JP2007081537A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus having an advantage in improving convenience of a user by enabling to pick up images in various modes. <P>SOLUTION: A video signal is being transmitted by a radio signal S from an imaging apparatus 10 to an imaging apparatus 60, both an image 10A (equivalent to second image) being imaged with the imaging apparatus 10 and an image 60A (equivalent to first image) being imaged with the imaging apparatus 60 are simultaneously displayed on a display screen of a display 74 of the imaging apparatus 60. A photographer can control an photographing operation of the imaging apparatus 10 by operating a start button 102 and a stop button 104 of a touch panel 78 while visually recognizing the image 10A largely displayed on the display 74 of the imaging apparatus 60 held in hand. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

An imaging device such as a video camera is provided with a display that displays an image captured by an imaging element.
The user confirms the position and composition of the subject while viewing the image displayed on the display, and the video signal (image data) captured by the image sensor by operating the shooting button is recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape or a memory card. To be recorded.
By the way, depending on the shooting environment, there is a case where it is desired to perform shooting in a state where the imaging device is located at a location separated from the user.
Therefore, the imaging device main body and the display are configured to be separable, and the display includes a remote control device, and the video signal being shot is transmitted from the imaging device main body to the display by a wireless signal to display an image on the display, and A technique has been proposed in which a user can remotely control an imaging device by operating a remote control device of a display from a remote location (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-205016

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, it is limited to remote control while visually recognizing the image displayed on the display, and the user can take advantage of the advantage of being away from the main body of the image pickup device to take various forms. It hasn't reached.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can perform imaging in various forms and is advantageous in improving user convenience.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an imaging means for capturing a subject image to generate a video signal, a display for displaying an image based on the video signal, and recording and / or recording of the video signal on a recording medium. Alternatively, an imaging apparatus comprising: a recording / reproducing unit that reproduces the video signal from the recording medium; and a control unit that controls the imaging unit, the display, and the recording / reproducing unit. A control command generating means for generating a control command for instructing an operation to be executed by the provided imaging apparatus; and the control command is transmitted to an imaging apparatus provided separately from the imaging apparatus, and separately from the imaging apparatus Communication means for receiving a video signal transmitted from the provided imaging device, and the control means is supplied from the imaging means Selectively or simultaneously displaying a first image based on an image signal and a second image based on the video signal received from the imaging device provided separately via the communication unit on the display; It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, since both of the images captured by the two imaging devices can be visually recognized by the display of one of the two imaging devices, the photographer can remotely control the other imaging device. In addition, it is possible to perform shooting with one of the imaging devices, and to effectively use the two imaging devices installed at locations apart from each other, which is advantageous in improving convenience.

(First embodiment)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the imaging devices 10 and 60 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging device 50 as viewed from the rear, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging devices 10 and 60. It is.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment is a video camera, and the imaging device 60 is a digital still camera.
The imaging device 10 has a case 12 that constitutes an exterior. In the present specification, left and right refer to the state in which the imaging devices 10 and 60 are viewed from the front, the subject side is referred to as the front in the optical axis direction of the optical system, and the imaging element side is referred to as the rear.
A lens barrel 16 incorporating a photographing optical system 14 is provided on the front upper portion of the case 12 so as to face forward.
The case 12 houses an image sensor 18 (see FIG. 3) that captures a subject image guided by the photographing optical system 14.
An electronic viewfinder 20 for visually recognizing a subject image picked up by the image pickup device 18 is provided on the upper rear surface of the case 12. The electronic finder 20 includes a display 21 (see FIG. 3) made of, for example, a liquid crystal display device provided inside the case 12, and is configured to visually recognize an image displayed on the display 21.
On the right side surface of the case 12, a display 22 made of, for example, a liquid crystal display device for displaying a subject image taken by the image sensor 18 is provided so as to be openable and closable.
A plurality of operation switches 24 (see FIG. 3) such as a shooting start / stop switch, a zoom operation switch, a mode switch, a power switch, or a setting switch for performing various settings are provided on the rear and left sides of the case 12. Is provided.
Furthermore, a touch panel 25 is provided so as to cover the entire display surface of the display 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 10 includes a video signal amplification circuit 26, a video signal processing circuit 28, a microphone 30, a microphone amplification circuit 32, an audio signal processing circuit 34, a speaker 36, an output amplification circuit 38, A recording / reproducing circuit 40, a control circuit 42, a recording / reproducing mechanism 44, a drive circuit 46, an interface circuit 48, a communication circuit 50, an antenna 52, a memory card slot 54, and the like are provided.
The imaging signal generated by the imaging device 18 is amplified by the video amplification circuit 26, subjected to predetermined signal processing by the video signal processing circuit 28, and supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 40 as a video signal.
The audio signal collected by the microphone 30 is amplified by the microphone amplifier circuit 32, subjected to predetermined signal processing by the audio signal processing circuit 34, and supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 40.

