JP3101293B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, it is generally known to record various digital signals such as a video signal and an audio signal on a magnetic tape housed in a small cassette. The information signal is transmitted to a transmission system at a predetermined transmission rate to perform signal processing, recording and reproduction, and the like.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Incidentally, it is desirable that the signal transmission speed in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus as described above is low in relation to the processing speed of various signals. However, if you reduce the transmission speed,
When recording a video signal having a large amount of information, the time required for recording becomes long.

In other words, the transmission speed is sufficient for transmitting audio signals.
If 8 Kbit / sec {= 2 (ch) x 32 (KHz) x 12 (bit)} is set, one frame enough for a video signal [= 3.7 Mbit = 640 x 480 x 12 (bit)] It takes about 4.8 seconds to record this video signal.

Therefore, when the above-described magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus is used as an electronic still camera, since the recording time for one frame is long, the shutter timing is restricted and the continuous shooting speed is reduced. The above restrictions.

[Means for solving the problem]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus capable of resolving a restriction on a continuous shooting speed due to a low transmission speed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a difference detecting means for obtaining difference data between image data of the first screen and image data of the second and subsequent screens among image data of a plurality of screens supplied continuously. Determining means for determining the presence or absence of the difference data and generating determination data indicating the presence or absence of the difference data; and writing means for writing the image data of the first screen, the difference data and the determination data to a temporary storage means. Reading means for reading the image data of the first screen, the difference data and the determination data from the temporary storage means, and reading the image data of the first screen and the difference data read from the temporary storage means. A synthesizing unit for synthesizing, and the second unit that operates in accordance with the determination data read from the temporary storage unit and is synthesized by the synthesizing unit.
Restoring means for restoring image data of the first and subsequent screens, and recording the image data of the first screen read by the storage means and the image data of the second and subsequent screens restored by the restoring means on a recording medium And recording means for performing the recording.

(Operation)

According to the present invention, the difference data between the image data of the first screen and the image data of the second and subsequent screens of a plurality of continuous screens is temporarily stored, and the stored image data of the first screen and the difference data are stored. After the image data of the second and subsequent screens is restored using the image data obtained by combining the image data and the image data, the restored image data is recorded on a recording medium.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a magnetic recording apparatus according to the present invention. This embodiment is digitized on a magnetic tape housed in a small cassette as shown in FIG. A video signal or an audio signal is selectively magnetically recorded in each track described later.

The cassette C contains a magnetic tape wound between a pair of tape reels arranged in the cassette body as shown in FIG. 3, and this magnetic tape is mounted on the front of the cassette as shown in FIG. Is exposed to the outside via a lid 1 arranged at the outside. A magnetic recording unit 2 is formed on a side surface of the cassette C. As will be described later, the recording unit 2 is configured to record index information on a recording amount and the like recorded on a magnetic tape. .

On the other hand, in this embodiment using the magnetic tape in the cassette C as a recording medium as described above, the image pickup light from the subject passes through an optical system 3 having an aperture mechanism, an auto focus mechanism, and the like, and a CCD (charge coupled device). The image signal is incident on a sensor 4 using a sensor and the like, and is photoelectrically converted. A video signal obtained by this is amplified by a preamplifier (not shown) by a predetermined amount, and then converted by an A / D (analog / digital) converter 5 into a predetermined number of bits. It is converted to a digital signal. This A / D in the present embodiment
The sampling frequency of the converter 5 is 32 KHz, and the quantization bit is 8 bits.

An audio signal is supplied to the A / D converter 5 via an input terminal 15.

These digitized image data and the like are supplied to the digital signal processing device 6.

Here, the digital signal processing device 6 includes a first to third switch circuits 61, 62, 63, and a digital signal processing circuit 64 for performing predetermined signal processing on the output of the second switch circuit 62. The system includes a difference detection circuit 65 for detecting a difference from two images preceding and succeeding during continuous shooting and a synthesizing circuit 66. Each of the switch circuits 61, 62, 63 is controlled by a system controller 13 to be described later in a shooting mode (continuous shooting mode or not). Switching control is performed depending on whether the mode is a single shooting mode) or continuous shooting.

That is, in the present embodiment, in the single shooting mode, the movable contacts of the first and second switch circuits 61 and 62 are set as shown by solid lines in FIG.
The output of the converter 5 is output after the digital signal processing circuit 64 performs predetermined processing.

