JP5818599B2 - Movie recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a moving image recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a moving image recording apparatus capable of adding moving image data to a moving image file recorded on a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging device is known as a moving image recording device, and the imaging device is equipped with a function of generating moving image data from a captured image and recording it on a recording medium such as a memory card. In recent years, such an image pickup apparatus is added with moving image data obtained by newly photographing moving image data stored in an existing moving image file recorded on a recording medium as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Imaging devices capable of recording have appeared.

JP 2002-218384 A

  However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to link newly captured moving image data to moving image data of an existing moving image file, after analyzing moving image data of an existing moving image file and analyzing the position to be connected, Recorded video data. For this reason, for example, the larger the size of the moving image data of the existing moving image file, the longer it takes to search, and the longer it takes to connect the moving image data. For example, in the case where moving image data obtained up to now is stored in a RAM (memory), the moving image data in the RAM cannot be recorded on a recording medium because the search takes time. Then, the area for storing the moving image data in the RAM is not released until the moving image data is recorded on the recording medium. That is, even if the next moving image data is shot, the next moving image data cannot be held because the RAM is not released.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a new moving image temporarily stored in the RAM before analyzing the connection position of the existing moving image file when the newly captured moving image data is connected to the moving image data of the existing moving image file. It is an object of the present invention to provide a moving image recording apparatus that records data on a recording medium.

  In order to achieve such an object, the moving image recording apparatus of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires moving image data using an imaging unit, a memory, and a recording unit that records a moving image file including the moving image data on a recording medium. The moving image data obtained by the acquisition means is sequentially stored in the memory, and the moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory is recorded before the recording instruction according to a recording instruction by a user. And a control means for controlling the recording means so as to add the moving image data for the predetermined time to the predetermined moving image file already recorded on the recording medium before the recording instruction. The control means detects the connection position in the predetermined video file after the recording means starts recording the video data for the predetermined time stored in the memory. Video data for the predetermined time is recorded in the predetermined video file by the recording means so that the video data for the predetermined time is reproduced following the connection position in the predetermined video file. To add.

  The present invention captures the next moving image data by recording the new moving image data temporarily stored in the RAM (memory) on the recording medium before analyzing the connection position of the existing moving image file. It is possible to prevent the time until the time from becoming longer.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows control of the imaging device of movie digest mode. It is a figure for demonstrating the state of the still image file recorded in a movie digest mode, and a moving image file. It is a flowchart which shows control of the process which connects moving image data (additional writing). It is a figure which shows the state change of the moving image file by connection (additional writing) of moving image data.

  Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

  In this embodiment, an imaging apparatus capable of shooting a moving image will be described. In the normal “moving image shooting mode”, the image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment can record moving image data shot from the start to the end of one moving image shooting as a single file on a recording medium. In the normal “still image shooting mode”, still image data shot in response to one shooting instruction can be recorded on a recording medium as one file. Furthermore, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment has a “movie digest mode”. In this “movie digest mode”, not only is the recorded still image data recorded on the recording medium in response to the still image shooting instruction, but also a predetermined amount of time taken until the still image shooting instruction is input. The moving image data can be recorded on a recording medium as a moving image file. The moving image data is temporarily stored in a memory provided in the imaging device.

  Further, in the “movie digest mode”, for example, one moving image data obtained by connecting all moving image data shot on the same date can be created and recorded on a recording medium. In this case, the newly captured moving image data is connected (added) to the moving image data of the moving image file already recorded on the recording medium every time a still image shooting instruction is given. In this embodiment, “movie digest mode” is “first shooting mode”, “movie shooting mode” is “second shooting mode”, and “still image shooting mode” is “third shooting mode”. You may call it.

  In particular, when the mode transitions to the “movie digest mode”, the image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment creates encoded moving image data in which a plurality of images obtained by the image pickup unit are frame images of a moving image and sequentially stores them in a memory. I will do it. The past moving image data for a predetermined time or more is discarded or overwritten on the memory. When a still image shooting instruction is input, still image data is created based on the image signal obtained by the imaging unit and recorded on a recording medium. At this time, the moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory until then is recorded on the recording medium as a moving image file. When the video data for the predetermined time is connected to the video data of the video file (existing video file) already recorded on the recording medium, the video data for the predetermined time temporarily stored in the memory is stored. First record on the recording medium. After that, the moving image data of the existing moving image file is analyzed, and the connection position is specified, and then the moving image data is linked and edited. By doing so, the moving image data storage area of the memory is released without waiting for the end of the analysis of the existing moving image file, so that the image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment does not increase the time until the next moving image data is shot. It can be made.

  In this embodiment, a recording medium having a format corresponding to a file system for recording using a file allocation table (in this embodiment, FAT32 or the like is taken as an example of the file system) is used. Then, when connecting the moving image data described above, the file allocation table (FAT) is edited. Therefore, it is possible to easily add and separate moving images.

  Hereinafter, such an imaging apparatus will be described.

  First, the overall configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the control unit 101 includes, for example, a CPU (MPU), a memory (DRAM, SRAM), and the like, and executes various processes (programs) in response to an operation signal from the operation unit 102 that receives an operation from a user. Thus, each block of the imaging apparatus 100 is controlled, and data transfer between the blocks is controlled. The control unit 101 may be a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory.

  The operation unit 102 includes switches for inputting various operations related to shooting such as a power button, a recording start button, a zoom adjustment button, and an autofocus button. Further, a menu display button, a determination button, other cursor keys, a pointing device, a touch panel, and the like are provided, and an operation signal is transmitted to the control unit 101 when these keys and buttons are operated by the user.

