JPH09331500A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output continuously an audio signal being reproduced even when an image being displayed is switched. SOLUTION: In the case that a prescribed image is displayed on an LCD and an audio signal corresponding to the image is outputted, when the image is switched into other image, the audio signal having been outputted so far is outputted continuously in the mode A or the audio signal having been outputted so far is interrupted in the mode B. The mode A or B is set on a menu displayed on the LCD.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device, and more particularly, to an information input device suitable for use in an electronic camera or the like which converts an image of a subject into digital data and records the digital data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, instead of a camera using film, an image of a subject is photographed by using a CCD or the like, converted into digital data, a memory such as an IC incorporated therein, and a removable memory card. An electronic camera for recording data on a computer has been used. An image captured using this electronic camera can be reproduced immediately without being developed and printed as in a conventional camera, and can be displayed on a screen such as an LCD.

[0003] In addition, since a photographed image is recorded as digital data and recorded, it is compatible with a personal computer and has been used as an input device. For example, when creating an Internet homepage, it may be used as a tool for inputting image data.

[0004]

To such an electronic camera, a function of recording not only the image of the photographed object but also the sound related to the image is added. When the image is reproduced, the sound related to the image is reproduced. It is possible to make it output.

However, although the image can be displayed immediately, since the sound must be continuously output for a predetermined time, when the sound corresponding to the predetermined image is being output, another image is displayed. There is a problem in that it is necessary to determine in advance the method of processing the voice when the display is switched to.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and provides several methods of outputting a sound when a display image is switched so that the user can select the method.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information input device, which comprises an image pickup means for picking up a predetermined image (for example, the taking lens 3 in FIG. 1 and the CCD 20 in FIG. 3) and a predetermined voice. A voice input unit (for example, the microphone 8 in FIG. 1) for input, a storage unit (for example, FIG. 3) that stores the image captured by the image capturing unit and the voice corresponding to the image input by the voice input unit in association with each other. Memory card 24), image reproduction means for reproducing the image stored in the storage means (for example, compression / expansion memory control circuit (comp / dcomp / MC) 38 in FIG. 4), and audio stored in the storage means. Sound reproducing means for reproducing (for example, the sound IC 36 in FIG. 4) and selecting means for selecting an image reproduced by the image reproducing means (for example, the touch tablet 6A in FIG. 1, and When the predetermined image is selected by the pen 6B) of 4 and the selecting means, the sound reproducing means reproduces a predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image, and while the sound reproducing means reproduces the predetermined sound, the selection is made. Even when another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the means, the audio reproduction means is provided with a control means (for example, the CPU 34 in FIG. 4) for controlling the reproduction of the predetermined sound. Characterize.

Further, the control means controls so that the sound reproducing means ends the reproduction of the predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image and then starts the reproduction of the other sound associated with the other image. You can

Further, the control means controls the image reproducing means so as to switch from the predetermined image to another image and display it when another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means. can do.

An information input device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an image pickup means for picking up a predetermined image (for example, the taking lens 3 in FIG. 1 and the CCD 20 in FIG. 3) and a voice input means for inputting a predetermined voice. For example, with the microphone 8) of FIG.
A storage unit (for example, the memory card 24 in FIG. 3) that stores the image captured by the image capturing unit and the voice corresponding to the image input by the voice input unit in association with each other, and the image stored in the storage unit is reproduced. Image reproducing means (for example, the compression / expansion memory control circuit (comp of FIG. 4)
/ Dcomp / MC) 38) and audio reproduction means for reproducing the audio stored in the storage means (for example, the audio IC of FIG. 4).
36), a selection means for selecting an image to be reproduced by the image reproduction means (for example, the touch tablet 6A in FIG. 1 and the pen 6B in FIG. 4), and the sound reproduction means reproduces the sound stored in the storage means. A mode selecting unit (for example, the touch tablet 6A in FIG. 1 and the pen 6B in FIG. 4) for selecting one of the first mode defining the method and the second mode, and the first mode by the mode selecting unit. When the mode is selected, when the predetermined image is selected by the selection means, the audio reproduction means reproduces a predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image, and while the sound reproduction means reproduces the predetermined sound, the selection is made. Even when another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the means, the audio reproduction means continues the reproduction of the predetermined audio, and when the second mode is selected by the mode selection means, the selection is made. When a predetermined image by stages is selected, the sound reproducing means to reproduce a predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image, the audio playback means playing a predetermined sound,
When the selecting unit selects another image different from the predetermined image, the sound reproducing unit controls so as to interrupt the reproduction of the predetermined sound (for example, CPU 34 in FIG. 4).
And characterized in that:

Further, the control means, when the first mode is selected by the mode selecting means and another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the sound reproducing means changes the predetermined image. It is possible to control so that the reproduction of the predetermined audio associated with the image is finished, and then the reproduction of the other audio associated with the other image is started.

