JP2000236469A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a normal image at all times independently of the posture of an electronic camera that can be mounted longitudinally and laterally and has an image pickup section including a lens and an image pickup element that can freely be detached from a camera main body and exchanged. SOLUTION: The same interface is employed for an image pickup unit 20 and a main body unit 22 of this electronic camera to detect whether both parts are connected longitudinally or laterally, and image data received from the image pickup unit are 90-degree-rotated according to the detection result to obtain a normal picture whose top and bottom are correctly positioned. The main body unit 22 may record the image data sent from the image pickup unit 20 without processing of longitudinal/lateral directions and records attached information denoting in which of longitudinal and lateral connection the image has been photographed together with the image data to decide the reproduction direction on the basis of the attached information at reproduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera,
In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic camera in which an imaging unit including a lens and an imaging element is configured to be detachable from a camera body and can be converted into a camera having different performance by replacing the imaging unit, and an imaging unit and a main body unit constituting the electronic camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a digital camera converts an optical image into an electronic image signal using an image pickup device such as a CCD, and records photographed image data on a recording medium. In recent years, the number of pixels of a digital camera has been increased in order to respond to the need for higher image quality, and models having a larger number of pixels have been commercialized one after another. Therefore, one year after the release, it becomes an old model with a low commercial value.

[0003]

However, even though the number of pixels in the image sensor has rapidly increased, other parts of the camera have been changed in design, but have been changed little from a technical point of view. Often not. Therefore, in order to easily cope with the increase in the number of pixels, it is efficient that only the imaging unit including the imaging element can be replaced.

Conventionally, a camera whose lens section can be replaced like a standard lens, a zoom lens, or a wide-angle lens,
There have been proposed cameras capable of exchanging an imaging section including an imaging element and a lens, cameras capable of exchanging a video signal processing system, and the like (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 10-84523 and 7-114).
434, JP-A-8-182561). However, conventional cameras have a vertical type and a horizontal type,
The part where the imaging unit is formed may be the upper part of the camera or the side part of the camera. Conventionally, the interchangeable imaging unit camera can shoot and play back a normal image with the correct orientation in the vertical direction even if the interface is the same, but the horizontal orientation of the image in the horizontal orientation There is a problem that it becomes the direction.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and makes it easy to improve and change the camera performance in response to an increase in the number of pixels and to be applicable to both a vertical type and a horizontal type. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera of an interchangeable imaging unit type that can always obtain a normal image regardless of the vertical / horizontal direction.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to the present invention comprises: an image pickup unit having an image pickup element and a lens for forming a subject image on a light receiving surface of the image pickup element; And a main unit having a signal processing unit that processes an image signal read from the image sensor, and a main unit having a signal processing unit that processes an image signal read from the image sensor. According to the identification information of the identification unit and the vertical / horizontal identification unit, the imaging unit is controlled or the image data obtained through the imaging element is processed so that a correct normal image output can be obtained in the vertical direction. And horizontal and vertical direction correcting means.

According to the present invention, in an interchangeable imaging unit camera, the interface between the imaging unit (imaging unit) and the main unit (main unit) is the same, and the camera is connected regardless of whether it is a vertical connection or a horizontal connection. Thus, a correct normal image (hereinafter, referred to as a normal image) can be obtained.
For example, when reading from the image sensor becomes a normal image at the time of the horizontal connection type, when the imaging unit is used for the main unit of the vertical connection type, the image data sent from the imaging unit is rotated by 90 degrees. By doing so, a normal image can be obtained. Also, instead of a method of processing image data output from the imaging unit, an image data rotation processing function is provided in the imaging unit, and the output format of the image data is changed according to the detection of the connection form. Is also good.

As a specific configuration of the vertical / horizontal identification means, for example, an information storage means in which information indicating a connection mode in which a normal image can be obtained is provided in the imaging unit, is stored in the information storage means. It is configured to identify the up-down direction of the image based on the information present. According to another aspect of the present invention, the vertical / horizontal direction correction unit is configured to record the vertical / horizontal information indicating the vertical direction of the image together with the image data, based on the vertical / horizontal information recorded in the recording device during reproduction. Signal processing means for setting the vertical direction of the image data, converting the image data into a normal image, and outputting the converted image. According to such an embodiment, a normal image can be obtained during reproduction.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image pickup unit includes a lens and an image pickup element which are integrally accommodated in a casing (casing). Is completed and the camera is ready for shooting. An image pickup unit equipped with an image pickup device having a different number of pixels, or a different type of lens such as a zoom lens or a wide-angle lens can be freely replaced with respect to the main unit, and the function and performance of the camera can be easily changed.

