JP2007243516A - Imaging apparatus and method of setting video output system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set an appropriate video output system without any complicated operation and any knowledge related to video output systems. <P>SOLUTION: A count value I is set at "1" (step S103), and test pattern image data are outputted in an Ith video output system specified by the count value I from a video output terminal for fixed time (step S104), thus displaying a test pattern image based on the test pattern image data on the display panel of a TV receiver. The monitor image of an output destination is captured by REC through (step S105), and it is determined whether the video output system set in the step S104 is appropriate (step S106). When it is determined that the video output system set in the step S104 is appropriate, the Ith proper video output system is set (step S107). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having an image data output function to an external monitor and a video output method setting method used therefor.

There are various methods for outputting video signals on an external monitor such as a TV receiver, such as the NTSC method, the PAL method, and the SECAM method. Therefore, in order to properly reproduce an output image from an electronic device having a video signal external output function, such as a digital camera or a video camera, on an external monitor having a different video signal transmission method, the electronic device It is necessary to provide a function for switching the video output system. For this reason, the electronic device is provided with a changeover switch, and the setting of the video signal transmission method is changed by operating the changeover switch so that an image can be properly reproduced even with an external monitor having a different video signal transmission method. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-138554 A

  However, in such an electronic device in which the video output method is set by manual operation, the switch operation must be performed according to the video output method of the external monitor to be reproduced, which is complicated. Further, if the user does not have knowledge about the video output method of the external monitor, proper setting and reproduction are impossible.

  Furthermore, if the playback image definition is unsatisfactory when playback is performed with a certain video output method set, whether the set video output method is the result of the original image definition, etc. It is necessary for the user to determine whether it is caused by improperness, and the reproduced image is viewed with distrust.

  The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems, and an imaging apparatus and a video output method setting method capable of setting an appropriate video output method without requiring complicated operations and knowledge about the video output method. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, setting means for setting one of a plurality of types of video output methods, and external output of image data according to the video output method set by the setting means An external output means that captures a playback image of an external playback device that plays back an image based on image data output from the external output means, and the setting based on the playback image captured by the imaging means Determining means for determining whether or not the video output method set by the means is appropriate; and when the determining means determines that the video output method is not appropriate, the video output method set by the setting means is Setting change means for changing the setting to another video output method.

  In the imaging apparatus according to claim 2, the external output unit includes a connection unit that outputs the image data to the external reproduction device via a cable, and the cable is connected to the connection unit. And control means for operating the respective means.

  In the imaging apparatus according to claim 3, the output means outputs test image data, and the imaging means uses the test image data reproduced by the external reproduction apparatus. Capture the playback image.

  The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4 further includes a finalizing unit that finalizes the setting of the video output method when the determination unit determines that the video output method is appropriate.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, the external output unit and the setting change unit may change the set video output method when the determination unit determines that the video output method is not appropriate. The operation for changing the setting to any one of the plurality of video output methods is repeatedly executed, and the imaging means and the determining means operate each time the setting change means changes the setting of the video output method to another video output method.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, when it is determined by the determination unit that all the video output methods whose settings have been changed by the setting change unit are not appropriate, a final video output method is set. Setting means is provided.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, when it is determined by the determination unit that all video output methods whose settings have been changed by the setting change unit are not appropriate, the external output unit outputs image data. Stop.

  In the imaging apparatus according to claim 8, the storage unit that stores the determination result of the determination unit at the previous setting time, and the setting change unit at the previous setting time based on the storage content of the storage unit. And a control unit that operates the external output unit, the imaging unit, the determination unit, and the setting change unit when it is determined by the determination unit that all the video output methods whose settings have been changed are not appropriate. Therefore, when an appropriate video output method is set at the time of the previous image reproduction, the imaging unit, the determining unit, and the setting unit do not operate. Therefore, it is possible to set an appropriate video output method without unnecessary imaging, determination, and setting.

