the third card slot 43 corresponds to the lower left, and corresponds to the first card slot 23. Icon D is displayed in the lower right. In this way, it is possible to easily recognize in which card slot a memory card is not installed. Therefore, a memory card can be easily attached to an unattached card slot. Note that detection means for detecting the detection state of the memory card for the card slots 23, 33, 43, and 53 may be provided, and the icon display state may be changed according to the detection result. Further, the detection means may be any means that detects the mounting state of the memory card physically or electrically. Similarly, when the directory name does not match, the number of scenes does not match, or the card class does not correspond, an alert display or an icon blinking display may be performed. Thereby, a defective memory card is easily recognized.

(Data structure of encoded file)
In addition, when a 4k image is divided into four equal parts and encoded, a part of each region may be overlapped. By performing linear interpolation on the overlapping portion of the data at the time of decoding, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the joint at the boundary portion of the region. By doing so, display quality can be improved. As described above, when a part of the area is overlapped, information on the size of the overlapped part is required at the time of decoding. For example, when capturing images in different modes or when capturing images with different image capturing apparatuses 1, the size of overlapping portions may be different. In this case, when a 4k image is reproduced by the imaging device 1 or the external display device 102, linear interpolation cannot be appropriately performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, position information relating to the overlap portion is included in the encoded file. Hereinafter, the data structure of the encoded file will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of an encoded file that is an MP4 file. The encoded file includes ftype atom, free atom, mdat atom, and moov atom. ftype atom is header information. mdat atom is audio and video stream data. The moov atom is management information of the mdat atom. In the free atom, unique information of each company can be put, and is skipped in the player for reproduction. The insertion position of the free atom is not particularly limited, but here, the overlap information is included in the free atom immediately after the ftyp atom. That is, a free atom including position information is added to the MP4 file.

  FIG. 24 is a table showing information related to overlap. In the free atom, a horizontal screen size (H Size) and a vertical screen size (V Size) are stored. When a 4k image is divided, the horizontal screen size (H Size) is the resolution of the divided image (1920), and the vertical screen size (V Size) is the resolution of the image after the division (1080). The horizontal screen size (V Size) and the vertical screen size (H Size) are each 2 bytes of data.

  The free atom includes overlap information (overlap), multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen), a horizontal composite size (combined size H), a vertical composite size (combined Size V), and a horizontal position (Horizontal position). And a vertical position (Vertical position). These are stored as position information for specifying the position of each divided image in the entire image. The overlap information (overlap) is a flag indicating the presence or absence of overlap. Depending on the value of the overlap information, it is determined whether the overlap mode is such that adjacent divided screens are overlapped or non-overlapping mode is divided so as not to overlap.

  Multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen) is a flag indicating an imaging mode. Depending on the value of the multi-screen information, a high-resolution mode for recording 4k images or a normal mode for recording HD images is determined. Multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen) is screen configuration information indicating whether or not an image is divided. In other words, according to the multi-screen information, it is possible to recognize whether the stream data of each encoded file is a part of the entire 4k image screen or the entire HD image. The horizontal direction combined size (combined size H) and the vertical direction combined size (combined size V) indicate the image size after combining. In the high-resolution mode (4k image) with no overlap, the horizontal image size is 3840, and the vertical image size is 2160. In the normal mode (HD image), since a plurality of divided images are not combined, the horizontal combined image size (combined size H) and the vertical combined size (combined size V) are set to 0, respectively.

