JP5451203B2 - Image recording apparatus and image recording method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal such as a moving image signal on a random access recording medium such as a hard disk, a memory card, or a DVD is known.

  Further, for example, in a home HDD / DVD recorder, TV program data for a predetermined period (tens of minutes to several hours) immediately before is stored in a part of the HDD. Some of them have a function of enabling the stored TV program data to be viewed later even if the user misses the program. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

JP 2003-348514 A

  As described above, the HDD / DVD recorder repeatedly records the data of the television program received immediately before in a partial area of the HDD. On the other hand, some video cameras do not have a built-in HDD, unlike home HDD / DVD recorders. In such a video camera, there is a problem that a scene missed before the start of shooting cannot be recorded.

In view of this, in a video camera, it is considered to repeatedly store a moving image immediately before the start of photographing in a built-in memory such as a DRAM.
However, it can be recorded in the memory for a few seconds at most, and it cannot be done for several minutes to several tens of minutes.
In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can prevent a user from taking a desired scene and that is easy for the user to use.

The image recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording unit that records a moving image signal on a recording medium, and is an empty area of the recording medium in response to an instruction to start repetitive recording of the moving image signal by controlling the recording unit. When the recording of the moving image signal is started in the predetermined recording area, and there is no free space in the predetermined recording area between the start of recording in the predetermined recording area and the instruction to stop recording. Repetitive recording , overwriting the video signal already recorded in the predetermined recording area with a new video signal , and repeatedly recording the video signal over the predetermined area until recording is instructed. and control means for executing, wherein, wherein, when the recording medium is a recording medium of write-once, the even been instructed to start the repetitive recording, the video signal by said recording means Characterized in that so as not to perform the repetitive recording.

  According to the present invention, since a moving image signal is repeatedly recorded in a predetermined recording area of a recording medium, it is possible to prevent a user's desired scene from being recorded and missed. Further, it is possible to prevent a recording failure on the write-once recording medium.

It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of a video camera. It is a figure which shows the mode of the memory at the time of pre-recording. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a pre-recording function. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a loop recording function. It is a figure explaining the file image of a loop recording function. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of loop recording. It is a figure which shows a warning screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of loop recording. It is a figure which shows a warning screen.

<Video camera configuration>
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital video camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a video camera of this embodiment. Reference numeral 101 denotes a lens unit, which is a correction lens having both a function of correcting a concatenated position moved by the movement of a fixed lens group for focusing, a variable power lens group, a diaphragm, and a variable power lens group and a function of performing focus adjustment Composed of groups. Reference numeral 102 denotes an image sensor that images a subject and outputs a moving image signal. A camera signal processing circuit 103 performs predetermined image processing on the moving image signal output from the image sensor 102.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a microcomputer that controls the entire system. A flash ROM 108 stores a program executed by the microcomputer 109, various parameters, and the like.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a memory, which is a volatile storage medium that is used as a work area by the microcomputer 109, the compression circuit 104 to be described later, and temporarily accumulates moving image signals. Reference numeral 107 denotes a bus. Reference numeral 104 denotes a compression circuit. In this embodiment, the moving image signal is compressed by the MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 2) system. The microcomputer 109 controls the compression circuit 104 to repeatedly store the compressed moving image signal in a predetermined area for repeated storage set in the memory 111 (to perform cyclic recording for cyclic image recording). Is possible. This repeated storage process will be described later.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a memory card interface (card I / F). The card I / F 112 includes a mechanism for loading and unloading the memory card 113 and a writing / reading unit for writing / reading data to / from the memory card 113. The card I / F 112 transmits / receives various commands and data via the bus 107. Reference numeral 113 denotes a memory card. A user (user) can detachably attach the memory card 113 to and from the video camera 100 main body and can be easily exchanged.
When the memory card 113 is inserted and ejected, the card I / F 112 notifies the microcomputer 109 of that fact. Further, when the memory card 113 is inserted, the microcomputer 109 communicates with the memory card 113 to determine whether the inserted card is a card that can be repeatedly recorded or a write-once memory card.