On the other hand, in the continuous shooting mode, each of the above switch circuits 6
1, 62 are set as shown by a dashed line in the figure,
The output of the first switch circuit 61 is supplied to the memory circuit 7, and the read data from the memory circuit 7 is supplied to the second switch circuit 62.

In the continuous shooting mode, the third switch circuit 63 is switched depending on whether continuous shooting (during shooting) or during recording on a magnetic tape after continuous shooting is performed. The output from the memory circuit 7 described later is supplied to the difference detection circuit 65, and after the continuous shooting, the synthesis circuit
Supply to 66.

The memory circuit includes a memory unit 71 and the memory control circuit 72 having two data areas M _1, M ₂ and a plurality of address data area M _A and the difference data M _D having a storage capacity of at least one frame determination circuit 73 And an address adder 74 and a data switch circuit 75. The memory control in the memory section 71 and the address data generated in the address adder 74 are controlled by the memory control circuit 72. ing.

Further, the address data area M _A and the difference data M _D are combined in pairs, and address designation data and difference data indicating the presence or absence of difference data in each of the second and subsequent pixels in continuous shooting are respectively set. It is to be remembered.

Operation in the memory circuit 7 having such a configuration, the continuous shooting, the data first sheet image data in the area M ₁ is supplied, the image data of the second and subsequent to other data area M ₂ Are sequentially updated and stored.

Further, during a period during which each image data obtained by shooting is supplied, difference data between the first image data and the second and subsequent image data is obtained. That is, the data area
The _first image data stored in M ₁ and M ₂ and the n-th image data (n
Are read and controlled by the memory control circuit 72 on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and the digital processing device 6
Is supplied to the difference detection circuit 65 via the third switch circuit 63, where difference data between corresponding pixels in each data is obtained. This difference data is only that there is difference data, while being stored in a predetermined said difference data area M _D in a state in which the pixel address supplied from the address adder 74 is added, supplied to the discrimination circuit 73 Is done.

The discriminating circuit 73 discriminates the presence or absence of the supplied difference data on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
The stored in each address of the address data area M _A which is composed of the address table.

The discrimination output of the discrimination circuit 73 is also supplied to the memory control circuit 72, and only when there is difference data corresponding to the pixel whose discrimination output is "1", that is, when there is difference data, the difference data area M of the difference data is provided. Permit writing to _D.

Thereafter, by repeating this for each image data, the first sheet of the screen and the difference data or the like above each of the data areas M _A between each screen in continuous shooting obtained by this continuous shooting, sequential M _D It will be remembered.

On the other hand, when recording on magnetic tape after the end of continuous shooting,
The _first image data stored in the data area M1,
Address data area M _A, the differential data area M _D to the address stored copy data and the difference data image data of second and subsequent is recorded on the magnetic tape Tp in a state of being restored.

That is, at the time of recording to tape Ren'utsushigo, via the second switch circuit 62 digitally processes the image data of the first sheet is read out from the data area M ₁ the digital processor 6 circuit 64 Is supplied to the recording / reproducing unit 8 after predetermined signal processing is performed.

Further, restoration of the difference data of the second and subsequent sheets, the image data of the first frame stored in the data area M ₁ is supplied in units of pixels to the combining circuit 66 via the third switch circuit 63 , the difference data stored in the difference data area M _D is supplied to the synthesizing circuit 66 synthesizes these data at this combining circuit 66 is stored in the other corresponding pixel address of the data area M _2.

Here, the address control circuit 72 reads the address data from the address data area M _A, performs switching-control of Detasuitsuchi 75 in accordance with this data. That is, this Detasuitsuchi 75, said address if the specified data is "0", is set as shown in solid lines in FIG above data the image data read from the area M ₁ other data area M ₂ is supplied to and stored in the corresponding pixel address, the address data is switching-only in the case of "1", to supply the combined output of the synthesizing circuit 66 in the data area M _2.

Thus, the above-mentioned data area M _2, with respect to first image data, the pixel having a difference between the first sheet of the screen only, the image data subjected to the synthesis of the differential data, i.e. restored The n-th image data is stored, and this image data is supplied to the digital processing circuit 64 via the second switch circuit 62.

The synthesizing circuit 66 is reset in synchronization with the pixel supply timing.

The image data output from the digital processing circuit 6 is supplied to a recording / reproducing section 8, where it is recorded on a magnetic tape in a cassette mounted on a cassette mounting section 9.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording / reproducing unit 8 includes a rotating drum 10 having two rotating heads He1 and He2 for recording / reproducing a video signal or the like on / from the magnetic tape Tp.
The rotary drum 10 moves to the inside of the cassette C as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 when the cassette is mounted on the cassette mounting portion of the recording / reproducing section 9, and the tape is taped at the front of the cassette. It is pressed against the magnetic tape guided by the guides 11 and 12.

