JP2007324975A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively incorporate a remote control of a television in a digital camera capable of outputting an image to the television and appreciating it, and prevent malfunction of the television by the remote control. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera comprises keys for operating a television such as a television input changeover key 24, a remote control signal generator 51 for generating a remote control signal when these keys are operated, and an LED 63 for transmitting a remote control signal toward a remote control receiver of the television. A cable detection switch 60 is provided on an AV output terminal 10 for detecting whether or not an AV cable is connected. The remote control signal generator 51 is controlled such that it is actuated only when the AV cable is connected to the AV output terminal 10 to generate the remote control signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera capable of outputting a still image or a moving image to a television.

  2. Description of the Related Art Digital cameras that take images with an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, convert them into digital data, and store them have become widespread. In addition, recent digital cameras are provided with a moving image shooting function due to an increase in storage capacity due to high integration of memories and an improvement in moving image compression technology.

  Many digital cameras have a liquid crystal monitor that functions as a viewfinder at the time of photographing, and a photographed image can be reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor for observation. In addition, there is a digital camera provided with an AV output terminal that outputs an image signal and an audio signal in order to view a captured image on a large screen. When viewing still images and movies shot with this digital camera on a TV, connect the digital camera's AV output terminal to the TV's input terminal with a connection cable, set the digital camera to playback mode, and then control the TV with a remote control. To switch to external input mode. Next, the switching operation of the display image is performed with the digital camera, and in the case of a moving image, the volume is adjusted with the television.

As described above, when viewing an image taken with a digital camera on a television, the digital camera and the remote control of the television must be operated, which is very complicated and has a problem of poor operability. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to incorporate a TV remote control into the digital camera to unify the operations of the digital camera and the TV. As an example of incorporating a remote control into a digital camera, there is a digital camera described in Patent Document 1. In this digital camera, a remote controller is incorporated in the cover portion of the camera body, which is detachable from the camera body.
JP 2003-248265 A

  The digital camera described in Patent Document 1 incorporates a remote control for the digital camera itself, which is frequently used at the time of shooting, in the cover portion. However, it is not possible to detachably install a TV remote control that is used only when performing image reproduction on the TV, because it increases the size and cost of the digital camera. Although it is conceivable to incorporate a TV remote control into the main body of the digital camera, there is a possibility that the TV may be operated by an erroneous operation.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. It is an object of the present invention to incorporate a TV remote control into a digital camera at a low cost and prevent the TV from being erroneously operated by the remote control.

  In order to solve the above problems, the digital camera of the present invention is connected to an input terminal of a television via a connection cable, and outputs to a digital camera having an output terminal for outputting an image signal or an image signal and an audio signal. Cable detection means for detecting that a connection cable has been connected to the terminal, and TV remote control means for operating the television, wherein the TV remote control means is connected to the television when the connection cable is detected by the cable detection means. When the connection cable is not detected, the TV cannot be operated.

  As the TV remote control means, a TV operation means for operating the TV, a remote control signal generation means for generating a remote control signal in response to an operation of the TV operation means, and a transmission means for transmitting the remote control signal to the TV remote control reception unit; Consists of. The remote control signal generation means generates a remote control signal according to the operation of the television operation means when the connection cable is detected by the cable detection means, and generates a remote control signal when the connection cable is not detected.

  Further, the television operating means may be shared by at least a part of the camera operating means used for shooting operation or various setting operations. In this case, the remote control signal generation means generates a remote control signal when the connection cable is detected by the cable detection means and the camera operation means that is also used as the television operation means is operated, and the connection of the connection cable is not detected. Sometimes no remote control signal is generated.

  Further, key input determination means for determining an input operation of the camera operation means and generating an operation signal according to the operation content is provided. When the connection detection of the connection cable is detected by the cable detection means, the key input determination means An operation signal for television operation is generated in response to an input operation of the operation means, and when a connection cable is not detected, an operation signal according to the original function of the camera operation means is generated.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to provide signal setting means for setting the remote control signal of the remote control signal generating means according to the manufacturer or product type of the television.

