JP4802989B2 - Imaging apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a global standard time (GMT) based on regional information and daylight saving time information in addition to time information set in an information processing apparatus having an imaging function such as a video camera. The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and method capable of obtaining Mean Time (Greenwich Mean Time).

  An electronic device having an imaging function typified by a video camera is provided with a function for setting time.

  In a video camera, the time set by this time setting function is not simply displayed as a clock, but is recorded together with the captured image to facilitate the management of the captured image, or the timer function Have used for such as.

  By the way, recent portable electronic devices can access a server via a network by connecting a communication device such as a built-in communication function or a communication device such as a mobile phone. Normally, a device that accesses a server via a network transmits information on a user's login name and password, and information on the world standard time (= Greenwich Mean Time: GMT) at the time of transmission. Based on these pieces of information, the server executes access time management and authentication processing to determine whether or not access is possible.

  However, the time setting function built in the conventional video camera has no function for obtaining or setting the world standard time. For this reason, for example, when a video camera is provided with a communication function as described above and a server or the like is accessed via a network, information on the world standard time required for access cannot normally be transmitted. However, there is a problem that the server cannot be accessed, and for example, video mail cannot be performed by a single video camera.

  Also, if the time set by the time setting function of the video camera is used instead of the world standard time, if a time such as the vicinity of London, which is the standard for the world standard time, is set, that time is the world standard time. For example, if Japanese standard time is used instead of world standard time, a time difference of 9 hours (Japan standard time has a time difference of 9 hours relative to world standard time). Therefore, when sending / receiving mail delivered by the server via the network, there will be a 9 hour time difference in the time, and the time when the mail was sent / received will be accurate. There was a problem that could not be grasped.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and causes an information processing apparatus having an imaging function such as a video camera to calculate the world standard time, and further uses the calculated information of the accurate world standard time. Thus, the video camera itself can access the server through the network alone.

An imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit, a recording unit that records image data captured by the imaging unit, an input unit that inputs information based on a user operation, and the input unit is operated. Then, by setting the area information, based on the set area information, a time difference information setting means for setting time difference information with respect to the world standard time, a time set by the time setting means, and the time difference Based on the information set by the information setting means, the world standard time calculation means for generating the world standard time information, and the generated world together with the user authentication information required for communication with the outside via the network And communication means for transmitting standard time information to the outside.

A display means for displaying information, a determination means for determining that the time difference information is not set when communicating with the outside via the network by the communication means, and the time difference information is set by the determination means. If it is determined that there is not, control means for causing the display means to display information for prompting setting of information including the time difference information may be further provided during communication processing to the outside via the network. it can.

  Area information storage means for preliminarily storing a plurality of the area information and time difference information with respect to the world standard time for each area information can be further provided, and the time difference information setting means includes the area information storage means. Among the area information stored in advance, the area information selected by the input unit can be set.

  The world standard time calculation means may be configured to calculate the world standard time based on the area information selected from the input unit and time difference information with respect to the world standard time corresponding to the area information. .

  The time difference information may include summer time information.

An imaging method according to an aspect of the present invention is an imaging method of an imaging device including an input unit that inputs information based on a user operation, and includes imaging steps and image data captured by the processing of the imaging steps. A recording step of recording, a time difference information setting step of setting time difference information with respect to world standard time based on the set area information by operating the input unit and setting area information ; Based on the time set by the time setting step processing and the information set by the time difference information setting step processing, the world standard time calculation step for generating the world standard time information, and the outside via the network to include a communication step of transmitting the global standard time information the generated together with the authentication information of the user needs to communicate to the outside And butterflies.

In the imaging apparatus and method according to one aspect of the present invention, captured image data is recorded, information is input based on a user operation, time is set, and the input unit is operated to set area information. by being, based on the area information set, the time difference information with the world standard time is set, based on the set time and set information, the global standard time information is generated, the network The generated world standard time information is transmitted to the outside together with the user authentication information necessary for communication with the outside via the Internet .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to directly access the server via the network using the calculated world standard time information, and to exchange data directly with the server.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a video camera 1 according to the present invention. The imaging unit 11 includes an optical system such as a lens and an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The imaging unit 11 images a subject (not shown) and outputs a video signal to a built-in subsequent circuit. The EVF (Electric View Finder) 12 is for confirming the captured image, and confirms the image captured by the image capturing unit 11 displayed on a small display (not shown) built in when the user looks into the eye. can do. The EVF 12 is configured to be rotatable about a shaft 12a, and can be rotated in the direction of arrow A with respect to the housing 15 from the state shown in FIG. 1 and used at an angle desired by the user. can do.

