JPH02154367A - Sound recorder for still video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To extend the sound recording time of the subject sound recorder for prescribed time even when no sound recording stopping operation is made to the recorder by providing a means which discriminates the operation of an operating member as a command input for instructing the extension of the sound recording time when the operating member is operated during sound recording operations and extends the recording time by prescribed time units. CONSTITUTION:This sound recorder is provided with an operating means S3 which switches the sound recording mode of the recorder and a means 1 which discriminates the operation of an operating member S3 as a command input for instructing the extension of the sound recording time when the member S3 is operated during sound recording operations and extends the sound recording time by prescribed time units. A mode changeover switch S4 can be used as the operating member. Since the sound recording time can be extended by prescribed time units during sound recording operations by operating the member S3, a long-time sound recording can be performed through the simple operation. Moreover, since the changeover switch S4 is used, no separate operating member is required. Therefore, the sound recording time can be extended by prescribed time without stopping the sound recording operations.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an audio recording device for a still video camera having a recording function.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, still video cameras that are capable of not only recording video but also sound recording have been proposed.

Due to the recording capacity of the magnetic floppy disk used for recording, it is possible to record 9.6 seconds for each image pickup, and during playback, the audio can be played back at the same time as the video.

However, since there is a recording time limit of approximately 10 seconds, if the audio content to be recorded is long, it may be necessary to stop the recording midway through, or to speak quickly.

For example, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-274588, in order to increase the recording time of audio, the sound collection operation is started by a sound collection start operation, and the track 1
A system has been proposed in which sound recording is repeated every time the main time (approximately 10 seconds) elapses. However, since this device continues recording until the sound recording is stopped,
There was an inconvenience that recording was made unnecessarily.

[Issues to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and when an instruction is given to extend the recording time, it is possible to extend the predetermined recording time without performing a recording stop operation. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an audio recording device for a still video camera.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a still video camera having means for recording images and sounds, including an operating member for switching the recording mode, and an operation member for switching the recording mode when the operating member is operated during recording. , and means for determining that this is a command input to extend the recording time, and extending the recording time in predetermined time units. A recording switch can be used as the operating member.

[Function] According to the above configuration, simply by operating the operating member during recording, the recording time is automatically extended by a predetermined time unit,
You can increase the recording time if necessary.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, by operating the operating member during recording, the recording time can be extended in predetermined units, and it is possible to record for a long time as necessary with a simple operation. Become. Furthermore, by using a recording switch for changing the recording mode as the operating member for instructing the extension of the recording time, there is no need to provide a separate operating member, and the configuration can be simplified and operations made easier. can.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an embodiment of a still video camera equipped with an audio recording device of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire camera, 2 is a group of various switches that input information such as measures to the CPU (details will be described later), and 3 is a power circuit section. Main battery 4, booster circuit 5 for obtaining power for CCD (described later), backup battery 6, CPU
Regulator 7 for obtaining power for use and general circuits
Consists of etc.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an autofocus (AF) circuit section, which includes an AF circuit 9 that outputs focus and distance information to the CPUI, a lens extension motor 10, a lens stop magnet 11, and a lens position detection encoder 12. 13 is a lens switching/barrier opening/closing circuit; 14 is its motor; for example, when the motor 14 rotates forward, the lens is sequentially switched between standard and close-up; when the motor 14 rotates in reverse, it is located in front of the lens, and has the function of an optical path shielding plate. The barrier is then opened and closed.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an automatic exposure (AE) circuit section, and this circuit section 15 includes a spot photometry circuit 1 which uses a detection signal of a photometry element SP that measures the subject brightness at the center spot of the shooting screen as a human power.
6. Photometric element A that measures the subject brightness in the peripheral area of the shooting screen
A photometric circuit 17 which inputs the detection signal of VE, an A/D conversion circuit 18 which A/D converts these detection data, and this A/D conversion circuit 18
A serial communication interface 19 receives /D conversion data and performs serial communication with the CPU 1, and based on commands from the CPU input via the interface 19,
In order to obtain appropriate exposure, a weighting circuit 20 weights the detected data as described below, and the signal level is adjusted based on the output of this weighting circuit 20 and a command from the CPU via the interface 19. It consists of a level shift circuit 21 that shifts the .

