JP2529242B2 - Electronic camera system - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera system for shooting, recording and reproducing still images.

2. Related Art Regarding the basic configuration of a conventional electronic camera system,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a conventional electronic camera. In FIG. 5, 501 is a lens, 502 is a shutter circuit, 503 is an image pickup circuit, 504 is an image pickup circuit drive circuit, 505 is a signal processing circuit which processes the output signal of the image pickup circuit, and 506 records the processed signal. Is a recording circuit for recording signals, 507 is a recording medium for recording signals, 508 is a drive circuit for driving the recording circuits, and 509 is a system control circuit for comprehensively controlling the above circuits.

The conventional electronic camera configured as described above has a lens
An image that has passed through 501 and the shutter circuit 50 is converted into an electric signal by an image pickup circuit 503 controlled by a drive circuit 504, processed by a signal processing circuit 505, and a recording medium 507 by a recording circuit 506 controlled by a drive circuit 508. To record.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a conventional electronic camera recording / reproducing apparatus. In the figure, 601 is a video signal input circuit, 602
Is a signal processing circuit for processing a video input signal into a recordable signal, 603 is a recording medium for recording the signal, 604 is a recording / reproducing circuit for recording the signal on the recording medium or reproducing the signal from the recording medium, and 605 is a recording medium. A signal processing circuit for processing the reproduced signal, 606 an output circuit for outputting the processed signal, 607 a drive circuit for controlling the recording / reproducing circuit 604, and 608 a system control circuit for comprehensively controlling the above circuits.

In the conventional electronic camera recording / reproducing device configured as described above, after the signal from the input circuit 601 is processed by the signal processing circuit 602, it is recorded in the recording medium 603 by the recording / reproducing circuit 604 or recorded in the recording medium 603. The signal is reproduced by the recording / reproducing circuit 604, processed by the signal processing circuit 605, and then output through the output circuit 606.

Then, there are the following two examples as a recording medium and a recording method in the conventional electronic camera system. The first example is an example in which analog signal processing is performed on a video signal obtained by an image pickup circuit, and then magnetic recording is performed on a magnetic disk or the like. The second example is the analog video signal obtained by the imaging circuit.
In this example, a digital signal obtained by A / D conversion is directly recorded in a digital memory. A block diagram of the electronic camera of the second example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the points different from FIG. 5 will be mainly described. 700 is the electronic camera body, 7
01 to 704 are the same as 501 to 504 in FIG. 5, 705 is a digital signal processing circuit for A / D converting the output signal from the imaging circuit and processing it into a signal suitable for recording in a digital memory,
Reference numeral 706 is a drive circuit for a digital memory, 707 is a system control circuit for comprehensively controlling the above circuits, and 708 is a memory pack for recording digital video signals.

In the electronic camera configured as described above, the digitized video signal is recorded in the removable memory pack 708 under the control of the drive circuit (2) 706. As shown in FIG. 8, the memory pack 708 includes a connector section 801, an I / O circuit section 802 which is an interface section with the camera body and the recording / reproducing apparatus body, a memory section 803 composed of a semiconductor memory, and a memory pack. It is composed of a backup battery section 804 for holding recorded data even when the 708 is removed from the camera body or recording / playback machine body, and its shape is about the current magnetic card (about 85 mm × 55 mm) Something like a memory card of the size of is possible.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the conventional example of the structure of digital recording using the above memory pack has the following problems.

In the above electronic camera system, since digital recording is performed, it is possible to duplicate without deterioration in image quality, but multiple recording / playback devices are required to perform editing including duplication and replacement of images. Next, there is a problem that the advantage of "easy to edit and replace images", which is one of the features of the electronic camera system, cannot actually be exhibited, and a backup battery is used to hold the data recorded in the memory. It becomes necessary to store and operate the memory pack including replacement of the backup battery, which is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera system which is excellent in operability and which enables easy editing and searching of memory packs.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a recording / reproducing apparatus main body and a memory pack for recording a digital image signal and an ID signal, and the memory pack is detachable from the recording / reproducing apparatus main body. The recording / reproducing apparatus main body is capable of mounting a plurality of the memory packs, the ID signal detecting means, the image searching means by the detection signal, and the storing means for storing the image signal in the memory pack. Image editing means for controlling the storage means and the memory pack by an output signal of the ID signal detecting means, and moving, erasing, copying the digital image signal and the ID signal in the memory pack, and moving and copying between the plurality of memory packs. It is an electronic camera system equipped with.

