JPH046973A - Electronic still camera and its magnetic disk - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain various operation by storing a control data controlling the operation of an electronic still camera to a cue track of a magnetic disk and using the magnetic disk so as to control the electronic still camera. CONSTITUTION:A pickup control data using an EV as a parameter and controlling the pickup operation of an electronic still camera such as F value and shutter speed is stored in a user area of a cue track of a magnetic disk D. When the disk D is loaded to a disk device, a stored control data is read by a data read circuit 46 via a magnetic head 31 and a head amplifier 45 and stored in a RAM of a system controller 11 after the precedingly stored data is deleted from the RAM. Then the pickup standby state is attained and the pickup is implemented by releasing the shutter. Thus, diversified pickup is implemented with simple operation even with a simple operation mechanism by using a control data different from a basic pickup control data stored in a ROM of the controller 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electronic still camera and a magnetic disk used in this camera.

[Conventional technology]

Electronic still cameras have become rapidly popular in recent years due to the immediacy of being able to view captured images immediately, but another reason for this rapid spread is the handling of the magnetic disk that is the recording medium. One example is that it is easy. In other words, images taken by an electronic still camera are recorded on a magnetic disk housed in the camera.
Even in the middle of shooting, you can view the magnetic disk by removing it from the camera and setting it in a playback device.

In such a magnetic disk, one video is recorded on one or two trunks depending on the recording method, and audio can also be recorded along with the video. Since these video and audio have different modulation bands, they are recorded on different tracks. A cue track is provided to store information for correctly combining the video and audio during playback, and this cue track also includes a user's area that can be used freely.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

When shooting with an electronic still camera, you can obtain the desired image by freely combining exposure, aperture, and shutter speed, just like with a silver halide camera.
It is also possible to perform various operations such as zooming. However, when a camera becomes multifunctional in this way, the problem arises that not only the operation mechanism such as operation buttons provided on the camera body becomes complicated, but also the operation becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic disk that enables various operations even if the electronic still camera has only a simple operation mechanism, and an electronic still camera that is controlled by the magnetic disk.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The magnetic disk according to the present invention is characterized in that control data for controlling the operation of an electronic still camera is stored in the cue track.

Furthermore, the electronic still camera according to the present invention is characterized in that its operation is controlled by this magnetic disk.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a control circuit built into an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 shows a magnetic disk according to an embodiment of the invention.

The system controller 11 is a conventionally known microcomputer that controls the entire camera, and includes CPU, ROM, and RA.
Various operation switch groups 12 are connected to this system controller 11. The image of the subject is
A solid-state image sensor (CCD) 1 is formed by an aperture and a lens 14.
5. The CCD 15 is connected to a video processing circuit 17 via an imaging circuit 16, and the imaging circuit 16 and the video processing circuit 17 are connected to and controlled by the system controller 11. Note that the aperture drive circuit 1
3 is also connected to the system controller 11, and is driven and controlled by the system controller 11 based on information from a photometric means (not shown).

The image formed on the CCD 15 is input to the image processing circuit 17 via the imaging circuit 16. This video processing circuit 1
In 7, the video signal input from the imaging circuit 16 is
It is divided into a color difference signal and a luminance signal, and two color difference signals (
R-YSB-Y) are arranged alternately every IH (horizontal scanning period). The video processing device 17 is also connected to a video output terminal 18, and by connecting a playback device (not shown) to this terminal 18, it is possible to view the shot video.

The white balance sensor 21 is connected to the system controller 11 via a white balance processing circuit 22, thereby correcting the color tone of the image obtained by shooting.

The disk device includes a magnetic head 31 and this magnetic head 3.
1, a spindle motor 33 for rotationally driving the magnetic disk D, a motor drive circuit 34 for driving and controlling this motor 33, and a PC coil for detecting the rotational angular position of the magnetic disk D. 35. The PC coil 35 is connected to a motor drive circuit 34, and the motor drive circuit 34 and head drive circuit 32 are connected to the system controller 11.

The luminance signal and two color difference signals of the video signal are each subjected to FM modulation, and data such as the shooting date is subjected to DPSK modulation and multiplexed recording is performed on the same recording track. Therefore, an FM modulation circuit 41 and an FM demodulation circuit 42 are connected to the video processing circuit 17, and a DPSK modulation circuit 47 and a DPSK demodulation circuit 49 are connected to the system controller 11.

The FM modulation circuit 41 includes a head amplifier 43 and a switch 4.
4, the FM demodulation circuit 42 also connects to the amplifier 4.
5 and a switch 44, respectively, to the magnetic head 31 of the disk device.

