JPH09307848A - Information processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the user to confirm a recording state in a memory in the midst of the recording. SOLUTION: An audio processing circuit 41 digitizes audio information picked up by a microphone 8 and provides an output of the digitized signal to a CPU 39. The CPU 39 compresses audio data and stores the compressed data once to a buffer memory 37 and stored in an audio recording area of a memory card 24. The CPU 39 checks whether or not an earphone 43 is connected to an earphone jack 9 via an I/F 42B and when connected, the stored audio data are read from the memory card 24, expanded and the expanded data are outputted to the audio processing circuit 41. The audio processing circuit 41 converts the audio data into analog data, which are outputted to the earphone 43 via the earphone jack 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly, it stores audio data corresponding to an input audio signal and outputs audio only when a predetermined audio output unit is connected to a connection terminal. The present invention relates to an information processing device that reads out data immediately after recording and outputs it to an audio output unit via a connection terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a portable recording device, a device using a cassette tape (magnetic tape) as a recording medium has been generally used.

When recording is performed using such a device, generally, after all recording is finished, the recording state is reproduced to confirm the recording state, but three recording heads, a reproducing head and an erasing head are used. By using a recording device with a head, the data recorded by the recording head can be played back by the playback head immediately after recording, and the monitor operation can be performed to record while checking the recording state. It is possible to suppress failures such as level setting.

In such a three-head recording apparatus, a monitor operation is performed by operating a predetermined operation button or the like.

[0005]

However, there is a problem in that it is troublesome to carry out such an operation and switch to the monitor operation when carrying (for example, while walking).

Recently, a recording device using a new recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk has been developed, and a recording function (sound data is stored in a memory is stored in a portable information processing device such as an electronic notebook. ) Is considered to be added.

However, when recording on a memory card composed of RAM, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like as such a new recording medium, during the recording, the recording state (recording level of the recording level) of the recording medium is changed. It is difficult to confirm the size).

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and inputs an audio signal, stores the audio signal, and outputs audio data only when an audio output unit is connected to a connection terminal. Even when recording on a memory card composed of RAM, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, etc. as a recording medium, the recording is performed immediately after recording and is output to the audio output section via the connection terminal. The inside of the recording medium can be confirmed.

[0009]

An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprises connecting means for connecting an audio output section for outputting an audio signal, and the control means has an audio output section connected to the connecting means. Only when the audio data is recorded, the audio data is read out immediately after being recorded and output to the audio output unit via the connection means.

In the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, the control means stores the voice data corresponding to the voice signal input by the microphone in the memory constituted by the RAM and is the connection means. When the earphone is connected to the predetermined connection terminal, the voice data is read out immediately after recording and output to the earphone via the connecting means.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic camera to which the present invention is applied. In the electronic camera of the present embodiment, when photographing a subject, a surface facing the subject is a surface X1, and a surface facing the user is a surface X2. At the upper end of the plane X1, a finder 2 used for confirming a photographing range of the subject, a photographing lens 3 for capturing a light image of the subject, and a light emitting unit (strobe) 4 for emitting light for illuminating the subject are provided. .

On the other hand, at the upper end of the surface X2 opposite to the surface X1 (a position corresponding to the upper end of the surface X1 where the finder 2, the operation lens 3, and the light emitting section 4 are formed), the finder 2 and this A speaker 5 for outputting sound recorded in the electronic camera 1 is provided. The LCD 6 and the operation keys 7 formed on the surface X2 are formed vertically below the finder 2, the photographing lens 3, the light emitting unit 4, and the speaker 5. On the surface of the LCD 6, a so-called touch tablet 6A that outputs position data corresponding to a pointed position by a contact operation of a pen-type pointing device described later is arranged.

The touch tablet 6A is made of a transparent material such as glass, resin or the like.
LCD 6 formed inside touch tablet 6A
Can be observed through the touch tablet 6A.

The operation key 7 is a key operated when reproducing and displaying recorded data on the LCD 6, and detects an operation (input) by the user, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the CPU 39 (FIG. 6) (control). Means).

The menu key 7A of the operation keys 7 is
These keys are operated when displaying a menu screen on the LCD 6. The execution key 7B is a key operated when reproducing the recording information selected by the user.

The clear key 7C is operated when deleting recorded information. Cancel key 7D
Are keys operated when the reproduction process of recorded information is interrupted. The scroll key 7E is a key operated to scroll the screen up and down when a list of recording information is displayed on the LCD 6.

The surface X2 is provided with a slidable LCD cover 14 for protecting the LCD 6 when not in use. The LCD cover 14 covers the LCD 6 and the touch tablet 6A as shown in FIG. 3 when moved vertically upward. When the LCD cover 14 is moved vertically downward, the LCD 6 and the touch tablet 6A appear, and the LCD cover 1
The power switch 11 (described later) arranged on the surface Y2 is switched to the ON state by the four arm portions 14A.

