JPS62289076A - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow even a novice to appropriately and easily record a still picture signal and an audio signal by providing a mode setting means univocally setting recording modes for the still picture signal and for the audio signal. CONSTITUTION:A switch for setting the recording mode of the still picture signal 8, a switch for setting recording mode of the audio signal 9 and a switch univocally setting the recording modes for the still picture signal and for the audio signal are disposed on the back of a camera body 1. When the switch 10 is off, an action mode combined with a variety of modes can be set according to the operations of a shutter speed setting dial 5 that acts also as setting and switching an automatic exposure (AE) mode, the switches 8 and 9 and a switch changing over a single photograph and continuous photographs. When the switch 10 is on, a setting signal from an automode setting signal generation part is prioritized rather than setting signals from other setting signal generation parts to univocally set the action mode, thereby controlling an action.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a charge coupled device (CCD).
Regarding an electronic still camera that photographs a subject with a solid-state imaging device such as an upled [)evice) and records a still image signal on a record carrier such as a magnetic disk, in particular, an audio signal is recorded on the record carrier along with the still image signal. The present invention relates to an electronic still camera that has the function of

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides an electronic still camera having a function of recording an audio signal together with a still image signal on a record carrier, by providing a mode setting means for uniquely setting the recording mode of the still image signal and the recording mode of the audio signal. By simplifying the recording mode setting operation, even a beginner can easily record a still image signal and an audio signal corresponding to the still image signal.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in electronic still cameras that take still images of subjects using solid-state image sensors such as CCDs and record the still image signals on record carriers such as magnetic disks, the image signals for one field are usually recorded in one track. ■ Field still mode in which the still image signal obtained by taking a field's worth of still images is recorded in one trunk, and the still image signal obtained by taking one field's worth of still images in a row. The frame still mode is switched to record still image signals on two tracks.

In addition, when using an electronic still camera, just like an optical film camera, various exposure control modes such as the so-called program AE mode, shutter priority AE mode, and aperture priority AE mode are set and set once for each release operation. Switching settings are also made, such as a single-shot mode that takes still photos, a continuous-shot mode that takes still photos repeatedly during a release operation, and a self-timer mode that takes still photos linked to a timer setting.

Furthermore, electronic still cameras that have the function of recording an audio signal on a record carrier along with a still image signal have a so-called after-recording mode in which the audio signal corresponding to the still image collected by a microphone is recorded immediately after the still image is taken by the release operation. , a so-called pre-recording mode in which audio signals collected by a microphone are recorded in advance before still photography, or
Switching settings such as an audio only mode in which only audio signals are recorded regardless of still images are performed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

By the way, as mentioned above, in an electronic still camera that has the function of recording an audio signal on a record carrier together with a still image signal, in addition to various setting operations for changing the recording mode of the still image signal, it is also possible to set the switching of the recording mode of the audio signal. There is a problem in that it is difficult for beginners who are not familiar with the operation to accurately record still image signals and audio signals.

Therefore, in view of the conventional problems as described above, the present invention provides a mode setting means for uniquely setting the still image signal recording mode and the audio signal recording mode, so that even beginners can easily record still images. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera with a new configuration that can accurately record signals and audio signals.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention records a still image signal of a subject captured by an image sensor on a record carrier, compresses the time axis of an audio signal collected by a microphone, and records the signal on the record carrier. In an electronic still camera for recording, a first mode setting means for switching and setting a recording mode of the still image signal, a second mode setting means for switching and setting a recording mode of the audio signal, and a recording mode of the still image signal. and a third mode setting means for uniquely setting a mode and an audio signal recording mode, and a mode setting by the third mode setting means is given priority over each mode setting by the first and second mode setting means. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a mode control means that accepts the following information.

[Effect]

In the electronic still camera according to the present invention, the recording mode of the still image signal is set by the mode control means receiving the mode setting by the operation of the first mode setting means, and the recording mode of the still image signal is set by the operation of the second mode setting means. When the mode control means receives the mode setting, the recording mode of the audio signal is set, and further,
Each recording mode of the image signal and audio signal is set so that the still image signal and the audio signal can be accurately recorded on the record carrier by the mode control means accepting the mode setting by the operation of the third mode setting means. Uniquely set.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera that takes a still image of a subject using a CCD imager and records the still image signal on a magnetic disk. .

