JPH07236111A - Recording controller for electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain high speed continuous photographing and to reduce the consumption of a battery. CONSTITUTION:Plural IC memory cards 41 to 43 are inserted into respective slots 31 to 33. Picture signals outputted from a CCD 13 at a fixed interval are recorded in the card 41 inserted into the slot 31. The remaining recording capacity of the card 41 in recording is detected, and when the remaining capacity reaches a prescribed value, current supply to the slot 32 to be driven next for recording operation is started.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic still camera to which a plurality of recording media can be attached, and more particularly to an apparatus for controlling the recording operation of image signals on the recording media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of memory cards (recording media)
As an electronic still camera that can be attached to
An electronic camera described in Japanese Patent No. 5 is known. This electronic camera has two or more card spaces (slots) and is configured to record an image signal in any one of the memory cards based on the remaining recording capacity of the memory cards installed in each card space. There is.

[0003]

Since the electronic still camera has less mechanically operating parts than an ordinary camera,
The electronic still camera, which is suitable for higher-speed continuous shooting and to which a plurality of recording media can be attached as described above, can perform continuous shooting for a large number of images. However, if power is supplied to all slots during continuous shooting, the power consumption of a battery or the like is quickly consumed, and, for example, during continuous shooting, there is a problem that the shooting operation becomes impossible due to exhaustion of the battery.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in particular reduces power consumption during continuous shooting.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording control device for an electronic still camera that can continue good shooting.

[0005]

A recording control device for an electronic still camera according to the present invention comprises a plurality of recording means, each of which has a recording medium attached thereto and can record an image signal on the recording medium when a voltage is applied. A power supply circuit for applying a voltage to the recording means, a detection means for detecting a remaining recording capacity of the recording medium during the recording operation, and a power supply circuit when the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium during the recording operation reaches a predetermined value. Then, a power supply control means for applying a voltage to the recording means for performing the next recording operation is provided.

[0006]

The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic still camera having a recording control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The system of the electronic still camera is controlled by the system control circuit 11.

A subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 13 via the lens 12. The CCD 13 is an image pickup circuit 14
The image signal is output to the image pickup circuit 14 at a constant cycle (usually about 1/60 second cycle). The image signal is converted into an R signal, a G signal, and a B signal in the image pickup circuit 14, a predetermined format in the video signal processing circuit 15, and temporarily stored in the image memory 16. Then, after being read again from the image memory 16 and compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 17, the first to third slots 31
To 33 through the IC memory cards 41 to 43
Will be recorded in one of.

At the time of moving image monitoring, the RGB image signals are processed by the image signal processing circuit 15 as the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Pr, P.
It is converted into b and output as a video signal of a moving image to a monitor device (not shown). During reproduction, the compressed image signal is read from any of the IC memory cards 41 to 43,
After being expanded in the image compression / expansion circuit 17, it is output to the monitor device via the video signal processing circuit 15, the image memory 16, and the like.

In the image compression / expansion circuit 17, the image signal is compressed based on the compression ratio set by operating the compression ratio setting switch provided in the operation unit 21. The IC memory card control circuit 18 detects the remaining recording capacity and the recording area of the IC memory cards 41 to 43, and sets the next recording area. Each of the slots 31 to 33 is provided with a connector pin, and each of the IC memory cards 41 to 43 is electrically connected to this connector pin. First to third slots 31
To 33 record the image signals output from the IC memory card control circuit 18 in the IC memory cards 41 to 43 mounted in the respective slots.

The system control circuit 11 obtains the number of frames that can be recorded in each of the IC memory cards 41 to 43 based on the remaining recording capacity of the IC memory cards 41 to 43 and the above-mentioned compression rate. Further, the system control circuit 11 outputs a reset pulse RP to the IC memory cards 41 to 43 performing the recording operation in order to initialize the logic circuit. JEIDA, the standard for IC memory cards
(Japan Electronic Industries Demelopment Associat
Ion (Japan Electronic Industry Development Association)
A format is defined in which this reset pulse is given to the IC memory card after the voltage of the C memory card is stabilized.

The power supply circuit 23 applies a voltage supplied from a battery (not shown) to each of the slots 31 to 33.
Further, the power supply circuit 23 switches energization of each of the slots 31 to 33 according to the control of the system control circuit 11.

