Information signal processor

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an image signal recording device that records an image signal on a recording medium.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as an information signal processing device for processing an information signal, for example, an image signal, an audio signal, or the like is recorded on a plurality of concentric tracks formed on a magnetic disk, and the recording track on the magnetic disk is recorded. There is an electronic still video system that arbitrarily selects and reproduces an image signal, an audio signal, or the like recorded on a selected recording track.

【0003】

By the way, the above-mentioned electronic still video system is configured to record an image signal or an audio signal on a recording track on a magnetic disk in the state of an analog signal, but recently, a digitized image signal. And voice signals are recorded on a memory card containing multiple RAMs (Randam Access Memory) using semiconductor memory elements such as D-RAM, S-RAM, and EEPROM.

【0004】

By the way, the memory card has a limited storage capacity due to the limitation of the storage capacity per chip of the memory element and the number of chips of the memory element that can be mounted on the card, and the price of the memory element is higher than that of other recording media. At present, it cannot be used as a recording medium having a large storage capacity because it is expensive.

【0005】

On the other hand, it is known that a hard disk device is a recording medium having a storage capacity larger than that of the memory card, and a recent hard disk device, like the memory card, has a storage capacity for the main body device. Since it is removable, it is possible to construct a system having a large storage capacity at a relatively low cost by using the hard disk device as a recording medium in an electronic still video system.

【0006】

In addition, there are various types of the above-mentioned hard disk devices depending on the storage capacity, weight, power consumption, recording speed, etc., and if the system is configured so that these multiple types of hard disk devices can be mounted, various requests of users can be met. Things will be possible.

【0007】

When a system as described above records a digitized image signal (that is, image data) or audio signal (that is, audio data) on a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, the image data Alternatively, after the audio data is temporarily stored in the image memory, the image data or audio data stored in the image memory is read out and recorded on a recording medium. When the storage capacity of the image memory becomes full due to the image data or audio data temporarily stored in the image memory, the shooting recording operation is temporarily interrupted, and the image data or audio data stored in the image memory is stored. By transferring to a recording medium and recording the data, the shooting recording operation can be restarted when the storage capacity of the image memory has a capacity for storing image data or audio data. There is.

【0008】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the electronic still camera configured as described above, it may be that the storage capacity of the image memory is full and the shooting operation is interrupted, or the storage capacity of the image memory can store data and the shooting recording operation. The operator cannot determine whether or not it is possible to perform the shooting operation. For example, even if the operator operates the recording start instruction switch to continue the shooting recording operation, the shooting operation is performed. If the operator is still operating the recording start instruction switch when the shooting recording operation is interrupted, the shooting recording operation will be performed at a timing not intended by the operator. There is an operational inconvenience such as restarting and recording unintended image data and audio data on the recording medium, and the operator determines the start, continuation, and end timing of the shooting recording operation, especially in the continuous shooting recording mode. There was a problem that it was difficult to do so and there was a risk of missing the opportunity for necessary shooting and recording operations.

【0009】

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a simple configuration makes it easy to determine the recording start or recording end timing of an image signal when the image signal is continuously recorded on a recording medium. The purpose is to provide an easy-to-use image signal recording device that can record necessary image signals on a recording medium at an intended timing and prevent accidental recording of unnecessary image signals. To do.

【0010】

[Means for solving problems]

The image signal recording device of the present invention is a device that records an image signal on a recording medium, and is an imaging means that captures a subject and generates an image signal corresponding to the captured subject, and an imaging operation started by the imaging means. The first switch means for instructing, the image pickup operation state control means for controlling the image pickup operation state of the subject in the image pickup means, and the image signal generated by the image pickup means are input, and the input image signal is input. A temporary storage means for temporary storage, a second switch means for instructing the start of storage operation of an image signal to the temporary storage means, and an image pickup operation state of the subject in the image pickup means in the image pickup operation state control means. A display means for selectively displaying the state of the storage capacity of the image signal in the temporary storage means, a recording means for reading the image signal temporarily stored in the temporary storage means and recording the image signal on the recording medium, and the like. The temporary storage means and the recording means are controlled so that the image signal temporarily stored in the temporary storage means is recorded on the recording medium by the recording means, and the subject in the imaging means in the imaging operation state control means is controlled. The display means has a control means for selectively displaying the image pickup operation state or the state of the storage capacity of the image signal in the temporary storage means, and the control means is an image pickup operation by the first switch means. In response to the start instruction, the display means displays the imaging operation state of the subject, and in response to the instruction to start the storage operation by the second switch means, the display means causes the display means to store the image signal in the temporary storage means. If an unrecorded image signal remains in the recording medium in the primary storage means when each instruction by the second switch means and the first switch means disappears, the storage It maintains the capacity status display. Further, the image signal recording device of the present invention includes an imaging means that captures a subject and generates an image signal corresponding to the captured subject, and an imaging operation state control means that controls the imaging operation state of the subject in the imaging means. , For inputting an image signal generated by the imaging means and temporarily storing the input image signal.

【0011】

【0012】

[Example]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples of the present invention.

【0013】

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic still video system to which the present invention is applied as an embodiment of the present invention.