Further, by providing the image pickup unit with the optical viewfinder, there is no difference in the angle of view between the image actually taken and the image observed from the optical viewfinder even if the image pickup unit is replaced.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 and 2 show an example of a vertical electronic camera to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show examples of a horizontal electronic camera. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 10 includes a photographing lens 12 and an optical viewfinder 1.
4 and an imaging unit 20 in which the strobe 16 is integrally housed in a housing 18, and a central processing unit (MPU: microcomputer pro) mainly as a processing circuit and a control device for image signals.
cessingunit) etc. built-in main unit 22
And

The imaging unit 20 has a connector (or terminal) 24 for obtaining an electrical connection with the main unit 22.
And a connector 26 corresponding to the connector (or terminal portion) 24 is provided on the main unit 22 side.
By connecting the connector 24 of the imaging unit 20 to the connector 26 of the main body unit 22, the two are mechanically and electrically coupled to each other, and a photographing state is established. Note that reference numeral 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a strobe light control sensor.

A shutter switch 28 for giving a photographing start instruction signal is provided on the front of the main unit 22.
The shutter switch 28 is arranged at a position where the photographer can press the shutter switch 28 with the index finger of the right hand while holding the grip portion 29 with the right hand. The arrangement of the shutter switch 28 is not limited to this, and may be provided on the side surface or the back surface of the main unit 22, or may be provided on the imaging unit 20 side.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the back side of the electronic camera 10. Reference numeral 30 in FIG. 2 denotes a finder eyepiece (viewing window),
Reference numeral 32 denotes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying characters, reference numeral 34 denotes a mode selection dial, reference numeral 36 denotes a liquid crystal monitor for displaying images, reference numeral 38 denotes an up / down key, and reference numeral 40 denotes execution /
An enter key 42 is an on / off key for monitor display. Although not shown, a memory card (reference numeral 90 in FIG. 5) serving as a recording medium is provided on the bottom or side surface of the main unit 22.
) Is provided.

The vertical type electronic camera 10 has a structure in which the image pickup unit 20 is mounted on the upper surface of the main unit 22, whereas the horizontal type electronic camera 50 shown in FIGS. The electronic camera 10 differs from the above-described vertical electronic camera 10 in that the electronic camera 10 has a structure that is connected to the side (side surface) of the main unit 54. Other configurations are substantially the same as the configuration of the vertical electronic camera 10. 3 and 4, the same or similar parts as those of the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the electronic cameras 10 and 50. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the imaging unit 20 (or 52) including a single focus lens as the photographing lens 12 is mounted on the main unit 22 (or 54). The imaging unit 20 (or 52) includes an imaging lens 12, an aperture 60, and a CCD solid-state imaging device (hereinafter, referred to as CCD).
That. ) 62, analog signal processing section 64, CCD drive timing generator 66, electronic volume circuit 68 including D / A converter, strobe light control sensor 2
7, a ROM 72, an EEPROM 74 and the like. The ROM 72 stores an automatic focus adjustment (AF) function, an automatic exposure adjustment (AE) function, a control program indicating a control method of the imaging unit, and the like.

The image pickup unit 2 is stored in the EEPROM 74.
Various data, such as an adjustment value unique to 0, necessary for controlling the imaging unit and processing the image signal are stored. Specifically, CC
The information on the CCD characteristics such as the number of pixels of D62, the color filter array, the color balance, and the sensitivity, the lens characteristics of the photographing lens 12, the presence or absence of a strobe, etc. are stored in the EEPROM 74.
Is stored in

In the case of a camera in which the image pickup units 20 and 52 can be exchanged like the electronic cameras 10 and 50 of the present embodiment, the image pickup portion itself changes. Therefore, a program and data defining a control method of the image pickup section are stored in the image pickup unit 20. , 52 side. Therefore, in the imaging units 20 and 52, as shown in FIG.
A storage element such as a ROM 74 is provided.