  The horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical direction position (Vertical position) indicate the vertical and horizontal positions of the divided images in the composite image. In the case of an HD image, since a plurality of divided images are not synthesized, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are set to 0, respectively. The horizontal direction composite size (combined size H), the vertical direction composite size (combined size V), the horizontal direction position (horizontal position), and the vertical direction position (vertical position) are each 2 bytes of data.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram schematically illustrating data included in the free atom. The free atom includes a horizontal position (H size), a vertical position (V size), overlap information (overlap), multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen), a horizontal composite size (combined size H), The vertical size (combined size V), horizontal position (horizontal position), and vertical position (vertical position) are stored. Furthermore, thumbnail image data of the entire image is stored in the free atom. The size of the thumbnail image is 32 kbytes. The generation of thumbnail images will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (0, 0) in the upper left coordinate and (1920 × 2-) in the lower right coordinate. It is shown in an orthogonal coordinate system of 1,1080 × 2-1). In addition, the horizontal direction position (Horizontal position) and the vertical direction position (Vertical position) have shown the coordinate of the upper left corner of the 1st-4th area | regions 91-94.

  Next, position information when a 4k image is recorded in the non-overlapping mode will be described. FIG. 27 is a table showing position information stored in the encoded files corresponding to the first to fourth areas 91 to 94. In the four encoded files, the horizontal screen size (Horizontal Size) is 1920, the vertical screen size (Vertical Size) is 1080, the overlap information (overlap) is 0 indicating the non-overlapping mode, and the multi-screen information ( is_multiple_screen) is 1 indicating the high resolution mode, the horizontal combined size (combined size H) is 3840, and the vertical combined size (combined size V) is 2160. The horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are different in the four encoded files. For example, in the encoded file corresponding to the first region 91, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (0, 0). In the encoded files corresponding to the second area 92, the third area 93, and the fourth area 94, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (1920, 0), respectively. (0, 1080), (1920, 1080).

  Next, a case where adjacent regions are overlapped by 16 pixels will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the horizontal direction composite size is 3824 (= 1920 × 2-16), and the vertical direction composite size is 2144 (= 1080 × 2-16). In all four encoded files, the horizontal screen size (Horizontal Size) is 1920, the vertical screen size (Vertical Size) is 1080, the overlap information (overlap) is 1 indicating the overlap mode, and the multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen). ) Is 1 indicating the high resolution mode.

  The horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are different in the four encoded files. For example, in the encoded file corresponding to the first region 91, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (0, 0). In the encoded files corresponding to the second area 92, the third area 93, and the fourth area 94, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (1904, 0), respectively. (0, 1064), (1940, 1064).

  Next, the case of recording in the normal mode will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the HD image is recorded only on the first memory card 24, and the second memory card 34, the third memory card 44, and the fourth memory card 54 are not used. The horizontal screen size (Horizontal Size) recorded in the first memory card 24 is 1920, the vertical screen size (Vertical Size) is 1080, and the multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen) is 0 indicating the normal mode. In the normal mode, overlap information (overlap), horizontal direction composite size (combined horizonal size), vertical direction composite size (combined vertical size), horizontal position (horizontal position), and vertical direction position (vertical position) are: It becomes 0 because it is not necessary.

  Furthermore, instead of dividing the entire image vertically and horizontally, it is possible to divide as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the entire image 90 is divided so that the first to fourth regions 91 are arranged in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the first to fourth regions 91 to 94 are strip-like regions in the vertical direction. Adjacent areas overlap by 16 pixels. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the upper and lower portions of each region do not overlap because they are arranged in one row. The horizontal direction composite size (combined horizonal size) is 3792 (= 960 × 4-16 × 3), and the vertical direction composite size (combined vertical size) is 2160. In all four encoded files, the horizontal screen size (H Size) is 960, the vertical screen size (Vertical Size) is 2160, the overlap information (overlap) is 1 indicating the overlap mode, and the multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen) is displayed. ) Is 1 indicating the high resolution mode.

  The horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are different in the four encoded files. For example, in the encoded file corresponding to the first region 91, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (0, 0). In the encoded files corresponding to the second area 92, the third area 93, and the fourth area 94, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (944, 0), respectively. (1888,0), (2832,0).