【0014】

In FIG. 1, 10 is a photographing optical system photographed by a photographing lens, 12 is an exposure control member composed of an aperture mechanism, a shutter mechanism, and the like, and 14 is formed via the photographing optical system 10 and the exposure control member 12. An image sensor that converts a captured optical image into an image signal as an electrical signal, 16 is an analog / digital (A / D) converter that digitizes an analog image signal output from the image sensor 14 and outputs it as image data, 18 Is a clock signal generation circuit that supplies various signals such as clock signals and control signals to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the memory control circuit 20 described later, and the digital / analog (D / A) converter 36 described later. The clock signal generation circuit 18 is controlled by a memory control circuit 20 and a system control circuit 50, which will be described later.

【0015】

22 is an image compression / decompression circuit for compressing or decompressing image data by an information compression / decompression method such as adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT), and 24 is an image memory.

【0016】

Reference numeral 20 denotes a memory control circuit for controlling the clock signal generation circuit 18, the image compression / decompression circuit 22 and the image memory 24, and the image data output from the A / D converter 16 passes through the memory control circuit 20. Is written to the image memory 24.

【0017】

When compressing the image data, the image data written in the image memory 24 is read as described above, the read image data is compressed by the image compression / decompression circuit 22, and then the image memory 24 is again used. When writing to the image data and decompressing the image data, the compressed image data stored in the image memory 24 is read out, the read image data is decompressed by the image compression / decompression circuit 22, and then again. It is configured to write to the image memory 24.

【0018】

36 is a D / A converter, 38 is an image display device such as an electronic viewfinder, the image data stored in the image memory 24 is read by the memory control circuit 20, and the read image data is D / A. It is configured so that the image signal formed by analogizing with the converter 36 can be visualized and displayed.

【0019】

In this embodiment, the D / A converter 36 and the image display device 38 are built in the system main body, but the D / A converter 36 and the image display device 38 are different from the system main body. The image display device 38 may be configured to be detachable from the main body of the system, and different types of image display devices 38 such as high resolution or low resolution, color or black and white can be arbitrarily replaced. It may be configured in.

【0020】

26 is a recording medium 100 such as a memory card or a hard disk or an interface with an external device, which will be described later, and 28 is a data communication control circuit for controlling data communication with an external device or a communication line. It is configured to perform data communication control, data conversion or inverse conversion, data modulation or demodulation, etc. according to the protocol of the external device or communication line.

【0021】

30 is a connector for exchanging data and control signals with a recording medium 100 such as a memory card or hard disk and supplying power, and 34 is a connector for exchanging data and control signals with external devices and communication lines. By using the connector 34, data can be communicated directly with an external device or via a communication line.

【0022】

When the recording medium 100 is connected to the connector 30, the image data recorded on the mounted recording medium 100 is read out and passed through the connector 30, the interface 26, the data communication control circuit 28, and the connector 34. When it is possible to transmit to an external device and the recording medium 100 is not connected to the connector 30, the image data taken and stored in the image memory 24 is read out, and the memory control circuit 20, the interface 26, and the data are read. It is possible to transmit to an external device via the communication control circuit 28 and the connector 34.

【0023】

The communication methods using the connectors 30 and 34 are configured so that data and control signals can be transmitted and received by various methods such as mechanical, optical, and acoustic as well as communication by electric signals. There is.

【0024】

Further, by using, for example, a SCSI interface or the like as the data communication control circuit 28 and the connector 34, it is possible to send and receive data and control signals to and from a computer, a printer device, a transmission device and the like as an external device, and an external device. Data and control signals can be transmitted and received from any of the system control circuit 50, the recording medium 100, and the memory control circuit 20 via the interface 26, the data communication control circuit 28, and the connector 34.

【0025】

The interface 26, the data communication control circuit 28, and the connector 34 may be configured to have a plurality of external devices connected to the system main body, respectively, in case there are many external devices connected to the system main body. When only one external device is connected to the main body, each may be integrally configured.

【0026】

40 is a lens control circuit for controlling the movement of the focusing lens in the photographing optical system 10, 42 is an exposure control circuit for controlling the aperture mechanism and the shutter mechanism in the exposure control member 12, and 44 measures the distance to the subject. The distance measuring circuit for 46 is a photometric circuit for measuring the brightness of the subject, and 48 is a strobe device for illuminating the subject.

【0027】

50 is a system control circuit for controlling the operation of the entire system, 52 is a control data memory for storing various constant data, variable data, an operation program, etc. used for the control operation in the system control circuit 50, and 54 is a control data memory. A display device for displaying the operating state of the system, for example, which is composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like, and is easily visible in a place such as around a switch group 56 described later, or an electronic view finder such as the image display device 38. It is provided in either or both of the places that are easily visible.

【0028】

The display device 54 has a gain-up operation for increasing the remaining amount of the battery in the power supply unit 82, which will be described later, the shutter speed value in the exposure control member 12, the aperture value, the exposure compensation value, and the image pickup sensitivity of the image pickup element 14. Presence / absence, state of storable capacity in the image memory 24, presence / absence of compression / decompression operation of image data in the image compression / decompression circuit 22, number of shot-recorded screens and shot-recorded capacity in the recording medium 100, shooting-recordable The number of remaining screens, the remaining capacity for shooting and recording, etc. are also displayed, and the display device 54 can be visually recognized in an easily visible place such as around the switch group 56 and in an electronic view finder such as the image display device 38. When it is provided in both easy places, the type of content to be displayed and the timing of display may be different for each display device.