  In the image reproduction method according to claim 9, any one of a plurality of video output methods is set, image data is externally output in accordance with the set video output method, and the externally output image data Based on the image, a playback image of an external playback device that captures the image is captured, and based on the captured playback image, it is determined whether or not the set video output method is appropriate. When it is determined that the system is not appropriate, the set video output system is changed to another video output system.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the set video output system is not appropriate, the video output system is changed, so that the appropriate video output system used by the external playback device is matched. The video output method can be set automatically. Accordingly, it is possible for the user to set an appropriate video output method without performing complicated video output method setting operations or knowledge of the video output method of the external playback device. In addition, since an appropriate video output method is automatically set in this way, the user can not view the reproduced image with distrust about the setting of the video output method, and can view the reproduced image on the external reproduction device. Can be fully enjoyed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and this system includes a TV receiver 1 and a digital camera 2. The TV receiver 1 employs any one of a plurality of video output methods such as an NTSC method, a PAL method, and a SECAM method, and includes a display panel 11 such as an LCD, PDP, or FED. The video cable 3 can be connected. The digital camera 2 has a general external configuration and includes an imaging lens unit 21, an electronic viewfinder / monitor display unit 22, and the like, and a video output terminal 23 to which the video cable 3 can be connected.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera 2. In the figure, a CCD 24 converts a subject image formed by an optical system into an electrical signal and outputs it, and an amplifier 25 amplifies this electrical signal. The A / D converter 26 converts the amplified analog signal into a digital signal and inputs the digital signal to a TG (Timming Generator) 27. The TG 27 generates a timing signal for controlling a driving circuit (Driver) 28 that drives the CCD 24, and the driving circuit 28 drives the CCD 24 based on the timing signal from the TG 27.

  The compression / decompression unit 29 compresses / decompresses the digital image data captured via the TG 27 by encoding / decoding. SG (Signal Generator) 30 creates a digital video signal by adding a synchronization signal or the like to digital image data. The created digital video signal is stored in a VRAM (video RAM) 31, and via a D / A converter 32 and an amplifier 33, the video output terminal 23 and an electronic finder / monitor display unit (LCD) 22. The electronic finder / monitor display unit 22 drives the liquid crystal based on the input analog video signal to display an image.

  The key input unit 34 is provided with a power key that is operated when the power is turned on / off, a shutter key that is operated when image data is stored in a flash memory 35 described later, and other function keys.

  The CPU 36 operates while using a part of the RAM 38 as a work area on the basis of the key operation information input from the key input unit 34 and the program stored in the ROM 37. The process is executed and each part is controlled. The ROM 37 stores N video output systems such as the NTSC system, the PAL system, and the SECAM system, and also stores test pattern image data that is image data for a test pattern. The CPU 36 executes control to output test pattern image data from the video output terminal 23 by the N video output methods.

  The DRAM 39 is a memory that temporarily stores digital image data captured by an instruction from the CPU 36. The flash memory 35 has a plurality of storage areas and stores compressed image data in each storage area. The I / O port 40 is an interface for inputting / outputting image data converted into a serial signal and the like, and a serial I / O terminal 41 is connected thereto.

  In the present embodiment having the above configuration, when using this system, the user photographs the entire display panel 11 (or a part thereof) on the front floor surface of the display panel 11 or the like. Fix it in a possible position. In this state, the CPU 36 of the digital camera 2 executes processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 based on the program stored in the ROM 37. First, it is determined whether or not the video cable 3 is inserted into the video output terminal 23 (step S101), and the process waits until it is inserted. Then, when the user connects one end of the video cable 3 to the TV receiver 1 and connects the other end to the video output terminal 23, the process proceeds from step S101 to step S102, and the processing after step S102 is started. . Therefore, the video output system setting process can be quickly started by a simple and necessary preparation action of connecting the other end of the video cable 3 to the video output terminal 23.

  In step S102, it is determined whether or not the video output method determination at the previous connection was an appropriate determination. That is, the previous video output method determination result is stored in the RAM 38 as shown in steps S108 and S112 described later. Therefore, the CPU 36 determines whether or not the previous determination was appropriate based on the determination result stored in the RAM 38. As a result of this determination, if the previous determination was appropriate, the process proceeds to step S114 without performing the processes of steps S103 to S113, and the automatic setting of the video output method is terminated.

