Image recording apparatus and method, and program for selecting a recording mode independent from the recording aspect ratio

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and method, and a program for improving usability by removing operational constraints on combinations of an aspect ratio of a recorded moving image and a horizontal resolution from users while the compliance with the DVD-Video standard is strictly maintained. When an aspect ratio is 16:9 in a state that an LP mode is selected, a horizontal×vertical resolution is set to 720×480. When the aspect ratio is 4:3 in a state that the LP mode is selected, the horizontal×vertical resolution is set to 352×480. When an HQ or SQ mode is selected, the horizontal×vertical resolution is set to 720×480 irrespective of the aspect ratio. Accordingly, the image recording apparatus can encode a moving image and record the encoded image onto a DVD 17 without violating the DVD-Video standard while allowing users to arbitrarily select a recording mode and an aspect ratio. The present invention can be applied to video cameras, video recorders, etc.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An image recording apparatus for encoding a moving image and recording the encoded moving image in compliance with a predetermined standard, the image recording apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory storing a set of instructions executable by the processor, the instructions comprising:
 an aspect ratio setting unit for setting an aspect ratio for encoding a moving image in accordance with an operation performed by a user; 
 a recording mode setting unit for setting a recording mode for encoding the moving image in accordance with an operation performed by the user, the recording mode comprising a bit rate and a resolution; 
 a determining unit for determining whether the recording mode is acceptable for the aspect ratio; and 
 a resolution decision unit for setting the resolution of the recording mode to a resolution acceptable for the aspect ratio based on a determination that the recording mode is unacceptable for the aspect ratio. 
   
     
     
         8 . The image recording apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 an encoding unit for encoding the moving image at the recoding mode.   
     
     
         9 . The image recording apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 a recording unit for recoding the encoded moving image in compliance with a predetermined standard.   
     
     
         10 . The image recording apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 an aspect detecting unit for detecting an aspect ratio of the moving image,   wherein the determining unit determines whether the recording mode is acceptable for the aspect ratio from the aspect detecting unit.   
     
     
         11 . An image recording method of an image recoding apparatus for encoding a moving image and recording the encoded moving image in compliance with a predetermined standard, the image recording method comprising:
 receiving an aspect ratio for encoding a moving image;   receiving a recording mode for encoding the moving image, the recording mode comprising a bit rate and a resolution;   determining whether the recording mode is acceptable for the aspect ratio; and   setting the resolution of the recording mode to a resolution acceptable for the aspect ratio based on a determination that the recording mode is unacceptable for the aspect ratio.   
     
     
         12 . The image recording method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 encoding the moving image at the recoding mode.   
     
     
         13 . The image recording method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 recording the encoded moving image in compliance with a predetermined standard.   
     
     
         14 . The image recording method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 detecting an aspect ratio of the moving image; and   determining whether the recording mode is acceptable for the detected aspect ratio.   
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program comprising instructions capable of being executed by a computer processor for controlling an image recording apparatus, the instructions comprising:
 receiving an aspect ratio for encoding a moving image;   receiving a recording mode for encoding the moving image, the recording mode comprising a bit rate and a resolution;   determining whether the recording mode is acceptable for the aspect ratio; and   setting the resolution of the recording mode to a resolution acceptable for the aspect ratio based on a determination that the recording mode is unacceptable for the aspect ratio.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 encoding the moving image at the recoding mode.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 recording the encoded moving image in compliance with a predetermined standard.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
 detecting an aspect ratio of the moving image; and   determining whether the recording mode is acceptable for the detected aspect ratio.