【0029】

Reference numeral 56 denotes a group of switches for instructing the system control circuit 50 to perform various operations. The switch group 56 includes, for example, a main switch 60 for instructing the system to operate and a two-stage release switch 58. Closed in the first stage, the distance measurement operation by the distance measurement circuit 44, the distance measurement / measurement switch 62 for instructing the start of the light measurement operation by the light measurement circuit 46, and the second stage of the two-stage release switch 58. A recording start switch 64 for instructing the start of recording of the captured image signal corresponding to the captured subject image to the recording medium 100 such as a memory card or a hard disk, a field image signal for one screen, or a frame image signal. Among the single-shot shooting recording (S) mode for shooting and recording, the continuous shooting recording (C) mode for continuously shooting and recording field image signals or frame image signals for multiple screens, and the self-timer shooting and recording mode. Shooting recording mode selection switch 66 for selecting any of, the number of shooting recording screens of the image signal, the distinction between frame recording / field recording, the aspect ratio of the shot image, the pixel configuration of the shot image, the data compression / decompression method, To select the recording condition setting switch 68 for selecting various setting conditions related to the image signal recording operation, such as the data compression / decompression rate when compression / decompression processing is performed by the data compression / decompression method, and to select the erase mode. Erase mode selection switch 70, Erase operation start instruction switch 72 to instruct the start of the erase operation, Transmission mode selection switch 74 to select the data transmission mode, Transmission to instruct the start of the data transmission operation There is an operation start instruction switch 76 and the like.

【0030】

Reference numeral 80 denotes a detection circuit for detecting the power supply state of the power supply unit 82, which will be described later, a DC-DC converter for converting the DC power supply supplied from the power supply unit 82 into a voltage suitable for each part to be supplied, and power supply. It is composed of a switch for switching the circuit block, etc., and detects whether or not the power supply unit 82 is attached to the main unit, detects the type of the power supply unit 82, and if the power supply unit 82 is composed of a battery, the said. The power supply control circuit 82 that detects the remaining battery level, controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and the instruction from the system control circuit 50, and supplies the required power to each part for the required period. For example, power supply units 84 and 86 composed of a rechargeable secondary battery are connectors for connecting the main unit and the power supply unit 82.

【0031】

Reference numeral 90 denotes a non-volatile memory such as EEP-ROM that can be electrically erased and recorded.

【0032】

The system control circuit 50 controls the photographing optical system 10 to the in-focus state by controlling the movement of the focusing lens in the photographing optical system 10 by the lens control circuit 40 according to the measurement result of the distance measuring circuit 44, and also controls the light measuring circuit. According to the light measurement result in 46, the exposure control member 12 controls the exposure by the exposure control circuit 42 so that the subject optical image formed on the image pickup surface of the image pickup element 14 has the optimum exposure amount.

【0033】

A management data recording area 102, an information data recording area 104, and a camera-related data recording area 114 are provided in the recording area of the recording medium 100 such as a memory card or a hard disk, and are provided from the outside via the interface 106 and the connector 108. It is configured to write data and read data to the outside.

【0034】

Further, the recording medium 100 is also provided with a write-protect (write-protected) information recording area 110 for the management data recording area 102, the information data recording area 104, and the camera-related data recording area 114, and the write-protect information is provided. The write protect data is written from the outside and the write protect data is read to the outside via the interface 106 and the connector 108.

【0035】

Further, the recording medium 100 is also provided with a medium identification information recording area 112 in which data indicating medium identification information indicating the type and characteristics of the recording medium 100 is recorded, and the system control circuit 50 described later is the medium. By reading the data recorded in the identification information recording area 112 via the interface 106 and the connector 108, what kind of recording medium 100 is connected to the connector 30 and what kind of characteristics it has. It is configured so that it can be detected from the information indicated by the read data.

【0036】

The interface 106 is composed of a control circuit such as a CPU and MPU, a non-volatile memory such as ROM and EEPROM, and a memory such as RAM, and records a memory card or a hard disk based on a predetermined program. It controls the operation of the medium 100.

【0037】

Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still video system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

【0038】

2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the main operation routines of the electronic still video system shown in FIG. 1 as a whole.

【0039】

In FIGS. 2 and 3, when the power supply unit 82 is mounted on the system main body, the system control circuit 50 initializes various flags, control variables, etc. (step S1 in the figure), and then the main switch 60 is turned on. The main switch 60 is turned on (step S2 in the figure), the battery level in the power supply unit 82 is sufficient (step S3 in the figure), and the memory card or hard disk is in a standby state. Etc. is connected to the system main body (step S4 in the figure), and write protect data indicating write protection is not set in the write protect information recording area 110 of the recording medium 100 connected to the system main body. If it is determined (step S5 in the figure) and the search for the recording state on the recording medium has not been completed (step S6 in the figure), the type of recording medium on the recording medium 100, the data recording capacity, and so on. Identification information data such as characteristics of the recording medium, camera-related data used at the time of shooting and recording of image data recorded on the recording medium 100, and recording medium-related data are read from the recording medium 100 and recorded on the recording medium 100. Search for the status (step S7 in the figure).

