JP2003174576A - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic still camera easily displaying a television image regardless of a place. <P>SOLUTION: In the electronic still camera 2 in which imaging signals obtained from a CCD image sensor 37 are displayed on an LCD panel 15 and image data are recorded in a built-in memory 35 or an external memory 37 in response to pressing of a shutter button 8, an antenna 43 and a television tuner 12 are incorporated and images are displayed on the LCD panel 15 with video signals obtained from them. Also, by pressing the shutter button 8, the image displayed on the LCD panel 15 is preserved in the built-in memory 35 or the external memory 35. Also, it is connectable with a network, television program information downloaded from the network is recorded and read television program information is displayed at the display device. Also, on the basis of the downloaded television program information, reserved of television radio waves can be made. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic still camera capable of displaying a television image on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel used as a viewfinder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic still camera records image data of a still image obtained by an image sensor in a memory. The image data recorded in the memory is used for image reproduction on a monitor screen, hard copy printout by a printer, and transmission via a network.

In order to determine the timing of framing and shutter release operation when capturing a still image, an electronic still camera has a liquid crystal panel as a display device for displaying a moving image in real time based on an image capturing signal from an image sensor. Is built in. It is possible to display a television image on such a liquid crystal panel.
It is described in Japanese Patent No. 66385. The electronic still camera described in this publication has a built-in communication function and can receive a video signal of a television image through a network.

[0004]

However, since the electronic still camera described in the above publication has only the function of receiving and displaying the video signal transmitted from the network,
Only the video signal selected by the TV tuner on the network can be received. Also, because connection to the network is essential for receiving video signals,
There was a drawback that you could only watch TV images in a specific place or environment.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera which allows a user to easily watch a television image regardless of a place.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the electronic still camera according to claim 1 has a built-in television radio wave receiver including an antenna and a television tuner, and a video signal obtained from the receiver. Is characterized in that an image is displayed on the display means.

According to another aspect of the electronic still camera of the present invention, the image recording means converts the video signal obtained from the receiving device in response to the shutter release operation into image data of a still image and records it in the memory. Characterize. Further, the electronic still camera according to claim 3 is connectable to a network, and the television program information downloaded from the network can be recorded in the memory and the television program information read from the memory can be displayed on the display device. It is characterized by that. The electronic still camera according to claim 4 is also characterized in that it is possible to make a reservation for reception of television radio waves based on television program information recorded in the memory.

[0008]

1 is a perspective view of an electronic still camera (hereinafter, abbreviated as a camera) of the present invention as viewed from the front side. The front of the camera 2 has an internal shooting lens and CC
An image pickup window 5 in which a D image sensor is incorporated, an object side viewfinder window 6, a stroboscopic light emission window 7 and the like are provided, and a shutter button 8 is provided on the upper surface. A USB connector 11 for communication is provided on the side surface of the camera 2, and a lid 13 is provided.
Shielded by. Further, a telescopic antenna 43 is provided on the side surface of the camera 2, and a TV tuner 12 that extracts a specified TV radio frequency band from a TV radio wave received from the antenna 43 and outputs it as a video signal.
(See FIG. 3) is built in the camera 2.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the camera 2 as seen from the back side. On the back of the camera 2, the LCD panel 15,
An operation panel 16 provided with various operation buttons, an eyepiece side viewfinder window 17, a speaker 18, and the like are provided. Further, there is a bottom lid (not shown) on the lower surface, and inside the bottom lid, a memory slot into which an external memory can be inserted and a battery chamber into which a battery serving as a power supply of the camera 2 can be inserted are provided.

The LCD panel 15 displays an image being picked up and is used as a viewfinder, or the built-in memory 3 is used.
3 and the image data read from the external memory 35 (see FIG. 3) are used for reproduction and display. It is also used for displaying television images. The operation panel 16 is provided with a power button 21, a multi-operation button 22, a mode selection button 23, an auxiliary button 24, etc., which form part of the operation button group 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric control system of the camera 2. The system controller 31 controls each unit of the camera 2 according to the input of the signal. The system controller 31 includes a ROM that stores programs and parameters for a camera control sequence, a CPU that executes sequences according to the programs, and a work area that temporarily stores data necessary for performing various sequences. And a RAM used as

The system controller 31 also monitors signals from the operation button group 20 including the shutter button 8, the power button 21, the multi-operation button 22, the mode switching button 23, and the auxiliary button 24 at a constant cycle.

