JP4398345B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for effectively enjoying digitally recorded images, and more specifically, to a so-called electronic device for viewing an image output from an electronic monitor or the like instead of printed paper. It relates to the improvement of the album system.

In recent years, so-called electronic album systems have been developed for viewing recorded images not on printed paper but on an electronic monitor or the like. Such proposals have been actively made, for example, a technique for creating an album by combining material data received via the Internet (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and a technique for putting a travel material in advance in a travel recording disk are known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-167115 A JP 2003-125246 A

  However, in the technique of the above-described Patent Document 1, it is necessary to connect the Internet and a device, and setting is troublesome and troublesome.

  On the other hand, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to edit the material data in the same manner, but it is difficult to search for and select the material according to his own image.

  In addition, many users associate a photographed image with music of their own image and appreciate the image while listening to the music. However, it is difficult for the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 to match the timing of change of images recorded in the album with the flow of music.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and music according to the image can be easily selected as background music for an image photographed by himself, and is suitable for viewing an image photographed by himself / herself. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can be easily made into a work.

That is, the imaging device according to the first aspect of the present invention plays back music according to a plurality of pieces of music information satisfying the playback time and the number of image shots selected by the user, and an imaging unit that captures a subject. A music playback unit capable of skipping and playing other music information included in the plurality of music information in a state where shooting control is not performed, and recording the captured image and the plurality of music information A recording unit that switches the plurality of pieces of music information according to the selection by the music playback unit, and records the music that is being played back when the shooting instruction is issued as BGM of the captured image; It is characterized by comprising.

An image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject, a recording unit removable from the main body of the image pickup device, and music information recorded in the recording unit. , A music playback unit that plays music by moving to a second recording unit different from the removable recording unit, and a first command that instructs imaging control of the imaging unit when music is played back by the music playback unit And the next music selected from a plurality of pieces of music information satisfying the playback time and the number of image shots selected by the user by skipping the music being played back by the music playback unit. When imaging control of the second switch for instructing and the imaging unit is performed, the subject image and the information of the music being played back are recorded in a recording unit removable from the main body. Characterized in that it consists of a control unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to i) engrave memories while matching music to an actual scene while listening to music of his / her own image with a portable player or the like, ii) enjoying photography while enjoying the music, iii) It is possible to create an album by looking at a sample of an image combined with music and replacing it with your own photo as needed.

According to the present invention, an image pickup apparatus in which changes in music and images can be reasonably matched, background music as per his / her own image can be easily applied, and making an electronic album suitable for appreciation can be made without trouble. Can be provided.

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

  FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric system of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1A, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is controlled by a microcontroller (CPU) 15 in the processing operation of each unit. An operation switch 26 is connected to the CPU 15, and a reading unit 16 that reads data from the first memory 13 as recording means in which information as shown in FIG. 1B is recorded, via the slot portion 13 a. It is connected.

  Further, an image reproduction unit 17, a second memory 18, a music decompression unit 20, and an imaging unit 24 are connected to the CPU 15.

  The image reproducing unit 17 reproduces an image corresponding to the image data read from the first memory 13 by the reading unit 16. The reproduced image is displayed on the monitor unit 11. The second memory 18 stores data corresponding to an image captured by the imaging unit 24 that is an imaging unit after being compressed by the compression unit 25.

  Further, the music decompression unit 20 decompresses the music data read from the first memory 13 by the reading unit 16. The music corresponding to the decompressed data is reproduced by the music reproduction unit 21 as reproduction means and output from the speaker 22.

  In the information recording / reproducing apparatus 10 having such a configuration, when the first memory 13 is inserted into the slot portion 13a, image data and music data in the first memory 13 are taken into the information recording / reproducing apparatus 10. .

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a plurality of image data and music data corresponding to these image data are recorded in the first memory 13 in advance. By inserting the first memory 13 into the slot portion 13 a, image data and music data recorded in the first memory are read out via the reading unit 16.

  Of the read data, the image data is reproduced as a corresponding image by the image reproduction unit 17 and displayed on the monitor unit 11. On the other hand, the music data read by the reading unit 16 is expanded by the music expansion unit 20 and then reproduced as music from the music reproduction unit 21 through the speaker 22.

  The CPU 15 also functions as a search means, and music information candidates recorded in the first memory 13 are read out. In the CUP 15, the operation of the operation switch 15 by the user is further determined, and as described above, each function in the apparatus is controlled according to a predetermined program. At the time of shooting, the imaging unit 24 is controlled, and a subject image photoelectrically converted by an image sensor (not shown) through a lens (not shown) is converted into a digital signal. The converted subject image signal is stored as compressed data in the second memory 18 after being compressed by the compression unit 25.

