Wireless microphone, control method, and program

Abstract

A wireless microphone capable of communicating with an image pickup apparatus, the wireless microphone comprising: a generation means for generating audio data; a transmission means for transmitting the audio data to the image pickup apparatus as audio data for a moving image file generated by the image pickup apparatus; the recording component is used for recording the audio data as an audio file; and a control means for receiving information including time information from the image pickup apparatus, and adding timestamp information generated based on the time information received from the image pickup apparatus to the audio file, the transmission of the audio data to the image pickup apparatus by the transmission unit and the recording of the audio data by the recording unit are performed simultaneously.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for associating an audio file recorded by a wireless microphone and an image file recorded by a video camera device with each other. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for associating an audio file and an image file by setting the same file name for the audio file and the image file recorded by a video camera device.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-223401 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, it is not assumed to associate an audio file and an image file recorded in different devices with each other as in the case of recording an audio file using a wireless microphone and recording an image file using a video camera device.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and realizes a technique capable of associating an audio file and an image file recorded in different devices with each other.

[0009] Solutions to the Problems

[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a wireless microphone capable of communicating with a video camera device, the wireless microphone characterized by including: a generation component for generating audio data; a transmission component for transmitting the audio data as audio data for a moving image file generated by the video camera device to the video camera device; a recording component for recording the audio data as an audio file; and a control component for receiving information including time information from the video camera device and adding timestamp information generated based on the time information received from the video camera device to the audio file, wherein the transmission of the audio data to the video camera device by the transmission component and the recording of the audio data by the recording component are executed simultaneously.

[0011] According to the present invention, an audio file and an image file recorded in different devices can be associated with each other.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Note that, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The drawings included in and forming a part of the specification illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the structures of an audio recording device, a communication device, and a camera device that form a system according to the present embodiment;

[0015] Figure 2 is a flowchart exemplifying the operation of the audio recording device according to the present embodiment;

[0016] Figure 3 is a flowchart exemplifying the operation of the communication device according to the present embodiment; and

[0017] Figure 4 is a flowchart exemplifying the operation of the camera device according to the present embodiment. Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. In the embodiments, a plurality of features are described, but the invention is not limited to the need for all such features, and a plurality of such features can be appropriately combined. Further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar structures, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0019] <System Structure>

[0020] Reference will be made to Figure 1 to describe the system according to the present embodiment.

[0021] The system according to the present embodiment includes an audio recording device 10, a communication device 20, and a camera device 30. The audio recording device 10 and the camera device 30 are wirelessly and communicatively connected via a network formed by the communication device 20. The communication device 20 serves as a master device that forms an access point of a wireless LAN (local area network) conforming to the IEEE 802.11 communication standard. Each of the audio recording device 10 and the camera device 30 serves as a slave device connected to the network formed by the camera device 30 via the access point of the wireless LAN. The audio recording device 10 and the camera device 30 are wirelessly and communicatively connected via the communication device 20.

[0022] The communication device 20 is a network device such as a router that operates as an access point of the wireless LAN. The audio recording device 10 is an acoustic device such as a wireless microphone that has a function of recording audio. The camera device 30 is a visual device such as a digital camera that captures and records still images and moving images.

[0023] During the recording of moving images and audio using the imaging device 30, the system according to this embodiment performs audio recording using the audio recording device 10 wirelessly connected to the imaging device 30. The audio file recorded by the audio recording device 10 is stored as a backup file of the moving image file recorded by the imaging device 30 in the audio recording device 10. In this embodiment, the audio file recorded by the audio recording device 10 can be associated with the moving image file recorded by the imaging device 30.

[0024] According to this embodiment, for example, in the case where a plurality of audio recording devices 10 and imaging devices 30 are wirelessly connected, the situation where the relationship between the audio files recorded by each audio recording device 10 and the moving image files recorded by the imaging device 30 cannot be identified can be improved. This can reduce the trouble of operations such as searching for the audio file corresponding to the moving image file for editing the moving image file.

[0025] Note that this embodiment will illustrate the following example: the audio recording device 10 connected to the imaging device 30 via a wireless LAN performs audio recording during the recording of moving images and audio using the imaging device 30. However, the present invention is not limited to moving image recording and can perform still image shooting (for example, continuous shooting or time-lapse shooting).

