JP2000069330A - Video camera equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a user-friendly interface for performing a highly entertaining play such as enjoying a process of producing a video work while using a video camera. A display screen functioning as a monitor of a captured image is provided with a mechanism that can be directed to a subject. Then, if an operation for starting recording for producing a video work is performed, first, a countdown display until the start of recording is performed, and then recording is started. During the recording, the dialogue and the photographing instruction frame input by the user at the stage before the recording are displayed at a required timing. Also, the remaining time until the end of recording is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera device for obtaining a captured image and a video camera device including at least a recording device capable of recording the captured image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, portable video cameras in which an image pickup device such as a camera and a video deck capable of recording and reproducing images and sounds are integrated are widely used. As a general usage form, a user performs recording while photographing a favorite subject. Then, the recorded image / sound is reproduced and displayed on the display unit of the VCR or an external monitor device for viewing.

[0003]

By the way, as an application of the video camera apparatus, not only the above-mentioned recorded image is reproduced and viewed, but also, for example, in order to obtain a higher entertainment, It is also conceivable to shoot with a video camera while enjoying the process of creating a video work. Therefore, if a video camera is to be provided with a function capable of producing such a video work, consideration must be given to, for example, a user interface relating to this function to be as convenient as possible for the user. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides at least an image pickup means for obtaining a picked-up image and a picked-up image obtained by the picked-up image as image information for a predetermined recording medium. A video camera device provided with a recording means capable of recording by means of a display means attached to the video camera device and capable of displaying a captured image obtained by the imaging means; and a display screen of the display means. A position state changing unit that can be changed from a normal position state to a position state that can be visually recognized on the subject side, and time information setting unit that sets specific time information required for recording of a captured image, At a required opportunity related to recording of a captured image, an image displayed on the display means is displayed on the display means based on the time information set by the time information setting means. It was decided to constitute a display control unit that can be displayed by combining the image.

A video camera apparatus having at least an image pickup means for obtaining a picked-up image and a recording means capable of recording the picked-up image obtained by the image pickup means as image information on a predetermined recording medium. A display unit attached to the video camera device and capable of displaying a captured image obtained by the imaging unit; and a position state in which the display screen of the display unit can be viewed from a normal position state on the subject side. Position information changing means, which can be used as an instruction information storing means for storing instruction information set as contents to be instructed to a subject when recording a captured image, Thus, the display control means for combining the image presenting the instruction information held by the instruction information holding means with the captured image and displaying the image on the display means It was be configured with a and.

According to the above configuration, for example, the display means attached to the video camera device and capable of displaying the captured image is directed to the subject side, and is required for recording the captured image. By displaying the timekeeping image based on the time information on the display means, it is possible to present information on the time required by the user as the subject. Similarly, for example, the display means attached to the video camera device is directed to the subject side, and the necessary instructions to be given to the user who is the subject when recording the captured image. The content is displayed on the display means. That is, the user who is the subject can take an action in accordance with the instruction content while looking at the display means.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is mounted on a portable video camera in which a camera device unit and a recording / reproducing device unit capable of recording and reproducing images (still images or moving images) and audio are integrated. Take the case as an example. Further, the recording / reproducing device section mounted on the video camera of the present embodiment adopts a configuration for recording and reproducing data corresponding to a so-called mini disk, which is known as a kind of magneto-optical disk. The description will be made in the following order. 1. Disk format 2. 2. External configuration of video camera 3. Internal configuration of video camera 4. Configuration of media drive section 5. Reverse display control for display unit 6. Example of disk structure corresponding to this embodiment Video work creation function of this embodiment

[0008] 1. Disc format The recording / reproducing device section mounted on the video camera of this example is assumed to be compatible with a format called MD data, which records / reproduces data in correspondence with a mini disc (magneto-optical disc). . As this MD data format, two types of formats called MD-DATA1 and MD-DATA2 have been developed, but the video camera of this example is capable of recording at higher density than MD-DATA1. It is assumed that recording and reproduction are performed in accordance with the format. So first, MD
-Disc format of DATA2 will be described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 conceptually show an example of a track structure of a disk as MD-DATA2. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, showing an enlarged portion enclosed by a broken line A in FIG. As shown in these figures, two types of grooves (grooves) are previously formed on the disk surface: a wobbled groove WG provided with wobbles (meandering) and a non-wobbled groove NWG provided with no wobble. It is formed. The wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG
Exist in a double spiral on the disk so as to form a land Ld therebetween.

In the MD-DATA2 format, the land Ld is used as a track. Since the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG are formed as described above, the track Tr / A is used as the track. , Tr and B are independently formed in a double spiral (double spiral) shape. The track Tr · A is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is located on the outer peripheral side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is located on the inner peripheral side of the disk. On the other hand, the track Tr · B is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is located on the inner peripheral side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is located on the outer peripheral side of the disk. In other words, it can be considered that wobbles are formed only on one side of the outer circumference of the disk with respect to the track Tr · A, and wobbles are formed only on one side of the inner circumference of the disk with respect to the track Tr · B. . In this case, the track pitch is the track Tr adjacent to each other.
・ It is the distance between each center of A and track Tr ・ B,
The track pitch is 0.95 μm as shown in FIG.
It has been.

Here, the wobbles formed in the groove as the wobbled groove WG are formed based on a signal in which the physical address on the disk is encoded by FM modulation + biphase modulation. For this reason, it is possible to extract the physical address on the disk by demodulating the reproduction information obtained from the wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG at the time of recording / reproduction. Further, the address information as the wobbled groove WG is commonly effective for the tracks Tr · A and Tr · B. In other words, the track Tr · A located on the inner periphery of the wobbled groove WG and the track Tr · B located on the outer periphery share the address information by the wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG. . Such an addressing method is also called an interlace addressing method. By adopting this interlace addressing method, for example, it is possible to reduce the track pitch while suppressing crosstalk between adjacent wobbles. For a method of recording an address by forming a wobble in a groove, A
Also called DIP (Adress In Pregroove) method.

Further, the identification of which of the tracks Tr.A and Tr.B sharing the same address information as described above can be performed as follows. For example, in a state where the main beam is tracing a track (land Ld) by applying a three-beam method, the remaining two side beams trace grooves located on both sides of the track being traced by the main beam. It is possible to make it.

FIG. 2B shows, as a specific example, a state where the main beam spot SPm traces the track Tr · A. In this case, of the two side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2, the inner side beam spot SPs1 traces the non-wobbled groove NWG and the outer side beam spot S
Ps2 traces the wobbled groove WG. On the other hand, although not shown, if the main beam spot SPm traces the tracks Tr and B, the side beam spot SPs1 traces the wobbled groove WG and the side beam spot SP
s2 traces the non-wobbled groove NWG. Thus, the main beam spot SPm
Tracing the track Tr · A and the track T
In the case of tracing r · B, the grooves to be traced by the side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2 are necessarily replaced by the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG.

Side beam spots SPs1, SPs2
As a detection signal obtained by the photodetector due to the reflection of light, different waveforms are obtained depending on which of the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG is being traced. By determining which of the side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2 traces the wobbled groove WG (or the non-wobbled groove NWG), the main beam is moved to the tracks Tr · A,
Which of Tr and B is being traced can be identified.

FIG. 3 shows the main specifications of the MD-DATA2 format having the track structure as described above.
It is a figure shown in comparison with D-DATA1 format.
First, in the MD-DATA1 format, the track pitch is 1.6 μm and the pit length is 0.59 μm / bi.
t. The laser wavelength λ is set to 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head is set to 0.45. As a recording method, a groove recording method is adopted. That is, the groove is used as a track for recording and reproduction. As a method of addressing, a method is used in which a groove (track) is formed by a single spiral, and a wobbled groove in which wobbles are formed as address information on both sides of the groove.

EFM (8
-14 conversion). As an error correction method, ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-
Solomon Code) and a convolutional data interleave. Therefore, the data redundancy is 46.3%.

In the MD-DATA1 format, a CLV (Constant Linear V) is used as a disk drive system.
erocity), and the linear velocity of CLV is
1.2 m / s. The standard data rate for recording and reproduction is 133 kB / s, and the recording capacity is 140 MB.

