U.S. patent application number 14/806117 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for information input apparatus and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Fumio HIRAIDE, Toshihisa KUROIWA, Akira OHMURA, Masahiro SUZUKI, Yoji UCHIYAMA.
Application Number | 20150326755 14/806117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 15535738 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150326755 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUZUKI; Masahiro ; et
al. |
November 12, 2015 |
INFORMATION INPUT APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
An electronic camera is capable of recording image, voice, text,
line-drawn information and the like. A release switch in the
electronic camera is operated to photograph a subject image. When
recording voice with the electronic camera, shutter sound effects
are not output with the recorded voice. Further, the photographic
operation can be indicated to the user by lighting a light-emitting
diode in a finder when the release switch is operated.
Inventors: |
SUZUKI; Masahiro;
(Inzai-shi, JP) ; HIRAIDE; Fumio; (Ebina-shi,
JP) ; KUROIWA; Toshihisa; (Miura-shi, JP) ;
UCHIYAMA; Yoji; (Yokohama-shi, JP) ; OHMURA;
Akira; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKON CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
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JP |
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Family ID: |
15535738 |
Appl. No.: |
14/806117 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13959442 |
Aug 5, 2013 |
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14806117 |
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13661526 |
Oct 26, 2012 |
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13959442 |
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12929632 |
Feb 4, 2011 |
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13661526 |
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12585690 |
Sep 22, 2009 |
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12929632 |
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11327320 |
Jan 9, 2006 |
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12585690 |
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08859276 |
May 20, 1997 |
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11327320 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00384 20130101;
H04N 2101/00 20130101; H04N 2201/3264 20130101; H04N 5/232939
20180801; H04N 5/23216 20130101; H04N 9/802 20130101; H04N 1/00411
20130101; H04N 5/2621 20130101; H04N 1/00405 20130101; H04N
2201/3266 20130101; H04N 1/00392 20130101; H04N 5/23293 20130101;
H04N 1/2112 20130101; H04N 5/907 20130101; H04N 5/772 20130101;
H04N 1/00413 20130101; H04N 5/225 20130101; H04N 9/8047 20130101;
H04N 1/0049 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225; H04N 1/21 20060101 H04N001/21 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 1996 |
JP |
08-152221 |
Claims
1. An information input apparatus, comprising: an imaging device
that captures an object image and forms digital images of a
subject; a sound recording device that records sounds in a state of
recording mode; a storage medium that stores at least one of the
digital images formed by the imaging device and the sounds input by
the sound recording device; a release switch that initiates a
process of capturing the object image by said imaging device when a
user operates the release switch; a sound effect output device that
outputs a preset non-mechanical sound effect that signifies
initiating the capturing process by said imaging device when the
release switch is operated; a control device that connects to the
sound recording device, the storage medium and the sound effect
output device; and a judging device that judges whether the
information input apparatus is in the recording mode; wherein when
the judging device judges that the information input apparatus is
in the recording mode, the control device controls the sound effect
output device to prevent outputting of the preset non-mechanical
sound effect when the user operates the release switch to initiate
the capturing process, wherein the information input apparatus
includes a sound playback device that outputs the sounds stored in
the storage medium, and wherein the sound effect output device is
controlled by the control device to selectively output a preset
sound effect having a frequency incapable of being recorded by the
sound recording device, incapable of being stored by the storage
medium, or incapable of being played back by the sound playback
device.
2. The information input apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a viewfinder through which the subject can be observed; and an
information output device that outputs visual information within
the viewfinder, wherein the capturing process also stores the at
least one image in the storage medium, wherein the control device
further controls the information output device to output a visual
release switch indication when the release switch is operated.
3. The information input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the preset
non-mechanical sound effect is a shutter sound effect, wherein the
storage medium stores a plurality of types of the shutter sound
effect, and wherein the sound effect output device outputs one of
the plurality of types of shutter sound effect when the release
switch is operated.
4. The information input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage
medium stores the digital images and the sounds together.
5. The information input apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
setting device that sets a photographic environment, wherein when
the release switch is operated the sound effect output device
further outputs sound effects based on the photographic environment
set by the setting device.
6. The information input apparatus of claim 5, wherein the setting
device is a compression device that compresses the digital images
formed by the imaging device at a selected one of a plurality of
compression rates.
7. An information input apparatus, comprising: an imaging device
that captures an object image and forms digital images of a
subject; a sound recording device that records sounds in a state of
recording mode; a storage medium that stores at least one of the
digital images formed by the imaging device and the sounds input by
the sound recording device; a release switch that initiates a
process of capturing the object image by said imaging device when a
user operates the release switch; a sound effect output device that
outputs a preset non-mechanical sound effect that signifies
initiating the capturing process by said imaging device when the
release switch is operated; a control device that connects to the
sound recording device, the storage medium and the sound effect
output device; and a judging device that judges whether the
information input apparatus is in the recording mode; wherein while
in the recording mode, the control device controls the sound effect
output device to prevent outputting of the preset non-mechanical
sound effect when the user operates the release switch to initiate
the capturing process; the information input apparatus further
comprising a setting device that sets a photographic environment,
wherein when the release switch is operated the sound effect output
device further outputs sound effects based on the photographic
environment set by the setting device; wherein the setting device
is a compression device that compresses the digital images formed
by the imaging device at a selected one of a plurality of
compression rates; and wherein a frequency of the sound effects
output by the sound effect output device is changed based on the
selected compression rate.
8. An information input apparatus, comprising: an imaging device
that captures an object image and forms digital images of a
subject; a sound recording device that records sounds in a state of
recording mode; a storage medium that stores at least one of the
digital images formed by the imaging device and the sounds input by
the sound recording device; a release switch that initiates a
process of capturing the object image by said imaging device when a
user operates the release switch; a sound effect output device that
outputs a preset non-mechanical sound effect that signifies
initiating the capturing process by said imaging device when the
release switch is operated; a control device that connects to the
sound recording device, the storage medium and the sound effect
output device; and a judging device that judges whether the
information input apparatus is in the recording mode; wherein while
in the recording mode, the control device controls the sound effect
output device to prevent outputting of the preset non-mechanical
sound effect when the user operates the release switch to initiate
the capturing process; the information input apparatus further
comprising a setting device that sets a photographic environment,
wherein when the release switch is operated the sound effect output
device further outputs sound effects based on the photographic
environment set by the setting device; wherein the setting device
is a compression device that compresses the digital images formed
by the imaging device at a selected one of a plurality of
compression rates; and wherein the setting device further sets an
information input apparatus operating mode, wherein the sound
effect output device outputs the sound effects based on the
operation mode set by the setting device.