Further, the control means, when the second mode is selected by the mode selecting means and another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the sound reproducing means changes the predetermined image to the predetermined image. It is possible to control the reproduction of the predetermined audio associated with the image to be suspended and the reproduction of the other audio associated with the other image to be started.

Further, the control means controls the image reproducing means to switch and display from the predetermined image to another image when another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means. can do.

Display means (for example, LCD 6 in FIG. 2) for displaying the image picked up by the image pickup means and the image reproduced by the image reproducing means, the voice inputted by the voice inputting means, and the voice reproducing means. It is possible to further provide a sound output unit (for example, the speaker 5 and the earphone jack 9 in FIG. 2) that outputs the sound reproduced by.

Further, it is possible to further provide an illuminating means (for example, the light emitting section (strobe) 4 in FIG. 1) for illuminating the subject with illumination light.

In the information input device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined image is selected by the selection means under the control of the control means, the sound reproduction means reproduces a predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image. While the audio reproducing means is reproducing the predetermined audio, the audio reproducing means continues the reproduction of the predetermined audio even when another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means. Therefore, the sound related to the predetermined image can be reproduced without interruption.

In the information input device according to the fourth aspect, when the first mode is selected by the mode selecting means under the control of the control means, when the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the sound reproducing means is selected. Reproduces a predetermined sound associated with a predetermined image, and when the sound reproduction means is reproducing the predetermined sound and the selection means selects another image different from the predetermined image, the sound reproduction means Keeps reproducing a predetermined sound, and when the mode selecting means selects the second mode, when the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the sound reproducing means causes the predetermined sound to be associated with the predetermined image. When the sound reproduction means reproduces a predetermined sound and the selection means selects another image different from the predetermined image, the sound reproduction means interrupts the reproduction of the predetermined sound. Therefore, the audio reproduction method can be selected.

[0018]

1 and 2 are perspective views showing the structure of an embodiment of an electronic camera to which the present invention is applied.
For convenience of description, when photographing a subject, out of the six surfaces constituting the electronic camera 1, a surface facing the subject is referred to as a surface X1, and a surface facing the user is referred to as a surface X2. At the upper end of the surface X1, there is provided a viewfinder 2 used for confirming the shooting range of the subject, a taking lens 3 for capturing an optical image of the subject, and a light emitting unit (strobe) 4 for emitting light for illuminating the subject. .

On the other hand, at the upper end of the surface X2 (the position corresponding to the upper end where the finder 2, the photographing lens 3, and the light emitting section 4 of the surface X1 are formed) opposed to the surface X1, the above-mentioned finder 2 and A speaker 5 is provided, and the speaker 5 outputs sound corresponding to sound data recorded in a memory card or the like built in the electronic camera 1. Also, the LCD 6 formed on the surface X2
The operation key 7 is formed vertically below the finder 2, the taking lens 3, the light emitting unit 4, and the speaker 5. In addition, a so-called touch tablet 6A is formed on the surface of the LCD 6 and outputs position data corresponding to a position designated by a contact operation of a predetermined pen-type pointing device (hereinafter appropriately abbreviated as pen) 6B. There is.

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

The operation keys 7 are composed of a plurality of keys corresponding to various functions as will be described later, and are operated by the pen type pointing device 6B to record image data, voice data, etc. Alternatively, it is used when reproducing recorded data such as text data and displaying it on the LCD 6. For example, the menu key 7A is L
It is operated when displaying the menu screen on the CD 6. The execute key 7B is operated when reproducing the recording data selected by the user.

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

On the surface Z, which is the upper surface of the electronic camera 1,
A microphone 8 for collecting sound and an earphone jack 9 for connecting an earphone (not shown) are provided.

The left side surface (surface Y1) is provided with a release switch 10 which is operated when photographing an object and a power switch 11 which switches on / off of a power source. The release switch 10 and the power switch 11 are arranged vertically below the finder 2, the photographing lens 3, and the light emitting unit 4 provided at the upper end of the plane X1.

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

The height of the release switch 10 and the height of the recording switch 12 are made to be different from each other.
For example, to cancel the moment generated by this pressing force when only one switch is pressed with a finger,
At the same time, when the opposite side surface is held by a finger, it is possible to prevent a switch provided on the opposite side surface from being accidentally pressed.

The continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is
When the user presses the release switch 10 to photograph a subject, this is used when setting whether to photograph only one frame of the subject or to continuously photograph a plurality of predetermined frames. For example, the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
When the release switch 10 is pressed in the case where the pointer is switched to the position where "S" is printed (that is, the mode is switched to the S mode), only one frame is photographed.

When the release switch 10 is pressed while the pointer of the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is switched to the position where "L" is printed (that is, when the switch is switched to L mode), the release switch 10 is pressed. While the switch 10 is being pressed, shooting is performed at a rate of 8 frames per second. That is, shooting is performed in the low-speed continuous shooting mode.

Further, a continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
If the release switch 10 is pressed when the pointer of is switched to the position printed with "H" (that is, switched to the H mode), the release switch 10 is pressed for 1 second. Shooting will be done at a rate of 30 frames. That is, shooting is performed in the high-speed continuous shooting mode.