  Furthermore, the number of divisions can be 4 or more. In FIG. 31, the entire image is divided into 16 vertical 4 × 4 horizontal. Accordingly, it is possible to record an 8K4K image having a size about four times that of the 4K2K image. In FIG. 31, 16 regions are identified as AP. In this case, 16 memory cards are prepared. Alternatively, two or more encoded files may be recorded on one memory card to reduce the number of necessary memory cards. It is assumed that the horizontal screen size (Horizontal Size) of each encoded file is 1920, the vertical screen size (Vertical Size) is 1080, and adjacent areas overlap by 16 pixels. In this case, the overlap information (overlap) is 1 indicating the overlap mode, and the multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen) is 1 indicating the high resolution mode. The horizontal direction composite size (combined horizonal size) is 7632 (= 1920 × 4-16 × 3), and the vertical direction composite size (combined vertical size) is 4272 (= 1080 × 4-16 × 3).

  The horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are different in 16 encoded files. For example, in the encoded file corresponding to the region A, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (0, 0). In the encoded file corresponding to the region B to the region P, the horizontal position (Horizontal position) and the vertical position (Vertical position) are (1904, 0), (3808, 0), (5712, 0), respectively. (0, 1064), (1904, 1064), (3808, 1064), (5712, 1064), (0, 2128), (1904, 2128), (3808, 2128), (5712, 2128), (0 , 3192), (1904, 3192), (3808, 3192), and (5712, 3192).

  As described above, by incorporating the position information into the encoded file, various high-resolution images can be handled. For example, even when the size of the overlap region, the size of the entire image, the size of the divided image, or the like is changed, it can be appropriately reproduced. Furthermore, by including the position information in the free atom, the processing can be easily performed. For example, when the encoded file is constructed, the first main processor 21 inserts the position information into the free atom.

At the time of reproduction, the sub processor 61 reads out such position information. Then, the divided images are synthesized according to the position information. In the case of overlap, interpolation processing is performed on the overlapping portion. By doing so, it is possible to reproduce appropriately. In the case of overlap, interpolation processing is performed on the overlapping portion. By doing so, display quality can be improved. Note that the size of the divided images of each encoded file is not limited to the same. For example, the left half of the entire image 90 is divided into upper and lower parts as shown in FIG.
The right half may be divided into left and right as shown in FIG.

  Note that the position information includes the coordinates of the divided image in the image and the image size of the divided image. In the position information, the overlap information (overlap) is 1 indicating the overlap mode, and multi-screen information (is_multiple_screen) is included. Therefore, the position of each divided image in the entire image can be specified. As a result, the external display device 100 can also appropriately reproduce.

(Generation of thumbnail images)
As described above, the 4k image is encoded with a size of 1920 × 1080 by each main processor 2 to create an encoded file (MP4 file). Accordingly, only 1/4 of each stream is written to each memory card. In the present embodiment, thumbnail images are stored in an encoded file recorded in the 4k mode. The thumbnail image is a still image of the entire combined image. For example, the entire image for one frame is a thumbnail image. In this way, the user can easily grasp which scene image the encoded file is recorded on. The thumbnail image generation process will be described below.

  FIGS. 32 and 33 are flowcharts showing image encoding processing and thumbnail image creation processing. FIG. 33 shows the continuation of the flow of FIG. When an operation for starting recording is accepted by a user operation (step S301), the image sensor 12 as a CMOS sensor inputs a 4k image (step S302). Then, a 4k image is input to the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 (step S303). Image data of the whole image 90 before division is input to the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. Then, 4k images are input to the camera blocks of the main processors 21, 31, 41, 51 (step S304). The camera block is a block provided with the camera control unit 27 shown in FIG. 4, an image cutout unit, a JPEG encoder, and the like, which will be described later. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the main processors 31, 41, 51 are also provided with a camera control unit 27 similar to the main processor 21.

  First, HD video encoding processing will be described. Note that the processing from step S303 to step S310 described below is similarly executed by the four main processors 21, 31, 41, 51. Therefore, the processing in the main processors 31, 41, 51 is omitted as appropriate, and the processing in the main processor 21 will be mainly described. The image cutout unit of the camera block cuts out the HD image handled by each main processor from the 4k image (step S305). Then, the back-end block of the main processor 21 writes the input HD image to the first memory 22 that is an external memory (step S306). The back-end block includes the system control unit 28 and H264. An encoder or the like is provided.

