JPH0918819A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable the record in which video and voice are organically related with each other by recording an audio signal and a video signal in a recording means while relating mutually the both signals at the time of a photographic mode. CONSTITUTION: A mode switch means 107 controls the operating modes of a record means 103, a record control means 108, and a reproduction means 106. When the mode switch means 107 is in a photographic mode, the record control means 108 relates the audio signal fetched from a audio recording means 102 by the instruction of a audio release means 105 and the audio signal photographed by the instruction of a video release means 104 just before the time when the audio release means 105 is operated and records the signals in the record means 103. Therefore, by using an image pickup device capable of receording the video and audio, the both of video and audio can be recorded with the prescribed relation between them in the recording means 103.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, and is particularly suitable for use in an electronic still camera capable of recording voice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic still cameras capable of recording voice have been put into practical use. In such an electronic still camera, not only a video signal is recorded on a floppy disk, but also when a recording switch is pressed, an audio signal is recorded on a track different from a video signal. It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-285201.

The electronic still camera has an image pickup means, a microphone, a shutter switch, a recording switch, and a floppy disk as a recording medium. When the shutter switch is pressed, the image at that time is recorded on the floppy disk. Then, when the recording switch is continuously pressed for a certain period, the voice is stored in the floppy disk during the period.

In this case, when the audio signal is recorded, the number of the track on which the video signal is recorded is recorded together with the audio signal as an identification signal. Further, when the shutter switch is pressed again without pressing the recording switch, the previously recorded video signal is recorded independently without a corresponding audio signal.

[0005]

By the way, current electronic still cameras are equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and the display device not only functions as a finder at the time of shooting but also displays a playback screen. It has a function.

In such an electronic still camera,
As in the conventional example described above, after recording the video signal, the recording switch is pressed to record the audio signal, and the video signal already recorded in the recording means is reproduced and displayed on the display device. It is also possible to record the voice signal by pressing the recording switch in that state.

However, how to relate the video signal being reproduced at that time and the audio signal recorded when the video signal is being reproduced, or how is the above-mentioned video signal and audio signal related? No particular consideration was given to whether or not to record on a recording means.

[0008] Also, at the time of shooting, when the shutter switch is kept pressed and a plurality of images are shot (continuous shooting), the sound recorded by pressing the recording switch and the plurality of shot images are taken. No particular consideration has been given to how to relate the images to each other or how to record the images and the sound in the recording means.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to allow an image pickup apparatus capable of recording both video and audio to record video and audio in an organically associated manner.

[0010]

An image pickup apparatus of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for converting light from a subject into an electric video signal and a voice recording means for converting voice into an electric voice signal. A recording means for recording the video signal captured by the image capturing means and the audio signal captured by the audio recording means; a video release means for instructing the image capturing means to capture an image; and the audio recording means. Audio release means for instructing to perform audio recording, reproducing means for reproducing the video signal and audio signal recorded in the recording means, and operation of the recording means for recording the video signal output from the imaging means , And recording control means for controlling the operation of recording the audio signal output from the audio recording means, and operation modes of the recording means, the recording control means and the reproducing means. ; And a changing mode switching means Ri, when the mode switching means of the imaging mode,
The recording means by associating the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means with the video signal captured by the instruction of the video release means immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated. I am trying to record it.

Another feature of the present invention is that
When the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video signal reproduced by the reproducing means at that time are associated and recorded in the recording means. I am trying to do it.

Another feature of the present invention is that when the mode switching means is in the single shooting mode,
The audio signal taken from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video signal taken by the instruction of the video release means immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated are associated and recorded in the recording means. I am trying to do it.

Another feature of the present invention is that when the mode switching means is in the continuous photographing mode,
An audio signal taken from the audio recording means by an instruction of the audio release means and a plurality of video signals continuously photographed by an instruction of the video release means immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated. The data is recorded in the recording means in association with each other.

Another feature of the present invention is that when the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the reproduction at that time. The video signal reproduced by the means is recorded in the recording means in association with the video signal.

Another feature of the present invention is that the recording control means records the attribute information in an attribute area provided in the recording means separately from the audio signal and the video signal. I try to control the means.

Another feature of the present invention is that the reproducing means is integrally provided.