On the surface Z which is the upper surface of the electronic camera 1,
A microphone 8 (input means) for collecting sound and an earphone jack 9 to which an earphone 43 (FIG. 6) is connected.
(Connecting means) is provided.

The left side surface (surface Y1) is provided with a release switch 10 which is operated when the subject is imaged and a continuous shooting mode switch 13 which is operated when the continuous shooting mode at the time of shooting is switched. . The release switch 10 and the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
The finder 2, the photographing lens 3, and the light-emitting unit 4 provided at the upper end of the camera 1 are disposed vertically below.

On the other hand, a surface Y2 opposite to the surface Y1 (right side surface)
Has a recording switch 1 operated when recording voice.
2 and a power switch 11 are provided. The recording switch 12 and the power switch 11 are, like the release switch 10 and the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13, vertically below the viewfinder 2, the photographing lens 3, and the light emitting unit 4 provided at the upper end of the plane X <b> 1. Are located in Further, the recording switch 12 is formed at substantially the same height as the release switch 10 on the surface Y1, and is configured so that it does not feel uncomfortable when held with either the left or right hand.

The height of the recording switch 12 and that of the release switch 10 are intentionally made different from each other. When one switch is pressed, the opposite side is held with a finger to cancel the moment due to this pressing force. The switch provided on the opposite side may be prevented from being pressed by mistake.

The continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is
This is used when the user presses the release switch 10 to take a picture of a subject, and to set whether to photograph only one frame of the subject or a plurality of predetermined frames. For example, when the release switch 10 is pressed while the pointer of the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the position where “S” is printed (that is, the mode is switched to the S mode), only one frame is shot. Has been made to take place.

When the release switch 10 is pressed when the pointer of the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the position where "L" is printed (ie, the mode is switched to the L mode), the release is performed. During the period in which the switch 10 is pressed, eight frames are shot per second (that is, the low-speed continuous shooting mode is set).

Further, a continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
When the release switch 10 is pressed in a case where the pointer is switched to the position where “H” is printed (that is, the mode is switched to the H mode), during the period in which the release switch 10 is pressed, 30 frames are taken per second (that is, high-speed continuous shooting mode is set).

Next, the internal configuration of the electronic camera 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic camera shown in FIGS. The CCD 20 is provided downstream of the photographing lens 3 (on the surface X2 side), and photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject formed through the photographing lens 3 into an electric signal.

On the lower side of the LCD 6, four columnar batteries (AA batteries) 21 are vertically arranged, and the power stored in the battery 21 is supplied to each unit. Further, a capacitor 22 for storing electric charge for causing the light emitting section 4 to emit light is arranged together with the battery 21 below the LCD 6 vertically.

Various control circuits for controlling each part of the electronic camera 1 are formed on the circuit board 23. A removable memory card 24 (storage means) is provided between the circuit board 23, the LCD 6 and the battery 21, and various kinds of information input to the electronic camera 1 are stored in the memory card 24, respectively. Is recorded in a preset area.

Further, the LCD switch 40 arranged adjacent to the power switch 11 is a switch which is turned on only while the protrusion thereof is pressed, and
When the cover 14 is moved vertically downward, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the arm 14A of the LCD cover 14 is turned on together with the power switch 11.

When the LCD cover 14 is located vertically upward, the power switch 11 is the LCD switch 40.
Independent of the user. For example, LC
When the D cover 14 is closed and the electronic camera 1 is not used, as shown in FIG.
Also, the LCD switch 40 is off. In this state, the user turns on the power switch 11 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the power switch 11 is turned on, the power switch 11 is turned on, but the LCD switch 40 remains off. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the LCD cover 14 is opened while the power switch 11 and the LCD switch 40 are in the off state,
As shown in (a), the power switch 11 and the LCD switch 40 are turned on. Then, after this, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, only the LCD switch 40 is displayed.
As shown in (c), the device is turned off.

When both the power switch 11 and the LCD switch 40 are in the ON state, power is supplied to the LCD 6 and the LCD switch 40 is in the OFF state (that is, when the LCD cover 14 is closed). Is
The LCD 6 is turned off (at this time, if the power switch 11 is on, power is supplied to other circuits).

In this embodiment, the memory card 24 can be inserted and removed. However, a memory may be provided on the circuit board 23 so that various information can be recorded in the memory. Further, various information recorded in the memory (memory card 24) may be output to an external personal computer via an interface (not shown).

Next, the electrical configuration inside the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels photoelectrically converts a light image formed on each pixel into an image signal (electric signal). The DSP 33 supplies a CCD horizontal drive pulse to the CCD 20, controls the CCD drive circuit 34, and supplies a CCD vertical drive pulse to the CCD 20.

Correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as CDS
Reference numeral 31 is controlled by the CPU 39, samples the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 20 at a predetermined timing, and converts the sampled signal into a built-in automatic gain controller (hereinafter referred to as AGC).
) To a predetermined level at 31A. Analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter referred to as A / D
A conversion circuit 32 digitizes the image signal sampled by the CDS 31 and supplies it to a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as DSP) 33.