  Note that such shooting can also be performed during audio playback.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a procedure for photographing on the premise of making an electronic album using the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2A shows a state in which the user 1 selects the memory 2 containing the data for the electronic album at the store. Since this memory 2 is the memory where the album is finally created, the memory with the optimum capacity can be selected according to the number of pictures to be taken, or it can be selected from several types depending on the type of music and the theme of the album. You can choose one. In each memory, image samples that change with the progress of the music accompanying the music are recorded in advance.

  For example, when the memory 2 is reproduced, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the musical composition changes as time passes, the images are switched at an appropriate timing. This is a very difficult part to edit in a general way. Even though the tone of the song has not changed, the image changes rapidly, or when the song changes, a loosely similar image is displayed. The place where images and music are combined, such as being reproduced and becoming a work lacking in a crispness, required an extremely difficult process for amateurs and beginners.

  However, in the present invention, since an appropriate combination of images and music is performed in advance by an expert, the user can change the image freely, and the background music has a high degree of perfection with a simple operation. An electronic album with (BGM; background music) can be created.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the user 1 can check the data on the display 11 by loading the memory described above into the device 10. The data recorded in the memory 2 records a plurality of songs depending on the length of the song and the number of screens to be switched. Therefore, the user 1 selects an appropriate image while viewing the display 11 and selects the most appropriate image prior to shooting. On the display 11, a song title, playback time, thumbnails of images, and the like can be displayed.

  For example, in the thumbnail image as shown in FIG. 3B, if the one displayed along with the music as shown in FIG. You can see the proper switching and what kind of photos you can take to make a beautiful album. As a result, the user is advised to an appropriate shooting method, and finally it is possible to create a work that can be endured as an electronic album.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2C, the present invention allows the user 1 to think about the image of the work while listening to the music data in the memory 10 while listening to the music data, or to select music that is truly suitable for him / her. can do. Of course, if this memory 2 can be played back by car audio, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), an image of a travel album can be created in the middle of driving, etc., and an optimal song can be selected. Can do.

  Then, after sufficiently listening and selecting a song, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), actual shooting may be started. At this time, since the image data already exists in the memory 2 for reference as to what angle and size the subject 3 should fit in the screen, a beginner can determine the composition and shoot accordingly. Good.

For example, in the thumbnail image 30 as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the image 35 ₁ of 8 frames, 35 _2, ..., it is possible to reproduce the electronic album consisting of 35 _8, for example at 4 minute time If you want to do so, it is done as follows. In the thumbnail image 30, the selected image is displayed larger than the other images.

In the thumbnail image 30, and Song 31 time 32, total number of frames 33 and the image 35 _1, 35 _2, ..., while watching the 35 _8, the user may be considered an advance picture image. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), it is only necessary to take a picture that replaces each frame.

That is, the image 36 _1, 36 _2, ..., 36 ₈ and has been recorded in advance. Then, as shown in FIG. _3D , images 36 _2a , 36 _2b , 36 _2c , 36 _2d , 36 _4a , and 36 _7a are images taken by the user. Here, after photographing, by sequentially operating a switch (not shown), an image to be replaced is selected and determined from images recorded in advance in the memory.

For example, when replacing the image 35 ₂ shown in FIG. 3C, the images 36 _2a , 36 _2b , 36 _2c , and 36 _2d taken by the user are switched by the switch operation. When the image 36 _2d is selected as the replacement image, as shown in FIG. 3 (e), the image 36 _1, 36 _2d, 36 _3, ..., electronic album is created as 36 _8. In this case, the images 36 _2d , 36 _4a , and 36 _7a represented by double frames in FIG.

  With such a work, it is possible to create an electronic album with images suitable for the music that has been listened to and selected in the situation shown in FIG. 2 (c) or (d) (see FIG. 3 (e)).

  Here, the images that have not been replaced may be abstract or may be customized according to the sightseeing spot. That is, a feature of the present invention is that an album with a high degree of satisfaction can be obtained without replacing all images.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, the album work created in this way may be returned while being played on the monitor 4 of the car navigation system. Using the music you listen to when you go to the drive, you can recreate the memories of the drive along with the images.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which various operation switches 26 are provided adjacent to the monitor unit 11 disposed on the back surface of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

  In FIG. 4, these operation switches 26 are composed of, for example, four direction keys, a direction key 26a for selecting an item and the like, a determination key 26b, and shooting for switching to a shooting mode when shooting. A key 26c, a reproduction key 26d for instructing to display a reproduction image, an editing key 26e for editing such as image replacement described above, and a composition key 26f for instructing an image to be described later The switch key 26g for instructing the replacement of the image and the part candidate key 26h for calling another candidate to the monitor unit 11 are configured.

