Image pickup apparatus having image information compressing function

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• image pickup means for generating a digital video signal;
• image compression means for encoding said video signal to compress its volume;
• recording/reproducing means for recording and/or reproducing an encoded video signal onto/from a recording medium;
• operation switch means to direct a start operation of recording a video signal or an end operation of recording said video signal;
• image decompression means for decoding the signal reproduced from said recording medium;
• and
• control means for controlling said image pickup means, said image compression means, and said recording/reproducing means;
• wherein said image compression means includes quantizing means for quantizing said video signal, and said control means generates control information for said controlling operation of image pickup means based on operation of said operation switch means, and said image compression means controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal by said quantizing means on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• image pickup means for generating a digital video signal;
• control means for controlling said image pick-up means;
• operation switch means to direct a fading operation;
• and
• image compression means for encoding said video signal to compress its volume;
• wherein said control means generate control information for controlling operation of said image pickup means based on operation of said operation switch means, and said image compression means controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal and hence changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• image pickup means for generating a digital video signal;
• control means for controlling said image pick up means;
• operation switch means to direct a zooming operation;
• lens driving means for driving a lens to control a zoom magnification based on operation of said operation switch means;
• and
• image compression means for encoding said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said control means generate control information for controlling operation of said image pickup means based on said operation of said operation switch means, and said image compression means controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal and hence changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• image pickup means for generating a digital video signal;
• control means for controlling said image pick up means;
• operation switch means to direct a start operation of recording video signal;
• and
• image compression means for encoding said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said control means generate control information for controlling operation of said image pickup means based on operation of said operation switch means, and said image compression controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal and hence generates a closed group of picture flags on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a sensor which converts an image into an electric signal;
• a signal processing circuit which generates a video signal;
• a control circuit which controls said signal processing circuit;
• an operation switch to direct a start operation of recording said video signal or an end operation of recording said video signal;
• and
• an encoder which encodes said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said encoder includes a quantizing circuit which quantizes said video signal, and said control circuit generates control information for controlling operation for said encoder based on operation of said operation switch, and said encoder controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal by said quantizing circuit on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a sensor which converts an image into an electric signal;
• a signal processing circuit which generates a video signal;
• an encoder which encodes said video signal to compress its volume;
• a recording/reproducing circuit which records and/or reproduces an encoded video signal onto/from a recording medium;
• an operation switch to direct a start operation of recording said video signal or an end operation of recording said video signal;
• a decoder which decodes said encoded video signal reproduced from said recording medium;
• and
• a control circuit which controls said sensor, said signal processing circuit, said encoder and said recording/reproducing circuit, wherein said encoder includes a quantizing circuit which quantizes said video signal and said control circuit generates control information for controlling operation of said encoder based on operation of said operation switch, and said encoder controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal by said quantizing circuit on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a sensor which converts an image into an electric signal;
• a signal processing circuit which generates a video signal;
• a control circuit which controls said sensor and said signal processing circuit;
• an operation switch to direct a fading operation;
• and
• an encoder which encodes said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said control circuit generates control information for controlling operation of said encoder based on operation of said operation switch, and said encoder controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal and hence changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a sensor which converts an image into an electric signal;
• a signal processing circuit which generates a video signal;
• a control circuit which controls said sensor and signal processing circuit;
• an operation switch which directs a zooming operation;
• a lens driving circuit which drives a lens to control a zoom magnification based on said zooming operation of said operation switch;
• and
• an encoder which encodes said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said control circuit generates control information for controlling operation of said encoder based on said operation of said operation switch, and said encoder controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal and hence changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a sensor which converts an image into an electric signal;
• a signal processing circuit which generates a video signal;
• a control circuit which controls a sensor and said signal processing circuit;
• an operation switch to direct a start operation of recording said video signal;
• and
• an encoder which encodes said video signal to compress its volume;
• wherein said control circuit generates control information for controlling operation of said sensor and said signal processing circuit based on operation of said operation switch, and said encoder controls determination of occurrences of I, P and B picture frames of said video signal and hence generates a closed group of picture flags on a basis of said control information.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• image pickup means for generating a digital video signal;
• control means for controlling said image pick-up means;
• operation switch means to direct a fading operation;
• and
• image compression means for encoding said video signal to compress its volume;
• wherein said control means generate control information for controlling operation of said image pickup means based on operation of said operation switch means, and said image compression means changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on basis of said control information;
• wherein said image compression means change picture sequence of an I, P and B picture of said video signal on a basis of said control information;
• wherein said control means controls said image compression means so as to increase a number of I pictures when said control means is in a fading operation.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a sensor which converts an image into an electric signal;
• a signal processing circuit which generates a video signal;
• a control circuit which controls said sensor and said signal processing circuit;
• an operation switch to direct a fading operation;
• and
• an encoder which encodes said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said control circuit generates control information based on operation of said operation switch, and said encoder changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on a basis of said control information;
• wherein said encoder changes a picture sequence of an I, P and B picture of said video signal on a basis of said control information;
• wherein said control circuit controls said encoder so as to increase a number of I pictures when said control circuit is in a fading operation.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• image pickup means for generating a digital video signal;
• control means for controlling said image pick up means;
• operation switch means to direct a zooming operation;
• and
• image compression means for encoding said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said control means generate control information for controlling operation of said image pickup means based on operation of said operation switch means, and said image compression means changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on a basis of said control information;
• wherein said image compression means change picture sequence of an I, P and B picture of said video signal on a basis of said control information;
• wherein said control means controls said image compression means so as to increase a number of I pictures when said control means is in a zooming operation.

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a sensor which converts an image into an electric signal;
• a signal processing circuit which generates a video signal;
• a control circuit which controls said sensor and signal processing circuit;
• an operation switch which directs a zooming operation;
• and
• an encoder which encodes said video signal to compress its volume, wherein said control circuit generates control information based on operation of said operation switch, and said encoder changes an encoding method of encoding said video signal on a basis of said control information;
• wherein said encoder changes a picture sequence of an I, P and B picture of said video signal on a basis of said control information;
• wherein said control circuit controls said encoder so as to increase a number of I pictures when said control circuit is in a zooming operation.