JP4208022B2 - Information editing apparatus, information editing method, and program recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information editing apparatus, an information editing method, and a program recording medium that enable more natural reproduction with less discomfort.

  In recent years, due to the advancement of image processing technology, in video recording and playback devices such as video cameras, when moving images and still images are recorded one after another on recording media such as tapes and disks, the playback images are seamlessly and smoothly. It can be played.

  In addition, image recording / playback devices such as video cameras are provided with a function for applying special video effects such as fade-in and fade-out to the signal to be recorded. The process was performed and recorded.

  Specifically, such a conventional image recording / reproducing device specifically records the image signal on the recording medium by performing special processing on the image signal by pressing a so-called fader button together with the record button at the time of recording. The video was designed to gradually fade in during playback without fading up instantaneously and fade out at the break of the image signal.

  On the other hand, when applying special effects to recorded normal imaging signals, two image recording / playback devices such as video cameras and video tape recorders (VTRs) have been prepared in the past, and special effects can be applied to images during editing. By using the image effect device for performing the editing, editing is performed while dubbing between the image recording and reproducing devices. Specifically, the start point and end point of the video signal are specified, the point and timing at which the video effect is generated by the image effect device are specified, and the image effect is performed while dubbing based on such sequence data. Depending on the device, video effects such as fade-in and fade-out were added.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-342583 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-087487 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-141236

  By the way, it is preferable that the image signals having the contents recorded at approximately the same place and at the same time are seamlessly reproduced. However, if the image signals having irrelevant contents are reproduced seamlessly subsequently, an unnatural impression is obtained. Give viewers a sense of incongruity. For example, it is clearly unnatural to seamlessly change from an image of a person photographed at home to a landscape image photographed while traveling abroad.

  Conventionally, in order to avoid such a situation, as described in the above example, when shooting at home and / or during the first recording while traveling abroad, the fader button is operated, or the recording medium is recorded. After all the recordings were completed, editing at the time of dubbing using the two image recording / reproducing devices and the image effect device was performed, and video effects such as fade-in and fade-out were appropriately added when the so-called scene changed.

  However, when operating the fader button in the image recording / reproducing apparatus, it is necessary to press the fader button together with the recording button when recording as described above, and this operation is not performed after recording on the recording medium is completed. Can not. In addition, it is not always easy to determine whether or not the fader button should be pressed during recording, and since it involves a troublesome operation, it has not been used effectively. On the other hand, the method by dubbing editing after shooting described above requires the necessity of preparing expensive equipment, and is very complicated in terms of installation, wiring, operation, etc. of each equipment during editing work. Therefore, it was performed only by a very small number of users in a general home.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, eliminates the need for special operations during recording and the need for expensive equipment, and makes it uncomfortable with recording of image signals at various locations and times. An object of the present invention is to provide an information editing apparatus, an information editing method, and a program recording medium that can be reproduced with less.

  Other objects of the present invention and specific advantages obtained by the present invention will become more apparent from the description of embodiments described below.

The information editing apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs a plurality of pieces of information to which time information is added as attribute information, the time information added to the first information of the information, and the information a difference time difference calculating means for calculating a difference time between the second of the added the time information to the information, based on the additional time information to the plurality of information, setting means for automatically setting the predetermined time, the based on the result of comparison between the difference time and the predetermined time, correspondingly manages calculating means for classifying the different groups and the first and second information, and group information of the information and the information Management means and editing means for editing the information based on the group information managed by the management means.

The information editing method according to the present invention includes a step of inputting a plurality of pieces of information to which time information is added as attribute information, the time information added to first information among the information, and the information Calculating a difference time from the time information added to the second information, a step of automatically setting a predetermined time based on the time information added to the plurality of information, and the difference time; based on the result of comparison between the predetermined time, the step of classifying the different groups and the first and second information, the step of managing in association with the group information of the information and the information, management And editing the information based on the group information.

Furthermore, the program recording medium according to the present invention includes a step of inputting a plurality of pieces of information to which time information is added as attribute information, the time information added to the first information of the information, and the information of the information A step of calculating a difference time from the time information added to the second information, a setting step of automatically setting a predetermined time based on the time information added to the plurality of information, and the difference time a step of, based on a result of comparison between the predetermined time, correspondingly manages the step of classifying the different groups and the first and second information, and group information of the information and the information and, Based on the managed group information, the computer executes a process including a step of editing the information. It can be recorded and composed.