【0040】

Further, when the system control circuit 50 determines that the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82 is insufficient (step S3 in the figure), or when it is determined that the recording medium 100 is not connected (in the figure). If it is determined in step S4) or that the write protect data is set (step S5 in the figure), the battery level is not sufficient by the display device 54, or the recording medium 100 is not connected. After displaying a warning indicating that the write protection data has been set, the process returns to step S2 (step S10 in the figure).

【0041】

Then, the system control circuit 50 is based on the identification information data of the recording medium 100, the camera-related data, the recording medium-related data, the management data recorded in the management data recording area 102 of the recording medium 100, and the switch group 56 as described above. Based on the various modes set and the various mode settings set according to the type of recording medium 100 connected to the system main unit, the number of remaining screens that can be recorded on the recording medium 100 or the number of remaining screens that can be recorded. The remaining capacity, the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82, the date, the shooting operation mode, various messages, etc. are displayed on the display device 54 (step S8 in the figure), and the recording medium 100 cannot be used in this system. If the recording medium is a recording medium, or if there is no free area in which data can be recorded in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100 (step S9 in the figure), the recording medium 100 cannot be used in this system. After displaying a warning indicating that there is no data recordable area in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100, the process returns to step S2 (step S10 in the figure).

【0042】

Next, the system control circuit 50 detects the state of the distance measuring / measuring switch 62, and if the distance measuring / measuring switch 62 is in the off state, the process proceeds to step S25 described later (step S11 in the figure). When it is in the ON state, after setting the display device 54 to the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state (step S12 in the figure), the distance to the subject is measured by the distance measuring circuit 44, and the measurement is performed. By moving the focusing lens in the taking optical system 10 by the lens control circuit 40 according to the distance measurement result in the distance circuit 44, the focus of the taking optical system 10 is focused on the subject, and the brightness of the subject is measured by the light measuring circuit 46. The exposure control circuit 42 controls the aperture mechanism and shutter mechanism of the exposure control member 12 so that the subject optical image imaged on the image pickup surface of the image pickup element 14 has the optimum exposure amount according to the light measurement result of the light measurement circuit 46. The exposure control member 12 determines the exposure to the subject (step S13 in the figure).

【0043】

Then, the system control circuit 50 detects the state of the recording start switch 64, and when the recording start switch 64 is turned on (step S14 in the figure), the display device 54 can be stored in the image memory 24. After setting the continuous shooting display operation mode for displaying the capacity status (step S15 in the figure), if there is a free area in the image memory 24 that can store image data (step S16 in the figure), take a picture. The operation is started, and the image data obtained by digitizing the analog image signal output from the image sensor 14 with the A / D converter 16 is stored in the image memory (step S17 in the figure), and further. The display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 is updated (step S18 in the figure).

【0044】

A detailed description of the distance measuring operation, the light measuring operation, and the photographing operation will be described later.

【0045】

By the way, in step S16, if there is no free area in the image memory 24 that can store image data and the shooting operation cannot be performed, the process proceeds to step S19, and the system control circuit 50 stores the image data in the image memory 24. The image data is read out and recorded in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100 via the memory control circuit 20, the interface 26, the connector 30, the connector 108, and the interface 106, and the management data corresponding to the image data is recorded. Is performed in the management data recording area 102 (step S19 in the figure), and after updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 (step S19 in the figure). Return to step S20) and step S14 in the figure.

【0046】

If the recording start switch 64 is off in step S14 and image data not recorded on the recording medium 100 remains in the image memory 24 (step S21 in the figure), the same as in step S19. When the recording operation is performed (step S22 in the figure) and the display device 54 is performing the display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode (step S23 in the figure), the storage of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 is performed. After updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the possible capacity (step S24 in the figure), the process returns to step S11.

【0047】

Further, in step S21, when no image data not recorded in the recording medium 100 remains in the image memory 24, or when the display device 54 does not perform the display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode in step S23. Returns to step S11 without updating the display on the display device 54.

【0048】

If the distance measurement / metering switch 62 is off in step S11 and image data that has not been recorded on the recording medium 100 remains in the image memory 24 (step S25 in the figure), the same as step S19. After performing the same recording operation (step S26 in the figure) and updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 (step S27 in the figure), the step. Returning to S11, if there is no image data left in the image memory 24 that has not been recorded in the recording medium 100 in step S25, the display device 54 is set to the number of shot-recorded screens in the recording medium 100, the number of shot-recorded screens, or the shot-recorded capacity. After setting the shooting screen number display operation mode for displaying the number of remaining screens that can be shot and recorded and the remaining capacity that can be shot and recorded (step S28 in the figure), the process returns to step S2 and the main switch 60 is operated. Will be in a standby state.

【0049】

When the display device 54 is performing the display operation based on the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state, for example, the exposure scale is shown in A in the figure as shown in FIG. Based on the continuous shooting display operation mode for displaying the exposure value with "dots" as shown by B in the figure and displaying the state of the storable capacity of the image data in the image memory 24. When the display operation is performed, the storable range of data in the image memory 24 is displayed as shown in C in the figure as shown in FIG. 11, and the image stored in the image memory 24 is displayed. By configuring the amount of data to be displayed by a "bar" having a length corresponding to the amount of data as shown by D in the figure, it is possible to operate from such a difference in display style in the display device 54. A person can easily determine which of the display operation mode, the exposure display operation mode and the continuous shooting display operation mode, the display operation 54 is performing the display operation, and display the display device 54 on the display device 54. It becomes possible to instantly read the exposure value or the amount of image data stored in the image memory 24.

