JPH03201688A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily record information excepting for pictures as sound data by recording compressed picture data and compressed sound data to a memory which can be attached and detached to the main body of a camera. CONSTITUTION:An image pickup device 14 is provided, and a picture data compressing means 21 is provided to execute the data compression of the picture information by a digital signal processing. Then, a sound data compressing means 22 is provided to execute the data compression of sound signal to be obtained from a sound converting means 16 by the digital signal processing. A writable/erasable memory 12 is provided to store the compressed picture data and the compressed sound data, and picture and sound data extending means 24 and 25 are provided to restore the compressed picture data and the compressed sound data to be obtained from this memory 12. Then, the memory 12 can be attached and detached to a main body 11 of the camera. Thus, a condition to pick up the image of a picture, explanation of the picture, auxiliary information corresponding to a screen such as a message, etc., or information attached with the picked-up picture can be easily inputted and recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electronic camera that captures and records images, and particularly to an electronic camera that can record and reproduce audio.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, electronic cameras that capture and record images, but do not reproduce images or record or reproduce audio, were introduced in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6
It is known from, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2-269581.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Since the electronic camera does not record audio, it is not possible to record preliminary information corresponding to the screen, such as the situation when the image was captured, an explanation of the image, or a message. Furthermore, it would be extremely convenient if not only information about captured still images but also associated information could be input and recorded. It is conceivable to record this information as character data, but in this way, the character data would have to be entered by key operation, which would be troublesome for the user9.The present invention improves the above drawbacks and An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can easily record other information as audio data.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes: an imaging device that photoelectrically converts an image; an image data compression means that compresses image information obtained from the imaging device by digital signal processing; a conversion means for converting into an electrical signal; an audio data compression means for compressing the audio signal obtained by the conversion means by digital signal processing; and compressed image data obtained from the image data compression means and the audio data compression means. a writable and erasable memory for storing the compressed audio data obtained from the memory; an image data decompression means for restoring the compressed image data obtained from the memory to the original image digital signal; The electronic camera according to claim 1 is further provided with an audio data expansion means for restoring to an audio digital signal, and the memory is removably attached to the camera body.
Analog-to-digital conversion of image information and audio signals 1
The invention of claim 3 is an electronic camera according to claim 1, in which:
Digital/analog conversion of image information and audio signals↓
This is done using two digital-to-analog conversion means.

[For production]

In the first aspect of the invention, an image is photoelectrically converted by an imaging device, and data compression of image information obtained from the imaging device is performed by digital signal processing by an image data compression means. A voice is inputted by the conversion means and converted into an electric signal, and data compression of the voice signal obtained from the conversion means is performed by digital signal processing by the voice data compression means. Compressed image data obtained from the image data compression means and compressed audio data obtained from the audio data compression means are stored in a memory, and the compressed image data obtained from this memory is restored to the original image digital signal by the image data decompression means. Ru. Further, the compressed audio data obtained from the memory is restored to the original audio digital signal by the audio data decompression means, and the memory is attached to and removed from the camera body.

In the invention of claim 2, image information and audio signals are analog
Digital conversion is performed by one analog-to-digital conversion means.

In the third aspect of the invention, digital-to-analog conversion of image information and audio signals is performed by one digital-to-analog conversion means.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a timing chart thereof.

In this embodiment, a card type IC memory 12 is installed in the camera body 11.
It is detachable and can be used for still image capturing, recording, and
Performs playback, recording and playback of audio. The camera body 11 includes a lens 13 that forms an image of a subject, an imaging device 14 that photoelectrically converts one screen worth of the subject image formed by this lens 13 and outputs one screen worth of analog image signals, and this imaging device. A signal processing circuit 15 that converts the analog image signal obtained from 14 into general signals used as standard television signals (red signal, blue signal, green signal, luminance signal, color difference signal, etc.), and a signal processing circuit 15 that inputs audio. A microphone 16 that converts into analog electrical (i), an amplifier 17 that amplifies the analog electrical signal obtained from this microphone 16, and a changeover switch 18 that switches between the audio signal from this amplifier 17 and the image signal from the signal processing circuit 15.
, an analog/digital (A/D) converter 19 that converts the analog image signal or audio signal from this changeover switch 18 into a digital signal, a frame buffer 20 that stores the digital signal, and this frame buffer 20
Image data compressor 2 that compresses image data stored in
1, an audio data compressor 22 for compressing the audio data stored in the frame buffer 20, an interface 23 for inputting/outputting compressed image data or compressed audio data to/from the card type IC memory 12, An image data expander 24 and an audio data expander 25 that restore image data and audio data, respectively, a data register 26 that temporarily holds the audio data expanded by the audio data expander 25, and the expanded image data and audio data. a selector switch 27 for switching the
a digital/analog (D/A) converter 28 that converts the image data or audio data from 7 into an analog signal;
A changeover switch 29 that switches between analog image data and audio data from the D/A converter 28, a pedestal level output circuit 30 that outputs the pedestal level of the video signal, and analog audio output from the D/A converter 28. A sample-and-hold circuit 31 that samples and holds a signal, a low-pass filter 32, and a D/A converter 28
The pedestal level output circuit 30 includes a changeover switch 33 for switching between an analog image signal output from the pedestal level output circuit 30 and a pedestal level from the pedestal level output circuit 30, and a system control circuit 34 for controlling the entire operation sequence.