  In this embodiment, the moving image signal generated by the compression circuit 104 is recorded in the memory card 113 according to a predetermined file system compatible with the microcomputer 109 such as a FAT file system. The memory card 113 includes a flash memory and a write / read controller. The memory card 113 is provided with a write inhibit switch (not shown). The user can prevent data from being written to the memory card 113 by the card I / F 112 by operating the write prohibit switch. Further, when the write prohibition setting is made, the memory card 113 transmits a response indicating that the write prohibition is made in response to the inquiry from the microcomputer 109 via the card I / F 112.

  A display control unit 105 displays a moving image signal from the camera signal processing circuit 103 on the liquid crystal panel 106 at the time of shooting, and displays a moving image signal read from the memory card 113 at the time of reproduction. In addition, the display control unit 105 displays various menu screens, information such as titles and times on a moving image in a multiplexed manner. Reference numeral 106 denotes a liquid crystal panel. Although not particularly shown, a microphone unit, a speaker, and an external output path are also provided for audio and compressed and decompressed together with the image. Audio data is also multiplexed with the compressed video data.

An operation switch group 110 includes various operation members such as a power switch, a switch for instructing start / stop of recording, a reproduction button, a menu button, and the like, and functions as an operation input unit. By operating these operation members, the user can instruct recording start / stop, reproduction, or various functions of moving images.
Next, basic recording and playback processing of the video camera 100 will be described.
First, photographing and recording processing will be described.
When power is turned on by the operation switch group 110, the microcomputer 109 controls each unit and sets the video camera 100 to the shooting mode. In the shooting mode, the moving image signal obtained by the image sensor 102 is processed by the camera signal processing circuit 103, displayed on the liquid crystal panel 106 by the display control unit 105, and enters a recording standby state. In such a recording standby state, when the user gives an instruction to start shooting with the operation switch group 110 while watching the moving image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 106, the microcomputer 109 controls each unit and transmits the moving image signal to the memory card 113. Start recording. When the user operates the operation switch group 110 to instruct to stop shooting, the recording of the moving image signal to the memory card 113 is stopped. In the present embodiment, a series of moving image signals recorded between a recording start instruction and a recording stop instruction is managed as one moving image file. In addition, the microcomputer 109 generates and records management information for managing a moving image signal file and other necessary additional information in the memory card 113.

Next, processing during reproduction will be described.
When the user operates the operation switch group 110 to instruct switching to the playback mode, the microcomputer 109 controls each unit and reads any moving image file from the moving image signals recorded on the memory card 113. The reproduced moving image signal is decoded by the compression circuit 104, and the reproduced moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 106 by the display control unit 105.

In the present embodiment, the thumbnail image list screen of the moving image files recorded on the memory card 113 can be displayed when the user operates the operation switch group 110 in the playback mode. When a list display of thumbnail images is instructed, the microcomputer 109 controls each unit to generate a thumbnail image of a moving image file recorded on the memory card 113 and display it on the liquid crystal panel 106. In this embodiment, at the time of shooting a moving image, the compression circuit 104 generates the first screen at the start of shooting as thumbnail image data and records it on the memory card 113 together with the moving image file.
The user selects a thumbnail of a desired moving image from among the thumbnails displayed on the list screen and instructs playback. The microcomputer 109 controls each unit and reproduces the designated moving image file.

Next, the pre-recording function will be described.
The present embodiment has a pre-record function that repeatedly stores, in the memory 111, a moving image signal captured in a predetermined period immediately before an instruction to start shooting in the shooting mode. The user can arbitrarily set whether or not to execute the pre-recording function by operating the operation switch group 110. When the pre-recording function is set, the moving image signal output from the camera signal processing circuit 103 is compressed by the compression circuit 104, and the moving image signal for a predetermined period is repeatedly stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 111. . Then, when there is an instruction to start shooting, the moving image signal for a predetermined period stored in the memory 111 at that time is read from the head and recorded in the memory card 113. After that, the writing and reading of the compressed moving image signal is continuously repeated with respect to the memory card 113, and when there is an instruction to stop shooting, the screen is recorded to the memory card 113 until the stop instruction is given, and the recording is stopped. To do. Then, while the moving image signal is stored in the memory 111, the next imaging start instruction is awaited.
According to such a pre-recording function, a moving image from a predetermined period before the user gives an instruction to start photographing can be recorded on the memory card 113.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the compression circuit 104 repeatedly stores the compressed moving image signal in the memory 111 when the pre-recording function is set. As described above, in this embodiment, a predetermined area (address) in the memory 111 is set as a storage area for the pre-recording function.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 202 denotes a moving image signal repetitive storage area. The repeated storage area 202 has a head address of 0x00001000 and a final address of 0x02000FFF. In the present embodiment, an area in which the compressed moving image signal can be stored for about several seconds, for example, about 5 seconds, is repeatedly set as the storage area.