【0050】

Further, the state of the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82 is displayed in the same display format as the continuous shooting display operation mode for displaying the state of the storable capacity of the image data in the image memory 24 as shown in FIG. When performing a display operation based on the battery remaining amount display operation mode for performing the display operation, or a display operation based on the data recording remaining amount display operation mode for displaying the recorded remaining amount state of the image data on the recording medium 100, the display is performed. When the device 54 is performing a display operation based on the exposure display operation mode, is performing a display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode, or is performing a display operation based on the battery level display operation mode. Furthermore, the operator displays each display operation mode by configuring the display color on the display device 54 to be different from each other when the display operation is performed based on the data recording remaining amount display operation mode. It can be easily discriminated from the difference in the display color of the device 54, and the value displayed on the display device 54 can be instantly read based on each display operation mode.

【0051】

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the distance measurement / light measurement operation routine in step S13 of FIG.

【0052】

In FIG. 4, when the distance measurement / metering switch 62 is in the ON state, the system control circuit 50 first measures the distance to the subject by the distance measurement circuit 44, and distance measurement according to the distance measurement result. data serial in the memory or the memory 52 in the system control circuit 50 toMemory(step S41 in FIG.), and to measure the brightness of the object by photometric circuit 46, the system control circuit 50 the photometric data corresponding to the photometric results It is stored in the memory in the memory or the memory 52 (step S42 in the figure).

【0053】

Further, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not it is necessary to make the strobe device 48 emit light according to the light measurement result in the light measuring circuit 46 (step S43 in the figure), and it is necessary to make the strobe device 48 emit light. If there is, set the strobe flag and start the charging operation for the strobe device 48 (step S44 in the figure).

【0054】

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the shooting operation routine in step S17 of FIG.

【0055】

In FIG. 5, the system control circuit 50 reads and reads the distance measurement data stored in the memory or the memory 52 in the system control circuit 50 when the state of the distance measurement / light measurement switch 62 is on. By controlling the movement of the focusing lens of the photographing optical system 10 by the lens control circuit 40 according to the distance measurement data obtained, the photographing optical system 10 is controlled to the in-focus state (step S51 in the figure), and the system control circuit Exposure control is performed so that the photometric data stored in the memory in 50 or the memory 52 is read out, and the subject photographing optical image imaged on the imaging surface of the imaging element 14 according to the read metering data becomes the optimum exposure amount. The exposure control member 12 is exposed by the exposure control circuit 42 so that the exposure amount of the member 12 to the subject is determined and the shutter mechanism of the exposure control member 12 is opened during the period corresponding to the determined exposure amount. By driving the shutter mechanism, the subject imaging optical image is exposed on the imaging surface of the imaging element 14 (steps S52 and S53 in the figure).

【0056】

Further, the system control circuit 50 detects whether or not a strobe flag set according to the metering result in the metering circuit 46 is set (step S54 in the figure), and when the strobe flag is set. Makes the strobe device 48 emit light (step S55 in the figure).

【0057】

Then, when the exposure time of the subject image pickup optical image on the image pickup surface of the image pickup element 14 by the shutter mechanism of the exposure control member 12 set according to the determined exposure amount is completed, the system control circuit 50 is completed (step in the figure). S56), by driving the shutter mechanism of the exposure control member 12 by the exposure control circuit 42 so as to close the shutter mechanism of the exposure control member 12, the subject image pickup optical image on the image pickup surface of the image sensor 14 can be obtained. After completing the exposure operation (step S57 in the figure), the charge signal stored in the image sensor 14 is output, digitized by the A / D converter 16, and then output from the A / D converter 16. Data is supplied to the image memory 24 via the memory control circuit 20, and the data corresponding to the captured image for one screen is temporarily stored in the image memory 24 (step S58 in the figure).

【0058】

Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still video system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

【0059】

6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the main operation routines of the electronic still video system shown in FIG. 1 as a whole.

【0060】

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the power supply unit 82 is mounted on the system body, so that the system control circuit 50 initializes various flags, control variables, etc. (step S61 in the figure), and then the main switch 60 is turned on. The main switch 60 is in the on state (step S62 in the figure), the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82 is sufficient (step S63 in the figure), and the memory card or hard disk is in the standby state. Etc. is connected to the system main body (step S64 in the figure), and write protect data indicating write protection is not set in the write protection information recording area 110 of the recording medium 100 connected to the system main body. If it is determined (step S65 in the figure) and the search for the recording state in the recording medium has not been completed (step S66 in the figure), the type of the recording medium in the recording medium 100, the data recording capacity, and so on. Identification information data such as characteristics of the recording medium, camera-related data used at the time of shooting and recording of image data recorded on the recording medium 100, and recording medium-related data are read from the recording medium 100 and recorded on the recording medium 100. Search for the status (step S67 in the figure).

【0061】

Further, when the system control circuit 50 determines that the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82 is insufficient (step S63 in the figure), or when it is determined that the recording medium 100 is not connected (in the figure). If it is determined in step S64) or that the write protect data is set (step S65 in the figure), the battery level is not sufficient by the display device 54, or the recording medium 100 is not connected. After displaying a warning indicating that the write protection data has been set, the process returns to step S2 (step S70 in the figure).

