JPH08331497A - Digital electronic camera and displaying method for remaining capacity of recording medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve operability by exactly displaying the remaining capacity of a medium concerning plural kinds of recording modes at an electronic camera having various kinds of recording modes whose quantity of information per recording unit is different. CONSTITUTION: This electronic camera is operated in the recording mode arbitrarily selected and set by the mode switch of an operating part 21. Each time the operation of recording to the electronic camera is finished, the recordable capacity (remaining capacity) of a memory card 13 is decreased but its state is monitored by a remaining capacity monitor part 26a and those remaining capacity data are inputted to a display control part 26b. A mode/remaining capacity display part 22 to be driven and controlled by this display control part 26b is composed of five segments, for example, and in the state of maximum capacity in the memory card 13, all the lights of segments are turned on but each time the remaining capacity is decreased for prescribed quantity, the lights of segments are successively turned off one by one. The capacity corresponding to the segment whose light is to be first turned off is set larger than a capacity corresponding to each of the other respective segments.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital electronic camera such as a so-called digital electronic still camera capable of recording image data of still images or moving images or audio data on a recording medium, and a recording medium remaining in the digital electronic camera. The present invention relates to a quantity display method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a digital electronic camera such as a so-called digital electronic still camera, a recording medium such as a memory card stores not only still image data but also moving image data, still image with audio data and audio data. There is also a configuration in which they can be recorded on the same recording medium selectively by mode selection. In addition to these digital electronic cameras,
A device that enables communication with a communicable external device such as a personal computer or a facsimile has also been developed.

In such a digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes, the recording information amount for recording a predetermined unit of information differs depending on the recording mode. Therefore, in such a digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes, it is not easy to grasp the remaining amount of the recording medium, and the unused remaining amount of the recording medium is small unless the user is careful during use. At that point, it may happen that the user cannot record in the desired mode.

In recent years, in this type of digital electronic camera, not only image data of a still image or a moving image by a video signal collected by an image pickup device but also audio information collected by a microphone is used alone or together with a still image. There is a tendency for the number of types of recording modes to increase, such as enabling recording. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-277280 (first conventional example)
Shows that in a so-called electronic still camera, a display for accurately grasping the remaining amount in the current photographing mode or the image number of the image to be photographed next is shown.

That is, in the first conventional example, a video signal is recorded while a track is formed by a head on an image recording medium, and the number of occupied tracks per image and the image that can be captured by one image recording medium according to the image capturing mode. In the different number of electronic still cameras, the number of images that can be shot on one image recording medium in the current shooting mode, and the number of unshot images in the current shooting mode corresponding to the address of the current position of the head or the number of images to be shot next time By displaying the image number and the number of images that can be captured, the shooting mode can be recognized, and the display of the number of images that can be captured and whether the number of uncaptured images or images to be captured next time is displayed. By displaying the numbers, it is possible to easily and quickly grasp the ratio of the number of uncaptured images or the number of captured images to the number of captured images. It is.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-39986 (second prior art) discloses both the number of images that can be recorded and the sound recording time in a so-called electronic still camera similar to the above. Are displayed in association with each other. That is, in the second conventional example, an image pickup device to which an image of a subject is supplied, a first signal system for recording a video signal from the image pickup device on a video floppy as an annular magnetic track, and time axis compression are used. A second signal system for recording an information signal such as a reproduced audio signal on another annular magnetic track of the video floppy in sector units, and a display means. When the video floppy is set, the video signal is recorded. The floppy disk is reproduced to obtain a directory, and based on this directory, the unrecorded tracks and sectors of the floppy disk are converted into the recordable residual amounts of the video signal and the information signal, and the conversion result is displayed on the display means. An electronic screen which is supplied to display the remaining recordable amounts of the video signal and the information signal by the display means. Cameras have been described.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned conventional system, since the remaining amount of the recording medium in each mode is displayed according to the mode changeover switch, it is desirable to provide a remaining amount display section for each mode. In particular, when the number of recording modes is extremely large, there is a problem that it is difficult to provide a plurality of remaining amount display sections due to the size limitation of the device itself of the digital electronic camera.