Next, the internal configuration of the electronic camera 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic camera shown in FIGS. The CCD 20 is provided at a subsequent stage (on the side of the surface X2) of the photographing lens 3 so as to photoelectrically convert a light image of a subject formed through the photographing lens 3 into a corresponding electric signal (image signal) and output the electric signal. It has been done.

On the vertically lower side of the LCD 6, for example, four cylindrical batteries (for example, AA dry cells) 21 are arranged side by side, and the electric power accumulated in the battery 21 is supplied to each part. . In addition, a capacitor 22 that stores electric charges required when the light emitting unit 4 emits light is arranged alongside the battery 21.

On the circuit board 23, various control circuits for controlling each part of the electronic camera 1 are formed. A removable memory card (recording medium) 24 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 preset in the memory card 24. Is recorded in each area.

In this embodiment, the memory card 24 can be inserted and removed, but a memory may be provided on the circuit board 23 so that various information can be recorded in the memory. In addition, a memory card (or memory)
It is also possible to output various information recorded in 24 to an external personal computer or the like via an interface (not shown).

Next, an example of the internal electrical configuration of the electronic camera 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels photoelectrically converts a light image formed on each pixel into an image signal (electric signal). CCD drive circuit (VDRV) 39
Is a digital signal processor (hereinafter D)
SP) 33 to drive the CCD 20.

Correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as CDS
) 31 is configured to sample the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 20 at a predetermined timing. The AGC (automatic gain control circuit) 40 controls the gain of the signal sampled by the CDS 31. An analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an A / D conversion circuit) 32 digitizes the image signal sampled by the CDS 31 and DSP3.
3 is supplied.

The DSP 33 temporarily supplies the digitized image data to the buffer memory 37 and stores it therein.
Compression / expansion memory control circuit (comp / dcom
The p / MC) 38 reads the image data stored in the buffer memory 37 and, for example, JPEG (Join
After being compressed by the t Photographic Experts Group) system, it is supplied to the memory card 24 via the data bus 42 and recorded in a predetermined area (image recording area).

Further, the CPU 34 has a built-in clock circuit (not shown), and records information on the shooting date and time in the image recording area of the memory card 24 as header information of image data. That is, the memory card 24
Data of the shooting date and time is added to the image data recorded in the image recording area.

The microphone (microphone) 8 inputs voice and supplies a voice signal corresponding to the voice to the voice IC 36. The audio IC 36 converts the supplied audio signal into digital audio data, compresses it, supplies it to the memory card 24, and records it in a predetermined area (audio recording area). At this time, the data of the recording date and time is recorded as the header information of the audio data in the audio recording area of the memory card 24.

Further, the strobe (light emitting section) 4 is the CPU 3
The light is emitted at a predetermined timing to illuminate the subject with light.

When a predetermined position of the touch tablet 6A is pressed by the pen-type pointing device 6B operated by the user, the CPU 34 reads the XY coordinates corresponding to the pressed position of the touch tablet 6A, and its coordinate data ( The line drawing information described later) is stored in a predetermined memory (not shown). Also, the CPU 34
Supplies the line drawing information stored in the memory, together with header information such as the date and time when the line drawing information was input, to the memory card 24 and records it in the line drawing information recording area.

A buffer memory 37 and an LCD 6 are connected to the CPU 34 via a CPU control bus 41,
An image corresponding to the image data stored in the buffer memory 37 can be displayed on the LCD 6. However, the image data subjected to the compression processing is once input to the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38,
Therefore, it is expanded and then supplied to the buffer memory 37 via the data bus 42.

A speaker 5 is connected to the voice IC 36, and the voice data read from the memory card 24 is expanded by the voice IC 36 and converted into an analog voice signal, which is then output from the speaker 5. It is designed to be done.

The operation switch (SW) 35 is shown in FIG.
It corresponds to the release switch 10, the power switch 11, the recording switch 12, and the continuous shooting mode switching switch 13 in FIG. 3, and when each switch is operated, a corresponding signal is supplied to the CPU 34. There is. Then, the CPU 34 is configured to execute corresponding predetermined processing when each switch is operated.

Next, the operation will be described. First, audio input / output processing in the above embodiment will be described. When the power switch 11 shown in FIG. 1 is switched to the side where “ON” is printed, the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned on, and the recording switch 12 provided on the surface Y2 is pressed, a recording process (for audio) is performed. Processing for input and recording)
Is started. That is, the voice input through the microphone 8 is converted into digital voice data by the voice IC 36, subjected to compression processing, supplied to the memory card 24, and recorded in the voice recording area of the memory card 24. It At this time, data such as recording date and time is recorded in the audio recording area of the memory card 24 as header information of the compressed audio data. Such an operation is repeatedly executed while the recording switch 12 is being pressed.

As a voice compression method, PCM is used.
(Pulse Code Modulation) method and other methods can be used.