9. The information input apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a
changing device that changes the sound effects corresponding to the
operation mode.
10. The information input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sound
playback device silences all or part of the preset non-mechanical
sound effect when the preset non-mechanical sound effect is
included in the sound stored by the storage medium.
11. The information input apparatus of claim 10, further comprising
a selection device that selects whether to remove the preset
non-mechanical sound effect included in the sounds output by the
sound playback device, wherein a sound removing device silences all
or part of the preset non-mechanical sound effect when removing the
sound effect is selected by the selection device.
12. The information input apparatus of claim 10 further comprising
a deleting device that deletes all or part of the preset
non-mechanical sound effect from the sounds output by the sound
playback device when the preset non-mechanical sound effect was
included in the sounds that the sound recording device records.
13. The information input apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
a display that displays the digital images formed by the imaging
device and the digital images stored by the storage medium.
14. The information input apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
an illumination device that illuminates the subject with light.
15. A method of controlling an information input apparatus,
comprising: capturing an object image and forming digital images of
a subject using an imaging device; judging whether the information
input apparatus is in a recording mode; performing sound recording
of sounds occurring near the information input apparatus using a
sound recording device in a state of recording mode; storing the
digital images formed by the imaging device and the sounds recorded
by the sound recording device in a storage medium; operating a
release switch to initiate a process of capturing the object image
by said imaging device when a user operates the releasing switch;
outputting a non-mechanical sound effect that signifies initiating
the capturing process by said imaging device when an image forming
process is initiated; controlling recording, storing and outputting
of the non-mechanical sound effect; wherein, when a judgment is
made that the information input apparatus is in the recording mode,
preventing outputting the non-mechanical sound effect when the user
operates the release switch to initiate the capturing process; and
playing back the sounds stored in the storage medium with a
speaker, wherein the outputting with the sounds input by the sound
recording device, includes selecting and outputting a sound effect
using a frequency outside a frequency range of the sound recording
device, the storage medium or the speaker.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: observing the
subject through a viewfinder; and outputting visual information
within the viewfinder, wherein the capturing process also is an
image recording process that stores the images formed by the
imaging device in the storage medium, wherein the visual
information is a release switch operation indication when the
release switch is operated.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising setting a
photographic environment with a setting device, wherein the sound
effect outputting step outputs the non-mechanical sound effect
based on the photographic environment set by the setting
device.
18. A method of controlling an information input apparatus,
comprising: capturing an object image and forming digital images of
a subject using an imaging device; judging whether the information
input apparatus is in a recording mode; performing sound recording
of sounds occurring near the information input apparatus using a
sound recording device in a state of recording mode; storing the
digital images formed by the imaging device and the sounds recorded
by the sound recording device in a storage medium; operating a
release switch to initiate a process of capturing the object image
by said imaging device when a user operates the releasing switch;
outputting a non-mechanical sound effect that signifies initiating
the capturing process by said imaging device when the image forming
process is initiated; and controlling recording, storing and
outputting of the non-mechanical sound effect; wherein while in the
recording mode, preventing outputting the non-mechanical sound
effect when the user operates the release switch to initiate a
capturing process; setting a photographic environment with a
setting device, wherein the outputting outputs the non-mechanical
sound effect based on the photographic environment set by the
setting device; and wherein the setting sets an information input
apparatus operating mode and the outputting outputs the
non-mechanical sound effect based on the operation mode set by the
setting device.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: playing back the
sounds stored in the storage medium with a speaker; and silencing
the non-mechanical sound effect when the sound effect is included
in the sounds recorded by the sound recording device.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the silencing comprises
deleting the non-mechanical sound effect from the sounds when the
non-mechanical sound effect is included in the sounds recorded by
the sound recording device.
21. The information input apparatus of claim 1, where the preset
non-mechanical sound effect is customizable.
22. The method of claim 15, further comprising customizing the
non-mechanical sound effect.
Description
[0001] This is a Continuation application of Ser. No. 13/959,442
filed Aug. 5, 2013, which is in turn a Continuation application of
Ser. No. 13/661,526 filed Oct. 26, 2012, which is in turn a
Continuation application of application Ser. No. 12/929,632 filed
on Feb. 4, 2011, which is in turn a Continuation of application
Ser. No. 12/585,690 filed Sep. 22, 2009, which is in turn a
Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/327,320 filed Jan. 9, 2006,
which in turn is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/859,276
filed May 20, 1997, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 08-152221 filed Jun. 13, 1996. The disclosures of
the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein
in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an information input apparatus used
in an electronic camera and the like to convert subject images into
digital data. The information input apparatus then records the
digital data.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Instead of cameras that use film, electronic cameras can be
used to photograph the subject image using a CCD or the like,
convert this into digital data, and record it in an installed
memory or in an attachable/detachable memory card, or the like.
With the image photographed using these electronic cameras, there
is no need to go through the developing and printing necessary in
conventional film cameras. In addition, immediate playback or
display on a screen such as an LCD, are possible.
[0006] Further, to record the photographed image as digital data,
the electronic camera input apparatus have become compatible with
personal computers. For example, to create an Internet home page,
electronic cameras can be used to input such image data. Electronic
camera input apparatus that input not only images, but also voice
and sound recording (capability) have been considered.
[0007] In an electronic camera that has image and sound recording
(e.g., voice) capability, the release button can be operated during
voice recording. This can cause the problem that the shutter sound
effect output when the release button is operated is recorded as
well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to solve at least
the above-identified problems. It is another object of the present
invention to prevent a sound effect such as a shutter sound effect
from being output during voice recording so that only necessary
information is recorded.
[0009] The information input apparatus of the invention includes an
imaging device for imaging a prescribed subject image, a voice
input device inputting a prescribed voice, a storage device for
storing image data, voice data or the like, a pointing device
indicating a start of a prescribed process, a sound effect output
device that can output a prescribed sound effect, and a control
device. The sound effect can be a shutter sound effect or the like.
When the voice input device is recording, the control device can
control the sound effect output device so that sound effects are
not output during operation of the pointing device.
[0010] Further, the information input apparatus includes an
observation device for observing the subject and an information
output device for outputting visual information within the
observation device. The pointing device can be a release button
that indicates a start of a photographic process where the image
imaged by the imaging device is stored in the storage device. The
control device can control visual information output by the
information output device within the observation device to indicate
when the pointing device is operated.