When the remaining amount of recording medium in each recording mode is displayed numerically by switching the mode changeover switch, when the remaining amount of recording medium is very large in a certain mode, unnecessary information is given to the operator. It will be. The operator normally replaces the recording medium such as a memory card after the remaining amount of the recording medium becomes small. Until then, the operator does not need to be aware of the remaining amount of the recording medium at all times. Displaying the remaining amount in the mode causes the operator to make the operation of the device complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in the case of having a plurality of types of recording modes in which the amount of information per recording unit is different, the display form is devised and the recording medium for various recording modes is designed. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital electronic camera that can easily and accurately display the remaining amount in a limited display area and can significantly improve operability, and a recording medium remaining amount display method in the digital electronic camera.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with at least the image pickup means of the image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and the sound pickup means for collecting sound and is detachable. A recording medium for loading at least the video information of the video information picked up by the imaging means and the audio information collected by the sound collecting means on a recording medium loaded in the recording medium; In a digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes with different recording information amounts, a remaining amount monitoring means for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium, and a series of display ranges are shown. The display device has a plurality of display units arranged for displaying and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions, and a display means for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by these display units. And a display for driving the display unit so as to reduce the display range of the display unit as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases based on the remaining amount of the recording medium obtained by the remaining amount monitoring unit. And a control means.

The display means may have a plurality of display sections respectively corresponding to a plurality of divided ranges obtained by dividing a series of display ranges. The display means may divide a band-shaped display range in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of display parts. The display means may divide a wedge-shaped display range whose width dimension gradually changes along the longitudinal direction into a plurality of display parts by dividing the display range in the longitudinal direction.

The display means may divide a circular display range in the circumferential direction to form a plurality of display parts for each predetermined angle range. The display means displays a circular display range,
You may divide | segment into a concentric form and may form a some display part.

Further, according to the present invention, at least the image pickup means of the image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and the sound collecting means for collecting sound is provided, and the image pickup means picks up an image on a recording medium which is detachably mounted. Recording information for recording at least the video information among the video information and the audio information collected by the sound collecting means, and a plurality of recording modes each having a different recording information amount per recording information unit. In digital electronic cameras,
Remaining amount monitoring means for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium, and a plurality of display units arranged to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions. And a display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by these display units, and the remaining amount of the recording medium is reduced based on the remaining amount of the recording medium obtained by the remaining amount monitoring unit. In order to reduce the display range of the display unit, the display control unit for driving the display unit and the morphological display range of the display unit according to the change of the remaining amount of the recording medium are changed. It is characterized by comprising an alarm means for generating an alarm sound.

The warning means may be means for generating a warning sound for a predetermined time only when the display range of the display means changes. The alarm means may include means for increasing the sound pressure of the alarm sound as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases. The alarm unit may include a unit for generating an intermittent alarm sound by shortening the interval at which the alarm sound is interrupted as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases.

Further, according to the present invention, at least the image pickup means of the image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and the sound collection means for collecting sound is provided, and the image pickup means picks up an image on a recording medium which is detachably mounted. Recording information for recording at least the video information among the video information and the audio information collected by the sound collecting means, and a plurality of recording modes each having a different recording information amount per recording information unit. In a digital electronic camera, a remaining amount monitoring unit for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality of units and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium, and arranged so as to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions A plurality of display units for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by these display units, and the above-mentioned information obtained by the remaining amount monitoring unit. Based on the remaining amount of the medium, the display unit is driven so as to reduce the display range of the display unit with the decrease of the remaining amount of the recording medium and flush the display unit with the decrease of the remaining amount. And a warning means for generating a warning sound according to a change in the morphological display range of the display means according to a change in the remaining amount of the recording medium.

The display control means and the alarm means may be means for causing the display part to flush and generate an alarm sound only for a predetermined time only when the display range of the display means changes.

Further, according to the present invention, at least the image pickup means of the image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and the sound collecting means for collecting sound is provided, and the image pickup means picks up an image on a recording medium which is detachably mounted. Recording information for recording at least the video information among the video information and the audio information collected by the sound collecting means, and a plurality of recording modes each having a different recording information amount per recording information unit. In a digital electronic camera, a remaining amount monitoring unit for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality of units and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium, and arranged so as to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions A plurality of display units for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by these display units, and the above-mentioned information obtained by the remaining amount monitoring unit. Based on the remaining amount of the medium, the display range of the display unit is reduced as the remaining amount of the recording medium is reduced, and the display unit is flushed so that the flushing interval is shortened as the remaining amount is reduced. Therefore, it is characterized by comprising a display control means for driving the display means.

Further, a recording medium remaining amount display method for an electronic camera according to the present invention includes at least the image pickup means of an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and a sound collecting means for collecting sound, and is detachably mounted. A recording medium for recording at least the video information of the video information picked up by the imaging means and the audio information collected by the sound collecting means on the recording medium, and In a digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes with different amounts of recorded information, the capacity of the recording medium is divided into a plurality of sections, the remaining amount of the recording medium is monitored, and arranged so as to display a series of display ranges. With a plurality of display units respectively corresponding to the capacity division,
Based on the remaining amount of the recording medium, the display range of the display unit is reduced as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases, and the remaining amount of the recording medium is displayed.

