JP3893683B2 - Still image capturing apparatus and recording control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a still image imaging apparatus for recording a still image using an imaging means such as a so-called solid-state imaging device.And recording control method thereofAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a still image imaging apparatus that records a still image using an imaging unit such as a so-called solid-state imaging device (CCD) has been proposed. In the still image pickup device, an imaging lens is provided, and an image formed by the imaging lens is picked up by a solid-state image pickup device, and a still image signal is output from the solid-state image pickup device. This still image signal is recorded in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk in a recording unit. At this time, the control unit that controls the recording unit records a still image signal corresponding to one still image on the recording medium as a still image file, and lists the list display image signals obtained by thinning the still image signal. It is recorded on the recording medium as a display image file. The signal recorded as the list display image file is a signal that has been thinned out to 1/36 to 1/81 of the signal recorded as a still image file, and is displayed according to the still image file. It is a signal for displaying an image having an area of 1/6 to 1/9.
[0003]
The above-described list display image file is recorded on a recording medium as a file different from a still image file that is an original image, or is recorded in a separate data area on the recording medium. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the files F1, F2, F3, F4,... Of the still images SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4,. .. The files f1, f2, f3, f4,... Of the list display images snp1, snp2, snp3, snp4,... Generated from each are recorded in another recording area on the recording medium. .
[0004]
In this still image capturing device, an image corresponding to the still image signal can be displayed on the display device by reading the still image signal from the recording medium. As this display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display device (LCD) is used. Further, in the still image pickup device, by reading a plurality of list display image signals from the recording medium, a plurality of images corresponding to the list display image signals are arranged in parallel on the display device and displayed as a list. be able to. In such a list display, six to nine still images are arranged and displayed on the display device.
[0005]
That is, when the still image recorded on the recording medium is reproduced and displayed, the still image signal is reproduced from the area where the still image file is recorded on the recording medium, while the list display When the image is reproduced and displayed, the list display image signal is reproduced from the area in which the list display image file is recorded on the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of list display images are reproduced and displayed (that is, when a list is displayed), a plurality of small list display images snp1, snp2, snp3, snp4,. They are displayed in parallel on a single screen. FIG. 9A shows a recording area of the same recording medium as FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B shows an example in which six list display images are displayed on one screen. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the still image pickup apparatus capable of generating and recording the list display image signal as described above (here, for convenience of explanation, this apparatus is referred to), the recording medium is inserted into the housing and In this case, a recording medium on which a still image signal is recorded by another still image capturing device (herein, referred to as another device for distinguishing from this device) is used. Therefore, in this apparatus, it is possible to reproduce the recording medium on which the still image signal is recorded by the separate apparatus.
[0007]
However, when the separate device is a device that cannot generate and record a list display image as described above, the still image file recorded on the recording medium by the separate device is accompanied by the list display image file. There will be no. In such a case, even if the recording medium recorded by the separate apparatus is reproduced by the apparatus, the still image main body can be reproduced because the list display image file does not exist on the recording medium. However, the list display image corresponding to the still image main body cannot be reproduced and displayed. For example, as an example of recording an image while exchanging the same recording medium between this apparatus and another apparatus, as shown in FIG. 10A, still images SP1, SP2, SP4, SP5, SP7, and SP8 are recorded. Assuming that each file F1, F2, F4, F5, F7, F8 is recorded by this apparatus and each file F3, F6 of the still images SP3, SP6 is recorded by another apparatus, Since no image file for list display is attached to the image files F3 and F6, the list display screen when the recording medium is reproduced by the apparatus is displayed on the apparatus as shown in FIG. Only the list display images recorded in this way (in the example of FIG. 10, the list display images snp1, snp2, snp4, snp5) are displayed. Thus, if the list display images corresponding to all the still images are not displayed, a file that cannot be searched is generated even if a search using this list display image (still image file search) is performed, which is not preferable. .