The memory control circuit 36 controls the data bus 35 connecting the DSP 33, the buffer memory 37 and the memory card 24, and temporarily stores the image signal supplied to the DSP 33 in the data area (described later) of the buffer memory 37. After reading the image data stored in the data area of the buffer memory 37 and compressing the image data,
The compressed image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as captured image data) is recorded in a predetermined area (captured image recording area) of the memory card 24.

The buffer memory 37 is divided into a data area and a frame memory area. Buffer memory 37
The data area of is used for temporarily holding the data in the middle of processing, and is used for alleviating the difference between the data input / output speed with respect to the memory card 24 and the processing speed in the CPU 39, the DSP 33, etc. The frame memory area of is used as a frame memory that holds the value of each pixel of the LCD 6.

Further, the memory control circuit 36 uses the DSP 33.
The image data supplied to the buffer memory 37 is stored in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 37, is displayed on the LCD 6, and the captured image data is read from the memory card 24.
After decompressing the captured image data, the decompressed image data is stored in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 37 and displayed on the LCD 6.

In addition to this, the memory control circuit 36 is adapted to perform timing management of data input / output in recording on the memory card 24 and storing decompressed image data in the buffer memory 37.

Further, the memory control circuit 36 has a built-in clock circuit (not shown), and records the date and time of photographing as header information of image data in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24. There is. (That is, the photographed image data recorded in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24 is accompanied by data of the photographing date and time).

The microphone 8 inputs voice information (collects voice) and supplies the voice information to the voice processing circuit 41. The audio processing circuit 41 digitizes the supplied audio information and outputs it to the CPU 39.

After compressing the digitized voice information, the CPU 39 temporarily stores the digitized and compressed voice data in the buffer memory 37 (data area), and then stores it in a predetermined area of the memory card 24 ( It is designed to be recorded in a voice recording area). At this time,
In the audio recording area of the memory card 24, data of the recording date and time is recorded as header information of the audio data.

Further, the CPU 39 reads the audio data from the memory card 24, decompresses it, outputs it to the audio processing circuit 41, and checks whether or not the earphone 43 is connected to the earphone jack 9 via the I / F 42B. The connection state is checked and output to the voice processing circuit 41. The earphone jack 9 outputs a predetermined signal to the I / F 42B according to the connection state of the earphone 43.

The voice processing circuit 41 converts the voice data supplied from the CPU 39 into an analog form, and when the earphone 43 is connected to the earphone jack 9 according to the connection state supplied from the CPU 39, the analogized voice signal. Is output to the earphone 43 via the earphone jack 9, and when the earphone 43 is not connected to the earphone jack 9, an analog audio signal is output to the speaker 5.

When a predetermined position of the touch tablet 6A is pressed by the pen-type pointing device operated by the user, C
The PU 39 transmits the X- of the pressed position of the touch tablet 6A via the I / F 42A and the CPU control bus 38.
The Y coordinate is read, and the coordinate data (line drawing information described later) is stored in the data area of the buffer memory 37. Further, the CPU 39 records the line drawing information accumulated in the buffer memory 37 in the line drawing information recording area of the memory card 24 together with the header information of the line drawing information input date and time.

Next, various operations of the electronic camera 1 of this embodiment will be described.

First, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The input / output processing of audio information of the present apparatus (however, the input / output processing of only audio information) will be described. First, in step S1, the user turns on the power switch 11 shown in FIG.
Switch to the side printed with "ON" and change the electronic camera 1
The power is turned on and the recording switch 12 provided on the surface Y2 is pressed to start a voice recording process (voice information input process).

Next, in step S2, the CPU 39
Responds to the operation of the recording switch 12 by causing the voice processing circuit 41 to input voice information via the microphone 8. Then, the audio processing circuit 41 digitizes the audio information and then outputs it as audio data to the CPU 39.

In step S3, the CPU 39 compresses the digitized audio data and then temporarily stores the data in the buffer memory 37 (data area). Then, after that, in step S4, the CPU 3
9 stores the compressed voice data in the memory card 24
Record in the voice recording area of.

Then, in step S5, the CPU 3
9 checks via the I / F 42B whether or not the earphone 43 is connected to the earphone jack 9, and if the earphone 43 is connected to the earphone jack 9, the process proceeds to step S6 and stored in step S5. After reading the audio data from the memory card 24 and expanding it,
The expanded audio data is output to the audio processing circuit 41.

Next, in step S7, the audio processing circuit 41 converts the audio data supplied from the CPU 39 into analog data, and in step S8 outputs the audio data to the earphone 43 via the earphone jack 9 as an audio signal.

Then, in step S9, the user listens to the sound output from the earphone 43, confirms the level (magnitude) of the recorded sound, and adjusts it with a predetermined adjusting unit (not shown). .