  Further, the signal output processing means for outputting the image signal or the image signal and the audio signal to the output terminal inputs the image signal or the image signal and the audio signal to the reproducing means when the connection cable is not detected by the cable detection means. When the connection cable is detected by the cable detection means, the image signal or the image signal and the audio signal are output from the output terminal.

  In addition, when the reproduction means includes an image display means for displaying a photographed image and various setting menus based on an image signal input from the signal output processing means, the cable detection means detects the connection cable. In this case, an image representing the operation method of the television operating means is displayed on the image display means.

  Many digital cameras have mode switching means for switching an operation mode between a shooting mode for shooting and a playback mode for playing back a captured image or image and sound. Therefore, the television remote control means is set to the operation state when the operation mode is set to the reproduction mode and the connection cable is detected by the cable detection means.

  According to the digital camera of the present invention, when the digital camera is connected to the television and the image is viewed, the television input can be switched and the volume can be adjusted by the remote control with the digital camera. The operability can be remarkably improved as compared with the case of operating separately. Also, the TV remote control means can only operate when the connection cable is connected to the output terminal or when the playback mode is set and the connection cable is detected. Even so, the TV will not be accidentally operated.

  Also, since the television operating means and the camera operating means are used together and a part of the camera operating means is switched to the television operating means when the connection cable connection is detected, the television operating means is provided separately in the digital camera. There is no increase in size and cost.

  Further, when a part of the camera operation means is switched to the television operation means, the operation method of the television operation means is displayed on the image display means, so that the user's operation mistake due to the switching of the function of the operation means is avoided. Can be prevented. In addition, since it is not necessary to write on the surface of the digital camera a function for use as a television operation means and a function for use as a camera operation means, the design of the camera is not impaired.

  Further, only when the connection detection unit detects the connection cable, the signal output processing unit outputs the image signal or the image signal and the audio signal to the output terminal, and when the connection cable is not detected, the built-in reproduction unit. Since the image is output, it is not necessary for the user to switch the output destination when playing back an image with the digital camera.

  Furthermore, since a remote control signal can be set according to the manufacturer and product type of the television, a television having a remote control function can cope with any manufacturer or product type.

  FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital camera embodying the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, this digital camera 2 is connected to a television 4 by an AV cable 3 that is a connection cable, outputs an image signal and an audio signal to the television 4, and reproduces and displays on the screen 5. It has. In addition, a television remote control function for performing remote control of the television 4 when an image is reproduced on the television 4 is provided.

  A shutter button 8 used for a shutter release operation is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the digital camera 2. Further, on the back surface 2c, a through image output from the image sensor at the time of shooting, a still image and a moving image that have been shot, an LCD 9 on which various setting screens are displayed, and various operation units used for operating the digital camera 2 are displayed. And are provided. The side surface 2b is provided with an AV output terminal 10 for outputting an image signal and an audio signal to an external device such as the TV 4, and an infrared output unit 11 for transmitting a remote control signal to the TV 4 connected by the AV output terminal 10. It has been.

  On the back surface 2 c, the camera operation means used for operating the digital camera 2 is arranged above and to the right of the LCD 9. The power operation unit 14 serving as a mode switching unit is composed of an operation member that can be slid in the left-right direction. Turned on and set to shooting mode. When it is slid to the right end, it is set to a playback mode for viewing a captured image.

  The zoom key 17 includes a tele key 17a for switching the focal length of the photographing lens to the telephoto side and a wide key 17b for switching to the wide angle side. The direction key 18 arranged below the zoom key 17 is composed of four operation keys 18a to 18d arranged on the upper, lower, left and right sides, and a specific menu is selected from a large number of menus on the setting screen displayed on the LCD 9. Used when selecting. A determination key 19 arranged below the direction key 18 is used when determining a menu selected with the direction key 18 on the setting screen.

