JP2506415B2 - Camera integrated VTR and video camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a camera-integrated VTR and a video camera, and more particularly to a camera-integrated VTR and a video camera that can effectively store a title to be recorded when a subject is photographed.

Background Art With a camera-integrated VTR, at the same time as shooting the subject,
Titles corresponding to the scenes are overlaid on the screen and recorded.

In order to record such a title, a title created by printing or the like is photographed with a video camera, the photographed image is stored in advance in a memory mounted in the camera, and after the subject is photographed, it is stored in the memory. There is proposed a camera-integrated VTR that has a so-called superimpose function of reading out the created title and inserting it into the screen shot.

In such a device, the number of title images that can be stored depends on the memory capacity. Therefore, when storing and using a large number of title images, a large capacity memory is required as compared with the storage of one title image. However, considering that the title image has a smaller amount of information as compared with a normally photographed image, it is wasteful to use a large capacity memory, and it is required to reduce the memory capacity.

In view of such a demand, the present invention has an object to provide a camera-integrated VTR and a video camera capable of storing a large number of title images in a small-capacity memory when storing title images.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a camera-integrated VTR that records a video signal obtained by imaging a subject on a recording medium divides an image displayed by the video signal into a plurality of image regions, and Storage means capable of respectively storing video signals corresponding to respective image areas, and storage for dividing the storage means into a plurality of storage areas and respectively storing the video signals corresponding to the respective divided image areas in the plurality of storage areas. A video signal corresponding to each divided image area stored in the divided storage area of the storage means is read from the storage means and can be recorded in a recording medium.

Further, according to the present invention, a video camera which outputs a video signal obtained by imaging a subject divides an image displayed by the video signal into a plurality of image areas, and outputs a video corresponding to each of the divided image areas. A storage means capable of storing signals respectively, and the storage means is divided into a plurality of storage areas, divided into a plurality of storage areas, into respective divided image areas, and into a plurality of storage areas, into respective divided image areas. A video signal corresponding to each of the divided image areas stored in the divided storage areas of the storage means can be read out from the storage means and output. It was done.

Description of Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a camera-integrated VTR. It should be noted that functional units that are not related to the description of the present invention, such as a portion that processes an audio signal, are not shown.

The camera-integrated VTR 100 according to the present embodiment has a recording function and a reproducing function in addition to the imaging function. Integrated camera type
VTR100 has a master lens 12
An image pickup unit 14 such as a CCD for converting an optical image of a subject captured by the master lens 12 from an optical signal into a video signal is arranged behind the. The image pickup unit 14 is a synchronization signal generation circuit.
According to the sync signal from 44, the optical image of the subject formed through the master lens 12 is converted into a video signal, and formed into a composite video signal of a standard color television format including a luminance signal, a color difference signal, and a sync signal. , And sends the composite video signal to the comparator 16 and the mixer 30.

The comparator 16 compares the video signal input from the imaging unit 14 with a predetermined threshold value, and binarizes the video signal according to the magnitude relationship with the threshold value. That is, a video signal obtained by shooting a title image input from the image pickup unit 14 as shown in FIG. 3A is changed to 2 by the threshold level (threshold value) shown in FIG.
The value is converted into a video signal suitable as a title image as shown in FIG. 3B.

The output of the comparator 16 is input to the memory 18. The memory 18 stores the video signal of the title image sent from the comparator 16 in a plurality of areas divided according to the control signal sent from the control unit 40.

The level conversion circuit 20 performs level conversion on the video signal of the title image read from the memory 18, and converts the video signal into a signal of a predetermined level suitable for recording. Level conversion circuit 20
Is connected to the mixer 30 via the switch 22 and to the electronic viewfinder 32 via the switch 24.

The switch 22 is controlled by a control signal sent from the control unit 40, and is opened / closed in response to an operation of a title 1 switch or a title 2 switch described later. When the switch 22 is closed, the title image signal from the level conversion circuit 20 is sent to the mixer 30. The mixing unit 30 switches from the video signal of the subject sent from the imaging unit 14 and the level conversion circuit 20.
The title image signals sent via 22 are mixed.

The output of the mixing unit 30 is connected to the recording unit 26, and is also connected to the electronic viewfinder 32 via the switch 24. The switch 24 selects the terminal 24b when the title memory switch 60 described later is turned on, and the level conversion circuit 20 is selected.
The title signal sent from the electronic viewfinder 32 is output. In other cases, the terminal 24a is selected and the video signal from the mixer 30 is sent to the electronic viewfinder 32.