[0017]

Since the present invention has the above technical means, when the mode switching means is in the photographing mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means and the video signal photographed immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated. Are associated and recorded in the recording means.

According to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means and the video signal reproduced at that time are associated with each other and the recording means. Will be recorded in.

Further, according to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the single shooting mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means and the image just before the time when the audio release means is operated are taken. The video signal is recorded in the recording means in association with the video signal.

Further, according to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the continuous photographing mode, the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means and the audio signal immediately before the operation of the audio release means are continuously operated. The plurality of captured video signals are associated with each other and recorded in the recording means.

Further, according to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means and the video signal being reproduced at that time are associated with each other, and the recording means. Will be recorded in.

According to another feature of the present invention, an attribute area for recording information different from the video signal and the audio signal is provided in the recording means, and the attribute information is recorded in the attribute area. Like

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment has an image pickup unit 101, an audio recording unit 102, a recording unit 103, a video release unit 104, an audio release unit 105, a reproduction unit 106, and a mode switching unit 107.
And a recording control means 108.

The image pickup means 101 is provided for photoelectrically converting light from a subject into an electric image signal. The voice recording means 102 is provided to convert voice into an electrical voice signal.

The recording means 103 includes the video signal captured by the image capturing means 101 and the audio recording means 10.
It is provided in order to record the audio signal recorded by 2. The image release means 104 is for instructing the image pickup means 101 to perform photographing, and the audio release means 105 is for instructing the sound recording means 102 to perform sound recording. belongs to.

The audio release means 105 is for reproducing the video signal and the audio signal recorded in the recording means 103, and the reproducing means 106 is the image pickup means 10.
1 and the audio recording means 1
It is for controlling the recording of the audio signal output from the recording means 103.

The mode switching means 107 includes the recording means 103, the recording control means 108 and the reproducing means 10.
6 for controlling the operation mode, and the recording control means 108, when the mode switching means 107 is in the photographing mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means 102 according to the instruction of the audio release means 105,
Immediately before the time when the audio release means 105 is operated, it is recorded in the recording means 103 in association with the video signal captured by the instruction of the video release means 104.

Another feature of the present invention is that
When the mode switching means 107 is switched to the reproduction mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means 102 according to the instruction of the audio release means 105 and the video signal reproduced by the reproducing means 106 at that time. And are recorded in the recording means 103 in association with each other.

Another feature of the present invention is that, when the mode switching means 107 is in the single shooting mode, an audio signal fetched from the audio recording means 102 according to an instruction from the audio release means 105, When the audio release means 105 is operated, it is recorded in the recording means 103 in association with the video signal photographed by the instruction of the video release means 104.

Another feature of the present invention is that, when the mode switching means 107 is in the continuous photographing mode, the audio signal fetched from the audio recording means 102 according to the instruction of the audio release means 105, Immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated, a plurality of video signals continuously photographed by the instruction of the video release means 104 are associated and recorded in the recording means 103.

Another feature of the present invention is that, when the mode switching means 107 is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal fetched from the audio recording means 102 according to the instruction of the audio release means 105 and at that time. The video signal being reproduced by the reproducing means 106 is associated with the video signal and recorded in the recording means 103.

Another feature of the present invention is that the recording control means 108 records the attribute information in the attribute area in the recording means 103 in addition to the audio signal and the video signal. .

Another feature of the present invention is that the reproducing means 106 is provided integrally with the image pickup device.

Next, a concretely constructed embodiment of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image pickup apparatus showing the configuration of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens which includes a focus lens group and forms a subject image on a CCD described later.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a diaphragm / shutter that also has a diaphragm function for adjusting the light quantity of a subject incident on a CCD 3 to be described later to an appropriate light quantity, and a function as a rear curtain of the shutter. Reference numeral 3 designates a formed subject image electrically. CC to convert to signal
It is D.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an image pickup signal photographed in the photographing mode,
And a sub-memory for temporarily storing an audio signal input by a microphone, which will be described later. Reference numeral 5 is a digital signal for converting a video signal sent from the CCD 3 in analog into a digital signal.
It is a / D conversion circuit. Reference numeral 6 denotes a digital process circuit for performing a predetermined camera signal processing on the video signal converted into the digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 5.