  An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 13 displays an image picked up by the image pickup unit 11, and can rotate about an axis 13 a to an angle of about 90 ° with respect to the main body in the arrow B direction. When it is opened to approximately 90 ° with respect to the housing 15, it is further configured to be rotatable to approximately 180 ° in the direction of arrow B ′ around the shaft 13b. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the LCD 13 can be displayed outward with respect to the casing 15 of the video camera 1 and is stored toward the casing 15 when the LCD 13 is not used. be able to.

  The jog dial (rotary pressing operation element) 14 is provided at the bottom end of the housing 15 and can be rotated in the directions of arrows C and D around the shaft 14a as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, it can be pressed in the direction of the arrow E, and functions as a decision (selection) button by setting the jog dial 14b in FIG. Accordingly, the user selects various setting contents displayed on a setting screen displayed on the LCD 13 (to be described later) by rotating the jog dial 14 in the directions of arrows C and D, and further presses it in the direction of arrow E. Thus, the selected process can be determined and executed. The menu button 16 is provided on the side surface of the housing 15 and is pressed by the user when the setting screen is activated or finished.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the video camera of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The synthesis circuit 21 outputs the video signal input from the imaging unit 11 to the EVF 12, the LCD 13, and the VTR (Video Tape Recorder) unit 30, and is controlled by the setting screen display control unit 22, so that the switch 21a is turned on. Then, the video signals of various setting screens input from the setting screen display control unit 22 are combined with the video signals input from the imaging unit 11 and output to the EVF 12, the LCD 13, and the VTR unit 30.

  The setting screen display control unit 22 is controlled by the microcomputer 24, reads a video signal of a predetermined setting screen from the ROM 23, and outputs it to the synthesis circuit 21. The microcomputer 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24c, and controls the overall operation of the video camera 1. The CPU 24a is in the ROM 24b. Are stored in the RAM 24c as appropriate and executed. The microcomputer 24 reads the program recorded in the magneto-optical disk 311, the optical disk 312, the magneto-optical disk 313, and the semiconductor memory 314 mounted on the drive 301, develops them in the RAM 24 c, executes them, and executes various Record programs and data. Further, the microcomputer 24 stores various setting information, which will be described later, in the built-in RAM 24c, and appropriately reads and executes it. The real time clock 25 is controlled by the microcomputer 24 and counts the time set in the video camera 1 and is set by a date and time adjustment process described later.

  The storage unit 26 includes a so-called hard disk and stores area information 26a, a GMT program 26b, a network access program 26c, and the like. The area information 26a stores an area that is referred to when a date and time adjustment process described later is performed. In the area information 26a, an area name for each area and a time difference from the world standard time are stored. The GMT program b is a program for calculating the world standard time, that is, the Greenwich Mean Time, based on the current time obtained by the real time clock 25 for each area set by the date and time adjustment process and the time difference stored in the area information 26a. It is. The network access program 26 c is a program executed when the communication unit 29 is controlled to access the server 32 via the Internet 31.

  The battery 27 is composed of, for example, a lithium ion battery or the like, and supplies power to the entire video camera 1. The input unit 28 includes a jog dial 14, a menu button 16, and other operation buttons (not shown) (power on / off of the video camera 1, playback, stop, recording, pause, and eject for controlling the VTR unit 30. A signal inputted from a button for designating the process is outputted to the microcomputer 24. The communication unit 29 is composed of a modem or the like, is controlled by the microcomputer 24, accesses the server 32 via the Internet 31, and exchanges various data. The VTR unit 30 is controlled by the microcomputer 24 and records the video signal input from the synthesis circuit 21 on a video cassette tape, which is a recording medium (not shown), and reads the video signal stored on the video cassette tape, Output to EVF 12 or LCD 13 for display.

  Next, the setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the menu button 16 has been pressed via the input unit 28, and repeats the process until the menu button 16 is pressed. If it is determined that the menu button 16 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S2. Proceed to

  In step S <b> 2, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22 to send a command to display the menu screen stored in the ROM 23. At this time, the setting screen display control unit 22 reads the video signal of the menu screen from the ROM 23, further controls the switch 21 of the synthesis circuit 21 to be turned on, and outputs it to the EVF 12 and the LCD 13, as shown in FIG. The displayed menu display column 103 is displayed. In the menu display field 103 of FIG. 5, icons for selecting various operations are displayed, and the processing contents can be selected by a cursor 103 a that can be moved up and down by the jog dial 14.