  Arranged below the LCD 9 are TV operation keys used for remote control operation of the TV 4 to which the digital camera 2 is connected. Remote control signals corresponding to the operation of these TV operation keys are transmitted from the infrared output unit 11. It is transmitted toward the remote control receiver 22 of the television 4. The television input switching key 24 arranged at the left end is used when switching the input mode of the television 4. The TV volume up key 25 and the TV volume down key 26 arranged on the side are operated when changing the volume of the TV.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 2. A photographing lens 30 is arranged on the front surface of the digital camera 2 as is well known. The photographing lens 30 is moved in the optical axis direction by a lens driving unit 31 including a motor, a motor driver, a driving mechanism, and the like. A mechanical shutter 32 that opens and closes the photographing optical path is disposed behind the photographing lens 30 in the optical axis direction.

  Behind the mechanical shutter 32 in the optical axis direction, a CCD image sensor 35 is arranged as an image sensor. The CCD image pickup device 35 converts the subject light that has passed through the taking lens 30 and is imaged on the light receiving surface into an electric image pickup signal, and sends it to the CDS circuit 37 based on the transfer pulse supplied from the drive circuit 36. Output. The image sensor may be a CMOS type image sensor instead of the CCD image sensor.

  A CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 37 is driven based on the drive pulse output from the drive circuit 36, reduces noise in the image pickup signal output from the CCD image pickup device 35, and is input to the A / D conversion circuit 40. To do. The A / D conversion circuit 40 converts the input analog imaging signal into digital image data, and inputs the digital image data to an image processing unit (not shown) provided in the central control circuit 41. The image processing unit performs various types of image processing on the input image data and inputs the processed image data to a compression / decompression unit (not shown). The compression / decompression unit compresses the input image data, converts it into an image file such as JPEG, and stores it in the storage medium 42 such as a memory card.

  In addition, a microphone 45 for inputting sound during moving image shooting is provided on the front surface of the digital camera 2. The microphone 45 outputs an analog audio signal based on the input audio and inputs the analog audio signal to the A / D conversion circuit 46. The A / D conversion circuit 46 converts an analog audio signal into digital audio data and inputs it to an audio processing unit (not shown) of the central control circuit 41. The audio processing unit performs various processes on the input audio data and inputs the processed audio data to a compression / decompression unit (not shown). The compression / decompression unit compresses the moving image data and audio data input from the image processing unit, converts the compressed data into a moving image file such as MPEG, and stores it in the storage medium 42.

  The central control circuit 41 is a circuit that controls each part of the digital camera 2 and is, for example, a microcomputer that includes a CPU and a ROM that stores various operation programs, setting data, and the like. The central control circuit 41 includes a key input determination unit 49, a signal output processing unit 50, a remote control signal generation unit 51, a signal setting unit 52, and the like, in addition to the above-described image processing unit, audio processing unit, compression / decompression unit, and the like. .

  The key input determination unit 49 receives a large number of keys provided in the digital camera 2 and input signals from the operation unit. Then, the input signal is determined and a corresponding operation signal is generated and input to the corresponding function unit.

  When the digital camera 2 is set to the playback mode, the signal output processing unit 50 reads an image file or a moving image file from the storage medium 42, converts it into an analog image signal and an audio signal, and outputs them. The image signal and audio signal are output to the LCD driver 55 and the amplifier 56 or the AV output terminal 10. The image signal and audio signal input to the LCD driver 55 and the amplifier 56 are reproduced by the LCD 9 and the speaker 57 which are built-in reproducing means.

  The AV output terminal 10 is provided with a cable detection switch 60 that detects whether the AV cable 3 is connected or not, and the detection signal is input to the signal output processing unit 50 and the remote control signal generation unit 51. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the cable detection switch 60 is off in the reproduction mode, that is, when the connector 3a of the AV cable 3 is not connected to the AV output terminal 10, the signal output processing unit 50 An image signal and an audio signal are output to the speaker 57. Further, when the cable detection switch 60 is on in the reproduction mode, that is, when the connector 3 a of the AV cable 3 is connected to the AV output terminal 10, an image signal or an audio signal is output to the AV output terminal 10. As the cable detection switch 60, for example, a micro switch that mechanically detects the connection of the AV cable 3 or the like may be used, or the connection of the AV cable may be electrically detected.