An image pickup unit, a recording / reproducing unit, and a memory pack for recording a digital image signal and an ID signal are provided, and the memory pack is detachable so that one or more sheets can be attached to the image pickup unit or the recording / reproducing unit. The image pickup section has an ID signal creating means for converting a recording condition into an ID signal, and the recording / reproducing section is created by an ID signal detecting means in the memory pack, an image searching means by this detection signal, and the ID signal creating means. An electronic camera system comprising: an image editing unit that selects a storage destination of the image pickup unit output signal using an ID signal.

Action The present invention has the above-described structure, mounts a plurality of memory packs, controls the storage means and the memory packs according to the output signal of the ID signal detection means, moves and erases the digital image signal and the ID signal in the memory pack, By copying, moving between multiple memory packs, and copying, it is easy to edit the memory packs and provide an electronic camera system with excellent operability. Also, one or more memory packs are attached, and the image pickup unit is ID. The recording condition is converted into an ID signal by the signal creating means, and the recording / reproducing unit records the image signal according to the shooting condition at the time of shooting by deciding the storage destination of the output signal of the imaging unit by using the ID signal created by the ID signal creating unit. Select a memory pack, record the recording conditions as an ID signal with the image signal, and retrieve the ID signal during playback to obtain an image of the required shooting conditions. It is possible to make it possible to provide an electronic camera system with excellent operability.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a basic player of an electronic camera system for explaining the present invention. First
In the figure, 101 is a drive circuit for driving a recording medium, 102 is a charging circuit for the recording medium, 103 is an ID detection circuit for detecting and separating image information and ID information in the recording medium, and 104 is an ID signal and an image signal. A multi-gate circuit, 105 an image processing circuit for processing an image signal, 106 an image signal output circuit, 107 an ID
ID processing circuit for processing the signal, 108 is an output circuit of the ID signal, 1
09 is a system control circuit for comprehensively controlling the above circuits, 11
0 is the main body of the player, 111 is a recording medium for digital image signals and
It is a memory pack that records ID signals.

The operation of the basic player configured as above will be described below.

Digital image signal and ID recorded in memory pack 111
The signal is separated by the ID detection circuit 103, and the multi-gate circuit 104 outputs the image signal to the image processing circuit 105 and the ID signal to the ID processing circuit 107.
Output to Each of the above signals is processed by each processing circuit and then output through the output circuits 106 and 108. At this time, the drive circuit 101 reproduces the signal recorded in the memory pack 111. Next, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the memory pack. 2 is different from FIG. 8 of the conventional example in that a recording signal is composed of an image signal and an ID signal, and a backup battery unit 204 for holding recorded data is a rechargeable battery. It is composed of. When this memory pack is attached to the player body and the camera body, the power source of the player body and the camera body is used, and the charging circuit 102 charges the rechargeable battery in the memory pack.

As described above, according to the basic player, the ID signal recorded in the plurality of memory packs is detected, and after the ID signal is processed, the output circuit displays it on the CRT or the like, so that the player is mounted on the player. The usage status of each memory pack, for example, the unrecorded area / recorded signal content can be immediately known, and the search for the memory pack is facilitated, and the operability of the memory pack and the entire electronic camera system is improved.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the electronic camera system showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Third
In the figure, 301 is an input circuit for an external signal, 302 is a signal processing circuit for processing an output signal of the input circuit, 303 is a drive circuit for driving a memory pack 313 which is a recording medium, and includes a reproducing / recording erasing circuit. 304 is a charging circuit, 305 is an image signal
An ID circuit for separating / combining with an ID signal, 306 is a multi-gate circuit for exchanging input signals such as external signals, image signals, ID signals, memory signals, syscon signals, 307-3
Reference numeral 13 is the same as 105 to 111 in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment.
Reference numeral 314 is a memory circuit for recording an image signal and an ID signal, and 315 is an ID signal generating circuit of the recording / reproducing apparatus.