Further, according to the present invention, at least the image pickup means of the image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and the sound collection means for collecting sound is provided, and the image pickup means picks up an image on a recording medium which is detachably mounted. Recording information for recording at least the video information among the video information and the audio information collected by the sound collecting means, and a plurality of recording modes each having a different recording information amount per recording information unit. In the digital electronic camera, a plurality of display units arranged so as to divide the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality of units, monitor the remaining amount of the recording medium, and perform a display showing a series of display ranges, and which correspond to the respective capacity divisions. The display range of the display unit is reduced according to the remaining amount of the recording medium as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases. And displays the remaining capacity, is characterized by generating an alarm sound with the morphological changes of the display range in response to a change of the remaining amount of the recording medium.

Further, according to the present invention, at least the image pickup means of the image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and the sound collecting means for collecting sound is provided, and the image pickup means picks up an image on a recording medium which is detachably mounted. Recording information for recording at least the video information among the video information and the audio information collected by the sound collecting means, and a plurality of recording modes each having a different recording information amount per recording information unit. In the digital electronic camera, a plurality of display units arranged so as to divide the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality of units, monitor the remaining amount of the recording medium, and perform a display showing a series of display ranges, and which correspond to the respective capacity divisions. According to the above, based on the remaining amount of the recording medium, the display range of the display unit is reduced as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases, and the display unit The remaining amount of the recording medium is displayed by flushing, and an alarm sound is generated in accordance with a change in the morphological display range of the display unit according to a change in the remaining amount of the recording medium. .

[0021]

In the digital electronic camera and the recording medium remaining amount display method thereof configured as described above, when there are plural kinds of recording modes in which the amount of information per recording unit is different, various recording is performed by devising the display form. The remaining amount of the recording medium for the mode can be accurately displayed in a limited display area in an easily recognizable manner, and the operability can be significantly improved.
That is, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of remaining amount display sections,
The device can be made compact, and only when the recording medium is about to be replaced, a warning is issued and the operator is made aware of the necessity of replacing the recording medium.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of a digital electronic camera of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing the configuration of a digital electronic camera according to the present invention.

The digital electronic camera of FIG. 1 has a microphone (microphone) 1 as a sound collecting means, amplifiers / filters 2a and 2b, a voice data compression / expansion circuit 3, and A / D (analog / digital) conversion circuits 4a and 4b. , D / A (digital / analog) conversion circuit 5, camera image pickup section 6 as image pickup means, digital signal processing circuit 11, image data compression / expansion circuit 12, card interface circuit 1
4, card connector 15, mechanical drive unit 18, timing signal generation unit 19, strobe 20, operation unit 21, mode / remaining amount display unit 22, CPU (central processing unit) 26 and F
The IFO circuit 27 is provided.

The microphone 1 collects a voice signal. The amplifiers / filters 2a and 2b amplify the input signal and perform predetermined filtering. The audio data compression / expansion circuit 3 encodes audio data and composites the encoded audio data. The A / D conversion circuits 4a and 4b are
Converts analog data to digital data. D / A
The conversion circuit 5 converts digital data into analog data.

The camera image pickup unit 6 as an image pickup means has a taking lens 7, a diaphragm 8, a CCD image pickup device 9 and a correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as "CDS circuit") 10. The CCD image pickup device 9 is an image pickup device and is a CCD
Other imaging devices, for example MO using MOS type device
It may be an S-type image sensor. The CDS circuit 10 performs a correlated double sampling process on the video signal obtained by the CCD image pickup device 9. The camera imaging unit 6 includes a taking lens 7 and a diaphragm 8.
The image of the subject captured via the CCD is captured by the CCD image sensor 9, and the image information of the subject is processed by the CDS circuit 10.

The digital signal processing circuit 11 is a circuit for performing various kinds of image processing. The image data compression / expansion circuit 12 has an image compression unit and an image expansion unit, and performs compression encoding processing of image data and expansion decoding processing of compressed image data. A card interface circuit (hereinafter, referred to as “card I / F circuit”) 14 that forms a part of the recording unit is an interface for performing writing / reading to / from a memory card 13 as a recording medium. The card connector 15 is a connector for connecting the memory card 13 to the card I / F circuit 14. The memory card 13 is composed of a plurality of flash memories,
As a data transfer method, for example, a burst transfer type data transfer method is used to write / read data.

A mechanical drive unit (hereinafter referred to as “driver”) 18 mechanically drives the taking lens 7 and the diaphragm 8 of the camera image pickup unit 6. The timing signal generation unit (hereinafter, referred to as “SG”) 19 generates a timing signal of the electric system of the camera imaging unit 6. The strobe 20 illuminates the subject. The operation of this digital electronic camera is performed via the operation unit 21. Setting multiple recording modes
The change is also performed by operating the operation unit 21. The operation unit 21 is
Although not shown in the drawing, a mode setting operation unit such as a mode switch and an external operation instruction unit such as a remote controller are included.