  The bus 103 is a general-purpose bus for sending various data, control signals, instruction signals, and the like to each block of the imaging apparatus 100.

  The imaging unit 110 controls the amount of light of the optical image of the subject captured by the lens using an aperture, converts the optical image into an image signal using an imaging element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, performs analog-digital conversion, and stores the image in the memory 104. Send and store temporarily.

  The image processing unit 111 executes processing necessary for image recording / playback, and is a microcomputer equipped with a program for executing the following processing. Further, the following processing may be executed as a partial function of the control unit 101. The image processing unit 111 obtains a white balance, color, brightness, and the like for the digital image signal acquired by the imaging unit 110 and stored in the memory 104, and a setting value determined from a setting value set by the user or image characteristics. An image quality adjustment process for adjusting based on the image quality is performed.

  In addition, processing for generating moving image data from image signals of a plurality of frames subjected to image quality adjustment processing is performed. Here, the image processing unit 111 according to the present embodiment may generate moving image data that is compression-coded by intra-frame encoding each frame of the moving image data. Moreover, you may produce | generate the moving image data compression-coded using the difference between several flame | frames of moving image data, a motion estimation, etc. For example, Motion JPEG, MPEG, H.264. H.264 (MPEG4-Part10 AVC) and other known compression and encoding video data can be generated. In general, intra-frame-coded frame image data is referred to as an I picture, and inter-frame encoded image data using a difference from the front frame is referred to as a P picture, and the difference between the front and rear frames is used. The inter-frame encoded image data is called a B picture. These compression methods use well-known methods and are not related to the features of the present invention, so the description is omitted. Further, the image processing unit 111 can execute processing for generating still image data from the image signal subjected to the image quality adjustment processing. When generating still image data, a general compression encoding method such as JPEG is used. These compression encoding methods use known methods and are not related to the features of the present invention. Is omitted. The still image data may be so-called RAW image data in which the digital image signal obtained by the imaging unit 110 is recorded as it is.

  The moving image data and still image data generated by the image processing unit 111 are stored in an area other than the area where the above-described digital image signal is stored in the memory 104. In this embodiment, the digital image signal obtained by the imaging unit 110 and the moving image data and still image data generated by the image processing unit 111 are described as being stored in the same memory 104. Another memory may be used.

  Next, the voice input unit 120 collects (collects) sounds around the imaging device 100 using, for example, a built-in omnidirectional microphone or an external microphone connected via a voice input terminal. The acquired analog audio signal is converted into a digital signal, transmitted to the memory 104, and temporarily stored.

  The sound processing unit 121 executes a process necessary for recording and reproducing sound, and is a microcomputer equipped with a program for executing the following process. Further, the following processing may be executed as a partial function of the control unit 101. The audio processing unit 121 performs processing such as level optimization processing and noise reduction processing on the digital audio signal acquired by the audio input unit 120 and stored in the memory 104. Moreover, the process which compresses an audio | voice signal is performed as needed. As the audio compression method, a known general audio compression method such as AC3, AAC or the like is used, and the description thereof is omitted because it is not related to the feature of the present invention.

  The audio data generated by the audio processing unit 121 is stored in the memory 104 again.

  The display control unit 131 is a microcomputer that performs display control for displaying an image on the display unit 130. The display control unit 131 reads a digital image signal temporarily stored in the memory 104 and causes the display unit 130 to display the digital image signal. The display unit 130 may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel mounted on the imaging device 100, or a display device (for example, a television, a monitor, or a projector) different from the imaging device 100.

  Then, for example, the control unit 101 reads out moving image data, audio data, and the like stored in the memory 104 and transfers them to the recording / reproducing unit 140, and the recording / reproducing unit 140 stores the transferred moving image data and audio data in the recording medium 141. To record. The recording / playback unit 140 records the moving image data and the audio data on the recording medium 141 as one moving image file. At this time, the control unit 101 may generate various data indicating camera settings at the time of shooting, detection data, and the like, and may record the data together with the moving image data and audio data on the recording medium 141. Here, the recording medium 141 may be a recording medium built in the imaging apparatus or a removable recording medium. For example, the recording medium includes all types of recording media such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-R, a DVD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a flash memory. When recording a still image file, the still image data stored in the memory 104 is read out and transferred to the recording / playback unit 140, and the recording / playback unit 140 stores the transferred still image data in the recording medium 141. Record as a still image file.

  The recording / playback unit 140 reads (plays back) a moving image file or the like recorded on the recording medium 141. Then, the control unit 101 reads, for example, header information of a moving image included in the read moving image file, and based on the header information, the recording / reproducing unit 140 reads the moving image data and audio data to be reproduced from the recording medium 141. Control. The recording / reproducing unit 140 transfers the read moving image data to the image processing unit 111 and the reproduced audio data to the audio processing unit 121. The image processing unit 111 sequentially stores one frame image of the reproduced moving image data in the memory 104. Then, the display control unit 131 sequentially reads out one frame image stored in the memory 104 and displays it on the display unit 130. On the other hand, the audio processing unit 121 decodes a digital audio signal from the reproduced audio data, converts it into an analog signal, and outputs the analog audio signal to an audio output unit (speaker, earphone terminal, audio output terminal, etc.) not shown. . When reproducing a still image, the recording / reproducing unit 140 reads (reproduces) a still image file recorded on the recording medium 141. Then, the control unit 101 transmits still image data included in the read still image file to the image processing unit 111, and the image processing unit 111 stores an image of the still image data in the memory 104. Then, the display control unit 131 sequentially reads out one frame image stored in the memory 104 and displays it on the display unit 130.

  The output unit 150 is an audio terminal or a video terminal that outputs an image signal or an audio signal to an external device. The communication unit 151 transmits / receives data to / from an external device, and can be connected regardless of wired connection or wireless connection.