The recording / reproducing circuit 40 supplies the video signal supplied from the video signal processing circuit 28 and the audio signal supplied from the audio signal processing circuit 34 to the recording / reproducing mechanism 44 under the control of the control circuit 42. Video signals and audio signals are recorded on a magnetic tape as a recording medium.
The recording / reproducing circuit 40 also includes a memory serving as a recording medium in which the video signal supplied from the video signal processing circuit 28 and the audio signal supplied from the audio signal processing circuit 34 are mounted in the memory slot 54 via the interface circuit 48. Record on card 56.
Further, the recording / reproducing circuit 40 supplies the video signal supplied from the video signal processing circuit 28 to the displays 21 and 22 via the drive circuit 46 to display an image.
Further, the recording / reproducing circuit 40 supplies the video signal supplied from the memory card 56 via the interface circuit 48 to the displays 21 and 22 via the drive circuit 46 to display an image, and the interface circuit 48 Then, the audio signal supplied from the memory card 56 is supplied to the speaker 36 via the output amplifier circuit 38 to output audio.
The recording / reproducing circuit 40 supplies the video signal reproduced from the magnetic tape by the recording / reproducing mechanism 44 to the displays 21 and 22 via the drive circuit 46 to display the image, and the recording / reproducing mechanism 44 uses the magnetic signal. The audio signal reproduced from the tape is supplied to the speaker 36 via the output amplifier circuit 38 to output the audio.

The control circuit 42 controls the recording / reproducing circuit 40, the recording / reproducing mechanism 44, and the communication circuit 50 based on the operation of the operation switch 24.
Further, the control circuit 42 supplies a control command determined by the operation of the touch panel 25 to the communication circuit 50. This control command instructs the image capturing apparatus 60 to perform an operation.
The communication circuit 50 performs wireless communication using the wireless signal S with the communication circuit 92 of the imaging device 60. The video signal supplied from the recording / reproducing circuit 40 is converted into the wireless signal S and the imaging device 60 is connected via the antenna 52. And a video signal based on the wireless signal S received from the communication circuit 92 of the imaging device 60 is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 40.
In addition, the communication circuit 50 supplies a control command based on the wireless signal S received from the communication circuit 92 of the imaging device 60 to the control circuit 42, and transmits the control command supplied from the control circuit 42 to the control device 42 using the wireless signal S. Transmit to the communication circuit 92.
Therefore, the control circuit 42 operates based on an operation by the operation switch 24 and operates based on a control command received from the imaging device 60.
Note that a communication method of wireless communication performed between the communication circuit 50 and the communication circuit 92 is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, or infrared communication can be used.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 52 is configured by a chip antenna housed inside the case 12, but the type and configuration of the antenna 52 are appropriately determined according to the form of the radio signal used. Just choose.

In the present embodiment, the imaging optical system 14, the imaging device 18, the video signal amplification circuit 26, and the video signal processing circuit 28 constitute imaging means as claimed.
The recording / reproducing circuit 40, the recording / reproducing mechanism 44, and the interface 48 constitute the recording / reproducing means recited in the claims.
The control circuit 42 constitutes the control means in the claims.
In addition, the touch panel 25 and the control circuit 42 constitute a control command generation unit in the scope of claims.
Further, the touch panel 25 constitutes the operating means of the claims.

Next, the imaging device 60 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the imaging device 60 has a case 62 that constitutes an exterior, and a lens barrel 66 in which a photographing optical system 64 is incorporated is provided in front of the case 62 so as to face the front. ing.
The case 62 contains an image sensor 68 (see FIG. 3) that captures the subject image guided by the photographic optical system 64.
A release switch 70 and a power switch 72 are provided on the upper surface of the case 62.
As shown in FIG. 2, a display 74 made of, for example, a liquid crystal display device for displaying a subject image captured by the image sensor 68 is provided on the back surface of the case 62.
A plurality of operation switches 76 such as a zoom operation switch, a mode switching switch, or a setting switch for performing various settings are provided on the back surface of the case 62.
Furthermore, a touch panel 78 is provided so as to cover the entire display surface of the display 74.