The mode / remaining amount display section 22 is, for example, an LC
D (liquid crystal element), LED (light emitting diode) and EL
It is configured using a display element such as (electroluminescence). In this case, the mode / remaining amount display unit 22 is configured using, for example, an LCD. The mode / remaining amount display section 22 displays various operation modes such as a recording mode set via the operation section 21. The mode / remaining amount display unit 22 also displays the remaining recordable recording medium of the memory card 13, which is a recording medium. In this case, the remaining amount display of the memory card and its display form are
It is controlled by a display control unit 26a as a display control means in U26.

Next, the operation of the digital electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 will be specifically described. The image information of the subject is displayed on the operation unit 21.
In accordance with the image pickup operation of the CCD, in the camera image pickup unit 6, the CCD is passed through the photographing lens 7 which is driven to be focused by the driver 18.
The image is input to the image sensor 9 and converted into an electric signal. The video signal output from the CCD image sensor 9 is a CD
Correlated double sampling is performed in the S circuit 10 and supplied to the A / D conversion circuit 4b. The video signal processed by the CDS circuit 10 is sampled at the optimum sampling frequency by the A / D conversion circuit 4b and converted into a digital signal.

As the optimum sampling frequency, for example, a frequency that is an integral multiple of the subcarrier frequency of the NTSC signal can be used. These CCD image pickup devices 9, C
The DS circuit 10 and the A / D conversion circuit 4b operate according to the timing signal supplied from the SG 19. CDS
The video signal (imaging information) output from the circuit 10 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 4b is the same as that normally applied to the video signal captured by the camera in the digital signal processing circuit 11. Video signal processing such as gamma correction and color separation is performed, and the luminance signal Y
A signal and Cb and Cr signals that are color difference signals are generated.

These Y, Cb and Cr signals are compression-encoded by the image compression section of the image data compression / expansion circuit 12 and controlled by the CPU 26 while the card I / F is being controlled.
The image data is supplied to the memory card 13 via the circuit and recorded in the memory card 13 as an image file according to a predetermined recording mode. The voice is converted into an electric signal by the microphone 1 which is a voice-electrical signal converting element (sound collecting means), and this voice signal is further amplified and filtered by the amplifier / filter 2a to output the voice of the required frequency band. The signal is supplied to the A / D conversion circuit 4a.

This audio signal is sampled by the A / D conversion circuit 4a at a sampling frequency which is at least twice the upper limit of the required frequency band and converted into a digital signal. This digital audio signal is compression-encoded by the audio compression unit of the audio data compression / expansion circuit 3 and is controlled by the CPU 26 as well as the Y, Cb and Cr signals related to the video, and is transmitted via the card I / F circuit 14. Memory card 1
3 and is recorded in the memory card 13 as an audio file in a predetermined recording mode. The amount recorded in the memory card 13 in this way is timely (for example, every time one unit is recorded or every fixed time) by the remaining amount monitor 26a as a remaining amount monitor in the CPU 26. The signal that is read out and corresponds to the remaining amount is input to the display control unit 26b as the display control unit.

Here, the remaining amount monitoring means divides the capacity of the memory card 13 which is a recording medium into a plurality of pieces and monitors the remaining amount of the recording medium, and the display control means is the remaining amount monitoring means. Based on the remaining amount of the recording medium obtained, as the remaining amount of the recording medium (memory card 13) decreases, the display unit is arranged to reduce the display range of the display unit (mode / remaining amount display unit 22). It is for driving.

Next, the operation of decoding image / audio data will be described. The card I /
The compression-coded compressed image data is read from the memory card 13 via the F circuit 14. Memory card 13
The compressed image data read from is input to the image data compression / expansion circuit 12 via the card I / F circuit 14 while being controlled by the CPU 26, and is then input to the image expansion unit of the image data compression / expansion circuit 12. It is expanded and input to the digital signal processing circuit 11. The Y, Cb, and Cr signals input to the digital signal processing circuit 11 are digitally encoded by the digital signal processing circuit 11 in accordance with the NTSC signal, and are NT video signals.
It is output as an SC signal.

On the other hand, the compressed audio data read from the memory card 13 is controlled by the CPU 26 and is input to the audio data compression / expansion circuit 3 via the card I / F circuit 14 and expanded by the audio expansion unit. Decrypted,
It is converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 5 and output as an audio signal through the amplifier / filter 2b. The CPU 26 follows the instruction from the operation unit 21.
It controls all operations inside the digital electronic camera. Further, the internal state of the camera at this time is displayed on the mode / remaining amount display unit 22 which is a display unit under the control of the display control unit 26a.