A DPS is connected between the FM modulation circuit 41 and the head amplifier 43.
A K modulation circuit 47 is connected, and a low pass filter (LPF) 4B is connected between the FM demodulation circuit 42 and the head amplifier 45.
A DPSK demodulation circuit 49 is connected thereto.

The switch 44 is configured to be selectively switched between the FM modulation circuit 41 side and the FM demodulation circuit 42 side under the control of the system controller 11. That is, when recording video data on the magnetic disk D, the switch 44 connects the head amplifier 43 on the FM modulation circuit 41 side to the magnetic head 31, whereby the video data is FM modulated.
Further, data such as the date of photographing is DPSK-modulated and recorded on the magnetic disk D. On the other hand, when reproducing images recorded on the magnetic disk D, the switch 44 connects the head amplifier 45 on the FM demodulation circuit 42 side to the magnetic head 31. Therefore, the video data recorded on the normal magnetic disk D is FM demodulated and inputted to the video processing circuit 17, whereby the video is played back by the playback device connected to the video output terminal 18. Furthermore, data such as the date of photography is DPSK demodulated and input to the system controller 11, whereby the date of photography and the like are reproduced together with the video.

In this embodiment, the cue track of the magnetic disk D stores photographing control data such as the F value and shutter speed, as will be described later.

A data reading circuit 46 for reading this photographing control data is connected between the FM demodulation circuit 42 and the head amplifier 45. The data reading circuit 46 is connected to the system controller 11, and the control data is analyzed by the system controller 11, thereby controlling the photographing operation of the camera and the like.

Further, a display device 51 for displaying the current status of the camera, etc. is connected to the system controller 11.

FIG. 2 shows a magnetic disk D. This magnetic disk D has the same appearance as a 2-inch magnetic disk used in a typical electronic still camera, and has 52 tracks. Among these tracks, the 1st to 50th tracks d from the outside are data tracks for recording digital data such as video data, audio data, and shooting date, and the 52nd track C records so-called cue signals. This is a cue track. Note that the 51st track is not used.

Now, in addition to areas for recording various information, the cue track C is provided with a user area that can be freely used by the user. In this embodiment, shooting control data for controlling the shooting operation of the electronic still camera is stored in this user area.

FIG. 3 shows a program diagram that is an example of this imaging control data. That is, this photographing control data indicates the relationship between the F value and the shutter value using the EV value as a parameter, and is indicated by a solid line S. On the other hand, the ROM of the system controller 11 stores a program diagram indicated by broken lines as basic imaging control data.

FIG. 4 shows the format of the photographing control data stored in the cue track. This control data is arranged by repeating the EV value, F value, and shutter value, and this - set of EV
A point on the solid line S in FIG. 3 is represented by the value, F value, and shutter value.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic still camera of this embodiment. In step 101, a magnetic disk is inserted into the disk device of the electronic still camera, and in step 102, data on the cue track of this magnetic disk is read out. In step 103, step 102
Based on the data read out, it is determined whether or not photographing control data is stored in the cue track. Note that herein, a disk in which shooting control data is stored in the cue track will be referred to as a data disk, and a conventional disk in which shooting control data is not stored will be referred to as a normal disk. That is, in step 103, it is determined whether a data disk is set in the disk device.

If a data disk is installed in the disk device,
Steps 104-107 are executed.

First, in step 104, the shooting control data stored in the RAM of the system controller 11 is deleted, and then in step 105, the shooting control data stored in the cue track of the magnetic disk, that is, the program diagram (in FIG. The data indicated by the solid line S) is read into the RAM of the system controller 11. In step 106, the R
Photographing can be performed using the photographing control data stored in the AM, that is, the photographing control data recorded on the cue track of the magnetic disk. When the shutter of the camera is released in this state, an image is taken according to the diagram indicated by the solid line S in FIG. 4.

In step 107, it is determined whether the operation switch 2a provided on the camera body has been operated. This operation switch 12a selects whether to use the imaging control data read out from the cue track of the magnetic disk or the basic imaging control data stored in advance in the ROM of the system controller 11 as the program chart used for imaging. established for the purpose of If this operation switch has not been operated, the process returns to step 106, and the photographing mode based on the photographing control data read from the cue track, that is, the optional photographing mode, is maintained. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 107 that the operation switch 12a is operated, steps 112 and subsequent steps are executed, and the system controller 11
The camera shifts to a shooting mode based on basic shooting control data stored in the ROM in advance, that is, a basic shooting mode.