The electronic viewfinder 32 has a small cathode ray tube and receives a video signal formed by the imaging unit 14, a video signal of the title read from the memory 18, or a video signal in which these are mixed and displays an image. .

The recording unit 26 modulates the mixed signal of the video signal and the title image signal sent from the mixing unit 30 into a signal to be recorded on a video tape, and outputs the signal to the tape recording mechanism 24.

The tape recording mechanism 24 has a rotary head cylinder necessary for recording video and audio signals on a video tape, a tape drive mechanism such as a motor, and a tape loading section for loading a video cassette tape, and is input from the control section 40. It is driven according to the control signal. The tape drive mechanism 24
The video signal is recorded on the video track of the video cassette tape loaded in the tape loading unit via the video head.

The control unit 40 is advantageously composed of a microcomputer (CPU), and has a synchronization signal generation circuit 44, a comparator 16,
Memory 18, switches 22, 24, recording unit 26, tape drive mechanism
28 and the input unit 42. The control unit 40 sends a control signal to each unit of the VTR 100 according to the connection state of each switch arranged in the input unit 42.

 FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the device shown in FIG.

The input section 42 is arranged on the outer surface of the casing of the camera-integrated VTR 100 as shown in FIG. 2, and is provided with various switches. The recording switch 56 inputs the start and end of recording. The title 1 switch 52 and the title 2 switch 54 are switches for dividing the area of the memory 18 into two and inputting an instruction for storing or reading a signal of a title image in each area. The title position changeover switch 58 is a switch for instructing the position of a title image stored in the memory 18 when the title image is to be displayed at a position different from the stored position when the title image is recorded on a video tape. The title storage switch 60 is a switch for displaying a binarized title image on the electronic viewfinder 32 for confirmation of the stored title when the title is stored in the memory 18.

 Each of these switches is operated by the photographer.

The operation of the camera-integrated VTR100 described above is shown in Fig. 4A.
An example of the image displayed on the electronic viewfinder 32 shown in FIG. 4H and the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B will be described.

When the main power of the camera-integrated VTR 100 is turned on by the operator, the control unit 40 outputs a control signal to the image pickup unit 14, converts the optical image of the subject formed through the master lens 12 into a video signal, and outputs the video signal. The comparator 16 and mixer
Output to 30. This operation is performed until the main power is turned off regardless of the connection state of the recording switch 56.

The operator first performs an operation for creating a video signal of a title image and storing it in the memory 18. The operator places the printed title image of the first title in front of the lens 12 and turns on the title storage switch (102). The optical image of the title is input to the image pickup unit 14 through the lens 12, a video signal is created in the image pickup unit 14, and is output to the comparator 16 and the mixer 30. The comparator 16 includes the image pickup unit 14
The video signal of the title image input from is compared with a threshold value, binarized, and output to the memory 18.

The binarized video signal is temporarily stored in the memory 18, read out, sent to the level conversion circuit 20, level-converted, and then sent to the terminals 24b of the switch 22 and the switch 24.

Since the title storage switch 60 is turned on at this time, the switch 24 is connected to the terminal 24b. Therefore, the video signal from the level conversion circuit 20 is switched by the switch 24.
To the electronic viewfinder 32, and the binarized title image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 32 in the upper half of the screen as shown in FIG. 4A (104). A boundary line 32a for dividing an area is displayed on the display screen of the electronic viewfinder 32.
Make sure that it is displayed in the area above 2a, and
If the area below 32a is included, the printed title image is moved upward so that it is displayed in the area above boundary 32a.

When the operator turns on the title 1 switch 52 of the input section 42 (106), this instruction is sent from the input section 42 to the control section 40. The control unit 40 uses the synchronization signal sent from the synchronization signal generation circuit 44 to store the timing signal corresponding to the address signal designating the half area of the memory 18 and the video signal of the upper half of the captured image. Output to 18. As a result, the video signal for displaying the upper half of the binarized title image sent from the comparator 16 to the memory 18 is stored in the half area of the memory 18 (108).

Memory for video signals corresponding to the upper half of the captured image
When the operator turns on the title 1 switch 52 again (110) after storing in the memory 18, the reading of the video signal from the memory 18 is stopped by the control signal from the controller 40, and the electronic view is displayed as shown in FIG. 4B. The title displayed in the finder 32 is deleted (112).