In the present invention, the difference time between the time information added to the first information of the input information and the time information added to the second information of the information is calculated, and the calculated difference time The first information and the second information are classified into different groups based on the comparison result between the time and the automatically set predetermined time, and the information and the group information of the information are managed in association with each other. Since the information is edited based on the group information, the image pickup signal can be recorded on the recording medium in a normal manner without being conscious of the video effect, and at the time of reproduction, the user can be recorded based on the predetermined data. It is possible to add video effects typified by fade-in and fade-out in a form that suits the recorded conditions, and to perform more natural reproduction with unity.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are block circuit diagrams showing circuit configurations on the recording side and the reproducing side of the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, and blocks commonly used on the recording side and the reproducing side are denoted by common reference numerals. Yes. The image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that records and reproduces still images and / or moving images and audio on a recording medium 10. FIG. 1 shows the recording side circuit 1 A, and FIG. 2 shows the reproduction side circuit. 1B is shown respectively.

  In this embodiment, an example in which an optical disk is used as the recording medium 10 will be described. However, as the recording medium 10, another disk-shaped recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a tape-shaped recording medium such as a magnetic tape, A semiconductor memory such as a flash memory can be used.

  In this embodiment, the recorded content of moving images and audio from the start of recording to the end of recording is defined as “cut”, and the recorded content for one still image is defined as “shot”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording side circuit 1A of the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 11, an image compression unit 12, an audio input / conversion unit 13, an audio compression unit 14, and a multiplexer (MUX) 15. A buffer memory 16, an encoding unit 17, an optical pickup unit 18, a clock unit 19, a system controller 20, an operation input unit 21, a recording history memory 22, and a mechanical control unit 23. .

  The imaging unit 11 captures a subject and outputs the image as a digital signal, and includes an optical system (not shown), an imaging device such as a CCD, an imaging circuit, and the like. The image signal generated by the imaging unit 11 is supplied to the image compression unit 12.

  The image compression unit 12 compresses the digital signal for the image supplied from the imaging unit 11 by a predetermined method. As the compression method, a standardized compression method such as MPEG (moving picture coding experts group) or JPEG (Joint Photographic coding Experts Group) can be used.

  The voice input / conversion unit 13 inputs voice from a subject or the like and outputs the voice as a digital signal, and includes a microphone, an amplifier, an A / D converter, and the like (not shown). The audio signal from the audio input / conversion unit 13 is supplied to the audio compression unit 14.

  The audio compression unit 14 compresses the digital signal for the audio supplied from the audio input / conversion unit 13 by a predetermined method. As a compression method in this case, a standardized compression method such as the above-described MPEG can be used.

  The MUX 15 packetizes digital signals respectively supplied from the image compression unit 12 and the audio compression unit 14 to generate serial data. Further, the MUX 15 packetizes sub-data, which will be described later in detail, supplied from the system controller 20, and generates serial data.

  The buffer memory 16 temporarily stores the serial data from the MUX 15 and outputs it to the encoding unit 17 in order to adjust the time during data transfer to the recording medium 10. Thereby, the serial data from the MUX 15 is transferred to the encoding unit 17 for each sector of the recording medium 10, for example.

  The encoding unit 17 performs an encoding process for error correction and a modulation process for improving the recording efficiency on the recording medium 10 on the data supplied from the buffer memory 16, and the processed data is processed by the optical pickup unit 18. To supply.

  The optical pickup unit 18 includes a recording / reproducing head (not shown) whose operation is controlled by a mechanical control unit 23 described later. Then, the optical pickup unit 18 records the data supplied from the encoding unit 17 on the recording medium 10 using the recording / reproducing head.

  The clock unit 19 supplies information related to specific date and time (hereinafter referred to as time data) to the system controller 20.

  The operation input unit 21 includes a plurality of operation input buttons (not shown) and the like, and various operation input signals are supplied to the system controller 20 when each operation input button is operated by the user. Yes.

  The system controller 20 controls each block based on the operation input signal from the operation input unit 21. Specifically, when recording a moving image and sound, the system controller 20 outputs a control signal to each block when receiving an operation input signal instructing to start recording from the operation input unit 21. Control is performed so that the moving image and audio signals respectively input from the unit 11 and the audio input / conversion unit 13 are recorded on the recording medium 10 by the recording / reproducing head of the optical pickup unit 18 through each block.

