Abstract:
The recorder includes: a converter acquiring external sound and converting the sound into a first signal; an amplifier amplifying the first signal to generate a second signal; a recording unit recording the second signal; a display unit displaying a level of the second signal; and a controller controlling the amplifier and the display unit. The amplifier includes an ALC (automatic level control) unit adjusting an amplification degree for amplifying the first signal according to the level of the second signal. The controller allows a choice of whether or not to cause the ALC unit to operate, allows a choice of whether to display or hide the level of the second signal on the display unit when the automatic level control unit operates, and keeps the level of the second signal displayed on the display unit when the automatic level control unit does not operate.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a recorder that has an automatic level control function. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Recorders that have an automatic level control function have been known. The recorders include camcorders and digital cameras that can record moving images. For example, PTL 1 discloses a recorder which displays an operation state of a level adjustment means that uses an automatic level controller in processing an audio signal. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-157966 
       
     
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The recorder according to the present disclosure allows a choice of whether to turn on or off an ALC (automatic level control) function and allows monitoring of whether audio is distorted or not even in the case where the ALC function is turned off. 
         [0007]    The recorder according to the present disclosure includes: a converter configured to acquire external sound and to convert the sound into a first signal; an amplifier configured to amplify the first signal to generate a second signal; a recording unit configured to record the second signal; a display unit configured to display a level of the second signal; and a controller configured to control the amplifier and the display unit. The amplifier includes an ALC (automatic level control) unit configured to adjust an amplification degree for amplifying the first signal according to the level of the second signal. The controller allows a choice of whether or not to cause the ALC unit to operate, allows a choice of whether to display or hide the level of the second signal on the display unit, and, on the other hand when the ALC unit operates, and keeps the level of the second signal displayed on the display unit when the ALC unit does not operate. 
         [0008]    With the above described configuration, the recorder according to the present disclosure allows a choice of whether to turn on or off the ALC function and causes a recording level to be automatically displayed in the case where the ALC function is turned off. Therefore, the recorder according to the present disclosure allows monitoring of whether the audio is distorted or not even in the case where the ALC function is turned off. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective diagram of a digital camera according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a rear diagram of the digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration containing an analog audio processor and peripheral components of the analogue audio processor included in the digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a setup table showing an ALC (automatic level control) function and a microphone level meter of the digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for setting the microphone level meter in the digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing an exemplary display on a display unit of the digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment with the microphone level meter visible; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing an exemplary display on the display unit of the digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment with the microphone level meter hidden; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration containing an analogue audio processor and peripheral components of the analogue audio processor in a modification. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings as required. However, an excessively detailed description may be omitted. For example, a detailed description of an already well-known matter and repetitive descriptions of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. All of such omissions are intended to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art by preventing the description below from becoming unnecessarily redundant. 
         [0019]    The inventor provides the accompanying drawings and the description below for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and does not intend to limit the subject matter described in the claims to the accompanying drawings and the description below. 
       First Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0020]    Exemplary embodiments below will be described by using digital camera  100  as an example. Digital camera  100  is an example of the recorder. The configuration and the operation of digital camera  100  will be described below. 
       1. Configuration 
       [0021]    The configuration of digital camera  100  will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
         [0022]    [1-1. Configuration of the Digital Camera] 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective diagram of digital camera  100 . Digital camera  100  has camera body  102  and interchangeable lens  301 . Camera body  102  has operation unit  180 . Operation unit  180  includes release button  181 , power switch  183 , and mode dial  184 . 
         [0024]    In addition, camera body  102  has microphone unit  111 . Microphone unit  111  includes two microphones of microphone  111 L and microphone  111 R. While recording a moving image, digital camera  100  acquires external sound by using microphone unit  111  and records the sound in parallel with the recording of the moving image. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a rear diagram of camera body  102 . Camera body  102  has operation unit  180  also on the rear surface. Operation unit  180  includes center button  185  and directional buttons  186 . Digital camera  100  has display unit  190  and view finder  191  on the rear surface. 
         [0026]    An electrical configuration of digital camera  100  will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of digital camera  100 . 
         [0027]    Digital camera  100  generates image information and an audio signal from information acquired from external sources. The image information is generated by image inputting system  140 . The audio signal is generated by audio inputting system  110 . The generated image information and audio signal are subjected to A/D (analog/digital) conversion, subjected to various types of processing in digital image-audio processor  120 , and then recorded in external storage medium  160  such as a memory card. The image information recorded in external storage medium  160  is displayed on display unit  190  in response to a user operation on operation unit  180 . Alternatively, the image information recorded in external storage medium  160  is displayed on view finder  191 . The audio signal recorded in external storage medium  160  is output from speaker  195  in response to a user operation on operation unit  180 . 