As shown in the external perspective view of FIG.
is provided protrudingly, and imaging light is made to enter the camera body 1 via this imaging lens section 2 . Additionally, on the top of the above camera body, there are a release button 3, an audio start button 4, a shutter speed setting dial 5 that also serves as an automatic exposure (AE) mode switching setting, an accessory shoe 7 for attaching a microphone 6 and a strobe, etc. It is arranged. Furthermore, on the back of the camera body 1, there are a first mode changeover switch 8 for setting the recording mode of still image signals, a second mode changeover switch 9 for setting the recording mode of audio signal signals, and a still image signal and a second mode changeover switch 9 for setting the recording mode of audio signal signals. A third mode changeover switch 10 for uniquely setting the recording mode of the audio signal is provided, and a finder section 11 for viewing the photographic screen is also provided. In addition, the above camera body 1
A setting switch 12 for switching between single shooting mode and continuous shooting mode is provided on the side surface of the camera.

Although not shown, a self-timer operating lever is provided on the front surface of the camera body 1 in -1-.

Inside the camera body 1, there are still image signals obtained by a CCD imager 24 that receives imaging light incident through the imaging lens unit 2 and takes a still image of the subject 20, and a still image signal obtained by the microphone 6. A recording processing system for recording audio signals collected by the magnetic disk 33 on the magnetic disk 33 and its control system are provided. In this embodiment, the recording processing system, its control system, etc. are constructed as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

That is, the CCD imager 24 uses imaging light from the object 20 via the imaging lens 21, aperture 22, and shutter 23 provided in the imaging lens section 2 to form an object image on its imaging surface. A still image signal of the subject is output by photographing the subject. The still image signal obtained by the CCD imager 24 is supplied to a signal changeover switch 29 via a hasher amplifier 25.

The audio signal collected by the microphone 6 is supplied to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 27 via a frequency band limiting filter 26.
The data is digitized by the /D converter 27 and written to the memory 28 for time-base compression processing. Then, the digital audio signal read out from the memory 28 after time-base compression is supplied to the L signal changeover switch 29.

The signal changeover switch 29 is configured to switch between a still image signal supplied from the bass amplifier 25 mentioned above and a still image signal supplied from the memory 2 mentioned above.
The digital audio signal read out from the beginning is switched and supplied to the recording circuit 30. The recording signal output from the recording circuit 30, that is, the -1- still image signal or the digital audio signal, is supplied to the magnetic head 32 via the recording/reproducing switch 31, and the magnetic head 32 is used to record the recording information on the magnetic disk 33+. - Recorded on the rack.

Here, the magnetic head 32 is moved to a recording track position along the diameter I of the magnetic disk 33 by a head feeding section 41 that is drive-controlled by a system controller 40. The track position being traced by the magnetic head 32 is calculated by the system controller 40 based on the detection output of a track detection circuit 42 to which the magnetic head 32 is connected via the recording/reproducing switch 31. Ru. Further, the magnetic disk 33 is rotated at a constant speed by a spindle motor 44 driven by a motor drive circuit 43 controlled by the system controller 40.

Furthermore, the system controller includes a release signal generating section 51 that is linked to the operation of the release button 3 disposed on the camera body 1, and the audio start button 4.
an audio start signal generating section 52 that is linked to the operation of the
In conjunction with the operation of the shutter speed setting dial 5, which also serves as the AE mode switching setting, the program data card, the AE mode setting signal generating section 53 that switches and sets the shutter priority AE mode and the aperture priority AE mode, and the first mode switching An image recording mode setting signal generator 54 switches the still image signal recording mode between field recording and frame recording in conjunction with the operation of the switch 8, and an audio signal recording mode in conjunction with the operation of the second mode changeover switch 8. After recording (AR
) mode, an audio recording mode setting signal generator 55 that switches between pre-recording (PR) mode and independent recording (As) mode, and a recording mode for still image signals and audio signals in conjunction with the operation of the third mode changeover switch IO. an auto mode setting signal generator 56 that uniquely sets the above-mentioned changeover setting switch 1;
A setting signal generating section 57 that switches between a single shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode in conjunction with 2, and a self-timer setting signal generating section that operates in conjunction with the operation of a self-timer operation lever (not shown) are connected to a negative terminal 58, etc. 4. Record various setting signals and predetermined program data given by each signal generator. A memory 60 and the like are connected.