[0011] The information input apparatus can further include a
photographic setting device that determines a photographic
environment. When the pointing device is operated, the sound effect
output device then outputs a sound effect corresponding to the
photographic environment set by the setting device. As a result,
the sound effect is altered based on the photographic environment.
Accordingly, the user can confirm the photographic environment from
the sound effect, which improves the operations of the information
input apparatus. The sound effect output device can also output
sound effects corresponding to an operation mode of the apparatus
set by the photographic setting device when the pointing device is
operated. As a result, the sound effect is altered based on the
operation mode. Accordingly, the user can confirm the operation
mode from the sound effect, which improves operations of the
information input apparatus.
[0012] The information input apparatus can further include a sound
effect silencing device and a voice playback device. The sound
effect silencing device can silence all or part of a sound effect
when a voice played back by the voice playback device includes the
sound effect. Thus, when the recorded voice is output, the sound
effect previously included can be silenced. Accordingly, the
information input apparatus does not output unnecessary
information.
[0013] The information input apparatus can include a deleting
device that deletes all or part of a sound effect from the voice
recording when the sound effect output by the sound effect output
device is included with the voice input by the voice input device.
Thus, the deleting device can prevent recording the sound effect.
Alternatively, the sound effect output device can output sound
effects of a frequency outside an input range of the voice input
device, outside a storage range of the storage device, or outside a
playback range of the voice playback device. Accordingly, the
information input apparatus does not record the potentially
unnecessary information of the sound effect.
[0014] Other objects, advantages and salient features of the
invention will become apparent from the detailed description taken
in conjunction with the annexed drawings, which illustrate
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will be described with reference to the
following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like
elements and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention applied to an electronic camera;
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the electronic
camera of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the electronic camera of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an electrical composition of
the electronic camera of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a display screen displayed on an LCD of the
electronic camera of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart for the operation of the present
invention applied to the electronic camera of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 7 shows a finder that includes a light-emitting
diode;
[0023] FIG. 8 shows a finder for a single lens reflex camera
including a light-emitting diode;
[0024] FIG. 9 shows the finder of FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 10 shows an LCD during operation of a release
switch;
[0026] FIG. 11 shows an electronic camera using a pen and a menu
key;
[0027] FIG. 12 shows a selection screen;
[0028] FIG. 13 shows a setting mode selection screen;
[0029] FIG. 14 shows a compression rate setting screen;
[0030] FIG. 15 shows a sound effect setting screen;
[0031] FIG. 16 shows a message displayed during selection;
[0032] FIG. 17 shows a message displayed during release sound
recording;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing another electrical
composition of the electronic camera according to the present
invention; and
[0034] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing yet another electrical
composition of the electronic camera according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of one embodiment of an
electronic camera 1 to which the present invention is applied. For
convenience of description, there are six surfaces composing the
electronic camera 1. A surface facing a subject when the electronic
camera 1 is photographing the subject is called surface X1. The
surface facing the user is called surface X2 as shown in FIG. 2. At
the upper end of the surface X1, a finder 2 confirms the
photographic range of the subject, a photographic lens 3 takes in
the light image of the subject and a light-emitting part (e.g.,
strobe) 4 emits light to illuminate the subject.
[0036] At the top end of the surface X2, which opposes the surface
X1, the finder 2 and a speaker 5 are provided. The speaker 5
outputs sound (e.g., voice or the like) corresponding to sound data
recorded in a memory card or the like installed in the electronic
camera 1. As shown in FIG. 2, an LCD 6 and an operating keys 7 are
formed on the surface X2 vertically below the finder 2, the
photographic lens 3, the light-emitting part 4, and the speaker 5.
On the surface of the LCD 6 is a touch tablet 6A. A pen-type
pointing device (hereafter "pen") 6B or the like can contact the
touch tablet 6A to make selections or input data as shown in FIG.
11.
[0037] The touch tablet 6A is composed of translucent material such
as glass or resin. The user can observe the image displayed on the
LCD 6 inside of the touch tablet 6A through the touch tablet
6A.
[0038] The operating keys 7 includes a plurality of keys
corresponding to various functions and is operated by the pen 6B.
Recorded data such as image data, voice data, or text data,
recorded in the memory card can be played back by being displayed
on the LCD 6. For example, a menu key 7A is operated when a menu
screen is displayed on the LCD 6. An execute key 7B is operated
when playing back the recorded data selected by the user.
[0039] Further, a clear key 7C is operated when deleting recorded
data. A cancel key 7D is operated to interrupt the replay process
of the recorded data. When a list of the recorded data is displayed
on the LCD 6, a scroll key 7E is operated to scroll in a vertical
direction on the screen.
[0040] On a top surface Z of the electronic camera 1 are a voice
collection microphone (mike) 8 and an earphone jack 9 for
connection to earphones (not shown).
[0041] On a side surface Y1 are a release switch or release button
10 and a power source (ON/OFF) switch 11. The release switch 10 is
operated to photograph the subject. The release switch 10 and the
power source switch 11 are arranged vertically below the finder 2,
the photographic lens 3 and the light-emitting part 4.
[0042] On a side surface Y2 are a recording switch 12 that is
operated during sound recording and a continuous shooting mode
changeover switch 13 that is operated to change to continuous
shooting mode during photography. The side surface Y2 is opposite
the side surface Y1. The recording switch 12 and the continuous
shooting mode changeover switch 13 are located vertically below the
finder 2, the photographic lens 3, and the light-emitting part 4.
The recording switch 12 is approximately the same height as the
release switch 10 on the surface Y1 so that in whichever hand the
user holds the electronic camera 1, there is no incongruity.
[0043] The heights of the release switch 10 and the recording
switch 12 can be made different, for example, if a switch on only
one of the sides is to pressed by a finger. If the switches are
positioned differently on the opposite sides, it is possible to
press one switch while at the same time also holding the opposing
side surface with an opposing finger.
[0044] When the user presses the release switch 10 and photographs
the subject, the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
controls whether the subject is photographed only in one frame or
photographed continuously in a preset plurality of frames. For
example, if the indicator of the continuous shooting mode
changeover switch changes to the position "S" (the "S" mode) when
the release switch 10 is pressed, photography is performed only for
one frame.
[0045] If the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is at
the position "L" (the "L" mode) when the release switch 10 is
pressed, photography is performed at a rate of 8 frames per second.