Reference numeral 22 denotes a circuit section for controlling the actual closing timing of the CCD shutter based on the output from the AE circuit section 15, which connects a capacitor 25 for timekeeping and a capacitor 25 which is opened at the timing when the shutter is opened. The connection point potential V between the switch 26 that releases the short circuit, the capacitor 25, and the output part of the level shift circuit 21 is referred to as the reference potential V.
It consists of comparators 27 and 28 for comparison with O and Vl.

23 is the release signal and C for shooting the CCD shutter.
A control circuit that opens based on a pulse signal from the CD driver 32 and closes when a predetermined exposure is obtained by the output of the comparator 28 of the circuit section 22 or a forced close signal from the CPUI, A shutter opening/closing signal is output to the CPUI and CCD driver 32.

Reference numeral 24 is a gain control discrimination circuit, which detects when the predetermined exposure (exposure amount less than the appropriate exposure by a predetermined amount) is not obtained even after the camera shake limit time is exceeded based on the output of the comparator 27 and the close signal from the shutter control circuit 23. etc.,
A signal for electrically controlling the gain of the video recording image signal is given to the CPU 1.

29 is a microphone for recording, 30 is an audio circuit that operates in response to a recording control signal from the CPUI, and the output of this audio circuit 30 is given to a video recording circuit 34, which will be described later.

31 is a COD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as COD), which is a solid-state image sensor that converts optical image information into an electrical signal;
2 is a driver that drives the CCD 31, and this COD driver 32 receives the output of the COD shutter control circuit 23, C
It operates in response to the ISO sensitivity switching signal from the PUI, the synchronization signal PG generated in synchronization with the rotation of the floppy disk, etc.

34 is a video recording circuit for magnetically recording images and audio onto a floppy disk, and 35 is a magnetic head thereof. Digital information signal (year, month, day, track number, etc.) displayed simultaneously with the image, gain control output, synchronization signal PG
It operates according to the following.

36 is a spindle motor driver for driving the floppy disk to rotate at a constant speed according to a command from the CPUI, and 37 is a spindle motor.

38 is the magnetic head 35 according to a command from the CPUI.
A stepping motor driver 39 is a stepping motor for moving the
9, the magnetic head 35 is controlled to move to a predetermined track position on the floppy disk. Reference numeral 40 denotes a head presser 1 rungeer for setting the head in a predetermined position during recording (writing).

41 is a flash that fires when the exposure amount is insufficient during shooting, and it has a built-in charging circuit and booster circuit for flashing.
The boost operation is started by the boost signal from the CPUI, and the CP
Based on the charge completion monitor signal from the UI, a charge completion signal is output to the CPU 1 when charging is completed. Also, CPUI
The flash is emitted by a light emission trigger signal from.

42 is a reset circuit that prevents abnormal operation when the power supply is low; 43 is an LED that flashes to indicate when the COD shutter opening operation is set to a self-timer mode during photographing; and 44 is a If the floppy inserter's cover is left open,
A buzzer that generates a sound to alert the user, 4
Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit which is operated by the output of the CPU and displays various camera information, setting modes, etc. on an LCD or the like.

The components of switch group 2 include main switch SO5, switch S for performing photometering and distance measurement prior to photographing.
1. Release switch S2 when performing a photographing operation; Recording switch S3 for selecting a recording mode or not.
a switch S4 that switches between single shooting (S, which is the standard mode), continuous shooting (C), which takes multiple photos, and self-timer (SELF), which takes photos using a self-timer; Date information changeover switch S5,
A switch S6 for correcting the date information, a switch S7 for detecting the open/closed state of the deck lid, a switch S8 for detecting the insertion state of the floppy disk, a switch S9 for detecting the presence or absence of a write-protection claw on the floppy disk, and a switch S9 for detecting the open and closed positions of the barrier. Switches sto and sit to detect, a switch 312 that detects the initial position of the lens, a lens changeover switch 813 that puts the lens in a close-up state during close-up photography, a close-up lens person position (close-up state) and an out position (standard state) It consists of switches S14 and S15 that respectively detect the magnetic head, and a switch 316 that detects the initial position of the magnetic head.

Here, the CPUI is equipped with various functional configurations such as a self-timer means and a sequence control means to be described later, and setting information such as the recording switch S3 and the mode changeover switch 84 is input by the user before shooting and is stored in the memory in the CPUI. Based on this memory information, the CPU executes predetermined program operations, and camera operations such as video recording and audio recording are performed.