On the other hand, the MD-DATA2 format which can be supported by the video camera of this embodiment has a track pitch of 0.95 μm and a pit length of 0.39 μm / b.
It can be seen that both are shorter than the MD-DATA1 format. For example, in order to realize the pit length, the laser wavelength λ = 650 nm and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head are set to 0.52, thereby narrowing the beam spot diameter at the in-focus position and expanding the band as the optical system. .

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a land recording method is used as a recording method, and an interlace addressing method is used as an address method. As a modulation method of recording data, an RLL (1, 7) method (RLL;
Run Length Limited), the RS-PC method is used as an error correction method, and the block complete type is used as data interleaving. As a result of adopting each of the above methods, the data redundancy can be suppressed to 19.7%.

Also in the MD-DATA2 format, CLV is adopted as a disk drive system, but its linear velocity is 2.0 m / s, and the standard data rate for recording / reproducing is 589 kB / s. It is said. As a result, a recording capacity of 650 MB can be obtained. Compared with the MD-DATA1 format, this means that a high-density recording of about four times is realized. For example, assuming that a moving image is recorded in the MD-DATA2 format, the moving image
In the case where the compression encoding by 2 is performed, it is possible to record a moving image of 15 minutes to 17 minutes, depending on the bit rate of the encoded data. Also, assuming that only the audio signal data is recorded, the ATR
When a compression process using AC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) 2 is performed, recording can be performed for about 10 hours.

2. 6A, 6B, and 6C are a side view, a plan view, and a rear view showing an example of the appearance of the video camera of the present example. As shown in these figures, the main body 200 of the video camera of the present embodiment includes:
A camera lens 201 having an imaging lens and an aperture for taking a picture is provided so as to be exposed. A pair of left and right microphones 202 is provided. That is, in this video camera, recording of an image taken by the camera lens 201 and
It is possible to record stereo sound collected by the microphone 202.

The display section 6 is provided on the side of the main body 200.
A display panel section 320 having A as a display screen, speaker 20
5. An indicator 206 is provided. Display section 6A
Is a portion for displaying and outputting a captured image, an image reproduced by an internal recording and reproducing device, and the like. The display unit 6
Although the display device actually adopted as A is not particularly limited here, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like may be used. The display unit 6A also displays a message such as a character or a character for notifying the user of a required message according to the operation of the device.

The display panel section 320 is rotatably mounted on the video camera body by a rotation mechanism 330. When the display panel section 320 is in the housed state, the display panel section 320 is in the position state shown in FIG.

As the rotating mechanism 330 of the present embodiment,
First, the position state can be changed from the position state shown in FIG. 6 so as to raise the display panel section 320 along the direction of the arrow YJ1 as shown in FIG. 7A. In this case, the display screen (display section 6A)
Is directed to the photographer (viewfinder 204) side, and faces in a direction substantially opposite to the camera lens 201 for capturing a captured image. In the position state of the display panel unit, for example, a photographer who has a video camera can perform photographing (recording) while monitoring the captured image displayed on the display unit 6A.

Further, as the rotating mechanism 330 of the present embodiment, the display panel unit is provided in a range of about 180 ° along the direction of the arrow YJ2 shown in FIG. 7B from the state shown in FIG. 320 can be rotated. That is, as shown in FIG.
Can face the object (camera lens). In this state, the user who is the subject can see the captured image. When the display panel is rotated in the direction of arrow YJ2 as described above, the appearance of the display image will not change between when the display unit 6A faces the photographer and when the display unit 6A faces the subject. However, in the present embodiment, the display image of the display unit 6A is always seen from the user (photographer and subject) in an appropriate direction according to the rotation state of the rotation mechanism 330. Such inconvenience is eliminated by performing the inverted display control as described above. A configuration for realizing the inverted display control will be described later.

Returning to FIG. When the recorded sound is reproduced from the speaker 205, the reproduced sound is output, and a required message sound such as a beep sound is output, for example. The indicator 206 is lit, for example, during a recording operation, and indicates to the user that the video camera is performing a recording operation.

A viewfinder 204 is provided on the back side of the main body 200, and displays an image taken from the camera lens 201, a character image, and the like during a recording operation and a standby state. The user can shoot while looking at the viewfinder 204. Further, the disc slot 203, the video output terminal T
1. A headphone / line terminal T2 and an I / F terminal T3 are provided. The disc slot 203 is a slot portion for inserting or ejecting a disc as a recording medium corresponding to the video camera of the present embodiment. The video output terminal T1 is a terminal for outputting a reproduced image signal or the like to an external video device, and the headphone / line terminal T2 is a terminal for outputting a reproduced audio signal to an external audio device or headphones. The I / F terminal T3 is, for example, an input / output terminal of an interface for performing data transmission with an external data device.

Further, various controls (300301, 304) for user operation are provided on each part of the main body 200.
To 310) are provided. The main dial 300 is an operator for setting on / off of the video camera, recording operation, and reproduction operation. As the main dial shows,
When it is at the position of "FF", the power is turned off, and "S
By turning to the position of “TBY”, the power is turned on and the recording operation is in a standby state. Further, by turning to the position “PB”, the power is turned on and the reproduction operation enters a standby state.

The release key 301 functions as a recording start or recording shutter operator when in a recording standby state.

A zoom key 304 is an operator for operating a zoom state (tele side to wide side) regarding image shooting. The eject key 305 is
This is an operator for ejecting the disc loaded in the inside. Play / pause key 306, stop key 307,
Search keys 308 and 309 are prepared for various operations during reproduction with respect to the disc.

The cross / click key 310 is
It is used to move the pointer display in the left, right, up, and down directions on a thumbnail display screen described later. In this case, a click operation can be performed by pressing a central portion of the key. The jog dial 311 is a key for performing a necessary selection operation or input operation by performing a rotation operation in each operation mode. For example, when the character input mode is set, a character to be input can be selected by rotating the jog dial 311. When the input character is determined, for example, a pressing operation (click operation) may be performed on the jog dial 311.

It should be noted that the appearance of the video camera shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and may be appropriately changed in accordance with the use conditions and the like actually required for the video camera of this embodiment. Of course, various types of operation elements, operation methods, and connection terminals with external devices can be considered.

3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the video camera of the present embodiment. The lens block 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, an optical system 11 actually including an imaging lens and a diaphragm. The camera lens 201 shown in FIG. 6 is included in the optical system 11. The lens block 1 includes a focus motor for causing the optical system 11 to perform an autofocus operation, a zoom motor for moving the zoom lens based on the operation of the zoom key 304, and the like.
Provided as

The camera block 2 is provided with a circuit for mainly converting image light captured by the lens block 1 into a digital image signal. For the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 21 of the camera block 2,
An optical image of the subject transmitted through the optical system 11 is provided. C
In the CD 21, an image pickup signal is generated by performing photoelectric conversion on the optical image, and the sample hold / AGC (A
utomatic Gain Control) circuit 22. The sample hold / AGC circuit 22 adjusts the gain of the imaging signal output from the CCD 21 and performs waveform shaping by performing sample hold processing. The output of the sample hold / AGC circuit 2 is a video A / D
By being supplied to the converter 23, it is converted into digital image signal data.

The above-mentioned CCD 21, sample hold / AG
Signal processing timing in the C circuit 22 and the video A / D converter 23 is controlled by a timing signal generated by a timing generator 24. The timing generator 24 receives a clock used for signal processing in a data processing / system control circuit 31 (in the video signal processing circuit 3) described later and generates a required timing signal based on the clock. Is done. Thereby, the signal processing timing in the camera block 2 is synchronized with the processing timing in the video signal processing unit 3. Camera controller 2
Reference numeral 5 is for performing necessary control so that each of the functional circuit units provided in the camera block 2 operates properly, and for performing autofocus, automatic exposure adjustment, aperture adjustment, zooming, and the like on the lens block 1. Is controlled. For example, in the case of auto-focus control, the camera controller 25 performs, based on focus control information obtained according to a predetermined auto-focus control method,
Controls the rotation angle of the focus motor. As a result, the imaging lens is driven to be in the just-focused state.