         [0028]    Details of the respective components illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  will be described below. 
         [0029]    [1-1-1. Configuration of the Image Inputting System] 
         [0030]    Image inputting system  140  has interchangeable lens  301 , CCD image sensor  143 , and AFE (analog front end)  144 . Interchangeable lens  301  includes an optical system such as focus lens  310 , zoom lens  312 , aperture  316 , and so on. Interchangeable lens  301  has a driver which executes drive control on the optical system. The driver includes focus lens driver  311 , zoom lens driver  313 , and iris driver  317 . Interchangeable lens  301  has lens controller  320  which controls the driver. Lens controller  320  is connected to DRAM  321  and flash memory  322 . With this connection, lens controller  320  can read and write information out from and into DRAM  321  and flash memory  322  as required. 
         [0031]    A subject image formed through interchangeable lens  301  is made into image information in CCD image sensor  143 . The image information obtained from CCD image sensor  143  is subjected to analog-digital conversion and so on in AFE  144 . Interchangeable lens  301  is electrically and mechanically connected with camera body  102  via lens mount  330  and body mount  340 . 
         [0032]    [1-1-2. Configuration of the Camera Body] 
         [0033]    Camera body  102  has image inputting system  140 , audio inputting system  110 , digital image-audio processor  120 , controller  130 , RAM  150 , external storage medium  160 , ROM  170 , operation unit  180 , display unit  190 , view finder  191 , and speaker  195 . Image inputting system  140  has been described above. 
         [0034]    Audio inputting system  110  has microphone unit  111  and analog audio processor  115 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , microphone unit  111  includes microphones  111 L and  111 R. Microphone unit  111  converts a sound signal into an electric signal by using each of microphones  111 L and  111 R and inputs the electric signal into analog audio processor  115 . 
         [0035]    Analog audio processor  115  amplifies the analog audio signal received from microphone unit  111  and converts the analog audio signal into a digital signal and then outputs the digital signal to digital image-audio processor  120 . Details of analog audio processor  115  will be described later. 
         [0036]    Digital image-audio processor  120  performs various types of processing on the image information output from AFE  144  and the audio signal output from analog audio processor  115 . For example, digital image-audio processor  120  performs various types of processing on the audio signal in accordance with an instruction from controller  130 . Digital image-audio processor  120  may be implemented by a hardwired electronic circuit, a microcomputer that executes a program, or the like. Digital image-audio processor  120  may be formed on a semiconductor chip integrally with controller  130  and the like. Digital image-audio processor  120  performs a directivity synthesis process as an acoustic zoom process by performing arithmetic processing on the output from microphone unit  111 . 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , display unit  190  is disposed on the rear surface of digital camera  100 . In the first exemplary embodiment, display unit  190  is a liquid crystal display. Display unit  190  displays an image based on the image information processed in digital image-audio processor  120 . 
         [0038]    Controller  130  controls display unit  190  to display or hide various icons that represent a setup of mode dial  184  and the like and microphone level meter  701  that indicates a microphone level, i.e., a level of an audio signal that is to be input to external storage medium  160 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7A  on a through image. The user can confirm a setup state of digital camera  100  by referring to the various icons displayed over the through image. The user can confirm the level of the audio signal to be recorded in external storage medium  160  by referring to microphone level meter  701  displayed over the through image. Speaker  195  outputs the audio signal recorded in external storage medium  160 . Content displayed on display unit  190  can be also displayed on view finder  191 . 
         [0039]    Controller  130  also controls an ALC (automatic level control) function. Specifically, controller  130  enables or disables the ALC function by controlling analog audio processor  115  in response to a user operation. Controller  130  controls overall operation of digital camera  100 . 
         [0040]    ROM  170  stores a program for controlling the overall operation of digital camera  100 . ROM  170  stores respective conditions and set-up items of digital camera  100 . 
         [0041]    Controller  130  may be implemented by a hardwired electronic circuit, a microcomputer that executes a program, or the like. Alternatively, controller  130  may be formed on a semiconductor chip integrally with digital image-audio processor  120  and the like. ROM  170  does not need to be provided outside controller  130  as a separate component and may be incorporated in controller  130 . 
         [0042]    RAM  150  functions as a work memory for digital image-audio processor  120  and controller  130 . RAM  150  may be implemented by an SDRAM, a flash memory, or the like. RAM  150  also functions as an internal memory for recording the image information, the audio signals, and the like. 