[0026] <Device Structure>

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 1 the structures and functions of the audio recording device 10, the communication device 20, and the imaging device 30 that form the system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0028] First, the structure and function of the audio recording device 10 will be described.

[0029] The audio recording device 10 includes an audio recording control unit 11, an audio input unit 12, an audio processing unit 13, a file generation unit 14, a time measurement unit 15, a recording medium interface (IF) 16, and a slave device communication unit 17.

[0030] Note that each component of the audio recording device 10 includes a processor, a controller, and peripheral circuits required to implement each function to be described later.

[0031] The audio recording control unit 11 includes a processor (MPU) that performs arithmetic processing and control processing of the audio recording device 10, a volatile memory (ROM) that stores programs to be executed by the processor, and a working memory (RAM). Programs read from the non-volatile memory, as well as constants and variables for executing the programs, are loaded into the RAM. The audio recording control unit 11 controls the respective components (to be described later) of the audio recording device 10 by loading the programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the programs.

[0032] The audio input unit 12 includes one or more microphones incorporated in the audio recording device 10 or connected via an audio terminal, and converts the analog audio signal generated by collecting the audio around the audio recording device 10 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the audio processing unit 13.

[0033] The audio processing unit 13 performs various audio processes on the digital audio signal generated by the audio input unit 12, thereby generating audio data.

[0034] The file generation unit 14 generates an audio file in a predetermined format based on the audio data generated by the audio processing unit 13. The predetermined format is, for example, MP3 or WAV. The file generation unit 14 generates timestamp information based on the time information and the moving image recording start information received from the imaging device 30, and adds the timestamp information to the audio file. The file generation unit 14 writes the audio file with the added timestamp information into a recording medium (not shown) via the recording medium IF 16. This can record the audio file recorded by the audio recording device 10 during the moving image recording of the imaging device 30 in association with the moving image file recorded by the imaging device 30. Note that in this embodiment, the time information includes date, time, and time zone. The timestamp information is data representing the time information at the time when the timestamp information is generated.

[0035] The time measurement unit 15 includes a circuit such as a real-time clock that measures time to generate the current time and date. The time measurement unit 15 sets the time information received from the imaging device 30 as the reference time, measures time based on the reference time, and updates the time information in real time.

[0036] The recording medium IF 16 can be connected to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk so that an audio file can be written into the recording medium and read out from the recording medium.

[0037] The slave device communication unit 17 includes a wireless LAN control unit 18 that performs communication processing for operating the audio recording device 10 as a slave device of the wireless LAN.

[0038] The wireless LAN control unit 18 controls the connection to or disconnection from the wireless LAN via the access point formed by the master device communication unit 22 of the communication device 20. The wireless LAN control unit 18 can send / receive various data including audio data to / from the master device communication unit 22 of the communication device 20 by a predetermined communication method. The predetermined communication method is not limited to the wireless LAN, and may be Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless USB, ZigBee (registered trademark), or the like.

[0039] Next, the structure and functions of the communication device 20 will be described.

[0040] The communication device 20 includes a communication control unit 21 and a master device communication unit 22.

[0041] Note that each component of the communication device 20 includes a processor, a controller, and peripheral circuits required to implement each function to be described later.

[0042] The communication control unit 21 includes a processor (MPU) that performs arithmetic processing and control processing of the communication device 20, a volatile memory (ROM) that stores programs to be executed by the processor, and a working memory (RAM). Programs read from the non-volatile memory, as well as constants and variables for executing the programs, are loaded into the RAM. The communication control unit 21 controls the master device communication unit 22 by loading the programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the programs.

[0043] The master device communication unit 22 includes a wireless LAN control unit 23 that performs communication processing for operating the communication device 20 as a master device of the wireless LAN.

[0044] The wireless LAN control unit 23 controls the connection to or disconnection from the wireless LAN of the audio recording device 10 as a slave device via the access point of the wireless LAN formed by the master device communication unit 22. The wireless LAN control unit 23 can send / receive various data including audio data to / from the slave device communication unit 17 of the audio recording device 10 by a predetermined communication method. The predetermined communication method is not limited to the wireless LAN, and may be Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless USB, ZigBee (registered trademark), or the like.