【0062】

Then, the system control circuit 50 is based on the identification information data of the recording medium 100, the camera-related data, the recording medium-related data, the management data recorded in the management data recording area 102 of the recording medium 100, and the switch group 56 as described above. Based on the various modes set and the various mode settings set according to the type of recording medium 100 connected to the system main unit, the number of remaining screens that can be recorded on the recording medium 100 or the number of remaining screens that can be recorded. The remaining capacity, the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82, the date, the shooting operation mode, various messages, etc. are displayed on the display device 54 (step S68 in the figure), and the recording medium 100 cannot be used in this system. If the recording medium is a recording medium, or if there is no free area in which data can be recorded in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100 (step S69 in the figure), the recording medium 100 cannot be used in this system. After displaying a warning indicating that there is no data recordable area in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100, the process returns to step S2 (step S70 in the figure).

【0063】

Next, the system control circuit 50 detects the state of the distance measuring / measuring switch 62, and if the distance measuring / measuring switch 62 is in the off state, the process proceeds to step S85 described later (step S71 in the figure). When it is in the ON state, after setting the display device 54 to the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state (step S72 in the figure), the distance to the subject is measured by the distance measuring circuit 44, and the measurement is performed. By moving the focusing lens in the photographing optical system 10 by the lens control circuit 40 according to the distance measurement result in the distance circuit 44, the focus of the imaging optical system 10 is focused on the subject, and the brightness of the subject is measured by the light measuring circuit 46. The exposure control circuit 42 controls the shutter mechanism of the exposure control member 12 so that the subject optical image imaged on the image pickup surface of the image pickup element 14 has the optimum exposure amount according to the light measurement result of the light measurement circuit 46, and the exposure control member The exposure to the subject is determined by 12 (step S73 in the figure).

【0064】

Then, the system control circuit 50 detects the state of the recording start switch 64, the recording start switch 64 is turned on (step S74 in the figure), and the image memory 24 has a free area capable of storing image data. In this case (step S75 in the figure), after the display device 54 is set to the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state (step S76 in the figure), the shooting operation is started and the image is output from the image sensor 14. The image data obtained by digitizing the analog image signal with the A / D converter 16 is stored in the image memory 24 (step S77 in the figure), and in the step S75, the image memory 24 is stored. When there is no free area that can store image data and the shooting operation cannot be performed, after setting the display device 54 to the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 (step in the figure). S78), proceed to step S79.

【0065】

Further, in the present embodiment, even if the display device 54 is set to the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the step S78, the image data can be stored in the image memory 24 in the step S75. When it is determined that there is an open area, the display device 54 is configured to be in the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state in step S76. However, this step S76 is omitted. As will be described later, in step S78, until the recording start switch 64 is determined to be in the off state in step S74 and the display device 54 is set to the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state in step S72. The display device 54 may be configured to remain in the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24.

【0066】

Since the distance measurement / light measurement operation and the photographing operation are as described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

【0067】

Then, in step S79, the system control circuit 50 reads out the image data stored in the image memory 24, and the information of the recording medium 100 is read through the memory control circuit 20, the interface 26, the connector 30, the connector 108, and the interface 106. When a recording operation such as recording in the data recording area 104 and recording management data corresponding to the image data in the management data recording area 102 is performed, and the display device 54 performs a display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode. (Step S80 in the figure), after updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 (step S81 in the figure), the process returns to step S74. If the display device 54 does not perform the display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode in step S80, the process returns to step S74 without updating the display on the display device 54.

【0068】

If the recording start switch 64 is off in step S74 and image data not recorded on the recording medium 100 remains in the image memory 24 (step S82 in the figure), the same as in step S79. When the recording operation is performed (step S83 in the figure) and the display device 54 is performing the display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode (step S84 in the figure), the storage of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 is performed. After updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the possible capacity (step S85 in the figure), the process returns to step S71.

【0069】

If no image data that has not been recorded on the recording medium 100 remains in step S82, or if the display device 54 does not perform a display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode in step S84, the display is displayed. Return to step S71 without updating the display on the device 54.

【0070】

Further, when the distance measuring / measuring switch 62 is in the off state in step S71, the display device 54 is set to the continuous shooting display operation mode for displaying the state of the storable capacity in the image memory 24 (step in the figure). S86), and if image data not recorded on the recording medium 100 remains in the image memory 24 (step S87 in the figure), the same recording operation as in step S79 is performed (step S88 in the figure). After updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 (step S89 in the figure), the process returns to step S71 and is recorded in the image memory 24 in step S87. When no image data that has not been recorded on the medium 100 remains, the display device 54 can display the number of shot-recorded screens and the shot-recorded capacity of the recording medium 100, or the number of remaining screens that can be shot and recorded and the shot-recordable. After setting the operation mode for displaying the number of shooting screens for displaying the remaining capacity (step S90 in the figure), the process returns to step S62 and is in a standby state until the main switch 60 is operated.

【0071】

Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic still video system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

【0072】

8 and 9 as a whole are flowcharts showing the main operation routines of the electronic still video system shown in FIG.