  When the system controller 20 receives an operation input signal for instructing to stop recording from the operation input unit 21, the system controller 20 outputs a control signal to each block and ends the process of recording on the recording medium 10. Thereby, the recording of the moving image and the sound on the recording medium 10 in the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is completed.

  On the other hand, in the case of recording a still image, the system controller 20 outputs a control signal to each block when receiving an operation input signal instructing recording of a still image from the operation input unit 21, and from the imaging unit 11. The input still image signal is controlled to be recorded on the recording medium 10 by the recording / reproducing head of the optical pickup unit 18 through each block. When the recording of the image data on the recording medium is completed, the system controller 20 outputs a control signal to each block and ends the control. Thereby, the recording of the still image on the recording medium 10 in the image recording apparatus 1 is completed.

  Further, the system controller 20 generates a recording history file and a sequence file whose details will be described later, stores each of these files in the recording history memory 22, and supplies these files to the MUX 15 as sub-data as appropriate, Each block is controlled to be recorded and updated in any area of the recording medium 10.

  Based on a control signal from the system controller 20, the mechanical control unit 23 performs control such as tracking of the recording / reproducing head of the optical pickup unit 18 and control of a drive motor (not shown) that drives the recording medium 10.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the reproduction side circuit 1B of the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes the optical pickup unit 18, the mechanical control unit 23, the decoding unit 31, the buffer memory 16, and the demultiplexer (DMUX) 32. An image expansion unit 33, an audio expansion unit 34, a still image memory 35, an image effect unit 36, an audio effect unit 37, the system controller 20, the operation input unit 21, and the recording history memory 22. Is done.

  In the reproduction side circuit 1B, the optical pickup unit 18 reads each data from the recording medium 10 by the recording / reproducing head, and outputs each read data to the decoding unit 31.

  The decoding unit 31 corresponds to the encoding unit 17 shown in FIG. 1, performs processing such as demodulation, decoding, and error correction on the data supplied from the optical pickup unit 18 and buffers the processed data. This is supplied to the memory 16.

  The buffer memory 16 temporarily stores the serial data from the decoding unit 31 and outputs it to the DMUX 32 in order to adjust the time when transferring data to the DMUX 32 in the reproduction side circuit 1B. Thereby, in the reproduction side circuit 1B, the serial data from the decoding unit 31 is transferred to the DMUX 32 for each sector unit of the recording medium 10, for example.

  The DMUX 32 corresponds to the MUX 15 shown in FIG. 1, and divides the data supplied from the buffer memory 16 into a video signal, an audio signal, and the above-described sub data. The DMUX 32 outputs the video signal to the image expansion unit 33, the audio signal to the audio expansion unit 34, and the sub data to the system controller 20. Here, the sub-data, that is, the recording history file and the sequence file are stored in the recording history memory 22 via the system controller 20.

  The image decompression unit 33 corresponds to the image compression unit 12 shown in FIG. 1, and decompresses the video signal supplied from the DMUX 32 by a predetermined decompression method corresponding to the compression method of the image compression unit 12. To return to the baseband signal.

  The audio expansion unit 34 corresponds to the audio compression unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 and expands the audio signal supplied from the DMUX 32 by a predetermined expansion method corresponding to the compression method of the audio compression unit 14. To return to the baseband signal.

  The still image memory 35 is a memory for temporarily storing a specific image when a special effect is applied to the image. For example, when a fade-in or fade-out is performed, a specific image (hereinafter referred to as a specific image) is controlled based on the control of the system controller 20. , Referred to as a representative image) is read from the image expansion unit 33 and temporarily stored.

  The image effect unit 36 controls an image output to the outside based on a control signal from the system controller 20. For example, the image effect unit 36 normally outputs the image signal from the image expansion unit 33 as it is, and applies a special effect to the image signal from the image expansion unit 33 under the control of the system controller 20. In this embodiment, fade-in, fade-out, and title image insertion can be performed as special effects. When performing special effects such as fade-in and fade-out, the image effect unit 36 reads out the representative image stored in the still image memory 35 and outputs an image signal for the representative image while gradually changing the gain. Like that.

  As other examples of special effects, it is possible to perform processing such as image mosaic processing, flat field, still image, image switching imitating door opening / closing, image scrolling, zoom, rotation, etc. A special effect combining these alone or a plurality of them can be applied.