  H. of backend block. The H.264 encoder acquires the image data recorded in the first memory 22 and encodes it (step S307). And H. The H.264 encoder writes the AV stream as the encoding result to the stream buffer of the first memory 22 (step S308). Then, the system control unit 28 of the back-end block reads AV stream data from the stream buffer and writes it to the first memory card 24 (step S309). When the recording stop by the user operation is accepted or when the file size reaches the upper limit value of the file system after recording for a long time, the process proceeds to the next step S314, and the MP4 file is constructed. The upper limit value of the file system is the maximum file size that can be recorded as one encoded file in the imaging apparatus 1, and is, for example, 4 Gbytes. When recording continuously for a long time, the encoded file exceeds the upper limit value of the file system, so that it is recorded as another encoded file.

  Next, a thumbnail image creation process will be described. Here, a thumbnail image in JPEG format is created. The thumbnail image size can be set to 160 × 96, for example. Only the first main processor 21 is in charge of creating thumbnail images. That is, the main processors 31, 41, and 51 do not perform thumbnail image creation processing.

  First, a 4k image is input to the JPEG encoder of the camera block in the first main processor 21 (step S311). Note that the timing for creating the thumbnail image is arbitrary, but here, immediately after starting the recording of the video or for a long time, when the image file reaches the upper limit of the file system and creates a new file, As shown in Fig. 2, thumbnail images are created. That is, a thumbnail image is created at the timing of creating a new encoded file. As a result, the entire image at the first timing of the moving image becomes a thumbnail image.

  The JPEG encoder provided in the camera block of the first main processor 21 creates JPEG data for thumbnails (step S312). That is, a thumbnail image is created by encoding a 4k image before encoding in the JPEG format. By creating a thumbnail image based on image data for one frame of a 4k image before encoding, the processing can be simplified. Then, the JPEG data is written to the first memory 22 whose camera block is an external memory (step S313).

  The JPEG format encoding process (steps S311 to S313) is performed simultaneously with the HD moving image encoding process (steps S305 to S309). For example, HD video encoding processing is performed in parallel with processing for creating a thumbnail image from the entire image at the timing when the recording start button is pressed. In step S314, the system control unit 28 of the back-end block of the first main processor 21 constructs an MP4 file using the moov data, stream file, and JPEG data (thumbnail image). Thus, the MP4 file is recorded on the first memory card 24 as an encoded file.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a recording stop has been accepted by a user operation (step S315). If a recording stop is accepted by a user operation (YES in step S315), the recording is terminated (step S316). If the recording stop is not accepted (NO in step S315), that is, if the upper limit value of the file system is reached, the process returns to step S309 to continue recording. By creating a thumbnail image and adding it to the encoded file in this way, the user can easily confirm the thumbnail image. The thumbnail image is 32 kbytes as described above, and is stored in free atom as shown in FIG.

  In this way, only the first main processor 21 creates thumbnail images. By doing so, the processing amount in the second main processor 31, the third main processor 41, and the fourth main processor 51 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second memory 32, the third memory 42, and the fourth memory 52 from increasing in capacity. Of course, if the capacity of the second memory 32, the third memory 42, and the fourth memory 52 is sufficiently large, thumbnail images of the entire image may be stored in the memory cards 24, 34, 44, and 54, respectively.