[0008]
  Therefore, the present invention is proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is assumed that a still image file captured by a still image capturing apparatus that cannot generate and record a list display image signal is recorded on a recording medium. Still image pickup device capable of generating a list display image file of the still image files and facilitating search of all the still image files recorded on the recording mediumAnd recording control method thereofIs to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In the present invention, the subject is captured by the imaging means.Captured still imagedataAs well as the still imageDataList display imagedataTheGenerated by the list display image generating meansRecord on a recording medium,Image data for list displayTo display meansThandisplayYouIn still image pickup deviceRecording medium mounting means for detachably mounting the recording medium, and the recording medium mounting means when the recording medium is mounted on the recording medium mounting meansrecoding mediaFrom the recording mediumRecorded inDataRead the inventory informationBased on the reading means to issue and the catalog information read by the reading means,Recorded on a recording mediumTheStill imageDataList display imagedataMeans for determining whether or not is recorded on this recording mediumThe list display image generating means includes:Recorded on the recording medium by the determining means.AboveStill imageDataList display imagedataIs not recorded on the recording mediumIs determinedIn,The still imageList of dataDisplay imagedataGenerateDoThis solves the above-described problem.
  In addition, the present invention records still image data obtained by capturing an image of a subject on a recording medium, generates list display image data of the still image data, records the data on the recording medium, and displays the list display image data. A recording control method for a still image capturing apparatus, wherein a reading step of reading inventory information of data recorded on the recording medium from the recording medium loaded when the recording medium is loaded; A determination step for determining whether list display image data of still image data recorded on the recording medium is recorded on the recording medium based on the inventory information; and the still image recorded on the recording medium A list that generates image data for list display of the still image data when it is determined that the image data for list display of data is not recorded on the recording medium. By having the示用image data generation step, to solve the problems described above.
[0010]
That is, according to the still image pickup device of the present invention, a still image signal that does not have a corresponding list display image signal, such as a recording medium on which a signal is recorded by a device that cannot generate and record a list display image signal. Since the list display image signal is generated from the still image signal, it is possible to easily search for all the still image signals recorded on the recording medium.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the still image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes an outer casing 2. A shooting button 3, an imaging lens 4, a light emitting unit 5 of a flash illumination device, and the like are disposed on the outer side on the front side of the outer casing 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a display unit 11, an operation unit 16, and the like serving as display units are disposed on the outer side of the rear surface side of the outer casing 2. Further, a recording medium insertion opening 14 that can be opened and closed by a lid 7 that is rotatably attached to the outer casing 2 via a hinge 7a is disposed on the side surface of the outer casing 2. Has been. A disk cartridge 8 such as a so-called floppy disk serving as a recording medium is inserted from the recording medium insertion port 14. The disk cartridge 8 is mounted on a recording medium mounting portion in the outer housing 2. The lid body 7 has engaged portions 13 and 13 which are closed by engaging the engaging claws 12 and 12 disposed on the outer casing 2 with the engaged portions 13 and 13. It is held in the lid state. The engaging claws 12 and 12 are moved and operated in a direction to release the engagement with the engaged portions 13 and 13 by a sliding operation of the slider knob 15 provided on the rear surface portion of the outer casing 2. That is, the lid body 7 can be opened by sliding the slider knob 15.
[0013]
The disk cartridge 8 is configured such that a recording disk 9 such as a magnetic disk is housed in a thin housing cartridge so as to be rotatable. One main surface of the cartridge is provided with a chucking opening for allowing a hub 9a attached to the center of the recording disk 9 to face outward. In addition, recording and reproducing openings 10a and 10a are formed on both main surface portions of the cartridge so that a part of the signal recording surface of the recording disk 9 faces outward. These recording / reproducing openings 10a and 10a can be opened and closed by a shutter plate 10 slidably attached to the cartridge.