  In other words, it is assumed that the same user has a high probability of viewing the image by connecting the digital camera 2 to the same TV receiver 1. Therefore, if a video output method is set after a previous determination of appropriateness, there is little need to change this video output method. Therefore, in this case, the automatic setting of the video output method is terminated and the image can be reproduced immediately. Accordingly, an appropriate video output method can be set quickly without performing uselessly with imaging, determination, and setting described later.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S102 is an inappropriate determination that the previous time is not appropriate, “1” is set to the count value I (step S103), and the I specified by the count value I is set. The test pattern image data is output from the video output terminal 23 for a predetermined time by the second video output method (step S104). As a result, a test pattern image based on the test pattern image data is properly displayed on the display panel 11 of the TV receiver 1 if the video output method is appropriate, as will be described later. The test pattern image based on the image data is displayed in an inappropriate state. Next, the monitor image of the output destination is captured by REC through (step S105). That is, digital image data from the CCD 24 driven by the drive circuit 28 is taken in via the TG 27 and temporarily stored in the DRAM 39. Therefore, the DRAM 39 temporarily stores reproduced image data that is image data of a captured image obtained by capturing the test pattern image reproduced and displayed on the display panel 11 of the TV receiver 1.

  Then, by comparing the image A based on the image data primarily stored in the DRAM 39 and the image B based on the test pattern image data stored in the ROM 37, whether or not the video output method set in step S104 is appropriate. Is determined (step S106). This determination is performed based on, for example, luminance unevenness, gamma characteristics, color balance, and the like. That is, a luminance unevenness region is detected from the image A, and it is determined whether or not the detected luminance unevenness in the luminance unevenness region is larger than a predetermined value than the image B. In this case, it is determined as “inappropriate”. Also, a gamma characteristic is calculated from the image A, and it is determined whether or not the calculated gamma is different from that of the image B. If they are the same, it is determined as “appropriate”, and if they are different, it is determined as “not appropriate”. To do. Alternatively, the chromaticity coordinates are detected from the image A, the color temperature or the color balance is calculated from the detected chromaticity coordinates, and it is determined whether or not the calculated color balance is different from the color balance of the image B. In some cases, it is determined as “appropriate”, and in other cases, it is determined as “incorrect”.

  At this time, since the image used for the determination and the reproduced image are based on the test image data, when the two are compared to determine whether the video output method is appropriate, the characteristics of the test pattern Therefore, accurate comparison can be made, and a highly accurate determination result can be obtained.

  If it is determined as “appropriate”, the I-th video output method determined as “appropriate” is set (step S107). Further, the appropriateness determination and the appropriately determined video output method as the determination result are stored in the RAM 38 (step S108), and the automatic setting is terminated (step S114).

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S106, it is determined whether or not the count value I is N (step S109) if it is determined that the value is not appropriate (step S109). I is counted up (step S113), and the processing from step S104 is repeated. When the process from step S104 is repeated N times, so that I = N, that is, when it is determined that all N video output methods are “inappropriate”, the electronic finder / monitor display unit An alarm screen is displayed on the screen 22 (step S110), and this is notified. Also, a default predetermined video output method is set (step S111). Therefore, even if it is impossible to set an appropriate video output method for the TV receiver 1 in the digital camera 2, image data output by a predetermined video output method can be performed.

  Thereafter, the improper determination (“not appropriate”) as the determination result is stored in the RAM 38 (step S112), and the automatic setting is terminated (step S114). Therefore, in the image reproduction after the completion of the automatic setting, the CPU 36 outputs the image data read from the flash memory 35 from the video output terminal 23 in the video output method set in step S107 or step S111.

  In this embodiment, when I = N in step S109, the predetermined video output system is set in step S111. However, the video output terminal is not set without setting the predetermined video output system. The output of image data from 23 may be stopped. Thereby, when the digital camera 2 cannot set an appropriate video output method in relation to the TV receiver 1, it is possible to prevent unnecessary image data from being output.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in another embodiment of the present invention. First, it is determined whether or not the video cable 3 is inserted into the video output terminal 23 (step S201), and the process waits until it is inserted. When the user connects one end of the video cable 3 to the TV receiver 1 and connects the other end to the video output terminal 23, the process proceeds from step S 201 to step S 202, and the count value I is set to “1”. Then, the image data of the reproduced image read from the flash memory 35 by the I-th video output method specified by the count value I is output from the video output terminal 23 (step S203).

