JP3120448B2 - Still video camera system - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a still image recording apparatus for recording image data of a still image captured by a photoelectric conversion element in an image memory, and reproducing the recorded image data on a TV or a printer. It relates to a video camera system.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a still video camera that converts a light image into an electric signal using a photoelectric conversion element and electrically records image information is known. Images shot with such a still video camera can be easily played back anytime after shooting by using a TV player or printer,
In recent years, TVs have been added to enhance the added value of cameras and improve quality.
Multi-functional still video cameras are being built with a built-in playback device, printer, and the like.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-189785 discloses a still video camera which has a built-in printer and roll recording paper and can print out recorded images on the roll recording paper. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 1-204575 discloses a still video camera in which a reproduction display unit is detachably mounted on a camera body and a recorded image can be reproduced on the reproduction display unit.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

By the way, the printer and TV
If peripheral devices such as a playback device and a CRT display unit are incorporated to achieve multi-functions, the size and weight of the camera will increase, resulting in inconvenience in operability at the time of shooting. In addition, there are various types of recording image reproducing devices, and there is a limit in integrating them all into the camera body, and it is uneconomical to incorporate a device that is not always used in the camera body. Therefore, even in a still video camera, a general-purpose unit should be provided for each function such as an imaging function, a TV playback function, a monitor function, and a printer function, and a system should be combined as necessary. Is reasonable.

The still video camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-189785 has a camera body in which only a printer is provided. The same publication does not disclose the concept of systematizing the still video camera. Also in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-204575, although the monitor function is unitized and detachable from the camera body, the unitization of the printer function is not shown, and the system related to the systemization of a still video camera is disclosed. No concept is suggested.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a still video camera is unitized for each function such as an imaging function, a TV playback function, a monitor function, and a printer function, and a user-friendly still is realized by combining these units. It is an object to provide a video camera system.

[Means for solving the problem]

The system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a camera unit including an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject by a photoelectric conversion element, a recording unit that records image data captured by the imaging unit, and recording of the camera unit. From the image data recorded in the
A TV playback unit that generates image data for TV playback; and a printer unit that plays back image data for printing from the recorded image data and prints out a captured image on recording paper. The reproducing unit and the printer unit are configured to be detachable from each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera unit comprising: an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject by a photoelectric conversion element; and a recording unit configured to record image data captured by the imaging unit on a predetermined recording medium. A playback unit configured to be detachably attached to the camera unit, and to reproduce a captured image based on image data recorded in a recording unit of the camera unit; and A printer unit for printing a photographed image on recording paper based on image data recorded in the recording unit of the unit, and a common operation member related to operation of an image reproduced in the reproduction unit is installed in the camera unit. It is characterized by.

In addition, in the invention described in claim 3, the operation member is a feed operation member for sequentially changing images to be reproduced or printed.

[Action]

The still video camera system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a camera unit, a TV playback unit, and a printer unit that can be attached to each other. In the camera section, a subject is imaged by the photoelectric conversion element, and the image data is recorded in the recording section. If a TV playback unit is attached to this camera unit,
The TV playback unit generates image data for TV playback from the image data recorded in the recording unit in the camera unit. Further, by connecting a TV to the TV playback unit, a captured image can be played back on a TV screen. Becomes Further, when a printer unit is mounted on the camera unit, the printer unit generates image data for printing from the image data recorded in the recording unit in the camera unit, and the photographed image can be printed out on recording paper. Become. When the TV playback unit and the printer unit are mounted on the camera unit, the captured image in the recording unit can be played back on a TV and printed out on recording paper.

However, the camera unit can be detached from the TV playback unit or printer unit and handled alone.

Further, in the system according to the present invention, the camera unit, the reproducing unit, and the printer unit can be detachably attached to each other, and further, an operation member related to operation of an image reproduced in the reproducing unit and the printer unit. The operation members related to the operation of the image to be printed are shared and provided in the camera unit instead of the reproduction unit and the printer unit. In the camera section, a subject is imaged by the photoelectric conversion element, and the image data is recorded on a predetermined recording medium. When the reproduction unit is mounted on the camera unit, the captured image is reproduced based on the recorded image data in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit of the camera unit. Further, when the printer unit is mounted on the camera unit, a photographed image is printed on recording paper based on the recorded image data in accordance with an instruction from an operation member of the camera unit.

