JP3599985B2 - Image recording system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an image recording system, and more particularly to an image recording system that records a still image signal reproduced from a digital camera on a video tape by a VTR.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to record a still image signal stored in a digital camera on a video tape, it was necessary to set the VTR to a recording mode and output the still image signals to the VTR one by one.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
That is, to record a still image signal captured by a digital camera on a video tape requires manual operation by an operator, and the operator is restrained until dubbing of all still images is completed.
Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an image recording system capable of dubbing a still image without a troublesome operation by an operator.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention is an image recording system comprising a digital camera for reproducing a plurality of still image signals and a VTR for recording the reproduced plurality of still image signals, wherein the digital camera outputs a recording command signal, and includes reproducing means for reproducing a plurality of still image signals continuously a first predetermined time period, VTR is seen including a recording means for recording a plurality of still image signals in response to the recording command signal, reproducing means first still An image recording system characterized in that an image signal is reproduced for a second predetermined period longer than the first predetermined period in response to the output of the recording command signal .
[0005]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image recording system including a digital camera for reproducing a plurality of still image signals and a VTR for recording a plurality of still image signals, the VTR includes a first output unit for outputting a reproduction permission signal, and image switching. The digital camera includes a second output unit that outputs a signal, and the digital camera includes a reproduction unit that reproduces any still image signal in response to the reproduction permission signal, and a switching unit that switches a still image signal to be reproduced in response to the image switching signal. , An image recording system.
[0006]
[Action]
In the first invention, when the playback button of the digital camera is pressed, a recording command signal is output from the output means of the digital camera to the VTR. The reproduction means reproduces each of the plurality of still image signals continuously for a first predetermined period. In a VTR, a recording unit starts loading a video tape in response to a recording command signal. Therefore, the reproducing means reproduces the first still image signal for the second predetermined period longer than the first predetermined period. Further, in the digital camera, the first predetermined period is set by the period setting means, and the reproduction order of the still image signals is set by the reproduction order setting means. Therefore, the still image signal is recorded on the video tape by the VTR in the set reproduction order.
[0007]
In the second invention, when the record button of the VTR is pressed, a reproduction permission signal is output from the first output means to the digital camera, and an output switching signal is output from the second output means. That is, the digital camera reproduces a still image signal according to the output permission signal, and the plurality of still image signals are switched at predetermined intervals according to the output switching signal. Further, the predetermined period can be set by the period setting means, and the still image signal switched every predetermined period is recorded on the video tape.
[0008]
【The invention's effect】
According to these inventions, the still image signal stored in the digital camera is recorded on the video tape in accordance with the instruction of either the digital camera or the VTR, so that the operator can dub the still image without troublesome operation. be able to.
[0009]
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
【Example】
Referring to FIG. 1, an image recording system 10 according to this embodiment includes a digital still camera (DSC) 12 and a VTR 14. The DSC 12 includes an input terminal 16 to which still image data (hereinafter simply referred to as image data) photographed in response to operation of a shutter button (not shown) is provided. This image data is temporarily recorded in the memory area 18a of the VRAM 18 by the memory control circuit 20. The CPU 22 compresses the image data recorded in the memory area 18a according to the JPEG format using the work area 18c, and records the compressed image data in the flash memory 30.
[0011]
At the time of reproduction, the CPU 22 reads desired compressed image data from the flash memory 30 and decompresses it in the JPEG format using the work area 18c. The decompressed image data is stored in the memory area 18a or 18b. The memory control circuit 20 reads out image data for two fields from the memory area 18a or 18b by interlaced scanning and supplies the image data to the signal processing circuit 34. The signal processing circuit 34 includes a color separation circuit and a matrix circuit, and converts the image data output from the VRAM 18 into luminance data and color data. The luminance data and color data output from the signal processing circuit 34 are converted by the D / A converter 36 into analog luminance signals and color signals. The luminance signal and the color signal from the D / A converter 36 are supplied to the LCD 28 or to the output terminal 32 via the NTSC encoder 38. The NTSC encoder 38 converts the luminance signal and the chrominance signal from the D / A converter 36 into a composite signal of the NTSC format.