On the other hand, in step S5, the earphone 4
3 is not connected to the earphone jack 9, steps S6 to S9 are skipped (when the monitor operation is performed by the speaker 5, the sound output from the speaker 5 is input to the microphone 8 and causes howling. If the earphone 43 is not connected, the monitor operation is not performed).

Then, in step S10, the CPU
39 determines whether or not the record button 12 is still pressed, and when it is determined that it is still pressed, step S2
Return to and continue recording audio information. On the other hand, if it is determined that the record button 12 has not been pressed, the recording process ends.

In this way, when the earphone 43 is connected to the earphone jack 9, the voice information stored in the memory card 24 is read during recording and the earphone 4 is read.
3 can be used to perform the monitor operation in real time.

In the above operation, the recorded data is read from the memory card 24 and the monitor operation is performed. However, when the data is transferred from the buffer memory 37 (data area) to the memory card 24, the data is transferred. However, since no processing is performed, the data once stored in the buffer memory 37 may be reproduced instead of the data recorded in the memory card 24.

At this time, the recording date and time data is recorded in the audio recording area of the memory card 24 as header information of the compressed audio data.

Next, the photographing of a subject by this apparatus will be described.

First, a case will be described in which the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 provided on the surface Y1 is changed over to the S mode (a mode for shooting only one frame). First, the power switch 11 shown in FIG.
The electronic camera 1 is powered on by switching to the side printed with. When the subject is confirmed in the viewfinder 2 and the release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1 is pressed, the subject photographing process is started.

An optical image of a subject observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the taking lens 3 and is focused on the CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels. The optical image of the subject formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted into an image signal by each pixel, and the CDS 3
Sampled by one. The image signal sampled by the CDS 31 is supplied to an A / D conversion circuit 32, where it is digitized and output to a DSP 33.

The DSP 33 outputs the image data to the data area of the buffer memory 37. Then, the memory control circuit 36 reads out the image data from the buffer memory 37 and combines the discrete cosine transform, the quantization, and the Huffman coding with JPEG (Joint Photo).
The image is compressed in accordance with the Toxic Experts Group method and recorded in the captured image recording area of the memory card 24. At this time, in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24, data of the photographed date and time is recorded as header information of the photographed image data.

When the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is switched to the S mode, only one frame is shot, and even if the release switch 10 is continuously pressed, subsequent shots will not be taken. Not done Also,
When the release switch 10 is continuously pressed, LC
The captured image is displayed on D6.

Second, the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
Is switched to the L mode (a mode in which 8 frames are continuously shot in one second). When the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned on by switching the power switch 11 to the side where “ON” is printed, and the release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1 is pressed, the subject photographing process is started.

An optical image of an object observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the taking lens 3 and is focused on the CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels. The optical image of the subject formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted into an image signal by each pixel, and the CDS 3
Sampling is performed eight times a second by one.
Also, at this time, the CDS 31 thins out three-quarters of the pixels of the image electric signal of all the pixels of the CCD 20.

That is, the CDS 31 divides the pixels of the CCD 20 arranged in a matrix into areas each having 2 × 2 pixels (four pixels) as shown in FIG. , The image signal of one pixel arranged at a predetermined position is sampled, and the remaining three pixels are thinned out.

For example, in the first sampling (first frame), the pixel a at the upper left of each area is sampled and the other pixels b, c, d are thinned out. At the time of the second sampling (second frame), the pixel b at the upper right of each area is sampled, and the other pixels a,
c and d are thinned out. Hereinafter, at the time of the third and fourth samplings, the lower left pixel c and the lower right pixel d
Are sampled and other pixels are decimated. That is, each pixel is sampled every four frames.

The image signal sampled by the CDS 31 (the image signal of a quarter of all the pixels of the CCD 20) is supplied to the A / D conversion circuit 32, where it is digitized and output to the DSP 33.

The DSP 33 outputs the digitized image signal to the data area of the buffer memory 37, and the memory control circuit 36 reads the image signal and compresses it according to the JPEG method, and then digitizes and compresses the image. The image data is recorded in the captured image recording area of the memory card 24. At this time, in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24, data of the photographed date and time is recorded as header information of the photographed image data.

Thirdly, the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
The case where is switched to the H mode (a mode for continuously shooting 30 frames per second) will be described. When the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned on by switching the power switch 11 to the side where “ON” is printed, and the release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1 is pressed, the subject photographing process is started.

The optical image of the subject observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the taking lens 3 and is focused on the CCD 20. An optical image of a subject formed on the CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels is photoelectrically converted by each pixel into an image signal.
1 is sampled at a rate of 30 times per second. At this time, the CDS 31 thins out 8/9 of the image electrical signals of all the pixels of the CCD 20.

That is, the CDS 31 divides the pixels of the CCD 20 arranged in a matrix into areas each having 3 × 3 pixels, as shown in FIG. 9, and moves from one area to a predetermined position. The image electric signal of one pixel arranged is sampled at a rate of 30 times per second, and the remaining eight pixels are thinned out.