That is, photography is performed by a low speed continuous
shooting mode. If the indicator of the continuous shooting mode
changeover switch is at the position "H" (the "H" mode) when the
release switch 10 is pressed, photography is performed at a rate of
30 frames per second. That is, photography is performed in the high
speed continuous shooting mode.
[0046] Next, composition of a portion of the interior of the
electronic camera 1 is explained with respect to FIG. 3. A CCD 20
is behind (the surface X2 side) the photographic lens 3. The CCD 20
photoelectrically converts and outputs electrical signals (image
signals) corresponding to the light image of the subject resolved
via the photographic lens 3.
[0047] Vertically below the LCD 6, four cylindrical batteries (such
as AA dry cell batteries) 21 are arranged in a row. Electrical
power accumulated in the batteries 21 is supplied to various parts
of the electronic camera 1. Further, the charge necessary for
emitting light by the light emitting part 4 is accumulated in a
condenser 22, which is aligned with the batteries 21.
[0048] Various control circuits in a circuit board 23 control
various parts of the electronic camera 1. Further, a removable
memory card (storage medium) 24 can be between the circuit board 23
and the LCD 6 (battery 21). Various types of information input into
the electronic camera 1 are recorded in respective preset regions
of the memory card 24.
[0049] Although in this embodiment the memory card 24 is removable,
memory or alternative information storage mediums may also be
provided in the circuit board 23 to record various types of
information. Further, the information recorded in the memory card
24 can be output to an external personal computer for external
storage or use via an interface (not shown).
[0050] Next, an electrical composition of the electronic camera 1
is explained with respect to FIG. 4. The CCD 20 is equipped with a
plurality of pixels. The CCD 20 photoelectrically converts the
light image, which is resolved into respective pixels, into image
signals (electric signals). A digital signal processor DSP 33
controls a CCD drive circuit (VDRV) 39 to drive the CCD 20.
[0051] A correlation duplex sampling (CDS) circuit 31 samples the
image signals photoelectrically converted by the CCD 20 in a
prescribed timing. An automatic gain control circuit (AGC) 40
controls the gain of the signal sampled by the CDS 31. An
analog/digital (A/D) conversion circuit 32 digitizes the image
signals sampled by the CDS circuit 31 and supplies them to the DSP
33.
[0052] The DSP 33 supplies the digitized image data to a buffer
memory 37 where it is stored. A compression and expansion memory
control (CEMC) circuit 38 reads out the image data stored in the
buffer memory 37. After being compressed by the Joint Photographic
Experts Group (JPEG) method, (described below) the image data read
by the CEMC circuit 38 is supplied to the memory card 24 via a data
bus 42, and recorded in a predetermined image recording region.
[0053] Image data header information such as the photograph
date/time information are recorded in the image recording region of
the memory card 24. That is, the photographic date/time data is
added to the image data recorded in the image recording region of
the memory card 24.
[0054] The mike 8 inputs sound such as voice, and supplies a
corresponding voice signal to a voice IC 36. The voice IC 36
converts the voice signals into digitized voice data. After
compression, the digitized voice data is supplied to the memory
card 24 where it is recorded in a predetermined sound or voice
(hereafter sound) recording region. At this time, voice data header
information such as the voice (sound) recording date/time data is
recorded in the sound recording region of the memory card 24.
[0055] A CPU 34 is preferably implemented on a special purpose
computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and
peripheral integrated circuit elements, an ASIC or other integrated
circuit elements, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a
discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device such as a
PLD, PLA, FGPA or PAL, or the like. In general, any device on which
a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowchart shown
in FIG. 3 can be used to implement the CPU 34. The CPU 34 has an
installed clock circuit (not shown). The light emitting part 4 is
controlled by the CPU 34. The light emitting part 4 emits light in
a controlled timing to illuminate the subject.
[0056] When a prescribed portion of the touch tablet 6A is pressed
by the pen 6B operated by the user, the CPU 34 reads the X-Y
coordinates corresponding to the position of the touch tablet 6A.
The CPU 34 accumulates that coordinate data, which can be
"line-drawn information" (described below). The CPU 34 supplies the
line-drawn information accumulated in a memory (not shown) with
header information such as the date/time information of line-drawn
information to the memory card 24. The line-drawn information and
header is recorded into the line-drawn information recording
region.
[0057] The buffer memory 37 and the LCD 6 are connected to the CPU
34 via a CPU control bus 41. The image corresponding to the image
data stored in the buffer memory 37 can be displayed on the LCD 6.
However, the compression processed image data is input first to the
CEMC circuit 38. After being expanded, from the CEMC circuit 38 the
compression processed image data is supplied to the buffer memory
37 via the data bus 42.
[0058] The speaker 5 is connected to the voice IC 36. The voice
data read out by the memory card 24 is expanded by the voice IC 36.
After being converted to analog voice signals, the voice data are
output from the speaker 5.
[0059] An operation switch 35 corresponds to the release switch 10,
the power source switch 11, the recording switch 12, and the
continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13, as shown in FIGS.
1-3. When each switch is operated, a corresponding signal is
supplied to the CPU 34 and the CPU 34 executes a corresponding
predetermined process.
[0060] Next, operation of the electronic camera according to this
embodiment is described. First, a voice input/output process is
described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the power source switch 11 is
changed to "ON", power is supplied to the electronic camera 1. When
the (sound) recording switch 12 is pressed, a sound recording
process begins. The sound recording process inputs and records
performing voices or the like. In this manner, the voice input via
the mike 8 is converted to digital voice data by the voice IC 36.
After compression, the compressed data is supplied to the memory
card 24 and recorded in the sound recording region of the memory
card 24. At this time, data such as the recording date/time of the
voice data is also recorded as compressed voice data header
information in the sound recording region of the memory card 24.
This operation can be repetitively executed when the sound
recording switch 12 is pressed. Moreover, the Pulse Code Modulation
(PCM) method, which is known to one of ordinary skill in the art,
or another method may be used for voice compression.
[0061] Next, an operation for photographing the subject is
described. First, the S mode for the continuous shooting mode
changeover switch 13 (single frame photography) is described. As
shown in FIG. 1, the power source switch 11 on the surface Y1 is
changed to "ON" and power is supplied to the electronic camera 1.
The subject is then confirmed in the finder 2. When the release
switch 10 on the surface Y1 is pressed, the process of
photographing the subject begins.
[0062] In the photography process, the light image of the subject
observed through the finder 2 is gathered by the photographic lens
3 and resolved onto the CCD 20. The light image of the subject
formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted to image
signals on each pixel and sampled by the CDS circuit 31. After
being gain controlled via the AGC circuit 40, the image signals
sampled by the CDS 31 are supplied to the A/D conversion circuit
32. The digitized signals are then supplied to the DSP 33.
[0063] The DSP 33 supplies the digitized image data once to the
buffer memory 37, where it is stored. The CEMC circuit 38 uses the
JPEG method to compress image data read out from the buffer memory
37. The JPEG method combines cosine conversion scattering,
quantizing and Huffman encoding as would be known to one of
ordinary skill in the art. The CEMC circuit 38 supplies compressed
image data via the data bus 42 to the memory card 24, The memory
card 24 records the image data supplied from the CEMC circuit 38 to
the image recording region. At this time, the date/time data of the
photograph is recorded as the image data header information in the
image recording region of the memory card 24.
[0064] Thus, when the release switch 10 is pressed in the S mode of
the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13, photography of
one frame only is performed. Accordingly, even if the release
switch 10 is depressed continuously in the S mode, photography is
performed for one frame. Further, when the release switch 10 is
continuously depressed for a prescribed time, the current image
being photographed can be displayed on the LCD 6.
[0065] Next, the L mode for the continuous shooting mode changeover
switch 13 (continuous photography of 8 frames per second) is
explained. First, the power source switch 11 is changed to "ON" to
supply power to the electronic camera 1. When the release switch 10
is pressed, the process of photographing the subject begins.
[0066] Light from the subject observed through the finder 2 is
collected by the photographic lens 3, and formed on the CCD. The
light image of the subject formed on the CCD 20 is
photoelectrically converted to image signals in each pixel. The
image signals are sampled at a rate of 8 times per second by the
CDS circuit 31. At this time, the CDS circuit 31 can thin out or
remove image electrical signals corresponding to 3/4 of these
pixels.
[0067] Remaining image signals (image signals of 1/4 of the pixels
of the CCD 20) sampled by the CDS circuit 31 are supplied to the
A/D conversion circuit 32. The digitized signals are output to the
DSP 33.
[0068] The DSP 33 supplies the digitized image initially to the
buffer memory 37, where it is stored. The image data stored in the
buffer memory 37 is read out and compressed using the JPEG method
by the CEMC circuit 38. From the CEMC circuit 38, the compression
processed image data is supplied to the memory card 24 via the data
bus 42, and recorded to the image record region. At this time, the
date/time data of the photographer are recorded as image data
header information in the image recording region of the memory card
24.
[0069] Next, the H mode for the continuous shooting mode changeover
switch 13 (continuous shooting at 30 frames per second) is
explained. First, the power switch 11 is changed to "ON" to supply
power to the electronic camera 1. When the release switch 10 is
depressed, the subject photography process is initiated.
[0070] Light from the subject observed through the finder 2 is
collected by the photographic lens 3, and resolved on the CCD 20.
The light image of the subject resolved on the CCD 20 is
photoelectrically converted to image signals in each pixel of the
CCD 20. The image signals are sampled by the CDS circuit 31 at a
rate of 30 times per second. At this time, the CDS 31 can thin out
or remove image electrical signals corresponding to 8/9 of all of
the pixels of the CCD 20.
[0071] Remaining image signals (image signals of one-ninth of all
of the pixels) of the CCD 20 are supplied to the A/D conversion
circuit 32. The digitized signals are output to the DSP 33.
[0072] The DSP 33 supplies the digitized image data once to the
buffer memory 37, where it is recorded. The CEMC circuit 38 reads
out the image data from the buffer memory 37 and performs JPEG
compression. In this way, the digitized and compression processed
image data is supplied to the memory card 24 via the data bus 42,
and stored with the photographic date/time header information in
the image recording region of the memory card 24.
[0073] Moreover, during photography of the subject, the light
emitting part 4 is controlled by the CPU 34 as necessary to
illuminate the subject with light.
[0074] Next, operation of the electronic camera 1 when pen-input
information is input using the touch tablet 6A (two-dimensional
information) is described. When the touch tablet 6A is contacted by
the tip of the pen 6B, data corresponding to the contacted X-Y
coordinate location is input to the CPU 34. Data corresponding to
these X-Y coordinates is supplied to the CPU 34 and stored.
Further, information related to a size of the contacting point can
be recorded by the CPU 34 into a position corresponding to the X-Y
coordinates in the buffer memory 37. Then, the size of the
contacting point is displayed by the CPU 34 at a corresponding
position on the LCD 6.
[0075] As described above, the touch tablet 6A formed on the
surface of the LCD 6 is composed of a transparent material. Thus,
the user can observe a point displayed on the LCD 6 at the position
where the touch tablet 6A was pressed by the pen-tip of the pen 6B.
In other words, the user can directly observe the pen 6B input on
the LCD 6. Further, when the pen 6B is moved in contact with the
touch tablet 6A, a line is displayed along the locus where the pen
6B moved on the LCD 6. Further, when the pen-type pointing device
6B moves continuously on the touch tablet 6A, a dotted line is
displayed in accompaniment with the movement of the pen-type
pointing device 6B on the LCD 6. In this manner, the user can input
line-drawn information (described above) such as a desired
character or figure.
[0076] In the event that an image is displayed on the LCD 6, when
line-drawn information (e.g., characters) is input by the pen 6B,
the line-drawn information and the image information is combined in
the buffer memory 37 and displayed simultaneously on the LCD 6.
[0077] Moreover, the user can operate a color select switch (not
shown) to select a color for the line drawing displayed on the LCD
6. The user can select a color from a plurality of colors such as
black, white, red, and blue.
[0078] After input of the line-drawn information by the touch
tablet 6A and the pen 6B, the execute key 7B of the operating keys
7 can be pressed. When the execute key 7B is pressed, the
line-drawn information accumulated in the memory and the input
date/time header information is supplied to and recorded in the
image recording region of the memory card 24, via the CPU control
bus 41.
[0079] The line-drawn information recorded in the memory card 24
can be compression processed. However, the line-drawn information
input to the touch tablet 6A includes information having a high
spatial frequency component and a total amount of information is
comparatively small. When the JPEG method is used for such image
compression, the compression efficiency is poor. Further, the JPEG
compression method is non-reversible compression. Thus, the JPEG
method is not as appropriate for compression of line-drawn
information because the amount of information is small.
Accordingly, when the line-drawn information is expanded and
displayed on the LCD 6, gathering that accompanies the loss of
information, as well as blurring and the like occurs because of the
JPEG method.
