JP2000316109A - Video camera having view finder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and easily operate setting of each kind of function while viewing display on a view finder in a video camera, and to prevent the video camera from being set in an undesired state by limiting the functions which can be set by a camera man. SOLUTION: A video engineer mode function list menu including all settable functions and a camera man mode function list menu selected from this are prepared, and when the menu selecting means 21 is normally started, the camera man mode function list menu is preferentially displayed on a view finder. Then, a camera man selects his or her desired function by operating the switch of a function selecting means 22, and sets the state of the selected function by operating the switch of a function setting means 23. The video engineer mode function list menu is displayed when a switch inside the camera main body is operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention clearly distinguishes between a video camera in which various function states are set while looking at a viewfinder, particularly a function that can be set by a cameraman and a function that can be set by a video engineer. The present invention relates to a video camera capable of setting various functions efficiently.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a video camera having a viewfinder, in particular, a handy camera used by a photographer on his / her shoulder, various functions of the video camera, that is, control items are viewed while viewing a screen displayed on the viewfinder. Setting has been done. In this case, various methods have been proposed as a method of displaying a screen on the viewfinder and a method of setting functions.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-219875 discloses that various functions of a video camera are displayed one by one in order, and when a screen of a desired function is displayed, the state of the function is displayed. Is set. That is, one screen is assigned to one function, and the screen is sequentially switched by operating a mode change switch so that a desired function to be set is displayed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-233881, a screen showing various functions relating to an image pickup apparatus is sequentially displayed by operating a push button switch, and when a screen of a desired function is displayed, There is disclosed a video camera in which a rotary switch is operated to set the function to a desired state.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 5-83606 discloses that a function list menu showing all functions of a video camera is first displayed on a viewfinder, and a desired function is selected from the menu. A video camera employing a pull-down method is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 4-368081 discloses a function list menu showing a plurality of functions of a video camera as pictograms or titles together with a cursor on a viewfinder, and moves a cursor to select a desired function. A camera-integrated VTR to be selected is disclosed.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-327155 discloses that the settable functions of a video camera are divided into groups according to the setting frequency, and the functions of the group having a high setting frequency are immediately displayed on the viewfinder by operating the operation means. The function of the group whose setting frequency is low is displayed when the operation means is operated for a predetermined time or more.

[0008]

In the above-described video cameras described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 60-219875 and 1-233881, the functions that can be set by the video camera are displayed one by one. , And these screens are sequentially switched and displayed on the viewfinder,
When a desired function to be set is displayed, the function is set to a desired state. However, in recent video cameras, the types of functions that can be set are extremely large, and it is desired to set the desired function. There is a disadvantage that it takes time to display the function screen and the operation is troublesome.

In the above-described video camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 5-83606 and 4-36881, a function list menu showing a plurality of functions of the video camera is first displayed on the viewfinder. Display,
Adopting a pull-down method that selects the desired function from among them, there is an advantage that the desired function can be selected easily and quickly compared to the one that switches the screen for each function. No setting is made, and setting of the state of the selected function is not mentioned at all. Furthermore, when the number of functions that can be set increases, the operation of selecting a desired function from among them becomes very troublesome, and there is a drawback that operability is lacking.

Further, in the video camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-327155, the settable functions of the video camera are grouped according to the setting frequency, and the functions of the group with the higher setting frequency are immediately operated by operating the operation means. There is disclosed a function which is displayed on a view finder and is displayed when the operation means is operated for a predetermined time or more for the function of a group having a low setting frequency. According to such a video camera, there is a possibility that a desired function to be set can be selected more efficiently than the above-described conventional one.
It is rather inconvenient to set a function with a low setting frequency. Furthermore, although the groups are grouped according to the setting frequency, the setting frequency is uniquely determined, which is inconvenient. That is, since the setting frequency of the cameraman and the setting frequency of the video engineer are not the same, it becomes very inconvenient depending on the grouping.

As described above, recently, the performance of a video camera has been improved, and many functions can be set. However, it is desirable that only a video engineer can adjust some of these functions. Some things you don't want to be adjusted. Generally, a video engineer can adjust all functions, but it is desirable that a cameraman can adjust only limited functions. However, in the conventional video camera, such a distinction is made, so that the setting of a function that the cameraman does not want to be adjusted by the photographer may be changed, which may hinder the operation of the video camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a video camera with a viewfinder which eliminates or reduces the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and which can easily and accurately select and set the settable functions of the video camera. What you want to do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a video camera in which the functions that can be set by the cameraman are limited to eliminate the setting of the undesired functions by the cameraman and that the operation of the video camera is not hindered. Is what you do.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a video camera capable of responding to various demands of a user by allowing a photographer to arbitrarily select a function that can be set.