  In step S3, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the icon indicating the initial setting in the menu display field 103 has been selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the jog dial 14 is operated in the directions of arrows C and D. Then, the cursor 103a provided on the menu display field 103 moves, and an icon indicating the initial setting (in this case, the seventh icon from the top of the menu display field 103 in FIG. 5 is an icon indicating the initial setting). In step S4, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22 to correspond to the initial setting list 101 as shown in FIG. The video signal to be read is read from the ROM 23, and the switch 21 a of the synthesis circuit 21 is turned on and displayed on the LCD 13. In this case, on the initial setting list 101 shown in FIG. 5, a “date and time adjustment” display field 101a, a “demo mode” display field, and a “return” display field 101b are displayed. Further, a time display field 102 is displayed on the right side of the initial setting list 101, and the current time is displayed. In this case, the time display field 102 displays “2000 5 30 11:23:59 PM”, and the current time is “May 30, 2000 11:23:59 PM”. It is shown. On the initial setting list 101, a cursor for displaying various displayed fields in reverse is displayed. This cursor can be moved up and down by rotating the jog dial 14 in the direction of arrow C or arrow D in FIG. 2, and various processes can be selected. Further, in the direction of arrow E in FIG. It can be determined by pressing and processing can be executed. In this case, the cursor is positioned in the date / time adjustment display field 101a. The cursor operation method is the same for the other setting screens.

  In step S5, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not “date and time adjustment” has been selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the cursor is moved by the jog dial 14 and the “date and time adjustment” display field 101a is selected ( If it is determined, the date / time adjustment process is executed in step S6.

  Here, the date and time adjustment processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S31, the microcomputer 24 controls the real time clock 25 to stop the time counting. In step S32, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22 to display the area setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the LCD 13 (the same video is also displayed on the EVF 12).

  On the area setting screen shown in FIG. 7, an area selection field 111 is displayed, and a desired area can be selected with the jog dial 14 from a plurality of areas registered in advance in the area information 26 a of the storage unit 26. In this case, “London, Edinburgh” is selected in the area setting screen. An area number display field 111 a is provided at the upper left of the area selection field 111, and a number corresponding to the area displayed in the area selection field 111 is displayed. In this case, “area 1” is displayed in the area number display column 111a, and the area number corresponding to “London, Edinburgh” selected in the area selection column 111 is “area 1”. ing. In this example, the number of areas registered in the area information 26a is 29. However, the number may be other than 29, and may be registered or unnecessary. The area may be deleted.

  A GMT time difference display field 112 is displayed at the upper right of the area selection field 111, and the time difference with respect to the world standard time is displayed. The time difference displayed in the GMT time difference display column 112 is registered in advance in the area information 26 a and is displayed corresponding to the area displayed in the area selection column 111. In this case, “GMT +0.0” is displayed in the GMT time difference display column 112, and the area of “London, Edinburgh” displayed in the area selection column 111 is the same as the world standard time, and the time difference is displayed. There is no time.

  Below the area selection column 111, there is provided a summer time selection column 113 for displaying whether or not summer time is in effect, and it is possible to select whether or not it is during summer time. In this case, “No” is displayed in the daylight saving time selection field 113, indicating that a state is not set during daylight saving time. A date / time selection field 114 is provided below the summer time selection field 113, and a set date / time can be set. In this case, the date / time selection field 114 includes “2000” in the year field, “5” in the month field, “30” in the day field, “11” in the time field where “hour” is displayed, “23” is displayed in the minute column and “PM” is displayed in the column indicating the morning and afternoon, respectively, indicating that the current time is 11:23 pm on May 30, 2000. Yes. The area selection field 111, the daylight saving time selection field 113, and the date / time selection field 114 are highlighted when they can be selected by the jog dial 14, that is, in an active state. In this case, it is indicated that the area selection column 111 is in an active state and is highlighted (display in which the background color in the column is different from the other columns).

  In step S33, the microcomputer 24 executes an area setting process.

  Here, the area setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S51, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22 to highlight the area selection field 111 as shown in FIG.

  In step S52, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the upper is input by the jog dial 14. For example, when it is detected that the jog dial 14 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. It is determined that the above is input, and the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the microcomputer 24 increments the area number in the plus direction according to the rotation angle of the jog dial 14, and further displays the corresponding area number in the area number display column 111a, and further corresponds to the area number. The area to be displayed is displayed in the area selection column 111. In this case, for example, when the jog dial 14 is rotated by incrementing the area number by 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the area display column 111 displays “Paris, Amsterdam” as the area number display column 111a. Shows “area 2”, and “GMT +1.0” is displayed in the GMT time difference display column 112, and the area corresponding to area 2 with the area number incremented by 1 is “Paris, Amsterdam”. There is a time difference of +1 hour with respect to the world standard time.