Since the operation member of the reproducing unit and the operation member of the printer unit are shared and installed in the camera unit, the operation members are prevented from being complicated, and the operability is improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the system according to the second aspect, when a recorded image is reproduced or printed on a recording sheet by a reproducing unit or a printing unit, images to be reproduced or printed are sequentially changed by operating an operation member. You.

〔Example〕

1 and 2 are overall perspective views of a still video camera system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the still video camera system includes a detachable camera unit 1, a TV playback unit 3, and a printer unit 4, which are connected to each other. The camera unit 1 is a still video camera that captures a subject image with a solid-state imaging device, converts the subject image into image data of an electric signal, and records the image data on an external recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as a memory card) 112. TV playback unit 3
A unit that allows recorded images to be played back on a memory card.
The image data recorded in 112 is converted into image data for TV reproduction and output. The printer unit 4 is a unit that prints out a recorded image on a recording paper, converts image data recorded on the memory card 112 into print data, and records the data on an internal recording paper or an external recording paper by a built-in printer. Is what you do.

In the camera unit 1, on the front of the unit,
Shooting lens 11, finder window 12, automatic focus detection (hereinafter,
An AF light emitting unit 13 and a flash 14 for AF) are provided. In addition, a memory card insertion slot for inserting the memory card 112 into the camera unit 1 is provided on the rear surface of the unit.

The following various operation members are provided on the upper surface of the unit. That is, the release / print start button 15 is for instructing photography or printing, and functions as a release button when the mode switch 16 described below is set to the recording mode, and when the mode is set to the print mode. Functions as a print button. The mode switch 16 switches between “OFF”, “record”, “play”, and “print” modes.
The protect switch 17 prevents the recorded image once recorded from being deleted by an inadvertent operation. The multi-switch 18 outputs a recorded image as a multi-image. The flash mode switch 19 sets the flash 14 to "non-flash (OFF)", "auto flash (AUTO)",
The mode is switched to each mode of “forced light emission (ON)”.
The date setting switch 20 is used to set the shooting date and time when the shooting date and time are set. Shooting mode switch
Reference numeral 21 designates a function for changing single-shot / self-shot / continuous-shot shooting every time the camera is turned on. The access buttons 22 and 23 are for accessing the recorded image, and the recorded image is sequentially forwarded (UP) or backwardly forwarded (DOWN) every time the access is performed. The macro / binarization mode changeover switch 24 switches between a macro photographing mode and a binarization mode by slide setting in the left and right direction. The display 25 is composed of, for example, an LCD or the like, and displays the date, the frame number at the time of photographing and printing, and other setting mode contents.

On the left side of the camera unit 1, a concave connecting portion 26 for mechanically connecting to another unit is formed, and a plurality of electrical connecting terminals 26a are provided in the concave portion of the connecting portion 26. Have been.

A TV output terminal 31 for enabling connection to a TV is provided on the front surface of the TV playback unit 3, and a connection portion 32 having the same shape as the connection portion 26 of the camera unit 1 is provided on the left side thereof. Are formed. Although not shown, the camera unit 1 is provided on the right side of the TV playback unit 3.
A convex connection portion for mechanically and electrically connecting to the connection portion 26 is formed. Then, the TV connection unit 3 is slid and engaged with the concave connection portion 26 of the camera unit 1 so that the TV playback unit 3
Is to be connected to.

A printer case in which components necessary for a printing operation described later are built in a right side portion of the printer unit 4.
41 is provided detachably, and a recording paper insertion opening 42 is formed in the connection portion on the upper surface side. Although not shown on the right side of the printer unit 4, a connection having the same shape as the convex connection of the TV playback unit 3 is formed, and the printer unit 4 is formed in the same manner as described above. It is connected to the TV playback unit 3. Reference numeral 43 denotes a recording paper storage unit.

