JP2006180072A - Recording / playback system - Google Patents

Abstract

To change a frame rate during recording.
A recording / playback apparatus includes a processing unit 102 for receiving a plurality of image data representing an object image, a frame rate unit 105 for adding data representing a frame rate to each of the plurality of image data, and a frame rate unit. And a read / write unit 106 for recording image data to which data representing a frame rate is added.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus that can be used in a recording / reproducing system, and more particularly to a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus that can change a frame rate.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit that converts an input image input from an imaging lens into a digital image signal, and a moving image that compresses a moving image composed of the digital image signal by one of a plurality of types of moving image compression methods. An image compression circuit and a selection circuit for selecting a predetermined moving image compression method from a plurality of types of moving image compression methods and setting them in the moving image compression circuit according to the state at the time of shooting operation for inputting an imaging signal. An electronic camera characterized by this is disclosed.

  With reference to FIG. 7, such an electronic camera includes a camera unit 101, a processing unit 102, a display unit 103, a time unit 104, and a read / write unit 106. The camera unit 101 captures an image representing an object image. The camera unit 101 is also a device that converts a captured image into an electrical signal. The processing unit 102 receives the signal output from the camera unit 101 as a plurality of image data representing an object image. The processing unit 102 is also a circuit that compresses a plurality of received image data into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) file. The processing unit 102 is also a circuit that restores the JPEG file read by the read / write unit 106 and outputs it as an electrical signal. The display unit 103 displays an image represented by image data (that is, a JPEG file) based on the electrical signal output from the processing unit 102. The time unit 104 detects that a predetermined time (this “predetermined time” is represented by a frame rate) has elapsed. The read / write unit 106 records a JPEG file on the recording medium 108. The read / write unit 106 is also a device that reads a JPEG file from the recording medium 108. The time unit 104 includes a memory 112. The memory 112 stores the frame rate.

  In Patent Document 2, a video image from a camera is captured and recorded as a plurality of still images during continuous shooting, and a plurality of recorded still images are converted into quasi-moving image data. An apparatus for realizing recording and playback is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 3, a YC moving image processing circuit that converts image data obtained by an optical system and an image sensor into a luminance signal and a color difference signal composed of a plurality of frames, and compression processing is performed on the moving image data. A first compression processing circuit that generates a code; an image reduction circuit that generates a reduced moving image by performing a reduction process on each frame of YC moving image data; and a compression process is performed on the reduced moving image to generate a second compressed code There is disclosed a moving picture camera comprising a second compression processing circuit and a recording device for recording a first compression code and a second compression code.

Patent Document 4 discloses a multimedia data reproducing apparatus that reproduces audio data and moving image data from multimedia data in which audio data of the same recording period is embedded in moving image data, and stores the multimedia data. A storage circuit, an extraction circuit for extracting all audio data from the multimedia data, an audio reproduction device for reproducing audio data, a moving image reproduction device for reproducing moving image data, and after audio data extraction, Disclosed is a multimedia playback device including a playback device for audio and a control circuit for controlling a playback device for moving images so that moving image data is played back in the same time zone as playback of audio data. ing.
JP 2003-110924 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-126741 JP 2001-189909 A JP 2001-309310 A

  However, each of the inventions disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Publications 1 to 4 has a problem that it is difficult to achieve both smooth motion recording and data amount suppression. This is because it is necessary to increase the frame rate in order to realize smooth motion recording, and it is necessary to decrease the frame rate in order to reduce the amount of data. In order to achieve both smooth motion recording and data volume reduction, it is necessary to change the frame rate during recording. In the inventions disclosed in Patent Publications 1 to 4, the frame rate cannot be changed during recording.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device and a playback device that can change the frame rate during recording.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a recording device includes a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of image data representing an object image, and data representing a frame rate for each of the plurality of image data. And adding means for adding image data, and recording means for recording image data to which the adding means has added data representing the frame rate.

  That is, the adding means adds data representing the frame rate to each of the plurality of image data received by the receiving means. The recording means records the image data to which the adding means has added data representing the frame rate. Thereby, even if the frame rate is changed during recording, an image can be recorded while reflecting the change. As a result, a recording apparatus that can change the frame rate during recording can be provided.

  In addition, it is preferable that the above-described recording apparatus further includes a generation unit for generating information representing display conditions for the image represented by each of the plurality of image data. The recording means preferably includes means for recording the information generated by the generating means and the image data in association with each other.