  Further, as described above, the first main processor 21 performs file management based on the number of files stored in the memory card. Therefore, file management can be easily performed by storing thumbnail images in the encoded file in the first memory card 24. For example, it is not necessary for the sub processor 61 to perform a composition process in order to create a thumbnail image. Further, when displaying a list of recorded scenes, a thumbnail image of an encoded file recorded on the first memory card 24 is read and a thumbnail image is displayed. This eliminates the need to read the encoded files recorded on the second memory card 34, the third memory card 44, and the fourth memory card 54 at the stage of displaying the recorded scenes as a list. Then, when the user confirming the list operates the input unit 15 to perform processing such as reproduction, deletion, protection, etc., recording is performed on the second memory card 34, the third memory card 44, and the fourth memory card 54. It is only necessary to read the encoded file. Therefore, it is not necessary to read the encoded file one by one, and the processing can be simplified. User convenience can be improved and unnecessary processing can be suppressed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The above processing can be executed by a computer program stored in the ROM or the like of the main processor. In the above-described example, a program including a group of instructions for causing a computer (processor) to perform each process is stored using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Can be supplied to. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (for example, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)) are included. The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 11 Lens part 12 Imaging element 13 Audio IC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Audio input / output part 15 Input part 21 1st main processor 21a Control part 21b 1st encoding part 21c 1st image storage part 21d 1st image reading part 22 1st memory 23 1st card slot 24 1st memory card 27 Camera Control unit 28 System control unit 31 Second main processor 31b Second encoding unit 31c Second image storage unit 31d Second image reading unit 32 Second memory 33 Second card slot 34 Second memory card 41 Third main processor 41b First 3 encoding section 41c 3rd image storage section 41d 3rd image reading section 42 3rd memory 43 3rd card slot 44 3rd memory card 51 4th main processor 51b 4th encoding section 51c 4th image storage section 51d 4th Image reading unit 52 4th memory 53 4th card slot 54 4th memory card 61 Sub processor 62 Memory 63 Display driver 64 Monitor part 64a Hinge 65 Display driver 66 Viewfinder 67 HDMI terminal 71 Instruction signal input part 72 Format execution part 73 Memory card confirmation part 74 Directory name confirmation part 75 Card class confirmation part 76 Recording start instruction section 77 Alert screen display instruction section 78 Image reading instruction section 81 File name match determination section 82 Time measurement section 83 File name receiving section 84 Image reading stop instruction section 85 Icon display instruction section 90 Whole image 91 First area 92 Second Area 93 Third Area 94 Fourth Area 95 Card Icon Display Unit 101 HDMI Terminal 102 External Display Device

Claims (5)

Image capturing means for capturing an image;
Dividing means for dividing the image picked up by the image pickup means into images of a plurality of regions;
A plurality of processors for encoding each of the images in each of the plurality of regions;
A plurality of recording medium mounting portions for mounting a plurality of recording media for recording the images of the respective areas encoded by the plurality of processors, respectively;
With
At least one of the plurality of processors includes formatting means for formatting the plurality of recording media respectively mounted on the plurality of recording medium mounting units.
The formatting means creates each directory for recording an image of each area encoded by each of the plurality of processors on each of the plurality of recording media in a state in which directory names are associated with each other. Imaging device. The dividing unit divides the image captured by the image capturing unit into first to fourth region images,
The plurality of processors encodes a first processor that encodes the image in the first region, a second processor that encodes the image in the second region, and an image in the third region. And a fourth processor for encoding the image of the fourth region,
The formatting means formats the first to fourth recording media into the first to fourth recording media when formatting the first to fourth recording media respectively mounted on the first to fourth recording medium mounting portions. The 1st-4th directory which each records the image of the 1st-4th area | region which the 4th processor encoded, respectively is produced in the state which linked | related the directory name, respectively. Imaging device. The formatting means sets the directory names of the first to fourth directories as directory names including at least a serial number of the device and identification numbers assigned to the first to fourth recording media, respectively. 1 to 4 directories are created,
The imaging device according to claim 2.   The formatting means determines whether or not the first to fourth recording media are mounted in all of the first to fourth recording medium mounting sections, and the first to fourth recording media mounting The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the formatting is performed when it is determined that the first to fourth recording media are respectively attached to all the units. The formatting means further creates a directory for recording an image encoded in a predetermined format for the entire image picked up by the image pick-up means on at least one of the first to fourth recording media. ,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.