JP2543740B2 - Still video camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial field of application> The present invention stores still image data in a memory unit separate from the camera body, and a still video having a structure capable of long-term improvement of a photographing function. Regarding the camera.

<Prior Art> In recent years, in place of a conventional optical camera, a still video having a configuration in which an optical image signal from a subject is converted into an electric image signal by an image sensor and the electric image signal is stored in a memory corresponding to a film. A camera has been developed, and an electric image signal stored in a memory is reproduced and viewed on a monitor and printed by a printer.

At present, a magnetic disk is generally used as a memory of such a still video camera. In this case, for example, an optical image signal obtained through an optical lens is converted to a CCD.
After performing photoelectric conversion with a solid-state image sensor such as a MOS or MOS, and performing analog processing of color separation, gamma, color signals, low-frequency conversion, FM conversion, etc. on the electric image signal obtained by the conversion, using a magnetic head or the like. Electromagnetically converted and magnetically recorded on a magnetic disk.

Further, during reproduction, the magnetic signal stored in the magnetic disk is electromagnetically converted, analog-processed, and displayed on a monitor.

However, such a method of magnetically recording on a magnetic disk requires analog processing and electromagnetic conversion of a signal, which easily causes deterioration of the signal. Further, both a camera and a monitor require a rotational drive mechanism for the magnetic disk, which results in a large size. Inevitability and cost increase, aside from commercial use,
It is delaying its popularity as an amateur.

In view of this point, the applicant of the present application has proposed a digital signal obtained by A / D converting an electric image signal obtained by an image pickup device and storing the digital signal in a semiconductor memory that can be freely attached to and detached from the camera body. According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Sho 59-183582), signal deterioration due to analog processing can be prevented, and a drive mechanism such as in the case of a magnetic disk is not required. Therefore, downsizing and cost reduction of a camera and a monitor can be achieved. Can be achieved.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, in the case of an optical camera, if a camera having a high photographing function is developed in the future, the camera needs to be replaced.

The present invention was made in view of the fact that the camera body and semiconductor memory of the still video camera can be freely attached and detached, and the still video camera can be used as it is even when the photographing function of the camera is enhanced. The purpose is to provide a camera.

<Means for Solving Problems> Therefore, according to the present invention, an optical image signal of a subject obtained by an optical lens attached to a camera body is converted into an electric image signal by an image pickup element, and further an A / D converter. A still video camera having a structure in which a digital image signal obtained by A / D conversion is stored in a semiconductor memory incorporated in a memory unit freely formed in a camera body to be photographed, and the semiconductor memory of the memory unit is used. While storing the shooting sequence control program in the camera, a control circuit for inputting the shooting sequence control program stored in the semiconductor memory to the camera body to control the shooting sequence is provided.

<Operation> With this configuration, even if the shooting function of the camera is improved, if the memory unit storing the improved shooting sequence control program is attached to the camera body,
Since the control circuit of the camera body can input the program from the memory unit and perform the sequence control of the shooting,
It is possible to enhance the shooting function without replacing the camera body.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a still video camera according to the present invention. The camera main body 1 side is provided with an optical lens 2 for forming an optical image of a subject and the following circuits.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a CCD 3 as an image pickup device, which receives a drive signal from a CCD driver circuit 5 described later, photoelectrically converts the optical image formed on the light receiving surface by the optical lens 2 and outputs it as an analog signal. . A color filter is integrally attached to the light receiving surface of the CCD3. As the image pickup element, various image pickup tubes may be used in addition to MOS and CPD which are solid-state image pickup elements like CCD.

An A / D converter 4 converts the analog signal output from the CCD 3 into a digital signal at high speed.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a CCD driver circuit, which is a program IC6 described later.
As described above according to the shooting sequence control signal from
The CCD 3 is driven and the digital signal from the A / D converter 4 is read by a semiconductor memory 11 incorporated in a memory unit 10 described later.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a program IC as a control circuit for performing a shooting sequence control, which has a built-in RAM for freely rewriting the shooting sequence control program input from the semiconductor memory 11 and is used for the shooting sequence control. The imaging sequence control is performed while exchanging data with the semiconductor memory 11 according to the program.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a CPU which starts a sequence control of photographing by turning on the release switch 8.