【0073】

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the power supply unit 82 is mounted on the system body, so that the system control circuit 50 initializes various flags, control variables, etc. (step S91 in the figure), and then the main switch 60 is turned on. The main switch 60 is turned on (step S92 in the figure), the battery level in the power supply unit 82 is sufficient (step S93 in the figure), and the memory card or hard disk is in a standby state. Etc. is connected to the system main body (step S94 in the figure), and write protect data indicating write protection is not set in the write protect information recording area 110 of the recording medium 100 connected to the system main body. If it is determined (step S95 in the figure) and the search for the recording state in the recording medium has not been completed (step S96 in the figure), the type of recording medium in the recording medium 100, the data recording capacity, and so on. Identification information data such as characteristics of the recording medium, camera-related data used at the time of shooting and recording of the image data recorded on the recording medium, and recording medium-related data are read from the recording medium 100, and the recording state on the recording medium 100. Search for (step S97 in the figure).

【0074】

Further, when the system control circuit 50 determines that the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82 is insufficient (step S93 in the figure), or when it is determined that the recording medium 100 is not connected (in the figure). If it is determined in step S94) or that the write protect data is set (step S95 in the figure), the battery level is not sufficient by the display device 54, or the recording medium 100 is not connected. After displaying a warning indicating that the write protection data has been set, the process returns to step S92 (step S100 in the figure).

【0075】

Then, the system control circuit 50 is based on the identification information data of the recording medium 100, the camera-related data, the recording medium-related data, the management data recorded in the management data recording area 102 of the recording medium 100, and the switch group 56 as described above. Based on the various modes set and the various mode settings set according to the type of recording medium 100 connected to the system main unit, the number of remaining screens that can be recorded on the recording medium 100 or the number of remaining screens that can be recorded. The remaining capacity, the remaining battery level in the power supply unit 82, the date, the shooting operation mode, various messages, etc. are displayed on the display device 54 (step S98 in the figure), and the recording medium 100 cannot be used in this system. If the recording medium is a recording medium, or if there is no free area in which data can be recorded in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100 (step S99 in the figure), the recording medium 100 cannot be used in this system. After displaying a warning indicating that there is no data recordable area in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100, the process returns to step S92 (step S100 in the figure).

【0076】

Next, the system control circuit 50 detects the state of the distance measuring / measuring switch 62, and if the distance measuring / measuring switch 62 is in the off state, the process proceeds to step S115 described later (step S101 in the figure). When it is in the ON state, after setting the display device 54 to the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state (step S102 in the figure), the distance to the subject is measured by the distance measuring circuit 44, and the measurement is performed. By moving the focusing lens in the image pickup optical system 10 by the lens control circuit 40 according to the distance measurement result in the distance circuit 44, the focus of the image pickup optical system 10 is focused on the subject, and the brightness of the subject is measured by the photometric circuit 46. The exposure control circuit 42 controls the shutter mechanism of the exposure control member 12 so that the subject optical image imaged on the image pickup surface of the image pickup element 14 has the optimum exposure amount according to the light measurement result of the photometric circuit 46, and the exposure control member 12 The exposure to the subject is determined by (step S103 in the figure).

【0077】

Then, the system control circuit 50 detects the state of the recording start switch 64, the recording start switch 64 is turned on (step S104 in the figure), and the image memory 24 has a free area capable of storing image data. In this case (step S105 in the figure), after the display device 54 is set to the exposure display operation mode for displaying the exposure compensation state (step S106 in the figure), the shooting operation is started and the image is output from the image sensor 14. The image data obtained by digitizing the analog image signal with the A / D converter 16 is stored in the image memory 24 (step S107 in the figure), and the process returns to step S104.

【0078】

Further, in step S105, when the image memory 24 does not have an open area capable of storing image data and the imaging operation cannot be performed, the display device 54 performs a continuous shooting display operation indicating the storable capacity of the image memory 24. After the mode is set, the image data stored in the image memory 24 is read out and recorded in the information data recording area 104 of the recording medium 100 via the memory control circuit 20, the interface 26, the connector 30, the connector 108, and the interface 106. At the same time, a recording operation such as recording the management data corresponding to the image data in the management data recording area 102 is performed (step S109 in the figure), and a continuous shooting display showing the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 is performed. After updating the display based on the operation mode (step S110 in the figure), the process returns to step S104.

【0079】

Since the distance measurement / light measurement operation and the photographing operation are as described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

【0080】

Further, in step S104, the recording start switch 64 is off, the display device 54 is performing a display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode (step S111 in the figure), and further, the image memory 24 is connected to the recording medium 100. If unrecorded image data remains (step S112 in the figure), the same recording operation as in step S109 is performed (step S113 in the figure), and the image memory 24 in the display device 54 can be stored. After updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the capacity status (step S114 in the figure), the process returns to step S101.

【0081】

Further, if the display device 54 does not perform the display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode in step S111, or even if the display device 54 performs the display operation based on the continuous shooting display operation mode, in step S112. If no image data that has not been recorded on the recording medium 100 remains in the image memory 24, the process returns to step S101.

【0082】

Further, when the distance measuring / measuring switch 62 is in the off state in step S101, the display device 54 is set to the continuous shooting display operation mode for displaying the state of the storable capacity in the image memory 24 (step S115 in the figure). ), And if image data not recorded on the recording medium 100 remains in the image memory 24 (step S116 in the figure), the same recording operation as in step S109 is performed (step S117 in the figure). After updating the display based on the continuous shooting display operation mode indicating the state of the storable capacity of the image memory 24 in the display device 54 (step S118 in the figure), the process returns to step S101, and in step S116, the recording medium is stored in the image memory 24. If no image data that has not been recorded in 100 remains, the display device 54 displays the number of shot-recorded screens and the shot-recorded capacity of the recording medium 100, or the number of remaining screens that can be shot and recorded and the remaining number that can be shot and recorded. After setting the operation mode for displaying the number of shooting screens for displaying the capacity (step S119 in the figure), the process returns to step S92 and is in a standby state until the main switch 60 is operated.