For example, in the first sampling (first frame), the pixel a at the upper left of each area is sampled and the other pixels b to i are thinned out. At the time of the second sampling (second frame), the pixel b disposed on the right side of the pixel a is sampled, and the other pixels a, c to i are thinned out. Hereinafter, at the time of the third and subsequent samplings, the pixels c, d,.
Are sampled and other pixels are decimated. That is, each pixel is sampled every nine frames.

The image signal sampled by the CDS 31 (the image signal of one-ninth of all the pixels of the CCD 20) is supplied to the A / D conversion circuit 32, where it is digitized and output to the DSP 33.

The DSP 33 outputs the digitized image signal to the data area of the buffer memory 37, and the memory control circuit 36 reads the image signal, compresses it according to the JPEG method, and then digitizes and compresses it. The image data is recorded in the captured image recording area of the memory card 24 together with the header information of the capturing date and time.

If necessary, the light emitting section 4 can be operated to irradiate the subject with light.

Next, the operation of inputting two-dimensional information (pen input information) from the touch tablet 6A will be described.

When the touch tablet 6A is pressed by the pen tip of a pen-type pointing device (not shown), the XY position of the contact point is detected.
The coordinates are input to the CPU 39 via the I / F 42A and the CPU control bus 38. The XY coordinates are stored in the data area of the buffer memory 37, and the X-Y coordinates are stored in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 37.
-Data is written in the location corresponding to each point of Y coordinate,
It is displayed on the LCD 6.

As described above, the touch tablet 6A
Is composed of a transparent member,
A point displayed on the LCD 6 (a point at a position pressed by the pen tip of the pen-type pointing device) can be observed, and it can be felt as if a pen input was made directly on the LCD 6. In addition, the pen-type pointing member is used for the touch tablet 6.
When it is moved on A, a line accompanying the movement of the pen-type pointing device is displayed on the LCD 6. Further, when the pen-type pointing device is intermittently moved on the touch tablet 6A, L
A broken line accompanying the movement of the pen-type pointing device is displayed on the CD 6. As described above, the user inputs desired line drawing information such as characters and graphics to the touch tablet 6A (LCD 6).

Further, when line drawing information is input by the pen-type pointing device when a shot image is displayed on the LCD 6, this line drawing information is combined with the shot image information in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 37. Are displayed simultaneously on the LCD 6.

The user can select a color of the line drawing displayed on the LCD 6 from black, white, red, blue, etc. by operating a color selection switch (not shown).

Touch tablet 6 with a pen-type pointing device
When the execution key 7B of the operation key 7 is pressed after the line drawing information is input to A, the line drawing information accumulated in the data area of the buffer memory 37 is supplied to the memory card 24 together with the header information of the input date and time, It is recorded in the line drawing information recording area of the card 24.

The line drawing information recorded in the memory card 24 is compressed information. Since the line drawing information input to the touch tablet 6A contains a lot of information having a high spatial frequency component, if the compression processing is performed by the JPEG method used for compressing the photographed image, the compression efficiency is low and the information amount is not reduced. The time required for compression and decompression increases. Furthermore, since the compression by the JPEG method is irreversible compression, it is not suitable for compression of line drawing information having a small amount of information. To get it).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the line drawing information is compressed by the run length method used in fax or the like. The run-length method scans the line drawing screen in the horizontal direction, and the continuous length of information (dots) of each color such as black, white, red, and blue, and the continuous length of no information (the part where there is no pen input). This is a method of compressing line drawing information by encoding the line drawing information.

By using this run length method,
The line drawing information can be compressed to the minimum, and even when the compressed line drawing information is expanded, it is possible to suppress loss of information. The line drawing information may not be compressed when the information amount is relatively small.

Further, as described above, when the pen input is performed while the captured image is displayed on the LCD 6, the captured image data and the line drawing information of the pen input are combined in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 37, A composite image of the captured image and the line drawing is displayed on the LCD 6. On the other hand, in the memory card 24, the captured image data is
The line drawing information is recorded in the captured image recording area, and the line drawing information is recorded in the line drawing information recording area. As described above, since the two pieces of information are recorded in different areas, the user can select one of the images (for example, line drawing) from the composite image of the captured image and the line drawing.
Can be deleted, and each image information can be compressed by an individual compression method.

When data is recorded in the voice recording area, the photographed image recording area, or the line drawing information recording area of the memory card 24, a predetermined display is displayed on the LCD 6, as shown in FIG.

On the display screen of the LCD 6 shown in FIG. 10, the date when the information was recorded (record date) (in this case, August 25, 1995) is displayed at the bottom of the screen, The recording time of the information recorded on the recording date is displayed on the leftmost side of the screen.

A thumbnail image is displayed on the right side of the recording time. This thumbnail image is displayed on the memory card 2
It is created by thinning out (reducing) the bitmap data of each image data of the captured image data recorded in No. 4. The information with this display is information including captured image information. That is, "10:16" and "10:21"
The information recorded (input) includes the captured image information, such as “10:05”, “10:28”, and “10:28”.
Hour 54 ”and“ 13:10 ”
No image information is included.