Reference numeral 7 is a main memory for recording video signals and audio signals temporarily stored in the sub memory 4,
The memory device is a digitally recordable memory device such as a hard disk or a memory card. Reference numeral 8 denotes a microphone, which is configured to capture an audio signal while an audio REC switch (SW) described later is being pressed.

Reference numeral 9 denotes an aperture / shutter drive circuit for controlling the aperture / shutter 2 as an aperture function / a shutter rear curtain function. Reference numeral 10 denotes a focus motor drive circuit for moving the focus lens group in the photographing lens 1 in the optical axis direction to focus the subject image on the CCD 3, which is feedback-controlled by a known TVAF including a focus motor. It

Reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU which controls the operation of each constituent block according to the operating state of each switch of a main SW 18, a mode selection SW 12, a release SW 13, and a sound REC SW 14 which will be described later.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a mode selection switch for switching the mode of the image pickup device to a first recording mode, a second recording mode, and a reproduction mode. Single mode shooting in the first recording mode and second mode
In the recording mode, the continuous shooting is performed.

Reference numeral 13 is a release SW configured such that the first SW is turned on in the first stroke and the second SW is turned on in the second stroke. In the image pickup apparatus of this embodiment, the first SW is turned on. When it is turned on, preparations for focus operation, photometry, etc. are performed, and when the second SW is turned on, the aperture diameter of the shutter / shutter 2 is controlled to the aperture opening diameter required by the photometric information, and the CCD is cleared at the timing required by the photometric information By closing the shutter 2 that also serves as the diaphragm, the subject image is captured as a video signal at a frame rate.

Further, when the mode selection SW 12 is in the second recording mode, that is, the continuous shooting mode, as long as the second SW of the release SW 13 is on, the focus and photometry are continuously performed under the same conditions. Is photographed.

Reference numeral 14 is a voice RECSW, and this voice R
While the ECSW 14 is being pressed, the voice input to the microphone 8 is recorded. Reference numeral 15 is an A / D conversion circuit for converting the voice taken in by the microphone 8 into a digital signal, and the digital voice signal converted here is temporarily stored in the sub memory 4.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an I / F circuit, which converts the video signal and the audio signal temporarily stored in the sub memory 4 into a signal suitable for recording in the main memory 7, and the digital process circuit described above. The signal sent from 6 is converted into a signal suitable for display on a display device described later,
This is a circuit for converting a signal stored in a main memory described later in a reproduction mode into a signal suitable for a display device described later.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a display device, which is the I / F circuit 1 described above.
6 is a device for displaying a video signal output from the device 6. As a specific configuration, it may be provided not only integrally with the image pickup apparatus but also from the outside.

Reference numeral 18 is for turning on / off the power of the entire image pickup apparatus.
Is a main SW for performing
It is composed of a speaker capable of emitting the audio signal output from the I / F circuit 16. The audio reproduction device 19 may be provided not only integrally with the image pickup device but also connectable from the outside.

Next, the image pickup operation of the image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described. First, the case where the mode selection SW 12 is the first recording mode, that is, the case of single shooting is described. First SW of release SW13
When W is turned on, the aperture diameter of the aperture / shutter 2 is held at a predetermined aperture diameter.

The subject image formed on the CCD 3 in this state is taken in by a known electronic shutter of the CCD and converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 5. The A / D converted subject image is then taken into the CPU 11 via the digital process circuit 6.

The CPU 11 performs feedback control of the focus motor drive circuit 10 by the well-known TVAF method based on the digital signal of the subject thus captured, thereby focusing the subject and measuring the photometric value of the subject. Is calculated to determine the aperture diameter of the shutter 2 that also serves as the aperture and the exposure time (the timing for clearing the CCD 3 and the timing for closing the shutter that also serves as the aperture), which will be described later.

Next, when the second SW of the release SW 13 is turned on, first the aperture / shutter 2 is controlled to the above-determined aperture diameter, and then the CCD 3 is cleared (first curtain) at the above-determined timing. ) After that, the diaphragm / shutter 2 is closed (second curtain), so that the subject image of the frame rate is captured by the CCD 3 as a video signal.