[0045] Note that, in this embodiment, the communication device 20 is connected to the imaging device 30 by wire, such as via a cable or a connector. The communication control unit 21 is connected to the camera control unit 31 of the imaging device 30 in a manner capable of exchanging data, and the master device communication unit 22 is connected to the shooting control unit 36 of the imaging device 30 in a manner capable of exchanging data. As a communication method between the communication control unit 21 and the camera control unit 31, and between the master device communication unit 22 and the shooting control unit 36, SPI, I2C, etc. are used.

[0046] Note that the structure of the communication device 20 is not limited to the communication device 20 being connected to the imaging device 30 by wire, and the communication device 20 may be incorporated in the imaging device 30 or may be wirelessly connected to the imaging device 30.

[0047] This embodiment has illustrated the form (infrastructure mode) in which the audio recording device 10 and the imaging device 30 communicate with each other by using the communication device 20 as an access point. However, a form in which the audio recording device 10 and the imaging device 30 communicate directly with each other (ad hoc mode) may be adopted. The communication device 20 may or may not be configured to have a gateway function that transmits data received from the audio recording device 10 or the imaging device 30 to an external device via a wide area network such as the Internet.

[0048] Next, the structure and functions of the imaging device 30 will be described.

[0049] The imaging device 30 includes a camera control unit 31, an imaging unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, and a recording medium interface 35.

[0050] Note that each component of the imaging device 30 includes a processor, a controller, and peripheral circuits required to implement each function to be described later.

[0051] The camera control unit 31 includes a processor (MPU) that performs arithmetic processing and control processing of the imaging device 30, a volatile memory (ROM) that stores programs to be executed by the processor, and a working memory (RAM). Programs read from the non-volatile memory, as well as constants and variables for executing the programs, etc. are loaded into the RAM. The camera control unit 31 controls each component (to be described later) of the imaging device 30 by loading the programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the programs.

[0052] The imaging unit 32 includes a lens group including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and a shutter having an aperture function. In addition, the imaging unit 32 includes an image sensor formed of a CCD or CMOS sensor that converts a subject image into an electrical signal, and an A / D converter that converts an analog image signal output from the image sensor into a digital signal. Under the control of the camera control unit 31, the imaging unit 32 uses the image sensor to convert the subject image light imaged by the lens included in the imaging unit 32 into an electrical signal, performs noise reduction processing, etc., and outputs image data formed of a digital signal.

[0053] The operation unit 33 is formed of operation members such as various switches, buttons, and dials for accepting various operations from the user. The operation unit 33 also includes a touch panel integrated with the display unit 34 to be described later.

[0054] The display unit 34 displays a live view image, a captured image, characters for interactive operations, etc. The display unit 34 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 34 may be integrated with the imaging device 30, or may be an external device connected to the imaging device 30.

[0055] The recording medium IF 35 can be connected to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk so that still image files, moving image files, and audio files can be written to the recording medium and still image files, moving image files, and audio files can be read from the recording medium.

[0056] The shooting control unit 36 includes an image processing unit 37, an audio processing unit 38, a file generation unit 39, a display control unit 40, and a time measurement unit 41. Note that each component of the shooting control unit 36 includes a processor, a controller, and peripheral circuits required to implement the respective functions to be described later.

[0057] The image processing unit 37 performs size adjustment processing such as pixel interpolation and reduction, or color conversion processing on the image data captured by the imaging unit 32. The camera control unit 31 uses the image data captured by the imaging unit 32 to perform predetermined arithmetic processing, and controls the focusing lens, aperture, and shutter of the imaging unit 32 based on the arithmetic result, thereby performing AF (autofocus) processing or AE (autoexposure) processing.

[0058] The audio processing unit 38 performs various audio processes on the digital audio signal generated by the audio input unit (not shown) of the imaging device 30, thereby generating audio data. In addition, the audio processing unit 38 performs various audio processes on the digital audio signal received from the audio recording device 10 via the communication device 20, thereby generating audio data.