  As an example, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment records a moving image file in the “QuickTime (registered trademark) format”, but any format may be used.

  In this embodiment, the file management system of the recording medium 141 will be described as using a FAT file system generally used in embedded devices. Since the technology of the FAT file system itself is widely known, only the characteristic operation of this embodiment will be described. Further, the NTFS format or the exFAT format which is a FAT file format may be used.

  Incidentally, for example, a flash memory of the recording medium 141 manages a physical memory area in the recording medium 141 by a built-in microcomputer. For the access from the recording / reproducing unit 140 of the imaging apparatus 100, it is shown that data is logically stored in the FAT file system.

  Here, as described above, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment has the “movie digest mode (first shooting mode)”, “movie shooting mode (second shooting mode)”, “still image shooting mode (first shooting mode). 3 photographing modes) ”.

  Here, the normal operation of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the user operates the power button of the operation unit 102, a start instruction is issued from the operation unit 102 to the control unit 101. Upon receiving this instruction, the control unit 101 controls a power supply unit (not shown) to supply power to each block of the imaging apparatus 100.

  When power is supplied, for example, the mode change switch of the operation unit 102 causes the control unit 101 to select, for example, “still image shooting mode”, “moving image shooting mode”, “playback mode”, “movie digest mode”, etc. The mode is confirmed by an instruction signal from the operation unit 102.

  In the “still image shooting mode”, the imaging apparatus 100 performs shooting by a user operating a still image recording button of the operation unit 102 in a shooting standby state, and a still image file is recorded on the recording medium 141. And it will be in a photography standby state again. In the “moving image shooting mode”, the imaging apparatus 100 starts shooting when the user operates the moving image recording start button of the operation unit 102 in a shooting standby state. During that time, moving image data and audio data are recorded on the recording medium 141. The Then, when the user operates the moving image recording end button of the operation unit 102, photographing is ended, and the moving image data and audio data recorded in the recording medium 141 are completed as a moving image file. After that, the shooting standby state is entered again. In the “playback mode”, a still image file or a moving image file related to a file selected by the user is reproduced from the recording medium 141, and a still image, a moving image, or sound is output. The “movie digest mode” will be described later.

  First, the “still image shooting” mode will be described. When the still image shooting mode is set by the operation unit 102, first, as described above, the control unit 101 sets each block of the imaging device 100 to the shooting standby state.

  In the shooting standby state, the display control unit 131 reads the digital image signal temporarily stored in the memory 104 and causes the display unit 130 to display a video related to the image signal. The user prepares for shooting while viewing the screen displayed in this way.

  When the shooting instruction signal is transmitted by the user operating the still image recording button of the operation unit 102 in the shooting standby state, the control unit 101 transmits the shooting control signal to each block of the imaging apparatus 100, as follows. To control the operation.

  The imaging unit 110 converts the optical image of the subject captured by the lens into an image signal by the imaging element, performs analog-digital conversion, and temporarily stores it in the memory 104. The image processing unit 111 performs image quality adjustment processing (white balance, color, brightness, etc.) on the digital image signal stored in the memory 104 based on the set value. The digital image signal processed by the image processing unit 111 is read by the display control unit 131 and displayed on the display unit 130. Here, by viewing the video displayed on the display unit 130, the user can check the captured still image.

  Then, the image processing unit 111 reads the image signal temporarily stored in the memory 104, performs predetermined encoding, generates still image data (acquires a still image), and outputs the still image data to the recording / reproducing unit 140. The recording / playback unit 140 writes still image data as a still image file on the recording medium 141 under file system management such as UDF or FAT.

  When the encoding operation by the image processing unit 111 ends, the control unit 101 transmits a control signal to each block of the imaging apparatus 100 so as to shift to the shooting standby state, and returns to the shooting standby state.

  Next, the “moving image shooting mode” will be described. When the moving image shooting mode is set by the operation unit 102, the control unit 101 first sets each block of the imaging apparatus 100 to the shooting standby state as described above.

  In the photographing standby state, the display control unit 131 reads out digital image signals sequentially stored in the memory 104 and causes the display unit 130 to display them. The user prepares for shooting while viewing the screen displayed in this way.

  When a shooting start instruction signal is transmitted by the user operating the moving image recording start button of the operation unit 102 in the shooting standby state, the control unit 101 transmits a shooting start control signal to each block of the imaging apparatus 100. Then, control is performed so as to perform the following operation.

  The imaging unit 110 converts the optical image of the subject captured by the lens into an image signal by the imaging element, performs analog-digital conversion, and sequentially stores it in the memory 104. The image processing unit 111 performs image quality adjustment processing (white balance, color, brightness, etc.) of the digital image signal temporarily stored in the memory 104 based on the set value. The display control unit 131 reads out the digital image signal subjected to the image adjustment processing stored in the memory 104 and causes the display unit 130 to display the digital image signal.

  On the other hand, the audio input unit 120 digitally converts an analog audio signal obtained by the microphone, and stores the obtained digital audio signal in the memory 104. The sound processing unit 121 performs a process for optimizing the level of the digital sound signal stored in the memory 104 and outputs the sound signal. When the audio signal is compressed, the audio processing unit 121 performs the compression process.

  Then, the image processing unit 111 and the sound processing unit 121 read out the image signal and the sound signal temporarily stored in the memory 104, perform predetermined encoding, and generate moving image data, sound data, and the like. Then, the control unit 101 synthesizes these moving image data and audio data, forms a data stream, and outputs the data stream to the recording / reproducing unit 140. The recording / playback unit 140 writes the data stream to the recording medium 141 as one moving image file under file system management such as UDF or FAT. When the audio is not compressed, the control unit 101 outputs the audio signal generated by the audio processing unit 121 to the recording / reproducing unit 140 together with the moving image data generated by the image processing unit 111. Then, as described above, the recording / reproducing unit 140 writes the data stream as one moving image file on the recording medium 141 under the file system management such as UDF or FAT.