  That is, the generation unit generates information representing display conditions for the images represented by the plurality of image data. The recording means records the image data added with the data indicating the frame rate by the adding means and the information generated by the generating means in association with each other. Thereby, it is possible to easily specify the conditions for image reproduction. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can easily specify the conditions for image reproduction and can change the frame rate during recording.

  Further, it is desirable that the adding means includes means for adding data representing a frame rate after data representing the contents of a pixel in the image data.

  That is, the adding means adds data representing the frame rate after data representing the content of the pixel in the image data of each of the plurality of image data accepted by the accepting means. Thereby, when the frame rate is changed during recording, an image can be recorded more easily while reflecting the change in the frame rate. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can change the frame rate during recording more easily.

  Further, it is desirable that the data representing the pixel contents described above include the data representing the end of the data representing the pixel contents.

  That is, the adding means adds data representing the frame rate after the data representing the end of the data representing the pixel contents of each of the plurality of image data received by the receiving means. Thereby, when the frame rate is changed during recording, the image can be recorded more easily while reflecting the change in the frame rate. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can change the frame rate during recording more easily.

  Further, it is desirable that the information representing the image display condition described above includes information representing the image display order.

  That is, the generation unit generates information representing the display order of images represented by each of the plurality of image data. Thereby, the order of image reproduction can be easily specified. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus capable of easily specifying the order of image reproduction and changing the frame rate during recording.

  The information representing the image display condition described above preferably includes information representing the image display order and information representing the frame rate.

  That is, the generation unit generates information representing the display order of images represented by each of the plurality of image data and information representing the frame rate. The recording unit records the image data to which the data indicating the frame rate is added by the adding unit and the information generated by the generating unit. As a result, the order of image reproduction and the frame rate can be easily specified. Apart from the information added to the image data, the compatibility is enhanced because the information indicating the frame rate is associated. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that has high compatibility, can easily specify the order and frame rate of image reproduction, and can change the frame rate during recording.

  The frame rate data representing the frame rate described above displays the second image in the display order following the first image from the time when the first image represented by the image data to which the frame rate data is added is displayed. It is desirable to include data representing time to time.

  That is, the adding means adds data representing the time from when the first image represented by the image data is displayed to when the second image is displayed, to each of the plurality of image data received by the receiving means. Thereby, when the frame rate is changed during recording, an image can be recorded more accurately reflecting the change in the frame rate. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can change the frame rate more accurately during recording.

  The time from when the first image is displayed until when the second image is displayed is from the time when the receiving unit receives the image data of the first image to the time when the image data of the second image is received. It is desirable that the time is equal to the time up to.

  That is, the adding means is data representing the time from when the accepting means accepts the image data of the first image to when the image data of the second image is accepted for each of the plurality of image data accepted by the accepting means. Is added. Thus, when the frame rate is changed during recording, it is possible to record an image while accurately reflecting the change in the frame rate. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can change the frame rate during recording particularly accurately.

  In addition, it is desirable that the above-described recording apparatus further includes means for generating information for classifying image data. The recording means preferably includes means for associating and recording information for classifying image data and a plurality of image data in which the display order of images continues.

  That is, the means for generating information to classify generates information for classifying image data. The recording unit records information for classifying the image data and a plurality of image data in which the display order of the images continues in association with each other. This facilitates the management of image data. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can easily manage image data and can change the frame rate during recording.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the reproducing apparatus displays a recording means for recording a plurality of data including image data representing an image of an object and data representing a frame rate, and an image represented by the image data. And a determining means for determining a time from when one image represented by the image data is displayed to when the next image is displayed, using data representing the frame rate included in each of the plurality of data. And a control means for controlling the display means so that the time from when one image is displayed to when the next image is displayed follows the time determined by the determination means.

  That is, the display means displays the image represented by the image data. The determining means determines the time from when one image represented by the image data is displayed to when the next image is displayed, using data representing the frame rate included in each of the plurality of data. The control means controls the display means so that the time from when one image is displayed to when the next image is displayed follows the time determined by the determining means. Thereby, when the frame rate is changed during recording, the change can be reflected when the image is displayed. As a result, it is possible to provide a playback device that can change the frame rate during recording.