         [0043]    External storage medium  160  is an external memory that incorporates a nonvolatile recording unit such as a flash memory. External storage medium  160  can record data to be processed in digital image-audio processor  120  such as the image information and the audio signals. 
         [0044]    Operation unit  180  collectively refers to operational interfaces provided on the exterior of digital camera  100 , such as operation buttons and operation dials. Operation unit  180  receives a user operation. Operation unit  180  includes, for example, release button  181 , power switch  183 , mode dial  184 , center button  185 , and directional buttons  186  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . When operation unit  180  receives a user operation, operation unit  180  sends signals instructing various operations to controller  130 . 
         [0045]    Release button  181  is a push button that works as a two stroke button to be actuated in response to a half-press operation and actuated in response to a full-press operation. When release button  181  is half-pressed by the user, controller  130  determines image-recording conditions. Subsequently, when release button  181  is full-pressed by the user, controller  130  causes external storage medium  160  or the like to record the image information captured at the moment of the full-press operation. 
         [0046]    Power switch  183  is a switch for switching ON/OFF the power supply for the respective components of digital camera  100 . 
         [0047]    Mode dial  184  is a jog dial. When mode dial  184  is turned by the user, controller  130  causes the operation mode of digital camera  100  to be switched to the operation mode corresponding to the position to which mode dial  184  has just been turned. 
         [0048]    Center button  185  is a push button. When center button  185  is pressed by the user while digital camera  100  is in an image-recording mode or a playback mode, controller  130  causes a menu screen to be displayed on display unit  190 . The menu screen is a screen for the user to set various image-recording conditions and playback conditions. When the user has selected values of set-up items for respective conditions on the screen menu and presses center button  185 , the values are fixed to the set-up items. The fixed set-up items are stored in ROM  170 . 
         [0049]    Directional buttons  186  includes four push buttons disposed in the upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions. By pressing any one of directional buttons  186 , the user can choose a value from among the values of set-up items for respective conditions displayed on the menu screen. Display unit  190  is provided with a touch panel which detects contact and a contact position. Display unit  190  can substitute for operation unit  180 , receive a user operation and send signals instructing various operations to controller  130 . 
       2. Operation 
       [0050]    Hereinafter, operation of digital camera  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment will be outlined. When the power supply of the camera body  102  equipped with interchangeable lens  301  is switched on by the user operating power switch  183  of the camera body  102 , power is supplied to digital camera  100  and the digital camera  100  is initially set up. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration containing analogue audio processor  115  and peripheral components of analogue audio processor  115 . Analog audio processor  115  has microphone amplifier  401 , amplitude detector  402 , and A/D converter  403 . Microphone amplifier  401  and amplitude detector  402  form ALC unit  404 . 
         [0052]    Analog audio processor  115  inputs the analog audio signal received from microphone unit  111  into microphone amplifier  401 . Microphone amplifier  401  amplifies the analog audio signal by a given amplification degree. Microphone amplifier  401  inputs the amplified audio signal into A/D converter  403 . A/D converter  403  performs A/D conversion on the input audio signal and outputs the converted audio signal to digital image-audio processor  120 . In accordance with an instruction from controller  130 , analog audio processor  115  amplifies the analog audio signal received from microphone unit  111  by using microphone amplifier  401  by a given amplification degree and inputs the amplified analog audio signal into A/D converter  403 . When operation unit  180  receives a user operation and sends a signal indicating the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  to controller  130 , in accordance with the instruction from controller  130 , analog audio processor  115  sets the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401 . 
         [0053]    The analog audio signal amplified by microphone amplifier  401  is input to amplitude detector  402 . In the case where the ALC function is enabled, controller  130  causes the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  to be decreased so that the amplitude of the analog audio signal to be input to A/D converter  403  does not exceed an acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . Specifically, amplitude detector  402  receives the analog audio signal amplified by microphone amplifier  401  and performs feedback control of the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  so that the amplitude of the analog audio signal does not exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . In the case where the ALC function is disabled, amplitude detector  402  receives the analog audio signal amplified by microphone amplifier  401 . Amplitude detector  402  does not change the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  even if the amplitude of the analog audio signal exceeds the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . 
         [0054]    A/D converter  403  receives the analog audio signal amplified by microphone amplifier  401  and performs A/D conversion on the amplified analog audio signal. A/D converter  403  outputs the A/D converted audio signal to digital image-audio processor  120 . In the case where the ALC function is enabled, a loud sound that has been input to microphone unit  111  does not cause the analog audio signal output from microphone amplifier  401  to exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . As a result, an output waveform of A/D converter  403  has minor distortion. In the case where the ALC function is disabled, a loud sound that has been input to microphone unit  111  may cause the analog audio signal output from microphone amplifier  401  to exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . As a result, an output waveform of A/D converter  403  may have considerable distortion. However, since the amplification degree is kept unchanged, high linearity is ensured between the audio signal input to microphone unit  111  and the audio signal recorded in external storage medium  160  as far as the amplitude of the analog audio signal is within the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . In other words, external storage medium  160  is capable of recording highly modulated sound with high fidelity. 