For example, the system controller 31 switches the mode when the mode switching button 23 is pressed. There are four modes, CCD image sensor 37
Images from the CCD image sensor 37 are stored in a recording medium, and the images captured by the CCD image sensor 37 are displayed on the LCD at regular intervals.
The image pickup mode displayed on the panel 15, the reproduction mode displaying the image stored in the storage medium on the LCD panel 15, the video signal output from the television tuner 12 are displayed on the LCD panel 15, and one frame of image data is displayed. It is a television mode in which a still image is stored in a recording medium, a communication function such as the Internet, and an optional mode for performing various settings.

The system controller 31 determines the function allocation of the operation button group 20 based on the mode, and even if the shutter button 8 is pressed, the subject is not imaged in the reproduction mode. It is set to be in the imaging mode immediately after the power is turned on.

The taking lens 36 is focused by an autofocus mechanism (not shown). A CCD image sensor 37 is disposed behind the taking lens 36, and the CCD image sensor 37 is driven by a CCD driver 38 to convert an optical subject image into an electrical image pickup signal and output it. On the light-receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 37, minute R, G, and B micro color filters are arranged in a matrix form, and serially output for each color.

The CDS / AD circuit 39 performs noise reduction and level adjustment on the image signal input from the CCD image sensor 37, and then digitally converts the image signal into red, green, and blue image data. It The CCD image sensor 37 used in this embodiment is 1280 × 1.
Color image data for 024 pixels is generated.

The image data processing circuit 34 performs white balance adjustment and gamma correction on the image data from the CDS / AD circuit 39, and also performs interpolation processing and the like on each of the red, green and blue image data. Then, the image data is written in the image display memory 41. Further, depending on the mode designated by the system controller 31, the same processing is performed on the video signal output from the television tuner 12.

The built-in memory 33 and the external memory 35 are storage media for storing images.
Since it has a storage capacity capable of storing image data for 0 screen, it is possible to sufficiently store images only by the internal memory 33 without the external memory 35. The external memory 35 is a storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the camera 2.

When the shutter button 8 is pressed, the system controller 31 causes the image data processing circuit 34 to
Image data for a frame is read, converted into JPEG format, and stored in the internal memory 33 or the external memory 35. Further, not only in the image pickup mode in which the subject is imaged by the CCD image center 37, but also in the television mode in which a television image is displayed, the image data for one frame output from the image data processing circuit 34 is also stored in the internal memory 33 or the outside. It can be written to and stored in the memory 35. In this embodiment, a JPEG file is stored in the internal memory 33 or the external memory 35, but other file formats are also acceptable.

In the image display memory 41, the image data for one frame output from the image data processing circuit 34 is written while being sequentially updated in the image pickup mode. Also,
The image data written in the image display memory 41 is LC
The data is sequentially read by the D driver 42. In the reproduction mode, the operation of the multi-operation button 22 selects one frame of image data from the image data stored in the internal memory 33 and the external memory 35 and writes it in the image display memory 41.

The LCD driver 42 is the image display memory 4
The image data read from 1 is processed based on the image processing information sent from the system controller 31,
The image data is converted into analog, and the image is displayed on the LCD panel 15. By performing this in a fixed cycle, the subject images sequentially captured are displayed on the LCD panel 15 like a moving image. Also, in playback mode, LC
An image is displayed on the D panel 15 at a constant cycle, but since the image data written in the image display memory 41 is the same, it is displayed like a still image.

The TV tuner 12 receives TV radio waves from the antenna 43, and in the TV mode, the auxiliary button 2
The TV radio frequency band of the TV channel selected by the operation of 4 and the like is extracted, and the TV radio wave is divided into a video component and an audio component, and another processing is performed.

The video component and the audio component are subjected to noise reduction and level adjustment and then digitally converted, and the video component is output to the image data processing circuit 34 and the audio component to the audio receiving circuit 46, respectively. As for the video component, color image data for 700 × 525 pixels is generated. For the miniaturization of the camera, the LCD panel 15 has a size of 2 to 3 inches which can display an image of 480 × 384 pixels, so the image data received from the TV tuner 12 is thinned out at an appropriate ratio. LCD
It is displayed on the panel 15. It is also possible to display a part of the display screen, for example, a quarter of the entire image range is
It can also be displayed on the D panel 15. Further, in the present embodiment, the image component of the television is 750 × 525 pixels and the number of pixels of the LCD panel 15 is 480 × 384, but other numbers of pixels will not cause any problem.