[0012]
When playing back image data continuously, for example, the first compressed image data is expanded using the work area 18c, and the expanded image data is stored in the memory area 18a. The image data stored in the memory area 18a is thereafter read by the memory control circuit 20. The read time of the image data is N seconds (first predetermined period), and the second compressed image data is read during this N seconds and decompressed using the work area 18c. Since the first image data is stored in the memory area 18a and is being read out, the second expanded image data is stored in the memory area 18b. When the reading of the first image data is completed, that is, when N seconds have elapsed, the second image data is read from the memory area 18b by the memory control circuit 20. While the second image data is being read (N seconds), the third compressed image data is read from the flash memory 30 and decompressed in the same manner as described above. Then, it is stored in the memory area 18a. As described above, the memory control circuit 20 alternately reads the image data written in the memory area 18a or 18b. By setting N seconds longer than the time required for decompressing the compressed image data, a reproduced image can be displayed continuously on the LCD or a composite signal of the reproduced image can be output from the output terminal 32.
[0013]
The reproduction time (N seconds) and the reproduction order of each image data are set in the menu. In this embodiment, each recorded image is reproduced in chronological order or arbitrarily selected order. For example, when the menu button 40 is pressed, the system controller 50 gives a control signal for instructing display of a menu screen to the interrupt terminal 22 a provided in the CPU 22. Therefore, the CPU 22 displays the menu screen shown in FIG. 2A on the LCD 28, and first, a cursor is displayed on the item of the image output interval. In response to the operation of the up button 42 or the down button 44, the value of N changes between 1 and 60. For example, if the setting button 46 is pressed when "5" is displayed, the image output interval becomes 5 Set to seconds. Note that the initial value of N is set to “30”.
[0014]
When the setting of the image output interval is completed, the cursor moves to items in chronological order. Pressing the up button 42 or the down button 44 switches on / off display. When the setting button 46 is pressed in a desired display state, the display state is set. Here, when "ON" is selected, the chronological order mode is set, and the next item in the optional order is automatically set to "OFF". On the other hand, when the time-series order mode is not set, the items in the arbitrary selection order are automatically set to “ON”. Therefore, it is prevented that the time-series order mode and the optional selection order mode are set at the same time.
[0015]
When the arbitrary selection order mode is set, the menu screen is switched to the image output order setting screen shown in FIG. On this screen, the cursor points to any one of the image data numbers, and the cursor is moved by operating the up button 42 or the down button 44. When the setting button 46 is pressed while the cursor is pointing to a desired image data number, an output number is displayed on the right side of the image data number. In this embodiment, when one is turned on, the other is automatically turned off so that the time series mode and the optional selection mode are not set at the same time. In such a case, a warning sound may be emitted or the user may not be able to leave the menu screen.
[0016]
On the other hand, when the chronological order mode is set, image data is output in the order of shooting, that is, in ascending order of image data number. If there is no image data corresponding to the image data number because the image data has been deleted, the image data number is skipped.
The VTR 14 includes an input terminal 60. When the DSC 12 and the VTR 14 are connected, a composite signal from the output terminal 32 is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 62 via the input terminal 60. In the video signal processing circuit 62, the composite signal is Y / C-separated, and the luminance signal and the chrominance signal are individually processed and then Y / C-mixed. The Y / C mixed signal is amplified by the recording amplifier circuit 64 and recorded on the video tape 68 via the video head 66. The VTR 14 includes a terminal 70, which is connected to the terminal 52 provided on the DSC 12. The CPU 22 of the DSC 12 supplies a recording command signal to the microcomputer 72 provided in the VTR 14 via the terminals 52 and 70.
[0017]
The microcomputer 72 controls a mechanism such as a loading motor 74. The recording command signal is normally at a low level, but becomes high when a composite signal is output from the output terminal 32, that is, when the playback button 48 is pressed. Therefore, when the play button 48 is pressed, the first compressed image data is first read from the flash memory 30 as shown in FIG. The video tape 68 is loaded in the VTR 14 during the time (5 seconds) until the first compressed image data is read and the expanded image data is output to the signal processing circuit 34. That is, the first image data is read out for a second predetermined period (N + 5 seconds) longer than the first predetermined period. Further, the decompression of the second compressed image data is performed during N seconds during which the first image data is output.
[0018]
The VTR 14 is in a normal standby state, that is, a state in which power is supplied only to the microcomputer 72. When the power switch is turned on, power is supplied to each circuit in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 72. Also, when the VTR 14 is in the standby state, when the image recording signal is given from the DSC 12, that is, when the recording command signal goes high, the microcomputer 72 supplies power to each circuit. Then, the reproduced image given from the input terminal 60 is recorded. When the CPU 22 finishes reproducing all the images and sets the recording command signal to the low level, the microcomputer 72 returns the VTR 14 to the standby state. Therefore, useless power consumption is reduced.