Next, the operation for photographing a subject will be described. First, the case where the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 provided on the surface Y2 is switched to the S mode (a mode in which only one frame is shot) will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the power switch 11 provided on the surface Y1 is switched to the side where "ON" is printed, and the power is turned on to the electronic camera 1. 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 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 at each pixel, and C
Sampled by DS31. The image signal sampled by the CDS 31 is supplied to the A / D conversion circuit 32 after the gain is controlled via the AGC 40, digitized there, and supplied to the DSP 33.

The DSP 33 temporarily supplies and stores the digitized image data in the buffer memory 37.
The compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 combines the image data read from the buffer memory 37 with discrete cosine transform, quantization, and Huffman coding JP
Compress according to the EG method. The compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 supplies the compressed image data to the memory card 24 via the data bus 42. Memory card 24
Records the image data supplied from the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 in the image recording area. At this time, in the image recording area of the memory card 24, the shooting date and time data is recorded as the header information of the image data.

When the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is switched to the S mode, only one frame is shot each time the release switch 10 is pressed. Therefore, even if the release switch 10 is pressed and kept pressed, only one frame is photographed. When the release switch 10 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time, the image just shot is displayed on the LCD 6.

Next, a case where the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the L mode (a mode for performing continuous shooting of 8 frames per second) will be described. Power switch 1
When the electronic camera 1 is powered on by switching 1 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 as follows. You.

The light from the subject observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the taking lens 3 and forms an image on the CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels. The light image of the subject formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted into an image signal in each pixel,
The CDS 31 samples at a rate of 8 times per second. In addition, at this time, the CDS 31 thins out the image electric signals corresponding to all the pixels from the CCD 20 that correspond to three-fourths of the pixels.

The image signal sampled by the CDS 31 (image signal of a quarter of all 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 digitized image data is processed by the DSP.
It is once supplied to the buffer memory 37 by 33 and stored therein. The image data stored in the buffer memory 37 is
The data is read by the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 and compressed according to the JPEG method. The image data compressed by the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 is supplied to the memory card 24 via the data bus 42 and recorded in the image recording area. At this time, in the image recording area of the memory card 24, data of the shooting date and time is recorded as header information of the image data.

Next, a case where the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the H mode (a mode for continuously shooting 30 frames per second) will be described. By turning on the power to the electronic camera 1 by switching the power switch 11 to the side where “ON” is printed, and pressing the release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1, the photographing process of the subject is performed as follows. Be started.

Light from the subject observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the taking lens 3 and forms an image on the CCD 20. The optical image of the subject formed on the CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels is photoelectrically converted into an image signal in each pixel,
The CDS 31 samples at a rate of 30 times per second. At this time, the CDS 31 is connected to the CCD 20.
From among the image electric signals corresponding to all the pixels from, the ones corresponding to 8 / 9th of the pixels are thinned out.

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 once supplies the digitized image data to the buffer memory 37 and stores it therein.
The compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 reads the image data from the buffer memory 37 and compresses it according to the JPEG method. The image data thus digitized and compressed is supplied to the memory card 24 via the data bus 42 and recorded in the image recording area of the memory card 24 together with the header information of the photographing date and time.

It should be noted that, at the time of photographing the subject, the strobe (light emitting section) 4 may be operated to illuminate the subject, if necessary.

Next, using the touch tablet 6A, 2
An operation for inputting dimension information (pen input information) will be described. When the pen tip of the pen type pointing device 6B is brought into contact with the touch tablet 6A, data corresponding to the XY coordinates of the touched portion is input to the CPU 34. This XY
The data corresponding to the coordinates is supplied to the CPU 34 and the CP
Image data corresponding to, for example, a point having a predetermined size is written in the position corresponding to the XY coordinates of the buffer memory 37 by the U34, and the LC data is controlled by the CPU 34.
A point having a predetermined size is displayed at a corresponding position on D6.

As described above, since the touch tablet 6A formed on the surface of the LCD 6 is made of a transparent member, the user can touch the touch tablet 6A with the pen tip of the pen type pointing device 6B on the LCD 6. The point displayed at the position where is pressed can be observed, and it can be felt as if a direct pen input was made on the LCD 6. Further, when the pen type pointing device 6B is moved while being in contact with the touch tablet 6A, a line is displayed on the LCD 6 along the locus of movement of the pen type pointing device 6B. Furthermore, when the pen type pointing device 6B is intermittently moved on the touch tablet 6A, the
A broken line is displayed as the pen type pointing device 6B moves.
As described above, the user makes the touch tablet 6A
Using the (LCD 6), line drawing information such as desired characters and figures can be input.

Further, when line drawing information such as characters is input by the pen type pointing device 6B while an image is displayed on the LCD 6, this line drawing information is combined with the image information in the buffer memory 37, It is simultaneously displayed on the LCD 6.