The video signal thus captured is
After being converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 5, a predetermined signal processing is performed by the digital process circuit 6 and temporarily stored in the sub memory 4. afterwards,
The signal is supplied to the I / F circuit 16, converted into a signal form suitable for recording in the main memory 7, and then digitally recorded in the main memory 7.

Next, the case where the mode selection switch is in the second recording mode, that is, continuous shooting will be described focusing on the difference from the single shooting. During continuous shooting, the first SW while the second SW of the release SW 13 is turned on.
The subject image is continuously photographed with the focus state controlled by, and the aperture diameter and exposure time of the aperture / shutter 2 determined by the first SW.

Next, the voice recording operation will be described. Regardless of the mode state of the mode selection switch 12, the audio RE
The voice collected by the microphone 8 while the CSW 14 is on is converted into a digital voice signal by the A / D conversion circuit 15.

Then, after being converted into a digital audio signal, it is temporarily stored in the sub memory 4, and the I / F circuit 16
After being converted into a signal form suitable for recording in the main memory 7, it is digitally recorded in the main memory 7.

Next, the reproducing operation will be described. When the mode selection SW 12 is set to the reproduction mode, the information recorded in the main memory 7 is converted into a signal of an appropriate format by the I / F circuit 16, and then the video signal is converted into a video display device 17.
Then, the audio signal is reproduced by the audio reproducing device 19.

Regarding the selection means of which information is reproduced, scrolling is performed in the ascending order of recorded time, or information of the attribute area of the main memory 7 described later is displayed on the video display device 17, Various methods such as a selection method using a known pointing means (not shown) are possible.

The internal structure of the main memory 7 will be described below with reference to FIG. The inside of the main memory 7 is divided into a data recording area for recording video signals and audio signals and an attribute area for recording attribute information.

In the data area, the image signal and the sound signal picked up and picked up are recorded at the same time as the file name under the at random file NO. For example, the imaged video signal 2 is recorded as a file name / video file 2 in the area of the file NO3. This file name is given to each video signal by the CPU 11.

Next, in the attribute area, attribute information of each video signal and audio signal is stored. For example, the file name of video signal / video file 1 is recorded in the area of file NO1, and the audio signal related to the video signal is recorded as the file name / audio file 2 in the area of file NO8. Show.

As described above, by recording various information in the attribute area, the user can easily search the types and relationships of the recorded video and audio signals.

Next, how the attribute relationship between the video signal and the audio signal is determined will be described below. When the audio REC SW 14 is pressed when shooting is performed with the mode selection SW 12 set to the first recording mode, that is, the single shooting mode, the audio signal captured by the microphone 8 and the shot video What kind of attribute relationship the signals are recorded in the attribute area will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, each video signal 1
・ 2,3,4 and audio signals 1,2,3 are recorded in the data area respectively, and audio signal 1 and video signal 1
Have an attribute relationship, that is, audio signal 2 and video signal 2
It is recorded in the attribute area that and have an attribute relationship and that the audio signal 3 and the video signal 3 have an attribute relationship.

That is, the second SW of the release SW 13 is turned on one time before the sound REC SW 14 is turned on.
The video signal and audio RE captured by
It is recorded in the attribute area that the audio signal taken in by the microphone 8 has an attribute relationship while the CSW 14 is ON.

Next, when the mode REC SW 12 is set to the second recording mode, that is, the continuous shooting mode, and the sound REC SW 14 is pressed when shooting is performed, the sound signal taken in by the microphone 8 and the shooting are performed. What kind of attribute relationship the different video signals are recorded in the attribute area will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

The respective video signals 1, 2, 3, 4 and the audio signals 1, 2 are recorded in the data area, respectively, and the audio signal 1 and the video signals 1, 2 have an attribute relationship. The fact that the signal 2 and the video signals 3 and 4 have an attribute relationship is recorded in the attribute area.

That is, all the video signals photographed by turning on the second SW of the release SW 13 one time before the time when the audio REC SW 14 is turned on,
It is recorded in the attribute area that the voice signal taken in by the microphone 8 has an attribute relationship while the voice RECSW 14 is turned on.

Next, if the audio RECSW 14 is turned on when the mode selection SW 12 is set to the reproduction mode, the microphone 8 is turned on while the audio RECSW 12 is turned on.
The audio signal taken in by is recorded in the data area, and the audio signal and the audio RECSW 14 are turned on.
It is recorded in the attribute area that there is an attribute relationship with the information that was in the display state when N was selected. Note that, although each function is shown as hardware in FIG. 1, these functions can be configured by a program of a computer.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the photographing mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated. Since the image signal taken by the instruction of the image release means is recorded in the recording means in association with each other, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means when the mode switching means is in the photographing mode and the image signal taken at that time are taken. The video signal can be organically associated and recorded in the recording means.

Further, according to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video signal being reproduced at that time. Are recorded in the recording means in association with each other, the audio signal captured from the audio recording means when the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode and the video signal reproduced at that time are organically related to the recording means. Can be recorded.

Further, according to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the single shooting mode, the voice signal taken from the voice recording means and the voice release means are operated by the instruction of the voice release means. Since the video signal captured by the instruction of the video release means immediately before the time is recorded in the recording means in association with each other, the audio signal captured from the audio recording means when the mode switching means is in the single shooting mode, The video signal captured at that time can be organically associated and recorded in the recording means.

According to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the continuous photographing mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the time when the audio release means is operated. Just before the recording, the plurality of video signals continuously photographed by the instruction of the video release means are recorded in the recording means in association with each other. Therefore, when the mode switching means is in the continuous photographing mode, the audio captured from the audio recording means is recorded. The signal and the plurality of video signals captured at that time can be organically associated and recorded in the recording means.

According to another feature of the present invention, when the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal taken in from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video signal being reproduced at that time. Are recorded in the recording means in association with each other, the audio signal captured from the audio recording means when the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode and the video signal reproduced by the reproducing means at that time are organically associated with each other. It can be recorded in the recording means.

According to another feature of the present invention, since the attribute information is recorded in the attribute area in the recording means separately from the video signal and the audio signal, the user can record the recorded video signal. And, it becomes possible to easily search the type and the relation of the voice signal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing an outline of main functions of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of an image pickup apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a main memory.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining an attribute relationship between a video signal and an audio signal during single shooting.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining an attribute relationship between a video signal and an audio signal during continuous shooting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photographic lens 2 Shutter / shutter 3 CCD 8 Microphone 7 Main memory 17 Display device 11 CPU 13 Release SW 14 Audio RECSW 101 Imaging means 102 Audio recording means 103 Recording means 104 Video release means 105 Audio release means 106 Playback means 107 Mode switching means 108 recording control means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for converting light from a subject into an electric video signal, a voice recording means for converting voice into an electric voice signal, and a video signal picked up by the image pickup means. , And a recording means for recording the audio signal recorded by the audio recording means, a video release means for instructing the imaging means to perform photographing, and an audio release for instructing the audio recording means to perform audio recording. Means, reproducing means for reproducing the video signal and audio signal recorded in the recording means, operation of the recording means for recording the video signal output from the imaging means, and audio output from the audio recording means Recording control means for controlling the operation of recording a signal, and mode switching means for switching the operation modes of the recording means, the recording control means and the reproducing means When the mode switching means is in the photographing mode, the audio signal fetched from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the instruction of the video release means immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated. An image pickup apparatus, which records in the recording means in association with a video signal photographed by. 2. When the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal fetched from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video signal reproduced by the reproducing means at that time are associated with each other. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is recorded in the recording unit. 3. When the mode switching means is in the single shooting mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video release means immediately before the time when the audio release means is operated. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is recorded in the recording unit in association with a video signal photographed according to the instruction. 4. When the mode switching means is in the continuous photographing mode, the audio signal taken from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video release just before the time when the audio release means is operated. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of video signals continuously photographed by the instruction of the means are recorded in the recording means in association with each other. 5. When the mode switching means is in the reproduction mode, the audio signal fetched from the audio recording means by the instruction of the audio release means and the video signal reproduced by the reproducing means at that time are associated with each other. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is recorded in the recording unit. 6. The recording control means controls the recording means so as to record the attribute information in an attribute area provided in the recording means separately from the audio signal and the video signal. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 5. 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing means is integrally provided.