The audio receiving circuit 46 processes the audio data based on the audio processing information sent from the system controller 31 such as volume adjustment and stereo / monaural setting. Then, the processed voice data is converted into an analog signal and output to the speaker 18. Although the camera 2 of this embodiment does not have a function of recording and reproducing voice, a function of recording and reproducing voice in MP3 format may be provided.

The communication I / F 44 is an interface provided between the system controller 31 and the network so that the system controller 31 can transmit and receive. In this embodiment, communication conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is performed, and data is transmitted and received from the USB connector 11 forming a part of the communication I / F.

The system controller 31 is installed with communication / search / browsing software for data communication and searching and browsing of information from a network. In this embodiment, the connection method is I
Although a USB connection conforming to the EEE1394 standard is used, it is also possible to use another communication method such as Ethernet (registered trademark). You can also use the Internet by connecting to a LAN,
The Internet can be used directly by using a mobile phone and its mobile phone conversion tool.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 4, when the power button 21 is turned on, power is supplied to various components and then initialization is performed. After initialization, the image pickup mode is initially set, and the LCD panel 15
The image captured by the CCD image sensor 37 is displayed on the. In addition, the camera 2 has an imaging mode,
There are a reproduction mode, a television mode, and an option mode, and the mode can be selected by pressing the mode switching button 23.

In the image pickup mode, as shown in FIG. 5, a subject is imaged on the CCD image sensor 37 through the taking lens 36, and the image is converted by the CCD image sensor 37 into an electric image pickup signal. To be done. The image pickup signal has its noise reduced by the CDS / AD circuit 39, is amplified to an appropriate level, and is digitally converted. The image data processing circuit 34 performs white balance adjustment, gamma correction and the like on the digitally converted image data to generate color image data for 1280 × 1024 pixels.

The image data is stored in the image display memory 41.
And are read by the LCD driver 42. The LCD driver 42 processes the image data based on the image processing information sent from the system controller 31,
After analog conversion, the image is displayed on the LCD panel 15. An image is displayed as a moving image on the LCD panel 15 by continuously performing the image pickup process at a constant cycle.

The multi-operation button 22 is also used as a zoom operation button, and when pushed up or down, image processing information is sent from the system controller 31 to the LCD driver 42, and the LCD driver 42 displays the display range and the ratio of thinning. It is changed and zoom display is performed.

When the shutter button 8 is pressed, the system controller 31 reads the image data for one frame from the image data processing circuit 34 and stores it in the internal memory 33 or the external memory 35. The storage destination of the image data is determined in the internal memory 33 or the external memory 35 depending on the setting. In addition, when the mode is set to the imaging mode, the mode switching button 23 is pressed to set to the reproduction mode.

In the reproduction mode, as shown in FIG. 6, the system controller 31 writes the image data read from the internal memory 33 or the external memory 35 into the image display memory 41. Then, as in the imaging mode, LC
The D driver 42 performs image processing and analog conversion on the image data read from the image display memory 41, and LC
An image is displayed on the D panel 15. Further, the LCD driver 42 sequentially reads image data from the image display memory 41, performs image processing, and displays an image on the LCD panel, but since the image data is the same data, it is displayed as a still image. In the initial state of the reproduction mode, the image reproduced last time is displayed on the LCD panel 15.

When the multi-operation button 22 is pushed left or right, the system controller 31 causes the built-in memory 3
3 and another image data from the external memory 35,
Write to the image display memory 41. As a result, an image different from the currently displayed image is displayed on the LCD panel 15. Further, as in the image pickup mode, by pressing the multi-operation button 22 up and down, the image processing information is sent from the system controller 31 to the LCD driver 42, and the LCD driver 42 changes the display range and the thinning ratio, and zooms. Display is performed. When the reproduction mode is set, the television mode is set by pressing the mode switching button 23.

In the television mode, television radio waves are input from the antenna 43 to the television tuner 12. As shown in FIG. 7, in the television mode, the television channel can be selected by pressing the multi-operation button 22 left or right. The TV tuner 12 extracts TV radio waves of the selected TV channel, separates them into an audio component and a video component, reduces noise, adjusts the level, and then digitally converts the video component into an image data processing circuit 34. Then, the audio components are output to the audio receiving circuit 46, respectively.

With respect to the video component, the same processing as in the image pickup mode is performed, and the television image is displayed on the LCD panel 15. Since image data of 700 × 525 pixels is generated in one frame, the image data of 480 × 384 pixels is thinned out and displayed on the LCD panel 15. This is convenient because you can watch TV anywhere without connecting to a network. By pressing the multi-operation button 22 up and down in the television mode, the image processing information such as the image range and the thinning ratio is displayed from the system controller 31 to the LCD driver 42.
The display size and the thinning rate are changed.