The operator next arranges the printed title image of the second title in front of the lens 12, and the binarized title image is displayed from the boundary line 32a of the electronic viewfinder 32 as shown in FIG. 4C. After confirming that it is also displayed below (114), the title 2 switch 54 of the input section 42 is turned on (116).

The control unit 40 uses the synchronization signal sent from the synchronization signal generation circuit 44 to generate an address signal for designating the other half area of the memory 18 and a timing signal of a timing corresponding to the lower half of the captured image in the memory 18. Output to. As a result, the video signal for displaying the lower half of the binarized title image sent from the comparator 16 to the memory 18 is stored in the memory.
It is stored in the other half area of 18 (118).

When the operator turns on the title 2 switch 54 again (12
0), as shown in FIG. 4D, the title displayed on the electronic viewfinder 32 is erased (122).

After storing the video signal of the title image in this way, the operator presses the recording switch 56 to photograph the subject and record the title.

When the recording switch 56 is turned on (124), the control unit 40 controls the recording unit 26 and the tape drive mechanism 28 to mix the video signal of the image of the subject sent from the imaging unit 14 or the title signal with the video signal. The video signal is recorded on the video cassette tape.

The operator first performs a recording operation for title 1. When inserting the title 1 into the captured screen, the operator judges whether the position to insert the title may be the same as the stored position (126).
Press the title 1 switch 52 when it is desired to insert (130). If you want to make the position to insert the title different from the stored position, press the title position switch and set the title to the desired position (12
8), title 1 switch 5 when you want to insert
Press 2 (130).

When the title 1 switch 52 is pressed, the switch 32 is closed, the video signal of the title image output from the level conversion circuit 20 is sent to the mixer 30, and is mixed with the image pickup signal of the subject sent from the image pickup unit 14. It The mixed video signal is modulated by the recording unit 26 and output to the tape drive mechanism 28.
As a result, the signal of the image in which title 1 is superimposed on the image of the subject is recorded on the video cassette tape (13
2). At this time, the video signals mixed in the mixing unit 30 are sent to the electronic viewfinder 32, and the electronic viewfinder 32 displays the image on which the title 1 is overlaid as shown in FIG. 4E. The video signal of the title 1 read from the memory 18 is read from the memory 18 at the timing corresponding to the lower half of the image by the timing signal output from the control unit 40 to the memory 18, as shown in FIG. 4E. Title 1 "Presentation" is displayed in the upper half of the screen.

When the operator presses the title 1 switch 52 again in the scene where the recording of the title 1 is desired to be stopped (134), the switch 22 is opened by the control signal from the control unit 40, whereby the image of the subject sent from the imaging unit 14 is displayed. Only the video signal is output to the tape drive mechanism 28. Therefore, the title of the display on the electronic viewfinder 32 disappears as shown in FIG. 4F, and thereafter only the signal of the image of the subject is recorded on the video cassette tape.

For example, when the user wants to record the title 2 "end" at the end of shooting, the operator determines whether the position to insert the title may be the same as the stored position, as in the case of recording the title 1 (136). , If the position is different, set that position with the title position selector switch 58 (13
8). When the operator designates, for example, the center of the screen with the title position changeover switch 58, the position is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 32 as shown in FIG. 4G. After specifying the position of the title in this way, the title 2 switch 54
Press (140).

As a result, similar to the case of the title 1, the image signal in which the title 2 is superimposed on the image of the subject is recorded on the video cassette tape (142), and the title 2 switch 5 is pressed again.
When 4 is pressed (144), title recording is stopped.

According to the camera-integrated VTR 100 of the present embodiment, when the video signal binarized by the comparator 16 is stored in the memory 18, the memory 18 is divided into two areas and the two title images are respectively divided into different areas. I remember. Therefore, memory 18 with a capacity that can originally record only one image
In addition, since two title images can be stored, a plurality of title images can be stored with a memory having a small capacity. Generally, the title image can be displayed only in the width of a half area of the screen, so that there is no inconvenience even if the screen is divided into two and the image displayed on only one of them is used.

Further, since the boundary line 32a is displayed in the electronic viewfinder 32, when the title image is stored in the half area of the memory 18, the operator stores the title image in the half area of the screen. It can be confirmed and stored.

In the present embodiment, the area of the memory 18 is divided into halves, and the title image is stored in each of the divided areas. However, the memory 18 is divided into three or more areas and divided into areas. The title image may be stored. In that case, it is preferable to display the boundary line 32a displayed on the electronic viewfinder 32 in accordance with the divided areas.