[0019]
The operation described above is performed by the CPU 22 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The microcomputer 72 performs processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the main power supply of the DSC 12 is turned on, the process is started, an image output interval (N seconds) is set in step S1 according to an instruction of an operator, and an image output order is set in step S3. That is, one of the time-sequential order mode and the optional selection order mode is set, and when the optional selection order mode is set, the output order of the image data is set by the menu. In the subsequent step S5, it is determined whether or not the play button 48 has been pressed. If "NO", the process returns to the step S5. If "YES", a high-level recording command signal is output in a step S7. In the following step S9, it is determined whether or not 5 seconds have elapsed since the output of the high-level recording command signal. If "NO" here, the process returns to the step S9, but if "YES", the m-th image data is output in a step S11. Subsequently, in step S13, it is determined whether or not N seconds set in step S1 have elapsed. If "NO" here, the process returns to the step S13, but if "YES", 1 is added to the output image data number (the number of output image data) m in a step S15. In step S17, it is determined whether all the image data has been output. In this embodiment, the total number of image data is X, and it is determined whether or not all image data has been output by the inequality X-1 <m using the number m of output images. As can be seen from step S15, since the initial value of the number m of output images is 2, in the inequality of step S17, 1 is subtracted from the total number X. If “NO” in the step S17, the process returns to the step S11, but if “YES”, a low-level recording command signal is output in a step S19, and the process ends.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 5, when power is applied to the VTR 14 main body, that is, when power is applied only to the microcomputer 72, the microcomputer 72 starts processing, and determines whether or not the recording command signal is at a high level in step S21. . If "NO" here, the process returns to the step S21, but if "YES", it is determined in a step S23 whether or not the power switch is on. If “NO” in the step S23, the power switch is turned on in a step S25, a video tape is loaded in a step S27, and the process proceeds to a step S29. If “YES”, the process directly proceeds to a step S29. In step S29, recording of the image data output from the DSC 12 is started. In step S31, it is determined whether the recording command signal is at a low level. That is, it is determined whether all the image data has been output. If "NO" here, the process returns to the step S31, but if "YES", the recording is terminated in a step S33, and the main body of the VTR 14 is set in a standby state in a step S35 to terminate the processing.
[0021]
As described above, the microcomputer 72 can control the recording of the image data in accordance with the level of the recording command signal output from the CPU 22. Therefore, all the image data is recorded on the video tape 68 by the VTR 14 according to the instruction from the DSC 12.
Referring to FIG. 6, an image recording system 10 of another embodiment is the same as the image recording system of the embodiment of FIG. 1 except that image data recorded on DSC 12 can be recorded on video tape 68 in accordance with an instruction from VTR 14. Therefore, duplicate description will be omitted.
[0022]
In this image recording system 10, a menu setting button (menu button 40 to setting button 46) and a recording button 54 are provided on the VTR 14. The CPU 22 of the DSC 12 is provided with terminals 80 and 82, and the microcomputer 72 of the VTR 14 is provided with terminals 84 and 86. When the DSC 12 and the VTR 14 are connected, the output terminal 32 and the terminal 64 are connected, the terminal 80 and the terminal 84 are connected, and the terminal 82 and the terminal 86 are connected. Therefore, transmission and reception of control signals between the CPU 22 and the microcomputer 72 are possible. When a menu is set on the VTR 14, the menu screen is displayed on a display screen (not shown) such as a time provided on the VTR 14. On the VTR 14 side, only the output period (predetermined period) of the image data can be set.
[0023]
For example, when the DSC 12 and the VTR 14 are connected, the microcomputer 72 outputs a reproduction permission signal via the terminals 84 and 80. When the record button 54 of the VTR 14 is operated, the reproduction permission signal changes from a low level to a high level every N seconds as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, when the reproduction permission signal changes from low level to high level, the image to be reproduced is switched.
[0024]
On the other hand, an image output end signal is output from the CPU 22 via the terminal 82 and the terminal 86. The image output end signal becomes low level when the record button 54 is pressed as shown in FIG. Becomes high level when is read. Therefore, when all the image data has been output, a high-level output end signal is given from the CPU 22 to the microcomputer 72, and the microcomputer 72 ends the recording of the composite signal.