  In step S54, the microcomputer 24 calculates the current time corresponding to the time difference displayed in the GMT time difference display column 112 and displays it in the date / time selection column 114, and the process returns to step S52. That is, in this case, since the time difference is +1.0 hour, 1 hour was added to 11:23 pm on May 30, 2000, which is the date and time shown in the date and time selection column 114 in FIG. 12:23 am on May 31, 2000 is displayed in the date / time display column 114 of FIG.

  If the upper side is not input in step S52, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the lower side is input by the jog dial 14 in step S55. For example, the jog dial 14 is predetermined in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. When it is detected that the rotation has been rotated by the rotation angle, it is determined that the bottom is input, and the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the microcomputer 24 increments the area number in the minus direction according to the rotation angle of the jog dial 14, displays the corresponding area number in the area number display column 111a, and further displays the area corresponding to the area number. Is displayed in the area selection field 111, the process proceeds to step S54. For example, when the jog dial 14 is rotated by incrementing the area number by −1, as shown in FIG. 10, “Azores, Cabo Verte” is displayed in the area display column 111, and the area number display column 111 a is "Area 29" is displayed in the GMT time difference display column 112, "GMT -1.0" is displayed, and the area corresponding to the area 29 in which the area number is incremented by -1 is "Azores, Cabo Verte". , There is a time difference of −1 hour with respect to the world standard time.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the bottom has not been input, in step S57, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not a decision has been input by the jog dial 14. For example, no determination has been input, that is, the jog dial. If it is determined that 14 is not pressed in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2, the process returns to step S <b> 52 and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S57 that the decision has been input, in step S58, the microcomputer 24 returns the highlighted display of the area selection column 111 to the original display, and the process ends, and the process of step S34 in FIG. Proceed to processing.

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S34, the microcomputer 24 executes a summer time setting process.

  Here, the summer time setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S61, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22 so that the daylight saving time selection column 113 is displayed as "Yes" with the daylight saving time selection column 113a indicated as "No" as shown in FIG. The daylight saving time selection field 113b is displayed, and the selected state is highlighted. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, since the daylight saving time selection column 113a indicated as “No” is highlighted, a state that is not in the daylight saving time is selected.

  In step S <b> 62, the microcomputer 24 determines whether the jog dial 14 has been input to the upper side or the lower side. For example, if it is determined that the jog dial 14 has been rotated by a predetermined rotation angle in the direction of arrow C or arrow D in FIG. 2, in step S63, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22, The highlight display in the daylight saving time selection column 113 is changed, and the time displayed in the current date / time selection column 114 is changed and displayed according to whether or not the daylight saving time is in effect. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the highlight display of the daylight saving time selection column 113a indicated as “No” is changed to the daylight saving time selection column 113b indicated as “Yes”, and the date / time selection time column 114 is changed. The displayed time is changed to a time during daylight saving time, and from 11:23 pm on May 30, 2000, which is not in daylight saving time shown in FIG. 12, from May 31, 2000, which is in daylight saving time as shown in FIG. The display changes to 12:23 am. In the state shown in FIG. 13, when the jog dial 14 is operated in the same manner as described above, the reverse process is executed, and the time is changed from the time during summer time to the time not during summer time.

  In step S62, if up or down is not input, it is determined in step S64 whether or not a decision is input. If it is determined that no decision is input, the process returns to step S62. . If it is determined in step S64 that the decision has been input, in step S65, the microcomputer 24 returns the summer time selection field 113 to the original display, ends the processing, and proceeds to step S35 in FIG. That is, when the determination is input in the state of FIG. 12, as shown in FIG. 14, a state in which “No” is displayed in the daylight saving time selection column 113 is set, and the state is not in the daylight saving time, and the original display is displayed. Returned. Similarly, when the determination is input in the state of FIG. 13, the state of daylight saving time in which “Yes” is displayed is set in the daylight saving time selection column 113 as shown in FIG. Return to display.

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S35, the microcomputer executes a year setting process.

  Here, the year setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S <b> 71, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22 to display the year selection field 114 a in the date selection field 114 in an active display, that is, a highlight display. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the year setting process is executed in a state where the daylight saving time selection field 113 is “No”, that is, not in the daylight saving time, the number of years set so far, ie, “2000 "Is highlighted as shown in FIG.