If the video signals of a plurality of title images to be stored are data of different capacities, instead of dividing the memory 18 into a plurality of areas having a uniform storage capacity in advance as in the above embodiment, A plurality of areas having different capacities may be designated according to the capacities of the title images.

The binarized title image may be recorded not only by being displayed on the image of the subject as described above but also by recording the title image alone.

In the present embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking a camera-integrated VTR having a recording function and a playback function as an example. However, in addition to the camera-integrated VTR, other camera devices such as a separate video camera and a disk camera can be used. It can be applied.

Effect According to the present invention, the storage means provided in the camera-integrated VTR or the video camera is divided into a plurality of storage areas, the image displayed by the video signal is divided into a plurality of image areas, and the divided video signal is divided. Are stored in respective divided storage areas. Therefore, since a video signal for displaying a large number of images can be stored by the storage means having a small capacity, various images, for example, a plurality of title images can be stored, and shooting with changes according to various demands. It can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a camera-integrated VTR according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are binary image signals. FIGS. 4A to 4H are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on the electronic viewfinder during operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the first example. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation and operation of the apparatus shown in the figure. Explanation of symbols of main parts 14 …… Image pickup section 16 …… Comparator 18 …… Memory 22, 24 …… Switch 26 …… Recording section 28 …… Tape drive mechanism 32 …… Electronic viewfinder 40 …… Control section 52 …… Title 1 switch 54 …… Title 2 switch 56 …… Recording switch 58 …… Title position selection switch 60 …… Title recording switch

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A camera-integrated VTR for recording a first video signal obtained by an image pickup means for picking up an object on a recording medium.
In the VTR, the VTR supplies a sync signal for driving the image pickup means to the image pickup means, and outputs a first video signal corresponding to the sync signal from the image pickup means, and the image pickup means. Binarizing means for binarizing the first video signal output from the means to create a second video signal representing a title image; and a second video signal created by the binarizing means, Storage means for storing in any one of the image storage areas divided into a plurality of areas, and a second video signal stored in the storage means is read out, and the second video signal and the first video are read. Mixing means for mixing signals with each other, the storage means is divided into a plurality of image storage areas for storing a plurality of images, and any one of the plurality of image storage areas is stored in the binarizing means. Part of the created second video signal A first timing signal for storing the first timing signal in response to the synchronization signal, the control means further comprising an addressing means for generating a writing and reading address for designating the image storage area. Timing signal generating means for generating a second timing signal for controlling a timing of reading the second video signal stored in any one of the plurality of image storage areas, in accordance with the synchronization signal The control means supplies the write address and a first timing signal to the storage means, and causes the second video signal to be stored in any one of the image storage areas. The read address and the second address are stored at a timing corresponding to the first timing signal.
Of the second video signal stored in any one of the image storage areas of the storage means and output to the mixing means by supplying the timing control signal to the storage means. A camera-integrated VTR, wherein a video signal in which a signal is mixed with the first video signal at a timing according to the second timing signal is recorded on the recording medium as the first video signal. 2. A video camera for outputting a first video signal obtained by an image pickup means for picking up a subject, wherein the camera supplies a synchronization signal for driving the image pickup means to the image pickup means, A synchronization control means for causing the image pickup means to output a first video signal corresponding to a synchronization signal, and a second video signal representing a title image by binarizing the first video signal outputted from the image pickup means. Binarizing means for storing, a storage means for storing the second video signal created by the binarizing means in any one of the image storage areas divided into a plurality of areas, and the storage means Mixing means for reading the stored second video signal and mixing the second video signal with the first video signal; and dividing the storage means into a plurality of image storage areas for storing a plurality of images. And the plurality of image records A first timing signal for dividing and partially storing the second video signal created by the binarizing means is generated in one of the image storage areas of the areas according to the synchronization signal. Control means, which is further stored in any one of the image storage areas of the plurality of image storage areas, and addressing means for generating write and read addresses for designating the image storage area. And a timing signal generation means for generating a second timing signal for controlling the timing of reading the second video signal according to the synchronization signal, wherein the control means generates the write address and the first timing signal. According to the first timing signal, the second video signal is supplied to one of the image storage areas of the plurality of image storage areas by being supplied to the storage means. It is stored at the timing, further, the read address and the second
Of the second video signal stored in any one of the image storage areas of the storage means and output to the mixing means by supplying the timing control signal of No. 1 to the storage means. A video camera, wherein a video signal in which a signal is mixed with the first video signal at a timing according to the second timing signal is output as the first video signal.