         [0055]    Operation performed when the ALC function is enabled will be quantitatively described below by using an example. 
         [0056]    It is assumed that a given amplification degree that is previously set in microphone amplifier  401  is +20 dBV. It is also assumed that the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403  is −6 dBV. On the condition that the amplitude of the analog audio signal output from microphone unit  111  is −40 dBV, the output from microphone amplifier  401  is −20 dBV which does not exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . In the case where the sound has become louder and caused the amplitude of the analog audio signal output from microphone unit  111  to be −25 dBV but the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  is still kept at +20 dBV, the output from microphone amplifier  401  becomes −5 dBV. Therefore, the output from microphone amplifier  401  exceeds the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . Then, ALC unit  404  changes the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  to +19 dBV to cause the output from microphone amplifier  401  to be −6 dBV. Therefore, the output from microphone amplifier  401  does not exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . In the case where the sound has become smaller and caused the amplitude of the analog audio signal output from microphone unit  111  to be −30 dBV, the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  is set again to the given amplification degree that is previously set in microphone amplifier  401 , i.e., +20 dBV. As a result, the output from microphone amplifier  401  becomes −10 dBV which does not exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . 
         [0057]    Operation performed when the ALC function is disabled will be quantitatively described below by using an example. 
         [0058]    It is assumed that a given amplification degree that is previously set in microphone amplifier  401  is +20 dBV. It is also assumed that the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403  is −6 dBV. In the case where the amplitude of the analog audio signal output from microphone unit  111  is −40 dBV, the output from microphone amplifier  401  is −20 dBV which does not exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . In the case where the sound has become louder and caused the amplitude of the analog audio signal output from microphone unit  111  to be −25 dBV, the output from microphone amplifier  401  becomes −5 dBV, since the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  is still kept at +20 dBV. Therefore, the output from microphone amplifier  401  exceeds the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . In the case where the output from microphone amplifier  401  exceeds the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 , the output from A/D converter  403  has distortion. In the case where the sound has become smaller and caused the amplitude of the analog audio signal output from microphone unit  111  to be −30 dBV, the output from microphone amplifier  401  becomes −10 dBV, since the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  is still kept at +20 dBV. Therefore, the output from microphone amplifier  401  does not exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . 
         [0059]    On condition that the volume of the sound to be recorded is previously known when the ALC function is disabled, the user can make the linearity between the audio signal to be input to microphone unit  111  and the audio signal to be recorded in external storage medium  160  kept high while preventing the output from A/D converter  403  from being distorted. For example, in the above described case, the user may find out that the maximum amplitude of the analog audio signal output from microphone unit  111  is −20 dBV by holding a rehearsal. Then, the user only needs to change the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  to +14 dBV based on the previously obtained maximum amplitude of the analog audio signal. 
         [0060]    If the level of the audio signal to be recorded in external storage medium  160  is not displayed when the ALC function is disabled, the user cannot notice that the audio signal to be recorded is distorted. Further, it is inconvenient for the user to change the display setting of the level of the audio signal to be recorded each time the user disables the ALC function. The recorder according to the present disclosure automatically displays the level of the audio signal to be recorded in the storage medium when the ALC function is disabled. Details of a mechanism for automatically displaying the level of the audio signal to be recorded in the storage medium when the ALC function is disabled will be described below. 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is a setup table showing the ALC function and microphone level meter  701  of digital camera  100 . When the user sets “visible” for microphone level meter  701  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  on the menu screen, controller  130  causes microphone level meter  701  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190 . When the user sets “hidden” for microphone level meter  701  on the menu screen, controller  130  does not cause microphone level meter  701  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190 . When the user sets “enable” for the ALC function on the menu screen, controller  130  causes microphone level meter  701  to be displayed or hidden over the through image displayed on display unit  190  responding to the setting of microphone level meter  701 . When the user sets “disable” for the ALC function on the menu screen, controller  130  causes microphone level meter  701  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190  independently of the setting of microphone level meter  701 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for setting microphone level meter  701  of digital camera  100 . In step S 601 , controller  130  checks whether the ALC function is enabled or disabled. In the case where the ALC function is enabled, digital camera  100  proceeds to step S 602 . In the case where the ALC function is disabled, digital camera  100  proceeds to step S 603 . When controller  130  proceeds to step S 603 , controller  130  causes microphone level meter  701  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190 . In step S 602 , controller  130  checks whether the setting of microphone level meter  701  is “visible” or “hidden”. In the case where the setting of microphone level meter  701  is “visible”, controller  130  proceeds to step S 603  to cause microphone level meter  701  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190 . In the case where the setting of microphone level meter  701  is “hidden”, controller  130  proceeds to step S 604  not to cause microphone level meter  701  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  are diagrams showing exemplary displays on display unit  190  of digital camera  100 . When controller  130  proceeds to step S 603  of  FIG. 6 , controller  130  causes microphone level meter  701  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190  as illustrated in  FIG. 7A . When controller  130  proceeds to step S 604  of  FIG. 6 , controller  130  does not cause microphone level meter  701  to be displayed over the through image displayed on display unit  190  as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . In the state of  FIG. 7A , the user can confirm the microphone level by microphone level meter  701 . Then, the user can set the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  to an appropriate value by operating, for example, directional buttons  186  on operation unit  180  as required. 