At the time of recording, the video signal processing unit 3 performs a compression process on the digital image signal supplied from the camera block 2 and the digital audio signal obtained by collecting sound by the microphone 202, and compresses the compressed data. The data is supplied to the subsequent media drive unit 4 as user recording data. Further, an image generated from the digital image signal and the character image supplied from the camera block 2 is supplied to the viewfinder drive unit 207 and displayed on the viewfinder 204. Further, at the time of reproduction, demodulation processing is performed on user reproduction data (data read from the disk 51) supplied from the media drive unit 4, that is, image signal data and audio signal data that have been subjected to compression processing, and these are reproduced. , And output as a reproduced audio signal.

In this example, as a compression / expansion processing method of image signal data (image data), MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 is adopted for moving images, and JPEG (Joint Photographic) is used for still images.
Coding Experts Group). Also, the audio signal data compression / expansion processing method includes ATR
AC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) 2 shall be adopted.

The data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing unit 3 mainly controls the video signal processing and the audio signal data compression / expansion processing in the video signal processing unit 3 and the video signal processing unit 3. Executes the process for controlling the input and output of the data passing through. The data processing / system control circuit 31
The control processing for the entire video signal processing unit 3 including
The video controller 38 is made to execute. The video controller 38 includes, for example, a microcomputer and the like, and can communicate with the camera controller 25 of the camera block 2 and a driver controller 46 of the media drive unit 4 described later via, for example, a bus line (not shown). Have been.

As a basic operation at the time of recording in the video signal processing unit 3, image data supplied from the video A / D converter 23 of the camera block 2 is input to the data processing / system control circuit 31. The data processing / system control circuit 31 supplies the input image signal data to, for example, the motion detection circuit 35. The motion detection circuit 35 performs image processing such as motion compensation on the input image signal data while using the memory 36 as a work area, and supplies the processed image signal data to the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33.

In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, for example, while using the memory 34 as a work area, the input image signal data is subjected to compression processing in accordance with the MPEG2 format, and a bit stream of compressed data as a moving image (MPEG2 Bit stream). In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, for example, when extracting image data as a still image from image signal data as a moving image and performing compression processing on the extracted image data, the compressed image data as a still image in accordance with the JPEG format is used. Is generated. It should be noted that JPEG was not adopted and MPEG
As compressed image data in the second format, an I picture (Intra Picture), which is regular image data, may be treated as still image data. MPEG
The image signal data (compressed image data) compression-encoded by the two video signal processing circuit 33 is written into the buffer memory 32 at a predetermined transfer rate and temporarily stored. In the MPEG2 format, as is well known, a so-called encoding bit rate (data rate) is used as a constant bit rate (CBR).
ate) and a variable bit rate (VBR), and the video signal processing unit 3 can cope with these.

For example, when performing image compression processing using VBR, for example, the motion detection circuit 35 performs motion detection on the image data within a range of several tens to several hundreds of frames before and after in macroblock units to determine that there is motion. If this is done, the detection result is transmitted to the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33 as motion vector information. In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, the quantization coefficient for each macroblock is calculated by using the required information such as the motion vector information so that the image data after the compression and encoding has a certain required data rate. It will be decided.

The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 includes:
A / D converter 64 (display / image / audio input / output unit 6)
For example, the sound collected by the microphone 202 is input as digital sound signal data. The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 performs compression processing on the input audio signal data in accordance with the ATRAC2 format as described above. This compressed audio signal data is also written into the buffer memory 32 by the data processing / system control circuit 31 at a predetermined transfer rate, and is temporarily stored here.

As described above, the compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data can be stored in the buffer memory 32. The buffer memory 32 mainly absorbs a speed difference between the data transfer rate between the camera block 2 or the display / image / audio input / output unit 6 and the buffer memory 32 and the data transfer rate between the buffer memory 32 and the media drive unit 4. Has a function for Buffer memory 3
The compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data stored in 2 are read out sequentially at a predetermined timing during recording, and transmitted to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 of the media drive unit 4. However, for example, the operation of reading data stored in the buffer memory 32 during reproduction and the operation of recording the read data from the media drive unit 4 to the disk 51 via the deck unit 5 are performed intermittently. No problem. The control of writing and reading data to and from the buffer memory 32 is executed by, for example, the data processing / system control circuit 31.

The operation at the time of reproduction in the video signal processing section 3 is roughly as follows. At the time of reproduction, compressed image data and compressed audio signal data (user reproduction data) read out from the disk 51 and decoded according to the MD-DATA2 format by the processing of the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 (in the media drive unit 4) Data processing / system control circuit 31
Is transmitted to The data processing / system control circuit 31 temporarily stores the input compressed image data and compressed audio signal data in the buffer memory 32, for example. Then, for example, the compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data are read from the buffer memory 32 at a required timing and at a transfer rate at which the reproduction time axis can be matched.
The compressed audio signal data is supplied to a video signal processing circuit 33, and the compressed audio signal data is supplied to an audio compression encoder / decoder 37.

In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33,
Decompresses the input compressed image data,
It is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31. In the data processing / system control circuit 31,
The decompressed image signal data is supplied to the video D / A converter 61 (in the display / image / audio input / output unit 6). The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 performs an expansion process on the input compressed audio signal data,
/ A converter 65 (in display / image / audio input / output unit 6)
To supply.

In the display / image / audio input / output unit 6,
The image signal data input to the video D / A converter 61 is converted into an analog image signal here, and is branched and input to the display controller 62 and the composite signal processing circuit 63. The display controller 62 drives the display unit 6A in the display panel unit 32 based on the input image signal. Thereby, the display of the reproduced image is performed on the display unit 6A. Further, in the display unit 6A, not only an image obtained by reproducing from the disk 51 but also a captured image obtained by photographing with a camera part including the lens block 1 and the camera block 2 is naturally displayed. It is possible to display and output almost in real time. Further, in addition to the reproduced image and the captured image, as described above, a message display such as a character or a character for notifying the user of a required message in accordance with the operation of the device is also performed. Such a message display is performed by, for example, controlling the video controller 38 so that required characters, characters, and the like are displayed at predetermined positions.
Then, a process of synthesizing image signal data such as required characters and characters with image signal data to be output to the video D / A converter 61 may be performed. That is, in this example, the video controller 38 and the data processing / system control circuit 31 have the functions of a character generator and an on-screen display.

As described with reference to FIG. 7, the display unit 6A
(Display panel section 320) is rotated by arrow Y by the rotation mechanism 330.
Although the main body 200 is instructed to be rotatable in the J1 and YJ2 directions, the rotation mechanism 330 outputs a position detection signal indicating the current rotation position state to the video controller 38 as the master controller. Is to be done. This position detection signal is used at the time of inversion display control for the display unit 6A described later. Note that various configurations for obtaining the position detection signal, such as providing a rotary encoder, are conceivable, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The composite signal processing circuit 63 converts the analog image signal supplied from the video D / A converter 61 into a composite signal and outputs the composite signal to the video output terminal T1. For example, if a connection is made to an external monitor device or the like via the video output terminal T1, an image reproduced by the video camera can be displayed on the external monitor device.

In the display / image / sound input / output unit 6, the sound signal data input from the sound compression encoder / decoder 37 to the D / A converter 65 is converted into an analog sound signal here, and the signal is supplied to a headphone / line terminal. T
2 is output. In addition, the analog audio signal output from the D / A converter 65 is also branched and output to the speaker SP via the amplifier 66, whereby the reproduced audio and the like are output from the speaker SP. Become.

At the time of recording, the media drive unit 4 mainly encodes recording data in accordance with the MD-DATA2 format so as to be compatible with disk recording and transmits the encoded data to the deck unit 5. By performing decoding processing on the read data, reproduction data is obtained and transmitted to the video signal processing unit 3.

The MD-DAT of the media drive unit 4
When recording, the A2 encoder / decoder 41
Recording data (compressed image data + compressed audio signal data) is input from the data processing / system control circuit 31, the recording data is subjected to a predetermined encoding process in accordance with the MD-DATA2 format, and the encoded data is temporarily stored. The data is stored in the buffer memory 42. Then, the data is transmitted to the deck unit 5 while being read at a required timing.