Besides, a shutter, a diaphragm, and an optical or electronic viewfinder are incorporated on the camera body side, but illustration and description thereof are omitted here for the sake of simplicity.

On the other hand, on the side of the memory unit 10 that is freely formed in the camera body 1 via the electrical connector 9, the A / D
In addition to the semiconductor memory 11 in which the digital signal from the converter 4 can be freely rewritten and stored and the sequence control program for photographing is stored, the main switch is provided in each circuit shown above.
A battery 13 for supplying electric power via 12 is built in. As the semiconductor memory 11, for example, N-MOS RAM, C-MOS RAM or the like may be used as a semiconductor memory that can stabilize digital signals.

Then, when the memory unit 10 is mounted on the camera body 1, by connecting the respective terminals of the electric connector 9, the respective circuits are electrically connected as shown in the drawing.

When the main switch 12 is turned on in this state, the program IC6 is first activated to transfer and store the photographing sequence control program stored in the memory unit 10 to the RAM incorporated in the program IC6.

Next, when the release switch 8 is pressed and turned on, the program IC 6 controls the photographing sequence while driving the CCD driver circuit 5 and the like according to the photographing sequence program stored in the RAM.

An example of specific shooting sequence control will be described below with reference to the time chart shown in FIG.

First, when the release switch 8 is pressed (T ₁ ), the charge of the photodiode section of the CCD 3 just before the exposure is read in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal VP (T ₂ ) input immediately after that, and T ₃
Performing exposure when any shutter speed between up through T _4.

Then, to remove the dark current component and the smear component generated in exposure periods until T ₄ through T _6, high-speed sweep drive is performed until T ₅ through T _6.

Returns to normal drive state after the T _6, and outputs the frame image (the image pickup data) over 2V period.

With this configuration, the program IC 6 inputs the shooting sequence control program stored in the memory unit 10 side to perform the shooting sequence control even when the shooting sequence control is changed due to the improvement of the camera function. Therefore, without replacing the camera body with expensive parts compared to the memory unit side,
The camera function can be improved simply by replacing the memory unit, which is relatively inexpensive. As a result, the added value of the still video camera is enhanced, which in turn enhances the willingness to purchase the still video camera.

Further, by providing the program IC 6 with a RAM for transferring the shooting sequence control program from the semiconductor memory 11 as in the present embodiment, the semiconductor memory 1 can be provided after the transfer.
Since the program storage part of 1 can be used for storing the imaging data, it is not necessary to reduce the number of imaging parts.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of a still video camera having such a circuit configuration, in which a recess 14 for fitting the end of a memory unit 10 formed in a card shape is formed on the side of the camera body 1. A socket terminal that fits into the pin terminal 9b of the electric connector 9 formed on the unit 8 side in the recess 14
9a is provided.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, a photographing sequence control program is stored in a memory unit that can be freely attached to and detached from the camera body, and the camera body side photographs while inputting this program from the memory unit. Since the configuration is provided with a circuit for performing sequence control, even if the camera function is improved, it is not necessary to replace the camera body, the added value of the still video camera is improved, and the purchase intention is increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an example of shooting sequence control of the still video camera, and FIG. Shows the structure of the video camera,
(A) is a front view when a camera body and a semiconductor memory are connected, (B) is a side view of the camera body, and (C) is a partial sectional view of a unit. 1 ... Camera body, 2 ... Optical lens, 3 ... CCD, 4
…… A / D converter, 6 …… Program IC, 10 …… Memory unit, 11 …… Semiconductor memory

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A digital image obtained by converting an optical image signal of an object obtained by an optical lens mounted on a camera body into an electric image signal by an image pickup device and further A / D converting it by an A / D converter. In a still video camera configured to store a signal in a semiconductor memory incorporated in a memory unit that is freely formed in the camera body and shoot,
The semiconductor memory of the memory unit stores the shooting sequence control program, while the camera body is provided with a control circuit for inputting the shooting sequence control program stored in the semiconductor memory to control the shooting sequence. Still video camera characterized by its structure. 2. The photographing sequence control program is stored in a rewritable semiconductor memory, and the camera body includes a semiconductor memory for freely rewriting the photographing sequence control program transferred from the memory unit. The still video camera according to claim 1, wherein the still video camera is provided.