[0014]
The disk cartridge 8 is not limited to a magnetic disk, and includes various types of recording disks capable of writing and reading information signals, such as magneto-optical disks and so-called phase change recording disks. Can be used. In this embodiment, a case where a floppy disk is used as the disk cartridge 8 will be described.
[0015]
In the outer casing 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the image of the subject formed by the imaging lens 4 is picked up by a solid-state image pickup device 21 indicated by a CCD in FIG. The imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device 21 is converted into a 10-bit digital signal by a sample hold / analog / digital converter 22 indicated by S / H-A / D in FIG. 3 and sent to the camera signal processing circuit 23. It is done. The camera signal processing circuit 23 processes the digital signal sent from the sample hold-analog / digital converter 22, converts it into an 8-bit luminance signal Y and a 4-bit color difference signal C, and sends it to the DRAM controller 25. The luminance signal Y and the color difference signal C sent to the DRAM controller 25 are sent to the panel signal processing circuit 26 as they are, and are shown as a DRAM in FIG. It is converted into data in a form recorded in the dynamic random access memory 24, sent to the dynamic random access memory 24, and sent to a floppy disk controller 29 indicated by FDC in FIG.
[0016]
The panel signal processing circuit 26 generates the three primary color signals R, G, and B based on the transmitted luminance signal Y and color difference signal C and sends them to the display unit 11. As the display unit 11, a cathode ray tube (CRT) is used in addition to a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel). As described above, in the state where the image based on the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal C output from the camera signal processing circuit 23 is displayed on the display unit 11, the image of the subject actually captured by the imaging lens 4 is obtained. It is displayed on the display unit 11, and this display unit 11 also serves as a finder.
[0017]
The shooting button 3 is connected to the operation input circuit 27. When the photographing button 3 is pressed, the operation input circuit 27 sends an operation signal indicating that the photographing button 3 has been pressed to a microcomputer 28a serving as a control unit. The operation unit 16 is also connected to the operation input circuit 27. When the switch constituting the operation unit 16 is operated, the operation input circuit 27 sends an operation signal indicating that the operation unit 16 has been operated to the microcomputer 28a. As the microcomputer 28a, for example, a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) type capable of high-speed processing is used, and a ROM in FIG. 3 in which a software program for controlling each circuit block is stored. A read-only memory 28 shown in FIG. The microcomputer 28 a executes an operation according to the software program stored in the read-only memory 28 based on the operation signal from the operation input circuit 27.
[0018]
That is, the microcomputer 28 a controls the dynamic random access memory 24 and the floppy disk controller 29 according to the software program stored in the read-only memory 28. The microcomputer 28a, the dynamic random access memory 24, the floppy disk controller 29, and the DRAM controller 25 are connected to each other by a common data bus. The dynamic random access memory 24 is composed of, for example, two memory chips having a storage capacity of 4 Mbytes. The floppy disk controller 29 controls the floppy disk drive 30 by sending a control signal to the floppy disk drive 30 indicated by FDD in FIG. Read data RDATA and write data WDATA are exchanged. The read data RDATA is data read from the recording disk 9. The write data WDATA is data written to the recording disk 9.
[0019]
When the disk cartridge 8 inserted through the recording medium insertion port 14 is loaded, the floppy disk drive 30 holds the hub of the recording disk 9 of the disk cartridge 8 and rotates the recording disk 9. The write data WDATA and the read data RDATA are written to and read from the recording disk 9 by a pickup device such as a magnetic head through the recording / reproducing openings 10a and 10a.
[0020]
In the still image pickup device 1, when the image pickup button 3 is pressed, an image pickup operation is executed. That is, when the imaging button 3 is pressed, data corresponding to the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal C output from the camera signal processing circuit 23 is sent to the dynamic random access memory 24 and the floppy disk controller 29. In the dynamic random access memory 24, the transmitted data is stored at a predetermined address position based on the address data transmitted from the DRAM controller 25 and the microcomputer 28a. In the floppy disk controller 29, the sent data is sent to the floppy disk drive 30 and recorded on the recording disk 9.