       3. Modification 
       [0064]    Hereinafter, a modification will be described.  FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration containing analogue audio processor  116  and peripheral components of analogue audio processor  116  according to the modification. 
         [0065]    In the above described embodiment, the analog audio signal output from microphone amplifier  401  is input to amplitude detector  402  and feedback control of the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  is performed so that the amplitude of the analog audio signal does not exceed the acceptable input level for A/D converter  403 . On the other hand, in the modification, a digital audio signal output from A/D converter  403  is input to amplitude detector  402  and feedback control of the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  is performed so that the output of the digital audio signal output from A/D converter  403  does not exceed the acceptable level. Also with this configuration, analog audio processor  116  can achieve the ALC function. In that case, an ALC unit is formed with microphone amplifier  401 , amplitude detector  402 , and A/D converter  403 . 
       4. Operation and Effect 
       [0066]    As described above, the recorder according to the first exemplary embodiment forces microphone level meter  701  to be displayed in the case where the ALC function is disabled. If the ALC function was disabled and microphone level meter  701  was hidden, the user would not be aware that the microphone level is too high and would make the mistake of recording distorted sound. With the recorder according to the first exemplary embodiment which forces microphone level meter  701  to be displayed in the case where the ALC function is disabled, the user can be easily aware that the microphone level is too high at the sight of microphone level meter  701 . Then, the user can avoid making the mistake of recording distorted sound by operating directional buttons  186  to set an appropriate value to the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  as required. 
       5. Other Exemplary Embodiments 
       [0067]    The present disclosure is not limited to the above described first exemplary embodiment and various exemplary embodiments are possible. Other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be collectively described below. 
         [0068]    Although directional buttons  186  are used as the operation unit for the user to set the amplification degree of microphone amplifier  401  in the first exemplary embodiment, a dial included in operation unit  180  or display unit  190  including a touch panel may be used as the operation unit. 
         [0069]    In the above described first exemplary embodiment, an imaging device including a sound pickup device is described by using digital camera  100  as an example. However, any imaging device can be used as far as it is equipped with a microphone and a display unit, allows the user to enable or disable the ALC function, and is capable of recording sound. That is, a video camera or a voice recorder can be used. 
         [0070]    Although digital image-audio processor  120  and controller  130  are described as having the above described functions and configurations respectively in the above described first exemplary embodiment, digital image-audio processor  120  and controller  130  may be configured to have part of their functions and configurations in common with each other. 
         [0071]    Although CCD image sensor  143  is described as an example of an imaging unit in the above described first exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to that. That is, another imaging element such as a CMOS image sensor or an NMOS image sensor can be also applied to the present disclosure. Although it is described that display unit  190  is a liquid crystal display in the above described first exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to that. That is, another display device such as an organic EL (electroluminescent) display device can be also applied to the present disclosure. 
         [0072]    The exemplary embodiments have been described above as examples of the technology of the present disclosure. For describing those exemplary embodiments, the accompanying drawings and the detailed description have been provided. 
         [0073]    The constituent elements illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed in the detailed description may include not only the constituent element necessary to solve the problem but also the constituent element unnecessary to solve the problem in order to exemplify the technology. Therefore, the unnecessary constituent element should not be instantly recognized as a necessary constituent element merely because it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the detailed description. 
         [0074]    Since the above described exemplary embodiments are for exemplifying the technology of the present disclosure, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims and the equivalent of the claims. 
         [0075]    The present disclosure is applicable to devices with a recording function such as digital cameras and movie cameras.