The shape of the concave or convex connection portion, the number of input / output terminals, and the like are standardized, and connection between various units is possible. For example, it is possible to connect the printer unit 4 directly to the camera unit 1. In addition, the monitor unit 5 shown in FIG. 3 may be connected between the camera unit 1 and the printer unit 4 as shown in FIG. Camera unit 1 and TV playback unit 3 shown
Between the TV playback unit 3 and the printer unit 4
It can be connected between them. The monitor unit 5 converts image data recorded on the memory card 112 into image data for monitoring and reproduces the image data on a display unit 51 provided on the upper surface thereof. Similarly to the TV playback unit 3, the monitor unit 5 has a concave connection portion 52 on the left side and a convex connection (not shown) on the left side.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the still video camera system from the configuration of FIG.

A system controller (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) 100 controls operations of the entire camera system including a printing operation. A subject image formed through the photographing lens 11 is captured by a solid-state imaging device (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 101, and an output image signal of the CCD 101 is processed by a signal processing unit 102. Details of the signal processing unit 102 will be described later. The driving of the photographing lens 3 is controlled by the lens driving unit 103 so as to be in focus based on the distance measurement result.
The distance measurement unit 104 calculates the distance to the subject by using, for example, a phase difference detection method, and the driving amount of the photographing lens 3 by the lens driving unit 103 is calculated from the distance measurement data. . The photometric unit 105 measures the luminance of the subject and outputs photometric data to the CPU 100. The exposure control unit 106 controls the exposure of the camera by receiving data of the exposure time (shutter speed) Tv and the aperture value Av from the CPU 100 obtained based on the distance measurement and photometry results. Display
Reference numeral 107 denotes the display 25 and a part for driving the display 25. The flash unit 108 is controlled by a boosting control and a light emission control signal for charging from the CPU 100, and emits light from the flash 14. Power supply unit 109 is CCD101
Is supplied at a predetermined high voltage, and power is supplied to the CPU 100 and other circuit units at a predetermined voltage level. This power supply
Details of 109 will be described later. Battery check circuit (hereinafter B
A circuit 110 is connected to the main power supply EB in the power supply unit 109 and detects the capacity of the main power supply EB. This detection result is output to the CPU 100. The printer unit 111 is driven and controlled by the CPU 100, and prints out the output image signal from the signal processing unit 102 on recording paper. The details will be described later. Memory card 112
Reference numeral denotes a recording medium detachable from the camera body 1 and capable of recording a plurality of screens made of, for example, an SRAM. V _OUT is the TV
It corresponds to the output terminal 31 for use.

Next, the switches S _{OFF to} S _MODE will be described.

S _OFF : Turns on when the mode changeover switch 8 is at the “OFF” position, and disables the camera.

S _REC : _{Turns on when the} mode changeover switch 8 is at the “record” position to enable the camera to take a picture.

S _REP : _{Turns on when the} mode changeover switch 8 is at the "reproduction" position to enable reproduction on a TV or the like.

S _PRI : _{Turns on when the} mode changeover switch 8 is at the "print" position, and enables printout of a recorded image.

S ₁ : Turns on by pressing the release / print start button 7 one step, and performs a shooting preparation operation.

S _2: turned on at the two-stage depression of the release / print start button 7, the recording mode performs the exposure operation.

The switches S ₁ and S ₂ perform a printing operation in the print mode.

S _UP : Turns on every time the access button 14 is pressed, and performs the sequential playback of the recorded image.

S _DOWN : Turns on every time the access button 15 is pressed, and performs reverse playback of the recorded image.

S _PRO : Each time the protect switch 9 is pressed, protection of the recorded image and protection cancellation are alternately performed.

S _MAL : Equivalent to multi-switch 10, enabling multi-output when turned on S _MAC : Macro switch, turns on when macro / binary mode changeover switch 16 is pressed, macro lens (not shown) on the optical axis To enable macro photography.