The user operates the color selection switch (not shown) to select the color of the line drawing displayed on the LCD 6 from a plurality of colors such as black, white, red and blue. You can

Pen type pointing device 6B and touch tablet 6
After inputting the line drawing information by A, the execution key 7B of the operation key 7
When is pressed, the line drawing information stored in the predetermined memory is stored in the CPU control bus 41 together with the header information of the input date and time.
Is supplied to the memory card 24 via the memory card 2
4 is recorded in the line drawing information recording area.

The line drawing information recorded in the memory card 24 is information that has been compressed. Since the line drawing information input to the touch tablet 6A includes a large amount of information with high spatial frequency components, if compression processing is performed by the JPEG method used for compressing the image, the compression efficiency is poor and the amount of information does not decrease significantly. . In addition, JPEG
Since the compression by the method is irreversible compression, it is not suitable for the compression of line drawing information having a small amount of information. This is because, when the image is expanded and displayed on the LCD 6, gathers, bleeding, and the like due to missing information become noticeable.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the line drawing information is compressed by the run length method used in facsimile and the like. The run-length method scans a line drawing screen in the horizontal direction, and the length of continuous information (points) of each color such as black, white, red, and blue, and the length of continuous non-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,
It is possible to efficiently compress the line drawing information, and it is possible to suppress the loss of information even when the compressed line drawing information is expanded. When the amount of line drawing information is relatively small, it may be possible not to compress it.

Further, as described above, when an image is displayed on the LCD 6 and a pen is input, the image data and the line drawing information input by the pen are stored in the buffer memory 3.
7, the combined image of the image and the line drawing is displayed on the LCD 6. However, on the memory card 24, the image data is recorded in the image recording area, and the line drawing information is recorded separately in the line drawing information recording area. Like this, 2
Since the three pieces of information are recorded in different areas, the user can delete only one of the combined image of the image and the line drawing. Also, each image information can be compressed and recorded by an individual compression method.

When data is recorded in at least one of the voice recording area, the image recording area, and the line drawing information recording area of the memory card 24, as shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined list of recorded information is displayed. List display screen is LCD6
Can be displayed on. On the list display screen of the LCD 6 shown in FIG. 5, the date when the information was recorded (recording date) (in this case, August 25, 1995) is displayed at the lower end of the screen, and the recorded date is recorded. The recording time of the information recorded on the date is displayed on the leftmost side of the screen.

To the right of the recording time, a thumbnail image is displayed when image data is recorded. This thumbnail image is a reduced image created by thinning out the bitmap data of each image data of the image data recorded in the memory card 24. Therefore, the information on which the thumbnail image is displayed is information including image information. That is, the information recorded (input) at “10:16” and “10:21” includes image information,
"10:05", "10:28", "10:54"
Image information is not included in the information recorded at "13" and "13:10".

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

Further, a voice information bar is displayed on the right side of the display area of the thumbnail image, and a bar (line) having a predetermined length corresponding to the time when the voice is recorded is displayed. If no audio information is recorded, this audio information bar is not displayed.

The user selects and specifies the information to be reproduced by pressing the rectangular area in which the desired information is displayed on the list display screen shown in FIG. 5 with the pen tip of the pen type pointing device 6B. Then, by pressing the execution key 7B shown in FIG. 2 with the pen tip of the pen type instructing device 6B, reproduction of the selected information is instructed. Thereby, the selected information is output.

For example, on the screen shown in FIG.
When the inside of the strip-shaped area in which "10:05" is displayed is pressed by the pen-type pointing device 6B, the CPU 34 outputs a voice to reproduce the voice corresponding to the selected recording date and time (10:05). Command the IC 36.

The voice IC, in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 34,
The audio data is read from the memory card 24, subjected to decompression processing, converted into an analog signal, and then output from the speaker 5. When an earphone (not shown) is connected to the earphone jack 9, no sound is output from the speaker 5 and sound is output from the earphone (not shown).

When reproducing the image data recorded in the memory card 24, the user selects the desired thumbnail image by pressing the desired thumbnail image with the pen tip of the pen type pointing device 6B, and then the execution key 7B. By pressing, the reproduction of the selected information is instructed.

The image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is read from the memory card 24 and expanded in the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38. The decompressed image data is supplied to the buffer memory 37 via the data bus 42 and stored as bitmap data. Next, the CPU 34 causes the buffer memory 37
The control signal corresponding to the image data stored in the LCD 6 is
And the corresponding image is displayed.

At this time, if audio data is also recorded (for example, the recording time is "10:16", "10: 2").
In the case of "1"), the voice can be output from the speaker 5 as described above.

Next, a method of reproducing the image data recorded in the memory card 24 will be described.

First, the procedure for setting the audio output mode (playback mode) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S1, when a predetermined position of the touch tablet 6A corresponding to the menu key 7A is pressed using, for example, the pen-type pointing device 6B, position data corresponding to the pressed position is transferred from the touch tablet 6A to the CPU 34. Supplied. CPU34
Recognizes from the position data that the menu key 7A has been selected, controls the LCD 6 and displays the main menu screen as shown in FIG.