  The remote control signal generation unit 51 operates the operated keys when the TV input switching key 24, the TV volume up key 25, and the TV volume down key 26 are operated and an operation signal is input from the key input determination unit 49. A remote control signal is generated based on the contents. The generated remote control signal is transmitted to the remote control reception unit 22 of the television 4 by a transmission unit composed of the LED 63 incorporated in the infrared output unit 11 and the LED driver 64.

  The remote control signal generation unit 51 is in an operating state when the cable detection switch 60 is turned on, and in a non-operating state when the cable detection switch 60 is off. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the remote control signal generation unit 51 in the operation state generates a remote control signal according to the operation of the TV operation key such as the TV input switching key 24, but in the non-operation state, the remote control signal Is not generated. As a result, the remote control function operates only when the image of the digital camera 2 is reproduced on the television 4, so that the input of the television 4 can be switched even if the television input switching key 24 or the like is operated by mistake near the television 4. There is nothing.

  The signal setting unit 52 sets the wavelength of the remote control signal generated by the remote control signal generation unit 51 according to the manufacturer and type of the television 4. When the digital camera 2 is set to the setting mode and the remote control setting menu in this setting mode is selected, a remote control setting screen 67 shown in FIG. The remote control setting screen 67 includes a manufacturer setting unit 68, a type setting unit 69, and an operation explanation unit 70. The user operates the direction key 18 with reference to the operation explanation unit 70, and The type is selected and the enter key 19 is operated. For example, the signal setting unit 52 reads a wavelength corresponding to the set manufacturer and type of the television from a ROM (not shown), and inputs this to the remote control signal generation unit 51 to set the wavelength.

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, when viewing an image taken with the digital camera 2 on a television, the AV output terminal 10 and the input terminal 73 of the television 4 are connected by an AV cable 3. Next, the power supply operation unit 14 is operated to set the operation mode of the digital camera 2 to the reproduction mode. As a result, the remote control signal generation unit 51 enters an operating state, and the user operates the television input switching key 24 to switch the input system of the television 4. The remote control signal generation unit 51 generates a remote control signal according to the input operation, and transmits the remote control signal from the infrared output unit 11 to the remote control reception unit 22 of the television 4. The television 4 switches the input system according to the received remote control signal. When the manufacturer and type of the television 4 are different from those set in the digital camera 2, it is necessary to set the manufacturer and type of the television 4 by remote control setting as described above.

  The signal output processing unit 50 reads an image file or a moving image file from the storage medium 42, converts it into an analog image signal, and outputs it to the AV output terminal 10. The television 4 to which the image signal is input displays a thumbnail image on the screen 5. The user operates the direction key 18 or the enter key 19 to select an image to be viewed, and the signal output processing unit 50 reads the selected image from the storage medium 42, converts it into an image signal, and transmits it to the television 4. . When the selected image is a moving image, an audio signal is input to the television 4 together with the image signal, and is reproduced from the speaker 76. If it is difficult to hear the playback sound during the playback of the moving image, the volume of the TV 4 can be adjusted by operating the TV volume up key 25 or the TV volume down key 26 of the digital camera 2.

  As a result, when viewing the image of the digital camera 2 on the television 4, the input switching and volume adjustment of the television 4 can be controlled by the remote control using the digital camera 2, so that the image can be easily viewed and operated. Can be eliminated. The remote control function is activated when the digital camera 2 is set in the playback mode and the AV cable 3 is connected to the AV output terminal 10, so that the TV input switching key 24 and the like are located near the TV 4 during shooting. Even if the operation is mistaken, the television 4 is not operated.