Particularly, in the present invention, when the self-timer mode is selected and set using the mode selector switch S4, recording is performed during the self-timer count before taking an image, whereas when the self-timer mode is not selected, recording is performed after the end of taking the image. , the sequence is automatically switched using the CPUI.

Hereinafter, the operation of this camera will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 7.

FIG. 2 shows the main flowchart. In the figure, when the power is turned on to the CPUI, the CPU1 is reset (#1), the reset flag is set to rl, and the CPU1 is reset (#2), and the flags and RAM are initialized and the lens and magnetic head 35 are set to their initial positions. Perform initial settings (#3),
If this reset flag remains "1", it means that the date has not been corrected as described later, and such date information will not be recorded on the floppy disk, and will not be recorded on the LCD. Warn by flashing a part of the screen. 0 Next, check to see if there is a battery (#4), and if there is no battery, perform the battery removal routine #5). If there is a switch, check the status of the main switch SO (#6).

If the same switch SO is currently ON, check whether the deck device is open or closed, whether there is a floppy disk, whether there is a recording prohibition claw, and whether the deck device has just changed from open to closed (#7
~#10) If the deck has just been closed, an initial load routine is performed to locate the beginning of an unrecorded track on the floppy disk, and the magnetic head 35 is moved to that position (#11).

After that, if the judgment in #10 is NO, check the status of the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#12), and if it has changed from OFF to ON, perform photometry/distance measurement, exposure, and subsequent various steps. When the S1 sequence (shown in Figures 3 and 4) is processed (#13.#14), if switch S1 is OFF or has remained ON from before, the process does not proceed to the S1 sequence and the lens The state of the close-up switch 313 is checked (#15), and if it is turned on, the lens switching routine (#16) is processed.

Next, check the state of the mode selector switch S4 (#17
), when this is turned ON, the date flag is set to "0", and if it is in the date switching correction mode, this correction mode is exited (#18), and the mode change routine (#19)
process. Through this mode change process, as mentioned above, the shooting mode is memorized as single, continuous shooting, or selfie.Next, the state of the recording switch S3 is checked (#20), and when this is turned on, the same occurs. The date flag is set to "0", and if the date switching correction mode is selected, the correction mode is exited (#21) and the recording switching routine (#22> is processed).

Each of the close-up switch 313, mode changeover switch S4, recording switch 83, etc. changes to a different state each time it is pressed (turned on), and returns to the original state when pressed as many times as there are existing states.

After that, check the status of the date selector switch S5 (#23
), when this is turned ON, the date flag is set to "1" and the date switching correction mode is entered (#24), and the reset flag is set to "0" to enable recording of date information.
25) After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, start a date timer to exit this switching correction mode (#26).
, process the date switching routine (#27>. Then,
Check the date flag (#28), and if it is "1" and the date correction switch S6 is turned on, start the date timer anew (#29° #30), and execute the date correction routine (#31). ). When the date correction switch 36 is turned off and the date timer time elapses (
YES at #32), set the date flag to “0” (#3
3) Exit the date switching correction mode. In addition, S1
As will be described later in the sequence, O of the photometry/distance measurement switch S1
Even if it is N, the date switching correction mode will be exited.

After that, check whether the charging circuit of the flash 41 needs to be boosted (#34), and if boosting is necessary, check whether charging is complete (#35), and if not, start boosting the voltage (#36). Return to step #4 above. t, when the main switch SO is OFF in #6 above, and in #34 above. If boosting is not necessary in #35 or charging is complete, stop boosting the voltage (#37), start the first timer that measures the non-operation state (#38), and wait until a predetermined time has elapsed (#37). Check the open/closed state of the deck lid (#44), and check whether it is closed, or even if it is open, until a predetermined time period according to the second timer described later has elapsed (No at #45), Switches So, Sl, 33. S4
．． S5. Check for any changes in the condition of S6 or the deck lid (
#47) If there is a change, return to #4 above; if there is no change, return to #39.

Also, when the predetermined time set by the first timer has elapsed in #39 above, check the setting mode (#40), and if it is self-shooting or continuous shooting mode, change to the standard single mode (#41). Furthermore, check the condition of the lens (
#42), when it is close-up, change to standard #43) and proceed to #44 above.Also, in #45 above, when the predetermined time set by the second timer has elapsed, the user will be alerted by the buzzer 44. Issue a warning (#46)
. As is clear from this flowchart, when the deck lid is open, no input is accepted and data 1 is not accepted.
~ Only modifications are possible.