On the main menu screen, various setting items such as "date setting", "panel display", "voice output", "interface", etc. are displayed, and any one of them can be selected. ing. The selected item is highlighted so that the selected item is clearly displayed.

Next, in step S2, when the setting item "voice output" is selected using the pen type pointing device 6B, the item "voice output" is highlighted and it is clearly indicated that it has been selected. Next, when the execution key 7B written as "EXEC" is pressed using the pen type pointing device 6B, the CPU
By the control of 34, a voice output setting screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

On the audio output setting screen, the setting items "operation sound", "playback mode", and "volume" can be set. The setting item "operation sound" is
Items displayed on the menu screen by operating the operation switch 35, operating the operation keys 7 using the pen-type pointing device 6B, or pressing the touch tablet 6A using the pen-type pointing device 6B. This is for selecting and setting whether or not to output the operation sound when is selected. When the position where the character string "on" is displayed is selected by pressing it with the pen-type pointing device 6B, the character string "on" is highlighted and the operation sound is set to be output. When the character string “off” is selected, the character string “off” is highlighted and the operation sound is set not to be output.

The setting item "reproduction mode" is shown in FIGS.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 1, when reproducing the image data recorded in the memory card 24, it is for setting the reproducing method of the audio data recorded in association with the image data. . In this case, the character “A” corresponding to the reproduction mode A and the character “B” corresponding to the reproduction mode B are displayed, and when the pen type pointing device 6B or the like is used for selection, the selected character is highlighted. Then, the selected mode is set.

The setting item "volume" is for setting the volume when reproducing the voice data recorded in the memory card 24 and outputting the corresponding voice. When the position where the left-pointing triangle is displayed is pressed with the pen-type pointing device 6B or the like, the number displayed to the right of the triangle decreases by 1,
At the position where the right-pointing triangle is displayed, the pen type pointing device 6B
When selected by pressing with, the number increases by one. This displayed number indicates the set volume.

Next, in step S3, either the mode A or the mode B is selected and set as the reproduction mode.

In step S4, the CPU 34 recognizes whether the set reproduction mode is the reproduction mode A or B, and when the reproduction mode A is set, a value 0 is set to a predetermined mode flag. , Playback mode B
Is set, the value 1 is set in the mode flag. After that, the process ends.

Next, the reproduction mode A is used as the reproduction mode.
With reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 11, the respective image and audio reproduction methods for the case where is set and the case where the reproduction mode B is set will be described.

First, in step S11 of FIG. 9, the thumbnail image corresponding to the image to be reproduced is selected by the pen type pointing device 6B from the thumbnail images displayed on the list display screen as shown in FIG. Next, step S1
2, the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 reads the compressed image data corresponding to the selected image from the memory card 24 under the control of the CPU 34, temporarily supplies it to the buffer memory 37, and stores it. Next, the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 expands the image data stored in the buffer memory 37, and the CPU 34 stores the expansion data stored in the buffer memory 37 based on the expanded image data. , LCD6
Is controlled, and an image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed.

Next, in step S13, the CPU 3
4, the first address of the recording area on the memory card 24 in which the audio data corresponding to the image data just reproduced is recorded is set as the "reading address".

Next, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the value of the mode flag set in step S5 or S6 in FIG. 6 is 0 (reproduction mode A). When it is determined that the value of the mode flag is 0, the process proceeds to step S15, and the image corresponding to the reproduction mode A is reproduced. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the mode flag is not 0 (1 (reproduction mode B)), step S1
In step 6, the image corresponding to the reproduction mode B is reproduced. When the reproduction process in step S15 or step S16 ends, the process ends.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the procedure of the image reproduction processing corresponding to the reproduction mode A will be described.

First, in step S21, the CPU 3
4 sets the value 1 to the predetermined image display counter. The image display counter corresponds to the number of times the display of another image is selected while a predetermined image is displayed and the sound corresponding to the image is output.

Next, in step S22, the voice IC3
6 reads the audio data from the "reading address" on the memory card 24 set in step S13 of FIG. Next, in step S23, the read audio data is decompressed, converted into an analog audio signal, and the corresponding audio is output from the speaker 5. When an earphone (not shown) is connected to the earphone jack 9, the earphone outputs a sound.

In step S24, the CPU 34 determines whether or not the display switching to another image is instructed. If it is determined that the display switching to another image is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, if it is determined by the pen type instruction device 6B that the display of the next image is instructed by operating the scroll key 7E, the process proceeds to step S25, and the CPU 34 instructs the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 to operate. Command to display the next image.

The compression / expansion memory control circuit 38
According to a command from the CPU 34, the image data corresponding to the next image is read from the memory card 24, supplied to the buffer memory 37, and stored therein. Next, the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 expands the image data stored in the buffer memory 37. CPU3
4 indicates LC based on the image data that has undergone decompression processing.
Control D6 to display the corresponding image.

Next, in step S26, a predetermined image ID for identifying the image, which is associated with the image displayed on the LCD 6, is stored in, for example, the buffer memory 37. Next, in step S27, the value of the image display counter is incremented by 1.