The memo symbol "*" indicates that a predetermined memo is recorded as line drawing information.

On the right side of the thumbnail image display area, an audio information bar is displayed, and a bar (line) having a length corresponding to the length of the recording time is displayed (if audio information is not input, Do not show).

The user selects and specifies information to be reproduced by pressing any part of the display line of the desired information on the LCD 6 shown in FIG. 10 with the pen tip of the pen type pointing device, and the execution key shown in FIG. The selected information is reproduced by pressing 7B with the pen tip of the pen type pointing device.

For example, when the line indicating "10:05" shown in FIG. 10 is pressed by the pen type pointing device, the CPU 39 causes the selected recording date / time (10: 0).
Voice data corresponding to (5 minutes) is read from the memory card 24, the voice data is expanded, and then the voice processing circuit 4
Feed to 1. The audio processing circuit 41 converts the supplied audio data (compressed audio data) into an analog signal, and then reproduces it via the speaker 5. When the earphone 43 is connected to the earphone jack 9, no sound is reproduced from the speaker 5, and the earphone 43 is not reproduced.
Audio is played via.

When reproducing the photographed image data recorded in the memory card 24, the user selects the desired thumbnail image by pressing the pen tip of the pen type pointing device to select the information, and pressing the execution key 7B. Play the information you have made.

The CPU 39 instructs the memory control circuit 36 to read the photographed image data corresponding to the selected photographing date and time from the memory card 24. The memory control circuit 36 decompresses the captured image data (compressed captured image data) read from the memory card 24 and stores the captured image data as bitmap data in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 37. Display on the LCD 6.

The image photographed in the S mode is displayed on the LCD 6 as a still image. This still image is CC
It goes without saying that the image signals of all the pixels of D20 are reproduced.

Images taken in the L mode are continuously displayed on the LCD 6 at a rate of 8 frames per second. At this time, the number of pixels displayed in each frame is CCD2
0 is a quarter of the total number of pixels.

Usually, the human eye is sensitive to the deterioration of the resolution of the still image, and thinning out the pixels of the still image is perceived by the user as the deterioration of the image quality. However, when the continuous shooting speed at the time of shooting increases, eight frames are shot per second in the L mode, and when this image is reproduced at a speed of eight frames per second, the number of pixels of each frame becomes equal to the number of pixels of the CCD 20. Although this is a quarter of the number, since the human eye observes eight frames per second, the amount of information perceived by the human eye per second is twice as large as that of a still image.

That is, 1 of the images taken in S mode
Assuming that the number of pixels of a frame is 1, the number of pixels of one frame of an image captured in the L mode is １ ／. When an image (still image) captured in the S mode is displayed on the LCD 6, the amount of information perceived by the human eye in one second is 1 (= (number of pixels 1) × (number of frames 1)). On the other hand, when an image taken in the L mode is displayed on the LCD 6, the amount of information that human eyes can see in one second is 2 (= (number of pixels 1/4) × (number of frames 8)) (that is, Human eyes receive twice as much information as a still image). Therefore, even if the number of pixels in one frame is reduced to ４, the user can observe the reproduced image at the time of reproduction without much concern about deterioration in image quality.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, different pixels are sampled for each frame and the sampled pixels are displayed on the LCD 6. Therefore, an afterimage effect occurs to the human eye and 4 minutes per frame are generated. Even if three pixels are thinned out, the user can observe the image captured in the L mode displayed on the LCD 6 without having to worry about the deterioration of the image quality.

The image taken in the H mode is LC
It is continuously displayed at a rate of 30 frames per second on D6. At this time, the number of pixels displayed in each frame is C
Although the number of pixels of the CD 20 is one-ninth of the total number of pixels, for the same reason as in the case of the L mode, the user can copy an image captured in the H mode displayed on the LCD 6 without much concern about deterioration in image quality. Can be observed.

In the present embodiment, when the subject is imaged in the L mode and the H mode, the CDS 31 thins out the pixels of the CCD 20 to the extent that the deterioration of the image quality during reproduction is not noticed. The load on the control circuit 36 can be reduced, and the DSP 33 and the memory control circuit 36 can be operated at low speed and low power. Further, this makes it possible to reduce the cost and power consumption of the device.

By the way, in the present embodiment, as described above, various information (data) recorded in the memory card 24 is accompanied by data of the date and time when each information was input as header information. . The user can use the LCD
It is possible to select and reproduce desired information from the date and time data displayed on the screen 6 (FIG. 10).

When a plurality of pieces of information (photographed image, voice, line drawing) are input at the same time, each piece of information is separately recorded in a predetermined area of the recording card 24. Header information of the same date and time is attached.