  In step S72, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the upper is input by the jog dial 14. For example, when it is detected that the jog dial 14 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. It is determined that the top is input, and the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, the microcomputer 24 increments the number of years in the + direction according to the rotation angle of the jog dial 14, and further displays the corresponding number of years in the year selection field 114a. The processing returns to step S71. That is, in this case, since “2000” is displayed in the year selection field 114a, the display changes as 2001, 2002, 2003... According to the rotation angle of the jog dial 14.

  If the upper side is not input in step S72, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the lower side is input by the jog dial 14 in step S74. For example, the jog dial 14 is predetermined in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. When it is detected that the rotation has been rotated by the rotation angle, it is determined that the bottom is input, and the process proceeds to step S75.

  In step S75, the microcomputer 24 increments the area number in the-direction according to the rotation angle of the jog dial 14, displays the corresponding number of years in the year selection field 114a, and the process returns to step S71. That is, in this case, since “2000” is displayed in the year selection field 114a, the display changes to 1999, 1998, 1997... According to the rotation angle of the jog dial 14.

  If it is determined in step S74 that the lower part has not been input, in step S76, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the determination has been input by the jog dial 14, for example, the jog dial 14 is in the direction of arrow E in FIG. If it is determined that the button has not been pressed (decision is not input), the process returns to step S72, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S76 that the decision has been input, in step S77, the microcomputer 24 returns the highlighted display of the year selection column 114a to the original display, and the year displayed at that time is changed to the year selection column. At the same time, the process ends, and the process proceeds to step S36 in FIG.

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S36, a month setting process is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the month selection field 114 b of the date / time selection field 114 is highlighted and the month is set by the jog dial 14. In this case, “5” is displayed in the month selection field 114b, indicating that May is set. Note that the month setting process is set by the same process as the year setting process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S37, a day setting process is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the day selection field 114 c of the date / time selection field 114 is highlighted and the date is set by the jog dial 14. In this case, “30” is displayed in the day selection field 114c, indicating that 30 days are set. The day setting process is set by the same process as the year setting process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S38, a time setting process is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the time selection field 114 d of the date / time selection field 114 is highlighted and the time is set by the jog dial 14. In this case, “11” is displayed in the time selection field 114d, indicating that 11:00 is set. Depending on the setting of the time selection field 114d, “AM” is displayed at the right end in the morning, and “PM” is displayed at the right end of the date / time selection field 114 in the afternoon. In this case, “PM” is displayed, indicating that it is afternoon. Note that the time setting process is set by the same process as the year setting process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S39, the minute setting process is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, the minute selection field 114 e of the date / time selection field 114 is highlighted and the minute is set by the jog dial 14. In this case, “23” is displayed in the minute selection field 114e, indicating that 23 minutes are set. The minute setting process is set by the same process as the year setting process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S40, the microcomputer 24 controls the real-time clock 25, starts counting time from the set time, displays the initial setting screen on which the initial setting list 101 shown in FIG. The selected area (including the corresponding time difference information stored in the area information 26a) and setting information as to whether or not summer time is in effect are stored in the built-in RAM 24c. The process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. When the count of the real time clock 25 is started, the second of the current time is set to 0 at the start of the count.

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S7, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the return display column 101b is selected by the jog dial 14, and if it is determined that the return display column 101b is not selected, the process returns to step S4 and returns. If it is determined that the display column 101b has been selected, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the jog dial 14 is operated and the cursor 103a is moved to another position from the menu display field 103 on the setting screen and is selected (determined). If is selected, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S <b> 9, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen display control unit 22 to display an “other” setting screen as shown in FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 21, the “other” setting screen displays the other setting list 131 and various setting items. In this case, the icon indicating the setting of “others” is the eighth icon from the top in the figure on the menu display field 103. The other setting list 131 includes an area setting display field 131a, a daylight saving time display field 131b, a notification buzzer display field, a remote control display field, a date recording display field, a screen display display field, a recording lamp display field, and a network access display from the top. A column 131c and a return display column are displayed, and various setting processes can be selected. Here, only area setting, daylight saving time setting, and network access processing related to time information will be described.

  In step S10, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not the area setting display field 131a has been selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, when the area setting display field 131a is selected and determined by the jog dial 14, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, an area setting process is executed. This area setting process is the same as the process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, but the display screen is different. Therefore, the description of the process is omitted, and the display screen will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the area setting display column 131a is highlighted by the jog dial 14, the area number display column 132 is displayed at the upper right of the screen, and in this case, “area 1” is displayed. Below that, an area display column 133 is displayed. In this case, “London, Edinburgh” is displayed. Below that, a GMT time difference display column 133a is displayed, and in conjunction with the area display column 133, the time difference from the corresponding world standard time is displayed. In this case, “GMT +0.0” is displayed. It is shown that there is no time difference from the world standard time. Furthermore, a date / time display column 134 is displayed below the date / time set by the date / time adjustment process in the initial setting. In this case, the date / time display column 134 indicates that the current time is “11:23:59 PM on May 30, 2000”.