  The sound effect unit 37 controls the sound to be output based on the control signal from the system controller 20. For example, the audio effect unit 37 normally outputs the audio signal from the audio expansion unit 34 directly, and when applying a special effect such as fade-in / fade-out, the audio signal is output with gradually changing the gain. . It should be noted that the fade-in / fade-out is preferably completed in a shorter time compared to the fade-in / fade-out of the video, thereby realizing more natural switching of the video content during reproduction.

  The system controller 20 controls each block based on the operation input signal from the operation input unit 21. Specifically, in the reproduction side circuit 1B, the system controller 20 controls reading and reproduction of each signal from the recording medium 10, control of cue, review, pause, etc. during reproduction, and special effects during reproduction. And further, rewriting control of the sequence file and / or recording history file is performed.

  Next, details of the recording history file and the sequence file generated by the system controller 20 will be described.

  The system controller 20 creates a recording history file at the time of the first recording of the subject on the recording medium 10, and describes the recording time data generated by referring to the time data supplied from the clock unit 19 in the recording history file. To do. Specifically, the system controller 20 generates time data about the recording start time and the recording end time when the cut is recorded, and generates time data about the recording time when the shot is recorded. Describe in the file. Further, the system controller 20 generates a cut number (for example, C1) when the cut is recorded, and generates a shot number (for example, S1) when the shot is recorded, and writes the shot number in the recording history file. Further, the system controller 20 describes the address data on the recording medium 10 for the cut or shot in the recording history file.

  That is, in the recording side circuit 1A of the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, when the first recording of the subject on the recording medium 10 is completed, the recording start date and time, the recording end date and time, the cut number C1, and In the recording history memory 22, an address on the recording medium 10 for the cut is recorded in the recording history memory 22 in which the recording date and time for the shot, the shot number S1, and the address on the recording medium 10 for the shot are described. Will be.

  The system controller 20 adds and updates the description content of the recording history file stored in the recording history memory 22 every time recording for one cut or one shot thereafter is completed. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when four cuts and six shots are recorded between a little before 9 o'clock and after 19 o'clock, the system controller 20 Cut numbers C1, C2, C3, and C4 are sequentially generated for each cut, and S1, S2, S3,... S6 are sequentially generated as shot numbers for each shot. Then, the system controller 20 sequentially describes the generated data relating to the cut number and shot number together with the above-described time data and address in the recording history file. Thereby, in the recording history file, as shown in FIG. 3, cut numbers and / or shot numbers are assigned in the order of recording of moving images and / or still images.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the recording interval of the moving image and / or still image is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, in other words, the moving image and / or still image data is not recorded on the recording medium 10 for the predetermined time or longer. In some cases, a set of cuts and shots whose recording interval is within a predetermined time is defined as one “scene”. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3, a total of 10 cuts and shots are recorded between 9 am and 9 pm, but the predetermined time for the scene is 30 minutes. Then, it will be divided into four scenes. That is, the system controller 20 compares the recording end time / recording time of a certain cut / shot with the recording start time / recording time of the next cut / shot, and the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined time (in this case, 30 minutes). By determining whether or not to become, it is determined whether or not to generate a new scene. Then, the system controller 20 assigns a scene number to each generated scene, and describes data relating to the scene number in the recording history file. The system controller 20 controls each block so as to record or update the recording history file to which the scene number is added in any area of the recording medium 10 as appropriate.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a recording history file created by the system controller 20 in the case of FIG. 3 described above. In this recording history file, the shooting date, the sequence number indicating the shooting order, the cut number, the shot number, the recording start time and the recording end time in the cut, the recording time in the shot, and the recording medium on which the cut or shot is stored Each column of address, scene number, and user area is provided, and data is written in each column.

  In the user area, contents for changing the scene delimiter as needed are described. For example, in the user area, when the predetermined time for the scene is 30 minutes in the initial state, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, “scene generation interval 30 minutes” is described. In the user area, when the predetermined time is changed to a user's arbitrary time by operating the operation button of the operation input unit 21, the contents of the change are described.

  Further, in the recording side circuit 1A of the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, since the skip of the recording time or the like as a whole is small, for example, when the scene number 2 or later does not occur, the system controller 20 determines the predetermined scene for the scene. The time may be automatically changed to be shorter than 30 minutes and divided into an appropriate number of scenes, and the generated scene number may be stored in the recording history memory 22. Also in this case, the contents to that effect are described in this user area.

  Further, in the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, even when a moving image is recorded seamlessly or when a plurality of still images are continuously recorded without taking time, the user is forced to operate the operation button of the operation input unit 21. Alternatively, it may be divided into scenes. Also in this case, the contents to that effect are described in this user area. In this case, when the compression method is MPEG, it is not necessary to degrade the image quality by dividing in consideration of the unit of GOP (Group Of Picture).

  The system controller 20 generates a sequence file (not shown) together with the above-described recording history file at the time of the first recording of the subject on the recording medium 10. This sequence file describes the content that data is reproduced in the order of the above-mentioned scene numbers, and video effects such as fade-in and fade-out are applied at the joints of scenes, that is, scenes that change. This sequence file also has a user area, which describes contents such as skipping a specific scene and changing the order as necessary.

  The recording history file and the sequence file described above are always stored in the recording history memory 22 at the time of recording, and are recorded or updated as sub-data in a predetermined area of the recording medium 10 each time they are created or updated. Then, the sub-data about the sequence file and the recording history file is read from the recording medium 10 and stored in the recording history memory 22 prior to reproduction of an image or the like at the time of reproduction. Playback control is performed according to

  Next, specific processing during reproduction in the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described. The reproduction-side circuit 1B of the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 takes out a representative image at the end of a certain scene and a representative image at the start of the next scene, respectively, in order to apply a special effect to the reproduced image. 35. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, as a special effect, for example, when fading out at the end of the scene 1 and fading in at the beginning of the scene 2, the system controller 20 performs each of the scene 1 and the scene 2. The still image memory 35 and the image effect unit 36 are controlled so as to output the image signal of the representative image while gradually changing the gain.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when a process for displaying a title image of the scene 2 before the start of the scene 2 is performed as a special effect of reproduction, for example, by fading out at the end of the scene 1, An image signal of a still image or a moving image of the title image is recorded in any area on the recording medium 10. In this case, the title image is recorded in the last part of the data storage area of the recording medium 10. Then, the system controller 20 takes out the representative image of the scene 1 and the title image in advance and stores them in the still image memory 35. When applying a special effect of reproduction, the system controller 20 gradually outputs an image signal for the representative image of the scene 1. After the gain is reduced and output, the still image memory 35 and the image effect unit 36 are controlled so that the title image is displayed for a predetermined time.

  In general, since there are many cases where a title image is inserted at the joint of scenes, when performing a special effect by this fade-out and title image, the system controller 20 has a recording medium 10 as shown in FIG. The area where the title image is recorded in advance is controlled so as to be secured during recording between scenes, and each block is controlled so that the image signal of the still image for the title image is recorded in this area on the recording medium after recording. May be. In this case, the title image is smoothly read during reproduction, and the load on the mechanical control unit 23 is reduced.

  By performing the processing as described above, in the image recording / playback apparatus 1, video effects such as fade-out and fade-in are performed in scenes that change, so that the playback processing matches the sense of the photographer, that is, the user, Discomfort during playback is greatly reduced.

  That is, for example, in the case of the recorded contents shown in FIG. 3, scene 1, scene 2, scene 3, and scene 4 were taken at different times because they were taken at different times. Further, for example, it is expected that the cut C1 and the shots S1 to S3 constituting the scene 1 were shot at the same place. According to the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, in such a case, fade-out is performed at shot 3 of scene 1, fade-in is performed at the beginning of cut C2 of scene 2, fade-out is performed at the end of cut C3, and so on. As described above, since the reproduction is performed with a predetermined video effect every time the shooting location is changed, the reproduced video matches the photographer's intention, and the uncomfortable feeling during reproduction is greatly reduced.

  Note that the above-described unit of scene is an easy-to-understand unit for the user, so the system controller 20 in the image recording / playback apparatus 1 can perform various controls as described below using this unit of scene.

  For example, if the system controller 20 controls each block so that the so-called skip reproduction can be performed for each scene number as the retrieval processing at the time of reproduction, the retrieval becomes very easy. In particular, when a large number of still images are recorded, for example, when thousands of still images are recorded on the recording medium 10, it is practically impossible to search for each of them one by one. If the search is performed for each scene number in this case, the labor and time required for the search can be greatly reduced. In addition, if the control is performed so that the title image for each scene described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 is displayed as a search process during reproduction, the search becomes even easier.

  The system controller 20 can also perform processing in units of scenes when performing various editing processes. For example, a scene that has been recorded on the recording medium 10 but no longer needs to be viewed can be deleted or masked for each scene.

  In addition, when the remaining amount of the data storage area of the recording medium 10 is reduced and it is desired to erase a part of the recorded contents and secure a new recording area, if the control is performed so that the data is erased in units of scenes, erroneous erasure is performed. A continuous area can be secured while preventing.

  Furthermore, even when editing by dubbing using another image recording / playback apparatus or computer, the processing becomes extremely easy by performing processing in units of scenes. For example, rough editing can be performed simply by specifying a scene number to be dubbed.

  Furthermore, when a reproduction signal is transferred from the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to another device via a digital interface, it is generally necessary to transfer the reproduced image signal or the like in a compressed state due to the transfer rate. is there. In this case, the system controller 20 transfers the command command for the video effect together with the compressed image signal from the DMUX 32, and causes the other processing on the receiving side to perform the specific processing of the video effect. To do. In this case, the system controller 20 of the image recording / playback apparatus 1 on the transmission side controls each block so as to make a step with the movement on the reception side, such as temporarily stopping playback while the video effect is applied on the reception side. Like that. Since the types of video effects can be considered infinitely, the system controller 20 may control to download algorithms and parameters regarding the video effects via the recording medium 10 or the digital interface.

  As described above, in the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, since retrieval and editing are performed in units of scenes, a feeling that is comfortable and simple operation can be obtained that matches the photographer's feeling. That is, according to the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, it is not necessary to perform troublesome operations during recording such as setting with a fader button. Further, according to the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, images that are far from each other in terms of content (time, place) are not continuously reproduced, and the uncomfortable feeling during reproduction is reduced. Further, according to the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, it is not necessary to make a large preparation such as editing at the time of dubbing using the two image recording / reproducing apparatuses and the image effect apparatus after the above-described conventional recording. , Playback as if automatically edited. According to the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, since a number is assigned to each scene and this is recorded in the recording medium 10 in a file format, the user area of the recording history file or the sequence file is recorded even after recording. By making the change, editing such as skip reproduction for each scene or deletion for each scene can be performed easily and easily for the user.

  In general, generation of a fade-in / fade-out image belongs to a class that is difficult for image compression processing such as MPEG, and there are many opportunities for motion prediction to be lost, and when the motion prediction is lost, the quality of the image is degraded. Since the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1 does not need to record such an image, the quality of a reproduced image when performing fade-in / fade-out is improved. Further, according to the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, since it is not necessary to record for the time of fade-in / fade-out, the recording capacity of the recording medium 10 is saved. Furthermore, according to the image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, since the reproduction of the moving image can be temporarily interrupted at the joint between scenes, the system controller 20 controls the mechanical control unit 23 during this time, so that the location recorded in each scene In addition, it is possible to read a title image recorded in a remote area on the recording medium 10 shown in FIG. 5, and to reduce the load on the high-speed response of the mechanical control unit 23.

  Here, in the above-described image recording / reproducing apparatus 1, in the recording side circuit 1A, the imaging unit 11 generates an imaging signal for the subject image, and the system controller 20 generates the generated imaging signal at and before the generation time. The time difference between the generation time of the captured image signal is detected, and predetermined data based on the detection result of the image signal from the image capturing unit 11 and the time difference by the system controller 20 is recorded on the recording medium 10 via the optical pickup unit 18. Thus, in the reproduction side circuit 1B, predetermined data relating to the time difference between the recording end time of one image and the recording start time of the next image from the recording medium 10 via the optical pickup unit 18 is obtained as the video of the image. The signal is read out together with the signal, and the image controller 36 is controlled by the system controller 20 to determine a predetermined time difference. A predetermined video effect is applied to the video signal read based on the data. However, the recording side circuit 1A does not detect the time difference or record the predetermined data based on the detection result, but simply records the recorded image. Only time information is recorded as a time stamp, and in the reproduction side circuit 1B, based on the time stamp, the system controller 20 sets the recording end time of one image and the recording start time of the next image. Even if the predetermined data regarding the time difference is generated and the image effect unit 36 is controlled, the predetermined video effect can be applied to the video signal read based on the predetermined data regarding the time difference.

  In this case, at the time of recording, the recording side circuit 1A uses the system controller 20 to record in the management file the shooting start time and shooting end time of each cut if it is a moving image, or the shooting time as a time stamp if it is a still image. Write.

During playback, the playback-side circuit 1B reads the management file, and the system controller 20 uses the time stamp on the management file to
(1) Time from video recording stop to next video recording start (2) Time from video recording stop to next still image shooting time (3) Start of next video recording from still image shooting time Time until (4) Each scene time is calculated by calculating the time from the shooting time of the still image to the shooting time of the next still image, and by incrementing the scene number at the point where the specified time interval is exceeded. And write to the management file. Then, by using the management file in which the scene number is written in this way, a recording history file and a sequence file are generated, so that the data is reproduced in the order of the scene number described above, and at the scene joint, that is, when the scene changes. Video effects such as fade-in and fade-out can be applied.

  The system controller 20 of the reproduction side circuit 1B can determine the scene number again by changing the specified time interval during reproduction by determining the scene number by the method as described above. This method can also be employed during recording, and the scene number determined during recording can be changed during reproduction.

It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the recording side circuit in the image recording / reproducing apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the reproduction | regeneration side circuit in the same apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the recording history produced | generated when a still image and a moving image are recorded with the same apparatus. It is the figure which showed an example of the recording history file. It is a figure for demonstrating the process in the case of performing the process of fade-in and fade-out with the same apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the process in the case of reproducing a title image following fade-out with the same apparatus. 4 is a diagram for explaining a case where an area on a recording medium for recording a title image is secured in advance at the time of recording in order to perform processing for reproducing the title image following fade-out in the same apparatus. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording / reproducing apparatus, 1A Recording side circuit, 1B Playback side circuit, 10 Recording medium, 11 Imaging part, 13 Audio | voice input / conversion part, 18 Optical pick-up part, 19 clock part, 20 System controller, 21 Operation input part, 22 Recording history memory, 23 mechanical control unit, 35 still image memory, 36 image effect unit, 37 sound effect unit

Claims (12)

Input means for inputting a plurality of pieces of information to which time information is added as attribute information;
Difference time difference calculating means for calculating a difference time between the time information added to the first information of the information and the time information added to the second information of the information;
Setting means for automatically setting a predetermined time based on the time information added to the plurality of information ;
An arithmetic means for classifying the first information and the second information into different groups based on a comparison result between the difference time and the predetermined time;
Management means for managing the information and the group information of the information in association with each other;
Editing means for editing the information based on the group information managed by the management means;
An information editing apparatus comprising: The information editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time information is creation time information of the information. The above information is still image information taken by the imaging device,
The information editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time information is shooting date information of the information. The information is moving image information recorded by the imaging device,
The time information is information including a shooting start time and a shooting end time of the moving image information,
The information editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the difference time is a difference between a shooting end time of the first moving image information and a shooting start time of the second moving image information. Inputting a plurality of information with time information added as attribute information;
Calculating a time difference between the time information added to the first information of the information and the time information added to the second information of the information;
Automatically setting a predetermined time based on time information added to the plurality of information ;
Classifying the first information and the second information into different groups based on a comparison result between the difference time and the predetermined time;
Managing the information and the group information of the information in association with each other;
Editing the information based on the managed group information;
Information editing method. 6. The information editing method according to claim 5 , wherein the time information is creation time information of the information. The above information is still image information taken by the imaging device,
The information editing method according to claim 5 , wherein the time information is shooting date information of the information. The information is moving image information recorded by the imaging device,
The time information is information including a shooting start time and a shooting end time of the moving image information,
The information editing method according to claim 5 , wherein the difference time is a difference between a shooting end time of the first moving image information and a shooting start time of the second moving image information. Inputting a plurality of information with time information added as attribute information;
Calculating a time difference between the time information added to the first information of the information and the time information added to the second information of the information;
A setting step of automatically setting a predetermined time based on the time information added to the plurality of information ;
Classifying the first information and the second information into different groups based on a comparison result between the difference time and the predetermined time;
Managing the information and the group information of the information in association with each other;
A program recording medium for recording a program readable and executable by a computer, causing the computer to execute a process including a step of editing the information based on the managed group information . The program recording medium according to claim 9 , wherein the time information is creation time information of the information. The above information is still image information taken by the imaging device,
The program recording medium according to claim 9 , wherein the time information is shooting date information of the information. The information is moving image information recorded by the imaging device,
The time information is information including a shooting start time and a shooting end time of the moving image information,
The program recording medium according to claim 9 , wherein the difference time is a difference between a shooting end time of the first moving image information and a shooting start time of the second moving image information.

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