Also, if the deck lid is open in #7 above, proceed to #48, and if it has just changed from closed to open, start the second timer (#49), and continue until the predetermined time elapses. and #8 above. If there is no floppy or no nail in #9 (i.e. recording is prohibited), stop boosting and press (#9).
51), without checking the status of switch 81, etc.
The process proceeds to #23 above, and when a predetermined second time has elapsed, a warning is issued in the same manner as above (#52). Also, deck
When di is in the closed state, the warning is stopped (#53).

Next, an embodiment of the 81 Sequence #14 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, recording is prohibited during continuous shooting, and recording is performed after continuous shooting, and moreover, when the self-mode is selected, recording is performed during the self-timer.

In Figure 3, first stop the voltage boost to prohibit charging during recording/recording (#61), and set the date flag to "0".
”, that is, turn on switch S1 to exit the date changeover correction mode) (#62), check whether the self mode is stored in memory (#63), and if it is not self mode, immediately switch to recording standby. , ONL the spindle motor 37 that drives the floppy disk, (#64)
, if it is self-timer, the spindle motor 37 is turned off at this point to save power while the self-timer is counting.
I won't let you N.

Next, distance measurement and photometry/AE calculation routine (described later) are performed.
#65. After processing #66), it is checked from the calculation result whether or not boosting is necessary (#67), and if it is not necessary, wait for the release switch S2 to be turned on (#68), and if the switch S2 is turned on, , checks whether the self mode is stored in memory (#69), and if it is not the self mode, immediately processes the self sequence (#70), which will be described later, if it is the self mode, and then starts the spindle motor 37.
ONL (#71), then open the barrier (#72)
), operates the lens extension motor 10 to extend the lens to the in-focus position (#73), processes a release routine (#74) to be described later, and records the image onto a floppy disk using a recording device such as the video recording circuit 34. Do (#7
5). In this recording step, date information of year, month, day and track number are also recorded at the same time. Note that when the camera is not in self-mode, recording is performed after taking an image, so it has not been performed yet at this point.

After that, the magnetic head 35 is sent to the next empty track (
#76), reset the lens #77), and check whether the memory information for mode selection is continuous shooting mode (#78)
, if it is not continuous shooting mode, reset the continuous shooting flag 2 (#79), and the spindle motor 37 is activated to indicate the end of image recording.
OFF! , (#80), close the barrier (#81), and return the lens to the standard (#82. #83).

Furthermore, if it is not the self mode (NO in #84), check the memory information according to the setting of the recording switch S3 (#85
), in recording mode, the recording operation begins. The recordable timer time 'r of the voice memory is set to 9.6 seconds (s) (
= Tsutoshiku #86), start voice memory (#87)
. Then, the timer goes down from 1 to 1, and 'I'
- Look at 〇 (#88), and before reaching that point, check whether the metering/distance switch S1 has been turned from OFF to ON (#
89). Here, in order for the operator to indicate his/her intention to stop recording midway through, switch S1 is set to 0FFI and turned ON again, so select YES in #89.
, that is, to stop recording, set the 83 count to "0"(#90), which will be described later, and end the audio memory (#95).
).

If No in #89 above, check the state of the main switch SO (#91 > If it turns OFF, reset the audio memory as an indication of your intention to stop the current recording from the beginning #92), and start the audio recording process. The process moves to #4 in the main flowchart of FIG. 2 described above. the above#
If the main switch SO remains ON in step 91, then it is checked whether the recording switch S3 has changed from OFF to ON (#93).

This is because if the user wishes to make additional recordings for one captured image, the user can indicate his/her intention by pressing the recording switch S3. That is, recording switch S3
When is pressed once, the 83 count is incremented (#94) and the process returns to #88. This 83
As the count is incremented, the process returns from #100 to #86 via #101, as will be described later, and the recording timer is set again, making it possible to perform additional recording by the number of 83 counts.

When the timer reaches T=O, end the audio memory #95
), the spindle motor 37 is turned on (#96), and audio is recorded (#97>, here, track number or audio compatible track number.

Date information such as year, month, and day is not recorded.