  In this state, when a decision is input by the jog dial 14, that is, when the area setting display field 131a is selected, an area selection field 141 is displayed as shown in FIG. 22, and a GMT time difference display field 141a is displayed on the upper right thereof. Is displayed, and an area number display column 141b is displayed at the upper left. These correspond to the area selection column 111, the area number display column 111a, and the GMT time difference display column 112 in FIG. A date display column 142 is displayed at the lower left of the area selection column 141, and this corresponds to the date display column 114 in FIG.

  In this case, “London, Edinburgh” is displayed in the area selection column 141, “GMT +0.0” is displayed in the GMT time difference display column 141a, and “Area 1” is displayed in the area number display column 141b. In the column 142, “May 30, 2000 11:23:59 PM” is displayed. The difference from the initial setting is that the processing is performed in a state where the time count is not stopped, and the unit of the second is displayed in the date / time display column 142. That is, based on the time set at the time of initial setting, for example, when the user has a video camera 1 and goes on a trip abroad, only the area setting is changed without stopping the time counting, It is possible to set the time zone of the country where you have traveled abroad.

  Since only the area display column 141 can be set on the display screen of FIG. 22, only the area display column 141 is highlighted. In this state, for example, when the jog dial 14 is rotated upward (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2) by an angle corresponding to incrementing by 1 for the area number, as shown in FIG. Is displayed, “Paris, Amsterdam” is displayed, and “GMT +1.0” indicating that the time difference is +1 hour is displayed in the GMT time difference display column 141a. The display is processed corresponding to this time difference, and indicates “May 31, 2000 12:23:59”. That is, for example, when the date and time adjustment is performed in London with the video camera 1 being held in Paris and this operation is performed in Paris, this process can cope with the time difference without executing the date and time adjustment according to the initial setting. The date and time display can be changed. Further, when the area number is rotated by an angle corresponding to incrementing by -1, the display of the area selection column 141 is changed to display “Azores, Caboberte” as shown in FIG. In the time difference display column 141a, “GMT-1.0” indicating that the time difference is −1 hour is displayed, and the display of the date / time display column 142 is processed for the time difference, and “2000 May 30, 10:23:59 pm ". That is, for example, when the date and time adjustment is performed in London with the video camera 1 held and performed in Azores, this process can cope with the time difference without executing the date and time adjustment according to the initial setting. The date and time display can be changed.

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not return is selected. For example, if return is not selected, the process returns to step S9.

  If the area setting display field 131a is not selected in step S10, it is determined in step S13 whether the summer time display field 131b is selected. If it is determined that the summer time display field 131b is selected, in step S14. After executing the summer time setting process, the process proceeds to step S12. This daylight saving time setting process is the same as the process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, but the display screen is different. Therefore, the description of the process is omitted, and the display screen will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the daylight saving time display field 131b is highlighted by the jog dial 14, the summer time selection field 151 is displayed at the upper right of the display screen, and the current daylight saving time setting is displayed. Further, in this state, when the jog dial 14 is pressed in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2, the daylight saving time selection field 151 displays “No” as shown in FIG. 26, and “Yes” is displayed. "Is displayed in the daylight saving time selection field 151b displayed, and a highlight display indicating that the daylight saving time can be set is performed. In this case, the daylight saving time selection field 151a in which “No” is displayed is highlighted. In this state, when the jog dial 14 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle in the arrow C direction or the arrow D direction in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 27, the summer time selection field 151b in which “Yes” is displayed becomes high. Light is displayed. At this time, since daylight saving time is set, in FIG. 26, the date / time display column 134 displays "May 30, 2000 11:23:59", but daylight saving time is set. As a result, as shown in FIG. 27, the date / time display column 134 is changed to a display indicating “12:23:59 am on May 31, 2000”. In this state, when the jog dial 14 is pressed in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 2, that is, when the summer time selection field 151b displayed as “Yes” is selected, the summer time is in effect as shown in FIG. Is set.

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the summer time setting display 131b is not selected in step S13, it is determined in step S15 whether or not network access is selected. In step S15, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, when the network access display field 131c is highlighted by the jog dial 14 and further selected, network access processing is executed in step S16.