  The recording apparatus and the playback apparatus according to the present invention can change the frame rate during recording.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a camera unit 101, a processing unit 102, a display unit 103, a time unit 104, a frame rate unit 105, and a read / write unit 106. The reception unit 107 is included. The camera unit 101 captures an image representing an object image. The camera unit 101 is also a device that converts a captured image into an electrical signal. The processing unit 102 receives the signal output from the camera unit 101 as a plurality of image data representing an object image. The processing unit 102 is also a circuit that compresses a plurality of received image data into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) file. The processing unit 102 is also a circuit that restores the JPEG file read by the read / write unit 106 and outputs it as an electrical signal. The display unit 103 displays an image represented by image data (that is, a JPEG file) based on the electrical signal output from the processing unit 102. The time unit 104 detects that a predetermined time (this “predetermined time” is represented by a frame rate) has elapsed. The frame rate unit 105 controls the time after displaying a certain image until displaying the next image. The frame rate unit 105 is also a circuit that detects the time from when one image is displayed until the next image is displayed. The read / write unit 106 records a JPEG file on the recording medium 108. The read / write unit 106 is also a device that reads a JPEG file from the recording medium 108. The receiving unit 107 receives a user instruction.

  The time unit 104 includes a memory 112. The memory 112 stores the frame rate.

  The frame rate unit 105 includes a management unit 114. The management unit 114 generates a file name for each of a plurality of JPEG files.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the program executed by the recording / playback apparatus has the following control structure with respect to recording and playback with a change in frame rate.

  In step 200 (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S), the time unit 104 detects that the time represented by the frame rate (the frame rate stored in the memory 114) has elapsed. When the time unit 104 detects that, the camera unit 101 captures an image. The camera unit 101 outputs image data representing a captured image.

  In S202, processing unit 102 compresses each of the plurality of image data output from camera unit 101.

  In S204, frame rate unit 105 adds frame rate data to each of the plurality of image data output from camera unit 101.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the format of the data (JPEG file) to which free frame rate data is added by frame rate unit 105 at this time is an SOI (Start of Image) area 120, header area 122, and quantization table area 124. A Huffman table area 126, a standard DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) compression area 128, an image data area 130, an EOI (End of Image) area 132, and a frame rate data area 134.

  SOI area 120 represents the start of image data. The header area 122 represents the type of JPEG file. The quantization table area 124 represents the contents of the quantization table. The Huffman table area 126 represents the contents of the Huffman table. The standard DCT compression area 128 represents data for compression using the DCT method. The image data area 130 represents the contents of all the pixels constituting the image. The EOI area 132 represents the end of pixel data (data representing the contents of a pixel). The frame rate data area 134 represents frame rate data. The frame rate data is data representing the frame rate.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the frame rate data is an image represented by the image data area 130 (that is, an image represented by each of a plurality of image data output by the camera unit 101. For convenience, the frame rate data is referred to as a “first image”). ) To display the next image to be displayed (that is, an image in which the display order follows the first image. For convenience, it is referred to as a “second image”). . In the present embodiment, this time is equal to the time from when the processing unit 102 receives image data of the first image to when it receives image data of the second image. As a result, the frame rate unit 105 adds the frame rate data after the pixel data described above (after the EOI area 132 in the present embodiment).

  In S206, management unit 114 generates a folder name (that is, information for classifying image data). When the folder name is generated, the read / write unit 106 creates a folder with the folder name in the recording medium 108. The management unit 114 displays the image display conditions represented by each of the plurality of JPEG files (in the case of the present embodiment, the display conditions conform to the following restrictions. The first restriction is the display of images. In the present embodiment, this order is a serial number that follows the same order as the order in which images were taken, that is, the order in which the processing unit 102 received a plurality of image data. The third constraint is to represent the unit of the frame rate.) A file name representing the frame rate is generated. The read / write unit 106 records a JPEG file, which is image data including frame rate data, with the file name generated by the management unit 114 in the above-described folder in the recording medium 108. As a result, the read / write unit 106 loaded with the recording medium 108 records a plurality of image data files to which the frame rate unit 105 adds frame rate data in association with the file names generated by the management unit 114. It becomes. In addition, the read / write unit 106 with the recording medium 108 attached records the image data associated with the folder name and the image display order.

  In S208, reception unit 107 receives a user instruction.

  In S210, time unit 104 determines whether or not the instruction received by receiving unit 107 means a change in frame rate. If it is determined that it means a change in frame rate (YES in S210), the process proceeds to S212. If not (NO in S210), the process proceeds to S214.

  In S212, time unit 104 changes the frame rate. In the case of the present embodiment, this means that the time unit 104 stores a new frame rate value in the memory 112.

  In S214, time unit 104 determines whether or not the instruction received by receiving unit 107 means the end of recording. If it is determined that it means the end of recording (YES in S214), the process ends. If not (NO in S214), the process proceeds to S200.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the program executed by the recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment has the following control structure for playing back images.

