JP4174215B2 - Recording / playback device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording function for recording a photographed image on a randomly accessible recording medium such as a solid magnetic disk memory, a magneto-optical disk memory, an optical disk memory, and a solid semiconductor memory , and an image recorded on the recording medium. The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus having a reproducing function of reproducing from the recording medium .
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an image recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a moving image, a digital VTR which converts an image signal into a digital signal and sequentially records it on a magnetic tape is known. On the other hand, a moving image recording / reproducing apparatus using a randomly accessible recording medium such as a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and a solid-state semiconductor memory such as a flash memory and an SRAM is also known. It has been. In the method using a randomly accessible recording medium, the order of reading does not depend on the recording order and can be read from any place, so that it is possible to directly find and play a favorite moving image scene. Furthermore, it has a feature that editing operations such as changing the order of a plurality of scenes, cutting unnecessary scenes, scraping a part of a scene, and applying a special effect to a scene can be easily performed only by the main body.
[0003]
In these digital video recording systems, an input digital signal is subjected to compression processing in order to reduce the amount of information, and a large amount of image information (moving images and still images) can be recorded with a small storage capacity. There are various image compression methods. For example, in the orthogonal transform method, an image is divided into a plurality of blocks each having a size of n pixels in the horizontal direction and n pixels in the vertical direction, and orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform (DCT) is performed on each block. Quantize each coefficient by rounding it to a predetermined number of bits. Since the image information is biased toward the low frequency range, the amount of data can be reduced by reducing the number of bits of the high frequency component. In addition, variable length coding such as Huffman coding can efficiently reduce the amount of data by assigning a code having a shorter length to a bit sequence having a higher occurrence probability.
[0004]
In the case of a moving image, the moving image uses the property that the correlation between frames is strong. That is, the amount of recording data can be greatly compressed by transmitting the difference between frames.
[0005]
A moving image is compressed by combining the above-described various compression techniques to reduce the amount of data, and then recorded on a sequential access medium or a random access medium.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a camera-integrated moving image recording system in which this moving image recording / reproducing system is combined with a video camera, it is necessary to be able to be driven by a battery at least outdoors in order to be able to shoot anywhere. In order to enable shooting for as long as possible, it is necessary to reduce power consumption and increase battery capacity. However, in order to improve portability, the capacity of the battery cannot be increased so much, so it is necessary to reduce power consumption as much as possible.
[0007]
In order to improve the portability of the camera-integrated moving image recording system, it is necessary to mount each unit and parts as condensed as possible. However, if each unit or part is condensed and mounted, the equipment itself may become very hot due to heat generated from the circuit or the like. As a countermeasure, a cooling device such as a fan or a Peltier element may be attached. However, if it is always operated, there is a drawback that the operation sound is picked up during recording or the cooling device itself increases power consumption. Therefore, from this point of view, it is necessary to reduce power consumption in order to prevent heat generation from inside the device.
[0008]
On the other hand, as a function required for a camera-integrated video recording system, image data such as a moving image and a still image is connected to an external device (such as a personal computer, another video recording system, and a network compatible TV) via a network. There is also a need for a function to transmit and receive data. In particular, rather than simply sending image data to a personal computer, a camera-integrated video recording system serves as a server to deliver captured moving images in response to requests from other devices on the network, There is a demand for the ability to directly deliver live images taken with the Internet.
[0009]
As described above, a moving image can be edited by recording the moving image on a randomly accessible recording medium. That is, it is preferable that the editing operation can be completed only by the main body without transferring the image to an external device such as a personal computer. In addition, as a function similar to editing, a playback procedure or special effect procedure is determined in advance, and a playback operation is performed on the main body according to this procedure, so that a function that plays the edited video as if it is viewed is also required. Yes. In this case, a predetermined reproduction procedure is called a playlist, and reproduction according to the procedure is called playlist reproduction.
[0010]
It is difficult to achieve both reduction of power consumption and implementation of advanced functions (network server function, editing function or playlist editing / playback function).
[0011]
The present invention aims to present a record reproducing apparatus for solving such problems.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Record playback apparatus according to the present invention, for example, an imaging unit for capturing an image, and a recording function for recording an image photographed by the photographing unit on a randomly accessible recording medium, recorded on the recording medium A recording / reproducing device having a reproducing function for reproducing an image from the recording medium, a communication unit for communicating with an external device, a control unit for controlling the recording / reproducing device, and at least the Cooling means for cooling the control means, and when the external device uses the photographing means, the clock frequency of the control means is set to the first clock frequency, and the photographing means and the cooling means are operated. When the external device does not use the photographing unit, the clock frequency of the control unit is set to a second clock frequency that is lower than the first clock frequency. Set, and wherein the stopping the photographing means and the cooling means.