At the time of reproduction, the digital reproduction signal read from the disk 51 and input through the RF signal processing circuit 44 and the binarization circuit 43 is subjected to MD-DAT.
A decoding process according to the A2 format is performed, and the data is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing unit 3 as reproduction data. Also at this time, if necessary, the reproduced data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 42, and the data read therefrom at a required timing is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31 for output. Such write / read control for the buffer memory 42 is performed by the driver controller 46. For example, even when the servo or the like is deviated due to disturbance or the like at the time of reproduction of the disk 51 and reading of a signal from the disk becomes impossible, the read data is not stored in the buffer memory 42 during the period. If the reproduction operation for the disc is resumed, the chronological continuity as the reproduction data can be maintained.

The RF signal processing circuit 44 includes a disk 51
By performing the required processing on the read signal from
For example, it generates an RF signal as reproduction data, a servo control signal such as a focus error signal and a tracking error signal for servo control of the deck unit 5, and the like. RF
The signal is binarized by the binarization circuit 43 as described above, and input to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 as digital signal data. The generated various servo control signals are supplied to the servo circuit 45. In the servo circuit 45, based on the input servo control signal,
The required servo control in the deck section 5 is executed.

In this example, MD-DATA1
An encoder / decoder 47 corresponding to the format is provided. The encoder / decoder 47 encodes the recording data supplied from the video signal processing unit 3 in accordance with the MD-DATA1 format and records the encoded data on the disk 51. It is also possible to perform decoding processing on data encoded in accordance with the MD-DATA1 format, and transmit and output it to the video signal processing unit 3. That is, as the video camera of this example, the MD-DATA2 format and the MD-DATA2 format are used.
It is configured to obtain compatibility with the DATA1 format. The driver controller 46 is a functional circuit unit for controlling the media drive unit 4 as a whole.

The deck unit 5 is a part comprising a mechanism for driving the disk 51. Although not shown here, in the deck section 5, the disk 5 to be loaded is
1 is detachable, and has a mechanism (disk slot 203 (see FIG. 6)) that can be replaced by a user's work. Further, it is assumed that the disk 51 here is a magneto-optical disk corresponding to the MD-DATA2 format or the MD-DATA1 format.

In the deck section 5, a spindle motor 5 for rotating the loaded disk 51 by CLV is used.
2 is driven to rotate by the CLV. The optical head 53 irradiates the disk 51 with laser light during recording / reproduction. The optical head 53 performs high-level laser output for heating the recording track to the Curie temperature during recording, and performs relatively low-level laser output for detecting data from reflected light by the magnetic Kerr effect during reproduction. . Therefore, the optical head 53
Although not shown in detail here, a laser diode as a laser output unit, an optical system including a polarizing beam splitter and an objective lens, and a detector for detecting reflected light are mounted. The objective lens provided in the optical head 53 is held, for example, by a biaxial mechanism so as to be displaceable in the radial direction of the disk and in the direction in which the disk comes into contact with and separates from the disk.

The optical head 5 with the disk 51 interposed therebetween
A magnetic head 54 is arranged at a position facing 3. The magnetic head 54 performs an operation of applying a magnetic field modulated by recording data to the disk 51. Although not shown, the thread motor 55
Is provided. By driving the thread mechanism, the entire optical head 53 and the magnetic head 54 can be moved in the disk radial direction.

The operation unit 7 is provided with each of the operators 300 to 300 shown in FIG.
311 and the like, and various operation information of the user by these operators are supplied to, for example, the video controller 38. The video controller 38 supplies, to the camera controller 25 and the driver controller 46, operation information and control information for causing each unit to execute necessary operations according to a user operation.

The external interface 8 is provided so that data can be mutually transmitted between the video camera and the external device. For example, as shown in FIG. Can be The external interface 8 is not particularly limited here, but may be, for example, IEEE 1394 or the like. For example, when an external digital imaging device and the video camera of this embodiment are connected via the I / F terminal T3, it becomes possible to record an image (audio) captured by the video camera on the external digital imaging device. . In addition, image (audio) data reproduced by an external digital image device or the like is captured via the external interface 8 so that MD-
It is also possible to record on the disk 51 in accordance with the DATA2 (or MD-DATA1) format. Further, for example, a file as character information used for inserting a caption can be captured and recorded.

The power supply block 9 supplies a required level of power supply voltage to each functional circuit unit using a DC power supply obtained from a built-in battery or a DC power supply generated from a commercial AC power supply. The power supply on / off by the power supply block 9 is controlled by the video controller 38 in accordance with the operation of the main dial 300 described above. During the recording operation, the video controller 38 causes the indicator 206 to emit light.

4. Configuration of Media Drive Unit Next, as the configuration of the media drive unit 4 shown in FIG. 4, a detailed configuration in which a functional circuit unit corresponding to MD-DATA2 is extracted will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 5, the deck unit 5 is shown together with the media drive unit 4. However, since the internal configuration of the deck unit 5 has been described with reference to FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as in FIG. I do. In the media drive unit 4 shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to the ranges corresponding to the blocks in FIG.

Information detected by data reading operation of the optical head 53 from the disk 51 (photocurrent obtained by detecting laser reflected light by a photodetector)
Is supplied to the RF amplifier 101 in the RF signal processing circuit 44. The RF amplifier 101 generates a reproduction RF signal as a reproduction signal from the input detection information and supplies the reproduction RF signal to the binarization circuit 43. The binarization circuit 43 binarizes the input reproduction RF signal to obtain a digital reproduction RF signal (binary RF signal). This binarized RF signal is supplied to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41, and first, the AGC / clamp circuit 103
, And then input to the equalizer / PLL circuit 104. The equalizer / PLL circuit 104 performs equalizing processing on the input binary RF signal, and
5 is output. In addition, binarization R after equalizing processing
By inputting the F signal to the PLL circuit, the binarized RF
Clock C synchronized with signal (RLL (1,7) code string)
Extract LK.

The frequency of the clock CLK corresponds to the current disk rotation speed. For this reason, the CLV processor 11
1, the clock C is output from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104.
LK is input, error information is obtained by comparing with a reference value corresponding to a predetermined CLV speed (see FIG. 3), and this error information is used as a signal component for generating a spindle error signal SPE. In addition, the clock CLK includes, for example, the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106 and the like.
It is used as a clock for processing in a required signal processing circuit system.

The Viterbi decoder 105 has an equalizer / P
The binary RF signal input from the LL circuit 104 is subjected to a decoding process according to a so-called Viterbi decoding method. As a result, reproduced data as an RLL (1, 7) code string is obtained. This playback data is RLL (1,
7) The signal is input to the demodulation circuit 106, where RLL (1,
7) The data stream is subjected to demodulation.

The data stream obtained by the demodulation processing in the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106 is written to the buffer memory 42 via the data bus 114 and is developed on the buffer memory 42. The data stream expanded on the buffer memory 42 in this manner is first subjected to error correction processing in error correction block units according to the RS-PC system by the ECC processing circuit 116, and further descramble / E
The DC decoding circuit 117 performs a descrambling process and an EDC decoding process (error detection process). The data processed so far is the reproduction data DA
TAp. The reproduction data DATAp is transmitted at a transfer rate according to the transfer clock generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121, for example, from the descrambling / EDC decoding circuit 117 to the data processing / processing of the video signal processing unit 3.
The data is transmitted to the system control circuit 31.

For example, the transfer clock generation circuit 121
When a crystal clock is used for data transmission between the media drive unit 4 and the video signal processing unit 3 and data transmission between functional circuit units in the media drive unit 4,
This is a portion for generating a transfer clock (data transfer rate) having a frequency appropriately determined. Further, it generates a clock of a required frequency to be supplied to each functional circuit unit of the media drive unit 4 and the video signal processing unit 3 according to the operation state of the video camera.

The detection information (photocurrent) read from the disk 51 by the optical head 53 is transmitted to the matrix amplifier 1
07 is also supplied. The matrix amplifier 107 performs required arithmetic processing on the input detection information, thereby obtaining a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, and groove information (absolute address information recorded as a wobbled groove WG on the disk 51) GFM. Are supplied to the servo circuit 45. That is, the extracted tracking error signal TE and focus error signal FE are supplied to the servo processor 112, and the groove information GFM is stored in the ADIP bandpass filter 108.
Supplied to

The groove information GFM band-limited by the ADIP band-pass filter 108 is supplied to an A / B track detection circuit 109, an ADIP decoder 110, and a CLV.
It is supplied to the processor 111. In the A / B track detecting circuit 109, based on the input groove information GFM, for example, the track currently being traced is determined by the method described in FIG.
A, TR or B is determined, and the track determination information is transmitted to the driver controller 46.
Output to The ADIP decoder 110 decodes the input groove information GFM to extract an ADIP signal, which is absolute address information on the disk, and outputs the signal to the driver controller 46. The driver controller 46 executes necessary control processing based on the track discrimination information and the ADIP signal.