In this case, as described above, the digital electronic camera body is provided with the mode / remaining amount display section 22 using the LCD and the operation section 21 including the mode switch. In this case, the recording mode has four recording modes: (1) video (MO), (2) still image + audio (ST + A), (3) still image (ST), and (4) audio (A). It is assumed that there is a mode. The size of one unit of recorded data in each of these four recording modes is (1) the moving image has the largest capacity when compared with the data capacity of one unit when recording on the memory card 13 which is the recording medium. (2) Still image + audio, (3) Still image, in order, (4) Audio has the smallest capacity.

For example, an unused (non-recorded) memory card 13 having a recording capacity of 20 MB (megabytes) is inserted into the card connector 15 and loaded into the digital electronic camera. The operator selects a recording mode (that is,
Operate the digital electronic camera in any of moving image, still image + audio, still image, and audio modes.

In the memory card 13, the recordable capacity, that is, the remaining amount decreases each time a series of recording operations of the digital electronic camera is completed. The state is read by the remaining amount monitor 26a and the display controller 26b. A signal corresponding to the remaining amount is input to. The recording operation is the predetermined one described above.
It is performed in units. As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD for displaying the remaining amount of the mode / remaining amount display unit 22, which is a display means, has five segments S1, S2, S3 obtained by equally dividing the strip-shaped display region into five in the longitudinal direction. , S4 and S
5 and.

Each of the segments S1 to S5 corresponds to the recordable capacity, and when the remaining amount of the recording medium is the largest, all of the segments S1 to S5 are controlled by the display control unit 26b as the display control means. Is lit up, and the remaining amount decreases, the segment S
5 is turned off and the segments S1 to S4 are turned on, and thereafter, the segments S4 and S5 are turned off and the segments S1 to S3 are turned on, the segment S3,
When S4 and S5 are turned off and the segments S1 and S2 are turned on, and the remaining amount is the smallest, the segments S2, S3, S4 and S5 are turned off and only the segment S1 is turned on.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the relationship between the segments S1 to S5 and the number of recordable times in each recording mode driven by the display controller 26b. For example, if all five segments S1 to S5 are lit, the moving image is
It is possible to record more than 4 units, that is, 4 times for each unit (not including 4 times), and still image + sound is 20 units, that is, 20 times for each unit (20 times for each unit). Can be recorded, still images can be recorded more than 40 units, that is, 40 times for each unit (excluding 40 times), and audio can be recorded for 80 units. That is, it is possible to record the number of times exceeding 80 times per unit (not including 80 times).

When the four segments S1 to S4 are lit, the moving image can be recorded 4 times (4 units) one unit at a time, and the still image + sound is 2 units each.
It can be recorded 0 times (20 units), still images can be recorded 40 times (40 units) one unit at a time, and audio can be recorded 80 times (80 units) one unit at a time.
It is possible to record.

Further, when three of the segments S1 to S3 are lit, the moving image can be recorded one unit three times (three units), and the still image + sound can be recorded one unit 15 times (one unit). 15 units) can be recorded, still images can be recorded 30 times (30 units) each, and audio can be recorded 60 times (60 units) each.
It is possible to record. Furthermore, segment S
When two of 1 and S2 are lit, the moving image can be recorded once for each unit (2 units), and the still image + sound can be recorded for each unit 10 times (10 units). The still image can be recorded 20 times (20 units) for each unit, and the sound can be recorded 40 times (40 units) for each unit.

When only one of the segments S1 is lit, one unit of the moving image can be recorded only once (one unit), and still image + sound can be recorded 5 times by one unit. It is possible to record (5 units), and still images are
It is possible to record 10 times (10 units) for each unit, and audio can be recorded 20 times (20 units) for each unit.

As described above, the segment S5 corresponds to the state where the remaining amount of the recording medium is maximum. This segment S5 corresponds to a state in which the remaining amount is sufficiently large, and it suffices that the segments S4 and below correspond to the state in which the remaining amount starts to decrease. ,
The video can be played 5 times or more. Assuming that the unused 20 MB memory card 13 can record, for example, a moving image up to 6 times, the segment S5 corresponds to a capacity of twice the moving image. In this case, since each of the segments S1 to S4 corresponds to the capacity for one time of the moving image, the capacity corresponding to the segment S5 is larger than the capacity corresponding to each of the other segments S1 to S4.

This means that when the remaining amount is large, the remaining amount is not strictly displayed, but when the remaining amount is low, the remaining amount is displayed finely, and a very effective remaining amount is displayed. It can be carried out. When the unused and unrecorded memory card 13 is loaded into the digital electronic camera, all five segments of the mode / remaining amount display portion 22 are lit as described above.