[0016]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a video camera block, 12 denotes a recording / reproducing block, and 14 denotes a randomly accessible recording medium, which operates under the control of the CPU 16. An image (still image and / or moving image) photographed by the camera block 10 is compressed and encoded by the recording / reproducing block 12 and recorded on the recording medium 14. The switch 18 is a user-operable switch that sets an operation mode, and the CPU 16 controls each part of the device according to the setting mode of the switch 18.
[0018]
The CPU 16 is operated by the clock from the clock generator 24 and the power supplied from the power supply circuit 26, and controls the clock frequency supplied from the clock generator 24, the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 26, and the like. In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 16, the clock circuit 24 and the power supply circuit 26 supply a clock and power to each part of the device, respectively. The power supply circuit 26 generates a power supply voltage to be supplied to each unit according to the battery 28 or the AC power supply 30. The cooler 20 cools equipment including the CPU 16.
[0019]
The CPU 16 communicates with the external network client 34 via the network interface 22. For example, a server operation for distributing an image recorded on the recording medium 14 or an image from the camera block 10 to the outside is performed.
[0020]
The camera block 10, the recording / reproducing block 12, the CPU 16, the switch 18, and the network interface 22 are connected to the CPU bus 32.
[0021]
FIG. 2 shows an operation flowchart of this embodiment. The operation of the CPU 16 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0022]
The operation mode is determined from the state of the switch 18 (S1). In the normal playback mode (S1), since only the playback operation is performed, the camera block 10 has stopped operating and the CPU power may be small. Therefore, the CPU clock is set to a low speed, the CPU power supply is set to a low voltage, The cooler 20 is turned off (S2), a normal regeneration operation is executed (S3), and the process returns to S1.
[0023]
In the camera recording mode (S1), since both the camera block 10 and the recording / reproducing block 12 need to operate, the required CPU power is medium. Therefore, the CPU clock is set to medium speed, the CPU power supply is set to medium voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off (S4), the camera recording operation is executed (S5), and the process returns to S1.
[0024]
In the server mode (S1), it is determined whether or not the client is connected (S6). When the client is not connected (S6), CPU power as a server is not required, so the CPU clock is set to a low speed, the CPU power supply is set to a low voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off (S7), and the server Is set to the standby state (S8), and the process returns to S1.
[0025]
If the client is connected (S6), it is determined whether or not the client has a high capability (S9). If the client's ability is not high (S9), the CPU power is required to be medium, so the CPU clock is set to medium speed, the CPU power supply is set to medium voltage, and the cooler 20 is turned off (S10). The server operates at a low speed (S11), and returns to S1. If the client capability is high (S9), it is necessary to make full use of the CPU power, so it is determined whether the power supply source of the power supply circuit 26 is the battery 28 or the AC power supply 30 (S12). When the power supply source is the battery 28 (S12), the CPU clock is set to a medium speed, the CPU power supply is set to a medium voltage, and the cooler 20 is turned off (S10) so that the power consumption does not increase too much. The server operates at a low speed (S11), and returns to S1. When the power supply source is the AC power supply 30 (S12), it is not necessary to worry about power consumption, so the CPU clock is set to a high speed, the CPU power supply is set to a high voltage, and the cooler 20 is turned on to prevent heat generation. (S13), the server operates at high speed (S14), and the process returns to S1.
[0026]
In the flow shown in FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the client capability is high in step S <b> 9, but the network communication speed is not determined by the client capability but the apparent client capability based on the network congestion status. The communication speed on the client side may be determined by measurement, or these conditions may be determined by the client and received as information.
[0027]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows another operation flow of the embodiment shown in FIG. The operation mode is determined from the state of the switch 18 (S21). In the normal playback mode (S21), since only the playback operation is performed, the camera block 10 stops operating and the CPU power may be small. Therefore, the CPU clock is set to a low speed, the CPU power supply is set to a low voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off, the operation of the camera block 10 is stopped (S22), and the normal reproduction operation is executed (S23). Return to S21.
[0028]
In the camera recording mode (S21), since both the camera block 10 and the recording / reproducing block 12 need to operate, the required CPU power is medium. Therefore, the CPU clock is set to medium speed, the CPU power supply is set to medium voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off, the camera block is turned on (S24), the camera recording operation is executed (S25), and the process returns to S21. .
[0029]
In the server mode (S21), it is determined whether or not the client is connected (S26). When the client is not connected (S26), CPU power as a server is not required, so the CPU clock is set to a low speed, the CPU power supply is set to a low voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off, and the camera block 10 is turned off. The server is turned off (S27), the server is set in a standby state (S28), and the process returns to S21.
[0030]
When the client is connected (S26), it is confirmed whether there is a camera use request from the client (S29). If there is no camera use request (S29), the CPU power is required to be moderate, so the CPU clock is set to medium speed, the CPU power supply is set to medium voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off, and the camera block 10 is turned off. It is turned off (S30), non-camera server operation is performed (S31), and the process returns to S21. When there is a camera use request (S29), it is necessary to make full use of the CPU power, so the CPU clock is set to high speed, the CPU power supply is set to a high voltage, the cooler 20 is turned on to prevent heat generation, The camera block 10 is turned on (S32), the server operation of camera image distribution is performed (S33), and the process returns to S21.
[0031]
Here, it is determined whether or not the camera is simply used in step S29. However, the operation of the camera may be distinguished depending on whether high-pixel shooting or low-pixel shooting is performed. A distinction may be made according to whether it is a still image or a still image. Further, the determination may be made based on the frame rate of the camera's photographing, or may be distinguished according to the presence / absence of use of camera control functions such as autofocus, image stabilization, and photometry and the request for the use status.
[0032]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. Reference numeral 40 denotes an external control device that controls playlist editing and playlist real-time execution according to the present embodiment from the outside via the network interface 22. Here, the external control device 40 is connected to the network interface 22. However, the external control device 40 may be connected to a general standard interface such as USB and IEEE 1394, or to other serial / parallel general-purpose interfaces. It may be connected to an interface.
[0033]
The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation mode is determined from the state of the switch 18 (S41). In the normal playback mode (S41), since only the playback operation is performed, the camera block 10 stops operating and the CPU power may be small. Therefore, the CPU clock is set to a low speed, the CPU power supply is set to a low voltage, The cooler 20 is turned off (S42), a normal regeneration operation is executed (S43), and the process returns to S41.
[0034]
In the camera recording mode (S41), since both the camera block 10 and the recording / reproducing block 12 need to operate, the required CPU power is medium. Therefore, the CPU clock is set to medium speed, the CPU power supply is set to medium voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off (S44), the camera recording operation is executed (S45), and the process returns to S41.
[0035]
In the external control mode (S41), it is determined whether or not the external control device 40 is connected (S46). When the external control device 40 is not connected (S46), the playlist editing operation is not performed, so that no CPU power is required. Therefore, the CPU clock is set to a low speed, the CPU power supply is set to a low voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off (S47), the playlist editing standby state is set (S48), and the process returns to S41.
[0036]
When the external control device 40 is connected (S46), it is determined whether the power supply source of the power supply circuit 26 is the battery 28 or the AC power supply 30 (S49). When the power supply source is the battery 28 (S49), the CPU clock is set to a low speed, the CPU power supply is set to a low voltage, and the cooler 20 is turned off (S47) so that the power consumption does not increase too much. The playlist editing standby state is set (S48), and the process returns to S41.
[0037]
When the power supply source is the AC power supply 30 (S49), it is not necessary to worry about power consumption, so it is determined whether the request from the external control device 40 is playlist editing or execution (S50). In the case of playlist editing (S50), the CPU power is required to be medium, so the CPU clock is set to medium speed, the CPU power supply is set to medium voltage, the cooler 20 is turned off (S51), The list is edited (S52), and the process returns to S41.
[0038]
In the case of playlist execution (S50), since CPU power is fully required, the CPU clock is set to a high speed, the CPU power supply is set to a high voltage, and the cooler 20 is turned on to prevent heat generation (S53). The play list is executed in real time (S54), and the process returns to S41.
[0039]
In step S50, it is determined whether the playlist is edited or executed. However, the content of the editing operation and the content of real-time execution (for example, whether or not to apply special effects in real time) may be determined.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, reduction of power consumption, the prevention of the recording and reproducing apparatus internal heat generation, it is possible to realize execution of advanced applications.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Video camera block 12: Recording / reproducing block 14: Recording medium 16: CPU
18: switch 20: cooler 22: network interface 24: clock generator 26: power supply circuit 28: battery 30: AC power supply 32: CPU bus 34: external network client 40: external control device

Claims (3)

Photographing means for photographing an image;
A recording / reproducing unit having a recording function for recording an image photographed by the photographing unit on a randomly accessible recording medium, and a reproducing function for reproducing an image recorded on the recording medium from the recording medium. A playback device,
A communication means for communicating with an external device;
Control means for controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus;
Cooling means for cooling at least the control means
And
When the external device uses the photographing means, the clock frequency of the control means is set to the first clock frequency, the photographing means and the cooling means are operated,
When the external device does not use the imaging unit, the clock frequency of the control unit is set to a second clock frequency lower than the first clock frequency, and the imaging unit and the cooling unit are stopped. A recording / reproducing apparatus. When the external device uses the photographing means, the CPU power supply is set to the first voltage,
Wherein when the external device is not using said imaging means, recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that to set the CPU power to the lower second voltage than the first voltage. 3. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the external device uses the photographing unit, the recording / reproducing device functions as a server that distributes an image photographed by the photographing unit.

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