  In the above embodiment, the digital camera 2 is provided with a dedicated key for operating the television 4. However, a key used for shooting, various setting operations, and the like may be used as a key for operating the television. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a camera operation key and a television operation key are combined will be described, but the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The digital camera 80 shown in FIG. 7 has the same function and configuration as those obtained by omitting the TV input switching key 24, the TV volume up key 25, and the TV volume down key 26 from the digital camera 2 shown in FIG. In this digital camera 80, the up direction key 81 is also used as a TV input switching key, and the tele key 82a and the wide key 82b which are zoom keys are also used as a TV volume down key and a TV volume up key. ing.

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8, the detection signal of the cable detection switch 60 is also input to the key input determination unit 85. The key input determination unit 85 generates an operation signal according to the input operation of each key and the operation unit, similarly to the key input determination unit 49 of the above embodiment, but when the cable detection switch 60 is turned on, Transition from mode to remote control mode. In this remote control mode, when the AV cable 3 is connected to the AV output terminal 10, an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the TV input switching key is generated according to the operation of the up direction key 81 and input to the remote control signal generation unit 51. To do. When the tele key 82 a and the wide key 82 b are operated, operation signals corresponding to the operations of the TV volume down key and the TV volume up key are generated and input to the remote control signal generation unit 51. In FIG. 8, the direction keys other than the up direction key 81 are omitted in order to prevent the drawing from being complicated.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 showing the procedure of the remote control operation, the power operation unit 14 of the digital camera 80 is operated to set the playback mode, and the AV output terminal 10 is connected to the connector 3a of the AV cable 3 to connect the cable. When the detection switch 60 is turned on, the remote control signal generation unit 51 enters an operating state, and the key input determination unit 85 shifts to the remote control mode. When the dual-purpose operation key is operated in this state, the key input determination unit 85 generates an operation signal for television operation according to the key operation and inputs the operation signal to the remote control signal generation unit 51. The remote control signal generation unit 51 generates a remote control signal based on the input operation signal and transmits the remote control signal from the infrared output unit 11 to the television 4.

  When the digital camera 80 is not set in the playback mode, or when the AV cable 3 is not connected to the AV output terminal 10 even in the playback mode, the key input determination unit 85 is in the standard mode. The key input determination unit 85 outputs an operation signal corresponding to a function inherent to these keys, that is, a standard function even when the dual operation key is operated. As a result, it is possible to omit a dedicated TV operation key from the digital camera 80, thereby reducing costs. In addition, the design can be improved by omitting the key. Furthermore, the dual-purpose operation key is effective as a TV operation key only when the digital camera 80 is set to the reproduction mode and the AV cable 3 is connected, so that the TV 4 is not erroneously operated.

  In order to make the user aware that the up direction key 81, the tele key 82a, and the wide key 82b are dual-purpose operation keys, it is conceivable to write two function names in the vicinity of each key. However, such a function display is difficult to identify because the printing is small, and the design of the digital camera 80 may be impaired. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the digital camera 80 shifts to the remote control mode, the operation method of each operation key is displayed on the LCD 9.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the digital camera 80 is set to the playback mode and the AV cable 3 is connected to the AV output terminal 10, the signal output processing unit 51 is stored in advance in a ROM or the like. The mode operation explanation screen is read out, and a remote control mode operation explanation screen 90 is displayed on the LCD 9 as shown in FIG. The remote control mode operation explanation screen 90 displays, for example, that the current operation mode is the remote control mode, the correspondence between the names of the dual operation keys and the functions in the remote control mode, the procedure for returning from the remote control mode, and the like. The user can easily operate the digital camera 80 and the television 4. According to this, since it is not necessary to write the function name at the time of television operation near the dual operation key, the design of the digital camera 80 is not impaired.

  In the above embodiment, the remote control function is operated only in the playback mode. However, the remote control function may be operated in the shooting mode. According to this, when taking a picture while displaying a through image on the screen of the television, the television can be operated by a remote control.

  Furthermore, when the camera operation key is also used as the remote control means, the operation description is displayed on the LCD. However, the operation description may be displayed on the LCD even when a dedicated remote control key is provided. . Since image reproduction on a television is not a very frequent operation, the user may perform an operation while viewing the instruction manual. However, if the operation description is displayed on the LCD, the reference of the instruction can be omitted, and the operability is improved.