The CCD 62 is of a size capable of capturing an image having the same angle of view as the angle of view that can be viewed from the optical viewfinder 14. Even if the size of the CCD 62 does not completely match the angle of view of the optical finder 14, the adjustment data relating to the read range of the CCD 62 is stored in the EEPROM 74, and the signal is appropriately processed using the data. Thus, a video signal having the same angle of view as that of the optical viewfinder 14 can be obtained.

On the other hand, the main unit 22 (or 54)
It comprises a power supply section 76, a signal processing circuit 78, a memory card connector (card interface) 80, a liquid crystal monitor 36, an external output terminal 82, an operation section 84, an MPU 86 and the like. For the power supply unit 76, for example, a rechargeable battery or a commercially available dry battery is used. The operation unit 84 is a block including various keys such as the mode selection dial 34, the up / down key 38, and the execution key 40, a switch, and the like. The shutter switch 28 is connected to the main unit 22 (or 5).
4), it may be provided on either side of the imaging unit 20 (or 52), and therefore, both are shown in FIG. Thus, the main unit 22 (or 54) is responsible for the man-machine interface.

The electronic camera 10 having the above configuration operates as follows. The imaging unit 20 and the main unit 22 (or 5
By connecting 4) via the connectors 24 and 26, power is supplied from the power supply unit 76 of the main unit 22 (or 54) to the imaging unit 20. The MPU 86 loads a control program from the ROM 72 of the imaging unit 20 (or 52), stores the control program in the DRAM 88, reads various data (imaging unit adjustment information) necessary for adjusting the imaging unit from the EEPROM 74, and stores the read data in the DRAM 8
8 is stored. Thus, the MPU 86 operates the imaging unit 2 in accordance with the programs and data stored in the DRAM 88.
0 (or 52) aperture 60, timing generator 6
6 and an electronic volume circuit 68.

The angle of view (composition) is determined by observing the subject through the optical viewfinder 14, and the image recording process is started in response to the pressing operation of the shutter switch 28. That is, the subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 62 through the photographing lens 12 and the aperture 60 is photoelectrically converted here and sequentially read as an image signal. The image signal is applied to an analog signal processing unit 64 including a gain control (GC) circuit, a color balance adjustment circuit, an A / D converter, etc., and after being subjected to predetermined processing, is converted into a digital signal. The signal is transferred to the signal processing circuit 78 of the main unit 22 (or 54) via the.

The signal processing circuit 78 includes a luminance signal generation circuit,
It includes a color difference signal generation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a compression / expansion circuit, and the like. Image data processed by these circuits is recorded on a memory card 90 attached to a memory card connector 80. The medium for recording the image data can be in various forms such as a smart media, a PC card, a flash memory card, an IC card, a magneto-optical disk, a memory stick, etc. An internal memory built in the unit 22 (or 54) may be used.

The image data stored in the memory card 90 can be read out under the control of the MPU 86. The image data read out from the memory card 90 is expanded by the signal processing circuit 78 and then output to the liquid crystal monitor 36. At the same time, the signal can be output to another external device via the external output terminal 82 in a predetermined signal form such as a video signal.

It is also possible to display an image (movie-through image) captured by the camera on the liquid crystal monitor 36 before the photographing start instruction is given by the shutter switch 28, or to extract the video signal from the external output terminal 82 as a video signal. In this case, the photographer can determine the angle of view while checking the movie image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 36 or the like.

The MPU 86 controls and controls each circuit of the electronic camera 10. The MPU 86 controls the signal processing circuit 78 so that appropriate signal processing corresponding to information unique to the imaging unit 20 (or 52) is performed. , Control for photographing in accordance with an input signal from the shutter switch 28, read / write control of the memory card 90, and the like. The imaging unit 20 (or 52) and the main unit 22 (or 5)
By unifying the interface specifications of 4), the imaging unit 20 can be replaced freely as long as the interface part matches, and the common imaging unit 20 (or 52) can be connected to a different main unit. You can also. Thereby, the degree of freedom of the combination of the imaging unit and the main unit is increased.

Further, one imaging unit 20 (or 5
2) is replaced with a vertical electronic camera 10 as shown in FIG.
When shared with a horizontal electronic camera 50 such as
In order to match the vertical and horizontal directions of the image with the vertical and horizontal directions of the camera in the processing of the video signal, the signal processing unit for vertical and horizontal adjustment includes the image capturing unit 20 or the main body. Unit 2
2 (or 54). Regarding the field frame of the optical finder 14, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the vertical and horizontal directions are switched according to the mounting mode of the imaging unit 20 (or 52).