The compression circuit 104 sequentially stores moving image signals compressed from the top of the repeated storage area 202 toward the final address. When the last address is stored, the head address is returned to and stored again. In FIG. 2, when the current write address is 0x17FFFFF, the data of 0x17FFFFF is the latest data, and the data recorded at the immediately preceding address is the oldest data.
Each time the compression circuit 104 stores a compressed moving image signal for one frame in the memory 111, the compression circuit 104 notifies the microcomputer 109 of information on the head address. As a result, the microcomputer 109 can confirm the address of the memory 111 where the moving image of a predetermined frame before the present is stored.
When the pre-record function is activated by a user operation, the compression circuit 104 starts the compression operation of the moving image signal and starts writing the compressed moving image signal in the repeated storage area 202 of the memory 111. However, at this stage, the moving image signal stored in the memory 111 is not recorded in the memory card 113. Therefore, in the recording stop state, the moving image signal for the immediately preceding predetermined period is always accumulated in the repeated storage area 202.

Here, when an instruction to start shooting is given by the user, reading from a moving image signal before a predetermined period stored in the memory 111 is started, and recording to the memory card 113 is started.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the state of the moving image signal stored in the memory 111 when an instruction to start shooting is given.
In FIG. 3, if there is an instruction to start shooting when data is stored up to the address indicated by 301, the moving image signal from the storage address 302 of the moving image signal before that predetermined period, for example, 3 seconds before in this embodiment. Is read and recorded in the memory card 113. The microcomputer 109 receives the shooting instruction and instructs the card I / F 112 to read and record the moving image signal from the address where the current moving image signal three seconds before is stored. Reference numeral 303 denotes a compressed moving image signal for 3 seconds before an instruction to start shooting. In the present embodiment, in the pre-recording function, the user can arbitrarily set the number of seconds before the shooting instruction to be recorded in the memory card 113 between 1 second and 5 seconds before.

Next, the loop recording function will be described.
The loop function is a function for recording a moving image signal from the current predetermined period on the memory card 113. When the user operates the operation switch group 110 to instruct start of loop recording, the microcomputer 109 controls each unit and starts the compression operation of the moving image signal by the compression circuit 104. Then, the compressed moving image signal is sequentially written into the memory card 113. At this time, the microcomputer 109 controls the card I / F 112 to sequentially record the moving image signal in the empty area of the memory card 113. When there is no more empty area, the microcomputer 109 again sets the address at which the loop recording is started in the memory card 113. Return and overwrite the video signal.

Such processing is repeated until the user operates the operation switch group 110 to instruct to stop recording. When there is an instruction to stop recording after the start of recording, the microcomputer 109 stores the moving image signals from the time point of the instruction to stop recording to a predetermined period before the card I / F 112 in the memory card 113 as they are. Instruct. In the present embodiment, for example, in the case of loop recording, a moving image signal up to 30 minutes before the recording stop instruction is recorded in the memory card 113, and the recording area of the moving image signal before 30 minutes is Manage as free space.
However, there may be a case where a moving image signal for a predetermined period cannot be recorded in an empty area of the memory card 113. In this case, in this embodiment, the loop recording is prohibited as described later.

  In FIG. 4, 401 indicates a recording area of the memory card 113. Reference numeral 401a denotes an already recorded area of data such as a moving image signal, and 401b denotes an empty area. When there is an instruction to start loop recording, moving image signals are sequentially recorded in the empty area 401b. When there is no more free space, as shown by the arrow 402, the loop recording is started and overwritten. .

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of the memory card 113 when loop recording is stopped. In FIG. 5, when there is an instruction to stop recording at the time of 501, the moving image signal recorded in the area 401 c from the recording stop time to 502 which is the recording address of the moving image signal for a predetermined period, for example, 30 minutes before, is displayed. The data is recorded in the memory card 113 as it is. Then, a part of the free area 401b other than the area 401c is managed again as a free area.