For example, when the information A (photographed image), the information B (voice), and the information C (line drawing) are input at the same time, each information A, B, C recorded in a predetermined area of the memory card 24.
Are provided with data of the same input date and time as header information. Further, the header information of the information A may be set as the data of the input date and time, and the header information of the information B and C may be set as the data indicating the information A.

By the above, the information input at the same time is simultaneously reproduced at the time of reproduction.

Further, in this embodiment, after recording the first information (for example, photographed image), the second information (for example, line drawing) different from the first information is added to the first information. It can also be recorded in the form. As described above, when adding the second information in addition to the first information, the second information is input while the first information is reproduced.
Hereinafter, a detailed description of this case will be described.

For example, when the previously recorded audio information is being reproduced, when the release switch 10 is pressed and the subject is photographed, the memory card 2
The photographed image data recorded in the photographed image recording area No. 4 is accompanied by header information of the date and time when the recording of the audio information was started.

Also, for example, on August 25, 1995, 10
During the playback of the audio information whose recording was started at 15:00,
When one minute has elapsed from the start of the reproduction (that is, when the reproduction data has become the data at 10:06 on August 25, 1995), when the photographing processing is performed, it is recorded in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24. 199 image data
It is also possible to add header information at 10:06 on August 25, 5 (start time (10: 5)
May be used as header information, or one of them may be registered as a default (the selection is made by the user).

Similarly, when the line drawing information is input when the prerecorded audio information is being reproduced,
In the line drawing information recording area of the memory card 24, the same header information as the header information of the recording date and time of the audio information is recorded together with the line drawing information.

When the line drawing information is input in the case where the voice information and the photographed image information which are input at the same time are reproduced in advance, the line drawing information is recorded in the line drawing information recording area of the memory card 24 together with the voice information ( Alternatively, the same header information as the header information of the recording date and time of the (captured image information) is recorded.

When the photographed image information is inputted when the voice information and the line drawing information which have been simultaneously inputted are reproduced in advance, the photographed image data is recorded in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24 together with the voice information. The same header information as the recording date and time (or line drawing information) is recorded.

When audio information is input while a previously input captured image is being reproduced, the audio information recording area of the memory card 24, together with the audio data, includes header information of the recording date and time of the captured image. The same header information as is recorded.

When line drawing information is input while a previously input photographed image is being reproduced, the line drawing information is recorded in the line drawing information recording area of the memory card 24 together with the header information of the recording date and time of the photographed image. The same header information as is recorded.

When voice information is input in the case where the captured image information and the line drawing information that have been simultaneously input are reproduced in advance, the captured image information ( Alternatively, the same header information as the recording date and time of the line drawing information) is recorded.

When the photographed image information is input while the previously inputted line drawing information is being reproduced, the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24 shows the recording date and time of the line drawing information together with the photographed image data. The same header information as the header information is recorded.

When the audio information is input while the previously input line drawing information is being reproduced, the audio data in the audio recording area of the memory card 24, together with the header information of the recording date and time of the line drawing information. The same header information is recorded.

As described above, when the prerecorded first information is reproduced, when the second information is input, the recording date and time of the first information is the header information of the second information. Will be (hereinafter referred to as normal mode). By doing so, even if information is added later, the relationship between the original information and the added information can be maintained.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the second information is added to the prerecorded first information, the second information is added.
In addition to recording the input time of the information as the header information of the second information, the header information of the first information may be rewritten with the header information of the second information (hereinafter,
Recording time change mode). In such a case, the change electronic camera 1 is further provided with a recording date / time mode changeover switch (not shown), and the recording date / time is changed by the user's selection (switching between the normal mode and the recording date / time change mode). To

For example, if the user later selects a specific time,
If a specific subject is scheduled to be photographed, and a comment on the photographed image is recorded as line drawing information in advance (that is, the line drawing information is the first information), the mode switch for the recording date and time is set to the recording mode. The mode is switched to the date and time change mode, and the object is photographed while reproducing the recorded line drawing information (that is, the photographed image is the second information). Then, the input date and time of the captured image (second information) are attached as header information to both the line drawing information (first information) and the captured image (second information).

Also, prioritize the input information,
The header information of the input time may be added to each information in accordance with the priority.

For example, when the priority of the photographed image is the first priority, the priority of the audio information is the second priority, and the priority of the line drawing information is the third priority, the previously recorded line drawing information is reproduced. However, when voice information is input, both line drawing information and voice information recorded in the memory card 24 are
Header information including the input time of the audio information is appended (since the priority of the audio information is higher than the priority of the line drawing information). Further, when a captured image is input while reproducing the audio information and the line image information, the line information, the audio information, and the captured image recorded on the memory card 24 are accompanied by header information including the input time of the captured image. (Because the priority of a captured image is higher than the priority of other information). This priority may be set by the user.

Next, description will be made regarding a case where voice is recorded while a subject is being photographed.