[0015]

A video camera having a viewfinder according to the present invention has a first function list menu screen representing a first function group including a plurality of configurable functions of the video camera; A second function list menu screen representing a second function group including a function selected from the plurality of functions included in the first function list menu screen, and a menu selection to be displayed on the viewfinder Means, function selecting means for selecting a desired function from a plurality of functions included in the displayed function list menu, and function setting means for setting the selected function to a desired state. It is characterized by the following.

In a preferred embodiment of the video camera according to the present invention, a first function list menu including the first function group is set to a video engineer mode set by a video engineer, and a second function list including a second function group is set. The function list menu is set to a cameraman mode set by a cameraman, and the menu selection means is configured to preferentially display a second function list menu screen of the cameraman mode on a viewfinder in a normal operation of the video camera. I do.

According to such a video camera of the present invention, when entering the function setting mode, the second function list menu screen including the second function group that can be set by the cameraman is displayed on the viewfinder. The photographer can select the function whose setting is desired to be changed while viewing this menu screen and set the state of the selected function, so that the trouble of selecting the desired function from many functions as in the past can be greatly reduced. And the video camera can be efficiently set to a desired state. Further, since functions that the cameraman does not want to set are not displayed on the viewfinder, there is no risk that the cameraman will undesirably set the functions.

On the other hand, when the video engineer intends to set the function of the video camera, a switch is provided in the menu selection means at a position where the cameraman cannot access in a normal use mode, and the switch is operated to operate the switch. The first function list menu is preferentially displayed on the viewfinder. As will be shown in an embodiment to be described later, this switch is preferably provided at a position where it appears by removing a part of the housing of the video camera.

Further, according to the present invention, the first function list menu includes all settable functions of the video camera, and the second function list menu is arbitrarily selected from among the settable functions.
It is configured so that it can be registered in the function list menu. With this configuration, the second function list menu can include only the functions required by the cameraman, so that the function to be set can be more easily selected. Also,
Users such as photographers and video engineers can select the functions that they want to adjust themselves, which greatly reduces the setting work based on the user's wishes at the time of factory shipment. The period can be shortened and the cost can be reduced. Further, by configuring so that the user can arbitrarily specify the display order of the plurality of functions registered in the second function list menu, usability can be further improved.

Further, in the video camera according to the present invention, a selection switch for indicating to the function selection means that one of the functions in the function list menu displayed on the viewfinder is selectable, A determination switch for determining the designated function as a desired selected function. In this case, it is preferable to incorporate these selection switch and confirmation switch into one switch.

It is particularly preferable that the video camera according to the present invention be a handy camera used by a photographer hanging on his / her shoulder. In this case, the cameraman holds the video camera on his / her shoulder and looks at the viewfinder to function. Settings can be made, but of course other types of video cameras can be used.

[0022]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an embodiment of a video camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the same. As shown in FIG. 1, the video camera includes a photographing lens 11, an aperture 12, an aperture drive circuit 13, an image sensor (CCD) 14, and a CCD drive circuit 1.
5, an A / D conversion circuit 16, a video signal processing circuit 17, a video signal output terminal 18, a D / A conversion circuit 19, and a viewfinder 20. Since the structure and function of these components are well known, Detailed description is omitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the video camera of the present embodiment is a handy type video camera used by a photographer hanging on his / her shoulder. In such a handy camera, it is important that a cameraman can efficiently set a desired function to a desired state while the video camera is hung on a shoulder. Particularly preferred.

In the present invention, the menu selection means 2 is used to set and adjust various functions of the video camera.
1. A function selecting means 22 and a function setting means 23 are provided. Further, a central processing unit 24 having a function of integrally controlling these means, a function of storing various data, a function of controlling the operation of the video camera based on the stored data, and the like are provided. In the central processing unit 24, a plurality of functions set by the video engineer are stored as a function list menu of the video engineer mode, and a plurality of functions selected by the function list menu and mainly set by the cameraman are set in the cameraman mode. Store as a function list menu.

By operating a menu switch 21a provided in the menu selection means 21, a screen representing a function list menu in the cameraman mode is preferentially displayed on the viewfinder 20. In this example, the menu switch 21a is constituted by a three-position switch 31 shown in FIG. Fig. 3 shows an example of the function list menu screen in the cameraman mode. From the top, functions related to the viewfinder display (VF DISPLAY), functions related to monitor output signal display (MONITOR OUT), and functions related to the zebra indicator (ZEBRA INDICATOR) ), Various functions such as a function related to color bar title display (BARS TITLE) are displayed.