  In S220, read / write unit 106 reads the JPEG file from recording medium 108 in the order of the file with the smallest sequential number represented by the file name (from the previously recorded image).

  In S222, frame rate unit 105 reads frame rate data from the read JPEG file. When the frame rate data is read, the frame rate unit 105 uses the frame rate data to determine the time from when one image represented by the image data area 130 is displayed to when the next image is displayed. When the time is determined, the time unit 104 stores the read frame rate data in the memory 112. Thereby, as will be apparent from the following description, the frame rate unit 105 uses the frame rate data included in each of the plurality of JPEG files to display the next image from the time when one image represented by the image data area 130 is displayed. The time until display is determined.

  In S224, processing unit 102 restores image data.

  In S226, display unit 103 displays an image based on the restored image data. The time unit 104 controls the display unit 103 so that the time from when one image is displayed to when the next image is displayed follows the time determined by the frame rate unit 105.

  In S228, time unit 104 determines whether or not to end image display. If it is determined that the display is to be ended (YES in S228), the process ends. If not (NO in S228), the process proceeds to S230.

  At S230, time unit 104 sends a signal to read / write unit 106 to read the image data of recording medium 108 when the time indicated by the frame rate data (frame rate data is stored in memory 112) has elapsed. Output. As a result, when the time indicated by the frame rate data has elapsed, the time unit 104 controls the read / write unit 106 and the like so as to read the next image data.

  The operation of the recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  The time unit 104 detects that the time represented by the frame rate has elapsed. When the time unit 104 detects that, the camera unit 101 captures an image (S200). When the image is captured, the processing unit 102 compresses the image data output from the camera unit 101 (S202). When the image data is compressed, the frame rate unit 105 adds the frame rate data to the image data (S204).

  When the information is added, the management unit 114 generates a folder name (that is, information for classifying image data). When the folder name is generated, the read / write unit 106 creates a folder with the folder name in the recording medium 108. When the folder is created, the read / write unit 106 records the JPEG file in the above-described folder in the recording medium 108 (S206). The file name of the recorded JPEG file is expressed as “SH0011FR006PS”, “SH0011FR006PS”, etc. Among these file names, “SH” indicates that it corresponds to the same folder name (this folder name corresponds to information for classifying image data). A three-digit numerical value following “SH” represents the display order of images. “FR006PS” represents a frame rate. Of these, a three-digit numerical value represents a frame rate value. For example, when the frame rate is “3” frames per second, the portion of “FR... PS” is “FR003PS”. “PS” at the end of “FR006PS” represents a unit of frame rate. In the present embodiment, “PS” means “per second”, that is, “per second”.

  When the image data is recorded, the accepting unit 107 accepts a user instruction (S208). When the user instruction is received, the time unit 104 determines whether the instruction received by the receiving unit 107 means a change in frame rate (S210).

  FIG. 5 shows that the frame rate is changed from “6” frames per second to “3” frames per second while capturing a plurality of image data (recorded data 301). “FPS” in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described later is an abbreviation for “frame per second”. In this case, since it is determined that it means a change in frame rate (YES in S210), time unit 104 changes the frame rate (S212). When the frame rate is changed, the time unit 104 determines whether to end the recording through the processes of S200 to S210 (S214). Eventually, recording ends (YES in S214), and the process ends.

  Thereafter, the read / write unit 106 reads the JPEG file from the recording medium 108. The JPEG file is read from a file with a lower sequential number represented by the file name (from the previously recorded image) (S220). When the JPEG file is read, the frame rate unit 105 reads the frame rate data (S222). When the frame rate data is read, the processing unit 102 restores the image data (S224). When the image data is restored, the display unit 103 displays an image based on the restored image data (S226). When the image is displayed, the time unit 104 determines whether or not to end the display (S228). Initially, since the display is not yet finished (NO in S228), time unit 104 outputs a signal to read / write unit 106 so as to read the image data of recording medium 108 when the time indicated by the frame rate data has elapsed. (S230). FIG. 6 illustrates this situation (changing the frame rate while reproducing a plurality of image data (recorded data 302)).

  The frame rate when playback is started is “6” frames per second. The frame rate after changing the frame rate is “3” frames per second.

  After that, through the processing of S220 to S230, the time unit 104 determines again whether or not to end the display (S228). Eventually, the display ends (YES in S228), and the process ends.