S _MONO : A binarization mode switch, which is turned on when the macro / binarization mode changeover switch 16 is slid while being depressed, thereby enabling character photographing and the like.

S _CARD : _Turns on when a memory card is inserted.

S _FL : _{Turns on when the} flash mode switch 11 is pressed, and the non-flash mode, automatic flash mode, and forced flash mode are switched cyclically.

S _ADJ : Equivalent to the date setting switch 20.

S _MODE : It is turned on each time the shooting mode changeover switch 21 is pressed, and each mode of single shooting, self shooting, and continuous shooting is cyclically switched.

Note that the taking lens 11, the CCD 101, a part of the circuit block 102, the circuit blocks 103 to 110 and the switches are provided in the camera unit 1, and a part of the circuit block 102 and V _OUT are provided in the TV playback unit 3. Provided, printer unit 11
1 is provided in the printer unit 4.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are diagrams showing the power supply relation of the still video camera system.
Is a diagram showing the configuration of the power supply unit 109 and its power supply relationship,
FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a control line between the CPU 100 and the DC / DC converter 200, and FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a power supply relationship in the camera unit 203.

6 (A) and 6 (B), EB is a main power supply battery, EC is a camera unit 203, a memory 2 in the camera unit 1.
04 (corresponding to the memories 311 and 312 in FIG. 7B) and a battery for backing up the memory card 112. 200 is
A DC / DC converter, a high voltage E1 (e.g. 24v) for head driving of the printer unit 111 by the control signal D _CON from CPU 100, the voltage for driving the CCD101 in the imaging unit 202
E2 (for example, 15v) and a voltage E3 for driving the photographing lens 3 and the like in the camera unit 203 are generated and supplied. The control signal D _CON is composed of a two-bit signal, and is sent from the CPU 101 to the DC / DC converter 202 through two control lines as shown in FIG. Table 1 shows the control signal D _CON
"00" indicates that the operation of the DC / DC converter 202 is stopped, and no drive voltage is supplied to any of the printer unit 111, the imaging unit 202, and the camera unit 203.
Further, “01” causes the voltage E3 to be generated and supplied only to the camera unit 203, and “10” causes the voltages E2 and E3 to be generated and supplied to the imaging unit 202 and the camera unit 203, respectively, and “11” Is the voltage E1, E
3 are generated and supplied to the printer unit 111 and the camera unit 203, respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 6A, reference numeral 201 denotes a 5 V regulator, for example, which supplies a driving voltage to the CPU 100, the display unit 107, and the like in the camera unit 203, and a memory in the camera body 1.
A voltage is supplied to the memory card 204 and the memory card 112. The flash unit 108 is directly supplied with power from the main power supply battery EB,
The charging of the main capacitor C is performed.

Each part of the camera unit 203 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, power is supplied from the regulator 201 to the liquid crystal display unit and the CPU 100 of the display unit 107 capable of low voltage driving and capable of driving at a low voltage, and a part of the CPU 100 having relatively large power consumption, the distance measuring unit 104, Photometry unit 105, exposure control unit 106, and display unit 1
Power is supplied from DC / DC converter 200 to part of 07,
Power is directly supplied from the power supply battery EB to the lens driving unit 103 having a large load current.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams showing details of the signal processing unit 102. FIG.

In FIG. 1A, a CCD 101 is a color image sensor having R, G, and B stripe filters.
Driven by 01. A CCD-TG 302 is a timing generator that supplies a control signal and a control pulse to each circuit in this block based on a control signal from the CPU 100.
The CCD driver 301 has an image signal reading drive clock φ.
_V, and outputs the φ _H. The CCD driver 301 receives the clocks φ _V and φ
The charge storage amount of the CCD 101 is controlled by controlling the start of charge storage of the CCD 101 and the reading of the stored charge based on _H. Further, the CCD-TG 302 outputs a timing pulse to the CDS 303 described later and a clock pulse CK to other circuits. CD
In step S303, the output image signal from the CCD 101 is sampled for double correlation. The GC304 is a gain controller.
The analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the D converter 305. The WB processing circuit 306 performs data conversion on an image signal using a predetermined conversion table based on color temperature information from a white balance (WB) sensor (not shown).
The γ correction circuit 307 further performs data conversion for gradation correction on the color-converted image signal using a predetermined conversion table. The process circuit 308 and the matrix circuit 309 are for creating an image signal for each of R, G, and B colors from the image signal.