The operation of the electronic camera system recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

A plurality of memory packs 313, which are recording media, are attached to the recording / reproducing apparatus main body 312, and the recorded image signal and ID signal are read out and separated by the ID circuit 305 and input to the multi-gate circuit 306. The multi-gate circuit outputs an image signal to the image processing circuit 307 and an ID signal to the ID processing circuit 309. ID at this time
The signal is recorded in the memory circuit 314 and becomes information of the entire mounted memory pack, and is input again to the system control circuit 311 via the multi-gate circuit. In the system control circuit, according to the ID input signal which is the information of the entire memory pack,
(1) Moving, copying, and erasing image signals in the memory pack, or (2) recording external signals through the input circuit 301 and the signal processing circuit 302, and (3) generating and recording new ID signals. This is performed by controlling the drive circuit 303, the memory circuit 314, and the ID generation circuit 315. For example, consider a case where necessary image signals and unnecessary image signals are mixed in the memory packs (1) and (2) and the necessary image signals are collected in the memory pack (1). At this time, the system control circuit, the multi-gate circuit, and the memory circuit compare the ID signals of the memory packs to determine whether each image signal is good or bad, and delete or move unnecessary image signals to obtain the necessary image signal. Only record in one memory pack.

Further, when an external signal is input to the multi-gate circuit via the input circuit 301 and the signal processing circuit 302, the information of the external signal is created by the ID generation circuit 315, and both signals are recorded in the unrecorded part of the memory pack as they are, Alternatively, it is recorded in the temporary memory circuit 314, the ID signal in the memory pack is compared with the created ID signal in the system control circuit, and a new input signal including movement and deletion of the recorded image is stored in the optimum memory pack. The editing work for recording in the area is performed at the same time for recording.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the ID signals recorded in a plurality of memory packs are detected, the detected signals are compared and combined, and the system control circuit is required for the signals. The circuit is controlled to move, copy, and erase image signals in the memory pack, record external signals, and generate and record new ID signals. Editing of the memory pack is facilitated, and the operability of the memory pack and the entire electronic camera system is improved.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic camera showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 is a lens, 402 is a shutter circuit, 403 is an image pickup circuit for converting a subject image into an electric signal, 404 is a signal processing circuit for A / D converting an output signal of the image pickup circuit into a recordable signal, and 405. Is a drive circuit (1) of the image pickup device, 406 is an ID generation circuit of the electronic camera body, 407 is a multi-gate circuit for exchanging various signals, 408 is a drive circuit (2) of a memory pack as a recording medium, and 409 is a memory. A charging circuit for the pack, 410 is a system control circuit for comprehensively controlling the above circuits, 411 is an output circuit for outputting a signal from the recording medium or the signal processing circuit 404, 412 is an electronic camera body, and 413 is recording. It is a memory pack that is a medium.

The operation of the electronic camera of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

The image that has been properly exposed by the lens 401 and the shutter circuit 402 is the image pickup circuit 403 that is driven by the drive circuit (1) 405.
Is converted into an electric signal by the signal processing circuit 404, the signal processing circuit 404 processes the signal into a signal suitable for recording, and A / D conversion is performed. Here, when the memory pack 413, which is a recording medium, is attached to the camera body 412, the memory pack is driven by the drive circuit (2) 408,
The digital signal output from the signal processing circuit 404 and the ID signal output from the ID generation circuit 406 are input to the multi-gate circuit 407 that exchanges input signals, and the combined output is recorded in the memory pack. At this time, the recording condition is recorded in the memory pack as an ID signal. Especially, the recording condition is recorded in an optimum memory pack area among a plurality of memory packs according to the recording condition. Then, at the time of reproduction, the recorded ID signal is searched for and the image desired is reproduced.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a plurality of memory packs are attached to the electronic camera by taking advantage of the compactness and lightness of driving of the memory pack, and a recycle thread is also provided, thereby recording according to the recording condition. Select the memory pack to
The recording condition is recorded as an ID signal together with the image signal. During playback, you can obtain the image of the desired recording condition by searching the ID signal, which improves the operability of the electronic camera and allows you to use still images more effectively.

In the above embodiment, the ID signal generation method, the detection method, and the specific signal form are not particularly required here, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

There is also a method of using a data compression method or a buffer memory such as a field memory as a digital signal processing circuit in a basic player of an electronic camera system, but this is not particularly described here.

In addition, regarding the retrieval of images with a basic player,
In the second embodiment, the editing of the image by the recording / reproducing apparatus has been described in the second embodiment by the combination of the electronic camera and the reproducing apparatus.
It is also clear that this combination is not particularly limited to these.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the digital image signal and the ID signal are provided with the reproducing circuit, the erasing circuit and the memory circuit and the recording circuit to the memory pack as the editing function is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not.

Further, since the circuit for checking the charge level of the battery of the memory pack in the basic player and the reaction at the time of completion of the charge have been generally known, the description thereof will not be given here.
Further, in the first, second and third embodiments, the case where the recording / reproducing apparatus main body and the camera main body are provided with the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable backup battery section in the memory pack has been described. When the memory unit is a memory type that does not require charging, it is clear that the recording / reproducing apparatus main body and the camera main body do not include a charging circuit, and the memory pack may be a system having no rechargeable backup battery unit.

As described above, according to the present invention, a memory pack for recording a digital signal and an ID signal is used as a recording medium, and the recorded ID signal is used for a reproducing device and a recording / reproducing device.
Since it is equipped with image search and edit functions, it is possible to realize an electronic camera system with excellent operability of still image usage method memory pack, which has a great practical effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a basic player of the electronic camera system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a memory pack in the basic player, and FIG. 3 is a recording of the electronic camera system of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a reproducing device, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional electronic camera, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are conventional electronic camera recordings. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a player, and is a block diagram of a conventional memory pack. 101 ... Drive circuit, 102 ... Charging circuit, 103 ... ID detection circuit, 104 ... Multi-gate circuit, 105 ... Image processing circuit,
106 …… Output circuit (1), 107 …… ID processing circuit, 108 ……
Output circuit (2), 109 ... system control circuit, 110 ... player main body, 111 ... memory pack.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing apparatus body, a digital image signal and an ID.
A memory pack for recording signals, the memory pack is configured to be detachable from the recording / reproducing device main body, and the recording / reproducing device main body is capable of mounting a plurality of the memory packs,
ID signal detection means, image search means by this detection signal, storage means for storing the image signal in the memory pack,
Image editing means for controlling the storage means and the memory pack by an output signal of the ID signal detecting means, and moving, erasing, copying the digital image signal and the ID signal in the memory pack, and moving and copying between the plurality of memory packs. An electronic camera system comprising: 2. The electronic camera system according to claim 1, wherein the image editing means includes a circuit for creating a new ID signal associated with editing. 3. An image pickup section, a recording / reproducing section, and a memory pack for recording a digital image signal and an ID signal, wherein the memory pack is detachable and is attached to the image pickup section or the recording / reproducing section.
It is configured so that more than one sheet can be attached, and the image pickup unit can identify the recording condition.
The recording / reproducing section has an ID signal generating means for converting into a signal, and the recording / reproducing section has an ID signal detecting means in the memory pack, an image searching means by the detected signal, and an ID generated by the ID signal generating means.
And an image editing unit that selects a storage destination of the image pickup unit output signal using a signal.