In the present invention, the functions that can be included in the function list menu of the cameraman mode can be arbitrarily specified by the user, but other general functions include a battery / tape remaining amount display function (BATTERY WARNING), An external synchronization function (GL PHASE ADJUST) can be considered. In this case, the number of functions that can be displayed on one screen of the function list menu is at most ten, so the number of functions included in the function list menu in the cameraman mode is set to ten or less. This simplifies the operation of the cameraman and improves operability.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a function list menu screen in the video engineer mode. The screen includes a function that can be set by the photographer, a function relating to a master gain switch (MID / HIGH GAIN MODE), and a function of the camera. Functions related to microcomputer control (CPU SYSTEM CONTROL),
Functions related to precision adjustment inside the camera (VIDEO PROCESS MOD
E), camera level adjustment function (M.PED.CONTROL), functions related to auto white balance / black balance (AW
Functions such as B / ABB MODE) and auto iris function (AUTO IRIS SET) are included. Other functions included in the function list menu of the video engineer mode include a scene file registration / readout function (SCENE FILE), a lens correction function (LENS SELECT), an external VTR connection / operation function (EXT VTR REC CONTROL), A function related to the screen aspect ratio (SCREEN ASPECT MODE) can be considered. These features should only be adjusted by the video engineer, and are features that photographers do not want to adjust. Thus, the function list menu of the video engineer mode is 1
Since zero or more functions are included, two or three menu screens are provided.

In this example, the function list in the video engineer mode includes all the functions that can be set in the video camera. However, even if the setting is possible, it is included in the function list in the video engineer mode. Some may be missing. In such a case, the same operation as in the related art may be performed to select and set a function not included in the video engineer mode.

Now, when the menu switch 21a is operated by the cameraman, the screen displayed on the viewfinder 20 represents the function list menu in the cameraman mode as shown in FIG. The photographer can select a desired function whose state is to be set while viewing the screen. In order to display the function list menu in the video engineer mode, the switch 21b which appears when the cover 32 constituting a part of the video camera housing shown in FIG. 2 is removed with a tool is operated. That is, by operating the switch 21b, the function list menu screen of the video engineer mode is displayed on the viewfinder 20. In this way, the video engineer can select a desired function while viewing the screen showing the function list menu of the video engineer mode displayed on the viewfinder 20.

Further, in this example, all the functions that can be set in the video camera are included in the function list menu of the video engineer mode, and the functions included in the function list menu of the cameraman mode are selected from the function list menu of the video engineer mode. It is configured so that the video engineer can arbitrarily select it. That is, as described above, the switch 21b is operated to display the function list menu of the video engineer mode, and the functions included in this menu are selected by operating the switches described later and registered in the function list menu of the cameraman mode. be able to. As described above, according to the present invention, a user can include an arbitrary function in the function list menu of the photographer mode, which is extremely easy to use. In addition, the manufacturer registers in advance the functions desired by the user at the time of shipment. Since there is no need to perform this operation, there is an advantage that the operation is unnecessary.

In the present embodiment, the display order of a plurality of functions included in the function list menu in the cameraman mode on the screen can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, for example, in the function list menu of the cameraman mode, the function whose status is to be set most frequently can be displayed at the top of the function list menu screen of the cameraman mode. Become.

When the function list menu of the cameraman mode including the function desired to be set by operating the menu switch 21a is displayed on the viewfinder 20, as described above, the function selection switch 22a provided in the function selection means 22 is provided.
To select a desired function. The function selection switch 22a is constituted by an up / down switch 33 as shown in FIG. 2, but may be constituted by a rotary switch. By operating the up / down switch 33, the manner of displaying a specific function in the function list menu screen in the cameraman mode can be changed. That is, when a certain function in the function list menu is selected, the color or density of the character representing the function is changed or blinked.

As described above, the viewfinder 20
After selecting a desired function from the function list menu of the cameraman mode displayed above, a screen for setting the state of the selected function by operating the selected function confirmation switch 22b is displayed on the viewfinder 20. indicate. In this example, the operation member of the selection function confirmation switch 22b is constituted by a three-position switch 31 constituting the menu switch 21a. That is, by turning the operation member of the three-position switch 31 to the “ON” position, the menu switch 21a is turned on, a menu list of functions in the cameraman mode is displayed, and “ENTER” is pressed against the spring.
By pressing down to the "R" position, the selected function determination switch 22b is turned on to determine the selected function.

By operating the up / down switch 33 and the three-position switch 31 described above, an arbitrary function included in the function list menu of the video engineer mode can be selected and registered in the function list menu of the cameraman mode. However, the operation is the same as that described above, and therefore will not be described in detail.

FIG. 5 shows the viewfinder 20 when the viewfinder display function (VF DSIPLAY) included at the top of the function list menu screen in the cameraman mode is selected.
It shows an example of a function status setting screen displayed above. That is, in this viewfinder display function, "DISPLAY MODE: OFF, 1, 2" for selecting the display mode of various characters to be displayed on the viewfinder,
Select `` SAFETY AREA: ACTION,
"TITLE", "SAFETY MARKER: OFF, ON" for switching the display of safety markers, "CENTER MARKER: OFF, ON" for center marker on / off, "FRAME MARKER: OFF, ON" for frame marker (frame) Time code indicator on / off `` TIME CODE IND: OFF, O
N], Audio level indicator on / off "AUDIO
LVL IND: OFF, ON ", marker and character level setting" MARKER / CHAR LVL: 1 to 100 ", and zebra indicator level setting" ZEBRA IND LVL: 1 to 100 "are displayed on the screen of the viewfinder 20. The photographer can operate the three-position switch 31 and the up / down switch 33 to select a desired item on this screen, select a setting state of the selected item, and set it by confirming.

When the screen for setting the state of a desired function is displayed on the viewfinder 20 in this way, the state setting switch 23a provided in the function setting means 23 (in this example, also serves as the above-described up-down switch 33). ) Is operated to select a desired state, and then the state determination switch 23b
A desired state is set by operating (also serving as the three-position switch 31 described above). Such function setting means 2
3 itself is the same as the conventional one, and can be set to a desired state by the same operation as the conventional state setting operation. The desired state of the desired function set in this way is stored in the memory. Further, when it is desired to set the state of another function, the above operation may be repeated.

In the above description, a case has been described where the cameraman selects a function included in the function list menu of the cameraman mode displayed on the viewfinder 20 and sets the state of the selected function. The same applies to the case where a function included in the function list menu of the displayed video engineer mode is selected and its state is set. When actually using a video camera, it is set as described above,
The operation according to the state of various functions stored in the memory is performed, but this is also the same as the conventional video camera.

[0037]

As described above, the video camera according to the present invention includes a function list menu in the video engineer mode including all functions that can be set in the video camera, and a function arbitrarily selected from the function list menu. A function list menu for the cameraman mode is provided, and when the cameraman operates the menu switch, the function list menu for the cameraman mode is displayed preferentially on the viewfinder, so that the desired function whose status is to be set can be selected efficiently. The functions that you do not want to be touched by the cameraman are not included in the function list menu of the cameraman mode, so that it is possible to avoid the possibility that the state of the video camera is set to an undesired state. .

Further, since the user can freely select the functions to be included in the function list menu of the cameraman mode, not only the operability is improved, but also the efficiency of the function selection is further improved. There is also an advantage that the maker does not need to set each function list menu in advance according to the user's request at the time of shipment from the factory.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a video camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a video camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a function list menu display screen in a cameraman mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a function list menu display screen in a video engineer mode.

[Figure 5] “VF” in the function list menu of the cameraman mode
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a function setting item display screen when “DSIPLAY” is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 shooting lens, 12 aperture, 13 aperture drive circuit, 14 CCD, 15 CCD drive circuit, 16
A / D converter, 17 video signal processing circuit, 18 main line output terminal, 19 D / A converter, 20 viewfinder, 21 menu selection means, 22 function selection means, 23 function setting means, 24 central processing unit, 3
13 position switch, 32 cover, 33 up / down switch

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first function list menu screen representing a first function group including a plurality of settable functions of a video camera, and a plurality of functions included in the first function list menu screen. A menu selection means for selecting a second function list menu screen representing a second function group including a function selected from among them and displaying the selected function list screen on a viewfinder; A video camera having a view finder, comprising: function selecting means for selecting a desired function from the above functions; and function setting means for setting the selected function to a desired state. 2. A camera engineer mode in which a first function list menu including the first function group is set to a video engineer mode set by a video engineer, and a second function list menu including a second function group is set by a cameraman. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the menu selection means is configured to preferentially display a second function list menu screen in the cameraman mode on a viewfinder in a normal operation of the video camera. Video camera. 3. The menu selection means is provided at a position where a photographer cannot access in a normal use mode,
3. The video camera according to claim 2, further comprising a switch for displaying the first function list menu preferentially on the viewfinder when operated. 4. A configuration in which any of the settable functions of the video camera included in the first function list menu can be arbitrarily selected and registered in the second function list menu. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The video camera according to claim 4, wherein a display order of a plurality of functions registered in the second function list menu can be arbitrarily designated by a user. 6. A selection switch for indicating to the function selection means that one of functions in a function list menu displayed on a viewfinder is selectable.
3. A decision switch for confirming the designated function as a desired selected function is provided.
A video camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein the video camera is a handy camera used by hanging on a shoulder.