In step S28, it is determined whether or not the output of the voice that is being output, which is associated with the predetermined image, has ended. When it is determined that the output of the sound that is being output and is related to the predetermined image is not yet finished, the process returns to step S24, and steps S24 to S2.
The process of 8 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the output of the sound related to the predetermined image that is being output is completed, the process proceeds to step S29.

In step S29, the value of the image display counter is decremented by 1. Next, step S
At 30, it is determined whether the value of the image display counter is greater than 0. If it is determined that the value of the image display counter is larger than 0, that is, if there is audio data to be reproduced and output, the process proceeds to step S31.

In step S31, the CPU 34
Is the image ID previously stored in the buffer memory 37,
Only one is read out in the order in which it is stored, and the first address of the recording area on the memory card 24 in which the audio data corresponding to the image ID is recorded is set as the “reading address”. Next, in step S32, the read image ID
Is deleted from the buffer memory 37.

After that, voice data is read from the "read address" of the memory card 24 set in step S31, and the corresponding voice is output from the speaker 5 or the earphone connected to the earphone jack 9. Then, the process returns to step S28, and the same processing as that described above is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the value of the image display counter is equal to 0, the process is terminated and the process returns.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, a method of reproducing an image corresponding to the reproduction mode B in step S16 of FIG. 9 will be described.

First, in step S41, the voice IC
36 reads the audio data from the "reading address" of the recording area on the memory card 24 set in step S13 of FIG. Then, in step S42, the read voice data is expanded and converted into an analog voice signal, and then the corresponding voice is output from the speaker 5 or the earphone connected to the earphone jack 9.

Next, in step S43, the CPU 3
At 4, it is determined whether or not the output of the sound corresponding to the image currently displayed on the LCD 6 is completed. When it is determined that the output of the sound corresponding to the image displayed on the LCD 6 is not completed, the process proceeds to step S44, and the CPU 34 determines whether or not the display switching to another image is instructed. When it is determined that the display switching to another image is not instructed, the process returns to step 42, and the processes of steps S42 to S44 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S43 that the output of the sound is finished. .

On the other hand, in step S44, the CPU 3
When it is determined by 4, for example, the scroll key 7E is operated by the pen-type instruction device 6B to instruct to switch the display to another image, the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, the CPU 34
Instructs the compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 to display the instructed image. The compression / expansion memory control circuit 38 reads image data corresponding to another image from the memory card 24 based on a command from the CPU 34, and transfers the image data to the buffer memory 37. next,
The image data transferred to the buffer memory 37 is expanded. The CPU 34 controls the LCD 6 based on the expanded image data stored in the buffer memory 37 to display another corresponding image.

Next, in step S46, the LCD
The "first address" of the recording area on the memory card 24 in which the audio data corresponding to the image displayed on the screen 6 is recorded is referred to as the "reading address". Next, returning to step S41, the processes of steps S41 to S46 are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, in step S43, the LCD 6
When it is determined that the output of the sound corresponding to the image being displayed is finished, the process is finished and the process returns.

As described above, in the case where the reproduction mode A is set, as described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, while the sound corresponding to the image displayed on the LCD 6 is being reproduced, another Image playback is instructed, LCD6
Even when another image is displayed on the screen, the audio currently being reproduced can be reproduced as it is, and when the reproduction of the audio is finished, the reproduction of the audio corresponding to the other image can be started. .

In the reproduction mode A, since the reproduction of the voice is not interrupted by the switching of the display image, the voice is not overlooked.

Further, when the reproduction mode B is set, as described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, while the sound corresponding to the image displayed on the LCD 6 is being reproduced, another image is not reproduced. When another image is displayed on the LCD 6 when instructed, the reproduction of the sound corresponding to the image displayed so far is interrupted, and the reproduction of the sound corresponding to the other image newly displayed on the LCD 6 is started. Can be done.

In the reproduction mode B, the sound corresponding to the switched image is immediately reproduced by switching the display image, which is suitable for searching a desired image, for example.

As described above, the reproduction mode can be selected and set according to the user's preference and purpose.

Further, in the above embodiment, when another image is selected while reproducing the sound related to the predetermined image,
It is also possible to display the other image after the output of the sound being reproduced is finished, without immediately displaying the other selected image. Thereby, the image and the sound can be always associated with each other. Further, at the same time when the output of the sound is completed, the next image can be displayed and the sound related thereto can be output.

Although only one microphone is provided in the above embodiment, it is also possible to provide two microphones on the left and right and record the sound in stereo.

Further, in the above embodiment, various information is input using the pen type pointing device, but it is also possible to input using a finger.

Furthermore, each screen displayed on the LCD 6 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this, and screens of various layouts can be used.
Similarly, the type and layout of the operation keys are also examples,
It is not limited to this.

[0118]

According to the information input device of the first aspect, when another image is selected while the sound corresponding to the predetermined image is being reproduced, the reproduction of the sound corresponding to the predetermined image is continued. Since this is done, it is possible to reproduce all the sound corresponding to the displayed image, and to prevent the sound from being overlooked.