  Next, the operation of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  When the control operation of the system is started, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not music reproduction is performed. This determination is made, for example, by confirming the monitor unit 11 as shown in FIG. Here, if it is music playback, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process proceeds to step S19 described later.

  In step S2, the playback time when creating the album is selected. This is selected, for example, from the display screen of the monitor unit 11 as shown in FIG. Here, for example, when “5 minutes” is selected by the direction key 26a and the decision key 26b, the screen is displayed with the display 11a of “5 minutes” as shown in FIG. 7B.

  Next, in step S3, the number of shots is selected. For example, the number of sheets as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. When the number of shots is selected in the same manner as in step S2, several pieces of music are selected as shown in FIG. 7C depending on the length of music playing, the tempo, and the like.

  The music piece thus selected is recorded in the second memory 18 in step S4. In the following step S5, music reproduction is performed based on the result.

  In this way, when a music suitable for one's own image appears while enjoying music reproduction, the music is added to the BGM when a switch operation to that effect is performed. That is, if it is determined in step S6 that the currently reproduced song has been added to the BGM, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the music being played is recorded in the second memory 18 to be a BGM candidate. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6.

  The user may continue to listen to the candidate song and simply enjoy the music, or may take a picture while raising the mood while listening to the music. That is, if there is no addition to the BGM in the above step S6, the process proceeds to step S8, where music is reproduced while shooting is determined.

  When shooting is performed in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, and as described above, the image captured by the imaging unit 24 is input and compressed by the compression unit 25, and then in step S10. 1 is recorded in the memory 13. At this time, in step S11, the music reproduced at that time may be recorded as BGM. In step S12, the photographing result is displayed on the monitor unit 11 so that it can be confirmed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13.

  By the way, since the photographing result is an important record, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), it is removed from the apparatus and immediately reproduced on the monitor 4 of the car audio or car navigation system, or input to the print system. Need to be able to print.

  Therefore, the captured image is recorded in the first memory 13 instead of the second memory 18 inside the apparatus. On the other hand, since the music at that time is desired to continue to be reproduced, the reproduced music data in the first memory 13 is transferred to the second memory 18 and reproduced in advance.

  If it is not shooting in step S8 and after the image is displayed in step S12, it is determined in step S13 whether or not the music reproduction is finished. Here, when the music reproduction ends, the process proceeds to step S18, the operation is performed by the operation switch 16, the reproduction end control is performed, and this routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that music playback has not ended, or if it is desired to finish the next song without ending, the process proceeds to step S14. In this step S14, it is determined whether or not to shift to the next song instead of the currently reproduced song. Here, when moving to the next song, after the skip operation is performed in step S15, the process proceeds to step S16. If not skipped, the process proceeds directly from step S14 to step S16.

  In step S16, it is determined whether or not thumbnails of images are displayed. When the user wants to see the image of the music being reproduced, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, as shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of images constituting the album are displayed as thumbnails on the screen of the monitor unit 11. Then, after not displaying thumbnails in step S16 and after displaying thumbnails in step S17, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Apart from such music reproduction, when the camera is used as a photographing device just like a camera, the processing operations from step S19 to step S31, and further steps S32 and S33 are executed.

  That is, if it is determined in step S1 that the music is not reproduced, it is determined in step S19 whether or not the editing is performed. If editing is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S20. If not, the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, the presence / absence of photographing is determined. Here, in the case of shooting, the process proceeds to steps S32 and S33, and image input and recording of the input image to the first memory 13 is performed in the same manner as in steps S9 and S10 described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that shooting is not performed, the process proceeds to step S1.

  Further, as described above, since the music data constituting the electronic album is selected and the photographed images are collected, the editing operation can be performed. Therefore, if the editing key 26e is operated by the user in step S19, the editing mode is entered. Here, since the candidate for BGM is determined in step S7 or step S11 described above, this candidate is searched for and displayed on the monitor unit 11 in step S20. This is a display as shown in FIG. 7C, and the length of the music and the number of images to be switched are displayed together with the display of the music title. The user only has to select the desired song while viewing the display of the candidate songs.