  The above operation is continued during shooting.

  In addition, during the shooting, the control unit 101 performs the imaging unit 110, the image processing unit 111, and the sound according to the operation of the operation unit 102 by the user or the analysis result of the image signal generated by the image processing unit 111. Various control signals are transmitted to the processing unit 121 and the like. For example, a control signal for adjusting the lens movement or aperture adjustment is transmitted to the imaging unit 110, and a control signal for adjusting an image or sound is transmitted to the image processing unit 111 and the sound processing unit 121.

  Similarly, during shooting, the user operates the zoom key of the operation unit 102 to cause the control unit 101 to operate the “optical zoom” function of the imaging unit 110 and the “electronic zoom” function of the image processing unit 111. be able to. Further, based on an acceleration signal detected by a vibration detection unit (not shown), the control unit 101 operates the “optical image stabilization” function of the imaging unit 110 and the “electronic image stabilization” function of the image processing unit 111. Yes.

  When the user operates the moving image recording end button of the operation unit 110 and a shooting end instruction signal is transmitted to the control unit 101, the control unit 101 sends a shooting end control signal to each block of the imaging apparatus 100. Transmit and control to operate as follows.

  The image processing unit 111 and the audio processing unit 121 read out the remaining image signal and audio signal stored in the memory 104, perform predetermined encoding, and generate moving image data, audio data, and the like.

  The control unit 101 forms a data stream as these last moving image data and audio data, and outputs the data stream to the recording / reproducing unit 140. When the audio is not compressed, the control unit 101 outputs the audio signal generated by the audio processing unit 121 and the moving image data to the recording / reproducing unit 140.

  The recording / playback unit 140 writes the data stream to the recording medium 141 as one moving image file under file system management such as UDF or FAT. When the supply of the data stream is stopped, the control unit 101 performs control so as to perform the following operation in order to generate a thumbnail.

  Thereafter, the recording / reproducing unit 140 reads out the moving image data of the first frame of the moving image file recorded on the recording medium 141 and transmits it to the image processing unit 111. The image processing unit 111 temporarily stores the moving image data in the memory 104 and decodes the moving image data according to a predetermined procedure. Next, the image processing unit 111 performs predetermined encoding for thumbnails on the obtained image signal to generate a compressed image signal for thumbnail. Then, the control unit 101 outputs the thumbnail compressed image signal to the recording / reproducing unit 140. The recording / playback unit 140 writes the compressed thumbnail image to the recording medium 141 so as to be combined with the underlying video file under the management of a file system such as UDF or FAT, and completes the video file and performs the recording operation. Stop.

  When the recording operation stops, the control unit 101 transmits a control signal to each block of the imaging apparatus 100 so as to shift to the shooting standby state, and returns to the shooting standby state.

  Incidentally, the playback mode will be described. When the playback mode is set by the operation unit 102, the control unit 101 transmits a control signal to each block of the imaging apparatus 100 so as to shift to the playback state, and the following operation is performed. Let

  The recording / playback unit 140 reads a still image file composed of a compressed image signal recorded on the recording medium 141 or a moving image file composed of a compressed image signal and a compressed audio signal or audio signal. The control unit 101 sends the read compressed image signal and compressed audio signal to the image processing unit 111 and the audio processing unit 121. If the audio signal is not compressed, the control unit 101 transmits the audio signal to the audio output unit 151.

  The image processing unit 111 and the sound processing unit 121 temporarily store the compressed image signal and the compressed sound in the memory 104 and decode them according to a predetermined procedure. Then, the control unit 101 transmits the decoded audio signal to the audio output unit 151 and the decoded image signal to the display control unit 131. The display control unit 131 displays the video related to the input image signal on the display unit 130. From the audio output system of the output unit 150, a speaker incorporating the audio related to the input audio signal, or a connected speaker is connected. Output from earphones or speakers.

  Next, the “movie digest mode” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 2 is a flowchart that starts when the movie digest mode is set, and is a process that is executed when the control unit 101 controls each unit of the imaging apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, whether or not to add the moving image data sequentially is determined after recording the still image and before recording the moving image data on the recording medium 141. In this case, the control unit 101 reads out the moving image file last shot in the movie digest mode from the recording / playback unit 140 and confirms the information on the date of shooting. If the read moving image file is taken on the same day, it is added. If it is taken on a different day, it is not added. A moving image shot in the movie digest mode is, for example, a file name obtained by sequentially incrementing a 4-digit integer in an identifier “MDG” for indicating that the moving image is shot in the movie digest mode. By doing in this way, it can be easily identified that the moving image having the largest number including the identifier MDG recorded on the recording medium 111 was taken last. The conditions for whether or not to add data will be described later, but confirmation of whether or not to add data may be performed when the imaging apparatus 100 is activated or when the mode is switched to the movie digest mode.

  In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the thumbnail image is generated every time a still image shooting instruction is input. In this case, a plurality of thumbnail images are associated with the added moving image file. However, in the case of additional recording, a thumbnail image may be generated only when a moving image file is newly generated without generating a thumbnail image.

  When the movie digest mode is set by the operation unit 102, the control unit 101 controls each block of the imaging apparatus 100 and executes the following operation.