Further, when the television image is displayed on the LCD panel 15, the shutter button 8 is pressed to convert the displayed color image data for one frame into the JPEG format, and the built-in memory 33 and It is stored in the external memory 35. As a result, it becomes possible to perform image editing, printout, etc. of the saved television image. In addition, the characters and the map displayed on the LCD panel 15 can be saved because the image does not have to be written down, which is convenient.

The voice component is sent to the voice receiving circuit 46, and the voice data is processed based on the voice processing information such as the volume setting and the stereo / monaural setting sent from the system controller 31. Then, the processed voice data is converted into an analog signal, and then the voice is output to the speaker 18. When the television mode is set, the option mode is set by pressing the mode switching button 23.

In the option mode, the network can be used from the system controller 31 via the communication I / F 44. By operating the multi-operation button 22 and the auxiliary button 24, network settings such as an IP address can be set. The newspaper,
The G code described in the TV section of a magazine or the like can be registered, and the power ON reservation can be made at the registered program start time.

As shown in FIG. 8, one end of the USB cable 51 is connected to the USB connector 21 of the camera 2, and the other end is connected to the USB compatible HUB 52. HUB
52, 53 and 54 are all connected by a USB cable 51 to form a LAN. In addition, HUB52,53,5
In addition to the camera 2, a personal computer 55, a telephone 56, a facsimile 57, a printer 58, and a terminal adapter 59 are provided at 4.
Is connected, and the camera 2 can communicate with a device connected to the LAN. As a result, the Internet can be used via the terminal adapter 59 connected to the LAN.

The USB connector 11 on the side of the camera 2
If a conversion cable with a mobile phone is further connected and communication is started, connection confirmation is performed with the provider through the mobile phone, and if authenticated by the provider, the Internet is connected. Then, the program guide for one week can be downloaded from the dedicated site, and not only the viewing of the TV program guide but also various services such as power-on reservation can be received.

Although the program guide is downloaded using the network in the above embodiment, not only the program guide but also program information such as an outline of the program content can be downloaded. It should be noted that the downloaded information can be searched by genre, and a desired program can be easily searched, which is simple. Since the electronic still camera can be connected to the Internet via a network, maintenance software for this camera can be downloaded from a dedicated site, which is simple.

Further, although the speaker 18 is built in the above embodiment, a line-out terminal may be provided so that the sound can be heard by an external speaker or headphones, and the camera becomes smaller. Further, although the electronic still camera is used in the above embodiment, an electronic still camera with a printer may be used, and not only the television image is displayed but also the captured image stored in the storage medium and the still image of the television can be printed. Becomes

[0043]

As described above, according to the electronic still camera of the present invention, a television tuner is built-in, and a television signal can be directly input from an antenna without using a special network. TV images can be displayed. In addition, image data can be edited and printed out by saving favorite image data, which is convenient. Further, since the electronic still camera can be connected to a network and the television information can be obtained on the Internet or the like, it is simple. Further, it becomes possible to download a program guide of a TV program, make a power ON reservation by looking at the program guide, and easily watch the TV, so that the user does not forget to watch the desired program.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic still camera embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an electronic still camera.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic still camera.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the electronic still camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the electronic still camera.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the electronic still camera.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the electronic still camera.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing network connection of an electronic still camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 electronic still cameras 11 USB connector 12 TV tuner 15 LCD panel 18 speakers 31 system controller 34 Image data processing circuit

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display device which receives an image pickup signal from an image sensor to display an image, and an image pickup signal obtained from the image sensor is converted into image data of a still image in response to a shutter release operation and recorded in a memory. An electronic still camera equipped with an image recording means, having a built-in television radio wave receiving device including an antenna and a television tuner, and displaying an image on the display means by a video signal obtained from the receiving device. Still camera. 2. The image recording means, in response to a shutter release operation, converts a video signal obtained from the receiving device into image data of a still image and records the image data in a memory. Electronic still camera. 3. A network is connectable, the television program information downloaded from the network is recorded in a memory, and the television program information read from the memory can be displayed on the display device. Item 1. An electronic still camera according to item 1 or 2. 4. The electronic still camera according to claim 3, wherein reception reservation of television radio waves is possible based on television program information recorded in the memory.