Thus, in this embodiment, the magnetic tape is not loaded on the outer periphery of the rotating drum 10 but about 10 mm.
It can be wound over an angle range of 0 °.

The rotating drum 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. By rotating the rotating drum 10 and running the magnetic tape by reel driving means (not shown), an image is formed on the magnetic tape. A signal, an audio signal, shooting information (index signal) described later, and the like are recorded. A predetermined load is applied to the reel on the reel driving means so that a contact pressure between the magnetic tape and the rotating head can be obtained.

Further, the recording / reproducing section 8 includes a magnetic head He3 for recording index information on the magnetic recording section 2 formed on the side surface of the cassette C. The magnetic head is mounted on a cassette mounting section. Is brought into contact with the magnetic recording section 2 with the mounting of the recording medium. The magnetic head He3 is supplied with index information such as the number of recordings from a system controller (system controller) 13 via an information recording unit 14, and records the index information in the magnetic recording unit 2 of the tape cassette.

The system controller 13 includes an operation unit 17 including an operation of the release switches Sw1 and Sw2 and an imaging mode setting switch Sw3 for setting the imaging mode to the single shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode.
In accordance with the operation, the system control of the whole apparatus such as the control of the optical system 3 and the sensor 4 and the read control and the mode control of the memory circuit 7 is performed.

Next, the recording sequence of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In step S301, the first step of the release switch,
If SW1 is on, the process proceeds to S302. If the continuous shooting mode is set by the shooting mode switch SW3,
The process proceeds to 308, and to the single-shot mode in S303.

In the case of the single shooting mode, in S303, if the SW2 of the second stage of the release switch is ON, the sensor 4 is driven after the exposure is completed to read out the video signal (S304). Then, the read video signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 3 (S305) and subjected to digital signal processing (S30).
6. Recording is performed on the tape by the recording / reproducing unit 8 (S307).

On the other hand, in the case of the continuous shooting mode, similarly in S308, SW2
If ON is detected, the flow advances to S309 to check the screen of the continuous shooting, and to the second screen and thereafter, to the first screen, to S310. In S310, the sensor 2 is read out after the exposure is completed, and A / D conversion of the video signal is performed (S31).
1) performs and stores the digitized image data to the data recording M ₁ of the memory circuit 7. Next, again SW2
Is checked (S313). In step S309, the process proceeds to step S313 from the second and subsequent screens of continuous shooting, and the description will be continued here. If S313 with SW2 is turned on, in S314, reads the sensor 4 after completion of exposure of the next screen, performs A / D conversion (S315), the digital image data, store the other data area M ₂ in the memory circuit 7 I do.

Next, the comparison for each pixel of one screen image data M ₁ and M ₂ of the data (S317).

M ₁ (adr) −M ₂ (adr) = △ M Note that if the discrimination circuit 73 determines that there is a difference ΔM in the image data at the pixel address S318 (when the image changes), ,
Proceeds to S319, write "1" as the address data in the address table on the address data area M _A of the memory circuit 7. Next, in S320, the image difference data △ M together with the pixel address from the address adder 74, and stores the difference data area M _D in the memory 7.

On the other hand, if there is no difference △ M is image data (if the image does not change) at S318, the program proceeds to a D321 to store the "0" in the address table on the address data area M _A, the difference data (this In this case, 0) is not stored.

If it is determined in step S323 that the comparison of all the pixels of the image data has not been completed, the process returns to step S317 to perform the comparison. On the other hand, when the comparison of all pixels is completed, the process returns to S313 and switches again.
The state of 2 is detected.

As described above, while SW2 is on, by repeating this loop, second screen after the predetermined data area M _D of the differential data and addressing data of the first screen memory circuit 7, M Capture it into _A and continue the continuous shooting operation.

In this way, if the continuous shooting operation is repeated several times and the SW2 is turned off in S313, the process proceeds to S324 and the image data of the first screen in the M1 of the memory circuit 7 at the time of the continuous shooting is converted into a digital signal. The data is supplied to the processing device 6 and the recording / reproducing unit 8, and is recorded on the tape 8. Next, when the address designation data and the difference data are present in the memory circuit 7, the process proceeds to S326 to restore the image data as described above. At this time, all addresses (all pixels) are performed by the following method.