When recording an image, the changeover switch 18 is switched to the b side, the subject is imaged by the imaging device 14 through the lens 13, and the analog image signal for one screen obtained from this imaging device 14 is sent to the signal processing circuit 15° changeover switch. 1
g, A/D converter 19. Frame buffer 202
Image data compressor 21. It is recorded in the card type IC memory 12 via the interface 23.

When information accompanying a captured image is to be recorded as an audio signal, the changeover switch 18 is switched to the a side by a user or the like. Sound accompanying the captured image is input by the microphone 16 and converted into an analog electrical signal. This analog electrical signal is passed through an amplifier 17. Changeover switch 18. A/D converter 19° frame buffer 20
．． Audio data compressor 22. The information is recorded on the card type IC memory 2 via the interface 23.

Next, the operation of this embodiment when reproducing audio and images will be explained.

Compressed image data is read from the card-type IC memory 12 and stored in the frame buffer 20 via the interface 232 and image data decompressor 24. Also, compressed audio data is read from the card-type IC memory 12 and the interface 23. The audio data is stored in the data register 26 via the audio data decompressor 25. The image data on the frame buffer 20 and the audio data on the data register 26 are converted into analog image and audio signals by a D/A converter 28 via a changeover switch 27. At this time, it is necessary to repeatedly and continuously output the image signal from the frame buffer 20.

The audio signal also needs to be output from the data register 26 in real time. Therefore, normally two D/A converters are required to convert the image signal and the audio signal separately, but in this embodiment, the image signal and the audio signal are converted into one D/A converter.
/A converter 28 performs D/A conversion.

The analog image signal is, for example, an NTSC signal as shown in the upper part of FIG. 2, and the image display device 35 consisting of a television monitor receives the image signal from the frame buffer 20 through a changeover switch 27', a D/A converter 28. Image display is performed by inputting through the changeover switch 29.33, but the effective horizontal scanning period for displaying the image is 5.
It is 2.5 μsec. Other periods in the upper horizontal scanning period (IH) include a color burst signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. The horizontal front porch of the image signal is 1.5 μsec, and during this period, the image signal is at the pedestal level and has a constant value. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the timing of the horizontal front porch in the image signal, the changeover switch 2 is
7, 29, and 33 are switched to the b side, and the pedestal level from the pedestal level output circuit 30 is changed to the selector switch 3.
3 to the television monitor 35, the image signal is substituted by the pedestal level from the pedestal level output circuit 30, and the audio signal is sent from the data register 26 to the changeover switch 27. D/A converter 28. The signal enters the sample and hold circuit 31 via the changeover switch 29, is input, and is sampled and held. Changeover switches 27, 29.
33 is linked and the audio data is D/A converted by the D/A converter 28.
When converting, switch to the b side and convert the image data to D/A.
When the converter 28 performs D/A conversion, it switches to the a side.

The timing of these operations is shown in FIG.

As a result, one image signal and one audio signal are D/A converted by one D/A converter 28, which is advantageous for low cis 1~ and miniaturization. Here, the sampling frequency of the audio signal in the sample hold circuit 31 is the horizontal synchronization frequency (15, 7
5KH2) or 1/N thereof (N=1.2, 3...
). The audio signal from the sample and hold circuit 31 is outputted through a low-pass filter 32, amplified by an amplifier 36, and then sent to an electroacoustic transducer 37 consisting of a speaker.
is converted into audio by

If the generally well-known DPCM method or ADCT method is used as the image data compression method of the image data compressor 21, data compression of about 1/4 to 1/20 is possible. In addition, the ADPCM method is adopted as the audio data compression method of the audio data compressor 22, and the audio signal is compressed to 32Kb.
Compressing to the PS data transmission rate provides sound quality that is practically acceptable.