Here, a method of vertical / horizontal conversion processing of an image according to a difference in the connection direction of the imaging unit will be described with reference to FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 1, in the case of a vertical connection in which the imaging unit is connected in the vertical direction of the main unit, an imaging unit configured to output a normal image by normal CCD driving and signal processing (hereinafter, referred to as an imaging unit) , 20). When the vertical standard imaging unit 20 is connected to the vertical main unit 22 and used, a normal image is displayed as shown in FIG. An image is recorded as a normal image, and a normal image is displayed during reproduction.

On the other hand, the vertical standard imaging unit 20
Is connected to the horizontal type main unit 54 as shown in FIG.
In the upper through image display, the image is displayed as shown in the upper right (b) of FIG. 6, but the output image from the CCD 62 is shown in the lower right (c) of FIG.
It is an image rotated 90 degrees vertically and horizontally like this,
The image data is recorded and stored as image data in which the original vertical direction is oriented in the horizontal direction.

In order to solve such a problem, the following measures are taken in the electronic cameras 10 and 50 according to the present embodiment. That is, as a first method, information (hereinafter, referred to as standard specification information) indicating that a normal image is captured by the imaging unit 20 by the vertical connection is stored in the EEPROM 74 of the imaging unit 20, and the main unit is By reading the standard specification information from the EEPROM 74 at the time of connection with the CCD 54, the main unit detects that the imaging unit 20 is connected to the side, and the CCD 62.
Image processing for rotating the image (horizontal image) obtained in step 90 by 90 degrees to obtain the same erect image as in the vertical connection.
Thereby, the difference between the vertical connection and the horizontal connection can be eliminated.

As a second method, the imaging unit 2
0, a rotation processing function of image data is provided, and an instruction is given to the imaging unit 20 from the main unit detecting that the imaging unit 20 is horizontally connected, and the input image is rotated by 90 degrees in the imaging unit 20. The imaging unit 20 is configured to perform processing for causing the
Is also conceivable. Of course, it is also possible to have means for detecting whether the imaging unit side is a vertical connection or a horizontal connection, and change the output signal in accordance with the detection of the detection means.

The third method is a mode of controlling the main unit itself. That is, in this case, the input image is recorded as it is without performing processing such as rotation processing on the image data obtained from the imaging unit, and information (vertical and horizontal information) indicating in which direction the image was recorded at the time of the recording (vertical and horizontal information) is used. Is recorded together with the image data as additional information of the image data. Then, at the time of reproduction, the vertical direction of the image is determined from the attached information, the reproduction direction is determined, and reproduction is performed. Even by such a method, it is possible to always obtain a normal image.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an electronic camera according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an example in which an imaging unit 94 including a zoom lens 92 as a photographing lens optical system is mounted on the main unit 22. 7 that are the same as or similar to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The imaging unit 94 uses a zoom finder as the optical finder 14. The zoom lens 92 and the optical finder (zoom finder) 14 are mechanically linked by well-known mechanical means (not shown) so that the angle of view of the zoom lens 92 and the angle of view of the optical finder 14 substantially match. It has a working structure.

In the image pickup unit 94, the zoom lens 9 is provided.
As a means (servo mechanism) for driving the motor 2, a zoom driving motor 96, a focus driving motor 98, and a motor driver 100 for driving these motors,
102 are provided. Then, the motor driver 10
Reference numerals 0 and 102 have a structure controlled by the MPU 86 of the main unit 22.

As described above, even when the imaging unit 94 equipped with the zoom lens 92 and the optical finder (zoom finder) 14 is used, the difference in the angle of view between the image viewed from the finder and the image actually shot is eliminated. be able to. In FIG. 7, two motors, a zoom drive motor 96 and a focus drive motor 98, are provided. However, an embodiment having only the zoom drive motor 96 or only the focus drive motor 98 is also possible.

When the image pickup unit is provided with a shutter switch 28, when the image pickup unit is connected to a vertically placed main unit, the shutter switch 28 functions as a switch for giving a photographing start instruction. However, when a shutter switch is provided on the side of the horizontal type main unit, and when the imaging unit with the shutter switch is connected to the main unit with the shutter switch, both the shutter switches function. You can also. When there are a plurality of functions of the shutter switch as described above, it is convenient when the camera is used upright, such as when capturing an image on a vertically long screen.