  When a selective reproduction operation is performed from the above display in step S21, thumbnail display is performed in subsequent step S22. This is displayed as shown in FIG. 3B as the music played from the second memory 18 progresses according to the BGM information recorded in the BGM memory (not shown) in the first memory 13.

In step S23, while viewing this display, the image to be changed is selected by the user as shown in FIG. 3C (for example, image 36 ₂ ). In step S24, a candidate image to be replaced is selected as shown in FIG. _3D (for example, image 36 _2d ).

  In other words, the images taken from the first memory 13 are sequentially displayed by operating another candidate key 26h, and the reproduced image is changed by operating the enter key 26b. At this time, not only the replacement is completely performed, but addition and synthesis may be made to the original image.

  That is, when an image is determined in step S25, the process proceeds to step S26 to determine the presence or absence of image composition. Here, if it is not image synthesis, the process proceeds to step S27, and replacement is performed to replace the image. On the other hand, in the case of image composition, the process proceeds to step S28 and an image is added. If no image is determined in step S25, steps S26 to S28 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S29.

  The above-described image composition and additional switching can also be operated by the user. At the time of adding an image, as shown in FIG. 3 (f), an image 37 obtained by synthesizing an image photographed by himself while utilizing the original screen can be obtained. If further processing is applied, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a special effect can be exhibited.

  In addition, when the images are replaced instead of being synthesized, the original screen is taken by the user as if the playback screen shown in FIG. 3C is changed to the screen shown in FIG. It is replaced with a screen.

  Thus, when the image switching method at the time of playing the electronic album is determined, it is determined in step S29 whether or not the editing is finished. Here, if not finished yet, the process proceeds to step S22, and the above-described editing process is repeated. When the editing is completed, the process proceeds to step S30, and the editing result is recorded in the first memory 13. Thereafter, this routine ends.

  In this way, the first memory 13 can be taken out from the information recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and enjoyed by another reproducing apparatus (see FIG. 2B).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the user's work is put into the template-type electronic album completed from the beginning to a predetermined level, an electronic album that can withstand viewing can be created with a simple operation. It becomes possible to do.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(A) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric system of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram for explaining recorded contents of a first memory 13. It is a figure explaining the procedure of imaging | photography on the assumption of making an electronic album using the information recording / reproducing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the electronic album making using the information recording / reproducing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monitor unit 11 and various operation switches 26 arranged on the back surface of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 10. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information displayed on a monitor unit 11. FIG. It is the figure which showed the example which added the special effect to the image | photographed image.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information recording / reproducing apparatus, 11 ... Monitor part, 13 ... 1st memory, 13a ... Slot part, 15 ... Microcontroller (CPU), 16 ... Reading part, 17 ... Image reproducing part, 18 ... 2nd memory, 20 ... Music decompression unit, 21 ... music reproduction unit, 22 ... speaker, 24 ... imaging unit, 25 ... compression unit, 26 ... operation switch, 30 ... thumbnail image.

Claims (8)

An imaging unit for imaging a subject;
Other music included in the plurality of music information in a state where the music is played back according to the plurality of music information satisfying the playback time and the number of image shots selected by the user , and the music is being played back and shooting control is not performed. and music playback unit to skip Ru can der possible to reproduce the information,
A recording unit for recording the captured image and the plurality of music information;
A control unit that switches the plurality of music information according to selection by the music reproduction unit, and records the music that is being reproduced at the time when a shooting instruction is issued as a BGM of the captured image;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A display unit for displaying the plurality of music information;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the music information displayed on the display unit includes information on an inserted image at the time of music playback.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image picked up by the image pickup control is recorded in a recording unit that is removable from the music reproduction image pickup apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the music reproduction unit is recorded in a recording unit different from the removable recording unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit, wherein an image according to an image of the music can be displayed according to the reproduced music . In an imaging apparatus having an imaging unit for imaging a subject,
A recording unit detachable from the imaging apparatus body;
A music playback unit that plays music by transferring the music information recorded in the recording unit to a second recording unit different from the removable recording unit;
A first switch for instructing imaging control of the imaging unit when music is played by the music playback unit;
The music playback unit skips the music being played back and gives an instruction to play the next music selected from the plurality of music information satisfying the playback time and the number of image shots selected by the user 2 switches,
When the imaging control of the imaging unit is performed, a control unit that records the subject image and the information of the music being reproduced in a recording unit that is removable from the main body,
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the music information includes information of an inserted image at the time of music playback . 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the detachable recording unit records an image representing the recorded music information together .

Images