[0025]
The operation described above is processed by the microcomputer 72 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 22 performs processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the power switch of the VTR 14 is turned on, the process starts, and an image output interval (N seconds) is set in step S41 according to an instruction of the operator. In a succeeding step S43, it is determined whether or not the recording button 54 is pressed. If "NO" here, the process returns to the step S43, but if "YES", it is determined whether or not the output end signal is at a low level in a step S44. That is, it is determined whether or not the reproduction is being performed by the DSC 12. Here, if “YES”, the recording is started at a step S45, but if “NO”, it is determined whether or not 10 minutes have elapsed at a step S46. Here, if “NO”, the process returns to the step S44, but if “YES”, the process proceeds to a step S53. That is, if 10 minutes have passed without the reproduction being performed by the DSC 12 despite the recording button 54 being pressed, the recording by the VTR 14 is terminated. In step S47, a high-level reproduction permission signal is output, and in step S49, it is determined whether N seconds have elapsed. Here, if “NO”, the process returns to the step S49, but if “YES”, it is determined in a step S51 whether or not the output end signal is at a high level. Here, if “NO”, the process returns to the step S47. However, if “YES”, that is, if the DSC 12 determines that all the image data has been output, the recording ends in a step S53, and the process ends.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the main power of the DSC 12 is turned on, the CPU 22 starts processing, and outputs a low-level output end signal in step S60. In a succeeding step S61, it is determined whether or not the reproduction permission signal has risen (from a low level to a high level). Here, if “NO”, the process returns to the step S61, but if “YES”, the image data is output in a succeeding step S63. In step S65, the number m of output image data is added, and in step S67, it is determined whether the number m of output image data has become larger than the total number X. That is, it is determined whether all the image data has been output. If "NO" here, the process returns to the step S61. However, if "YES", a high-level output end signal is output in a step S69, and the process ends.
[0027]
As described above, the CPU 22 outputs image data according to the reproduction permission signal output from the microcomputer 72. When all the image data has been output, the CPU 22 outputs a high-level output end signal to the microcomputer 72. Therefore, all the image data stored in the DSC 12 can be recorded on the video tape 68 according to the instruction from the VTR 14.
[0028]
According to these embodiments, all the image data stored in the DSC 12 is recorded on the video tape 68 by operating either the DSC 12 or the VTR 14. That is, a still image can be dubbed without an operator performing a troublesome operation.
In this embodiment, the menu setting button (the menu button 40 to the setting button 46) is provided on the DSC 12 or the VTR 14, but the menu setting button may be provided on both the DSC 12 and the VTR 14.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a menu screen displayed on an LCD in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a recording command signal.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of the CPU in the embodiment in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of the microcomputer of the embodiment in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7A is a timing chart showing an output end signal, and FIG. 7B is a timing chart showing a reproduction permission signal.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of the microcomputer shown in the embodiment in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of the CPU shown in the embodiment in FIG. 6;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 image recording system 12 DSC
14 ... VTR
18 VRAM
20: memory control circuit 22: CPU
30 Flash memory 68 Video tape 72 Microcomputer

Claims (7)

An image recording system comprising a digital camera for reproducing a plurality of still image signals and a VTR for recording the reproduced still image signals,
The digital camera includes an output unit that outputs a recording command signal, and a reproducing unit that continuously reproduces each of the plurality of still image signals for a first predetermined period ,
The VTR is seen including a recording means for recording the plurality of still image signals in response to the recording command signal,
The image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing means reproduces the first still image signal in response to the output of the recording command signal for a second predetermined period longer than the first predetermined period . It said recording means starts the loading of the video tape in response to the recording command signal, the image recording system according to claim 1, wherein. Wherein the digital camera further comprises a period setting means for setting the first predetermined time period, according to claim 1 or 2, the image recording system according. Wherein the digital camera further comprises an image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 the playback order setting means for setting the playback order of the still image signal. An image recording system comprising a digital camera for reproducing a plurality of still image signals and a VTR for recording the plurality of still image signals,
The VTR includes a first output unit that outputs a reproduction permission signal, and a second output unit that outputs an image switching signal,
An image recording system, wherein the digital camera includes a reproducing unit that reproduces one of the still image signals according to the reproduction permission signal, and a switching unit that switches the still image signal to be reproduced according to the image switching signal. The second output means outputs the image switching signal every predetermined period,
6. The image recording system according to claim 5 , wherein said reproducing means continues reproducing the same still image signal until the next image switching signal is input. The image recording system according to claim 5 , wherein the VTR further includes a period setting unit that sets the predetermined period.

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