  As described above, the recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment adds the frame rate data after the EOI data included in the JPEG file. Since frame rate data is added, the frame rate can be freely changed even during recording. The frame rate can be changed according to the capacity of the recording medium and the user's preference. Since frame rate data is added to each image data, it can be reproduced at the same frame rate as when a series of images were recorded. Since it is played back at the same frame rate, a moving image can be played back at the same speed as when recording, that is, at the same speed as real time. For this reason, even when audio is recorded simultaneously with recording, simultaneous reproduction of quasi-video and audio can be easily performed during reproduction. The image data representing the recorded frame image is recorded as a JPEG file in a removable recording device. Since the image data is recorded as a JPEG file, it can be reproduced as a still image on a personal computer or the like. In addition, a reproduction application for a personal computer can be easily created. Since the frame rate data is recorded for each JPEG image, it can be reproduced at the same frame rate as during recording on a reproduction application for a personal computer. In addition, adding frame rate data after EOI data can be performed without using a special device. Further, the frame rate data added after the EOI data does not affect the image itself. In addition, image data with a file name representing the frame rate is recorded (the file name information representing the frame rate is associated with the frame rate information added to the image data), so that they are easily compatible. Can increase the sex. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording / playback apparatus that can easily improve compatibility, can easily specify the playback order and frame rate of images, and can change the frame rate during recording.

  Note that the frame rate data is the frame rate from the time when the image displayed immediately before the image represented by the image data area 130 (in this case, this image becomes the “first image”) is displayed. The time until the time when the image represented by (in this case, this image becomes the “second image”) is displayed may be represented. The specific content of the frame rate data is not particularly limited as long as the frame rate data is data representing the frame rate.

  The processing unit 102 may compress the received plurality of image data using an image data compression technique other than JPEG. Techniques such as JPEG 2000 are known as image data compression techniques other than JPEG.

  In S206, the configuration of the file name of the JPEG file is not particularly limited. For example, “SH0011TL100MS” may be used. Of these file names, “SH” indicates that they correspond to the same folder name. A three-digit numerical value following “SH” represents the display order of images. “TL100MS” represents a frame rate. Of these, a three-digit numerical value represents a frame rate value. For example, when the frame rate is set to have an interval of 50 milliseconds, the portion “TL... MS” is “TL050MS”. “MS” at the end of “TL050MS” represents a unit of a frame rate. In the case of this modification, “MS” means “milliseconds”.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a recording / playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the video recording process and reproduction | regeneration process accompanying the change of the frame rate which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the format of the JPEG file which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the reproduction process of the image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the concept of the change of the frame rate which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram explaining reproduction | regeneration of the image data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the video recording / reproducing apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

  101 camera unit 102 processing unit 103 display unit 104 time unit 105 frame rate unit 106 read / write unit 107 reception unit 108 recording medium 112 memory 114 management unit 120 SOI area 122 header area 124 Quantization table area, 126 Huffman table area, 128 standard DCT compression area, 130 image data area, 132 EOI area, 134 frame rate data area, 301, 302 recorded data.

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving a plurality of image data representing an image of an object;
An adding means for adding data representing a frame rate to each of the plurality of image data;
And a recording unit for recording image data to which data representing a frame rate is added. The recording apparatus further includes a generating means for generating information representing a display condition of an image represented by each of the plurality of image data,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit includes a unit for recording the information generated by the generating unit and the image data in association with each other.   2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adding means includes means for adding data representing the frame rate after data representing pixel contents in the image data.   The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein after the data representing the content of the pixel, includes after the data representing the end of the data representing the content of the pixel.   The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information indicating the display condition of the image includes information indicating a display order of the images. Information indicating the display condition of the image is:
Information representing the display order of the images;
The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising information indicating a frame rate.   The frame rate data representing the frame rate is displayed from the time when the first image represented by the image data to which the frame rate data is added to the time when the second image is displayed following the first image. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, comprising data representing a time until.   The time from when the first image is displayed until when the second image is displayed is from the time when the accepting unit accepts the image data of the first image to the time when the image data of the second image is accepted. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording apparatus has a time equal to a time until the time. The recording apparatus further includes means for generating information for classifying the image data,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a unit configured to associate and store the information for classifying the image data and the plurality of image data in which the display order of the images continues. Recording means for recording a plurality of data including image data representing an image of an object and data representing a frame rate;
Display means for displaying an image represented by the image data;
Determining means for determining a time from when one image represented by the image data is displayed to when the next image is displayed, using data representing a frame rate included in each of the plurality of data;
A playback apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the display means so that a time from when the one image is displayed to when the next image is displayed follows the time determined by the determination means.

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