As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 60 includes a video signal amplification circuit 80, a video signal processing circuit 82, a recording / reproducing circuit 84, a control circuit 86, a drive circuit 88, an interface circuit 90, a communication circuit 92, an antenna 94, A memory card slot 96 and the like are provided.
The imaging signal generated by the imaging device 68 is amplified by the video amplification circuit 80, subjected to predetermined signal processing by the video signal processing circuit 82, and supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 84 as a video signal.

The recording / reproducing circuit 84 records the video signal supplied from the video signal processing circuit 82 in a memory card 98 as a recording medium mounted in the memory slot 96 through the interface circuit 90 under the control of the control circuit 86.
The recording / reproducing circuit 84 supplies the video signal supplied from the video signal processing circuit 82 to the display 74 via the drive circuit 88 to display an image.
Further, the recording / reproducing circuit 84 supplies the video signal supplied from the memory card 56 via the interface circuit 90 to the display 74 via the drive circuit 46 to display an image.

The control circuit 86 controls the recording / reproducing circuit 84 and the communication circuit 92 based on the operation of the operation switch 76.
In addition, the control circuit 86 supplies a control command determined by operating the touch panel 78 to the communication circuit 92. This control command instructs the image capturing apparatus 10 to perform an operation.
The communication circuit 92 performs wireless communication using the wireless signal S with the communication circuit 50 of the imaging device 10, converts the video signal supplied from the recording / reproducing circuit 84 into the wireless signal S, and passes the antenna 94 through the antenna 94. And a video signal based on the wireless signal S received from the communication circuit 50 of the imaging device 10 is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 84.
In addition, the communication circuit 92 supplies a control command based on the wireless signal S received from the communication circuit 50 of the imaging device 10 to the control circuit 86, and transmits the control command supplied from the control circuit 86 to the control device 86 using the wireless signal S. It transmits to the communication circuit 50.
Therefore, the control circuit 86 operates based on an operation by the operation switch 76 and operates based on a control command received from the imaging device 10.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 94 is configured by a chip antenna accommodated in the case 62, but the type and configuration of the antenna 94 are appropriately determined according to the form of the radio signal used. Just choose.

In the present embodiment, the imaging optical system 64, the imaging element 68, the video signal amplification circuit 80, and the video signal processing circuit 82 constitute imaging means as claimed.
Further, the recording / reproducing circuit 84 and the interface 90 constitute the recording / reproducing means of the claims.
The control circuit 86 constitutes the control means in the claims.
Further, the touch panel 78 and the control circuit 86 constitute the control command generation means in the claims.
Further, the touch panel 78 constitutes the operating means in the claims.

Next, an operation example of the imaging devices 10 and 60 according to the present embodiment will be described.
4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing display contents on the display of the imaging apparatus 50. FIG.
In this example, a case where photographing is performed at a wedding reception will be described.
The imaging device 10 is previously supported by a tripod (not shown) at a location near the bride and groom, and the photographing optical system 14 is directed toward the bride and groom.
On the other hand, the photographer is away from the installation location of the imaging device 10, holds the imaging device 60 by hand, and points the photographing optical system 64 to a visitor who is making a speech.
In this state, a video signal is transmitted from the imaging device 10 to the imaging device 60 by the wireless signal S. As shown in FIG. 4, the image is captured by the imaging device 10 on the display screen of the display 74 of the imaging device 60. The image 10A (corresponding to the second image) and the image 60A (corresponding to the first image) captured by the imaging device 60 are displayed simultaneously.
One image 10A is displayed in a larger area than the other image 60A.

Further, on the display screen of the display 74, an icon 100 for operating the touch panel 78 is displayed in a portion excluding the images 10A and 60A. The icon 100 is a start for instructing the start of the photographing operation by the imaging device 10. The button 102 and a stop button 104 for instructing to stop the photographing operation.
Therefore, when the part of the start button 102 (touch panel 78) is touched with a finger, the control circuit 86 gives a control command for instructing the start of the photographing operation to the communication circuit 92. Accordingly, since the control command is received by the communication circuit 50 of the imaging device 10 by the wireless signal S, the control circuit 42 that has received the control command from the communication circuit 50 starts the recording operation of the recording / reproducing mechanism 44.
On the other hand, when the part of the stop button 104 (touch panel 78) is touched with a finger, the control circuit 86 gives a control command for instructing to stop the photographing operation to the communication circuit 92. Accordingly, since the control command is received by the communication circuit 50 of the imaging device 10 by the radio signal S, the control circuit 42 that has received the control command from the communication circuit 50 stops the recording operation of the recording / reproducing mechanism 44.
Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 4, the photographer visually recognizes the image 10 </ b> A that is largely displayed on the display 74 of the imaging device 60 that is held in the hand, and the start button 102 and the stop button of the touch panel 78. By operating 104, the photographing operation of the imaging apparatus 10 can be remotely controlled.

Further, when the photographer takes a picture with the imaging device 60, when the finger touches a portion of the touch panel 78 where the image 60 </ b> A captured by the imaging device 60 is displayed, the control circuit 86 displays the image 10 </ b> A. Then, a control command for changing the setting of the display area of the image 60A is given to the recording / reproducing circuit 84. As a result, the recording / reproducing circuit 84 reduces the display area of the image 10A displayed on the display 74 and increases the display area of the image 60A as shown in FIG.
Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the photographer takes an image by operating the release switch 70 while visually recognizing the image 60 </ b> A that is largely displayed on the display 74 of the imaging device 60 held in the hand. The photographing operation by the device 60 can be performed.

The case where the imaging device 10 is remotely controlled from the imaging device 60 has been described above, but it goes without saying that the imaging device 60 may be remotely controlled from the imaging device 10.
In that case, a video signal is transmitted from the communication circuit 92 of the imaging device 60 of the imaging device 10 to the communication circuit 50 of the imaging device 10, and a control command is sent from the communication circuit 50 of the imaging device 10 to the communication circuit 92 of the imaging device 60. Just send it.
Specifically, when a release button icon is displayed on the display 22 of the imaging apparatus 10 and the icon part (touch panel 25) of the release button is touched with a finger, the control circuit 42 sends a control command for instructing the release operation to the communication circuit. Give to 50. Thus, since the control command is received by the communication circuit 92 of the imaging device 60 by the radio signal S, the control circuit 86 that receives the control command from the communication circuit 92 performs the recording operation of the video signal to the memory card 98 by the recording / reproducing circuit 84. To start.
Therefore, the photographer operates the release button of the touch panel 25 while viewing the image 60A displayed larger than the image 10A on the display 22 of the imaging device 10 held in his / her hand. The operation can be remotely controlled.
Further, when photographing with the imaging device 10, the imaging device is operated by operating the photographing start / stop switch of the operation switch 24 in a state where the image 10A is displayed larger than the image 60A on the display 22 of the imaging device 10. 10 can be taken.
The configuration and procedure for enlarging and reducing the display area of the image 10A and the image 60A displayed on the display 22 of the imaging device 10 are the same as those of the imaging device 60.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, both images captured by the two imaging devices can be visually recognized by the display of one of the two imaging devices. Can perform remote control of the other imaging device, and can also perform shooting by one imaging device without missing a shooting opportunity, and effectively utilize two imaging devices installed at locations apart from each other This is advantageous in improving convenience.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the imaging devices 10 and 60 in the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the imaging device 60 as viewed from the rear. The same parts and members as those in the first embodiment are the same. This will be described with reference numerals.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that two imaging devices 10 and 60 are configured to be detachable from each other via a coupling mechanism, and the other points are the first. This is the same as the embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, on the right side of the front portion of the case 12 of the imaging apparatus 10, when the case 12 is placed in such a posture that the optical axis of the imaging optical system 14 is orthogonal to the vertical line, A connecting member 1202 that can swing is provided.
An accommodation recess 1204 that can accommodate the imaging device 60 is formed on the right side surface of the case 12.
On the left side of the case 62 of the imaging device 60, a connection recess 6202 is provided in which the connection member 1202 can be attached and detached.
Therefore, the coupling mechanism is constituted by the coupling member 1202 and the coupling recess 6202. Various conventionally known structures can be adopted as such a coupling mechanism.
The imaging device 60 can swing around the vertical axis in a state where the connecting member 1202 is inserted into the connecting recess 6202 and coupled.
In this state, the imaging device 60 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 1204 by swinging the imaging device 60 in the direction of the accommodation recess 1204 of the case 12.

  According to the second embodiment, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by using the imaging device 10 and the imaging device 60 separately. Since the device 60 can be connected and used, the two image pickup devices 10 and 60 can be photographed by directing the image pickup device 10 and the image pickup device 60 to the same subject. Can be used effectively, which is advantageous in improving convenience.

In the embodiment, the case where one of the two imaging devices 10 and 60 is a video camera and the other is a digital still camera has been described. However, both of the two imaging devices are video cameras or both are digital still cameras. Of course, the present invention can be applied even to a camera.
Further, the imaging device is not limited to a video camera and a digital still camera, and can be applied to various other imaging devices such as an electronic notebook (PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)) and a mobile phone in which the camera is incorporated.

