JPH04127683A - Information signal control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To synthesize other image signals or audio signals to image signals or audio signals by a simple operation by providing an information signal generator and a data holder. CONSTITUTION:An external storage device 9 attachable/detachable to a main body 1 of a video camera stores image data, audio data and control data having a mode to synthesize only images, mode to synthesize only sounds and mode to synthesize images and sounds. The audio signal outputted from a microphone 17 is amplified by an audio amplifier 18 and outputted after being synthesized with the audio signal supplied from the external storage device 9 by a mixer amplifier 19. At an image generation part 15, the data supplied from a control part 11 is written in a memory 16 and further, by reading out the data held in the memory 16 according to a command from the control part 11, the image signal is generated and synthesized with the video signal supplied from a camera signal processing circuit 5 by a synthesizing circuit 5. Thus, information signals such as the other video signals or audio signals can be synthesized to information signals such as video signals or audio signals by the simple operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information signal control system having a data holding device which is detachable from a device and which holds various data.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, when recording a video signal or an audio signal obtained by photographing with a video camera or the like on a recording medium, it has been conventionally possible to enhance the video effect for the video signal to be recorded on the recording medium. There are various methods that can be used to synthesize images such as letters, symbols, or specific pictures by superimposing them, or to multiplex background music, sound effects, etc. onto the audio signal to be recorded. It is being

First, as a method of combining another image signal with a video signal obtained by photographing, there is a method using, for example, a so-called character generator.

This method uses a pattern ROM (read-only memory) that stores patterns of characters, symbols, etc. that can be displayed in advance.
a register that stores the type of character to be displayed for each display position; and a readout section that reads out the contents of the pattern ROM corresponding to the contents of the register and synthesizes it with the video signal in accordance with the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals. When displaying characters, a microcomputer or the like writes the type of character to be displayed into a register at the display position.

Another method is to convert an image signal captured by a video camera or the like into a digital image signal of one to several bits using an A/D converter, store it in memory for each display pixel, and convert it into horizontal and vertical synchronization signals. Accordingly, the contents stored in the memory are sequentially read out and other image signals are combined with the video signal obtained by separately capturing an image with a video camera.

Still another method includes a graphic memory having an address corresponding to each pixel position on the screen, a microcomputer that writes data to an address to be displayed among the addresses of the graphic memory, and a microcomputer that stores data in the graphic memory. It consists of a readout circuit that reads out the content stored in the graphic memory according to horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, and synthesizes other image signals with the video signal obtained by reading out the content stored in the graphic memory and photographing it with a video camera. That is what it is.

In addition, as a method of synthesizing other audio signals with the audio signals recorded when shooting with a video camera, prepare a device that generates audio signals such as a record player, tape player, electronic sound generator, etc., and record the audio signals when shooting. There is a method of synthesizing an audio signal generated from the above-mentioned device with an audio signal taken or recorded after photography using a mixing amplifier or the like.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, as mentioned above (when synthesizing another image into a photographed video signal or when synthesizing another audio signal with a recorded audio signal), The equipment required for synthesis or voice synthesis is different, and connection lines are also required to connect the equipment, making the wiring and operation of the equipment complicated, resulting in many erroneous operations and poor usability. It was something.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information signal control system that can synthesize information signals such as video signals and audio signals with other information signals such as image signals and audio signals with a simple operation.

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve this purpose, an information signal control system of the present invention includes an information signal generating device that generates an image signal and an audio signal;
is removable from the information signal generating device, and
Image information data corresponding to another image signal to be synthesized with the image signal generated in the information signal generation device, and audio corresponding to another audio signal to be synthesized with the audio signal generated in the information signal generation device. A first synthesis operation mode in which only information data and other image signals generated based on the image information data are synthesized; and a second synthesis operation mode in which only other audio signals generated based on the audio information data are synthesized. and a third synthesis operation mode for synthesizing both the other image signal and the audio signal, and a data holding device that holds control data for controlling the synthesis operation based on the synthesis operation mode. It is something.

[Function] By configuring as described above, it becomes possible to synthesize an image signal or an audio signal with another image signal or an audio signal by a simple operation.

[Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using Examples of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video camera system to which the present invention is applied as an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, l is the video camera system body, 2 is an imaging lens, 3 is an image sensor, 4 is an image sensor drive unit, 5 is a camera signal processing circuit, 6 is a synthesis circuit that synthesizes a video signal and a title image signal, 7 is a VTR unit, 8 is a video signal output terminal, 9 is an external storage device that is detachably connected to the main body 1 of the video camera system, and 10 is a connection unit that connects the external storage device 8 and the main body 1. , 11 is a control unit that transmits and receives control data of the external storage device 8, controls the mixer amplifier 19, controls switches, and displays information on the EVF (electronic viewfinder) 21, 12, 13, 14 is a switch, and 15 is a control unit. An image generation unit that generates a title image signal, 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a readable/writeable memory for holding image data among the title data supplied from the external storage device 9, 17 a microphone attached to the main body 1 for recording audio, and 18 for amplifying the audio signal. audio amplifier,
19 is a control unit 11 for the signal output from the audio amplifier 18;
A mixer amplifier for synthesizing the audio signals supplied from the external storage device 9 in accordance with control signals from the external storage device 9; 20 is the audio signal a terminal; 21 is the display of captured or reproduced video during recording and playback, and the operating status of the system; This is an electronic viewfinder for displaying textual information indicating.