[0080] Therefore, in this embodiment, line-drawn information is
compressed by a run-length method. The run-length method is known
to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be used for facsimile
devices and the like. The run-length method is a method that
compresses line-drawn information by scanning the line-drawn screen
in the horizontal direction. Then, the run-length method encodes
the continuing lengths of information (points) of each color, such
as black, white, red, and blue, and the continuing lengths of
non-information (sections with no pen input).
[0081] By employing the run-length method, line-drawn information
can be efficiently compressed. Further, when the compressed
line-drawing information is expanded, information loss can be
suppressed. Alternatively, when the amount of line-drawn
information is comparatively small, the information can be stored
without compression.
[0082] If the image is displayed on the LCD 6 when the pen 6B input
is performed, the image data and the pen 6B line-drawn information
are combined in the buffer memory 37, and the composite image of
the image and the line drawing is displayed on the LCD 6. However,
in the memory card 24, the image data is recorded in the image
recording region, and the line-drawn information is recorded in the
line-drawn information recording region. In this way, the two types
of information are recorded in different regions, respectively. As
a result, the user is able to delete from the composite image
either the image or the line drawing. Further, the respective types
of image information can be compressed and recorded by individual
methods of compression.
[0083] If data is recorded the sound (hereafter voice) recording
region, the image recording region, or the line-drawn information
recording region of memory card 24, a "view display screen"
displayed on the LCD 6 allows selection of the recorded
information. On the view display screen of the LCD 6 as shown in
FIG. 5, a date when the information was recorded (recording date)
is displayed in a recording date display region 53 at the bottom of
the LCD 6. The recording date reads "Aug. 25, 1995" in this case.
The recording time of the information recorded on that recording
date is displayed in a recording time display region 54 at the
extreme left side of the LCD 6.
[0084] To the right side of the recording time, when image data is
recorded, a thumbnail image is displayed in a thumbnail image
display region 55. The thumbnail image is a reduced image created
by thinning out bitmap data of the respective types of image data
recorded in the memory card 24. Accordingly, the information
displayed by the thumbnail image is information including image
information. As shown in FIG. 5, information recorded (input) at
the times "10:16" and "10:21" include image information. The
information recorded at the times "10:05", "10:28", "10:54", and
"10:10" do not include image information.
[0085] Further, a memo signal "*" indicates that the recorded
information includes line-drawn information. The memo signal "*" is
displayed in a memo symbol display region 57 on the LCD 6.
[0086] Adjacent to the right side of the thumbnail image display
region 55, voice information bars 56 can be displayed. The
displayed length on an existing bar (line) corresponds to the time
the voice was recorded. If voice information was not recorded, the
voice information bar is not displayed.
[0087] On a screen displayed on the LCD 6 as shown in FIG. 5, the
user designates the information selected to be played back by
pressing with the pen tip of the pen 6B. The user presses the pen
6B within the rectangular region where the desired information is
displayed. Alternatively, playback of the selected information is
designated by pressing the execute key 7B shown in FIG. 2 with the
pen tip of the pen 6B. As a result of either action, the selected
information is output.
[0088] For example, in FIG. 5, when the pen 6B presses in recording
time display region 54 displaying 10:05, the CPU 34 commands the
voice IC 36 to play back the voice corresponding to the selected
recording time, "10:05".
[0089] The voice IC 36, reads out voice data from the memory card
24, executes the expansion process, converts the voice data to
analog signals and outputs the voice recording from the speaker 5.
If earphones (not shown) are connected to the earphone jack 9,
voice is output from the earphones and/or the speaker 5.
[0090] To play back the image data recorded in the memory card 24,
the user can press the desired thumbnail image with the pen 6B to
select that information. Next, by pressing the execute key 7B, the
user initiates playback of the selected information.
[0091] The image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image
is read out from the memory card 24 and expanded in the CEMC
circuit 38. The expanded image data is stored as bitmap data in the
buffer memory 37 via the data bus 42. Next, a control signal
corresponding to the image data stored in the buffer memory 37 is
supplied to the LCD 6 by the CPU 34 to display the corresponding
image.
[0092] At this time, if voice data is also recorded (e.g., 10:16,
10:21), the voice recording is concurrently output from the speaker
5.
[0093] If the memory is fully loaded in the voice IC 36 or in the
memory card 24, a corresponding sound effect can be predetermined.
Also, when the operation switch 35 or the touch tablet 6A is
operated, the voice IC 36 can output a predetermined sound effect.
Further, when the release switch 10 is pressed, (i.e., similar to a
conventional camera employing film) the sound of the shutter
snapping (hereafter the "shutter sound effect") can be made to
occur electrically. By the shutter sound effect, the user confirms
that the image recording has been performed.
[0094] Next, with respect to FIG. 6, a method of this embodiment to
prevent the output of the shutter sound effect is described. When
the recording switch 12 of the electronic camera 1 is operated for
sound recording by the mike 8 in the event that the electronic
camera 1 is used as a tape recorder, the release switch 10 can be
operated. The method shown in FIG. 6 can prevent output of the
shutter sound effect during photography of the photographic
subject.
[0095] From the start of operations in FIG. 6, control advances to
step S1. In step S1, it is judged whether the operation switch 35
or the touch tablet 6A have been operated. When the judgment is
that the operation switch 35 or the touch tablet 6A have not been
operated, control returns to step S1. In this way, the process of
step S1 is repetitively executed. However, when the judgment in
step S1 is that the operation switch 35 or the touch tablet 6A have
been operated, control advances to step S2. In step S2, it is
judged whether the release switch 10 has been pressed.
[0096] In step S2, when the judgment is that the release switch 10
has been pressed, control advances to step S3. In step S3, it is
judged whether voice is currently being recorded. When the judgment
is that voice is currently being recorded in step S3, control
advances to step S4 where the shutter sound effect is silenced (not
output). As shown in FIG. 7, in one case when the shutter sound
effect is silenced, a light-emitting diode 2B within an eyepiece 2A
of the finder 2 is lit. In this case, an optical finder can be
used. By this occurrence, the operation recording that image to the
memory card 24 can be visually confirmed by the user.
[0097] Alternatively, in the case of single lens reflex, a
light-emitting diode 53 on the outer side of a screen 52. As shown
in FIG. 8, the screen 52 displays the image of the subject within a
finder 51. When the judgment in step S3 is that voice recording is
not in progress, control advances to step S6. In step S6, the
shutter sound effect is output via the speaker 5 or the like. Thus,
the user can aurally and visually confirm initiating the image
photography operation.
[0098] From step S6 and step S4, control advances to step S5. The
photographed image is recorded to the memory card 24 in step S5.
After that, control returns from step S5 to step S1 so that the
process can be repetitively executed from step S1.
[0099] In step S2, when the judgment is that the release switch 10
has not been operated, control advances to step S7. In step S7, it
is judged whether voice is currently being recorded. When the
judgment is that voice is being recorded, the output of the sound
effect corresponding to the operation (see step S1) is not
performed. In this case, control advances to step S9. When it is
judged step S7 that voice is not being recorded, control advances
to step S8 where the prescribed sound effect corresponding to the
operation is output. From step S8, control advances to step S9. In
step S9, the corresponding operation is executed. From step S9,
control returns to step S1 so that the process can be respectively
executed.
[0100] As described above, when recording voice, the shutter sound
effect or other sound effects output are interrupted. Thus, it is
possible not to record the shutter sound effect or the sound
effects to the memory card 24 with the voice.
[0101] As described above, the compression/expansion memory control
circuit 38 uses the JPEG method to compress the photographed image
to be recorded in the memory card 24. In that case, this
compression rate is variable and can be set by the user as shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14. For example, the compression of the photographed
image can be set to 1/20th of the data amount (i.e., a normal mode)
or to 1/10th of the data amount (i.e., fine mode).
[0102] The shutter sound effect output when the release switch 10
is operated can be changed to indicate the current compression rate
set for the electronic camera 1. For example, when the release
switch 10 is operated in the normal mode, a comparatively low
frequency sound is output. When the release switch 10 is operated
in the fine mode, a comparatively high frequency sound is output.
Of course, the volume or tone of the corresponding sound may be
altered. As a result, the user can aurally and visually confirm the
release switch 10 operation and the current compression rate
setting.
[0103] Further, when the release switch 10 operates during voice
recording, the shutter sound effect is prevented. Instead, a
light-emitting diode 61A within the finder 51 can emit light to
illuminate a character such as "N", (normal) to indicate the normal
compression rate mode to the user as shown in FIG. 9. A
light-emitting diode 61B can emit light to illuminate a character
such as "F" (fine) for the fine compression rate mode. As a result,
the user can visually confirm the release switch 10 operation and
the current compression rate setting.
[0104] Alternatively, the release switch 10 actuation can cause the
display of a word such as "release" on the LCD 6 as shown in FIG.
10. Again, the user visually confirms the release switch 10
operation. Further, when the release switch is operated, a word
(character), picture, or the like corresponding to the current
compression rate can be displayed with "release" on the LCD 6. As a
result, the user visually confirms the release button 10 operation,
and the current compression rate.
[0105] Next, operations that set the compression rate and the
shutter sound effect (release sound) are explained with reference
to FIGS. 11-17. As shown in FIG. 11, the pen 6B selects the menu
key 7A on the touch tablet 6A to display a menu selecting screen.
The selecting screen is displayed on the LCD 6. On an exemplary
selection screen shown in FIG. 12, selected items such as
"recording mode", "playback mode", "personal information mode",
"calendar display mode" and "setting mode" are displayed. When the
pen 6B selects the "setting mode" selection item, settable items
are displayed in an exemplary setting selection screen as shown in
FIG. 13.
[0106] Among the settable items in FIG. 13, for example, a
"compression rate" item can be selected. Selecting the compression
rate item displays an exemplary compression rate setting screen
shown in FIG. 14. Selecting "normal" in the compression rate
setting screen with the pen 6B sets the compression rate to the
normal mode. Selecting "fine" with the pen 6B sets the compression
rate to the fine mode.
[0107] Selecting the item "sound effect" in the setting selection
screen of FIG. 13 with the pen 6B displays a sound effect screen.
As shown in FIG. 15, selecting the character A or B of the item
"release sound playback `A`, `B`, `R`" displays a prescribed sound
effect A or the character B, respectively. With the character R,
(described below) a voice recorded by the user can be displayed.
Accordingly, selecting A, B or R sets the corresponding sound
effect to be output when the release switch 10 is operated.
[0108] Further, when selecting the item "release record sound
`REC`" in the sound effect screen with the pen 6B displays the
message "Please press recording switch" on the LCD 6 as shown in
FIG. 16. When the user operates the recording switch 12, the
message "Please input release sound" is displayed as shown in FIG.
17. Next, the user inputs with the mike 8 a recording to be the
release sound. The voice input from the mike 8 is compressed in the
voice IC 36 and recorded in a prescribed region in the memory
installed in the voice IC 36 or the memory card 24. In this manner,
the user can record a voice recording as the release sound.
[0109] As a result, selecting "R" in the sound effect setting
screen of FIG. 15, allows the user to input and record the
prescribed voice recording. The voice recording set as the release
sound is subsequently output as the release sound when the release
switch 10 is operated.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 12, the electronic camera 1 includes modes
such as the following: [0111] information input mode (recording
mode); [0112] information playback mode (playback mode); [0113]
personal information process mode; [0114] calendar display mode;
and [0115] setting mode.
[0116] The "record mode", is the mode recording in the memory card
24, for example, the input of image information, voice information,
text information, line-drawn information or the like. The "playback
mode" is the mode playing back information recorded in the memory
card 24 such as image information, voice information, text
information, or line-drawn information. The personal (individual)
information mode is a mode for reviewing previously input personal
information (for example, friends' telephone numbers and addresses
and the like) or for inputting of new personal information. The
calendar display mode is a mode creating a predetermined calendar
display, and subsequently reviewing it. With regard to the setting
mode, as described above, it is a mode setting the compression
rate, setting the sound effect, setting the operation of the strobe
by changing the default value corresponding to the photographic
environment of the electronic camera 1 and the like.
[0117] When the operation switch 35 or the touch tablet 6A is
operated by the user, a sound effect corresponding to the current
mode of the electronic camera can be output. For example, several
types of sound effect data can be pre-stored in the voice IC 36 or
the memory card 24. When the operation switch 35 or the touch
tablet 6A are operated, the voice IC 36 reads out from memory the
sound effect corresponding to the current mode of the electronic
camera 1 and outputs it from the speaker 5.
[0118] Further, the length, the frequency, the strength or the tone
of the corresponding sound effect in each mode can be changed.
Further, various combinations of these may be changed. For example,
if a 700 Hz "pi" sound is output for the "recording mode", a 350 Hz
"pu" sound (i.e., a frequency one octave lower) can be output in
the "playback mode". Further, in the case of the "personal
information mode", a 1400 Hz "pin" sound is output. For the
"calendar display mode", a 1400 Hz "kaan" sound is output, and for
the "setting mode", a 700 Hz "po" sound is output.
[0119] By automatically changing the sound effect output when the
touch tablet 6A or the operation switch 35 are operated, the user
can identify each mode. Further, camera operation mistakes are
reduced because the user can aurally identify the mode currently
being used even when the electronic camera 1 is operated in a dark
location.
[0120] Further, the release sound (shutter sound effect) output
when the release switch 10 is operated can be based on the mode set
by the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13. For example,
when the continuous shooting H mode is set and the release switch
10 is depressed, a release sound of a comparatively high frequency
is output. When the continuous shooting L mode is set, a release
sound of a comparatively low frequency is output. Further, when the
continuous shooting S mode is set, a release sound of an even lower
frequency is output. As a result, the user operating the release
switch 10 can aurally identify the continuous shooting mode that is
currently set.
[0121] FIG. 18 is a diagram of another embodiment of an electronic
camera of the present invention. In this embodiment, between the
voice IC 36 and the speaker 5, a low pass/high pass filter 71 is
provided. Remaining features of the composition and operation are
similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4. Thus, a detailed, explanation
of those features is omitted here.
[0122] The low pass/high filter 71 can be operated to interrupt the
signal of a predetermined high frequency signal and a predetermined
low frequency signal from the voice signal output from the voice IC
36. For example, a sound effect having a frequency that is 30 Hz
lower or 10 kHz higher than common voice frequency can be
interrupted by the filter 71. The low pass/high pass filter 71
using a signal interrupting function with a frequency equal to or
below 30 Hz and a frequency equal to or higher than 10 kHz can
interrupt such sound effects output from the voice IC 36. As a
result, the sound effect signals are blocked and only voice signals
will be output from the speaker 5.
[0123] FIG. 19 is a diagram of the electrical composition of yet
another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,
addition calculators 81, 82, inverter 83, and oscillator 84 have
been provided.
[0124] The addition calculator 81 inputs the voice signal output by
the voice IC 36 and the signal corresponding to a prerecorded sound
effect output from the oscillator 84. The addition calculator 81
then supplies an added signal to the speaker 5. The addition
calculator 82 adds the voice and sound effect input from the
microphone 8 with the signal supplied from the inverter 83, and
supplies it to the voice IC 36. The oscillator 84, which is
controlled by the CPU 34, produces a sound effect of a prescribed
frequency.
[0125] For example, when the touch tablet 6A or the operation
switch 35 are operated, a corresponding sound effect of a
prescribed frequency is output from the oscillator 84. A signal
corresponding to a prescribed sound effect output from the
oscillator 84 is supplied to the addition calculator 81 and the
inverter 83. The addition calculator 81 supplies the signal, to the
speaker 5, and the prescribed sound effect is output from the
speaker 5.
[0126] The signal corresponding to the prescribed sound effect is
supplied to the inverter 83, where its phase is reversed and
supplied to the adding calculator 82. The sound effect output from
the peripheral voice through the speaker 5 is input to the
microphone 8. Also, the input sound effect, and the signal input
from the inverter 83 (with the reverse phase of the sound effect
phase), are added. This lowers the sound effect signal level. In
other words, the sound effect level included in the signal supplied
to the voice IC 36 from the adding calculator 82 is lowered. As a
result, recording the sound effect can be limited or prevented in
the memory card 24.
[0127] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the voice data
corresponding to the voice input from the mike 8 (sound effect is
also included when sound effect is output from the speaker 5) is
recorded with a record start time T.sub.S to the memory card 24.
When the operation switch 35 or the touch tablet 6A are operated
during voice recording, the voice IC 36 produces the prescribed
sound effect and a time of the sound effect T.sub.K is recorded in
the memory card 24 or the like. From these times T.sub.S and
T.sub.K, an absolute time is produced by the clock circuit provided
in the CPU 34.
[0128] Also, when the voice data recorded in the memory card 24 is
played back by the voice IC 36, the time T.sub.S and the time
T.sub.K are read out by the CPU 34. Then, the time L corresponding
to this difference (T.sub.K-T.sub.S) is determined. When the time L
only has been surpassed from the voice playback, the CPU 34 first
produces reverse phase wave-formed data from the sound effect
produced by the voice IC 36. After the voice data has been
superimposed, it is output from the speaker 5. Accordingly, the
sound effect signal level in the voice playback can be lowered.
[0129] In this case, the time the sound effect was produced by the
voice IC 36, the time it is output from the speaker 5, and the time
it was input to the microphone 8 are assumed to be simultaneous for
simplicity of description. If a time lag exists, the timing can be
collected by the CPU 34 from the reverse phase wave-formed data. As
a result, the sound effect level included in the voice played back
and output from the speaker 5 can be lowered.
[0130] Further, a sound effect having a frequency outside a
frequency range capable of recording or playback can be selected.
For example, when a voice signal of a frequency equal to or above
10 kHz is not supplied from the IC 36 to the memory card 24, the
frequency of the sound effect can be selected to be equal to or
higher than 10 kHz. Further, when a voice signal of a frequency
equal to or below 30'Hz is not supplied from the IC 36 to the
memory card 24, the frequency of the sound effect can be selected
to be equal to or lower than 30 Hz. As a result, recording the
sound effect to the memory card 24 can be prevented.
[0131] In the above embodiments, the finder 2 is an optical object,
but a crystal finder using crystal may also be used. Further, a
light-emitting diode is provided in the finder. When the
light-emitting diode is lit, for example, information such as the
release switch operation is visually made known to the user.
However, the embodiments are not limited to this. A crystal may be
provided within the finder to make the prescribed information known
to the user.
[0132] Further, the above-described embodiments use only one
microphone. However, it is possible to provide two microphones, to
the left and right, so that voice can also be recorded in
stereo.
[0133] The above embodiments can also use earphone detection
devices to detect that earphones are connected to the earphone jack
9. In the event earphones are connected, even during voice
recording, the sound effect can be output from the earphones. The
sound effect broadcast by the earphones does not reach the mike 8
and is not recorded. Beneficially the user can still confirm the
sound effect by earphones.
[0134] The above embodiments use a pen-type pointing device to
input each type of information. However, touch by a finger or the
like can also be used.
[0135] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the display
screen displayed on the LCD 6. Various screen layouts can be used.
Similarly, the invention is not limited to the type or layout of
the operating keys.
[0136] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of
the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative,
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
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