First, the case where the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is switched to the S mode (single shooting mode) will be described. First, when the recording switch 12 is pressed, voice information is input, and in the voice information recording area of the memory card 24, the header information of the recording start date and time is recorded together with the voice data. When the release switch 10 is pressed during the input of the audio information (S mode),
One frame of the subject is photographed, and the photographed image data is recorded on the memory card 24. The photographed image data is accompanied by header information of the date and time when the release switch 10 is pressed (at the start of photographing).

On the other hand, first, when the release button 10 is pressed, one frame of the subject is photographed. At this time, in the captured image data recorded on the memory card 24, the date and time when the image was captured is recorded as header information. Further, when the release button 10 is continuously pressed, the photographed image is displayed on the LCD 6. At this time, when the recording switch 12 is pressed, voice information is input. At this time, the date and time when the image was captured is attached to the audio data recorded in the audio information recording area of the memory card 24 as header information.

Next, the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
Is switched to L mode or H mode (continuous shooting mode). First, when the release switch 10 is pressed and then the recording switch 12 is pressed, and when the release switch 10 and the recording switch 12 are pressed simultaneously, the captured image and audio information are recorded as shown below. You.

When the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the L mode, eight frames are photographed per second, and the photographed image data of each frame recorded in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24 is recorded. Is attached with header information of the date and time when each image was captured. Therefore, the date and time at intervals of 0.125 seconds are recorded in the header of each frame. At this time, the audio information is recorded every 0.125 seconds (but continuously input), and the audio data recorded in the audio information recording area of the memory card 24 is also recorded at intervals of 0.125 seconds. Date and time header information is recorded.

Similarly, the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
Is switched to the H mode, 30 frames are photographed per second, and the photographed image data of each frame recorded in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24 includes the date and time when each photographed. Is attached.
Therefore, the date and time at 1/30 second intervals are recorded in the header of each frame. At this time, the audio information is 1
/ Recorded every 30 seconds (but continuously entered)
Also in the audio data recorded in the audio information recording area of the memory card 24, header information of the date and time at 1/30 second intervals is recorded.

As described above, when a photographed image or sound is edited after recording, if an arbitrary photographed image is removed, the audio information having the same header information as the header information of the photographed image can also be removed. it can.

On the other hand, the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
When the recording mode is switched to the L mode or the H mode (when the mode is switched to the continuous shooting mode), when the recording switch 12 is pressed first and then the release switch 10 is pressed, the data is recorded on the memory card 24. The information to be recorded includes the following header information.

That is, in this case, the voice data until the release switch 10 is pressed is recorded as one file in the voice information recording area of the memory card 24. After that, when the release switch 10 is pressed, the header information of the date and time corresponding to each frame of the captured image is recorded together with the audio data.

When recording audio and images at the same time,
As in the case of recording only voice, when the earphone 43 is connected to the earphone jack 9, the memory card 2
It is possible to reproduce the voice stored in No. 4 and perform the monitor operation in real time.

The present invention is not limited to the electronic camera of the above embodiment, but can be applied to other information processing apparatuses.

[0132]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, the voice signal is input, the voice signal is stored, and only when the voice output unit is connected to the connection terminal, Read the audio data immediately after recording,
Since the sound is output to the audio output unit via the connection terminal, no special operation for switching to the monitor operation is required, and a memory card, a magnetic disk, or a magneto-optical disk composed of a RAM is used as a recording medium. Even when recording on, for example, the recording state on the recording medium can be confirmed during recording.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration when viewed from the back of the electronic camera 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electronic camera 1 with an LCD cover 14 closed.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the electronic camera 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 shows the position of the LCD cover 14 and the power switch 11.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the LCD switch 40 and the LCD switch 40.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration inside the electronic camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

7 is a flowchart illustrating a voice recording operation of the electronic camera 1 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating pixel thinning processing in the L mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating pixel thinning processing in the H mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the electronic camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 electronic camera 2 viewfinder 3 taking lens 4 light emitting part 5 speaker 6 LCD 6A touch tablet 7 operation keys 7A menu key 7B execution key 7C clear key 7D cancel key 7E scroll key 8 microphone 9 earphone jack 10 release switch 11 power switch 12 recording switch 13 Continuous shooting mode selector switch 20 CCD 21 Battery 22 Capacitor 23 Circuit board 24 Memory card 31 Correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 31A Automatic gain adjuster (AGC) 32 Analog / digital conversion circuit 33 Digital signal processor (DSP) 34 CCD Drive circuit 35 Data bus 36 Memory control circuit 37 Buffer memory 38 CPU control bus 39 CPU 41 Audio processing circuit 42A, 42B Interface 43 earphones

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Information comprising: input means for inputting a voice signal; storage means for storing voice data corresponding to the voice signal; and control means for controlling input and output of the voice data with respect to the storage means. In the processing device, further comprising a connecting means for connecting an audio output section for outputting an audio signal, the control means, immediately after recording the audio data, only when the audio output section is connected to the connecting means. An information processing device which reads out to the voice output unit and outputs to the voice output unit via the connection unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a microphone, and the voice output unit is an earphone. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is composed of a RAM. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk.