JP2006238041A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video camera where deterioration of resolution of a still picture can be prevented and operability can be improved by considering that an extraction operation of a partial field image like conventional technology is advantageous at the time of recording a moving picture and is disadvantageous at the time of recording the still picture. <P>SOLUTION: A field is repetitively photographed by an image sensor 12. When a moving picture preference mode is selected, the field image belonging to a hand fluctuation correction area in the photographed field image is displayed on an LCD monitor 34. The hand fluctuation correction area is changed by a CPU 24 so that fluctuation of the field due to hand fluctuation is canceled. When a still picture preference mode is selected, the whole photographed field image is displayed on the LCD monitor 34. A character showing a size of the hand fluctuation correction area is multiplexed with the field image of the whole range. Thus, the outputted field image has a different angle of field in accordance with mode selection. When a second angle of field mode is selected, the character is multiplexed with the field image. Consequently, the operability improves. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a video camera, and more particularly to a video camera having a camera shake correction function, for example.

An example of a conventional video camera of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this prior art, the captured scene image is written into the field memory. The camera shake is detected by the motion detection circuit, and the image extraction area moves on the field memory according to the detection result of the motion detection circuit. The partial object scene image read from the image extraction area is displayed on the monitor screen through an enlargement zoom process.
JP-A-9-252425 [H04N 5/235]

    However, the partial scene image extraction operation as in the prior art is advantageous when recording a moving image, but disadvantageous when recording a still image. That is, because a still image requires higher resolution than a moving image due to the difference in image properties, the conventional technique for extracting a part of the object scene image is not suitable for a still image recording operation.

  Here, while displaying a moving image based on a plurality of partial scene images read out from the image extraction area on the monitor, the entire scene image secured in the field memory in response to the operation of the shutter button is displayed. If recording is performed, it is possible to prevent a reduction in resolution of the still image. However, this method has a problem in operability because the angle of view of a still image cannot be confirmed.

    Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a video camera capable of improving operability.

  The video camera according to the first aspect of the present invention is a photographing means (S41) for repeatedly photographing the object scene, and the first field of view image photographed by the photographing means when the first angle of view mode is selected. First output means (S13, S95) for repeatedly outputting the first scene image to which it belongs, and change means (S5, S79) for changing the first range so as to eliminate fluctuations in the scene caused by camera shake ), A second output for repeatedly outputting a second field image belonging to a second range including the first range among the field images captured by the photographing means when the second field angle mode is selected. Means (S17, S99) and multiplexing means (S21, S103) for multiplexing the character representing the size of the first range on the second scene image output by the second output means.

  The object scene is repeatedly photographed by the photographing means. When the first field angle mode is selected, the first field image belonging to the first range among the photographed field images is repeatedly output by the first output means. The first range is changed by the changing unit so that the fluctuation of the object scene caused by camera shake is eliminated. When the second field angle mode is selected, the second field image belonging to the second range including the first range among the photographed field images is repeatedly output by the second output means. The multiplexing means multiplexes the character representing the size of the first range on the second object scene image.

  Thus, the output scene image has a different angle of view depending on the mode selection. When the second field angle mode is selected, the character is multiplexed on the object scene image. For this reason, operability is improved.

  The video camera according to the invention of claim 2 is dependent on claim 1 and further comprises display means (34) for displaying a moving image based on the outputs of the first output means and the second output means. Thereby, the object scene image can be easily confirmed.

  The video camera according to the invention of claim 3 is dependent on claim 1 or 2, and further comprises updating means (S7, S81) for updating the multiplexed position of the character by the multiplexing means in accordance with the changing operation of the changing means. Thereby, it can be confirmed by the character that a so-called camera shake correction operation is performed.

  A digital camera according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is dependent on any one of the first to third aspects, and further includes an enlarging means (S5, S97) for enlarging the first object scene image output by the first output means. Thereby, the size of the output image can be matched between the first object scene image and the second object scene image.

  A video camera according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is dependent on any one of the first to fourth aspects, and has the same angle of view as the first object scene image output by the first output means when a moving image recording operation is performed. First recording means (S45) for recording a moving image having a corner is further provided.

  The video camera according to the invention of claim 6 is dependent on claim 5 and further comprises an activating means (S93) for activating the changing means during a period in which the recording operation by the first recording means is performed. Therefore, the camera shake correction operation is stopped during the period in which the first recording unit is disabled. As a result, power consumption can be reduced.

  A video camera according to a seventh aspect of the invention is dependent on any one of the first to sixth aspects, and has the same angle of view as the second object scene image output by the second output means when a still image recording operation is performed. Second recording means (59) for recording a still image having an angle of view is further provided.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shooting control program for a video camera processor, a shooting step for repeatedly shooting a scene (S41), and an object scene image shot by the shooting step when the first angle of view mode is selected. 1st output step (S13, S95) for repeatedly outputting the first scene image belonging to the first range, and a change step for changing the first range so that the fluctuation of the scene due to camera shake is eliminated (S5, S79), when the second field angle mode is selected, the second field image belonging to the second range including the first range among the field images photographed by the photographing means is repeatedly output. Shooting for executing two output steps (S17, S99) and a multiplex step (S21, S103) for multiplexing the character representing the size of the first range on the second object scene image output by the second output means It is a control program.

  According to the present invention, the outputted scene image has a different angle of view depending on the mode selection. When the second field angle mode is selected, the character is multiplexed on the object scene image. For this reason, operability is improved.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a digital video camera 10 of this embodiment includes an optical lens 12. The optical image of the object scene is irradiated onto the imaging surface of the image sensor 14 through the optical lens 12 and subjected to photoelectric conversion. As a result, a charge representing the object scene image, that is, a raw image signal is generated.

  When the power is turned on, the moving image shooting process is started. At this time, the CPU 24 instructs the TG / SG 14 to repeat pre-exposure and thinning-out reading. The TG / SG 14 gives a plurality of timing signals to the image sensor 12 in order to execute pre-exposure of the imaging surface of the image sensor 12 and thinning-out reading of the charges obtained thereby. The raw image signal generated on the imaging surface is thinned and read out in the order according to the raster scanning in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync generated once every 1/30 seconds. The image sensor 12 outputs a low-resolution raw image signal at a frame rate of 30 fps.

  The raw image signal output from the image sensor 12 is subjected to a series of processes of correlated double sampling, automatic gain adjustment, and A / D conversion by the CDS / AGC / AD circuit 16. The signal processing circuit 20 performs processing such as white balance adjustment, color separation, and YUV conversion on the raw image data output from the CDS / AGC / AD circuit 16, and writes the YUV format image data to the SDRAM 28 through the memory control circuit 26. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the SDRAM 28 has a display image area 28a, a still image area 28b, a JPEG area 28c, an MPEG area 28d, and a character image area 28e. Image data from the signal processing circuit 20 is written in the display image area 28a.

  The motion detection circuit 22 captures the Y component of the image data created by the signal processing circuit 20 every 1/30 seconds, and detects the motion vector of the object scene caused by hand shake based on the captured Y component. Motion detection information indicating the detected motion vector is given to the CPU 24. The CPU 24 moves the camera shake correction area EX assigned to the display image area 28a in the manner shown in FIG. 3 so that the motion vector indicated by the motion detection information is canceled out. Further, the CPU 24 writes character data defining the position of the camera shake correction area EX after the movement in the character image area 28e of the SDRAM 28.

  If the moving image priority mode is selected by the mode changeover switch 48sw of the key input device 48, the CPU 24 informs the video encoder 30 that the camera shake correction area EX is set as the reading area and the zoom magnification is set to “initial value * K1”. Command. On the other hand, if the still image priority mode is selected by the mode switch 48sw, the CPU 24 instructs the video encoder 30 to set the entire display image area 28a as the readout area and the zoom magnification as the initial value, and further to the character The synthesis circuit 36 is activated. K1 is a constant exceeding “1”.

  When the moving image priority mode is selected, the video encoder 30 reads the partial image data stored in the camera shake correction area EX every 1/30 seconds through the memory control circuit 26, and sets the read partial image data as “initial value”. * K1 "times zoom processing is performed, and the zoomed image data is converted into a composite video signal.

  When the still image priority mode is selected, the video encoder 30 reads the entire image data stored in the display image area 28a every 1/30 seconds through the memory control circuit 26, and sets the initial value to the read entire image data. And zoomed image data is converted into a composite video signal.

  When the still image priority mode is selected, the character composition circuit 36 reads the character data stored in the character image area 28e every 1/30 seconds through the memory control circuit 26, and reads the read character data as an analog signal. Convert to a character signal.

  The composite video signal output from the video encoder 30 is output from the LCD monitor 34 via the adder 32. In the still image priority mode, the character signal output from the character composition circuit 36 is added to the composite video signal by the adder 32.

  Therefore, when the image data shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the display image area 28a, a through image having a reduced angle of view is displayed on the LCD monitor 34 in the manner shown in FIG. In the still image priority mode, a through image having a normal angle of view and a character SP defining the position of the camera shake correction area EX are displayed on the LCD monitor 34 as shown in FIG. Since the zoom magnification differs between the modes, the size of the display image matches between the modes regardless of the difference in the angle of view.

  When the moving image recording key 48mv is operated, the CPU 24 activates the MPEG encoder 40 to start the moving image recording process. The MPEG encoder 40 reads the image data from the display image area 28a of the SDRAM 28 through the memory control circuit 26, compresses the read image data by the MPEG4 system, and compresses the compressed image data, that is, MPEG data through the memory control circuit 26. Write to the MPEG area 28d.

  The CPU 24 reads MPEG data from the MPEG area 28d through the memory control circuit 26 every time the amount of data stored in the MPEG area 28d reaches a threshold value. The read MPEG data is recorded on the recording medium 44 through the I / F 46. When the moving image recording key 48mv is operated again, the CPU 24 ends the moving image recording process. That is, the CPU 24 stops the MPEG encoder 40 and ends the access to the SDRAM 28 after the recording of the MPEG data remaining in the MPEG area 28c is completed.

  When the still image recording key 48st is operated, the moving image shooting process is interrupted, and the still image shooting / recording process is executed. At this time, the CPU 24 instructs the TG / SG 18 to perform main exposure and all pixel readout. The TG / SG 18 performs main exposure on the imaging surface of the image sensor 14 and reads out all charges generated thereby. The image sensor 14 outputs a raw image signal of one frame having a high resolution. The output raw image signal is converted into YUV format image data in the same manner as described above. The converted image data is written into the still image area 28 b of the SDRAM 28 by the memory control circuit 26.

  The CPU 24 stops the character composition circuit 36 and instructs the video encoder 30 to set the entire still image area 28b as a reading area and set the zoom magnification to “initial value / K2”. K2 is a constant exceeding “1”.

  The video encoder 30 reads the image data stored in the still image area 28b through the memory control circuit 26 every 1/30 seconds, performs a zoom process according to “initial value / K2” on the read image data, and zooms. The converted image data is converted into a composite video signal. The converted composite video signal is output from the LCD monitor 34 via the adder 32. As a result, a freeze image having a normal angle of view is displayed on the LCD monitor 34. The size of the freeze image matches the size of the display image shown in FIG. 4 (A) or FIG. 4 (B).

  The CPU 24 also activates the JPEG encoder 38 at a timing when image data is secured in the still image area 28b. The JPEG encoder 38 reads image data from the still image area 28b through the memory control circuit 26, compresses the read image data by the JPEG method, and compresses the compressed image data, that is, JPEG data into the JPEG area 28c through the memory control circuit 26. Write.

  When one frame of JPEG data is secured in the JPEG area 28c, the CPU 24 reads the JPEG data from the JPEG area 28c through the memory control circuit 26. The read JPEG data is recorded on the recording medium 44 through the I / F 46. When the still image shooting / recording process is completed, the moving image shooting process is resumed.

  As described above, in the moving image priority mode, a part of the through image subjected to the camera shake correction is output. As a result, the object scene can be visually recognized stably. In the still image priority mode, the angle of view is adjusted between the through image and the recorded still image, and the character SP moves on the screen in accordance with the camera shake correction process. As a result, it is possible to easily confirm both the angle of view of the recorded still image and the angle of view of the recorded moving image.

  The CPU 24 executes in parallel the camera shake correction task shown in FIG. 5, the display control task shown in FIG. 6, the moving image processing task shown in FIG. 7, and the still image processing task shown in FIG. Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 42.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a vertical synchronization signal Vsync has been generated. If “YES” here, the process proceeds to a step S 3 to capture motion detection information from the motion detection circuit 22. In step S <b> 5, the camera shake correction area EX is moved on the display image area 28 a of the SDRAM 28 so that the motion vectors indicated by the captured motion detection information are canceled out. In step S 7, character data defining the position of the camera shake correction area EX after movement is written in the character image area 28 e of the SDRAM 28. When the write operation is completed, the process returns to step S1. Note that the character data stored in the character image area 28e by the current processing of step S7 is erased by the next processing of step S7.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S11, it is determined which of the moving image priority mode and the still image priority mode is selected. If the moving image priority mode is selected, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S13, and the video encoder 30 is instructed to set the camera shake correction area EX assigned to the display image area 28a of the SDRAM 28 as a reading area. In step S15, the zoom magnification indicating “initial value * K1” is set in the video encoder 30.

  If the still image priority mode is selected by the mode switch 48sw, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S17, and the video encoder 30 is instructed to set the entire display image area 28a formed in the SDRAM 28 as a reading area. In step S19, the zoom magnification indicating the initial value is set in the video encoder 30, and in step S21, the character composition circuit 36 is activated.

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not the mode switch 48sw has been operated. In step S25, it is determined whether or not the flag Fst is “1”. The flag Fst is a flag indicating that the still image shooting / recording process is being executed. If YES in step S23, the process returns to step S11. If YES in step S25, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, the character composition circuit 36 is stopped, and in step S29, the video encoder 30 is instructed to set the still image area 28b as a readout area. In step S31, the zoom magnification indicating “initial value / K2” is given to the video encoder 30. Set. When the flag Fst is updated from “1” to “0”, the process returns from step S33 to step S11.

  Referring to FIG. 7, in step S41, the moving image shooting process is started. When the moving image recording key 48mv is operated, the process proceeds from step S43 to step S45, and the moving image recording process is started. When the moving image recording key 48mv is operated again, YES is determined in step S47, and the moving image recording process is terminated in step S49. Then, it returns to step S43.

  Referring to FIG. 8, in step S51, flag Fst is set to “0”. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the still image recording key 48st has been operated. If YES, the moving image shooting process is interrupted in step S55. In step S57, the flag Fst is set to "1", and in step S59, still image shooting / recording processing is executed. When the process of step S59 is completed, the moving image shooting process is restarted in step S61, the flag Fst is returned to “0” in step S63, and the process returns to step S53.

  As can be seen from the above description, the object scene is repeatedly photographed at the start of the moving image photographing process (S41). When the moving image priority mode (first view angle mode) is selected, the object scene image belonging to the camera shake correction area EX (first range) among the photographed object scene images is repeatedly output (S13). The camera shake correction area EX is changed so that the fluctuation of the object scene due to camera shake is eliminated (S5). When the still image priority mode is selected, the entire range (second range) of the captured scene image is repeatedly output (S17). The character SP representing the size of the camera shake correction area EX is multiplexed on the entire field image (S21).

  Thus, the output scene image has a different angle of view depending on the mode selection. When the second angle-of-view mode is selected, a character showing a moving-image angle of view among the still image angles is multiplexed on the object scene image. For this reason, the angle of view of the moving image / still image can be grasped simultaneously, and the operability is improved.

  In the digital video camera 10 of another embodiment, the camera shake correction task shown in FIG. 9 is executed instead of the camera shake correction task shown in FIG. 5, and the display control task shown in FIG. 10 is executed instead of the display control task shown in FIG. Since it is the same as the embodiment in FIG. 1 except that it is executed, a duplicate description is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 9, in step S71, it is determined whether or not the moving image priority mode is selected, and in step S73, it is determined whether or not the moving image recording process is in an execution state. If the moving image priority mode is selected or if the moving image recording process is in an execution state even if the still image priority mode is selected, the same processing as steps S1 to S7 shown in FIG. 5 is executed in steps S75 to S81. . On the other hand, if the still image priority mode is selected and the moving image recording process is interrupted, the position of the camera shake correction area EX is initialized in step S83. In the subsequent step S85, the character data stored in the character image area 28e is initialized. When the process of step S81 or S85 is completed, the process returns to step S71.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in step S91, it is determined whether the moving image priority mode is selected, and in step S93, it is determined whether the moving image recording process is in an execution state. If the moving image priority mode is selected, or the still image priority mode is selected and the moving image recording process is in an execution state, the same processes as steps S13 and S15 shown in FIG. 6 are executed in steps S95 to S97. . If the still image priority mode is selected and the moving image recording process is interrupted, the same processes as in steps S17 to S21 shown in FIG. 6 are executed in steps S99 to S103.

  In step S105, it is determined whether or not the flag Fst is “1”. If “NO” here, the process returns to the step S91, and if “YES”, the process similar to the steps S27 to S33 shown in FIG. 6 is executed in the steps S107 to S113, and then the process returns to the step S91.

  According to this embodiment, when a through image is displayed according to the moving image priority mode, the partial scene image belonging to the camera shake correction area EX is enlarged and displayed on the LCD monitor 34 in the manner shown in FIG. Processing is executed. On the other hand, when the through image is displayed according to the still image priority mode, the entire object scene image and the character SP are displayed on the LCD monitor 34 as shown in FIG. However, when the through image is displayed, the character SP does not move on the screen, and the character SP only indicates the size of the field on which the moving image recording is performed.

  When the moving image recording process is started, the partial scene image belonging to the camera shake correction area EX is enlarged and displayed on the LCD monitor 34 regardless of the priority mode for displaying the through image, and the camera shake correction process is executed.

  As described above, when the through image is displayed in the still image priority mode, the camera shake correction process is stopped. As a result, power consumption can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second range of interest in the still image priority mode is the entire range of the object scene image. However, as long as the first range (camera shake correction area) is included, the second range may be narrower than the entire range of the object scene image.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the mapping state of SDRAM applied to FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing one example of an access operation to a display image area of the SDRAM applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; (A) is an illustration figure which shows an example of the through image displayed when moving image priority mode is selected, (B) shows an example of the through image displayed when still image priority mode is selected. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the other Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Digital video camera
14 ... Image sensor 22 ... Motion detection circuit 24 ... CPU
28 ... SDRAM
34… LCD
36 ... Character composition circuit 42 ... Flash memory 46 ... Key input device

Claims (8)

Photography means to repeatedly shoot the scene,
First output means for repeatedly outputting a first scene image belonging to a first range among the scene images photographed by the photographing means when the first field angle mode is selected;
Changing means for changing the first range so as to eliminate fluctuations in the object scene caused by camera shake;
Second output means for repeatedly outputting a second scene image belonging to a second range including the first range among the scene images photographed by the photographing means when the second field angle mode is selected; And a video camera comprising multiplexing means for multiplexing the character representing the size of the first range onto the second scene image output by the second output means.   The video camera according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a moving image based on outputs of the first output means and the second output means.   3. The video camera according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit configured to update a multiplexed position of the character by the multiplexing unit in accordance with a changing operation of the changing unit.   4. The video camera according to claim 1, further comprising an enlarging unit that enlarges the first object scene image output by the first output unit. 5.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first recording unit that records a moving image having an angle of view that is the same as an angle of view of the first object scene image output by the first output unit when a moving image recording operation is performed. A video camera as described in any of the above.   The video camera according to claim 5, further comprising an activating unit that activates the changing unit during a period in which a recording operation by the first recording unit is performed.   2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second recording unit configured to record a still image having the same field angle as the second field image output by the second output unit when a still image recording operation is performed. 6. The video camera according to any one of 6. For video camera processors,
Shooting steps to repeatedly shoot the scene,
A first output step of repeatedly outputting a first scene image belonging to a first range among the scene images photographed by the photographing step when the first field angle mode is selected;
A changing step of changing the first range so that fluctuations in the field due to camera shake are eliminated;
A second output step of repeatedly outputting a second scene image belonging to a second range including the first range among the scene images photographed by the photographing means when the second field angle mode is selected; And a shooting control program for executing a multiplexing step of multiplexing the character representing the size of the first range onto the second scene image output by the second output means.

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