Subsequently, in FIG.
Reference numeral 12 stores R, G, and B image signals from the matrix circuit 309, and has a storage capacity for at least one screen. The address generation circuit 310 fetches an image signal from the CCD 101 to the memories 311 and 312, reads an image signal from the memories 311 and 312, writes an image signal to the memory card 112, a chip select signal at the time of reading, and a write / read operation. It outputs a control signal necessary for an operation of writing and reading an address and the like.

The data selector and compression / decompression unit 313 is a memory card 1
It performs data compression when writing an image signal to the memory card 12 and data expansion processing when reading an image signal from the memory card 112, and selects write or read data. Further, the CPU 100 and the address generation circuit 31
0 and the data input / output between the data selector / compression / decompression unit 313 and the memory card 112 is performed by an interface (hereinafter, referred to as
This is performed via a card I / F 314. The TV output signal processing circuit 315 performs image processing for TV reproduction on an image signal captured by the reproduction / writing clock from the address generation circuit 310. The processed video signal is stored in an internal video memory (not shown). It is memorized. This TV output signal processor
Reference numeral 315 is for generating a low-frequency luminance signal Y and a color difference signal C from each of the R, G, and B image signals. D / A converters 316 and 317 are above
The digital low-frequency luminance signal Y and color difference signal C read from the video memory in the TV output signal processing unit 315 are converted into analog low-frequency luminance signal Y _OUT and color difference signal C _{OUT respectively} , and the TV output terminal 19 is output. The data is output to a TV (not shown) via the TV. The oscillator 318 generates a read clock for reproduction and sends an output clock signal to the D / A converters 316 and 317. The multi-playback controller 319 generates a playback image for multi-playback, and the generated multi-image is temporarily stored in the multi-use video memory 320.

In addition, among the above circuit blocks, the circuit blocks 315 to 320
Are provided in the TV playback unit 3, and other circuit blocks are provided in the camera unit 1.

Next, the operation of the above blocks will be described separately for photographing recording, recording on a memory card, TV reproduction, printout, and multi-processing.

(1) Shooting / Recording When the release / print start button 15 is pressed while the mode switch 16 is set to the recording mode, the CPU 101 outputs a control signal to the CCD-TG 302.
Controls the accumulation time of the CCD 101. That is, the CPU 100 drives the photometry unit 105 to perform photometry, controls the aperture based on the aperture value Av obtained from the photometry result, and further sets the exposure time Tv
, And outputs a shutter control signal to the CCD-TG 302. In order to increase the light utilization rate and obtain high resolution
In the case where the CCD 101 is swung to perform two continuous exposures with the electronic shutter and the mechanical shutter, the CPU 100 controls each exposure time.

During the above-described exposure, the CPU 100 outputs a memory select signal to the address generation circuit 310 to select a memory for capturing the image signal. The address generation circuit 310 receives the memory select signal from the CPU 100 and sends out the chip select signals CS1 and CS2 to the memories 311 and 312. CPU100 is CCD101
Address generation circuit to enable writing of image signals from
The R / W signal is output from 310 to the memories 311 and 312. After this,
When the exposure is completed, reading of an image signal from the CCD 101 is started, and the read image signal is sequentially transferred to a selected memory by a write address generated based on a capture start signal and a write clock WCK. Written. When the writing of the image signal is completed, the address generation circuit 310 outputs a capture end signal to the CPU 100, and the CPU 100 receives this capture end signal and stops the writing operation to the selected memory.

When the image signal stored in the memory card 112 is taken into one of the memories 311 and 312, the CPU 100 sends the chip select signal CS from the address generation circuit 310 to the memories 311 and 312 in order to select a memory to take the image signal.
1, CS2 is sent. Thus, the memory card 112
The image signal is taken into the memory selected from. When the image signal capture is completed, the CPU 1
00 stops the write operation to the selected memory upon receiving the fetch end signal from the address generation circuit 310.

If manual instructions are given after the completion of image signal capture, the captured image signals can be output to an output destination based on the instruction content, as described later.

(2) Recording on Memory Card The image signal written in the memory as described above can be transferred and stored on the memory card 112 as necessary. CPU
When 100 confirms that the memory card 112 is selected as the output destination of the image signal, it reads data management / search information such as the number of used frames from the memory card 112 and writes the information to the memory card 112 from the contents. Determine the starting address. Then, in response to the output start signal, the image signal is read from one of the memories 311 and 312, and the data selector and the compression /
It leads to the extension part 313. Data selector and compression / decompression unit 313
Converts an input image signal into a low-frequency luminance signal Y and a color difference signal C, and then converts the converted signal into, for example, an ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine T).
The compression process is performed using a ransform) method. The compressed image signal is written to the memory card 112 via the card I / F 314 based on the write address from the address generation circuit 310. When writing is completed, the address generation circuit
From 310, an output end signal is input to CPU 100. Each time the CPU 100 receives this output end signal, it updates the data management / search information of the memory card 112.

(3) When the release / print start button 15 is pressed while the TV playback mode switch 16 is set to the playback mode, the CPU 100 selects the TV output signal processing unit 315 as an image signal output destination. , Memory 311, 312 or memory card
The image signal stored in the memory 112 is read and written into a video memory (not shown) in the TV output signal processing unit 315 in accordance with a reproduction / write clock from the address generation circuit 310. TV
The output signal processing unit 315 converts the written R, G, B image signals into a low-frequency luminance signal Y and a color-difference signal C. A signal or the like is added to make a standard television signal such as an NTSC signal, which is written again to the video memory in the TV output signal processing unit 315. When this writing is completed, the oscillator 31
The image signal in the video memory is repeatedly read at a predetermined cycle based on the reproduced clock from 8 and the D / A converter 3
At 16,317, it is converted to an analog video signal and output to a TV (not shown) via the TV output terminal 31. Therefore, the photographed image is displayed on the TV as a still image.

(4) Printout The printout of the stored image signal is performed by the printer unit 111 in the printer unit 4 shown in FIG.

When the release / print start button 15 is pressed while the mode change switch 16 is set to the print mode, the CPU 100 causes the memory 311, 312 or the memory card 112
Is read by the read clock from the address generation circuit 310 and output to the printer data conversion circuit 321. At this time, the CPU 100 confirms the state of the printer unit 111 shown in FIG. 8 by receiving the control data input via the system bus SB, and
Control. Thereafter, the image signal is subjected to data conversion according to a desired printing method as described later, and is guided to the thermal head 410 to be printed out. The detailed operation will be described later.

(5) Multi-processing In addition, the CPU 100 stores the memory 311 or 312 or the memory card 1
The image signal stored in the memory 12 is programmed so as to be able to perform a multi-process capable of reproducing a multi-screen TV and printing out a multi-image.

In multi-screen TV playback, first, the number of screens to be multi-displayed is set by the multi-playback controller 319. Then, the images to be multi-displayed are stored in the memories 311, 31
2 or are sequentially selected from the memory card 312 in the order of the display positions, and are sequentially written to the corresponding storage areas in the multi-purpose video memory 320. At this time, the selected image signal is decimated and filtered according to the display size, and can be appropriately taken into the predetermined storage area.

When the image signals of the set number of screens are written to the multi-use video memory 320, the CPU 100 is connected to the reproduction circuit unit (the TV output terminal 31) as an output destination of the multi-use image signal.
TV), and writes the multi-image signal to the video memory in the TV output signal processing unit 315 using the read clock from the multi-playback controller 319. After the multi-image signal has been written into this video memory, it is converted from the R, G, B image signal into a low-frequency luminance signal Y and a color difference signal C by the reproduction / write clock as described above, and the NTSC signal is output.
The signal is converted into a signal and written again into the video memory in the TV output signal processing unit 315. When the writing is completed, the contents stored in the video memory are repeatedly read at a predetermined cycle based on the reproduced clock from the oscillator 318.
The signals are converted into analog signals by the D / A converters 316 and 317 and output to a TV (not shown). In this way, the multi image is displayed on the TV as a still image.