Thus, the five segments S1 to S5 are
Even when the operator operates the mode switch of the operation unit 21 to switch the recording mode in a state in which all are lit, the display control unit 26b displays the segments S1 to S5 of the LCD for remaining amount display of the display unit 22. Do not change the state of all five lights. Then, at a certain point in time after the required recording operation, the operator selects the moving image mode as the recording mode, and the moving image recording operation is performed in a state where the five segments S1 to S5 for displaying the remaining amount are lit. When starting, for example, once, that is, when one unit of recording is finished, one segment S5
Is turned off and the four segments S1 to S4 are turned on.

At this time, when the recording operation is repeated in the moving image mode, the operation can be performed about four more times (see FIG. 3). Here, it is assumed that the operator switches from the moving image mode to the still image + sound mode while the four segments S1 to S4 are lit. Even after the switching, the LCD for displaying the remaining amount continues to be in a state in which the four segments S1 to S4 are also lit. In this case, the operator can record the still image + sound 20 more times. When the operator records a still image + sound once, the four segments S1 to S4 are also lit, and further four times, and a total of 5 times (5 units) are recorded. For the first time
Further, one segment S4 is turned off.

Therefore, in the LCD, the three segments S1 to S3 are lit. After that, if the still image + sound is recorded 5 more times in this way,
One segment S3 goes out and two segments S1
And S2 are turned on. The state in which the two segments S1 and S2 are lit at this time means that the still image + sound can be recorded 10 more times.

Here, it is assumed that the operator switches from the still image + sound mode to the still image mode by the mode switch of the operation unit 21. Also in this case, even if the mode is switched, the LCD for displaying the remaining amount continues to have the two segments S1 and S2 lit. The absolute remaining capacity of the memory is always displayed as the number of lit segments and does not change even when the recording mode is switched.

Further, for example, when only one segment S1 is lit, the number of recordings in the still image + sound mode in this state is four times (that is, two segments S1 and S2).
After changing from lit to only lit one segment S1, it has already recorded 4 times in still image + audio mode,
That is, when the recording mode is switched to the moving image mode when there is only one recording capacity left in the still image + audio mode), the recording capacity for the one time is not reached in the moving image mode. The display is provided by the alarm means.

As in this case, when the recording mode is switched from the recording mode in which the recording information amount per unit is small to the recording mode in which the recording information amount per unit is larger than before, When the amount becomes insufficient, the alarm means displays a warning, so that the operator can accurately recognize that the amount of remaining amount has been insufficient due to the switching of the recording mode. Of course, the warning display may be performed even when the remaining amount is exhausted without switching the recording mode.

As this warning display, for example, mode /
All the segments of the LCD for displaying the remaining amount in the remaining amount display unit 22 may be turned off. Further, as a warning display, all the segments of the LCD for remaining amount display may be blinked or blinked. In addition, L for remaining amount display
You may make it blink or blink only the segment lighted at the end of CD. In addition, LC for remaining amount display
You may make it light and display the warning display part using the character "NO" in the vicinity of D. Furthermore, as the alarm means, other than this, a red LED (light emitting diode) or the like may be turned on, or an alarm by an electronic buzzer or the like may be sounded. In addition, some of these may be appropriately combined and used together.

According to the above, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of remaining amount display portions for each recording mode, so that the digital electronic camera can be made compact. In addition, the remaining amount is precisely displayed to the operator only when the memory card 13 is about to be replaced, and the operator is informed of the necessity to replace the memory card 13. Therefore, the operator is very effective. The remaining amount can be grasped reasonably and reasonably. In the above description, a 20 MB memory card has been described as an example, but when a 40 MB memory card is used, for example,
Almost the same as above, the detailed remaining amount at the last stage when the remaining amount is low can be effectively displayed by the number of lighting segments.

20 MB memory card and 40 MB
When using a 40MB memory card,
The difference is that more recording is possible from the lighting state of one segment S1 to S5 to the lighting state of four segments S1 to S4, compared to the case of 20 MB. Of course, the remaining amount is not limited to being displayed by the five segments S1 to S5, but the remaining amount may be displayed by less than five segments, that is, four or less segments, and the remaining amount may be displayed by six or more segments. May be.

In the above description, the segment S5 corresponding to the maximum remaining amount is caused to display the capacity of two times with the maximum moving image, and the other segments S1 to S4 have the same capacity, that is, per unit. The moving image with the largest amount of recorded information is adapted to the recording capacity for one time. Therefore, the remaining amount is displayed linearly when the remaining amount of the recording medium is low, and the relationship between the remaining amount and the display state can be easily grasped when the remaining amount is low. There is an advantage. However, what is important in the remaining amount display is the state in which the remaining amount is the smallest, so the capacities corresponding to the respective segments S1 to S4 may be made uneven.