The CLV processor 111 receives the clock CLK from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104 and the groove information GFM via the ADIP bandpass filter 108. The CLV processor 111 generates a spindle error signal SPE for CLV servo control based on, for example, an error signal obtained by integrating a phase error between the groove information GFM and the clock CLK, and outputs the spindle error signal SPE to the servo processor 112. The required operation to be executed by the CLV processor 111 is controlled by the driver controller 46.

The servo processor 112 performs various servo control signals based on the tracking error signal TE, focus error signal FE, spindle error signal SPE, track jump command and access command from the driver controller 46 input as described above. (Tracking control signal, focus control signal, thread control signal, spindle control signal, etc.) are generated and output to the servo driver 113. In the servo driver 113,
A required servo drive signal is generated based on the servo control signal supplied from the servo processor 112. Here, the servo drive signal includes a two-axis drive signal (two types of focus direction and tracking direction) for driving the two-axis mechanism, a sled motor drive signal for driving the sled mechanism, and a spindle motor drive signal for driving the spindle motor 52. Becomes By supplying such a servo drive signal to the deck section 5, focus control and tracking control on the disk 51 and CLV control on the spindle motor 52 are performed.

When the recording operation is performed on the disk 51, for example, the data processing /
Scramble / ED from system control circuit 31
The recording data DATAR for the C encoding circuit 115
Will be input. This user record data DAT
Ar is input in synchronization with a transfer clock (data transfer rate) generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121, for example.

Scramble / EDC encoding circuit 11
In step 5, for example, the recording data DATAR is written to the buffer memory 42 and developed, and the data scramble processing and E
DC encoding processing (addition processing of an error detection code by a predetermined method) is performed. After this processing, for example, the ECC processing circuit 116 adds an error correction code according to the RS-PC method to the recording data DATAR developed in the buffer memory 42. The recording data DATaR thus processed is read out from the buffer memory 42 and transmitted to the RL via the data bus 114.
The signal is supplied to the L (1, 7) modulation circuit 118.

The RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 applies RLL (1, 7) to the input recording data DATAR.
7) A modulation process is performed, and the recording data as the RLL (1, 7) code string is output to the magnetic head drive circuit 119.

Incidentally, in the MD-DATA2 format, a so-called laser strobe magnetic field modulation system is adopted as a recording system for a disk. The laser strobe magnetic field modulation method refers to a recording method in which a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a recording surface of a disk, and a laser beam to be irradiated on the disk is pulsed in synchronization with the recording data. In such a laser strobe magnetic field modulation method, the process of forming a pit edge recorded on a disk does not depend on transient characteristics such as the reversal speed of a magnetic field, but is determined by the laser pulse irradiation timing. For this reason, the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is compared with, for example, a simple magnetic field modulation method (a method in which a laser beam is constantly irradiated onto a disk and a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a disk recording surface). In this case, the jitter of the recording pit can be extremely reduced. That is, the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is a recording method advantageous for high-density recording.

The magnetic head drive circuit 119 of the media drive unit 4 operates so that a magnetic field modulated by the input recording data is applied from the magnetic head 54 to the disk 51. Further, the RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 outputs a clock synchronized with the recording data to the laser driver 120. The laser driver 120 controls the optical head 5 so that the disk is irradiated with a laser pulse synchronized with recording data generated as a magnetic field by the magnetic head 54 based on the input clock.
The third laser diode is driven. At this time, the laser pulse emitted and output from the laser diode is based on a required laser power suitable for recording. In this way, the recording operation as the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is enabled by the media drive unit 4 of the present embodiment.

5. Reverse display control on the display unit For example, as a standard display state on the display unit 6A,
FIG. 9A shows a state in which the display unit 6A (display panel unit 320) faces the viewfinder 204 (photographer side).
It is assumed that the display image is displayed in an appropriate direction as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the image display on the display unit 6A is not changed and the display unit 6A is rotated so as to face the camera lens 201. In this state, the upper left corner UP- of the display unit 6A shown in FIG.
L, upper right corner UP-R, lower left corner DOWN-L, right corner DOW
NR appears to be in the position shown in FIG. 9 (b).
Therefore, the display image viewed from the user who is the subject is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the upper, lower, left, and right sides appear to be inverted. In this state, it is difficult for the user who is the subject to see the image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the four corners (upper left corner UP-L,
Upper right corner UP-R, lower left corner DOWN-L, right corner DOWN-
Even in the position state R), it is necessary to display the display image so that it can be viewed in an appropriate direction (so as to be viewed in the same state as in FIG. 9A). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the display control is executed as follows.

As schematically described with reference to FIG. 4, display image data for the display section 6A is performed by the data processing / system control circuit 31. Conceptually,
For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, image data of, for example, one frame (or field) is generated using a VRAM provided in the data processing / system control circuit 31. Then, in normal times, the pixel data PX is read from left to right for each line indicated by →→→ in FIG. 10A to generate video signal data. That is, scanning (data reading) is performed on the frame image from top to bottom in the vertical direction, and scanning is performed from left to right in the horizontal direction. The operation of each driver in the x direction and the y direction in the display controller 62 includes the upper side (UP-L, UP) of the display unit 6A.
−R) to the lower side (DOWN-L, DOWN-R), the y-direction driver scans at the vertical synchronization timing, and the x-direction driver drives pixels according to the video signal for each line. I do. That is, for example, a general driving operation in a liquid crystal display device. Then, the video signal data obtained as described above is input to the display controller 62 via the video D / A converter 61, and the above-described driving of the display unit 6 is performed. Such an image display is performed. That is, in the present embodiment, the display unit 6
When A is in the standard state facing the viewfinder 204 (photographer), the normal image data reading process described with reference to FIG.
The image display in the directions shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the display unit 6A faces the camera lens 201 (subject) side, as shown by →→→ in FIG. As well as
Each line is scanned from right to left as indicated by arrows. That is, FIG.
In the scan shown in (b), the pixel data PX is read by reversing the horizontal and vertical scan directions with respect to the scan direction shown in FIG. 10A to obtain a video signal. For this, V-
The data write pointer for the RAM address is kept specified, and the read pointer is
In the case of (a) and in the vertical / horizontal direction, the designation may be made from the opposite direction.

Here, the display controller 62 and the display 6
The operation of each driver in the x direction and the y direction in A is based on the assumption that the above operation is always performed irrespective of the direction of the display unit 6A, and is based on video signal data obtained by scanning shown in FIG. As a result, if the driving for display is performed, as shown in FIG.
When the position state of the display unit 6A is inverted with respect to the standard state, image display is performed so that an image in an appropriate direction can be seen from the subject side. Note that the read operation of the pixel data shown in FIG. 10 is conceptual only, and in practice, the read operation of the V-RAM described above is performed for a number of pixels corresponding to the number of pixels of the display unit 6A. It is something to be done.

Here, the processing operation for realizing the operation for inverting the display image corresponding to the direction in which the display section 6A is directed as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. It should be noted that the processing shown in this figure is realized by the video controller 38 functioning as a master controller and then executing necessary control processing together with the data processing / system control circuit 31.

In the routine shown in FIG. 11, in step S101, the display section 6A (display panel section 320)
Is performed to determine the direction of the camera. In this process, the video controller 38 makes a determination based on a position detection signal (a signal indicating the position state of the display panel unit 320) input from the rotating mechanism 330. Also, here, the display unit 6A is approximately the viewfinder 204 (photographer) side and the camera lens 201 (subject).
A determination is made as to which side is facing.