[0021]
That is, the microcomputer 28a stores the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal C in a predetermined area of the dynamic random access memory 24 from the DRAM controller 25 when the subject is imaged, and stores the stored luminance signal Y and the color difference signal C with JPEG (Joint). Photographic coding Experts Group) method to compress data. In addition, the microcomputer 28a performs processing for writing data about an image compressed by the JPEG method as JPEG stream data in an area different from the area where the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal C of the dynamic random access memory 24 are stored.
[0022]
Further, the microcomputer 28a reads out the JPEG stream data from the dynamic random access memory 24, and uses this JPEG stream data for MS-DOS (Microsoft Disc Operating System: a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) corresponding to a so-called PC / AT compatible personal computer. ) A process of converting to a format and supplying it to the floppy disk controller 29 is performed. Then, the microcomputer 28a controls the floppy disk controller 29 so that the data converted into the MS-DOS format is written as a still image signal in the recording disk 9 of the disk cartridge 8 mounted in the floppy disk drive 30.
[0023]
Further, in the still image capturing apparatus 1, the microcomputer 28a thins out the still image signal as the still image signal corresponding to one still image is recorded on the recording disk 9 as one still image file. The list display image signal is recorded on the recording disk 9 and the dynamic random access memory 24 as one list display image file. That is, in the still image capturing apparatus 1, when a subject is imaged by pressing the image capturing button 3, a still image file about the subject is stored in the recording disk 9 in the disk cartridge 8 mounted on the floppy disk drive 30. A list display image file serving as an index for the still image file is recorded in a file format having extensions of “.JPG” and “.411”, respectively. The signal recorded as the list display image file is a signal that has been thinned out to 1/36 to 1/81 of the signal recorded as a still image file, and is displayed according to the still image file. It is a signal for displaying an image having an area of 1/6 to 1/9.
[0024]
The list display image file is stored in the dynamic random access memory 24 each time an image is captured, and when the disk cartridge 8 in which the still image file and the list display image file are already recorded is loaded in the floppy disk drive 30. The data is read from the recording disk 9 of the disk cartridge 8 and stored in the dynamic random access memory 24. That is, in the still image pickup apparatus 1, the disk cartridge 8 is mounted in the floppy disk drive 30, and the still image file recorded on the recording disk 9 of the disk cartridge 8 such as so-called FAT (File Allocation Table) information. Are read out and stored in the dynamic random access memory 24, all the list image files recorded on the recording disk 9 are read out at once and stored in the dynamic random access memory 24.
[0025]
The microcomputer 28a of the still image capturing apparatus 1 also determines whether or not there is a list display image file corresponding to the still image file when the FAT information is read out, and displays the list corresponding to the still image file. When the image file does not exist, the still image file not accompanied by the list display image file is read from the recording medium, and the list display image signal is generated by thinning the still image signal, and this list display is performed. The image file for recording is recorded on the recording disk 9 and the dynamic random access memory 24, and the inventory information corresponding to the image file for list display is recorded on the recording disk 9 as FAT information.
[0026]
That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the microcomputer 28a starts reading the image signal for the recording disk 9 which is a recording medium in step ST1, the microcomputer 28a reads the catalog information of the FAT section in step ST2, and step ST3. Proceed to In step ST3, it is determined whether or not a list display image file to be read is recorded on the recording disk 9. If the list display image file is recorded on the recording disk 9, the process proceeds to step ST4. If the list display image file is not recorded on the recording disk 9, the process proceeds to step ST13 and the process ends.
[0027]
In step ST4, the presence / absence of a list display image file corresponding to the still image file is determined based on the catalog information in the FAT section. That is, in step ST4, it is determined whether there is a still image file for which there is no corresponding list display image file. If it is determined that there is a still image file for which there is no corresponding list display image file, the process proceeds to step ST5. If it is determined that there is no still image file, the process proceeds to step ST10.