In FIG. 1, an image of a subject (not shown) is formed by an imaging lens 2 on the imaging surface of an imaging device 3, and is photoelectrically converted by the imaging device to become a captured video signal and supplied to a camera signal processing circuit 4. .

Note that the image sensor 3 operates according to timing pulses output from the image sensor drive section 4.

The camera signal processing circuit 5 performs predetermined processing on the supplied captured image signal, and then outputs it to the synthesis circuit 6. The captured image signal is synthesized with a title image signal, which will be described later, in the synthesis circuit 6, and then sent to the VTR section 7. It is recorded on magnetic tape, which is a recording medium.

Furthermore, during reproduction, the video signal reproduced by the VTR section 7 is outputted from the output terminal 8 and supplied to an external device such as a television monitor.

On the other hand, the audio signal output by the microphone 17 is amplified by the audio amplifier 18, synthesized by the mixer amplifier 19 with an audio signal supplied from an external storage device 9, which will be described later, and output.

The audio signal output from the mixer amplifier 19 is recorded together with the video signal by being frequency-multiplexed with the video signal on a predetermined audio track or video track of the magnetic tape in the VTR unit 7.

The control section 11 controls the states of the switches 12 to 14 and the connection section 10.
Depending on the type, connection state, data, etc. of the external connection device 9 connected to the EVF 2, data may be sent to the image generation section 15, the image generation section 15 may be controlled, and image information signals such as characters may be sent to the EVF 2.
This is used to send data to 1, etc.

The image generation section 15 writes the data supplied from the control section 11 into the memory 16, and further generates an image signal by reading out the data held in the memory 16 according to a command from the control section 11, and generates an image signal as described above. Then, in the synthesis circuit 5, the signal is synthesized with the video signal supplied from the camera signal processing circuit 5.

Further, the connecting portion 10 allows various types of external storage devices 9 to be selectively attached to and detached from the main body 1.

FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C) are diagrams for explaining the external storage device 9 of this embodiment, and FIG. 2(A) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the external storage device 9.

In the figure, 100 is a microcomputer, 101 is 100
102 is a CPU (central processing unit), 103 is a serial communication board, 104 is an I10 board for input/output, and 105 is for electrically connecting the main body 1 and the external storage device 9. Connector 106 is a ROM table in which data such as voice length, waveform, pitch pattern, etc. is written, and 107 is a control for reading data from the ROM table and controlling the sound source 108, envelope circuit 109, etc. described later. The circuit 108 is a sound source, and the reference numeral 109 is an envelope circuit for changing the amplitude of the audio signal output from the sound source 108.

In FIG. 2(A), the connector 10 is connected to the camera body 1.
5 and communication boat 103 to the external storage device 9, the CPU 102 performs an operation corresponding to the instruction.
For example, it reads data held in the ROM10I and sends it to the camera body 1 via the communication boat 103 connector 105, or controls the r10 boat 104.

Further, the control circuit 107 selects a song, starts/starts a song, etc. in accordance with a control signal supplied from the I10 boat 104.
To perform the stop, the contents held in the ROM table 106 are read out, and the sound source 108 and envelope circuit 109 are set.

The audio signal generated by the sound source 108 is output to the main body 1 from the connector 105 via the envelope circuit 109.

FIG. 2(B) is a diagram showing the contents of the data held in the ROM101 of FIG. 2(A). A control program for interpreting commands, reading data, controlling the I10 board, etc. is stored, followed by information such as the type of external storage device, the number of built-in titles, and the starting address of each built-in data. There is a header that contains data, followed by image data for title 1, and title 1.
control data, title 2 image data, title 2 control data, title 3 image data, title 3 control data, title 4 image data, and title 40 control data are stored in this order at the addresses shown in the figure. Following this, data for displaying a title menu and data for displaying a music menu are stored.

FIG. 3 shows a microcomputer 10 in an external storage device 9.
2 is a flowchart showing the operation of 0.

As shown in FIG. 3, after the start, the read address is first moved to the first address of the header in step 302 to adapt to the type discrimination operation on the camera body 1 side as described later.