  First, the imaging unit 110 transmits the obtained digital image signal to the RAM 104 and temporarily stores it. Then, the display control unit 131 reads out the digital image signal stored in the RAM 104 and causes the display unit 130 to display the digital image signal. Furthermore, the image processing unit 111 sequentially reads the digital image signals stored in the RAM 104 and performs an encoding process for generating moving image data (S201). At this time, the control unit 101 applies various adjustment processes to the input digital audio signal to the audio processing unit 121, and then executes the encoding process according to a preset audio encoding method. The encoded audio signal thus recorded is stored in the RAM 104.

  Then, the image processing unit 111 and the audio processing unit 121 store the encoded moving image data and audio data in the RAM 104 (S202). In the following description, although explanation of audio data is omitted, it is assumed that it is processed together with moving image data.

  In the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the RAM 104 always stores the moving image data for the predetermined time immediately before the predetermined time among the moving image data stored in the RAM 104 so that the moving image data for the predetermined time is stored. The captured moving image data is deleted. For this reason, the control unit 101 determines whether or not moving image data for a predetermined time or more has been stored in the RAM 104 (S203). The moving image data indicating the image taken at the time is discarded. Since the size of the data to be deleted is defined in encoding units, the size of the data to be deleted can be determined as a frame or a reproduction time depending on the encoding method. In addition, when it is not stored for a predetermined time or longer (No in S203), the moving image data is not discarded. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time may be any time, but may be selected by the user, for example, 4 seconds, 6 seconds, 8 seconds, or the like. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a still image shooting instruction is input from the operation input unit 112 (S205). If a still image shooting instruction is not input (No in S205), the process returns to S301. Returning, the moving image data generation process and temporary storage are continued.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that moving image data for a predetermined time immediately before is always stored in the RAM 104, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the size of the moving image data stored in the RAM 104 may be anything that can be quantified, and may be a predetermined amount defined by the number of frames, the number of GOPs (Group Of Pictures), the data size, and the like. . In other words, when the moving image data stored in the RAM 104 is larger than a predetermined size, the moving image data is stored in the frame of the moving image data until the size becomes less than the predetermined size. The shooting time may be deleted in order from the oldest frame.

  If a still image shooting instruction is input (Yes in S205), the control unit 101 controls the recording / playback unit 140 to check the recordable capacity of the recording medium 141, and temporarily stores it in the memory 104. It may be determined whether or not the stored moving image data can be recorded. This determination is made by comparing whether or not the sum of the size of the moving image data temporarily stored in the memory 104 and the expected size of the still image data to be recorded is smaller than the recordable capacity of the recording medium 141. Is determined. The expected size of the still image data may be 4 MB, for example, or may be changed according to the recording size, image quality, or the like.

  If it is determined that the moving image data and still image data cannot be recorded on the recording medium 141, only still image shooting may be performed and the moving image data may not be recorded.

  Further, when a still image shooting instruction is input in S205, if only moving image data for a short time such as less than 1 second or less than 2 seconds is stored in the memory 104, a still image shooting instruction is issued. It may be invalidated. This time may be set by the user.

  Next, when a still image shooting instruction is input (Yes in S205), the control unit 101 causes the imaging unit 110 to perform shooting for still image data (S210). At this time, the control unit 101 causes the image processing unit 111 to decode the image of the first frame of the moving image data stored in the RAM 104 and execute thumbnail image generation processing (S211). In this embodiment, the thumbnail image of the moving image data to be recorded is described as being generated from the image of the first frame. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any of the frames of the moving image data to be recorded is used. It may be generated from an image of such a frame. That is, a thumbnail image using any frame of the moving image data stored in the RAM 104 may be generated when a still image shooting instruction is given. In this way, it is possible to generate a thumbnail of the moving image data without reading the moving image file from the recording medium after the file recording of the moving image data to the recording medium is finished once, so that the processing is quick. Become. If it is determined that a still image shooting instruction has been issued, the control unit 101 performs control so that the instruction is not accepted even if a still image shooting instruction is issued.

  Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the thumbnail image generation processing by the image processing unit 111 has been completed (S212), and if the processing has been completed, next, the digital image captured in S210 is determined. In order to use the signal as still image data, the image processing unit 111 is caused to sequentially execute development processing and encoding processing (S220). At this time, the control unit 101 includes the thumbnail image generated by the thumbnail generation process in the header information of the encoded moving image data temporarily stored in the RAM 104 and records it in the recording medium 111 (S221). . Here, the still image development process (S220) is a “demosaic” process for creating a full-color image by complementing color information by collecting and giving missing color information from its surrounding pixels to each pixel during shooting. In addition to this, processing such as gamma correction and white balance adjustment may be included.

  When the development processing described above is completed, the control unit 101 stores the developed digital image data in the RAM 104 again, causes the display control unit 131 to read the data, and causes the display unit 130 to display the digital image data. This is a so-called “REC review” display in which a photographed image is displayed on the display unit 130 immediately after photographing with a digital camera. Incidentally, no image is displayed on the display unit 130 and a black image is displayed after the still image shooting instruction is given and until the still image development processing is completed. Alternatively, a display for presenting a status such as “processing” to the user may be displayed.

  When the development process is completed, the control unit 101 causes the image processing unit 111 to execute the encoding process according to a preset encoding method for still image recording. Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the still image development process and the encoding process have been completed (S222). If it is determined that the still image encoding process has been completed (Yes in S222), the control unit 101 sends the generated still image data to the recording / reproducing unit 140 to record it on the recording medium 141 (S223). Unless the user operates the operation input unit 102 to give an instruction to exit the digest movie mode (No in S224), the control unit 101 captures and encodes a moving image in parallel with recording a still image. (S201) is started. At this time, the control unit 101 causes the display control unit 131 to read out the digital image signal stored in the RAM 104 and causes the display unit 130 to display the through image again.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment records a moving image file and a still image file in the “movie digest mode”.

