JPH01126879A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily take the recording timing of a picture signal and a sound signal by sequentially recording the picture signal and the sound signal fetched in a memory according to the operation of a release button without executing a special operation. CONSTITUTION:The title recorder is provided with a sound input means 1 for inputting the sound signal, a storing means 32 for storing the sound signal inputted by the sound input means 1, a recording means 4 for sequentially recording the picture signal and the sound signal stored in the storing means 32 in association with the operation of the release button and a means 11 for stopping the input of the sound signal to the storing means 32 before the recording of the sound signal and fixing the contents of the storing means 32. Accordingly, the picture signal and the sound signal can be effectively recorded only by operating the release button. Thereby, the recording timing of the picture signal and the sound signal can be easily taken.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a still video system capable of recording still images and audio.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, still video systems that are capable of capturing still images and recording and reproducing them on a magnetic disk called a video floppy have been widely used. Still video systems have unified standards, and can record and play back audio signals in addition to still images. Regarding recording timing of audio signals in conventional still video systems, the following sequence has been considered.

In other words, in addition to cameras, there are many other ways to capture still images, such as other video equipment or television broadcasting. After pressing the release switch and recording one shot of image, the photographer operates the audio signal recording start switch, uses this as a trigger to start inputting the audio signal, and then sets the AGC1 band limit,
After signal processing such as A/D conversion, time axis compression, D/A conversion, pre-emphasis, and FM modulation, the signal is converted into a video signal band, amplified by a recording amplifier, and then transferred to a video floppy via a magnetic head. It is configured to be recorded.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, according to the conventional example described above, the timing is such that the audio signal recording process is started using the operation of the audio signal recording switch as a trigger after the end of image recording, so the audio signal is recorded separately after recording the still image. It is suitable for so-called dubbing operations such as recording and editing, but if you want to record the audio signal at the same time as when shooting, it is necessary to operate the audio signal recording switch, and to do so, There was often a time lag between the audio signal and the captured image.

Cameras record a certain moment as a still image, and when recording audio signals, it is extremely important to record the same time as the captured image. The configuration in which it is difficult to time the recording has been a major problem for still video systems.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is characterized by a recording device for recording image signals and audio signals on a recording medium, which inputs audio signals. a voice input means for inputting the voice input means; a storage means for storing the voice signal inputted by the voice input means;
recording means for sequentially recording an image signal and an audio signal stored in the storage means in connection with the operation of a release button;
and means for fixing the contents of the storage means by stopping the input of the audio signal to the storage means prior to the recording operation of the audio signal, the image and sound can be recorded by simply operating the release button. The purpose is to make it possible to record the information reliably.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention. , an audio signal processing unit that performs processing such as band limitation and noise reduction; 3 is an audio signal processing unit 2;
4 is a time-base compression unit for time-base compressing the audio signal input from the time-base compression unit; 4 is a modulation recording unit for FM-modulating the audio signal input from the time-base compression unit, converting it into a predetermined band, and recording it;
5 is a magnetic head for recording on the rotating magnetic disk D;
6 is a video signal processing section.

The audio signal processing section 2 includes a microamplifier 21. which amplifies the audio signal input from the microphone l to a predetermined level.
AGC circuit 2 that applies AGC to the output of microphone amplifier 21
2. A low-pass filter (hereinafter referred to as LPF) 23 that limits the band in order to prevent aliasing noise etc. from occurring during A/D and D/A conversion in the time axis compression section described later, and a signal S
It is comprised of a noise reduction circuit (hereinafter referred to as NR) 24 that expands the amplitude (compresses and suppresses noise components during reproduction) in order to improve /N.

The time axis compression unit 3 converts the band-limited analog audio signal output from the audio signal processing unit 2 into a digital signal, and the A/D conversion circuit 31 converts the digital signal output from the A/D conversion circuit 31 in order. Storage memory 32, memory 3
2, a time axis compression circuit 33 for varying the read speed and the like to vary the time axis, that is, compressing the time axis when reading the stored data; and a time axis compression circuit 33 for converting the time axis compressed digital signal into an analog signal. It is composed of a D/A conversion circuit 34 for D/A conversion. Further, 35 is a memory freeze terminal for fixing the contents of the memory 32.

The modulation recording unit 4 includes a low-pass filter (hereinafter referred to as LPF) 41 for removing D/A conversion noise, etc., and a brilliance circuit (after FM demodulation) that emphasizes high frequencies to improve S/N before FM modulation. (De-emphasis is applied to restore the original signal) 42, the de-emphasis signal is F
It consists of an FM modulation circuit 43 that performs M modulation to raise the audio recording band to a predetermined audio recording band, and a recording amplifier 44.

The video signal processing unit 6 converts a subject image formed on an imaging surface by a photographing lens 61, an aperture 62, a shutter 63, and the photographing lens 61 into an electric signal and outputs a video signal. , a video processing circuit 65 that performs predetermined processing on the video signal output from the image pickup device 64 and outputs, for example, color difference line sequential signals of luminance signals Y, RY, BY, and the like. Further, 66 is a video output terminal.

The above video signal processing section 6 and the time axis compression section 3 connected to the audio signal processing section 2 are selectively connected to the modulation recording section 4 by a switch 46. The recording operation is switched between the recording operation of the audio signal and the recording operation of the audio signal.

7 is a motor that rotates the disk D, 8 is a motor servo circuit that controls the rotation of the motor 7, and 9 is a motor that rotates the head 5 on the disk D.
This is a head moving mechanism that shifts to each track above.

10a is a switch that is closed by the first stroke of a two-step release button (not shown), and 10b is a switch that is closed by the second stroke of the release button.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a control circuit that controls the entire apparatus including the operations of the above-mentioned blocks, and is constituted by a CPU. Further, 12 is a display section for displaying each operating state of the device.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the control operation of each block by the control circuit 11.

When the release button is pressed to the first stroke at time t, the switch 10a is closed, and a pulse signal is obtained in the control circuit 11 (
Figure 2(a)). As a result, the control circuit 11 is connected to the imaging system such as the image sensor 64 of the video signal processing section 6, the audio signal processing section 2, the time axis compression section 3 such as A/D and D/A conversion circuits, and the motor servo circuit 8. Supply power and bring it into operation (Figure 2(b)).

(C)). When power is supplied to the audio signal processing unit 2 and it becomes operational, the audio signal input from the microphone 1 is amplified to a predetermined level by the microamplifier 21, and the AG
The gain is automatically controlled by the C circuit so that the peak value of the signal is at a predetermined level. The gain-controlled audio analog signal is amplitude-expanded by the NR circuit 24 via the LPF 23 whose frequency characteristics are set to be band-limited to the Nyquist frequency of the sampling clock during subsequent A/D conversion. It is supplied to the time axis compression section 3.

The audio analog signal input to the time axis compression unit 3 is
It is converted into a digital signal by the D conversion circuit 31 and stored in the memory 32.
will be written to. The sampling clock for A/D conversion is uniquely determined according to the compression ratio of the time compression circuit 33. The memory 32 has a configuration similar to a shift register, in which audio digital data is sequentially inputted every clock, and unnecessary data is sequentially refreshed. The writing and refreshing operations to the memory are continued until the memory freeze signal MF is supplied from the control circuit 11 to the memory freeze terminal 35, that is, the memory freeze terminal is set to a low level. In the operation up to this point, it is assumed that the video/audio changeover switch 46 has been switched to the video signal processing section 6 side.

Next, at time t2, when the release button is pressed to the second stroke (FIG. 2(a)), the switch 10
b is closed, and a pulse signal is obtained in the control circuit 11 at time t2. In response to this, the image signal outputted via the image sensor CCD 64 and the process circuit 65 is supplied to the modulation recording section 4 via the switch 46 (FIG. 2(d)).

Subsequently, at time t3, when the rotational phase of the disk is synchronized and each circuit becomes stable, a recording gate (not shown) is opened according to the field and frame recording mode, and the disk being rotated by the motor 7 is read via the head 5. The data is recorded to a predetermined track on D.

The timing of this operation is shown in FIG. 2(e).

When the image recording operation is completed, the head 5 is moved to an empty track on the magnetic disk D by the head moving mechanism at timing t4 at which the image recording ends. Further, at time t4, the control circuit 11 outputs a low level memory freeze signal MF (FIG. 2(f)), and the memory freeze terminal 35 becomes low level. This causes the memory 32 to stop the refresh operation and fix the data currently stored in the memory 32 in the memory 32. Next, the audio digital signal data in the memory 32 is compressed at a predetermined rate by the time axis compression circuit 33, and the D/A
The signal is input to the conversion circuit 34. The D/A conversion circuit 34 converts the signal into an analog signal. According to the format defined for the device of the present invention, that is, the still video system, the time compression ratio is 320 times, 640 times, 1
Three 280x modes are available, allowing you to record audio signals of 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds of actual time, respectively.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned memory freeze signal MF is simultaneously supplied to the switch 45 as a switching control signal for the switch 45,
The switch 45 is switched to the audio signal processing unit 3 side at the same time as the memory 32 is frozen.

Therefore, the audio signal (time axis compressed) output from the D/A conversion circuit 34 of the audio signal processing section 3 is supplied to the modulation recording section 4 via the switch 46. In the modulation recording section 4, a low-pass filter 41 removes unnecessary clocks superimposed on the signal during A/D conversion and D/A conversion, and then a pre-emphasis circuit 42 performs F-special correction such as high frequency emphasis. received by the FM modulation circuit 43.
After being modulated, the audio signal for one track is amplified by the recording amplifier 44 and transmitted through the magnetic head 5 to the magnetic disk D between time t5, which is synchronized with the magnetic disk D, and time t6, which corresponds to one file. (Fig. 2(f)).

This completes the sequence of recording the audio signal following the image signal.

With the above-described operation, the user can automatically record the audio signal up to immediately before shooting without having to perform any special operations for image and audio recording operations.

In addition, in the above-mentioned operation, the capture of the audio signal into the memory 32 is started in response to the first press of the release button and the audio capture time, and also in response to the second press of the release button. The user can always grasp the operating status of the camera because instruction signals such as the end of recording of the image signal and the end of recording of the audio signal are displayed on the display unit 12 each time. The display section may be arranged independently on the main body of the apparatus, or may be displayed within the viewfinder.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

Components having the same configuration as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that a counter 36 is provided within the time axis compression section 3.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of this embodiment. When the switch 10a is closed by pressing the release switch to the first stroke at time t1, a pulse signal is obtained on the control circuit 11 side (FIG. 4(a)), which causes the motor servo circuit to 8. Power is turned on to the imaging system of the video signal processing section 6, the audio signal processing section 2, and the time axis compression section 3, and as the disk D rotates, each circuit becomes operational (see Fig. 4 (b).
), (C)).

For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that there is no rise time for each circuit when the power is turned on.

At time t1, the time axis compressor 3 is powered on, and the counter 36 starts counting at the same time.

This counter 36 is for counting the recording seconds of audio recording, and here, the case where 10 seconds of audio is recorded will be explained as an example.

In the audio signal processing unit 2, the audio signal input from the microphone is input to the time axis compression unit 3 via the microphone amplifier 21, the AGC circuit 22, the low-pass filter 23, and the NR circuit 24.

Next, at time t2, when the release switch is pressed to the second stroke and the switch 10b is closed, a pulse signal is obtained on the control circuit 11 side, which turns on the modulation recording section 4 and starts operation. state (Fig. 4(d)). Immediately after that, at time t3, the rotational phase of the disk D is detected, the recording gate opens, and one field of video is written in synchronization with the video vertical synchronization signal (
Figure 4(e)). Then, writing of the video ends at time t4. When the writing of the video signal is completed, the head 5 is moved to an empty track on the magnetic disk D by the head moving mechanism 9 based on instructions from the control circuit 11.

During this time, the counter 36 continues to count the 10 seconds of audio recording time. Then, at time t5 when the counter 36 finishes counting for 10 seconds, when its output changes from Hi level to Low level, it outputs a memory freeze signal MF to fix the contents of the memory 32 (fourth
Figure (f)). The contents of the memory 32 are then compressed to 1/60 seconds by a time axis compression circuit 33 (recording time of one track), and supplied to a D/A conversion circuit 34 where it is converted into an analog signal.

On the other hand, the switch 46 is switched to the audio signal processing unit 3 side by the memory freeze signal FM mentioned above, and the D/
The output signal of the A conversion circuit 34 is supplied to the modulation recording section 4. The audio signal from which the clock component has been removed by the LPF 41 is subjected to high-frequency emphasis by the pre-emphasis circuit 42, then FM modulated by the FM modulation circuit 43, and subjected to predetermined processing via the recording amplifier 44 before being magnetically transmitted. At time t6 when the signal is applied to the head 5 and the circuit becomes stable, the recording gate is opened and one fill is written to a predetermined track on the magnetic disk D. Then, at time t7 when recording of the audio signal ends, each power source is cut off.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, a case has been described in which the time until the second stroke of the release button is less than the audio recording time of 10 seconds.
If 0 seconds or more have elapsed, the output of the counter 36 does not change after 1'0 seconds have elapsed, and the contents of the memory are updated as in the first embodiment described above, and recording of the video signal is completed. The memory freeze signal may be output at time t4. In order for this operation to be performed, the release button must not be pressed to the second step when the counter 36 counts for 10 seconds.
In other words, when the switch 10b is not closed, the memory freeze signal may not be output.
For example, using a D flip-flop, an output that switches from Hj level to Low level at the falling edge of the recording gate,
The output of the AND of the outputs of the counter 36 may be used as the output of the counter 36, that is, the memory freeze signal.

Thereby, the audio signal immediately before and after the photographing can be reliably recorded for a predetermined period of time without any special operation by the user and regardless of the timing of pressing the release button.

In this embodiment as well, the progress of each operation is displayed on the display unit 12, such as the start and time of capturing the audio signal, and the end of recording the image or audio signal.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the embodiment of FIG. 3 of the present invention. Note that the block diagram is the same as that in FIG.

In this embodiment, audio is recorded for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds) after the recording of the image signal is completed, and the power to the imaging system is turned off after recording the image in order to reduce power consumption. .

When the release button is pressed to the first stroke at time t1, a pulse signal is obtained in the control circuit 11, and power is supplied to the imaging system including the image sensor in the video signal processing section 6. It becomes operational. The motor servo circuit also becomes operational, and the disk D starts rotating.

Next, at time t2, by further pressing the release button to the second stroke, a pulse signal is generated, and in the control circuit 11, power is supplied to the modulation recording section 4 and the circuit is started up. Immediately thereafter, the rotational phase of the magnetic disk is detected, and in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal of the video signal, one field of video signals is recorded between time t3 and time t4 when the recording gate opens.

When the recording ends at time t4 and the recording gate falls from the Hi level to the Low level, the power to the audio signal processing section 2 and the time axis compression section 3 is turned on in synchronization with this.
At the same time, the counter 36 is reset in response to a pulse indicating the end of video signal recording from the memory freeze input terminal 35 and becomes Hi.
level, and starts counting the time to capture the audio signal. Also, the power supply for the imaging system is turned off to save power consumption.
It becomes F.

Further, after the recording of the video signal is completed, the magnetic head 5 is moved to another empty track by the head moving mechanism.

The counter 36 starts counting a predetermined audio recording time (for example, 10 seconds). An audio signal is input to the audio signal processing unit 2 via the microphone 1, subjected to predetermined processing, and then output to the time axis compression unit 3. The audio signal input to the time axis compression section 3 is transferred to the A/D conversion circuit 31.
The signal is converted into a digital signal via the converter and then taken into the memory 32. Then, the counter 36 counts a predetermined audio recording time, and at time t5, the counter 36 counts the predetermined audio recording time.
When the output of M becomes low level, the memory freeze signal M
F is output and the data taken into the memory 32 is fixed, and then the audio signal data in the memory 32 is read out and compressed to a predetermined time compression rate via the time axis compression circuit 33. /A conversion circuit 34 converts the signal into an analog signal. On the other hand, since the switch 45 is switched to the time axis compression section 3 side at time t5 by the above-mentioned memory freeze signal MF, the analog audio signal output from the time axis compression section 3 is supplied to the modulation recording section 4. . After the clock signal noise is removed by the LPF 41, it is passed through the pre-emphasis circuit 42 to the FM modulation circuit 43.
is FM modulated by the recording amplifier 44 and the magnetic head 5.
The data is recorded on the magnetic disk D during one field from time t6 to time t7. After this audio recording is completed, the audio signal processing unit 2 and time axis compression unit 3 stop operating.

This makes it possible to automatically record audio signals for a predetermined period of time immediately after imaging without the user performing any special operations. Since the recording of the audio signal is started when the photographing ends, it is effective when the photographer records a comment or the like about the photographed scene. Also, after recording the image signal, turn off the power to the imaging system that is no longer needed.
Another feature is that it reduces power consumption.

As described above, according to the recording device of the present invention, modes suitable for various uses can be realized by varying the timing of starting to store the audio input signal in the memory and the timing of freezing the memory.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be easily switched and used as necessary by changing the program of the control circuit.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the recording device of the present invention,
The image signal and the audio signal captured in the memory can be recorded sequentially according to the operation of the release button without any special operation by the user. Since the audio signal can be recorded reliably, it is extremely effective when recording audio signals to explain the image signal along with the image signal, and it also makes it easy to adjust the timing of the image signal and audio signal in other cases. It can be used in a wide range of applications.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Each figure shows an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a timing chart for the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the invention, FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a third embodiment of the invention. 1 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・Microphone 2・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
......Audio signal processing section 3...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Time axis compression section 4・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Modulation recording section 5・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・Magnetic head 6・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
......Video signal processing section 7...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Motor 8・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Motor servo circuit 9・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
...Head moving mechanism 10a, 10b...
...Song...Switch 11 linked to the release button...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Control circuit 12・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・Display part 2 construction ・・・・・・・・・・・・
......Mic amplifier 22...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・AG
'C circuit 23・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
......Low pass filter 24...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Noise reduction circuit 31・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
...A/D conversion circuit 32...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Memory 33・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Time axis compression circuit 34・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
...D/A conversion circuit 35...
・・・・・・・・・・・・Memory freeze terminal 36・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Counter 41 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・Low pass filter 42 ・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Preamplifier 43・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
FM modulation circuit 44...
・・・・・・・・・Recording amplifier 61 ・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Photography lens 62 ・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Aperture 63・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・・Shutter 64・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
......Image sensor 65...
・・・・・・・・・・・・Video process circuit patent applicant Canon Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] A recording device for recording an image signal and an audio signal on a recording medium, the recording device comprising an audio input means for inputting an audio signal, a storage means for storing an audio signal input by the audio input means, and a release button. a recording means for sequentially recording an image signal and an audio signal stored in the recording means in connection with an operation; and prior to the recording operation of the audio signal, stopping input of the audio signal to the storage means to store the audio signal. A recording device comprising means for fixing the contents of the means.