After that, a command is received from the main body l in 303, the command is judged in 304, and if it is a read command, 305
At 306, the read address is received from the main body 1, and at 306, the data at the read address is read from the ROM10I and transmitted to the main body 1, and the process returns to 303.

Further, if it is determined in 304 that it is a music control command, a predetermined control signal corresponding to the music control command is output from the I10 boat 104 to the control circuit 107 in 307, and the process returns to 303, and the above operations are repeated. .

4A to 4D show selection menu display screens displayed on the EVF 21 when the external device 9 is connected to the main body 1.

FIG. 4(A) shows an operation mode selection menu screen, in which A: Title only operation mode, B: Music only operation mode, and C: Title and music simultaneous operation mode can be selected.

Note that the arrow on the left side of the figure indicates the currently selected operation mode.

FIG. 4(B) is a title selection menu screen displayed when the A: title only operation mode is selected in FIG. 4(A).

As shown in FIG. 4(B), [TITLEJ] is displayed at the top of the screen, indicating that the title-only operation mode is selected, and below that, the contents of the microcomputer 100 in the external storage device 9 are displayed. The name of each title represented by the title menu data held in the ROM10I is displayed.

Figure 4 (C) is the music selection menu screen that is displayed when B: Music only operation mode is selected in Figure 4 (A). rMLIsIcJ indicating that the music only operation mode is selected is displayed, and below it, the name of each music represented by the music menu data held in the ROM10I is displayed.

FIG. 4(D) shows the title and music selection menu screen displayed when the title and music simultaneous operation mode is selected in FIG. 4(A).

As shown in Figure 4 (D), the upper part of the screen indicates that the title and music simultaneous operation mode has been selected.
TITLE & MUS ICJ is displayed, and below that, the names of the titles and music represented by the title menu data and music menu data held in the ROM10I are displayed.

Note that the title and music are displayed in a predetermined combination as shown in the figure, for example, a combination of an AAAA title and an EEEH music, so they may be used in combination, such as a Christmas title and a Christmas song. Try to arrange things that have a lot of them in combination.

FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) show the control unit 11 shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

In FIG. 5(A), after starting at 501, 50
2, the connection of the external storage device 9 is detected.

Note that this detection is performed by reading the voltage at the terminal of the connection part 10,
This is done by determining that the external storage device 9 is connected if the voltage is above a predetermined level.

If the external storage device 9 is not connected in 503, the process returns to 502 and the detection operation is repeated until the external storage device 9 is connected, and if the external storage device 9 is connected in 503, the process goes to 504. Connected external storage device 9
The data indicating the type in the header supplied by the controller is read, and if the type does not match in 505, the process returns to 502.

In addition, if the type of external storage device 9 is compatible, the SWI (switch 12 in FIG. 1) is turned on in 506.
, 1m correspondence, if OFF, return to 506, if ON, go to 507, mode selection menu screen (see Figure 4 (A))
is displayed on the EVF 21, and at 508, by operating SW2 (switch 13 in Fig. 1), the operation modes A, B, and C displayed on the mode selection menu screen, that is, the title only operation mode and the music only operation Select one of the mode title and music simultaneous operation modes, and if SW3 (switch 14 in Figure 1) is ON in 509, go to 510 in Figure 5 (B), and if it is OFF, go to 510. Return to 508.

At 510 in FIG. 5(B), the process branches into three directions depending on the operation mode selected at 508.

That is, if the selected operation mode is A, the title menu data is read in 511, the title menu display screen (see Fig. 4 (B)) is displayed on the EVF 21 in 512, and the SW2 (see Fig. 1) is switched in 513. Select one of the titles 1 to 4 displayed on the title menu screen by operating the switch 13), and select S at 514.
If W3 (switch 14 in FIG. 1) is in the OFF state, the process returns to 513, and if it is in the ON state, the process proceeds to 515 (.

Then, in 515, title image data is read and written to the memory 16, title control data is read in 516, and the image generation unit 15 is controlled according to the title control data to display the title image. The state of the switch 14) in FIG. 1 is detected, and this is repeated until it becomes the ON state. When the ON state is detected, the image generation unit 15 is controlled, the display of the title image is stopped, and the process returns to 506. The above operations are repeated.

If the selected operation mode is B, the music menu data is read in step 519, and the music menu display screen (see FIG. 4(C)) is displayed on the EVF in step 520.
21 and SW2 (switch 1 in Figure 1) is displayed at 521.
3) to select one of music 1 to 4 displayed on the music menu display screen, and at 522 switch SW3 (switch 1 in Figure 1).
If 4) is in the OFF state, the process returns to 521, and if it is in the ON state, the process goes to 523.