  In the above embodiment, a remote control using infrared rays has been described as an example, but a remote control using radio waves may be used. Furthermore, the present invention includes operation by inputting an operation signal to the television via an AV cable. Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the digital still camera as an example, it is possible to apply also to the video camera, digital video camera, etc. which have an external output function.

It is a rear view of the digital camera which implemented this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection state of a digital camera and television. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of signal output. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of remote control operation. It is explanatory drawing showing a remote control setting screen. It is a rear view of the digital camera using another embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera of another embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of remote control operation of another embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the signal output of another embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the remote control mode operation description screen.

Explanation of symbols

2,80 Digital camera 3 AV cable 4 TV 9 LCD
10 AV output terminal 11 Infrared output unit 22 Remote control receiving unit 24 TV input switching key 25 TV volume up key 26 TV volume down key 41 Central control circuit 45 Microphone 49,85 Key input determining unit 50 Signal output processing unit 51 Remote control signal generating unit 52 Signal Setting Unit 57 Speaker 60 Cable Detection Switch 63 LED
67 Remote control setting screen 81 Up key 82a Tele key 82b Wide key 90 Remote control mode operation explanation screen

Claims (8)

An output terminal that is connected to an input terminal of a television via a connection cable and outputs an image signal or an image signal and an audio signal to the television via the connection cable;
Cable detection means for detecting that the connection cable is connected to the output terminal;
TV remote control means for operating the TV,
The television remote control means is in an operation state in which the television can be operated when a connection cable is detected by the cable detection means, and in a non-operation state in which the television cannot be operated when no connection cable is detected. Digital camera. The TV remote control means includes:
TV operating means for operating the TV;
Remote control signal generating means for generating a remote control signal according to the operation of the television operating means;
Transmission means for transmitting the remote control signal to a remote control receiver of a television,
The remote control signal generation means generates the remote control signal in response to an operation of the television operation means when a connection cable is detected by the cable detection means, and does not generate the remote control signal when the connection cable is not detected. The digital camera according to claim 1.   The television operating means is shared by at least a part of camera operating means used for shooting operation or various setting operations, and the remote control signal generating means detects a connection cable by the cable detecting means, and 3. The digital signal according to claim 2, wherein the remote control signal is generated when a camera operating means that is also used as a television operating means is operated, and the remote control signal is not generated when connection of the connection cable is not detected. camera.   A key input determination unit that determines an input operation of the camera operation unit and generates an operation signal according to the operation content is provided, and the key input determination unit is configured such that when a connection cable is detected by the cable detection unit, In response to an input operation of the camera operation means, an operation signal for television operation is generated and input to the remote control signal generation means. When the connection cable is not detected, an operation signal corresponding to the original function of the camera operation means is generated. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein the digital camera is generated.   4. The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising signal setting means for setting a remote control signal of the remote control signal generating means according to a type of the television manufacturer or product type.   The output terminal includes a signal output processing means for outputting an image signal, or an image signal and an audio signal, and a reproduction means for reproducing the image signal or the image signal and the audio signal input from the signal output means, The signal output processing means inputs an image signal or an image signal and an audio signal to the reproduction means when the cable detection means does not detect a connection cable, and outputs an image signal when the cable detection means detects the connection cable. 6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein an image signal and an audio signal are output from an output terminal.   The reproduction means includes image display means for displaying a photographed image and various setting menus based on an image signal input from the signal output processing means, and the signal output processing means is connected to a connection cable by the cable detection means. 7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein an image representing an operation method of the television operation means is displayed on the image display means when the image is detected.   Mode switching means for switching an operation mode between a shooting mode for shooting and a playback mode for playing back a captured image or image and sound, and the television remote control means has the operation mode set to the playback mode. 8. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation state is set when a connection cable is detected by the cable detection means.

Images