  Here, in the “movie digest mode” of the present embodiment, the newly captured video data (new video data) is added to the video data of the video file (existing video file) already recorded on the recording medium 141. An example of connection (additional writing) will be described. For example, if the date when the existing video file was recorded and the date when the new video data was acquired (the camera date setting at the time of shooting may be the same), the video data should be concatenated as shown in FIG. Recorded as shown. FIG. 3 shows the shooting timing and the recording state of the moving image file and the still image file.

  Still image files P1, P2, and P3 having the same shooting date are recorded in one folder (in the same folder) of the recording medium 111, and the moving image data stored in the RAM 104 immediately before shooting each still image is stored in the same folder. It is recorded as one linked moving image file. Further, P4 and P5 having shooting dates different from those of the still image files P1 to P3 are recorded in a folder different from the folder in which the still image file P1 is recorded. At this time, the moving image data stored in the RAM 104 immediately before shooting the still image file P4 is stored in the same folder as the shooting date of the still image file P4 even if the shooting date is changed in the middle of the moving image data. It shall be controlled to be recorded. That is, it is determined whether to link the moving image data or to newly save the moving image data, based on the date information at the timing when the shooting instruction is input.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that a thumbnail image corresponding to moving image data is generated every time a still image shooting instruction is input. However, for example, moving image data M1 generated at the time of shooting P1 still image data. The thumbnails corresponding to may be generated, and the thumbnail images of the M2 and M3 moving image data to be added may not be generated. In this way, it is possible to have one thumbnail image for each moving image file.

  Next, in the “movie digest mode”, the newly captured moving image data (new moving image data) is linked to the moving image data of the moving image file (existing moving image file) already recorded on the recording medium 141 (additional writing). The operation when editing is performed will be described in detail. As described above, it is determined whether to link (add) or not when the imaging apparatus 100 is activated, when the movie digest mode is selected, or after a still image recording instruction is input.

  The moving image data concatenation process is a process executed in S221 of FIG. 2, but as described later, some processes may be performed in parallel with S222, S223, and S201 to S204.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the control operation of the imaging apparatus when editing for connecting (adding) moving image data. FIG. 5 corresponds to each step of FIG. 4 and shows the moving image file in the recording medium 141. It is a figure which shows a state. The operation in FIG. 4 is a process executed by the control unit 101 controlling each block of the imaging apparatus 100.

  First, in step S202, the control unit 101 controls the recording / playback unit 140 so as to record moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory 104 in a free area of the recording medium 141 (S410). At this time, since the FAT is used as the file system, the moving image data is recorded in an empty cluster in accordance with basic rules.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a recording state of a specific moving image file before the moving image data in the memory 104 is recorded on the recording medium 141. In FIG. 5A, moving image data of a specific moving image file is recorded from cluster 1 to cluster 2, and a header of the specific moving image file is recorded in cluster 3. The moving image file is recorded in the clusters 1 to 3 as described above. In the FAT area, the cluster number is recorded in the FAT entry so as to indicate that the file is recorded in the order of cluster number 3 → 1 → 2. That is, “1” is recorded in the FAT entry with the cluster number 3, “2” is recorded in the FAT entry with the cluster number 1, and the FAT entry with the cluster number 2 indicates “ FF "is recorded. Therefore, a specific moving image file may be read from the recording medium in the order of cluster number 3 → 1 → 2.

  FIG. 5B shows a state where the moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory 104 is recorded on the recording medium 141 in S410. FIG. 5B shows a state in which moving image data for a predetermined time is recorded in the clusters 4 and 5. In this state, as can be understood by checking the FAT entry in the FAT area, the moving image data for a predetermined time is recorded in the clusters 4 and 5 different from the specific moving image file recorded in the clusters 1 to 3. It has become the data.

  Next, the process of S420 will be described. Here, if the process of S410 has started, the process of S420 may be started even if the process of S410 has not ended.

  The control unit 101 analyzes moving image data of a specific moving image file recorded on the recording medium 141 after recording of moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory 104 is started, and specifies a connection position. In this embodiment, the connection position is after the moving image data of a specific moving image file. In this process, the larger the size of a specific moving image file, the longer it takes to read and analyze the file, so it may take longer to specify the connection position.

  Next, the control unit 101 controls the recording / reproducing unit 140 so as to rewrite the FAT entry in order to connect (add to) a predetermined time period of moving image data recorded on the recording medium 141 to a specific moving image file. (S430). That is, as shown in FIG. 5C, the state in which the end of the specific moving image file is the cluster number 2 is changed, and after the cluster 2, the modification is made so that the clusters 4 and 5 are read continuously. Specifically, the FAT entry of the FAT cluster number 2 is rewritten to “4” so that the cluster 4 which is the head of the cluster in which the new moving image data is recorded is read from “FF” indicating the end of the file. .

  Then, the control unit 101 reads the file header of the specific moving image file, edits the file header so as to add information for managing data of the new moving image data, and records the file header on the recording medium 141 (S440). In the file header, for example, management information indicating which position in the moving image file the data of the specific frame of the moving image or the start position of the specific GOP is recorded. As a result of such processing, as shown in FIG. 5C, the movie file after concatenation editing is composed of clusters 1 to 5 and is recorded in the order of cluster numbers 3 → 1 → 2 → 4 → 5. Become.

  Then, the control unit 101 moves the process to S222.

  Note that the processing from S420 to S440 may be executed in parallel with the processing in S222 and S223, and may further be executed in parallel to the processing from temporary storage S201 to S204 of moving image data by the next shooting. . This is because the moving image data stored in the memory 104 is already recorded in the recording medium 141 by the processing of S410, and thus the area of the memory 104 for temporarily storing the moving image data is released. . If the storage area for temporarily storing the moving image data in the memory 104 is released, the moving image data obtained in S201 may be stored in the memory 104.

  As described above, when the shooting instruction is input, the control unit 101 of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment records moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory 104 until the shooting instruction is input. The recording / reproducing unit 140 is controlled to record on the medium 141 (S410). Then, after the recording of the moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory 104 starts, the control unit 101 analyzes the moving image data of the specific moving image file recorded on the recording medium 141 and specifies the connection position ( S420). Thereafter, the FAT and header are edited so that the specific moving image file is edited so that the moving image data for the predetermined time is reproduced following the connection position.

  Thereby, the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment connects the newly captured moving image data to the moving image data of the existing moving image file recorded on the recording medium 141. Before analyzing the connection position of the existing moving image file, new moving image data temporarily stored in the RAM is recorded on the recording medium, and the moving image data storage area of the memory 104 can be released. . Therefore, it is possible to store the next moving image data in the moving image data storage area of the memory 104 before specifying the connection position of the existing moving image file, and the time until the next moving image data is shot does not increase. Can be.

  Note that the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment basically appends new movie data to the movie data of an existing movie file. However, if the following conditions are satisfied, do not add the movie data. ing.

When the existing movie file to be added is protected When the specific movie file “MDG — 000X.MOV” recorded on the recording medium 141 is protected, the user does not want to modify the file. Since there is a high possibility, appending is impossible.

When the file size exceeds a predetermined size due to additional recording The recording medium 141 is managed by, for example, the FAT file system as described above. In that case, for example, in FAT32, when it becomes 4 GB or more per file, it cannot be read. For this reason, if the “additional video file” exceeds 4 GB in the next shooting, the additional recording is impossible.

・ When there is an abnormality in the GOP structure of the moving image of the existing moving image file to be added When there is an abnormality in the GOP structure as a result of checking the specific moving image file “MDG — 000X.MOV” to be added to the recording medium 141 Since there is a possibility that moving image data to be additionally recorded may be affected, it is assumed that additional recording is impossible.

When there is no file to be additionally recorded A moving image shot in the movie digest mode is appended with an MDG identifier “MDG — 000X.MOV” and a 4-digit serial number as a file name. However, if there is no moving image with an identifier including “MDG” in the file name, there is no moving image file shot in the movie digest mode, so that additional writing is impossible. In addition, the file name of the moving image file recorded last in the movie digest mode is recorded in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory of the imaging apparatus 100, and additional writing is impossible even if the file does not exist.

・ When the shooting date of the movie file to be added is different from the date set on the imaging device When adding movie data shot on the same shooting date sequentially in movie digest mode, Since a moving image file is recorded, it is impossible to append.

・ When the region setting associated with the video file to be added is different from the region set in the imaging device When adding video data shot in the same region in the movie digest mode sequentially, Since another video file is to be recorded, it is not possible to append. For example, the location information obtained using the GPS unit may be used as the area information, or “country” information selected when setting the clock of the imaging apparatus may be used.

-When the information of the imaging device associated with the video file to be added is different from the imaging device that captures new video data When adding only the video data shot in the movie digest mode with the same imaging device, It is confirmed whether the identification information of the imaging device associated with the moving image file to be added recorded on the recording medium matches the imaging device that performs shooting. If they are different, additional writing is impossible.

-When the video recording settings are not the same as the existing video file of the append source When adding new video data to the existing video file as in this embodiment, the frame rate, image size, GOP configuration, If the moving image encoding method is changed, there is a possibility that seamless playback cannot be performed. For this reason, when the moving image data of the existing moving image file and the moving image recording setting of the new moving image data are not the same, additional recording is impossible. Information such as a frame rate, an image size, a GOP configuration, and a moving image encoding method is recorded in a file header of an existing moving image file.

-When the audio recording settings are not the same as the existing video file of the append source When adding new video data to the existing video file as in this example, the audio sampling rate, number of channels, bit If the depth, the audio encoding method, or the like is changed, there is a possibility that playback cannot be performed. Therefore, when the moving image data of the existing moving image file and the audio recording setting of the new moving image data file are not the same, additional recording is impossible. Information such as an audio sampling rate and audio encoding method is recorded in a file header of an existing moving image file.

When there is an insertion / extraction history of the recording medium 141 When the imaging apparatus 100 is activated, the control unit 101 records the history of the insertion / extraction of the recording medium 141 in the non-illustrated nonvolatile memory after the last shooting in the continuous moving image shooting mode. If it remains, appending is impossible. This is to reduce the possibility that “MDG — 000X.MOV” recorded on the recording medium 141 is edited by a computer or the like, the image size or the like is changed, and the moving image file itself is broken due to additional writing. For this purpose, the shooting date / time information recorded in the file header of “MDG — 000X.MOV” to be added is compared with the time information of the insertion / removal history remaining in the nonvolatile memory. In the additional recording moving image file “MDG — 000X.MOV”, time information first captured among moving image data of a plurality of scenes recorded in the moving image is recorded in a file header.

When the moving image playback time exceeds a predetermined time due to additional recording, the imaging apparatus 100 takes a new shooting in the continuous moving image shooting mode in consideration of the case where shooting exceeding a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) is not desired. Thus, when the reproduction time of the moving image data of the “additional recording moving image file” exceeds 30 minutes, the additional recording is impossible. For this purpose, for example, the playback time of the “additional video file” described in the file header is read out, and if it is 29 minutes 58 seconds or the like, additional recording is impossible.

When the number of files in the folder in which the moving image file of the additional recording is recorded exceeds a predetermined number In the imaging apparatus 100, the number of files for recording still image files and moving image files on the recording medium 141 is based on a standard called DCF. Is recorded. In this DCF standard, a maximum of 9999 files can be recorded in one folder. However, since a still image file is newly generated when shooting is performed as in the present embodiment, Recording may not be possible in the folder in which the original video file is stored. In that case, the related still image file and the moving image file that is the additional recording source are stored in different folders, which makes it difficult for the user to view later. Therefore, in such a case, it is assumed that the moving image is recorded as a new file without additional writing and stored in a new folder. Here, 999 files are described as the upper limit, but 999 files, 900 files, 100 files, or 100 files may be used.

When the copyright holder information does not match The image capturing apparatus 100 can store the copyright owner name and the creator name in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory by the user operating the operation unit 102. The copyright owner name and creator name stored in the non-volatile memory are read by the control unit 101 when a moving image file or a still image file is recorded on the recording medium 141, and are stored in the moving image file or the still image file. Stored as data. In other words, different copyright owner names and creator names may be stored as metadata in a plurality of moving image files and still image files stored in the recording medium 141. In this embodiment, the copyright holder name and creator name of the specific moving image file “MDG — 000X.MOV” to be added to the recording medium 141 are stored in the nonvolatile memory when this recording is performed. If it does not match the copyright owner name or creator name, additional writing is prohibited. By doing so, it is possible to avoid mixing different copyright owner names and creator names in one moving image file.

  In addition, even when the recording medium 141 or the existing moving image file cannot be normally checked due to damage or the like, it is determined that additional writing is impossible.

  In this embodiment, the imaging apparatus has been described. Examples of the imaging device include a general compact digital camera, a digital single-lens camera, a video camera, and a mobile phone. An apparatus to which the technology of the present invention can be applied is not limited to an imaging apparatus, and may be, for example, a personal computer connected with a camera.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment can also be realized in software by a computer of a system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, etc.). Therefore, the computer program itself supplied to the computer in order to implement the above-described embodiment by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is also one aspect of the present invention.

  The computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be in any form as long as it can be read by a computer. For example, it can be composed of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, but is not limited thereto. A computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is supplied to a computer via a storage medium or wired / wireless communication. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a magnetic storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium such as an MO, CD, and DVD, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

  As a computer program supply method using wired / wireless communication, there is a method of using a server on a computer network. In this case, a data file (program file) that can be a computer program forming the present invention is stored in the server. The program file may be an executable format or a source code. Then, the program file is supplied by downloading to a client computer that has accessed the server. In this case, the program file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be distributed and arranged on different servers. That is, a server apparatus that provides a client computer with a program file for realizing the above-described embodiment is also one aspect of the present invention.

  In addition, a storage medium in which the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment is encrypted and distributed is distributed, and key information for decrypting is supplied to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition, and the user's computer Installation may be allowed. The key information can be supplied by being downloaded from a homepage via the Internet, for example. Further, the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may use an OS function already running on the computer. Further, a part of the computer program for realizing the above-described embodiment may be configured by firmware such as an expansion board attached to the computer, or may be executed by a CPU provided in the expansion board. Good.

Claims (7)

Acquisition means for acquiring moving image data using an imaging means;
Memory,
A recording means for recording a moving image file including moving image data on a recording medium;
The moving image data obtained by the acquisition means is sequentially stored in the memory, and the moving image data for a predetermined time stored in the memory before the recording instruction is stored in the recording medium in accordance with a recording instruction from a user And a control means for controlling the recording means to add moving image data for the predetermined time to a predetermined moving image file already recorded on the recording medium before the recording instruction ,
The control means starts processing for detecting a connection position in the predetermined video file after the recording means starts recording the video data for the predetermined time stored in the memory, and The moving image recording apparatus, wherein the recording means adds the moving image data for the predetermined time to the predetermined moving image file so that the moving image data for the predetermined time is reproduced following the connection position in the moving image file. . The control means detects the connection position in the predetermined video file before the recording of the video data for the predetermined time is completed after the recording means starts recording the video data for the predetermined time. The moving image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process is started.   The moving image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection position is an end position of moving image data stored in the predetermined moving image file. The recording means records the moving image file according to a predetermined file system, and the processing for detecting the connection position includes processing for detecting a cluster number at the end of the predetermined moving image file in the predetermined file system. See
2. The moving image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the first cluster number of the moving image data for the predetermined time to be read after the cluster number at the end of the predetermined moving image file. Recording device. The acquisition means further acquires still image data in response to the recording instruction,
The said control means controls the said recording means to record the still image file containing the said still image data acquired by the said acquisition means according to the said recording instruction | indication on the said recording medium. 2. The moving image recording apparatus according to 1.   The control means sequentially stores the moving image data for the predetermined time immediately before in the recording standby state before the recording instruction in the memory, and the recording stored in the memory in accordance with the recording instruction The moving image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is controlled to record the moving image data for the predetermined time immediately before the instruction on the recording medium. A recording method of acquiring moving image data using an imaging unit and recording a moving image file including the moving image data on a recording medium by a recording unit,
Wherein it is stored moving image data to a sequential memory, according to the recording of the instruction by the user, and records the video data of the predetermined time stored in the memory before the instruction of the recording on the recording medium, the recording Before the instruction, add the video data for the predetermined time to the predetermined video file already recorded on the recording medium,
After starting to record the moving image data for the predetermined time stored in the memory, a process for detecting a connecting position in the predetermined moving image file is started, and following the connecting position in the predetermined moving image file. A recording method comprising: adding the predetermined amount of moving image data to the predetermined moving image file so that the predetermined amount of moving image data is reproduced.

Images