If it is determined in step S101 that the display section 6A faces the viewfinder 204, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, for example, the data processing / system control circuit 31 sends the V-
A process is executed to read data from the RAM in the normal scan direction. That is, the pixel data PX is read from the V-RAM described with reference to FIG. After performing this process, the process returns to, for example, step S101.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the display unit 6A faces the camera lens 201 side, the process proceeds to step S103, and the readout direction realized by the processing in step S102 is vertical / vertical. Data reading in the direction inverted in the horizontal direction (ie, FIG. 10B)
(The data read operation described in (1)) is executed, and control is again performed at step S10.
It is made to return to 1.

6. Next, a description will be given of an example of the structure of a disk 51 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 conceptually shows an example of the structure of a disk 51 corresponding to the present embodiment. Note that the physical format of the disk 51 shown in this figure is as described above with reference to FIGS.

In the disc 51, for example, PTOC and RTOC areas are provided as management information areas. In the PTOC, required management information is recorded in a pit form, for example, in a premastered area (pit area) on the innermost circumference of the disk. The contents of the PTOC cannot be rewritten. For example, a magneto-optical recording area in which magneto-optical recording and reproduction can be performed is formed around the premastered area where the PTOC is recorded. Then, first, the RTOC area is provided for a section of a predetermined size in the innermost circumference. The RTOC records, for example, basic information necessary for managing data recorded on a disc. For example, in the case of this example, as data recorded on the disc,
Information for managing a track (which may be synonymous with a file) and a folder (structure for grouping and managing tracks) to be described later during recording and reproduction are stored. The contents of the U-TOC in the management area are as follows:
For example, it is assumed that rewriting is sequentially performed in accordance with the result of data recording on a disc and the result of editing processing such as deletion of tracks (files) and folders.

A data area for recording user data is provided on the outer peripheral side of the RTOC.
In the present embodiment, this data area is a volume folder (Volume Folder) located in one root folder.
er). In the present embodiment, a volume is defined as a complete set of user data, and is defined as having only one volume on one disk. The data contained in this volume is stored as folders and tracks under the volume folder except for those managed by the PTOC and RTOC.

In the volume folder, first,
A predetermined size (for example, 12 clusters) at a physically innermost position (a management track priority area near the RTOC)
Volume Index Trac
k) is placed. The volume index track is defined as an area in which sub-management information is recorded, for example, if the above-mentioned PTOC and RTOC are the main management information, and includes a track (file), a folder, and auxiliary data (Auxiliary Data). And a table in which information for managing packet data forming a property, a title, and a track related to the track is recorded.

Also, at least the first one cluster is RT
As a track recorded so as to be located in the management track priority area near the OC, a thumbnail track (Thumb
nailPicture Track) can be placed as an option. In the present embodiment, one still image reduced by a predetermined resolution can be included as a thumbnail image in association with each file recorded on the disk. The thumbnail image is treated as a representative image for making the file visually recognizable. The thumbnail track is recorded together with index information indicating the association with the file (track) recorded on the disc and the storage position of the thumbnail image. The data length of the thumbnail track can be arbitrarily expanded according to the number of stored thumbnail images and the like.

For example, image / audio data recorded by the user by photographing or the like is managed on a file basis, and is placed in the volume folder as a track under the volume folder or in a folder placed below the volume folder. Will be placed. In the disk of the present embodiment, a text file such as a document can be stored as a file (track) in addition to moving image data, still image data, and audio data. FIG. 7 shows a state in which a certain file is represented as one track and this track is stored in a certain folder. As described above, the folder has a structure for managing tracks or folders in a group. Therefore, in the structure below the volume folder, an arbitrary number of tracks or folders is stored within the range defined by the maximum number of records that can be stored in the volume folder and the maximum number of levels in the folder hierarchical structure.

An auxiliary data track storing auxiliary data (Auxiliary Data) is stored in the volume folder.
(Auxiliary Data Track) is placed. The information to be stored in the auxiliary data track is arbitrary depending on, for example, an application to be actually applied.

By the way, the PTO, which is the management information described above,
The information stored in the C, RTOC, or even the volume index track (these information is collectively referred to as “management information” in the present embodiment) is read, for example, when a disc is loaded. For example,
It is held in a predetermined area of the buffer memory 42 (or the buffer memory 32) of the media drive unit 4. Then, at the time of data recording or editing, the management information stored in the buffer memory is rewritten according to the recording result or the editing result, and then, at a predetermined opportunity and timing, the management information is rewritten to the buffer memory. The management information of the disk 51 is rewritten (updated) based on the content of the held management information (however, P
No update is performed for the TOC).

Note that the example of the disk structure shown in this figure is merely an example, and the physical positional relationship of each area on the disk may be changed according to actual use conditions and the like, and data is stored. The structure can be changed.

7. Video work creation function of the present embodiment In the video camera of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, a self-timer display for displaying a time lapse state until the start of recording in a preparation period before the start of recording is mainly provided as described later. By providing a function that enables display of a time period during recording (remaining recording time), characters of dialogue, and a frame for designating the position of a subject, the user can use a video camera to play a movie, a drama, or the like. 1 The work of producing a video work can be easily mimicked,
Thus, the entertainment as the video camera is enhanced. Hereinafter, such a function is referred to as a “video work creation function”. From then on,
A usage example of the “video work creation function” of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Here, it is assumed that a disk on which an application program corresponding to the "video work creation function" is recorded (hereinafter, this disk is referred to as a "video work creation disk") as the disk 51. It is assumed that this application program is recorded in the data structure of the disc shown in FIG. 8 in a state managed, for example, as a file (track).

For example, if the user loads a video work creation disc, the video controller 38 can read out an application program from the video work creation disc and start it. Thereafter, the video controller 38 can realize the following operation according to the application program for creating a video work.

In this case, the user registers various items to be set before starting shooting for creating a video work before starting shooting for creating a video work. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing shown in this figure is performed after the video controller 38 functions as a master controller.
This is realized by executing control processing for each functional circuit unit. Also, at this stage, for example, the RAM which is assumed to be provided in the video controller 38
In the above, it is assumed that the program is executed in an environment in which a video work creation application program is activated.

In the routine shown in this figure, first, in step S201, the process waits for the “photographing setting registration mode”. As described above, the shooting setting registration mode is a mode state in which the user can perform an operation for registering various items to be set before starting shooting for creating a video work. here,
For example, when it is determined that the shooting setting registration mode has been set by performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 7 by the user, the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, for example, in response to the setting of the shooting setting registration mode, the shooting setting input program in the video work creation application program is started. Thereby, step S described below is performed.
GUIs (Graphical
Control processing for displaying a user interface (User Interface) screen on the display unit 6A is executed. As such a GUI screen display process, image data for displaying a required GUI image, which is assumed to be attached to the application program for creating a video work, is read out, and the data processing / system control circuit 31 reads the GUI image. Data may be generated and this image data may be displayed on the display unit 6A.

In the processing stage of step S203, for example, the video controller 38 displays a GUI screen for prompting the input of the time length of the photographing (recording the captured image and the collected sound as a “recording file”) to be performed. It is assumed to be displayed. As the GUI screen for setting and registering the photographing time, for example, the one shown in FIG. In this case, the shooting time can be set by changing the numerical value (seconds) in the shooting time input window on the GUI screen by operating the jog dial 311 or the like by the user. Further, in the GUI screen in this case, as can be understood from the fact that the input window of the shooting type is also displayed, it is possible to set whether the moving image or the still image is to be shot as the type of the shot image. . In this case, it is conceivable to perform an operation on the input window of this shooting type. If it is time, automatic setting switching may be performed to set a moving image. And
In step S203, processing is performed so as to capture shooting time information (and shooting type information) obtained by a user operation on the displayed GUI screen.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, it is possible for a user to input a thought line. The term "line" as used herein refers to a line that should be referred to as a performance by the subject who is the actor, assuming that the subject performs shooting while performing some kind of acting. 6A is displayed in a superimposed manner on 6A. For this reason, in step S204, after displaying the GUI screen that enables the character input of the dialogue, the character input by the predetermined operation of the user is acquired as the dialogue information. The character input for this line is, for example, the jog dial 3 shown in FIG.
11 may be performed. At this time, it is assumed that an input operation for designating a time at which timing within the photographing time input in step S203 to display the words on the display unit 6A can be performed.

Further, in this embodiment, an input operation for setting a subject position display W (to be described later with reference to FIG. 12B) indicating the composition of the subject is also possible. The subject position display W is, as described later, when a user who is a subject is photographed while looking at the monitor image on the display unit 6A.
This is a display that guides the user to where on the screen the composition is located. Therefore, in step S205, display control for switching to the display of the GUI screen for setting the subject position display W is performed, and a specific description of the operation procedure here is omitted. Information such as the position and size on the screen of the subject position display W set by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 7, as well as the shape, is obtained as subject position display setting information.

After the processes of steps S203, S204 and S205 are executed as described above, in the subsequent step S206, the photographing time information (and the photographing type information) obtained in steps S203, S204 and S205 are obtained. ), Character information as a line (and accompanying time information indicating a display timing), and subject position display setting information are stored in a predetermined area of an internal RAM or a predetermined area of a buffer memory 32, for example. To be. If it is not necessary to set the dialogue and the display of the subject position, the processes in steps S203 and S204 can be skipped according to the predetermined operation performed by the user. Then, in a succeeding step S207, the processing for shooting setting registration is ended. That is, the shooting setting registration mode is released.

Each time the user shoots one recording file corresponding to one shot of a movie or the like, the user performs a registration operation in accordance with the processing of FIG.

Note that, here, the items that can be registered in the shooting setting registration mode are information on the shooting time and dialogue, but this is an entertainment for creating a video work for convenience of explanation. Only the items that are almost the minimum necessary to give the character are illustrated. Therefore, actually, various other items may be configured to be able to be registered.

After setting in the shooting setting registration mode as described above, for example, the user (here, a subject is assumed) turns the display section 6A toward the camera lens 201 (subject) and releases the release key. The user operates 301 to set a video recording start state, and immediately places the video camera in an appropriate place where the subject himself / herself is displayed on the display unit 6A.

As described above, when photographing is performed in accordance with the application program for creating a video work, when the release key 301 is operated as described above, recording of the captured image is not immediately started, and the recording of FIG. The self-timer display shown in ()) is performed. At this time, if the display unit 6A is directed toward the camera lens 201 (subject), the user of the subject can see a display as shown in FIG. 12B. In the self-timer display shown in FIG. 12B, a captured image including a subject (in this case, a couple of men and women) is displayed.
On this captured image, a superimpose display is performed in which the remaining time until the start of recording is indicated in seconds (here, the remaining time “5 seconds” is displayed). Also,
The subject position display W set by the previous shooting setting registration is also superimposed. For example, the user, who is the subject, waits for the start of recording while making the subject position display W substantially fit while watching the subject position display W displayed on the display unit 6A.

Note that the object position display W is displayed until the photographing is completed. Also, the subject position display W in this case is displayed in a square frame shape, but is not limited to this. If the position of the subject on the image can be indicated, it is set to a frame of another shape. It does n’t matter
The display may be a pointer-like display substantially indicating the center position of the subject.

When the time elapses from the state shown in FIG. 12B, the display is performed in a state where the remaining time until the start of recording is reduced as shown in FIG. 12C. When the remaining time becomes almost zero, the display is performed, for example, as "start" as shown in FIG. The display of the self-timer is terminated at the stage when the "start" is displayed. Thereafter, the recording is started, and the display on the display unit 6A is switched to the form shown in FIG.

The display screen of FIG. 13A is similar to the display of FIGS. 12B, 12C and 12D in that the subject position display W is imposed on the captured image. As the time display, the remaining time until the end of shooting (recording) is indicated (here, the display is "10 seconds remaining"). As the recording time elapses, as shown in FIG. 13B, the display changes while the remaining time is counted down (here, “10 seconds remaining”). This remaining time display depends on the setting of the shooting time in the previous shooting setting registration. For example, if the set shooting time is 30 seconds, the countdown is performed from the state of “30 seconds remaining” immediately after the start of recording. Will be. And
When the remaining recording time becomes 0, the recording operation is stopped, and a display notifying the end of the recording is displayed on the display unit 6A, for example, a superimpose of “photographing end” in FIG. 13C. In this way, by displaying the remaining time of the preset shooting time, the user who is the subject can perform while watching the timing when the shooting ends.

By the way, if the dialogue (and its display timing) has been registered in the previous shooting setting registration, the dialogue is displayed at the set timing (elapsed shooting time). For example, FIG.
(A) With respect to the display image of the display unit 6A during shooting as shown in (b), the words of the words as shown in FIG. 13 (d) are superimposed and displayed. The user of the subject can perform acting by using the displayed lines as a script.

The display unit 6 shown in FIG. 12 and FIG.
The subject position display W and the remaining time display in A are superimposed on the image signal to be displayed on the display unit 6A, and are not superimposed on the image data recorded on the disk 51. Therefore, when the recorded image is reproduced, only the captured image is reproduced without displaying the subject position display W and the remaining time display.

Next, a processing operation for realizing the display operation at the time of shooting (recording) described with reference to FIGS. 12B to 12D will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This processing is also realized by the video controller 38 functioning as a master controller and executing control processing for each functional circuit unit, and is also executed in an environment in which an application program for creating a video work is running. Things.

In the process shown in this figure, first, in step S301, the process waits until a command to start shooting (operation on the release key 301) is obtained. When a command to start shooting is obtained, the process proceeds to step S302, and in this case, a recording standby state is set.

In the next step S303, the application program for shooting in the application program for creating a video work is started. Therefore, hereinafter, the processing operation is performed in an environment in which the photographing application program is started.

In the following step S304, processing in the previous shooting setting registration mode (step S20 in FIG. 14)
The photographing information held in step 6) is read. This information
It is used for imposing (synthesizing) the remaining recording time and the display of the subject position with respect to the display of the monitor image during recording later.

At the previous stage, it is assumed that the captured image is displayed on the display unit 6A as the monitor image.
At 05, a control process for performing a self-timer display as shown in FIGS. 12B to 12D is executed. Therefore, in step S305, the following processing is actually executed. (1) The video controller 38 uses an internal timer to count down a self-timer time set in advance as, for example, a shooting application program. For example, the self-timer time is 1
If it is 0 seconds, the countdown is performed from 10 seconds as time elapses. Although not shown in FIG. 14, it is conceivable that the user can arbitrarily set the self-timer time as one of the shooting information in the shooting setting registration mode. (2) The data processing / system controller 31 is controlled so that the timer time obtained by the process (1) is displayed on the monitor image in units of seconds, for example. In this case, for example, an on-screen display function in the data processing / system controller 31 is used. In other words, character data such as "--seconds before" (and "start" at the timing immediately before the start of recording) generated based on the timer time is generated, and image data corresponding to the character data is synthesized with the monitor image. Image processing. (3) If the subject position display is set in the shooting information read in step S304 in parallel with the processing of (1) and (2), the processing of (2) is performed. Then, a process for generating image data of a frame as a subject position display, synthesizing the generated image data with a monitor image, and displaying the combined image is executed. By such processing, step S30 is performed.
5 is realized.

Step S3 following step S305
In 06, it is determined whether or not the time to end the self-timer display has reached the recording start time. This determination process may be performed by identifying the timer time of the timer performing the clocking operation by the process described as (1) as step S305. Step S30
In step 6, if it is determined that the time to end the self-timer display has not been reached, the process returns to step S305. If it is determined that the time to end the self-timer display has been reached, , The process proceeds to step S307.

In step S307, a control process for starting an operation for recording the current captured image (and the collected sound) as a recording file on the disk 51 is executed. Thereafter, a recording (recording) operation of the recording file is performed. Is continued.

In the following step S308, FIG.
(A) Display of a monitor image as shown in (b) on the display unit 6
A control process for performing A is performed. That is, in step S308, using the shooting time information set as the shooting information information, a timer operation is performed by a timer so as to count down the shooting time. Then, based on the timer time, control processing is performed so that the remaining recording time is displayed (imposed) on the current monitor image, for example, in seconds from the start of recording. If a frame as the subject position display W is displayed when the previous self-timer display is being executed, the subject position display W is continuously displayed on the monitor image.

In the following step S309, it is determined whether or not the time for the dialogue display has been reached in the state where the display of the monitor image is being executed by the processing in step S308. This is determined by referring to the display output time of the dialogue set as the photographing information. Here, if it is determined that the time to display the dialogue has not been reached, the process returns to step S308 until it is determined in step S311 that the remaining recording time has become 0 (that is, the timer time is 0). To be.

If it is determined in step S309 that the time for dialogue display has been reached, step S31 is reached.
Go to 0. In step S310, a control process is performed to cause the character string of the line set as the shooting information to be imposed and displayed on the monitor image. It should be noted that the imposition display of the dialogue may be performed, for example, for a predetermined period of about several seconds, or the display time may be changed depending on the number of characters of the dialogue.

If it is determined in step S311 that the remaining recording time has become zero, the recording end process is performed in step S312, that is, the control for stopping the recording of the recorded file on the disc so far. Execute the process. Then, for example, FIG.
After executing the control processing for performing the superimposition display of "photographing end" as shown in (c) for a predetermined time, the routine is exited.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made. 12 and 13 are variously conceivable. Further, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the present invention is applied to a video camera apparatus using an MD as a recording medium. It is also applicable to: In the above-described embodiment, a video work creation program is prepared to realize the video work creation function, and the video work creation program is recorded on a disk. It is also conceivable to store the information in a ROM or a nonvolatile memory.

[0124]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a display section capable of displaying a captured image is configured so as to be directed to the subject side, when recording a captured image with a video camera, for example, The elapsed time of the preparation period before the start of recording (that is, the self-timer display) and the elapsed time of the preset recording time (remaining recording time) can be displayed as a timekeeping image on the provided display screen. Further, it is possible to display a line input in advance on the display screen or an image (subject position display) for specifying a position in the captured image at which the subject is to be displayed. Thereby, the user can grasp the recording start timing while looking at the display unit, and can start, for example, an act at the same time as the recording starts. You can end it. Then, for example, when the video is being recorded, the user performs an act while displaying himself at the position indicated by the displayed subject position display, or performs an action saying the dialogue while looking at the displayed text of the dialogue. It becomes possible to take such an action. In other words, the present invention provides an easy-to-use interface for performing a highly entertaining play such as enjoying a process of producing a video work while using a video camera.

When the display unit is provided with a rotation mechanism that can rotate about a rotation axis along the horizontal scanning direction as a center of rotation, an object which is in a face-to-face direction with respect to a normal photographer's viewing direction. When the display unit is turned to the side, the subject can see an image in which the image is inverted up and down and left and right. If the display image is inverted according to the orientation of the display unit, the subject When the display screen is turned to the side, the image is displayed in an appropriate direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a track structure of a disk corresponding to a recording device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a track portion of a disk corresponding to the recording apparatus of the present embodiment in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing specifications of a disc corresponding to the recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a video camera as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional circuit unit and a deck unit corresponding to the MD-DATA2 block of the media drive unit in the video camera of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view, a rear view, and a side view showing the appearance of the video camera of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the video camera of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of a disc to which the video camera according to the embodiment corresponds.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing how a monitor image looks according to the direction in which the display unit is directed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a reading process for monitor image data according to a direction of a display unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a reading process for monitor image data according to the direction of the display unit.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a shooting information setting screen and a self-timer display before recording is started.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display form example of a monitor image during recording (after photographing is started).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for registering and setting shooting information.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing display of a monitor image during recording.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 lens block, 2 camera block, 3 video signal processing section, 4 media drive section, 5 deck section,
6 display / image / audio input / output unit, 6A display unit, 7 operation unit, 8 external interface, 9 power supply block,
Reference Signs List 11 optical system, 12 motor unit, 22 sample hold / AGC circuit, 23 A / D converter, 24 timing generator, 25 camera controller, 31
Data processing / system control circuit, 32 buffer memory, 33 video signal processing circuit, 34 memory, 35 motion detection circuit, 36 memory, 37 audio compression encoder / decoder, 38 video controller,
41 MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder, 42
Buffer memory, 43 binarization circuit, 44 RF signal processing circuit, 45 servo circuit, 46 driver controller, 51 disk, 52 spindle motor, 53
Optical head, 54 magnetic head, 55 thread motor, 61 video D / A converter, 62 display controller, 63 composite signal processing circuit, 64 A /
D converter, 65 D / A converter, 66 amplifier, 101 RF amplifier, 103 AGC / clamp circuit, 104 equalizer / PLL circuit, 105 Viterbi decoder, 106 RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit, 107
Matrix amplifier, 108 ADIP bandpass filter, 109 A / B track detection circuit, 110 ADI
P decoder, 111 CLV processor, 112 servo processor, 113 servo driver, 114 data bus, 115 scramble / EDC encode circuit, 116 ECC processing circuit, 117 descramble / EDC decode circuit, 118 RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit, 119 Magnetic head drive circuit, 120 laser driver, 121 transfer clock generation circuit, 201 camera lens, 202 microphone, 203 disk slot, 204 viewfinder, 205 speaker, 3
00 main dial, 301 release key, 304
Zoom key, 305 Eject key, 306 Play key, 307 Stop key, 308, 309 Search key,
310 Cross / click key, 311 jog dial, Ld land, NWG non-wobbled groove,
WG wobbled groove, Tr A, Tr B track, W subject position display

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA11 AC03 AC13 AC42 AC72 AC78 AC79 5C023 AA18 AA34 AA37 AA38 BA11 CA03 CA04 CA06 DA04 EA03

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A video camera apparatus comprising: at least an imaging unit for obtaining a captured image; and a recording unit capable of recording the captured image obtained by the imaging unit on a predetermined recording medium as image information. A display unit attached to the video camera device and capable of displaying a captured image obtained by the imaging unit; and a display screen of the display unit being visible on a subject side from a normal position state. Position state changing means capable of setting a position state; time information setting means for setting specific time information required for recording of a captured image; and Display control means capable of synthesizing a timed image based on the time information set by the information setting means with the captured image and displaying the synthesized image on the display means, Video camera apparatus characterized by comprising. 2. The time information set by the time information setting means is a preparation period until recording of a captured image is started, and the display control means displays a timed image indicating a time elapsed state of the preparation period. 2. The video camera device according to claim 1, wherein the video camera device is configured to synthesize the captured image displayed on the display means. 3. The time information set by the time information setting means is a recording period of a picked-up image, and the display control means sets the timed image indicating a time lapse state over the recording period of the picked-up image. 2. The video camera device according to claim 1, wherein the video camera device is configured to combine the captured image with a captured image displayed on a display unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position change means includes a rotating mechanism capable of rotating the display means around a rotation axis along a horizontal scanning direction. Position state detecting means for detecting a position state of the rotated display means, wherein the display control means is a position state facing the opposite direction to a normal state as the position state of the display means detected by the position state detecting means. 2. The video camera device according to claim 1, wherein the video camera device is configured to reverse the image displayed on the display means when the image is displayed. 5. A video camera apparatus comprising at least an image pickup means for obtaining a picked-up image and a recording means capable of recording the picked-up image obtained by the image pickup means on a predetermined recording medium as image information. A display unit attached to the video camera device and capable of displaying a captured image obtained by the imaging unit; and a display screen of the display unit being visible on the subject side from a normal position state. Position state changing means capable of setting a position state; instruction information holding means for storing instruction information set as contents to be instructed to a subject when recording a captured image; At an opportunity, an image presenting the instruction information held by the instruction information holding unit is combined with the captured image and displayed on the display unit Video camera apparatus characterized by comprising a 示制 control means. 6. The video camera device is provided with sound collecting means for collecting sound, and the recording means is capable of recording the sound collected by the sound collecting means as sound information. The video camera apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the instruction information holding means is configured to hold character information as a line as the instruction information. 7. The instruction information holding unit stores object position information input by an operation on the operation unit for indicating a position where a subject is to be displayed in a display screen of the display unit, The video camera device according to claim 5, wherein the video camera device is configured to hold the video camera. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position state changing means includes a rotating mechanism capable of rotating the display means about a rotation axis along a horizontal scanning direction of the display image as a rotation center. A position state detecting means for detecting a position state of the display means rotated by the rotating mechanism, wherein the display control means detects the position state of the display means detected by the position state detecting means in a direction opposite to a normal state; 6. The video camera device according to claim 5, wherein the video camera device is configured to invert the image displayed on the display means when the position is set to face.