  Here, the network access processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S81, the microcomputer 24 activates the network access program 26c and causes the LCD 13 to display a network access processing display screen as shown in FIG. In the upper part of the display screen, a login name input field 161 is displayed. In the highlighted state, the login name character can be input by the jog dial 14 or other buttons (not shown). A password input field 162 is provided below the login name input field 161, and the password can be input using the jog dial 14 or other buttons (not shown). A login button 163 is provided at the lower left of the password input field 162, and can be selected and pressed by the jog dial 14 when the user requests login. A cancel button 164 is provided at the lower right of the password input field 162. When canceling the process, the user can select and press the jog dial 14 by operating it. When the login name input field 161, password input field 162, login button 163, and cancel button 164 are selected by the jog dial 14, they are highlighted and can be input.

  In step S82, the network access program 26c determines whether or not a login request has been made. For example, a predetermined login name and password are input to the login name input field 161 and the password input field 162, and the login button 163 is displayed. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S83.

  In step S83, the network access program 26c determines whether the date and time are set. More specifically, the network access program 26c determines whether or not setting information (area information (time difference), information on whether or not summer time is in effect) is recorded in the RAM 24c of the microcomputer 24. In step S83, for example, when it is determined that the date and time are not set, in step S84, the network access program 26c displays a screen requesting the date and time setting as shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 32, “Please adjust the date and time with the menu” is displayed at the center of the screen, and the date and time adjustment button 171 and the cancel button 172 are displayed at the lower left. The

  In step S85, the network access program 26c determines whether or not the date / time adjustment button 171 has been pressed. If it is determined that the date / time adjustment button 171 has been pressed, date / time adjustment processing is executed in step S86. Note that the date and time adjustment process in step S86 is the same as the process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S87, the network access program 26c executes the GMT program 26b on the basis of the area information (time difference) stored in the RAM 24c, whether or not summer time is in effect, and the real-time clock 25 information. After calculating the world standard time, the communication unit 29 is controlled, and the input login name and password are transmitted as authentication information to the server 32 via the Internet 31, and a response from the server 32 is received.

  That is, the GMT program 26b adds a time difference value to the current time set in the real-time clock 25, and further obtains the world standard time based on information on whether or not summer time is in effect.

  At this time, if authentication is permitted together with the authentication result, the server 32 transmits menu information of a program executable by the server 32 via the Internet 31.

  In step S88, the network access program 26c determines whether or not the authentication result from the server 32 has been approved. If the network access program 26c determines that the authentication has been approved, in step S90, based on the menu information received from the server 32, A menu screen for network processing is displayed in FIG. That is, a mail button 181, an Internet search button 182, and a return button 183 are displayed on the network processing menu screen shown in FIG. When the mail button 181 is selected by the jog dial 14 and pressed, a mail program is executed. When the Internet search button 182 is pressed by the jog dial 14, an Internet search engine program is executed. When the return button 183 is pressed by the jog dial 14, the network access process is terminated.

  In step S90, various processes executed by pressing the mail button 181 and the Internet search button 182 are executed as network processes. As network processing, processing other than the above mail and Internet search may be performed.

  In step S91, the network access program 26c determines whether or not the return button 183 has been pressed, and repeats the process until it is pressed. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process ends, and the step of FIG. The process returns to S12.

  If there is no login request in step S82, that is, if the cancel button 164 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step S12 in FIG. If it is determined in step S83 that the date and time have been set, the processes in steps S4 to S6 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S8. If the date / time adjustment button 171 is not pressed in step S85, that is, if the cancel button 172 is pressed, the process proceeds to the process of step S12 in FIG. In step S88, when the authentication is not approved, the process returns to step S81, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the initial setting has not been selected, the processes in steps S4 to S7 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S8. If the date / time adjustment is not selected in step S5, it is determined in step S18 whether the demo mode is selected. If it is determined that the demo mode is selected, the demo mode process is executed in step S19. The process returns to step S4. The demonstration mode process is to display a demonstration of the operation, but the description of the process is omitted here. If the demo mode is not selected in step S18, the process returns to step S4. If return is not selected in step S7, the process returns to step S4. If no other item is selected in step S8, it is determined in step S17 whether or not the menu button 16 is pressed. If the menu button 16 is pressed, the process returns to step S1 and the menu button 16 is pressed. If is not pressed, the process returns to step S3.

  If return is selected in step S12, the process proceeds to step S17. If network access is not selected in step S15, the process returns to step S9.