[0028]
In step ST 5, a still image file for which no corresponding list display image file exists is read from the recording disk 9 and developed on the dynamic random access memory 24. In step ST6, the still image file is decompressed to reproduce a still image signal. In step ST7, a list display image signal is generated from the still image signal. In step ST8, the file of the generated list display image signal is recorded on the recording disk 9 and stored in the dynamic random access memory 24. In step ST9, after updating the FAT information in accordance with the recording of the list display image file, the process returns to step ST4. In the process from step ST4 to step ST9, it is possible to process one file at a time in order from the top of the FAT information.
[0029]
On the other hand, in step ST10 which proceeds when it is determined in step ST4 that there is no still image file for which there is no corresponding list display image file, the list display image file is read in a batch and the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the list display image file read from the recording disk 9 is stored in the dynamic random access memory 24, and the process proceeds to step ST12. In step ST12, it is determined whether or not all of the list display image files recorded on the recording disk 9 have been read out. If all of the list display image files have been read out, the process proceeds to step ST13 and the processing is terminated. If the list display image file is not read out, the process returns to step ST10.
[0030]
In the still image capturing apparatus 1, a plurality of list display image files are read from the dynamic random access memory 24, and a plurality of images corresponding to the list display image signals are arranged in parallel on the display unit 11. Can be displayed as a list. In such a list display, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, six list display images (still images) 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d, 17 e, and 17 f are displayed on the display unit 11. As shown, nine list display images (still images) 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f, 17g, 17h, and 17i are arranged and displayed. At this time, reading of the list display image file is performed not from the recording disk 9 but from the dynamic random access memory 24, so that the list display can be started quickly.
[0031]
Further, in the still image pickup apparatus 1, the list display image can be arbitrarily selected from the images recorded on the recording disk 9, and the arrangement of the list display images on the display unit 11 is changed. You can also Such switching of the display state of the list display image can be performed by operating the operation unit 16. At this time, reading of a new list display image file is performed not from the recording disk 9 but from the dynamic random access memory 24, so that the display state of the list display can be quickly changed.
[0032]
Further, in the still image capturing apparatus 1, an arbitrary list display image is selected (that is, searched) from the list display images displayed on the display unit 11, and the selected list display image is selected. The corresponding still image file is read out from the JPEG stream data in the dynamic random access memory 24, or read out from the recording disk 9 of the disk cartridge 8 mounted in the floppy disk drive 30 and decompressed, so that the still image is read out. It can be displayed on the display unit 11. In this case, one still image 17a is displayed on the entire display unit 11 as shown in FIG.
[0033]
Further, in the still image capturing apparatus 1, various editing operations such as deleting unnecessary ones from the still image file and the list display image file recorded on the recording disk 9 can be performed.
[0034]
With the above functions, the still image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment generates and displays a list display image even on the recording disk 9 on which a still image is recorded by an apparatus that cannot generate a list display image file. It becomes possible. Further, in the still image capturing apparatus of the present embodiment, even if the list display image file is erased from the recording disk 9, the list display image can be generated and re-recorded from the still image later. It becomes possible.
[0035]
In the above-described embodiment, the still image file generated by decompressing the still image file is reproduced from the recording disk 9 on which the still image file is recorded by a device that cannot generate the list display image file. Although an example of creating an image signal for list display from a signal is given, for example, even when only a still image signal is supplied through an external input terminal provided in the still image capturing device of the present embodiment. It is also possible to generate a list display image signal corresponding to the still image signal and record it in the recording disk 9 and the dynamic random access memory 24.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
  In the present invention, the inventory information of the data recorded on the recording medium is read from the recording medium loaded when the recording medium is loaded, and recorded on the recording medium based on the read inventory information. Whether the still image data list display image data is recorded on the recording medium, and the still image data list display image data recorded on the recording medium is recorded on the recording medium. If it is determined that it is not, the image data for list display of the still image data is generated and recorded on the recording medium.For example, list display imagedataImages captured by still image capture devices that cannot generate and record imagesdataStill image on the recording mediumdataList display imagedataTherefore, all still images recorded on the recording mediumdataIt is possible to facilitate the search.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a front side of a still image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a rear surface side of the still image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing a configuration of a still image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the still image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a display unit in a state where a 6-part list display is performed in the still image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a configuration of a display unit in a state where a list display of 9 divisions is performed in the still image capturing apparatus of the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a display unit in a state in which a still image is displayed in the still image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram used for explaining recording areas of still image files and list display files recorded on a recording medium.