If an EE-PROM is used as the card type IC memory 12, a back amplifier battery is not required. If a card-type IC memory with a capacity of 20 Mbits or more is realized, it will be possible to compress one screen's worth of images (6 Mbits) to 1/15 (400 bits) and record 50 screens' worth of images. . or.

If you record audio using the amount of data for one screen, it will be 400 pips.
- / 32 bps = 12.5 seconds of audio recording is possible.

Imaging and recording may be performed separately, or may be performed when the appearance is higher than the actual value at the time of imaging. In other words, the time required to compress image data and record it in the card-type IC memory 12 is from several tens of m5ec to several hundred + n5ec, so if recording is performed immediately after imaging, it appears that both of the above are being performed. , it is also possible to perform both independently.

When playing images and audio, first the image data is transferred to the card type I.
The image data is read out from the C memory 12, decompressed by the image data decompressor 24 via the interface 23, and stored in the frame buffer 20. Thereafter, an audio signal is transferred from the data register 26 to the selector switch 27 in synchronization with the timing of the samurai's horizontal front porch, where the image signal is output from the frame buffer 20 to the television monitor 35. D/
A converter 28. Changeover switch 29° Sample hold circuit 31. Audio data is read from the card-type IC memory 12 so as to be outputted via the low-pass filter 32, passed through the interface 23, expanded by the audio data expander 25, and stored in the data register 26. As mentioned above, since the sampling frequency of the sample and hold circuit 31 is the horizontal synchronous frequency (15,75KIIZ) or 1/N thereof (N=1,2°3,...), the card type IC memory 12 → interface The processing of the audio signal from the ace 23 to the audio data decompressor 25 to the data register 26 can be performed in real time.

In the above embodiment, the television monitor 35° amplifier 36. Although the speaker 37 is not built into the camera body 11, the television monitor 35. Amplifier 36. The speaker 37 may be built into the camera body 11.

In this way, the captured image can be displayed on the television monitor 3.
It is convenient to be able to view the recorded audio immediately on the speaker 37, and it is convenient to be able to listen to the recorded audio immediately on the speaker 37.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, there is provided an imaging device that photoelectrically converts an image, an image data compression means that performs data compression of image information obtained from the imaging device by digital signal processing, and a a conversion means for converting into a signal; an audio data compression means for compressing the audio signal obtained by the conversion means by digital signal processing; compressed image data obtained from the image data compression means and compressed image data obtained from the audio data compression means. a writable and erasable memory for storing compressed audio data obtained from the memory; an image data decompression means for restoring the compressed image data obtained from the memory to the original image digital signal; Since the memory is removably attached to the camera body, preliminary information corresponding to the screen such as the situation when the image was taken, an explanation of the image, a message, etc. This makes it very convenient to easily input and record information associated with captured images.

Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, analog-to-digital conversion of one image information and audio No. A is performed by one analog-to-digital conversion means, thereby further reducing costs.

It is advantageous for downsizing.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the digital-to-analog conversion of the image information and the audio signal is performed by one digital-to-analog conversion means, thereby further reducing the cost.

It is advantageous for downsizing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a timing chart of the same embodiment. 11...Camera body, 12...Memory, 14...
Imaging device, 16...Microphone, 21...Image data compressor, 22...Audio data compressor, 24...
Image data expander, 25...Audio data expander.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An imaging device that photoelectrically converts an image, an image data compression means that compresses image information obtained from the imaging device using digital signal processing, and inputs audio and converts it into an electrical signal. a conversion means, an audio data compression means for compressing the audio signal obtained by the conversion means by digital signal processing, compressed image data obtained from the image data compression means, and compressed audio data obtained from the audio data compression means. an image data decompression means for restoring the compressed image data obtained from the memory to the original image digital signal; and restoring the compressed audio data obtained from the memory to the original audio digital signal. 1. An electronic camera, characterized in that the memory is removably attached to a camera body. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein analog-to-digital conversion of image information and audio signals is performed by one analog-to-digital conversion means. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein digital-to-analog conversion of image information and audio signals is performed by one digital-to-analog conversion means.