[0059] The file generation unit 39 generates a still image file by compressing and encoding the still image data that has undergone image processing by the image processing unit 37 using a compression encoding such as the JPEG format, etc., and generates a moving image file by encoding the moving image data using a moving image compression method such as MPEG2 or H.264, etc., and thereby writes the file into the recording medium via the recording medium IF 35. In addition, the file generation unit 39 generates an audio file in a predetermined format based on the audio data generated by the audio processing unit 38 or the audio data received from the audio recording device 10, and thereby writes the audio file into the recording medium via the recording medium IF 35. The file generation unit 39 reads out the still image file, the moving image file, and the audio file recorded in the recording medium via the recording medium IF 35.

[0060] The display control unit 40 generates display data (such as a live view image captured by the imaging unit 32, still image data or moving image data read out from the recording medium, or a GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc.), and displays the display data on the display unit 34.

[0061] The time measurement unit 41 includes a circuit such as a real-time clock that measures time to generate the current time and date. The time measurement unit 41 sets the time information set by a user operation as the reference time, measures time based on the reference time, and updates the time information in real time. The camera control unit 31 displays a time setting screen for prompting the user to set time on the display unit 34. The user inputs time information (date, time, and time zone) to the time setting screen by operating the operation unit 33. The camera control unit 31 outputs the time information input to the time setting screen to the time measurement unit 41. The time measurement unit 41 sets the time information input to the time setting screen as the current time information, and measures time by using the set time information as the reference time.

[0062] <Control Processing>

[0063] Next, reference will be made to Figures 2 to 4 to describe the control processing of the audio recording device 10, the communication device 20, and the imaging device 30 that form the system according to the present embodiment.

[0064] First, the control processing of the audio recording device 10 will be described.

[0065] Figure 2 is a flowchart exemplifying the control processing of the audio recording device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0066] Figure 2The processing shown starts when the power supply of the audio recording device 10 is turned on, and is implemented when the audio recording control unit 11 controls each component of the audio recording device 10 by loading the program stored in the non-volatile memory into the working memory and executing the program.

[0067] In step S201, the audio recording control unit 11 performs initialization processing. In the initialization processing, the program read from the non-volatile memory, as well as constants and variables for executing the program, etc. are loaded into the working memory. The audio recording control unit 11 performs activation processing for preparation operations by supplying power to each component of the audio recording device 10.

[0068] The wireless LAN control unit 18 sets connection information for wireless LAN connection to the communication device 20 forming the wireless LAN, such as MAC address, SSID, data channel, and transmission rate, etc. By setting this connection information, when the audio recording device 10 detects the access point formed by the communication device 20, it performs wireless LAN connection processing to the communication device 20.

[0069] In step S202, the audio recording control unit 11 confirms the wireless LAN connection status with the slave device communication unit 17 and determines whether the wireless LAN connection has been established. The audio recording control unit 11 continues the processing until it is determined that the wireless LAN connection to the communication device 20 has been established. In the case where it is determined that the wireless LAN connection has been established, the audio recording control unit 11 causes the processing to proceed to step S203.

[0070] In step S203, the audio recording control unit 11 uses the wireless LAN control unit 18 to receive time information from the imaging device 30 via the communication device 20. The time information is set in the imaging device 30 connected to the communication device 20. The wireless LAN control unit 18 outputs the time information of the imaging device 30 received from the communication device 20 to the time measurement unit 15, and the time measurement unit 15 sets the time information of the imaging device 30 as the reference time of the audio recording device 10.

[0071] In step S204, the audio recording control unit 11 issues a time measurement start instruction to the time measurement unit 15. The time measurement unit 15 measures the time from the reference time set in step S203 according to the time measurement start instruction of the audio recording control unit 11 and updates the time information in real time.