As a modified example of each of the above-described embodiments, a camera capable of both a vertical connection and a horizontal connection in the main body can be considered. For example, a connector similar to the connector 26 may be provided on the side surface of the main unit 22 shown in FIG. 1 so that the imaging unit 20 can be mounted on the upper surface or the side surface of the main unit 22 by a user's selection. As described above, by providing a plurality of connection portions of the imaging unit 20 in one main unit 22, a camera capable of changing the mounting position of the imaging unit according to a shooting situation can be provided.

In the above description, a camera for recording a still image has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to a camera for recording a moving image such as a video camera.

[0039]

As described above, according to the electronic camera of the present invention, in an electronic camera system in which the imaging unit can be exchanged for the main body, means for rotating an image in accordance with the connection form of the imaging unit. Is provided, a normal image can be obtained irrespective of the vertical type or the horizontal type as long as the interface of the connecting portion is the same.

Since the image pickup optical system and the optical viewfinder are integrally mounted as an image pickup unit, even if the image pickup unit is replaced, there is no difference in the angle of view between the image actually taken and the image viewed from the optical viewfinder. To play.
Further, since the image pickup unit can be freely exchanged with respect to the main body unit, conversion to various lens systems becomes easy, and it is also easy to cope with an increase in the number of pixels of the image pickup device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a vertical electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear external view of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an external view of a horizontal electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an external view of the back side of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the electronic camera of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of a method of vertical / horizontal conversion processing of an image.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 50: electronic camera, 12: photographing lens, 14: optical finder, 18: housing, 20, 52, 94: imaging unit, 22, 54: main unit, 24: connector, 26: connector (connection part), 62: CCD (imaging element), 74: EEPROM (information storage means), 78: signal processing circuit (signal processing unit, image processing means), 80: card connector (recording device), 86: MPU (vertical and horizontal identification means, vertical and horizontal) Direction correcting means, 90: memory card (recording device)

Claims (11)

[Claims] An imaging unit having an imaging element and a lens for forming a subject image on a light receiving surface of the imaging element; a connection unit to which the imaging unit is attached and detached; and a signal for processing an image signal read from the imaging element. A main unit provided with a processing unit, comprising: a vertical / horizontal identifying means for identifying a vertical direction of an image obtained by the imaging unit; and An electronic camera, comprising: a vertical / horizontal direction correction unit that controls the imaging unit or processes image data acquired via the imaging device so that an image output can be obtained. 2. The image pickup unit is provided with information storage means for storing information indicating a connection mode in which an upper and lower correct normal image can be obtained by the image pickup unit, and the information stored in the information storage means is provided. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera is configured to identify a top and bottom direction of the image based on the information. 3. A recording apparatus for recording vertical and horizontal information indicating the vertical direction of an image together with image data, and a vertical / horizontal direction correcting means for vertically and horizontally correcting image data based on the vertical / horizontal information recorded in the recording apparatus during reproduction. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: an image processing unit that converts the image into a correct normal image and outputs the image. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup unit has a function of converting image data in a vertical and horizontal direction and outputting the image data in accordance with an instruction from said main unit. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit has an optical finder. 6. An image pickup unit used for the electronic camera according to claim 3. Description: 7. A main body unit used in the electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein a top and bottom direction of the image is identified based on information stored in information storage means on the imaging unit side, and the identification result is obtained. A main body unit having image processing means for converting an upper and lower correct normal image in response. 8. An image pickup unit including an image pickup device, a lens for forming a subject image on a light receiving surface of the image pickup device, and an optical finder, wherein a signal processing unit processes an image signal read from the image pickup device. It has a structure that can be attached to and detached from the main unit that has a vertical connection and a horizontal connection, so that correct upper and lower images can be obtained in both cases in both cases. An imaging unit characterized in that: 9. A main unit to which the imaging unit according to claim 7 is connected, wherein the imaging unit is connected / connected.
A main body unit comprising a connection portion that can be connected detachably. 10. The main unit according to claim 8, wherein the connection portion is provided on an upper surface or a side surface of the main unit. 11. The main unit according to claim 7, wherein connection portions to which the image pickup unit can be connected are provided at a plurality of positions of the main unit.