If it is determined in step 103 that no data disk is installed in the disk device, that is, if a normal disk is installed, steps 111 and subsequent steps are executed. The RAM of the system controller If normally stores, for example, a program diagram already shown by the broken line in FIG. 3 as basic imaging control data. Step 1
At step 11, the display device 51 displays that the camera is currently in a state of photographing according to this basic photographing control data, that is, that it is in the basic photographing mode.

In step 112, R of the system controller 11
It is determined whether the photographing control data stored in the OM and the photographing control data stored in the RAM are the same. If they are the same, proceed to step 11
The process advances to step 5 to enter a photography standby state, and photography can be performed using the basic photography control data currently stored in the RAM. In contrast, in step 112, the ROM and RAM
If it is determined that the photographing control data stored in the ROM is different, step 113 is executed to delete the data stored in the RAM, and at the same time, in step 114, the basic photographing control data in the ROM is read into the RAM. Then, in step 115, the camera enters a photography standby state based on the basic photography control data newly stored in the RAM. When the shutter of the camera is released in this state, an image is taken according to the diagram indicated by the broken line in FIG.

In step 116, similarly to step 107, it is determined whether or not the operation switch 12a has been operated. If this operation switch has not been operated, the process returns to step 115, and the photographing mode based on the basic photographing control data currently stored in the RAM, that is, the basic photographing mode, is maintained. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 116 that the operation switch has been operated, steps 102 and subsequent steps are executed, and if a data disc is inserted into the disc device, the process shifts to the optional photographing mode.

Note that if it is determined in step 116 that the operation switch has been operated, but no data disk is installed in the disk device, the photographer can check whether a data disk is installed in the basic shooting mode display displayed in step 111. be able to recognize that there is no

Note that in the case of an electronic still camera that does not have the operation switch 12a, steps 107 and 116 are omitted. In this case, the shooting mode is uniquely determined depending on whether the magnetic disk is a data disk or a regular disk.
Therefore, the video data recorded on the data track of the magnetic disk is all shot using the same shooting control data.

As described above, the electronic still camera in this embodiment can be operated using both a data disk and a regular disk, but the electronic still camera of the present invention may also be operated only using a data disk. In this case, the flow chart of FIG.
, 102.104.105 and 106 only.

As described above, this embodiment is configured so that photography can be performed using the photography control data stored in the cue track of the magnetic disk.

Therefore, photography can be performed using photography control data different from the basic photography control data stored in the ROM of the system controller, and a variety of photography becomes possible.

Furthermore, since such photographing control data is obtained from the magnetic disk, there is no need to provide a special operating mechanism in the camera body, and the configuration of the camera can be simplified.

Furthermore, conventionally, shooting control data was stored in the ROM of the system controller, but in this embodiment, the shooting control data is obtained from a magnetic disk, so it is necessary to incorporate a ROM in the camera to store the shooting control data. do not have.

Furthermore, since this embodiment is configured to obtain imaging control data from a magnetic disk, when selecting imaging conditions, it is only necessary to select a magnetic disk that has control data that matches the purpose, and the operation is easy. be.

The capacity of the cue track of the magnetic disk is approximately 16 bytes, which is sufficient to store photographic control data. Further, the data reading circuit 46 for reading the data of this cue track can be easily realized using an IC, and does not require a particularly complicated configuration.

Note that in the above embodiments, in order to simplify the explanation of the present invention, the explanation regarding the configuration for recording audio is omitted. However, when recording audio as well as video, the first
A conventionally known audio processing circuit may be added to the circuit shown in the figure.

Further, in the above embodiment, as an example of the photographing control data stored in the cue track of the magnetic disk, the EV value,
Although a program diagram consisting of an F value and a shutter value has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a program for a zooming operation, for example. That is, in this case, the system controller 11 controls the zoom mechanism according to a program obtained from the magnetic disk. Also,
The control data obtained from the magnetic disk does not have to be related to photographing, and may be data for controlling other than photographing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, even if an electronic still camera has only a simple operation mechanism, it is possible to perform various controls with simple operations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a control circuit of an electronic still camera to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a magnetic disk according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a program diagram. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of photographing control data stored in the cue track of the magnetic disk, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. D... Magnetic disk C... Cue track Figure 2 D-! Kidaysufu c --- 〒 Utfufufu

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A magnetic disk used in an electronic still camera, characterized in that a cue track stores control data for controlling the operation of the electronic still camera. (2) An electronic still camera whose operation is controlled by the magnetic disk according to claim 1.