  Although I didn't touch the file system to simplify the explanation, it is actually managed according to the file system. In the FAT file system, a predetermined number of sectors are managed as a cluster, and the recording position of the file is managed by recording this chain. Therefore, the recording area is not neatly filled as shown in FIG. 4, but when empty areas are dispersed, recording is performed at skipped positions (clusters).

As described above, during loop recording, a moving image signal is repeatedly recorded in an empty area of the memory card 113.
Here, the memory card 113 is considered. In the present embodiment, in addition to a rewritable memory card that can repeatedly overwrite data, a write-once memory card that can be written only once can be attached to record a moving image signal.
Therefore, when loop recording is performed in a state where a write-once memory card is mounted, all data is recorded in the empty area, and the recorded data cannot be overwritten.

  For this reason, if the user executes a loop recording function with a write-once memory card attached, unintended data is recorded, and the data cannot be erased or overwritten, so the recording medium is wasted. It can be considered. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the memory card mounted on the card I / F 112 is a write-once memory card, the loop recording function is not executed.

Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the video camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The process of FIG. 6 is executed by the microcomputer 109 controlling each unit.
When there is an instruction for loop recording, the processing starts (step S601). First, in step S602, it is determined whether or not the memory card 113 is attached. If the memory card 113 is attached, the process proceeds to step S603, and if not, the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S603, it is determined whether writing to the memory card 113 is permitted or prohibited. If the result of this determination is that it is permitted, the process proceeds to step S605, and if it is not permitted, the process proceeds to step S604. In the determination in step S603, the determination is made based on the state of the write inhibit switch described above.

  Step S604 is a recording prohibition process. When there is no memory card 113 or when writing is prohibited, recording of a moving image signal to the memory card 113 is prohibited.

  In step S605, in order to determine whether or not there is an empty area (unused area) with a predetermined capacity, capacity acquisition for acquiring the remaining capacity that is the capacity of the unused area of the recording medium is performed. If the result of this determination is that the free space of the predetermined capacity is less than or equal to the predetermined, the process proceeds to step S606, and if it is less than the predetermined capacity, the process proceeds to step S608. This determination is to determine whether or not there is a free capacity necessary for executing the loop recording function. A function that can be set by the user may be provided in the free space of the predetermined capacity.

  In step S606, whether the memory card 113 mounted on the card I / F 112 is a write-once recording medium (write-once medium) on which the mounted recording medium can be recorded only once. Alternatively, the recording medium determination is performed to determine whether the recording medium is a rewritable recording medium (write-once recording medium) that can be repeatedly rewritten. As a result of this determination, if the medium is a write-once medium, the process proceeds to step S608; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S607.

  Step S607 is processing for permitting the loop recording function. In this process, the moving image signal is repeatedly recorded on the memory card 113 until the recording stop is instructed in the empty area acquired in step S606, that is, in the range of the acquired remaining capacity. Note that the present embodiment has a recording capacity designation function for designating a repeated recording period (capacity) during loop recording. Step S608 is processing for prohibiting the loop recording function. When recording is prohibited (transition from step S604), when there is no free space of a predetermined capacity (transition from step S605), and when it is a write-once medium that can be recorded only once (transition from step S606) ) Prohibits the loop recording function.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 106 when the loop recording function is prohibited in step S608.
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes an example of a display screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 106 or the like. Reference numeral 702 denotes a bitmap display superimposed on the display control unit 105. The bitmap display 702 is a display notifying that the loop recording function is prohibited, and displays a character string display of “loop recording prohibited” and “write once” as a factor thereof. Since the display of “Write Once” is a factor, it is replaced and displayed when there is a lack of capacity or recording is prohibited.

  As described above, the loop recording function is a function for recording moving image signals from before the current predetermined period by repeatedly recording moving image signals in an empty area of the memory card 113. On the other hand, write-once media can be recorded only once, and an area once recorded cannot be overwritten. Therefore, in order to exclude this combination, the determination in step S606 and the processing in step S607 or step S608 are performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since a loop recording function for repeatedly recording a moving image signal is provided in an empty area of a recording medium, a desired scene is not missed. In addition, it is possible to repeatedly record a moving image for a longer period compared to a pre-recording function that repeatedly records a moving image in a built-in memory.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a write-once medium is attached, the loop recording function is prohibited, so that it is possible to prevent a failure to record a useless moving image signal on the write-once medium.
In the present embodiment, the configuration using a memory card as the recording medium has been described. However, for example, a recording medium such as a disk medium can also be used.