In this case, the second segment S4 is made to correspond to the recording mode in which the recorded information amount is the largest, for example, the recording capacity for one moving image, and the third segment S3 is the still image + audio in which the recorded information amount is the second largest. Corresponding to the recording capacity for one time, the fourth segment S2 is related to the recording capacity for one still image with the third largest recording information amount, and the last fifth segment S1 is recorded with the smallest recording information amount. The mode, for example, the recording capacity for one voice may be adapted.

Further, instead of displaying the strip-shaped display range by segments, a plurality of LEDs are simply used.
Alternatively, the remaining amount may be displayed by arranging the same in one column.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a substantially wedge-shaped range is divided to form a plurality of segments, and the wide side segment corresponds to the display with the large remaining amount, and the narrow side segment is displayed. You may make it correspond to the display of the side with little remaining amount. By doing so, it becomes easier to grasp the remaining amount from the display state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the circular range is
The remaining amount is displayed by dividing the circular range into a plurality of concentric circles with a predetermined radius as shown in FIG. 6 by dividing the circular range into a plurality of fan shapes at a predetermined angle. You may do so. Further, an alarm sound may be generated for a predetermined period of time when the number of lighting display segments decreases due to the change in the remaining amount. The sound pressure of the alarm sound in this case may be increased as the remaining amount decreases. Alternatively, the alarm sound may be an intermittent intermittent sound, and the intermittent cycle may be reduced as the remaining amount decreases.

Further, when the number of the lit display segments is decreased due to the change of the remaining amount, the display segments may be blinked or blinked for a predetermined time to perform the flushing. In this case, the flushing cycle of the display segment may be reduced as the remaining amount decreases. Also,
The present invention is not limited to the case of being applied to the digital electronic camera having the image pickup means and the sound collecting means as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above, but may be applied to the digital electronic camera having only the image pickup means. it can.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of display units arranged to perform a display showing a series of display ranges is used, and the display units are changed with the change of the remaining amount of the recording medium. The remaining amount of the recording medium is displayed by changing the display range according to, and the display form in the case of having a plurality of recording modes with different information amounts per recording unit is devised. (EN) It is possible to provide a digital electronic camera that can easily and accurately display the remaining amount of a recording medium in a limited display area, and can significantly improve operability, and a recording medium remaining amount display method in the digital electronic camera.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a display segment for displaying a remaining amount in the digital electronic camera of FIG.

3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a display segment and a recording medium remaining amount for each recording mode in the digital electronic camera of FIG.

4 is a schematic diagram showing another display segment configuration for displaying the remaining amount in the digital electronic camera of FIG.

5 is a schematic diagram showing another display segment configuration for displaying the remaining amount in the digital electronic camera of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing still another display segment configuration for displaying the remaining amount in the digital electronic camera of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microphone 2a, 2b Amplifier / filter 3 Audio data compression / expansion circuit 4a, 4b A / D (analog / digital) conversion circuit 5 D / A (digital / analog) conversion circuit 6 Camera imaging unit 7 Photographic lens 8 Aperture 9 CCD image sensor 10 Correlated double sampling circuit (CDS circuit) 11 Digital signal processing circuit 12 Image data compression / expansion circuit 13 Memory card 14 Card interface circuit 15 Card connector 18 Mechanical drive unit 19 Timing signal generation unit 20 Strobe 21 Operation unit 22 Mode / remaining amount display unit 26 CPU (central processing unit) 27 FIFO circuit S1 to S5 segment