[0072] In step S205, the audio recording control unit 11 allocates an audio channel for identifying the audio recording device 10 that is the generation source of the audio file. As a method for allocating the audio channel, a method of allocating unique information of the audio recording device 10 or an allocation method via a wireless LAN connection is used. The allocation method via a wireless LAN connection is, for example, a method of setting the audio channel number in the order of the devices connected via the wireless LAN. This embodiment shows an example in which the audio recording device 10 forms a single slave device, but a plurality of audio recording devices may be connected as slave devices to the communication device 20 that is the master device. In the case where a plurality of audio recording devices are connected to the communication device 20 via a wireless LAN, an audio channel number is allocated to each of the plurality of audio recording devices to identify each audio recording device. As a method for allocating the audio channel number in the case where a plurality of audio recording devices are connected via a wireless LAN, for example, CH1 is allocated to the first audio recording device connected via the wireless LAN, and CH2 is allocated to the second audio recording device connected via the wireless LAN.

[0073] In step S206, the audio recording control unit 11 issues an audio processing setting instruction to the audio processing unit 13. The audio processing settings include adjustment of the audio level, frequency characteristics of the equalizer, and filter settings for countermeasures against wind noise. The audio processing settings can be performed by changing the register values of the audio processing unit 13.

[0074] In step S207, the audio recording control unit 11 issues an audio data transmission instruction to the wireless LAN control unit 18. When receiving the audio data transmission instruction, the wireless LAN control unit 18 transmits the audio data generated by the audio processing unit 13 to the imaging device 30 via the communication device 20.

[0075] In step S208, the audio recording control unit 11 continues the processing until it is determined that the imaging device 30 has started recording a moving image. In the case where it is determined that the imaging device 30 has started recording a moving image, the audio recording control unit 11 causes the processing to proceed to step S209. In the case where moving image recording start information is received from the imaging device 30 via the communication device 20, the audio recording control unit 11 determines that the imaging device 30 has started recording a moving image. When the imaging device 30 starts recording a moving image, the moving image recording start information is transmitted to the audio recording device 10 via the communication device 20. The audio recording device 10 receives the moving image recording start information from the communication device 20 via the wireless LAN control unit 18.

[0076] In step S209, the audio recording control unit 11 receives, via the communication device 20, the file name of the moving image file recorded by the imaging device 30.

[0077] In step S210, the audio recording control unit 11 determines whether a recording medium is connected to the recording medium IF 16. When the recording medium IF 16 detects a connection signal, the audio recording control unit 11 determines that the recording medium is connected to the recording medium IF 16. When it is determined that the recording medium is connected to the recording medium IF 16, the audio recording control unit 11 advances the process to step S211. When it is determined that the recording medium is not connected to the recording medium IF 16, the audio recording control unit 11 advances the process to step S214.

[0078] In step S211, the audio recording control unit 11 generates timestamp information synchronized with the start timing of motion image recording in the imaging device 30 based on the reference time set in step S203, the time measured starting from step S204, and the motion image recording start information received from the imaging device 30 in step S208. Thus, the timestamp information generated and added to the motion image file generated by the imaging device 30 in step S407, which will be described later, is common with the timestamp information added to the audio file generated by the audio recording device 10. Therefore, the motion image file generated by the imaging device 30 can be associated with the audio file generated by the audio recording device 10. Figure 4 In step S212, the audio recording control unit 11 sets the file name of the audio file based on the file name received in step S209. For example, when the file name of the motion image file is IMG0001, the file name of the audio file is set to AUDIO0001 obtained by setting the same numerical value as that of the file name of the motion image file. In this case, the timestamp information generated in step S211 or the audio channel number set in step S205 can be used as part of the file name.

[0079] In step S213, the audio recording control unit 11 generates an audio file with the file name set in step S212 based on the audio data generated by the audio processing unit 13 in step S207. The file generation unit 14 generates an audio file based on the audio data generated by the audio processing unit 13, and adds the timestamp information generated in step S211 as metadata to the audio file. The file generation unit 14 writes the audio file into the recording medium via the recording medium IF 16.

[0080] In step S213, the audio recording control unit 11 generates an audio file with the file name set in step S212 based on the audio data generated by the audio processing unit 13 in step S207. The file generation unit 14 generates an audio file based on the audio data generated by the audio processing unit 13, and adds the timestamp information generated in step S211 as metadata to the audio file. The file generation unit 14 writes the audio file into the recording medium via the recording medium IF 16.