(Second Embodiment)
Another embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing that is a feature of the present embodiment. The processing in FIG. 8 is realized by the microcomputer 109 controlling each unit.
When the process is started in step S801, it is determined in step S802 whether or not the memory card 113 attached to the card I / F 112 is a write-once medium. As a result of the determination, if the medium is a write-once medium, the process proceeds to step S804. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S803. Step S803 is a process for operating the loop recording function, and step S804 is a process for operating the pre-recording. When the process of step S803 or step S804 ends, the process proceeds to step S805 to perform end processing.

  By such a series of processes, when a loop recording function that requires repeated recording is selected even though the write-once medium is inserted, the pre-record function using the memory 111 is activated instead of the loop recording function. be able to.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a warning screen when the loop recording function is prohibited and changed to the pre-recording function.
In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes an example of a display screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 106 and the like, as in FIG. Similarly to FIG. 7, reference numeral 902 denotes a bitmap display superimposed by the display control unit 105.

  A bitmap display 902 is a display for notifying that the loop recording function is prohibited, and displays a character string display of “loop recording prohibited” and “write once” as a factor thereof. Since the display of “Write Once” is a factor, it is replaced and displayed when there is a lack of capacity or recording is prohibited. In addition, “change to pre-record” is displayed to indicate that it is changed to pre-record.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically switch to the pre-record function when the loop recording function is selected during the write-once media. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, even with a write-once medium, it is possible to record a moving image signal a predetermined time before the recording start timing on the recording medium. It is possible to prevent escape.

(Another embodiment according to the present invention)
Each means constituting the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices. Moreover, you may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  In the present invention, a software program for executing each step in the above-described recording method is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. In the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 is supplied. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Various recording media can be used as a recording medium for supplying the program. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD- R).

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. Also, the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

100 video camera, 101 lens unit, 102 image sensor, 103 camera signal processing circuit, 104 compression circuit, 105 display control unit, 106 liquid crystal panel, 107 bus, 108 flash ROM, 109 microcomputer, 110 operation switch group, 111 memory, 112 card I / F, 113 memory card

Claims (6)

Recording means for recording a moving image signal on a recording medium;
The recording means by controlling the in accordance with an instruction of the start of the repetitive recording of the video signal, said on a predetermined recording area is a free area of the recording medium to start recording the video signal, the recording of the predetermined If there is no free space in the predetermined recording area between the start of recording in the area and the instruction to stop recording, the video signal already recorded in the predetermined recording area is overwritten with a new video signal. , until the recording stop instruction, and it records the override video signals repeated for the predetermined area, and a control means for executing repetitive recording,
Wherein, wherein, when the recording medium is a recording medium of write-once, the even instruction to start repeated recording is made, possible to not execute the repetitive recording of the video signal by said recording means An image recording apparatus. Wherein, wherein, when the recording medium is a recording medium of the rewritable image recording according to claim 1, characterized in that permits execution of the repetitive recording of the video signal by said recording means apparatus. In the case of executing the repetitive recording , the control means stores, in the recording medium, a moving image signal from the instruction to stop the recording to a predetermined period before the instruction to stop the recording after the start of the repetitive recording. The recording means is controlled so that an area other than the area where the moving image signal is recorded from the recording stop instruction to the predetermined period before the predetermined recording area is an empty area. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . Wherein, the predetermined region is an empty area of the recording medium when an instruction for the start of the repetitive recording to, controlling the recording device to perform a repeated recording of the video signal the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in. The recording medium is an image recording apparatus according to claim 1, any one of 4, which is a replaceable recording medium. In response to an instruction to start repetitive recording of a moving image signal on a recording medium, recording of the moving image signal is started in a predetermined recording area which is an empty area of the recording medium, and recording into the predetermined recording area is started. If there is no free space in the predetermined recording area from when the recording stop instruction is received, the recorded video signal is overwritten with a new video signal in the predetermined recording area, and the recording stop instruction until, recorded by overwriting the video signal repeatedly to said predetermined region, a method for executing repetitive recording,
Wherein when the recording medium is a recording medium of write-once, the repeated even start instruction is made the recording, an image recording method characterized by so as not to execute the repetitive recording of the video signal.

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