【0083】

In the system of the present invention, as shown in this embodiment, the recording medium 100 is not limited to a memory card or a hard disk device, but is a micro DAT (digital audio tape) device, a magneto-optical disk device, or an optical disk device. It may be configured by the above, and the same effect as that of the present invention can be obtained.

【0084】

Further, in the system of the present invention, the recording medium 100 is a composite recording medium in which a memory card and a hard disk device are integrally configured, and the composite recording medium has a memory card section or a hard disk section that can be attached and detached arbitrarily. The composite recording medium may be connected to or separable from the main body of the composite medium, and of course, the composite recording medium includes not only a memory card and a hard disk device but also a micro DAT, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and the like. The configuration may be a combination of the above recording media.

【0085】

In this embodiment, the recording medium 100 such as a memory card or a hard disk device is detachable from the system main body 200, and is described as a configuration that can be arbitrarily connected or separated. However, two or more types are described in the system main body. The configuration may be such that the recording medium can be connected, two or more types of recording media are fixed to the system main body, or a part of the two or more types of recording media is connected to the system main body. On the other hand, it may be fixed so that a part of it can be attached to and detached from the system main body and can be arbitrarily connected or separated.

【0086】

As described above, in the electronic still video system of the present embodiment, the storable amount of the image signal in the image memory is displayed when the input image signal is temporarily stored in the image memory and then recorded in the recording medium. By configuring the display on the device, the operator can record the image signal by the display displayed on the display device when the image signal is continuously recorded on the recording medium with a simple configuration. Since the timing can be easily determined visually, it is possible to record the necessary image signal on the recording medium at the intended timing, prevent erroneous recording of the unnecessary image signal, and improve usability. You will be able to do it.

【0087】

Further, in the electronic still video system of the present embodiment, the display device for displaying the exposure compensation state switches between the display showing the exposure compensation state and the display of the storable amount of the image signal in the image memory. By configuring in this way, it is not necessary to provide a new display device, so that the system configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

【0088】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an image signal is continuously recorded on a recording medium, it is possible to easily determine the recording start or recording end timing of the image signal with a simple configuration. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use image signal recording device capable of recording a necessary image signal on a recording medium at an intended timing and preventing an unnecessary image signal from being accidentally recorded. In addition, even when shooting is performed again after the operation for shooting is completed, the storage capacity status is displayed if the unrecorded image remains in the temporary storage means, so it is easy to check whether shooting is possible or not. You can know.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

As an example of the present invention, it is a block diagram which showed the schematic structure of the electronic still video system to which this invention was applied.

[Figure 2]

As a first embodiment of the present invention, it is a part of a flowchart showing a main operation routine of the electronic still video system shown in FIG.

[Fig. 3]

As a first embodiment of the present invention, it is a part of a flowchart showing a main operation routine of the electronic still video system shown in FIG.

[Fig. 4]

It is a flowchart for demonstrating the distance measurement / light measurement operation routine in this Example in detail.

[Fig. 5]

It is a flowchart for demonstrating the shooting operation routine in this Example in detail.

[Fig. 6]

As a second embodiment of the present invention, it is a part of a flowchart showing a main operation routine of the electronic still video system shown in FIG.

[Fig. 7]

As a second embodiment of the present invention, it is a part of a flowchart showing a main operation routine of the electronic still video system shown in FIG.

[Fig. 8]

As a third embodiment of the present invention, it is a part of a flowchart showing a main operation routine of the electronic still video system shown in FIG.

[Fig. 9]

As a third embodiment of the present invention, it is a part of a flowchart showing a main operation routine of the electronic still video system shown in FIG.

[Fig. 10]

It is a figure which showed one display example in the case where the display device 54 in this Example performs a display operation based on an exposure display operation mode.

[Fig. 11]

It is a figure which showed one display example in the case where the display device 54 in this Example performs a display operation based on a continuous shooting display operation mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Shooting optics 12 Exposure control member 14 Image sensor 16 analog / digital converter 20 Memory control circuit 22 Image compression / decompression circuit 24 image memory 26 interface 28 Data communication control circuit 30 connector 34 connector 36 Digital / Analog Converter 38 Image display device 40 Lens control circuit 42 Exposure control circuit 44 Distance measurement circuit 46 Metering circuit 48 Strobe device 50 System control circuit 52 Control data memory 54 Display device 56 switches 58 2-stage release switch 60 Main switch 62 Distance measurement / metering switch 64 Recording start switch 66 Shooting recording mode selection switch 68 Recording condition setting switch 70 Erase mode selection switch 72 Erase operation start instruction switch 74 Transmission mode selection switch 76 Transmission operation start instruction switch 80 Power control circuit 82 Power supply 84 connector 86 connector 90 non-volatile memory 100 Recording media 102 Management data recording area 104 Information data recording area 106 interface 108 connector 110 Write protection information recording area 112 Media identification information recording area 114 Camera-related data recording area