In the embodiment configured as described above, the system controller 40 controls the third mode changeover switch 10.
is in the OFF position, the AE mode setting signal generating section 53, the image recording mode setting signal generating section 54, the audio mode setting signal generating section 55,
By receiving various setting signals from the setting signal generating section 57 and the self-timer setting signal generating section 58,
In accordance with the operation of the shutter speed setting dial 5, which also serves as a mode switching setting, the first mode switching switch 8, the second mode switching switch 8, and the switching setting switch 12, An operation mode that is a combination of the various modes shown is set to control the operations of the aperture 22, shutter 23, head feeding section 41, motor drive circuit 43, and the like.

Furthermore, when the third mode changeover switch IO is set to the ON position, the system controller 40 controls the auto mode setting signal generation section 56.
The setting signal from the other setting signal generators 53, 54, 55
, 57, and 58, and uniquely sets the operation mode as shown in Table 2. It controls the operation of the motor drive circuit 43 and the like.

Here, in this embodiment, the release signal generating section 51 operates in conjunction with the three-stage operation of the release button 3.
The first release signal is sent when the photographer touches the release button 3, and the second release signal is sent when the release button 3 is pressed halfway.
Furthermore, when the release button 3 is pressed all the way, a third release signal is generated. The system controller 40 then
For example, when the third mode setting switch 10 is set to the ON position, when the first release signal is applied, the automatic focus control operation and the AEI#I control operation are opened, and the head feeding section 41 and starts the operation of the motor drive circuit 43. Next, when the second release signal is applied, the automatic focus control operation and the AB control operation are locked, and audio signal collection, that is, writing of the digital audio signal into the memory 28 is started. When the third release signal is applied, the shutter 23 is operated to take a still image of the subject 20, and the still image signal is recorded as a frame on the recording track on the magnetic disk 33, and then the memory Audio signals for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds) are read out from the second day and recorded in frames on the recording trunk on the magnetic disk 33.

In addition, the above release! When the second release signal is given by the release signal generating section 51 linked to the pressing operation of D3, the third release signal is not given after the release is released, and the release button 3 is pressed again. collects the audio signal again. Furthermore, when the first release signal is given again after the third release signal is given, the audio signal is recorded at that point even if the audio signal lasts for less than the predetermined time, that is, 10 seconds. .

That is, in this embodiment, by setting the third mode selection switch 10 to the OFF position, the shutter speed setting dial 5, which also serves as the switching setting for the AE mode, and the first By operating the mode changeover switch 8, the second mode changeover switch 8, and the changeover setting switch 12, it is possible to arbitrarily set an operation mode and perform still photography. In addition, by setting the third mode changeover switch 10 to the ON position, in the operation mode that is uniquely set, the audio signal corresponding to the still image signal is transmitted together with the still image signal. can be easily recorded even by beginners.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the description of the embodiments described above, in the electronic still camera according to the present invention, the recording mode of the still image signal is set by the mode control means accepting the mode setting by the operation of the first mode setting means, Also, the second
The mode control means accepts the mode setting by operating the third mode setting means, and the recording mode of the audio signal is set, and further the mode control means receives the mode setting by operating the third mode setting means. Since each recording mode of the image signal and audio signal is uniquely set so that the still image signal and audio signal can be accurately recorded on the record carrier, the first and second mode setting means By operating the above-mentioned third mode setting means, it is possible to perform still photography in an operation mode that is arbitrarily set according to the shooting situation.Moreover, even beginners can capture the still image together with the still image signal by operating the third mode setting means. The audio signal corresponding to the signal can be easily recorded.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the mechanical structure of an m-embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the above embodiment. 1... Camera body 2... Imaging lens section 3... Release button 4... Audio start button 5... Shutter speed setting dial 6... Microphone 8... First mode setting switch 9 ...Second mode setting switch 10...Third mode setting switch 20...Subject 24...CCD imager 28...Memory 30...Recording circuit 32...Magnetic head 33...・Magnetic disk

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An electronic still camera that records a still image signal of a subject captured by an image sensor on a record carrier, and also compresses the time axis of an audio signal collected by a microphone and records it on the record carrier. a first mode setting means for switching and setting the recording mode of the still image signal; a second mode setting means for switching and setting the recording mode of the audio signal; and a first mode setting means for switching and setting the recording mode of the still image signal and the audio signal recording mode. a third mode setting means for uniquely setting the mode; and a mode setting means for setting the mode by the third mode setting means,
and mode control means that accepts each mode setting with priority over each mode setting by the second mode setting means.