The operation unit 21 is provided with a recording mode changeover switch or the like to select a recording mode or the like. Display unit 2
In 2, the compression rate and the number of recordable frames are displayed.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing switching of energization of the slots 31 to 33. Next, the operation of switching the energization in the continuous shooting recording mode will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the first slot 31 is energized, and the IC memory card 41 attached to the first slot 31 has a C
Image signals continuously output from the CD 13 are recorded. When the remaining recording capacity of the IC memory card 41 reaches a predetermined value (two frames remaining in this embodiment), the energization switching timer 24, which will be described later, is started and the second slot 32 is energized (P1). This predetermined value is a recording capacity corresponding to the number of frames recorded while the slot is energized and in a recordable state. When the remaining recording capacity of the IC memory card 41 decreases and there are no more recordable frames, the energization of the first slot 31 is stopped (P2). Then, the next image signal is recorded in the IC memory card 42 via the second slot 32.

Similarly, when the remaining recording capacity of the IC memory card 42 reaches a predetermined value, the third slot 33 is energized (P3), and when there are no recordable frames in the recording area of the IC memory card 42, the second slot is reached. The power supply to 32 is cut off (P4). The next image signal is the IC memory card 4
It is recorded in 3.

Next, the operation of the recording control device during continuous recording will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The program shown in the flow chart of the drawing is executed by the system control circuit 11 to start when the continuous shooting recording mode is selected and the release switch is turned on. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an IC memory card having a recordable frame number of 2 or more is used.

First, the remaining recording capacity of each of the IC memory cards 41 to 43 is detected, and the IC memory cards 41 to 4 are determined based on the remaining recording capacity and the compression rate set by the operation unit 21.
The number of recordable frames of 3 is calculated. Based on the calculation result, an IC memory card capable of continuous shooting recording (remaining two or more frames) is attached, that is, a slot (first slot 31) in which the recording operation is performed first is selected. Then, the first slot 31 is energized, and the IC memory card 4
The reset pulse RP1 is output at 1. As a result, the first slot 31 and the IC memory card 41 are held in a recordable state.

At step 101, it is judged if the release switch is off. When the release switch is off, this program ends, but when it is not off, it is judged at step 102 whether or not the recording area to be currently recorded is the second frame from the end. In this example, it is assumed that the number of remaining frames is more than 2, so step 103 is executed next,
The continuous shooting timer 25 starts. And step 1
In 04, a recording operation is performed (corresponding to, for example, K1 in FIG. 3). That is, a still image signal is read from the CCD 13, converted into a predetermined format in the video signal processing circuit 15, and then output to the first slot 31 via the image signal compression / expansion circuit 17 and the IC memory card control circuit 18. It is recorded in the IC memory card 41.

When the recording operation is completed, it is determined in step 105 whether the recording of the IC memory card 41 attached to the first slot 31 is completed, that is, this IC.
It is determined whether or not recording on the memory card 41 has become impossible. Here, it is assumed that recording is possible. Therefore, in this case, step 106 is executed and the recording area for the next image signal in the IC memory card 41 is set. In step 107, it is determined whether or not a set time (for example, 0.1 seconds) has elapsed since the continuous shooting timer 25 started. With this set time, the interval between each frame is controlled to be constant, and the still image signal is CCD at the same time interval
13 is read. When the set time has elapsed, the continuous shooting timer 25 is stopped in step 108. Then, the process returns to step 101 again, and the above-mentioned steps 101-
The operation of 108 is repeated, and the still image signal obtained at a constant time interval is recorded in the IC memory card 41.

As a result of continuous shooting, step 10
If it is determined that there are two more recordable frames in step 2, the energization switching timer 2 is determined in step 109.
4 starts.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a switching operation such as energization from the first slot 31 to the second slot 32, and FIG. 5 is an energization switching program showing this switching operation. The operation of switching the energization from the first slot 31 to the second slot 32 will be described with reference to these drawings. The program shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the system control circuit 11, and the energization switching timer 24 of step 109 is executed.
After the start of (Q1), interrupt processing is performed at regular time intervals (a, b, c). Note that the times a, b, and c have a relationship of a <b <c as shown in FIG.

When it is determined in step 124 that the time a has elapsed, a voltage is applied (energized) to the second slot 32 for the next recording operation in step 125 (Q2). The second slot 32 cannot operate immediately after being energized, and it takes a certain rising period for the voltage to stabilize. When the time b has elapsed in step 123, it is determined that this rising period has elapsed, and in step 126 the reset pulse R
P2 is output to the second slot 32 (Q3).
After that, when it is determined in step 122 that the time c has elapsed, in step 127 the reset pulse R
P2 is shut down (Q4). As a result, the logic circuit of the IC memory card 42 is initialized, and the second slot 32
Are held in a state in which recording (writing) is possible. In step 128, the energization switching timer 24 is stopped.

In parallel with the operation of the energization switching program described above, in the program of FIG.
8 is repeatedly executed, and the image signal is recorded in the remaining two frames of the first slot 31. When the number of remaining frames in the first slot 31 is exhausted (Q5), it is determined in step 105 that the recording operation in the current slot has ended, and in step 110, the energization of the first slot 31 is turned off.