Then, in 523, a music selection command and the selected music number are transmitted, and in 524, a music start command is transmitted and a control signal to start mixing is sent to the mixer amplifier 19 to start the music mixing operation, and in 525, SW3 The state of the switch 14) in Figure 1 is detected, and this is repeated until it becomes the ON state. When the ON state is detected, a music stop command and a control signal to end the mixing are sent to the mixer amplifier 19, and the music is mixed. The operation is stopped, the process returns to 506, and the above operations are repeated.

If the selected operation mode is C, both the title menu data and music menu data are read at 527, and the menu display screen for the title and music simultaneous operation mode is displayed at 528 (see Figure 4 (D)).
is displayed on the EVF 21, and by operating SW2 (switch 13 in Fig. 1) at 529, select any of the title and music combinations 1 to 4 displayed on the menu screen, and select 530″' C-8W3 (1st
If the switch 14) in the figure is in the OFF state, return to 529, and if it is in the ON state, go to 531 (.

Then, in 531, the title image data is read and written to the memory 16, in 532, a music selection command and the number of the selected music are transmitted, and in 533, title control data is read, and the image generation unit 15 is activated according to the title control data. controls and displays the title, and sends a control signal to the mixer amplifier 19 to send a music start command and start mixing at 534;
Start the music mixing operation, and at 535,
Detects the state of SW3 (switch 14 in Figure 1) and turns O
This is repeated until the N state is reached, and when the ON state is detected, the image generation unit 15 is controlled to stop displaying the title, and a music stop command is transmitted and a control signal for ending mixing is sent to the mixer amplifier 19. Then, the music mixing operation is stopped, and the process returns to 506 to repeat the above operations.

As described above, in the video camera system shown in this embodiment, an external storage device that is removable from the video camera body stores other information that is synthesized with the video signal and audio signal formed in the video camera body. There are two modes: a mode that synthesizes image data and audio data to form an image signal or an audio signal, and a mode that synthesizes only images, and a mode that synthesizes only audio.
and control data having a mode for synthesizing images and sounds, and is configured to control the synthesis operation based on one of the three modes mentioned above, so no special wiring operation is required. By attaching the external storage device to the video camera body, various other image and audio signals can be synthesized with the video and audio signals with simple operations, allowing a variety of effects to be obtained. Moreover, the system can be made smaller and lighter without impairing it.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the title image signal generated by the image generation section 15 is sent to the VTR section 7 in the synthesis circuit 6.
The input side of the VTR unit 7 is configured to synthesize the captured video signal corresponding to the captured video, and the output side of the VTR section 7 synthesizes the captured video signal corresponding to the captured video.
It may be configured so that it can be synthesized with the video signal reproduced from the R section 7, or on both the input side and the output side.Similarly, the audio signal reproduced from the VTR section 7 Additionally, the audio signal supplied from the external storage device 9 may be synthesized, or may be configured to be synthesized on both the input side and the output side.

Further, although the audio signal has been described as music, it is not limited to this, and may be other audio signals such as sound effects, synthesized voices, digitally synthesized sounds, etc.

Furthermore, the menu screen displayed on the EVF 21 is not limited to the aspect of the embodiment, and may display the operation mode of a connected external storage device and the menu data in the external storage device (or In this embodiment, the menu screen is displayed using the EVF, but other display devices,
For example, it is also possible to use a liquid crystal display.

Further, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which a video signal and an audio signal formed by a video camera are used as information signals, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, information signals such as video signals and audio signals can be synthesized with other information signals such as image signals and audio signals by a simple operation. We will be able to provide signal control systems.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video camera system to which the present invention is applied, as an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the external storage device 9 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the microcomputer 100 in the external storage device 9 of this embodiment. FIGS. 4(A) to 4(D) are diagrams showing examples of display screens displayed on the EVF 21 of this embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B are operation flowcharts of the control section 11 of this embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Camera body, 3...Image sensor, 5...Camera signal processing circuit, 6...Composition circuit, 7...VTR section, 9...External storage device, 10...Connection 11...Control unit, 12-14...Switch, 15...Image generation unit, 16...Memory, 100...
・Microcomputer, 101...ROM, 102...CPU, 103...
・Communication boat, 104... ・I10 boat, 106... ROM table, 107... Control circuit, 108... Sound source, 109...
・Envelope circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An information signal generation device that generates an image signal and an audio signal, the information signal generation device being removable from the information signal generation device;
Image information data corresponding to another image signal to be synthesized with the image signal generated in the information signal generation device, and audio corresponding to another audio signal to be synthesized with the audio signal generated in the information signal generation device. A first synthesis operation mode in which only information data and other image signals generated based on the image information data are synthesized; and a second synthesis operation mode in which only other audio signals generated based on the audio information data are synthesized. and a third synthesis operation mode for synthesizing both the other image signal and the audio signal, and a data holding device that holds control data for controlling the synthesis operation based on the synthesis operation mode. An information signal control system featuring: