JP2988685B2 - Image recording and playback device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image recording / reproducing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image recording / reproducing apparatus using an electronic still camera.

(Background of the Invention) With the diversification of uses of the camera, there is a tendency that a function that can be enjoyed according to a use scene is added to the camera. For example, a silver halide camera equipped with a voice release function for further enjoying a party has been developed and sold by the present applicant. This function allows the camera to automatically release the shutter in response to voices and laughter, freeing the user from the hassle of releasing the shutter, while also allowing timely shooting in response to the climax of the party. , As a party camera.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As a result of further study by the present inventor in order to enhance the functions of the camera, the following problems became apparent.

(1) The above-described camera with a silver halide voice release function cannot enjoy an image without printing afterwards.

(2) The more parties are excited, the more the film is consumed, so the trouble of changing the film is troublesome.

(3) Since the silver halide film can be used only once and the cost per sheet is high, the overall running cost is high and it is not economical.

(4) In order to enjoy the image on the spot, it is conceivable to use an instant film, but even in this case,
The problem of high running costs cannot be solved.

The present invention has been made in view of such considerations, and it is possible to enjoy a captured image on the spot, reduce running costs, save time and effort, and enable interesting and timely photography at a party or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple image recording / reproducing apparatus.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides an image input device for converting an image signal into an electric signal, a recording / reproducing device for recording / reproducing the electric signal, and a recording / reproducing device for receiving a signal from the image input device. A trigger device for taking a timing to record the image, and records an image each time the trigger device operates, and during a period of waiting for the operation of the trigger device, continues to reproduce the image taken immediately before, When the recording medium of the recording / reproducing apparatus is full, recording is not performed, and the recorded images are sequentially and repeatedly reproduced.

Further, an image input device for converting an image signal into an electric signal, a recording and reproducing device for recording and reproducing the electric signal,
A trigger device for setting a timing for recording a signal from the image input device to the recording / reproducing device; and an erasure protection unit for prohibiting erasure of a specific recorded image. When the recording medium of the recording / reproducing apparatus becomes full, of the recorded images, the images which are not protected for erasure are sequentially deleted and re-recorded to a new image, and During the period of waiting for the operation, the image recorded immediately before is reproduced.

Further, when erasing a recorded image, an image recorded at the oldest time is selected and erased from images which have not been protected from erasure, among recorded images.

Further, the trigger device is characterized by comprising a voice input device and a level determining device for generating a trigger signal when a signal of the voice input device exceeds a certain level.

In addition, an audio input device is provided, and an audio signal at a timing immediately before, immediately after, or before or after the image recording timing is recorded simultaneously with the image.

In addition, it has an audio input device, so that an audio signal at a timing immediately before, immediately after, or before and after the image recording timing is recorded simultaneously with the image, and at the same time as the image, the audio related thereto is also erased. It is characterized by having done.

Further, in the reproduction mode automatically switched from the image reproduction or recording mode during the period of waiting for the operation of the trigger device, no sound is reproduced.

In addition, a warning is issued when the capacity of the recording medium of the recording / reproducing apparatus is reduced.

Another feature is that another warning is issued when the remaining capacity of the recording medium of the recording / reproducing apparatus becomes only one screen.

(Operation) An electronic still camera has an advantage that it has an immediate property that a recorded image can be easily erased and rewritten, and that it is possible to take a picture easily without worrying about costs. The system of the present invention takes full advantage of this feature.

For example, photographing is performed by a sudden change in an audio signal, and after photographing, the reproduction is immediately performed and the next photographing standby is executed. This is repeated until the capacity of the recording medium becomes full.
When it is full, the mode is switched to the reproduction mode, and reproduction is continued while switching images at appropriate time intervals. The user enjoys watching the image being reproduced during the shooting standby and the image being reproduced in the reproduction mode. Further, when photographing is desired, the recording medium is exchanged, or when the previously photographed image is unnecessary, the image is deleted and the operation returns to the recording mode, and the same operation is repeated. Thus, the user can take an interesting picture without being conscious of taking the picture, and can enjoy it on the spot. As a more easy-to-use method, there is a method in which, when the recording medium becomes full, the recorded images are repeatedly erased in chronological order while erasing the recorded images. In this case, if an interesting image is displayed when the user turns his / her eyes, it is conceivable to enjoy the image, and if necessary, protect the image with erasure protection. According to this method, it is possible to enjoy a party or the like with almost no concern for not only shooting but also changing the recording medium. With such a use, when the party is over, a recording medium on which only interesting pictures are recorded remains, and only a fun image to commemorate the party can be obtained.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Example 1 Form of Still Video Camera System For example, the form is as shown in FIG. 2, and it is installed in a party venue or the like. The still video camera body has optical systems 60 and 61, a lens window 62, etc., and a release button 7
0, a strobe 51, a remote control transceiver 68, and the like. In addition, a microphone is built in a front part of a camera (not shown) so that sound can be recorded. The photographed image and sound are recorded on the video floppy 71, reproduced by the reproducing device 72, displayed on the television 52, or output as sound.

In this system, you can select the voice release mode, detect a sudden change in the volume of the voice input from the microphone, automatically release the shutter, shoot, immediately after shooting, It can be used to switch to the playback mode and display the image just shot on the television 52. Although the video floppy 71 is used as a recording medium, the present invention is not limited to this, and a memory card or an optical card may be used.

Block Configuration For example, the configuration is as shown in FIG. As can be seen from the figure, as a writing path to the floppy disk (recording medium) 19, a path (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 15, 16) for processing an audio signal input from the microphone 1 is used. , 18) and CCD
(Solid-state imaging device) Two systems of paths (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 18) for processing a video signal obtained from 10 are provided.
The selector 15 selectively passes an audio signal and a video signal. Similarly, the read and reproduction paths from the floppy disk 19 are also used as the audio processing paths (28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33) and a video signal processing path (25, 26, 27). The operation of the circuits that make up these paths is
It is controlled by the CPU 35 and the timing generation circuit 34. As the power source, both the AC adapter 43 and the battery 42 can be used. Further, selection of an operation mode (for example, selection of a voice release mode) is performed using various switches 37. In the voice release mode, the audio signal from microphone 1 is
The data converted into digital data by the D converter 4 is sent to the detection circuit 54, and when the data exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the main CPU 3
5, the main CPU 35 controls each block to photograph the state of the party and the like.

Timing chart of voice detection automatic recording / reproduction As shown in FIG. 3, when the voice release mode (automatic recording mode) is selected, as described above, when the input of the microphone 1 exceeds a certain level, The detection signal is sent to the main CPU 35 (time t1).

The main CPU 35 stores audio and video on the floppy disk 19
(Period t1 to t3). Thereafter, the recorded video is continuously played back until the detection signal is input again (period t3 to t3).
t4).

 This operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

When the microphone input exceeds the first set level L1 (time t5), the spindle motor 22 for rotating the floppy disk 19 is turned on, and then the brightness and distance of the subject are measured (AE / AF), and the lens Move 8 to focus, recharge strobe 51 if necessary, and prepare for shooting. next,
When the microphone input exceeds the second set level L2 (time t
6), the electronic shutter by the CCD 10 is opened, and shooting is performed. By operating the actuator which takes a long time to operate as described above in advance, it is possible to perform imaging without a time lag. Thereafter, recording on the proppy disk 19 is performed (time t7).

Timing Chart of Automatic Voice Detection / Remote Control Automatic Recording / Replay As in the case of time t11 in FIG. 5, there is a case where photographing is desired even when the microphone input does not reach the set level. At this time, an instruction can be sent to the camera using the remote controller 45 to perform recording and reproduction.

Timing chart of audio recording / reproduction A timing chart of audio recording is shown in FIG.
After the release S1 and S2 are turned on (time t14, 15), video recording is performed at time t16, the audio is A / D converted during the period t17 to t18, stored in the memory 5, and the audio is recorded at time t19. Done.

The reproduction of the audio is performed at the timing shown in FIG. 7, and at time t24, the D / A conversion of the audio and the reproduction of the video are performed simultaneously.

Operation in Voice Release Mode The operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. FIG. 8 shows a case where no voice recording is performed, and FIG. 9 shows a case where voice recording is performed.

FIG. 8 (steps 80 to 93) and FIG. 9 (step 100
120120) In the initial state, the camera is in a standby state, and waits for an audio signal to exceed a certain level. During this time, the output signal is muted or the photographing signal of the camera is output as it is. If the recording medium is partially used, the reproduction mode may be set, and one of the recorded images may be output. During this time, it is constantly monitored whether an operation of a remote controller for stopping this mode or an operation of a switch of the camera body is performed.

When the audio signal exceeds a certain level, the head is immediately sent (corresponding to setting an address of an unrecorded area in the case of a memory card), the mode is switched to a recording mode, and photographing is performed. After shooting, the mode is immediately switched to the playback mode, and the image just shot is played back and output. Therefore, the head does not send. If no audio is recorded, it is only necessary to wait for the audio signal to exceed a certain level again, and if it does, the same operation is repeated. When recording an audio signal, A / D conversion is performed on the audio signal while playing it back, and it is stored in the memory.After storing for a certain period of time, the head is sent, high-speed reading from the memory, D / A conversion is performed, and signal processing is performed. Record. Since the head feed is performed after the audio signal has been captured into the memory, noise during head feed is not recorded. When recording audio continuously, it is inevitable that some noise from the head feed is included.

In the flowchart of the present embodiment, the image cannot be reproduced while the audio of the second and subsequent tracks is being captured. The signal being captured by the imaging unit is output as it is or muted. If image reproduction is required, it is necessary to have a buffer memory for the image. There is also a method in which the head is returned to the track on which the image is recorded each time the sound is recorded on one track. However, in this method, disturbance of the image when the head is moved cannot be avoided. When the recording of the audio signal is completed, the head is immediately returned to the track on which the image is recorded, and the image recorded earlier is reproduced. Thereafter, it waits until the audio signal exceeds a certain level, and thereafter, the same operation is repeated. However, in this case, it is necessary to perform extra head feed immediately before recording by the number of tracks on which the audio signal is recorded.
Of course, the track on which the audio is recorded is also detected as already recorded, so that it can be automatically performed according to this flow.

In the standby after the end of the recording, first, it is determined whether or not the recording medium has the remaining recording capacity. In the case of a camera using a video floppy, this is equivalent to sending the head until an unrecorded track is found. If there is no unrecorded track after sending to the end, it means that there is no remaining recording capacity. Of course, this does not apply to the case where the search for all the tracks is performed first and whether or not each track is recorded is stored. You just need to refer to that memory. In the case of the flow charts of FIGS. 8 and 9, it is only necessary to check whether or not the recorded track at that time is the last track. In this case, if a floppy disk with the last track recorded is used, it is detected that there is no remaining capacity when the head is fed for recording,
It will move to the playback mode. When a memory card is used, the operation corresponds to an operation such as reading a directory in a memory.

When the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium is small, the mode is switched to the reproduction mode, and the images recorded so far are reproduced and displayed while being switched at predetermined time intervals. While doing this, the operation of the remote controller and the switches of the camera body is monitored, and when these are operated, the specific track is erased or erase protected, or the voice release mode is exited. At the time of erasure or erasure protection, an operation mode for each of the image and the sound is required, but in general, it is more convenient to handle the image and the corresponding sound together.

Assuming a use scene at a party venue, the sound may be in the way of the party where the sound is automatically reproduced during the reproduction. Therefore, the sound is not normally reproduced, and the sound is reproduced only when an operation of a remote controller or the like is performed. In this way, it is possible to reproduce and enjoy the sound related to an interesting image only when the user notices that an interesting image has been displayed on the television, without being an obstacle. In the flow of FIG. 9, the head is sent ignoring the audio track when switching the image.

Embodiment 2 FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the operation of the second embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a case where audio is recorded.

FIG. 10 (steps 130 to 145) and FIG. 11 (step 15
0 to 170) As can be seen from these flows, in the second embodiment, images are recorded, and after the recording medium is full, among the recorded images, the images that have not been protected from erasure are deleted. The data is sequentially erased and recorded on a new image. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the head is sent from the first track to the last track, when the head reaches the last track, the head is returned to the first track, and the head is sent again from the first track to the last track. With this head feed,
In this embodiment, the oldest image among the recorded images is erased and a new image is recorded repeatedly, and the images are recorded one after another. When erasing an image in a system that also records audio, in a system that also records a corresponding audio, when erasing an image, the corresponding audio is also erased at the same time. In the case of FIGS. 8 and 9, recording was performed while searching for unrecorded areas (tracks and memory areas). In this embodiment, since recording is performed while erasing, unprotected areas are searched for. While recording (unrecorded areas are of course equivalent to unprotected areas). The display always reproduces the image taken immediately before. As for the usage, when an interesting image comes to your eyes, you can protect the image with a remote control etc., or sometimes stop the operation, then look at the remaining images without erasure protection at that time, There is a method of erasing the image you like.

When the unprotected area is reduced to a certain extent or more, there is little image even when the operation is stopped and the image is viewed, and the possibility of capturing an interesting image is reduced. Furthermore, if the unprotected area is only for one screen, erasure and recording are repeatedly performed only in that area, and it is meaningless to stop the operation and look back at the recorded image. Would. Also, in the case of a system using a video floppy, the same track is used repeatedly, so that wear is a problem. Therefore, a warning is issued when the unprotected area becomes smaller than a certain level (step 13).
7) Another warning is to be issued when there is only one screen (step 138).

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the first invention, an image input device that converts an image signal into an electric signal, a recording / reproducing device that records / reproduces an electric signal, and a recording / reproducing device that records / reproduces a signal from the image input device A trigger device for setting a timing for recording on the device, and records an image each time the trigger device operates. When the recording medium of the playback device becomes full, the recorded images are sequentially and repeatedly played back without recording, so that the captured images can be enjoyed on the spot, the running cost is low, and the trigger device is also used. By doing so, the user can be freed from the hassle of shooting, can fully enjoy parties and the like, and can shoot timely and interesting images.

In the second invention, an image input device for converting an image signal into an electric signal, a recording / reproducing device for recording / reproducing and erasing the electric signal, and a timing for recording a signal from the image input device to the recording / reproducing device are provided. A trigger device, and erase protection means for prohibiting the erasure of a specific recorded image, the image is recorded each time the trigger device operates,
When the recording medium of the recording / reproducing apparatus is full, the recorded images that are not protected by erasure are sequentially erased and re-recorded on a new image. Since the recorded image is reproduced, the photographed image can be enjoyed on the spot, the running cost is low, and the trigger device is released from the troublesomeness of the photographing and the party can be sufficiently performed as in the first invention. And enjoy timely and interesting images. In addition to this, in the present invention, the captured image is displayed one after another by the trigger device while being displayed, and when the recording medium is full, the images which are not erase protected are sequentially erased and recorded on a new image. Therefore, by applying erasure protection to only interesting images that have been noticed, it is possible to leave only interesting images on the recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of an image recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection form of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of FIG. 3 in more detail, FIG. 5 is a timing chart of automatic sound detection / remote control automatic recording / reproduction, FIG. 6 is a timing chart of sound recording, FIG. 7 is a timing chart of audio reproduction, FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing characteristic operations of the first embodiment, FIG. 8 shows a case where no audio is recorded, and FIG. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing a characteristic operation of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a case where no voice is recorded, and FIG. 11 shows a case where a voice is also recorded. Show. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microphone, 2 ... Amplifier 3 ... Signal processing circuit, 4 ... A / D converter 5 ... Memory, 6 ... D / A converter 7 ... FM modulation circuit, 8 ... Lens 9 ... ... Iris, 10 ... CCD 11 ... CCD drive circuit, 12 ... CDS circuit 13 ... Signal processing circuit, 14 ... FM modulation circuit 15 ... Selector, 16 ... Recording amplifier 17 ... Head control circuit 18 ... … Recording / playback head 19… Floppy disk 20… PG signal generation circuit 21… Servo circuit 22… Spindle motor 23… Reproduction amplifier 24… Selector 25… FM modulation circuit 26… Signal processing circuit , 27… Output circuit 28… FM modulation circuit, 29… A / D conversion circuit 30… Memory, 31… D / A conversion circuit 32… Signal processing circuit 33… Output circuit 34… Timing Generation circuit, 35 Main CPU 36 Sub CPU 37 Various switches 38 Power supply control 39 DC / DC converter 40 5V constant voltage Pressure 41 Switch power switch 42 Battery 43 AC adapter 44 Remote control detection switch 45 Remote control transmitter 46 Distance measuring circuit 47 Light metering circuit 48 Light control circuit 49 … Strobe circuit 50… Remote control signal receiving circuit 51… Strobe, 52… TV 53… LCD, 60… First optical system 61… Second optical system 62… Lens window for finder 63… For photometry Window 64: Remote control light receiving window 65: Self-timer operation display window 66: Strobe light control window, 68: Remote control transmitter 69: LCD display unit, 70: Release button 71: Video floppy, 72 …… Playback device 73 …… Still video camera body

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomoaki Tamura 2970, Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Inside Konica Corporation (56) References JP-A-64-49485 (JP, A) JP-A-2-86376 (JP) , A) JP-A-2-125586 (JP, A) JP-A-3-169183 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 5/76-5/956 H04N 5/225

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image input device (8, 9, 10) for converting an image signal into an electric signal, and a recording / reproducing device (72, 73) for recording / reproducing the electric signal.
And a trigger device (1,2,3,4,54,35) for setting a timing for recording a signal from the image input device (8,9,10) in the recording / reproducing device (72,73). An image is recorded each time the trigger device (1,2,3,4,54,35) operates, and the operation of the trigger device (1,2,3,4,54,35) is performed. During the waiting period, the immediately preceding image is continuously reproduced, and when the recording medium (19) of the recording / reproducing device (72, 73) is full, recording is not performed, and the recorded images are sequentially and repeatedly reproduced. An image recording / reproducing apparatus, characterized in that the image recording / reproducing apparatus is provided. 2. An image input device (8, 9, 10) for converting an image signal into an electric signal, and a recording / reproducing device (72, 7) for recording / reproducing / erasing the electric signal.
3) and a trigger device (1,2,3,4,54,35) for setting a timing for recording a signal from the image input device (8,9,10) in the recording / reproducing device (72,73). ) And erasure protection means (17, 35) for prohibiting the erasure of a specific recorded image. Each time the trigger device (1, 2, 3, 4, 54, 35) operates, an image is recorded. When the recording medium (19) of the recording / reproducing device (72, 73) becomes full, the images which have not been protected from erasure are sequentially erased from the recorded images, and are recorded on a new image. An image recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that, during a period of waiting for the operation of the trigger device, an image recorded immediately before is reproduced. 3. When erasing a recorded image, an image recorded at the oldest time among images which are not protected from erasure is selected from the recorded images and erased. The image recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 4. When the trigger device (1,2,3,4,54,35) has a voice input device (1,2,3) and a signal of the voice input device exceeds a certain level, 3. The image recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a level determining device for generating a trigger signal. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an audio input device for recording an audio signal at a timing immediately before, immediately after, or before or after the image recording timing simultaneously with the image. Item 2. The image recording / reproducing device according to Item 1. 6. An audio input device (1, 2, 3) for recording, at the same time as an image, an audio signal at a timing immediately before, immediately after, or before and after the image recording timing. 3. The image recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sound related thereto is deleted at the same time. 7. In the playback mode in which the operation of the trigger device (1, 2, 3, 4, 54, 35) is awaited, or in the playback mode automatically switched from the recording mode, no sound is played back. 7. The image recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 8. A recording medium (1) of said recording / reproducing device (72, 73).
7. The image recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a warning is issued when the capacity of (9) becomes small. 9. A recording medium (1) for the recording / reproducing device (72, 73).
9. The image recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein another warning is issued when the remaining capacity of (9) is reduced to only one screen.