FIG. 9 is a diagram used for explaining a relationship between a still image file and a list display file on a recording medium and a list display image to be displayed.
FIG. 10 is a diagram used for explaining an example in which a list display image cannot be displayed when a recording medium recorded by a device that cannot generate and record a list display image is played back.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Still image imaging device, 4 Imaging lens, 9 Recording disk, 11 Display part, 21 Solid-state image sensor, 24 Dynamic random access memory, 28a Microcomputer, 30 Floppy disk drive

Claims (10)

And records on a recording medium the still image data obtained by imaging a subject by the imaging means, the still image list display image data of the data generated by list display image generating means is recorded on the recording medium, the list display image in the still image capturing apparatus you more display means to display data,
A recording medium mounting means for detachably mounting the recording medium;
From the recording medium mounted on said recording medium mounting means when the recording medium is attached to the recording medium mounting means, reading means for reading the catalog information of the data recorded on the recording medium,
Based on the inventory information read by said reading means, and a determining unit list display image data of the still image data recorded on the recording medium whether the recorded on the recording medium ,
If the list display image generating means, a list display image data of the still image data recorded on the recording medium is determined not to be recorded on the recording medium by the determination means, the still image data still image pickup apparatus and generates a list display image data. 2. The still image pick-up according to claim 1 , wherein the list display image generating means records the list display image data on the recording medium and updates the inventory information recorded on the recording medium. apparatus. With external input means ,
The determination unit further determines whether image data for list display of the still image data is input together with the input still image data when the still image data is input from the external input unit. The still picture imaging device according to claim 1 characterized by things.   The list display image generation means, when the determination means determines that the list display image data of the still image data is not input together with the input still image data, the input still image Generating a list display image corresponding to the data
  The still image imaging apparatus according to claim 3.   The list display image generation means records the generated list display image data on the recording medium and updates the inventory information recorded on the recording medium.
  The still image imaging device according to claim 4.   Recording still image data obtained by capturing an image of a subject on a recording medium, recording image data for list display of the still image data, recording the image data on the recording medium, and recording the image data for list display A control method,
  A reading step of reading the inventory information of the data recorded on the recording medium from the recording medium mounted when the recording medium is mounted;
  A determination step for determining whether image data for list display of still image data recorded on the recording medium is recorded on the recording medium based on the read list information;
  A list display image for generating list display image data of the still image data when it is determined that the list display image data of the still image data recorded on the recording medium is not recorded on the recording medium. Data generation step and
  A recording control method for a still image capturing apparatus, comprising:   In the list display image data generation step, the list display image data is stored in the recording medium. Record on the body and update the catalog information recorded on the recording medium
  The still image capturing apparatus according to claim 6.   In the determination step, when still image data is input from an external input means, it is determined whether image data for list display of the still image data is input together with the input still image data.
  The recording control method for a still image capturing apparatus according to claim 6.   In the list display image data generation step, when it is determined that the list display image data of the still image data is not input together with the input still image data, the list display image data generation step corresponds to the input still image data. Generating image data for list display
  The recording control method for a still image capturing apparatus according to claim 8.   In the list display image data generation step, the generated list display image data is recorded on the recording medium, and the catalog information recorded on the recording medium is updated.
  The recording control method for a still image capturing apparatus according to claim 9.

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