  Thereby, on the display panel 11 of the TV receiver 1, if the video output method is appropriate, a reproduced image based on the image data read from the flash memory 35 is properly displayed. If the video output method is inappropriate, the image data is displayed. Therefore, the reproduced image based on is displayed in an inappropriate state. Next, as in the above-described embodiment, the monitor image of the output destination is captured by REC through (step S204). That is, digital image data from the CCD 24 driven by the drive circuit 28 is taken in via the TG 27 and temporarily stored in the DRAM 39. Accordingly, the DRAM 39 temporarily stores reproduced image data that is image data of a captured image obtained by capturing the reproduced image displayed on the display panel 11 of the TV receiver 1.

  Then, by comparing the reproduced image A based on the primary stored image data and the image B based on the image data stored in the flash memory 35, is the video output method set in step S203 appropriate? It is determined whether or not (step S205). This determination is performed based on, for example, luminance unevenness, gamma characteristics, color balance, and the like, as in the above-described embodiment. If it is determined to be “appropriate”, the I-th video output method determined to be “appropriate” is set (step S206), and the reproduction read from the flash memory 35 using the set video output method is set. The process of outputting the image data of the image from the video output terminal 23 is continued (step S211).

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S205, it is determined whether or not the count value I is N (step S207) if it is determined that the value is not appropriate (step S207). I is counted up (step S210), and the processing from step S203 is repeated. If the process from step S203 is repeated N times, so that I = N, that is, if it is determined that all N video output methods are “inappropriate”, the electronic finder / monitor display unit An alarm screen is displayed on the screen 22 (step S208), and this is notified. Further, a default predetermined video output method is set (step S209), and the process of outputting the image data of the reproduced image read from the flash memory 35 by the set video output method from the video output terminal 23 is continued (step S209). S211).

  The video system determined in the present invention is not limited to the NTSC system, the PAL system, and the SECAM system, but can be applied to all output systems such as a high-vision output system and a digital video output system. In the embodiment, the image data is externally output to the TV receiver 1 by wire using the video cable 3. However, the image data may be externally output to the TV receiver 1. Good.

1 is a configuration diagram of a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the digital camera which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 TV receiver 2 Digital camera 3 Video cable 11 Display panel 21 Imaging lens part 22 Electronic finder / monitor display part 23 Video output terminal 24 CCD
25 Amplifier 26 A / D Converter 27 TG
28 Drive Circuit 29 Compression / Expansion Unit 32 D / A Converter 34 Key Input Unit 35 Flash Memory 36 CPU
37 ROM
38 RAM
39 DRAM

Claims (9)

Setting means for setting one of a plurality of video output formats;
External output means for externally outputting image data in accordance with the video output method set by the setting means;
An image pickup means for picking up a reproduction image of an external reproduction apparatus that reproduces an image based on the image data output from the external output means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the video output method set by the setting means is appropriate based on the reproduced image captured by the imaging means;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a setting changing unit configured to change the setting of the video output method set by the setting unit to another video output method when the determining unit determines that the video output method is not appropriate. . The external output means includes connection means for outputting the image data to the external reproduction device via a cable,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that operates each of the units when the cable is connected to the connection unit. The external output means outputs test image data externally,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit captures a test reproduction image based on the test image data reproduced by the external reproduction apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a finalizing unit configured to finalize setting of the video output method when the determination unit determines that the video output method is appropriate. The setting changing means repeatedly executes an operation of changing the setting of the set video output system to one of a plurality of other video output systems when the determining means determines that the video output system is not appropriate. And
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external output unit, the imaging unit, and the determination unit operate each time the setting change unit changes the setting of the video output method to another video output method. 6. .   6. A final setting means for setting a predetermined video output system when all the video output systems whose settings have been changed by the setting changing means are determined to be inappropriate by the determining means. The imaging device according to any one of the above.   6. The external output unit stops the output of image data when all the video output methods whose settings have been changed by the setting changing unit are determined to be inappropriate by the determining unit. Any one of the imaging devices. Storage means for storing the determination result of the determination means at the previous setting;
Based on the stored contents of the storage means, when it is determined by the determination means that all the video output methods that have been changed by the setting change means at the previous setting are not appropriate, the external output output means, the imaging means, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that operates the determination unit and the setting change unit. Set one of multiple video output formats,
According to this set video output method, the image data is output externally,
Capture a playback image of an external playback device that plays back an image based on the externally output image data,
Based on the captured playback image, it is determined whether the set video output method is appropriate,
A video output system setting method comprising: changing the set video output system to another video output system when it is determined by this determination that the video output system is not appropriate.

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