  As described above, when the video camera 1 to which the present invention is applied exchanges data with the server 32 via a network such as the Internet 31, information on the world standard time required together with the authentication information is obtained for each area. Time difference information, whether it is during daylight saving time, and the set current time can be calculated, so that the video camera 1 itself can receive the VTR by sending it to the server 32 together with the authentication information at the time of access. Data recorded in the unit 30 or the like can be directly exchanged with the server 32.

  In the above example, various kinds of information are input to the input unit 28 by the jog dial 14, but other input elements may be used. For example, a selection button 191 as shown in FIG. You may make it provide in. This selection button 191 includes an upper button 201, a lower button 202, a left button 203, a right button 204, and a determination button 205. In various processes, in addition to the upper and lower information, Information and decision information can be entered.

  According to the above, since the video camera can calculate the world standard time from the current time based on the information on the time difference for each area and the information on whether or not the daylight saving time is in effect, Using the information, the server can be directly accessed via the network, and the video camera itself can directly exchange data with the server.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processes is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, this recording medium is provided not only to the storage unit 26 in which the program is recorded, but also to the user separately from the computer. A magnetic disk 311 (including a flexible disk), an optical disk 312 (including a CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory), a DVD (digital versatile disk)), an optical disk, etc., on which programs are recorded. It is configured by a package medium including a magnetic disk 313 (including MD (Mini-Disk)) or a semiconductor memory 314 (including Memory Stick).

  In this specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series in the order described, but of course, it is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is included.

1 is an external view of a video camera showing a configuration of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure explaining the jog dial of FIG. It is a figure explaining the electrical structure of the video camera of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining a setting process. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining a date adjustment process. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining an area setting process. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining a summer time setting process. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining a year setting process. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining a network access process. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the setting screen displayed on LCD of FIG. It is the figure which showed the selection button used instead of the jog dial of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  13 LCD, 14 Jog dial, 15 Case, 16 Menu button, 21 Composition circuit, 22 Setting screen display section, 23 ROM, 24 Microcomputer, 25 Real time clock, 26 Storage section, 26a Area information, 26b GMT program, 26c Network access Program, 29 Communication unit, 31 Internet, 32 Server, 101 Initial setting list, 101a Date / time adjustment display column, 102 Date / time display column, 103 Menu display column, 111 area display column, 111a area number display column, 112 GMT time difference display column, 113 daylight saving time selection field, 114 date and time selection field, 114a year selection field, 114b month selection field, 114c day selection field, 114d time selection field, 114e minute selection field, 131 other setting list, 131a area setting display field, 131b daylight saving time display field, 131c network access display field, 132 area number display field, 133 area display field, 133a GMT time difference display field, 134 date and time display field, 141 area selection field, 141a GMT time difference display field, 141b area number display field, 151, 151a, 151b Daylight saving time selection field, 161 Login name input field, 162 Password input field, 163 Login button, 164 Cancel button

Claims (6)

Imaging means;
Recording means for recording image data picked up by the image pickup means;
An input unit for inputting information based on a user operation;
Time setting means for setting time by the input unit;
By operating the input unit and setting area information, based on the set area information, time difference information setting means for setting time difference information with respect to world standard time ,
World standard time calculation means for generating the world standard time information based on the time set by the time setting means and the information set by the time difference information setting means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: communication means for transmitting the generated world standard time information to the outside together with the user authentication information necessary for communication with the outside via a network . Display means for displaying information;
Determining means for determining that the time difference information is not set when communicating with the outside via the network by the communication means ;
When the time-difference information is determined not to be set by the determination means, information for prompting the setting of information including the time-difference information is displayed on the display means during communication processing to the outside via the network . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit. A plurality of area information and area information storage means for storing in advance time difference information with respect to the world standard time for each area information;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time difference information setting unit sets area information selected by the input unit among area information stored in advance by the area information storage unit. The imaging according to claim 3, wherein the world standard time calculation means calculates the world standard time based on the area information selected from the input unit and time difference information with respect to the world standard time corresponding to the area information. apparatus. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time difference information includes summer time information. In an imaging method of an imaging device including an input unit that inputs information based on a user operation,
Imaging step;
A recording step of recording image data captured by the processing of the imaging step;
A time setting step of setting time by the input unit;
A time difference information setting step for setting time difference information with respect to world standard time based on the set area information by operating the input unit and setting area information ;
Based on the time set by the time setting step and the information set by the time difference information setting step, the world standard time calculation step generates the world standard time information;
And a communication step of transmitting the generated world standard time information together with the user authentication information necessary for communication with the outside via a network .

Images