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and at least the image pickup device for collecting sound, the image information picked up by the image pickup device on a recording medium detachably mounted, A recording means for recording at least the video information among the audio information collected by the sound collecting means, and each of the recording information 1
In a digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes with different recording information amounts per unit, a remaining amount monitoring means for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium, and a series of display ranges are provided. Display means for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by means of these display portions arranged so as to perform the display and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions, and obtained by the remaining amount monitoring means Display control means for driving the display means so as to reduce the display range of the display part as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases, based on the remaining amount of the recording medium. And a digital electronic camera. 2. The digital electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the display means has a plurality of display sections respectively corresponding to a plurality of divided ranges obtained by dividing a series of display ranges. 3. The digital electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the display means divides a strip-shaped display range in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of display portions. 4. The display means is characterized in that a wedge-shaped display range whose width dimension gradually changes along the longitudinal direction is divided in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of display portions. The digital electronic camera described in. 5. The digital electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the display means divides the circular display range in the circumferential direction to form a plurality of display units for each predetermined angle range. . 6. The digital electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the display means divides a circular display range into concentric circles to form a plurality of display portions. 7. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and at least the image pickup device for collecting sound, the image information picked up by the image pickup device on a recording medium detachably mounted, A recording means for recording at least the video information among the audio information collected by the sound collecting means, and each of the recording information 1
In a digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes with different recording information amounts per unit, a remaining amount monitoring means for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium, and a series of display ranges are provided. Display means for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by means of these display portions arranged so as to perform the display and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions, and obtained by the remaining amount monitoring means A display control unit for driving the display unit so as to reduce the display range of the display unit according to the decrease of the remaining amount of the recording medium based on the remaining amount of the recording medium; and the remaining amount of the recording medium. A digital electronic camera, which is configured to generate an alarm sound according to a change in a morphological display range of the display unit according to the change of the digital electronic camera. 8. The digital electronic camera according to claim 7, wherein the alarm means is means for generating an alarm sound for a predetermined time only when the display range of the display means changes. 9. The digital electronic camera according to claim 7, wherein the alarm means includes means for increasing the sound pressure of the alarm sound as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases. 10. The alarm means includes means for generating an intermittent alarm sound by shortening an interval of the alarm sound interrupting as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases. 8. A digital electronic camera according to item 8. 11. An image pickup device for picking up an image of an object and at least the image pickup device for collecting sound, the image information picked up by the image pickup device on a recording medium detachably mounted, A digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes, comprising a recording unit for recording at least the video information among the audio information collected by the sound collecting unit, and having different recording information amounts per unit of recorded information. A remaining amount monitoring means for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium; and a plurality of displays arranged so as to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions. A display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by these display units, and the remaining amount of the recording medium obtained by the remaining amount monitoring unit. Based on the above, a display for driving the display means to reduce the display range of the display unit with the decrease of the remaining amount of the recording medium and to flush the display unit with the decrease of the remaining amount. A digital electronic camera comprising: a control unit; and an alarm unit that generates an alarm sound according to a change in a morphological display range of the display unit according to a change in the remaining amount of the recording medium. 12. The display control means and the alarm means are means for causing the display part to flush and generate an alarm sound for a predetermined time only when the display range of the display means changes. Digital electronic camera. 13. An image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject and at least the image pickup unit for collecting sound, and the image information picked up by the image pickup unit on a recording medium detachably mounted, A digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes, comprising a recording unit for recording at least the video information among the audio information collected by the sound collecting unit, and having different recording information amounts per unit of recorded information. A remaining amount monitoring means for dividing the capacity of the recording medium into a plurality and monitoring the remaining amount of the recording medium; and a plurality of displays arranged so as to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective capacity divisions. A display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium by these display units, and the remaining amount of the recording medium obtained by the remaining amount monitoring unit. Based on the above, the display range of the display unit is reduced as the remaining amount of the recording medium is reduced, and the display unit is flushed so that the flushing interval is shortened as the remaining amount is reduced. And a display control means for driving the means. 14. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and at least the image pickup device of a sound collection device for collecting sound, the image information picked up by the image pickup device on a recording medium detachably mounted, A digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes, comprising a recording unit for recording at least the video information among the audio information collected by the sound collecting unit, and having different recording information amounts per unit of recorded information. The recording medium is divided into a plurality of volumes, the remaining amount of the recording medium is monitored, and a plurality of display units arranged so as to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective volume divisions are used to record the recording Based on the remaining amount of the medium, the display range of the display unit is reduced as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases,
A method for displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium of a digital electronic camera, characterized by displaying the remaining amount of the recording medium. 15. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and at least the image pickup device for collecting sound, the image information picked up by the image pickup device on a recording medium detachably mounted, A digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes, each of which has a recording unit for recording at least one of the audio information collected by the sound collecting unit, and has a different recording information amount per unit of recorded information, The capacity of the recording medium is divided into a plurality of sections, the remaining amount of the recording medium is monitored, and a plurality of display units arranged to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective capacity sections are used to display the recording medium. Based on the remaining amount, the display range of the display unit is reduced as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases, and the remaining amount of the recording medium is displayed. Moni, recording medium quantity display method of the digital electronic camera, characterized in that to generate the morphological alarm sound with the change of the display range in response to a change of the remaining amount of the recording medium. 16. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and at least the image pickup device for collecting sound, the image information picked up by the image pickup device on a recording medium detachably mounted, A digital electronic camera having a plurality of recording modes, each of which has a recording unit for recording at least one of the audio information collected by the sound collecting unit, and has a different recording information amount per unit of recorded information, The capacity of the recording medium is divided into a plurality of sections, the remaining amount of the recording medium is monitored, and a plurality of display units arranged to display a series of display ranges and corresponding to the respective capacity sections are used to display the recording medium. Based on the remaining amount, the display range of the display unit is reduced and the display unit is flushed as the remaining amount of the recording medium decreases. A digital electronic camera, which displays the remaining amount of the recording medium and generates an alarm sound in accordance with a change in a morphological display range of the display unit according to a change in the remaining amount of the recording medium. Recording medium remaining amount display method.