According to the information input device of the second aspect,
When the first mode is selected, even when another image is selected while reproducing a predetermined sound corresponding to the predetermined image,
When the second mode is selected, the sound corresponding to the predetermined image is continuously reproduced, and when the other image is selected while the predetermined sound corresponding to the predetermined image is being reproduced, the second image is corresponded to the predetermined image. Since the reproduction of the sound to be reproduced is interrupted, the sound reproduction method can be changed according to the user's preference and use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electronic camera to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic camera 1 as viewed from a back side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of the electronic camera 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration inside the electronic camera 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the LCD 6 of the electronic camera 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a voice reproduction mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a main menu screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a voice output setting screen.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure when an image is reproduced.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image reproduction processing when a reproduction mode A is set.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image reproduction processing when a reproduction mode B is set.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic camera 2 Finder 3 Photographing lens (imaging means) 4 Light emitting part (illuminating means) 5 Speaker (voice output means) 6 LCD (display means) 6A Touch tablet (selection means, mode selection means) 6B Pen type indicator device (pen ) (Selection means, mode selection means) 7 operation key 7A menu key 7B execution key 7C clear key 7D cancel key 7E scroll key 8 microphone (voice input means) 9 earphone jack (voice output means) 10 release switch 11 power switch 12 recording Switch 13 Continuous shooting mode selector switch 20 CCD (imaging means) 21 Battery 22 Condenser 23 Circuit board 24 Memory card (recording means) 31 Correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 32 Analog / digital conversion circuit (A / D) 33 Digital Signal processor (DSP) 34 CPU (control means) 35 operation switch (SW) 36 audio IC (audio reproduction means) 37 buffer memory 38 compression / expansion memory control circuit (image reproduction means) 39 VDRV (CCD drive circuit) 40 AGC ( Automatic gain control circuit) 41 CPU control bus 42 Data bus

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup unit for picking up a predetermined image, a voice input unit for inputting a predetermined voice, the image picked up by the image pickup unit, and the image input by the voice input unit. Storage means for storing the sound in association with each other, image reproduction means for reproducing the image stored in the storage means, sound reproduction means for reproducing the sound stored in the storage means, and image reproduction means Selecting means for selecting the image to be played back, and when the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the sound playback means plays back the predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image, Even when another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the selection unit while the reproduction unit is reproducing the predetermined sound, the sound reproduction unit is set to the predetermined state. An information input device, comprising: a control unit that controls the reproduction of the voice recording to continue. 2. The control means ends the reproduction of the predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image by the sound reproduction means, and then reproduces the other sound related to the other image. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information input device is controlled to start. 3. The control means, when another image different from the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the image reproducing means switches from the predetermined image to another image and displays it. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information input device is controlled so as to operate. 4. An image pickup unit for picking up a predetermined image, a voice input unit for inputting a predetermined voice, the image picked up by the image pickup unit, and the image input by the voice input unit. Storage means for storing the sound in association with each other, image reproduction means for reproducing the image stored in the storage means, sound reproduction means for reproducing the sound stored in the storage means, and image reproduction means Selecting means for selecting the image to be played back, and selecting one of a first mode and a second mode which define a method for playing back the sound stored in the storage means by the sound playing means. When the first mode is selected by the mode selecting means and the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the audio reproducing means is activated. When the predetermined sound associated with the image is reproduced, and the sound reproducing means is reproducing the predetermined sound, the selecting means selects another image different from the predetermined image. Also, when the sound reproduction means continues reproduction of the predetermined sound and the second mode is selected by the mode selection means, the sound reproduction is performed when the predetermined image is selected by the selection means. The means reproduces the predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image, and while the sound reproducing means is reproducing the predetermined sound, the selecting means selects another image different from the predetermined image. And a control means for controlling the voice reproduction means so as to interrupt the reproduction of the predetermined voice. 5. The audio control unit, wherein when the first mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit selects another image different from the predetermined image by the selection unit. The reproduction means controls to start reproduction of the predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image and then start reproduction of the different sound related to the other image. Item 4. The information input device according to item 4. 6. The control means, when the second mode is selected by the mode selecting means, when the image other than the predetermined image is selected by the selecting means, the audio signal is output. 5. The reproduction means controls so as to interrupt the reproduction of the predetermined sound associated with the predetermined image and start the reproduction of the other sound associated with the other image. Information input device described in. 7. The control means, when the selecting means selects another image different from the predetermined image, the image reproducing means switches from the predetermined image to another image and displays the other image. The information input device according to claim 4, wherein the information input device is controlled so as to operate. 8. A display unit for displaying the image captured by the image capturing unit and the image reproduced by the image reproducing unit, the voice input by the voice input unit, and the voice reproducing unit. The audio output means for outputting the reproduced audio is further provided.
The information input device according to any one of 1 to 7. 9. The information input device according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination unit that illuminates the subject with illumination light.