Next, the magnetic head 35 is moved to the next empty track (#
98>, spindle motor 37 to 0FFL (#99>,
33 count is checked (#100), and if it is "0", if the mode is self-shooting or continuous shooting, the process returns to the standard single mode (#102° #103), and then returns to #4 of the main flowchart. If the #100''r33 count is 0, the 83 count is decremented by 1 (#1, 01) and the process returns to #86.Additional recording is thus performed.

In addition, if the recording mode is not set in #85, the above 8A 9
The process moves to #102 without processing any operation steps.

Also, if continuous shooting mode is set in #78 above,
Continuous shooting is executed by setting the continuous shooting flag 2 to "1"(#104), returning to #65, and cyclically processing the above routine. Here, no recording was made during continuous shooting.

In addition, in #68 above, if the release switch S2 remains OFF or becomes OFF, check the continuous shooting flag 2,
If continuous shooting is not in progress, check the open/closed status of the Detsuki soy sauce, the status of the main switch SO, and the status of the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 ($106 to #108), and check whether they are closed, ON, or closed.
If it is ON, the process returns to #66, and if it is open, OFF, or OFF, the process moves to #4 of the main flowchart.

On the other hand, if the continuous shooting flag 2 is "1" in #105, the continuous shooting operation is canceled and the process moves to #79.

On the other hand, if it is determined in #67 that the voltage needs to be boosted, check whether charging is completed (#109), and if charging is completed, check #
Proceed to step 68, but if charging is not completed, check to see if there is bright backlight (#110). As a result, if it is bright backlight and release switch S2 is turned on (YES in #111), the above Proceed to #69, but otherwise check the continuous shooting flag 2 indicating whether continuous shooting is in progress (#112), and if continuous shooting is in progress, the so-called uncharged lock (during continuous shooting (happens when it gets dark), stop continuous shooting and proceed to #79 above, 3i1! If not in the photo, the spindle motor 37 is used to save power during charging.
Turn off (#113) and start boosting (#114)
), then check whether charging is complete (#115), and if charging is complete, stop boosting the voltage #116), check again whether there is bright backlight (#117), and if YES, turn on the spindle motor 37. (#118) and #6 above
Return to 6. If No, return to #4 of the main flow.

Also, if charging is not completed in #115 above, the deck lid,
Check each status of main switch SO1 photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#119 to #121>, respectively closed, ON,
If it is ON, check whether there is bright backlight, and if it is bright backlight, check the status of release switch S2 (#123)
, if this is ON, stop boosting the voltage without waiting for charging completion (#124), and turn on the spindle motor 37 (#125).
＞ and start shooting ＜ (proceed to #69). Also, #12 above
Judgment in 2: No, that is, when it is dark or #123
When the release switch S2 is OFF, the above #11
Return to 5. Also, if the deck lid is opened in steps #119 to #121 above, the main switch SO or OFF, and the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 are OFF, exit from the S1 sequence and move to #4 of the main flowchart. .

Note that when the self mode is stored in memory and the sequence of the same mode (#70) is processed, recording has already been completed, so the process directly proceeds from #84 to #96.

The S1 Sequence shown in Figure 3 above records recording (
However, as will be described later, in this embodiment, recording is performed during self-timer counting, but below, an embodiment in which recording is performed during continuous shooting will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, in this embodiment, if the continuous shooting mode is #
Proceeding from #78 to #104, after setting continuous shooting flag 2 to "1", recording operation is performed, that is, timer T = 9.6 seconds (
s) #201) and start audio memory #
202), the process returns from #203 to #65 until T=O, and thereafter, this routine is repeated to perform continuous shooting and recording.

When T=O, end the audio memory #204>, set continuous shooting flag 2 to "0"#205), and close the barrier (#205).
206), after returning the lens to standard (#207
．． #208), skipping the recording routine and proceeding to #97 to record the audio.

Also, go from #68 to #105, and here continuous shooting flag 2
If it is "1", it is determined that continuous shooting has been stopped, so the continuous shooting flag 2 is set to "0"(#209), and the spindle motor 3
7 to 0FFL (#210) and close the barrier (#21.
1>, after returning the lens to standard (#212.#
213), the process moves to #88, and recording continues for the remaining time of the timer. Also, when proceeding to #112 with uncharged lock, if the continuous shooting flag is 2 or "1", the above #2
Similar to #09 to #213, processing to stop continuous shooting is performed in #214 to #218, and the process moves to #88.

In addition, in this embodiment, additional recording cannot be performed after recording ends after 9.6 seconds have elapsed during continuous shooting, and if continuous shooting ends before 9.6 seconds have elapsed (switch S2 is turned off or the battery is not charged), , it is now possible to record additional audio. Furthermore, in order to reduce the time lag during continuous shooting, the barrier is kept open during continuous shooting using the 81 sequence shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Furthermore, the corresponding video track number of the audio during continuous shooting can be made to correspond to the track number of the first (first stage of continuous shooting),
It can also be made to correspond to all track numbers.

Next, repeat the self mode sequence in #70 above in the fifth step.
This will be explained using figures.

Set timer T to 9.6 seconds (s) #301) and start voice memory and self-count #302. #
303), during timer counting, the LED is blinked to indicate that self-counting or recording is in progress (#305). And while recording, #306. #308
The deck lid is opened or the main switch SO is turned off.
When it is FF, please reset the voice memory by self-cancelling as an indication of your intention to stop recording from the beginning #308).
Return to the main flowchart. When the recording continues until the timer counts up (YES in #304>, end the audio memory in #309>, #7 in the S1 sequence).
Move to 1.

Note that the recording of the audio memory onto the floppy disk in the self mode is performed in step #97 after recording one image (#75 in FIGS. 3 and 4). Also, L during self-counting
The ED flashes to indicate the self-count and recording status, but the self-time LED can also be used to indicate that recording is in progress during normal shooting (for example, single mode). You can do it like this.

Next, photometry/AE of #66 in the above S1 Siegen
The calculation sequence will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, photometric elements SP, AVE and photometric circuit 16.17
Perform photometry (#401) and convert the photometry analog data to A
The data is A/D converted by the /D conversion circuit 18 and taken into the CPUI (#402 to #404).

Next, check whether the swift S1 is AP locked without being pressed (#405), and if NO, subtract the brightness photometric value Bvl of the center (spot) from the brightness photometric value fIiBv2 of the surrounding area (Abe) to calculate the brightness difference. Find Δ8v (#406),
The main subject VF and brightness BvS are obtained by subtracting a predetermined correction value α according to ΔBv from the photometric value Bv1 of the spot (#407), and the above-mentioned Abe photometry gUB v 2
is the background or sub-subject brightness BvA (#408),
Also, if the AP is locked in #405, #406. #40
Proceed to #408 without processing step 7. Here, #4
The AFD is activated in 05 when moving from #108 to #66 in the 81 sequence shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Only when performing calculations.

Next, check whether the lens is in a close-up state (#409), and if No, calculate the difference between the sub-subject brightness BvA and the main subject brightness BvS calculated above, that is, the degree of backlighting ΔBvS (#410>, Compare this value with the backlight detection level δ. #411) If ΔBvS is smaller than , the degree of backlighting is low (frontlight), and the weighted main subject brightness Bvs- is calculated as 1/8 BvS+7/
8 Use BvA (#412), while #411 uses Δ
If BvS is larger than δ, the degree of backlighting is large (backlighting) and a backlight flag is set to "1"#415).
Set BvS to Bvs- (#416).

These weightings are performed by weighting circuit 20 (FIG. 1).

Subsequently, when the above process #412 is performed, Bvs
Check whether - is higher than the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#414), and if it is YES, it is judged that it is brighter than the camera shake limit brightness, enter natural light shooting mode ■, and select NO.
If so, the camera determines that it is dark and enters dark flash photography mode■. Also, when the process of #416 is performed, check whether the sub-subject brightness BvA minus the backlight detection level δ is equal to or higher than the camera shake limit brightness 13 v H (#4
17) If YES, the bright backlight is bright, so set the bright/reverse flag as "1"#418), and enter the backlight flash shooting mode ■; on the other hand, if NO, the backlight is bright, but the background is dark, so use the dark flash. Enter shooting mode ■.

First, natural light photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO determined by the CCD 31 corresponding to the film is set as the sensitivity value Sv.
419), the maximum brightness BvM that can control proper exposure when the subject brightness is extremely bright, and the maximum shutter speed T
From vM, the value Av corresponding to the aperture of the lens, and the value Sv corresponding to the sensitivity of COD (both are apex values), BvM
=TvM-+-Av-3v (#420).

Next, the result obtained in #412 above is vs- and the above BvM
Compare the magnitudes of (#421), and if Bvs is greater than BvM, it is too bright, so use 5vO-1 as the sensitivity value Sv (#422), and if BvS- is greater than BvM, perform the process in #422 above. without the need for boosting (
#423>, move to S1 sequence.

Next, dark flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, compare the main subject brightness BvS plus IEv and the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#424).
If BvS+1 is not smaller than BvH, the control brightness value B
As vT, the main subject brightness BvS plus IEv is set (#425).As a result, the main subject will be photographed with only IEv under natural light. On the other hand, if l1vS+l is smaller than B v I-1, the main subject is young, so the control brightness riiB
Set camera shake limit brightness Bv11 as vT (#4
26).

Furthermore, in order to calculate the correction value for flash dimming, we calculate the value ΔEvN, which indicates how much the main subject will be undershooting from the appropriate level when photographing in full natural light, and calculate the main subject brightness Bv
Obtained from the difference between S and the above control brightness & iB vT (#427
), check whether this value ΔEvN is greater than IEv (#428), and if it is, set ΔEvN to -IBv #429), then check whether ΔEvN is less than 15Ev (#430), and select YES. If so, set the correction value K to 0 #431), if No, that is, ΔEvN
is between -1 and -3, the correction value K is (1/2)ΔEv
Set N+(3/2) (#4321゜Next, check whether the main subject distance is 5m or more (#433), and if it is 5m or more, add the flash dimming correction value ΔEvFL to the above correction value by +0.5 If the distance is less than 5 m, set the tuning light correction value ΔEvFI- to the above correction value (#435).

Next, set the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO to the IS of the CCD31.
0 sensitivity value Sv #436), and the controllable maximum brightness BvM at maximum brightness, maximum shutter speed Tv・M, lens aperture value AV, and the above sensitivity @'i S
After setting Bv M = T v M −+ − A v −S v from v (#437), check whether the control brightness 1iaB v T is equal to or higher than the maximum controllable brightness BvM obtained above (# 438). If the result of this comparison is YES, then it is a bright time, and the ISO sensitivity Sv is set to 5vO-1 (#439), and then the maximum controllable brightness at this time is BvM - Binding 2 and TvM + Av - 3v is used in the same way. (
#440), check again whether the control brightness value BvT is greater than or equal to the controllable maximum brightness BvM- (#441), and if the comparison result is YES, check the bright/reverse flag (#442) and check if the same flag is set. For example, compare the main subject brightness BvS and the maximum brightness value BvM- (#443), and BvS is BvM.
If it is larger than -, the brightness of the main subject is bright even in backlight and no flash is necessary, so the bright/reverse flag is set to "0"(#444) and the mode is shifted to natural light photography mode (#444).

Above #438. If the comparison result in #4/11 and #443 is NO, and if the bright/reverse flag in #442 is 0, go to #445 and control the flash emission timing Tv. Brightness value BvT, ISO sensitivity ff1S v, and lens. From the aperture value Av, T v = B v T+ S v−
Let it be A v. Furthermore, it is checked whether the flash emission timing Tv is greater than or equal to the maximum shutter speed TvM (#446), and if Tv is smaller than TvM, it is determined whether the same timing Tv is less than or equal to the touch limit shutter speed TvH. (#447), Tv is T
If it is larger than vH, leave the Tv obtained in #445 above as is and set a flag indicating the need for boosting (#448)
, move on to the SL sequence. Also, #446 and #44
If the judgment in step 7 is YES, set Tv, respectively.
Set M (#449), TvH (#450) and #44
Proceed to step 8.

Next, backlight flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the sub-subject brightness BvA-1 is used as the control brightness value BvT (#451). As a result, when the main subject is properly exposed, the background will be photographed with an overexposure of IEv. After processing #451, the above #
427, and similar processing is performed thereafter.

In addition, in #409 above, if the lens is in a close-up state, proceed to #452, and the camera shake limit brightness value for close-up is set to BvcU, and the camera shake limit shutter speed is T.
From vH, aperture flIAvcU during close-up, and initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO, BvCU=TvH+AvCU
-3vO, then compare this camera shake limit brightness value BvCU with the sub-subject brightness BvA #453), and find that BvA is BvCU
If it is larger, set the sub-subject brightness BvA+0.75 as the control brightness value BvT (#454), and set the flash emission timing Tv to -E BvT and the initial setting ISO sensitivity Sv.
From O and the aperture value AvCU during close-up, T' v = B v T + S v O-A v
CU #455), boosting required #456),
Return to S1 Siegen. Also, if BvA is smaller than BvCU, the camera shake limit shutter speed TvHC during close-up is set as the flash emission timing Tv (
#457), proceed to #456 above.

Next, the release sequence in S1 sequence (
#74) will be explained with reference to FIG.

This release is controlled based on the photometry/AE calculation results.

If the lens is not in close-up mode and strobe light is not required (NO in #501 or #502), natural light photography will be used, and the center spot (SP) of the light receiving area and the surrounding area (AV
Using the luminance data of E) (#503), the photometry/AE
Weighting based on Bvs determined in #412 of the performance sequence is added (#504). This weighting is performed by the circuit 20 based on a command from CPtJl shown in FIG. Then, set the timer t1 to 1 above the camera shake limit time, and start light adjustment (exposure) when the timer starts <#505. #506). Here, -T v H.

t ](" 2 After the start of dimming, the reference standard potential ■0 for setting the appropriate exposure in the circuit 28 that controls the opening time of the shutter shown in FIG. Compare the potential, ■, and end the exposure when VO≧V (#51.1>).

If the timer reaches 1-0 before this VO≧V is reached (YES in #508), compare the reference potential V1 (>VO) and the control potential V in #5091. If V is higher than Vl, ( #509: NO), even after the camera shake limit time has elapsed, the subject is dark and the exposure is still insufficient, so increase the gain by a predetermined amount in the gain control discrimination circuit 24 #5
22), the exposure is completed (#511). Also, # above
If Vl is 7 or more tear in 509 (#509t”YES
), exposure ends without changing gain (#51.1)
shall be. Note that after the exposure is completed, the process proceeds to #75 of S1 Sequence.

On the other hand, if strobe light is required (YES in #502)
), use the brightness data of only the center spot (SP) of the light receiving part (#512), add ΔEvFL and Sv calculated above as correction values. #513), and use Bvs- calculated in above #416. 514), check whether it is backlit from the above-mentioned clear flag (#515), and if it is not backlit (clear flag = O), process #516 to #522 below,
If it is backlit (transparent flak-1>, #523~#527
is processed and the exposure is completed (#511).

In any of these processes, timer t1=t
Set timer t2=tH+tF.

A' Tv Here, -T until flash emission at tA=2
vH is the hand wave timing time, tH=2 is the limit time, and tF is the flash emission time.

Then, natural exposure is started by timer start, and t1
When the value becomes 0, light control starts by emitting a flash.

Regarding the processing after the start of light adjustment, when there is no backlight, the timer t1 in the case of shooting with only natural light as described above is used.
It is the same except that timer t2 is used instead of , and since it is brighter when backlit than when it is not backlit, it is necessary to process whether to increase the gain when timer t2 = 0. Exposure is immediately terminated (#511).

Also, when the lens is in close-up mode, #5
Perform the processing from 28 to #536 and end the exposure (#511)
That is, in this process, as in #503 above, the brightness data of the center spot (SP) and the periphery (Ave) of the light receiving section are used, and the correction of AvCU is added, Bvs = (3/4) A weighting of BvS+(1/4)BvA is added (#530), and the same processing as in #523 to #527 for backlighting is performed. Note that the camera shake limit time for close-up is t = 2- TvH
Let it be C.

C In addition, in the above embodiment, weighting is added in the case of close-up and natural light modes, but it is also possible to add weighting in backlighting, or the value thereof may be determined separately.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the camera, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of switch S1, and FIG. 4 Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of the switch S1, Figure 5 is a flowchart of the self sequence, Figure 6 is the metering/A
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the E calculation sequence. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the release sequence. 1... CPU, 29... Microphone for recording, 30...
- Audio circuit, 31... CCD, 34... Video recording circuit, S3... Recording switch (operating member).

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a still video camera having means for recording images and sounds, an operating member for switching the recording mode and a command input for extending the recording time when the operating member is operated during recording. What is claimed is: 1. An audio recording device for a still video camera, comprising means for determining that the recording time is the same and extending the recording time in predetermined time units.