[0081] In step S214, the audio recording control unit 11 continues the audio recording process until it is determined that the imaging device 30 has finished recording the moving image. When it is determined that the imaging device 30 has finished recording the moving image, the audio recording control unit 11 causes the process to proceed to step S215. When the moving image recording end information is received from the imaging device 30 via the communication device 20, the audio recording control unit 11 determines that the imaging device 30 has finished recording the moving image. When the imaging device 30 finishes recording the moving image, the moving image recording end information is sent to the audio recording device 10 via the communication device 20. The audio recording device 10 receives the moving image recording end information from the communication device 20 using the wireless LAN control unit 18.

[0082] In step S215, the audio recording control unit 11 issues an audio recording process end instruction to the file generation unit 14. When receiving the audio recording process end instruction from the audio recording control unit 11, the file generation unit 14 ends the process of generating an audio file and recording the audio file on the recording medium. After the audio recording process ends, the user can read out the audio file from the recording medium using a personal computer (PC) or the like and reproduce the audio file.

[0083] With the above processing, the audio recording device 10 can generate an audio file having time stamp information common to the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30 via the communication device 20 connected by wireless LAN. Therefore, the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30 can be associated with the audio file generated by the audio recording device 10.

[0084] Next, the control process of the communication device 20 will be described.

[0085] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the control process of the communication device 20 according to the present embodiment.

[0086] Figure 3 The process shown starts when the power of the communication device 20 is turned on, and is implemented when the communication control unit 21 controls each component of the communication device 20 by loading the program stored in the non-volatile memory into the working memory and executing the program.

[0087] In step S301, the communication control unit 21 performs initialization processing. In the initialization processing, the program read from the non-volatile memory, as well as constants and variables for executing the program, are loaded into the working memory. The communication control unit 21 performs activation processing for performing preparatory operations by supplying power to each component of the communication device 20.

[0088] In step S302, the communication control unit 21 sets the wireless LAN connection information of the master device communication unit 22. The wireless LAN control unit 23 sets connection information for wireless LAN connection to the audio recording device 10, such as MAC address, SSID, data channel, transmission rate, etc. By setting this connection information, when the audio recording device 10 detects the access point formed by the communication device 20, it performs wireless LAN connection processing to the communication device 20.

[0089] In step S303, the communication control unit 21 continues the process until it is determined that an instruction for sending information to the audio recording device 10 is received from the camera control unit 31. In the case where it is determined that an instruction for sending information to the audio recording device 10 is received, the communication control unit 21 causes the process to proceed to step S304. The communication control unit 21 receives the transmission instruction from the camera control unit 31 through a communication method such as SPI and I2C.

[0090] In step S304, based on the transmission instruction received from the camera control unit 31 in step S303, the communication control unit 21 sends the information from the master device communication unit 22 to the slave device communication unit 17 of the audio recording device 10. The information sent from the imaging device 30 to the audio recording device 10 includes, for example, at least one of the following items: Figure 4 The time information in step S203, the moving image recording start information in step S208, the file name of the moving image file in step S209, and the moving image recording end information in step S214.

[0091] Through the above processing, the communication device 20 can send the time information and the moving image recording start information to the audio recording device 10 according to the transmission instruction of the imaging device 30, and the audio recording device 10 can generate an audio file having the same timestamp information as the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30 based on the information received from the imaging device 30 via the communication device 20. Therefore, the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30 can be associated with the audio file generated by the audio recording device 10.

[0092] Next, the control processing of the imaging device 30 will be described.

[0093] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the control processing of the imaging device 30 according to the present embodiment.

[0094] Figure 4 The processing shown starts when the power of the imaging device 30 is turned on, and is implemented when the camera control unit 31 controls each component of the imaging device 30 by loading the program stored in the non-volatile memory into the working memory and executing the program.

[0095] In step S401, the camera control unit 31 performs initialization processing. In the initialization processing, programs read from the non-volatile memory, as well as constants and variables for executing the programs, are loaded into the working memory. The camera control unit 31 performs activation processing for preparation operations by supplying power to each component of the imaging device 30.

[0096] After the activation processing in step S401 ends, in step S402, the camera control unit 31 displays a time setting screen for prompting the user to set the time on the display unit 34. The user inputs time information to the time setting screen by operating the operation unit 33. The camera control unit 31 outputs the time information input to the time setting screen to the time measurement unit 41. The time measurement unit 41 sets the time information input to the time setting screen as the current time information, and measures time by using the set time information as the reference time.

[0097] In step S403, the camera control unit 31 instructs the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 to send the time information set in step S402 to the audio recording device 10. When receiving the time information sending instruction from the camera control unit 31, the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 sends the time information to the audio recording device 10 via the main device communication unit 22 of the communication device 20.

[0098] In step S404, the camera control unit 31 determines whether the time information set in step S402 has been changed by the user operating the operation unit 33. If it is determined that the time information has been changed, the camera control unit 31 returns the process to step S402. If it is determined that the time information has not been changed, the camera control unit 31 advances the process to step S405.

[0099] In step S405, the camera control unit 31 determines whether the start of moving image recording has been instructed by the user operating the operation unit 33. If it is determined that the start of moving image recording has been instructed, the camera control unit 31 advances the process to step S406. If it is determined that the start of moving image recording has not been instructed, the camera control unit 31 returns the process to step S404.

[0100] In step S406, the camera control unit 31 instructs the shooting control unit 36 to start the imaging process. When the shooting control unit 36 receives the start instruction of the imaging process from the camera control unit 31, the image processing unit 37 generates moving image data based on the image data captured by the imaging unit 32, and the file generation unit 39 generates a moving image file according to the moving image data generated by the image processing unit 37.

[0101] In step S407, the camera control unit 31 causes the file generation unit 39 to generate timestamp information synchronized with the start timing of moving image recording based on the time measured by the time measurement unit 41 in step S402. Then, the camera control unit 31 adds the timestamp information as metadata to the moving image file generated in step S406. The file generation unit 39 writes the moving image file with the timestamp information added thereto into the recording medium via the recording medium IF 35.

[0102] The file name of the moving image file is generated based on a predetermined rule. For example, when the file name recorded in the recording medium is IMG0001, the file name of the next moving image file recorded in the recording medium is IMG0002 obtained by incrementing the numerical value of the file name of the recorded moving image file. The moving image file generated in this way is recorded in the recording medium via the recording medium IF 35.

[0103] In step S408, the camera control unit 31 instructs the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 to send moving image recording start information based on the moving image recording start instruction received in step S405 to the audio recording device 10. When receiving the instruction to send the moving image recording start information from the camera control unit 31, the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 sends the moving image recording start information to the audio recording device 10 via the master device communication unit 22 of the communication device 20. Thus, in the above Figure 2 The timestamp information generated in step S211 and added to the audio file generated by the audio recording device 10 in step S213 is common with the timestamp information added to the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30. Therefore, the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30 can be associated with the audio file generated by the audio recording device 10.

[0104] In step S409, the camera control unit 31 instructs the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 to send the file name of the moving image file generated in step S406 to the audio recording device 10. When receiving the instruction to send the file name of the moving image file from the camera control unit 31, the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 sends the file name of the moving image file to the audio recording device 10 via the master device communication unit 22 of the communication device 20.

[0105] In step S410, the camera control unit 31 continues the process until it is determined that the end of moving image recording is indicated by the user operating the operation unit 33. When it is determined that the end of moving image recording is indicated, the camera control unit 31 causes the process to proceed to step S411.

[0106] In step S411, the camera control unit 31 issues an end instruction for the shooting process to the shooting control unit 36. When receiving the end instruction for the shooting process from the camera control unit 31, the shooting control unit 36 ends the process of generating a moving image file and recording the moving image file on the recording medium. After the shooting process ends, the user can read out the moving image file from the recording medium using a personal computer (PC) or the like and reproduce the moving image file.

[0107] In step S412, the camera control unit 31 instructs the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 to send moving image recording end information based on the moving image recording end instruction received in step S410 to the audio recording device 10. When receiving the transmission instruction for the moving image recording end information from the camera control unit 31, the communication control unit 21 of the communication device 20 sends the moving image recording end information to the audio recording device 10 via the master device communication unit 22 of the communication device 20.

[0108] With the above processing, the imaging device 30 can send the timestamp information and file name of the moving image file to the audio recording device 10 connected via wireless LAN through the communication device 20, and the audio recording device 10 can generate an audio file having the same timestamp information as the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30. Therefore, the moving image file generated by the imaging device 30 can be associated with the audio file generated by the audio recording device 10.

[0109] Other embodiments

[0110] The present invention can be implemented by the following processing: supplying a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or device to read and execute the program. The present invention can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for implementing one or more functions.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to let the public know the scope of the present invention, the appended claims are added.

[0112] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application 2022-210204 filed on December 27, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0113] Description of reference numerals

[0114] 10... Audio recording device, 11... Audio recording control unit, 12... Audio input unit, 13... Audio processing unit, 14... File generation unit, 17... Slave device communication unit, 20... Communication device, 21... Communication control unit, 22... Master device communication unit, 30... Imaging device, 31... Camera control unit, 36... Shooting control unit.

Claims

1. A wireless microphone capable of communicating with a video device, wherein the wireless microphone comprises: a generating component for generating audio data; a transmitting component for transmitting the audio data as audio data for a moving image file generated by the video device to the video device; a recording component for recording the audio data as an audio file; and a control component for receiving information including time information from the video device and adding timestamp information generated based on the time information received from the video device to the audio file, wherein the transmission of the audio data to the video device by the transmitting component and the recording of the audio data by the recording component are performed simultaneously.

2. The wireless microphone according to claim 1, wherein The transmitting component transmits the audio data to the video device by transmitting the audio data to a communication accessory attached to the video device.

3. The wireless microphone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The audio data does not include image data.

4. The wireless microphone according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The wireless microphone does not include a video component.

5. The wireless microphone according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, It further comprises: a measuring component for measuring time using the time information received from the video device as a reference time, wherein the control component generates timestamp information synchronized with the timing of the start of moving image recording of the video device based on the time measured by the measuring component.

6. The wireless microphone according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The control component sets the file name of the audio file based on the file name received from the video device.

7. The wireless microphone according to claim 6, characterized in that, The file name received from the video device is the file name of the moving image file recorded by the video device.

8. The wireless microphone according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The file name is set based on one of the unique information of the wireless microphone and the connection order of the wireless microphone.

9. The wireless microphone according to claim 5, wherein when the time information of the video device changes, the control component receives the changed time information from the video device, and the measuring component measures time using the changed time information received from the video device as the reference time.

10. The wireless microphone according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wireless microphone communicates with the video device via a wireless local area network, i.e., wireless LAN, and the wireless microphone operates as a slave device of the wireless LAN, and the slave device of the wireless LAN is connected to a communication device operating as a master device of the wireless LAN.

11. The wireless microphone according to claim 10, wherein the control component receives the time information set in the video device, the moving image recording start information and the moving image recording end information in the video device, which are transmitted from the communication device based on a transmission instruction of the video device, and generates the timestamp information based on the time information set in the video device and the moving image recording start information in the video device.

12. A wireless microphone capable of communicating with a video device, wherein the wireless microphone comprises: a connecting component for detachably connecting to a memory card; A generating component for generating audio data; A sending component for sending the audio data as audio data for a moving image file generated by the imaging device to the imaging device; A recording component for recording the audio data as an audio file in the memory card; And A control component for receiving information from the imaging device and adding additional information generated based on the information received from the imaging device to the audio file.

13. A control method of a wireless microphone capable of communicating with an imaging device, the control method comprising: A generating step for generating audio data; A sending step for sending the audio data as audio data for a moving image file generated by the imaging device to the imaging device; A recording step for recording the audio data as an audio file; And A control step for receiving information including time information from the imaging device and adding timestamp information generated based on the time information received from the imaging device to the audio file, wherein the sending of the audio data to the imaging device in the sending step and the recording of the audio data in the recording step are performed simultaneously.

14. A control method of a wireless microphone capable of communicating with an imaging device, the control method comprising: A connecting step for detachably connecting to a memory card; A step for generating audio data; A sending step for sending the audio data as audio data for a moving image file generated by the imaging device to the imaging device; A recording step for recording the audio data as an audio file in the memory card; And A control step for receiving information from the imaging device and adding additional information generated based on the information received from the imaging device to the audio file.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as the wireless microphone according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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