In the embodiment, the case where the communication unit performs communication using a wireless signal has been described. However, the two communication units are electrically connected via the connection cable, and the video signal and the control command are transmitted via the connection cable. May be used for communication.
For example, in the second embodiment, connectors are provided in each of the connecting member 1202 and the connecting recess 6202 constituting the connecting mechanism, and the connectors are connected when the connecting member 1202 and the connecting recess 6202 are coupled. In this configuration, when the connecting member 1202 and the connecting recess 6202 are coupled, the communication means of the imaging devices 10 and 60 may be electrically connected via a connector so that video signals and control commands are communicated. .

In the embodiment, the case where the control command is for instructing the start of shooting, the stop of shooting, or the release operation has been described. However, the control command is not limited to these and can be executed by the imaging apparatus. It goes without saying that anything is acceptable.
For example, if the photographic optical system is configured to be zoomable and a zoom drive mechanism that performs a zoom operation of the photographic optical system is provided, the zoom drive mechanism can be controlled by the control circuits 42 and 86. The zoom operation can be remotely controlled by transmitting a control command for instructing zooming to the tele side or zooming to the wide side.
In the embodiment, the control circuit 42 (control means) simultaneously displays the image 60A (first image) and the image 10A (second image) on the display 74, and also displays the image 10A (second image). Although the case where the display area is larger than the image 60A (first image) has been described, the image 60A (first image) and the image 10A (second image) are simultaneously displayed on the display 74 with the same size. You may do it.
Alternatively, either one of the image 60A (first image) and the image 10A (second image) may be selectively displayed on the display 74.
In the embodiment, the control command is generated using the touch panel 78, but it is needless to say that the control command may be generated using an operation switch provided in the imaging apparatus.
In the embodiment, the case where the imaging apparatuses communicate with each other has been described. However, the same communication is performed between the imaging apparatus and another electronic device such as a printer, a DVD recorder, a hard disk recorder, or a personal computer. Of course, you may do it.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the imaging devices 10 and 60 of 1st Embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the imaging device 50 from back. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of imaging devices 10 and 60. FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating display contents on a display of the imaging apparatus 50. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating display contents on a display of the imaging apparatus 50. It is a perspective view of imaging devices 10 and 60 in a 2nd embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the imaging device 60 from back.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Imaging device, 14 imaging | photography optical system, 18 ... Imaging device, 22 ... Display, 25 ... Touch panel, 28 ... Video signal processing circuit, 40 ... Recording / reproducing circuit, 42 ... Control circuit, 50 ... ... communication circuit, 52 ... antenna.

Claims (12)

Imaging means for capturing a subject image and generating a video signal;
A display for displaying an image based on the video signal;
Recording / reproducing means for recording the video signal on a recording medium and / or reproducing the video signal from the recording medium;
An imaging apparatus comprising: the imaging means, the display, and a control means for controlling the recording / reproducing means,
Control command generating means for generating a control command for instructing an operation to be executed by an imaging apparatus provided separately from the imaging apparatus;
A communication means for transmitting the control command to an imaging device provided separately from the imaging device and receiving a video signal transmitted from the imaging device provided separately from the imaging device;
The control means includes a first image based on the video signal supplied from the imaging means and a second image based on the video signal received from the separate imaging device via the communication means. Selectively or simultaneously on the display,
An imaging apparatus characterized by that.   The control means displays the first image and the second image simultaneously on the display, and displays the second image in a larger display area than the first image, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus switches between a second display state in which the first image is displayed with a display area larger than that of the second image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit simultaneously displays the first image and the second image on the display with the same size.   The display is provided with a touch panel, and the control means is configured to operate based on an operation on the touch panel, and switching from the first display state to the second display state by the control means is performed as described above. The part of the touch panel where the first screen is displayed is touched, and the switching from the second display state to the first display state by the control means is performed in the touch panel. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image pickup apparatus is formed by contacting a portion where the screen of 2 is displayed.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation unit is provided in the imaging apparatus, and the generation of the control command by the control command generation unit is performed by operating the operation unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display is provided with a touch panel, and the control command generation unit generates the control command by operating the touch panel.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits and receives the video signal and the control command by a wireless signal.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits and receives the video signal and the control command via a cable or a connector.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is one of a video camera and a digital still camera, and the separately provided imaging apparatus is the other of the video camera and the digital still camera.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both the imaging apparatus and the separately provided imaging apparatus are either a video camera or a digital still camera.   2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separately provided image pickup apparatus is a video camera, and the control command instructs to start or stop moving image shooting by the image pickup apparatus provided separately. .   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is a digital still camera, and the control command instructs to take a still image by the separately provided image pickup apparatus.

Images