Thus performs restoration of the image data to the other data area M ₂ in the memory circuit 7, in the same way is read from the data area M _2, performs recording on the tape. After recording S325
Return to, and repeat this loop of "Restoring image data, recording on tape"
Make a record. In this way, all difference data on the memory 7 is restored and recorded on the tape, and the continuous shooting operation is completed.

In the above embodiment, during continuous shooting, the data is stored in the memory circuit 7 capable of high-speed recording without performing recording on a magnetic tape having a low recording speed, and the difference data is restored after the end of the continuous shooting operation. Since the recording is performed on the magnetic tape, the restriction on the continuous shooting speed due to the low recording speed can be released.

In the above-described embodiment, since the image data of the second and subsequent frames is only the difference data for the first frame at the time of continuous shooting, the amount of data can be compressed and the time required for recording can be reduced. Thus, the continuous shooting speed during continuous shooting can be increased.

In addition, since the data amount is compressed, efficient use of the recording medium can be achieved. Such an effect is particularly obtained by using a relatively small capacity medium such as a group memory as the recording medium as in the present embodiment. In some cases it is noticeable.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to obtain the above-mentioned difference data, the image data for two consecutive screens is temporarily fetched into the memory circuit 7 and the corresponding pixels of each image data are read out synchronously. Can be obtained with accurate difference data. Further, since the pixels having no difference are not recorded in the memory circuit 7, the capacity can be saved from this point as well.

Further, in the present embodiment, by storing in the memory together with the address designation data as described above, the synthesis processing only needs to be performed for the pixel having the difference data. Can be shortened.

[Other embodiments]

In the present embodiment, during continuous shooting, the change point of the image is not so large, and the difference data is small, and is taken into the memory circuit 7 without recording on the tape.
Since the memory capacity is also limited, the recording on the tape may be performed when the capacity of the memory circuit 7 becomes full.

Further, when the number of continuous frames is increased, the change in the first screen also increases, when the amount of difference data resulting in increasing number is once recorded to tape, so as to update again the contents of the data area M ₁ You may. If there is sufficient memory capacity, a plurality of reference image data from which a difference is obtained may be provided.

In this embodiment, a magnetic tape is used as a recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a solid-state memory may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the difference between the first screen and the second screen is always obtained in order to obtain the difference data of the second and subsequent screens. good.

In that case, the amount of difference is reduced, so that the capacity of the difference data area can be reduced.

In the single shooting mode in the above-described embodiment, the image data is recorded without passing through the memory circuit 7. However, the image data may be temporarily stored in the memory circuit 7 and then recorded on the magnetic tape. The image data may be sampled into a plurality of blocks, divided, and recorded sequentially for each block.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the difference data between the image data of the first screen and the image data of the second and subsequent screens of the continuous plurality of screens is temporarily stored, and the stored first screen image data is stored. After restoring the image data of the second and subsequent screens using the image data obtained by combining the image data of
Since the restored image data is recorded on the recording medium, it is possible to increase the continuous shooting speed.

Further, since the difference data between the image data of the first screen and the image data of the second and subsequent screens of the continuous plural screens is stored in the temporary storage means, the capacity of the temporary storage means can be reduced.

Further, after restoring the image data of the second and subsequent screens using the image data obtained by combining the image data of the first screen and the difference data stored in the temporary storage means, the restored image data is recorded on a recording medium. Therefore, even if the playback device does not have a restoration function, it is possible to play back the image data of a plurality of continuous screens. Desired image data can be easily reproduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape cassette, FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a recording / reproducing unit, and FIG. It is a chart. 4 Sensor 6 Digital signal processing device 7 Memory circuit 8 Recording / reproducing unit 9 Tape cassette

Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/76-5/956 H04N ^7/ 24-7/68 G11B 20/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A difference detecting means for obtaining difference data between image data of the first screen and image data of the second and subsequent screens among image data of a plurality of screens continuously supplied, and presence or absence of the difference data Determining means for determining the presence or absence of the difference data; writing means for writing the image data of the first screen, the difference data and the determination data to a temporary storage means; Reading means for reading the image data, the difference data, and the determination data from the temporary storage means; combining means for combining the image data of the first screen read from the temporary storage means with the difference data; Restoring means for operating in accordance with the discrimination data read from the temporary storage means and restoring image data of the second and subsequent screens combined by the combining means An image processing apparatus comprising a recording means for recording the reconstructed image data of the second screen after which by the restoring means and the first screen of the image data read out by the temporary storage means to the recording medium.