Then, in step 106, a frame area in which the next image signal is recorded is set in the IC memory card 42 in which the recording operation is performed next. After this step 1
07, 108, 101 to 103 are executed in this order, and in step 104, the next image signal is recorded in the IC memory card 42 (K2 in FIG. 4).

Similarly, when the number of recordable frames of the IC memory card 42 becomes two, the energization switching timer 24 is started, the third slot 33 is energized, and the recording operation is held. When the remaining number of frames in the IC memory card 42 is exhausted, the next image signal is recorded in the IC memory card 43.

When the release switch is opened during the above-mentioned operation, it is determined in step 101 that the release switch is off, and this program ends.
The continuous shooting ends.

In the continuous recording mode, the predetermined value serving as the reference for the start timing of the energization switching timer 24 is set in accordance with the period until the voltage of the next slot stabilizes, and has been described above. It is not limited to two frames.

The time a corresponds to the difference between the period required for recording two frames and the period required until the next slot is ready for recording. By providing this time a. Moreover, the consumption of the battery is suppressed.

As described above, in the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment, during continuous shooting, the slots for recording operation are sequentially energized. It is possible to suppress the consumption of the battery, and for example, it is possible to prevent continuous shooting when the battery runs out during shooting.

Further, the electronic still camera has less mechanical operations than an ordinary camera, and high-speed continuous shooting is possible. Further, since the IC memory card is used, the number of mechanical operations for recording operation is less than that when a floppy disk is used, and continuous shooting at higher speed can be performed.

Further, as the continuous shooting operation becomes faster, the time interval of the continuous shooting recording operation becomes larger at the time of switching the IC memory card due to the rise time of the voltage in the slot for the next recording, which is faster in the conventional apparatus. The effect of continuous shooting was sometimes impaired. In particular, JEIDA, which is a standard for IC memory cards, specifies a format for outputting a reset pulse that initializes a logic circuit after the power supply is stabilized before recording, and there is a problem that the recording interval is further extended. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the remaining recording capacity of the currently recording recording medium reaches a predetermined value, energization to the next slot is started, so when the currently recording recording medium cannot be recorded. The next slot is held in a recordable state, and the consumption of the battery is suppressed as much as possible to prevent the continuous shooting interval from fluctuating, thereby enabling excellent high-speed continuous shooting.

In this embodiment, the electronic still camera having three slots 31 to 33 has been described, but the same effect as that of this embodiment can be obtained even when the number of slots is two or four or more.

In this embodiment, an electronic still camera to which an IC memory card can be attached has been described, but an electronic still camera to which a floppy disk can be attached may be used.

Further, although the continuous shooting speed is constant in this embodiment, the continuous shooting speed may be arbitrarily set by the operation unit 21. In this case, the start timing of the energization switching timer 24 and the like also change according to the set time between frames.

[0035]

As described above, according to the electronic still camera of the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption particularly during continuous shooting and continue good shooting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the energization switching operation of each slot 31 to 33 during continuous shooting.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system control circuit 11.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an energization switching operation of the slot 32 during continuous shooting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an energization switching program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 system control circuit (power supply control means) 18 IC memory card control circuit (detection means) 23 power supply circuit 24 energization switching timer 25 continuous shooting timer 31 first slot (recording means) 32 second slot (recording means) 33 third slot (Recording means) 41, 42, 43 IC memory card (recording medium)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location H04N 5/225 Z H04N 5/91 L

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of recording means, each of which has a recording medium attached thereto and is capable of recording an image signal on the recording medium when a voltage is applied, a power supply circuit for applying a voltage to the recording means, and a recording circuit during a recording operation. When the recording capacity remaining of the recording medium is detected and the recording capacity remaining of the recording medium during the recording operation reaches a predetermined value, the power supply circuit is controlled to apply a voltage to the recording means for the next recording operation. A recording control device for an electronic still camera, comprising: a power supply control means for applying the voltage. 2. The recording means records the image signal on a recording medium in a continuous shooting mode for continuously recording the image signal one frame at a time. Recording control device for electronic still cameras. 3. The power supply control means controls the power supply circuit when the recording operation of one recording medium is completed to stop the voltage application to the recording means to which the recording medium is attached. The recording control device for an electronic still camera according to claim 1. 4. The recording control device for an electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is an IC memory card. 5. A means for outputting a reset pulse for bringing a recording medium attached to the recording means into a recordable state when the power supply circuit applies a voltage to the recording means for the next recording operation. Claim 1 characterized by the above.
A recording control device for an electronic still camera according to item 1. 6. The recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined value is a recording capacity corresponding to the number of frames to be recorded in a continuous recording mode after a voltage is applied and a recordable state is achieved. A recording control device for the described electronic still camera.