In the multi-image printout, the multi-image signal written in the multi-video memory 320 as described above is converted into the printer data conversion circuit 321 shown in FIG.
Is output to the thermal head 410 after data conversion.
And printed out.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the printer unit 111.

In the figure, a thermal head control circuit 400 controls the operation of a thermal head block 403. The thermal head block 403 includes a thermal head 410 for printing one or several lines at a time, and a thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 for switching the thermal head 410 between a printing position and a rest position.

The solenoid / motor drive circuit 401 controls the driving of the solenoid 411 for contacting the thermal head and the DC servomotor 420.

The DC servo motor 420 includes a platen roller 421 provided opposite the thermal head 410 and the platen roller 4.
The grip rollers 425 (see FIG. 9) provided at both ends of the motor 21 are driven to rotate.

The paper feed block 404 is a block that feeds recording paper, and a pair of nip rollers 412 that are rotatably provided in contact with the grip rollers 425, a rotation detection sensor 413 that detects rotation of the nip rollers 412, and a type of rotation sensor. Recording paper detection sensor A4 for detecting different recording paper
It has 14, B415.

The ink ribbon feed block 405 is a block for writing the ink ribbon, and includes an ink ribbon 416, ribbon cueing sensors A417 and B418, and a ribbon set detection sensor 4.
19 are equipped. In addition, the rotation of the nip roller 412 is transmitted to a winding shaft of the ink ribbon via a clutch or a gear (not shown) so that the nip roller 412 rotates.
It is adapted to be wound in synchronization with the rotation operation of.

The sensor input circuit 402 includes a paper feed block 404
The detection signals of various sensors such as a rotation detection sensor 413 provided in the printer 100, recording paper detection sensors A414 and B415, a ribbon cueing sensor A417 and B418 provided in the ink ribbon feed block 405, and a ribbon set detection sensor 419 are transmitted to the CPU 100. This is a circuit for inputting to.

 Next, an internal mechanism of the printer unit 111 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the printer unit 111, and FIG.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 11, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG.

In FIG. 9, a platen roller 421 and a DC servomotor 420 for driving the platen roller 421 are disposed in the printer case 41. The platen roller 421 is disposed at a position facing the thermal head 410 when the platen roller 421 is mounted on the main body of the printer unit 4. At the upper and lower ends of the platen roller 421, grip rollers 425, 425 each having a large number of minute projections formed on the outer peripheral surface are fixed, and are configured to rotate integrally with the platen roller 421. A gear 422 is attached to the lowermost end of the platen roller 421.
It is connected to the gear 423 of the servomotor 420. The platen roller 421 is driven to rotate by the DC servo motor 420 via the gears 422 to 424.

On the other hand, other mechanisms necessary for printing are arranged in the main body of the printer unit 4.

The thermal head 410 is slidably held in the storage case 426 in the direction of arrow a so as to face the platen roller 421. A thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is fixed to the storage case 426, and a plunger 427 of the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is connected to the thermal head 410 via a lever 428 and a shaft 429. The thermal head 410 is slidable in the direction a by a spring coil (not shown) attached around a fulcrum 430 of a thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 and a lever 427. (Rest position). That is, the thermal head 410 is held at the above-described pressure contact position when the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is on, and is held at the separated position when it is off.
A bearing structure is formed at the upper right and lower ends of the right side of the storage case 426, and the nip rollers 412, 412 are rotatably mounted so as to sandwich the thermal head 410. This nip roller 412 is pressed against the grip roller 425,
The recording paper can be accurately fed by the rotational force of the grip roller 425 and the nip roller 412.

The ink ribbon 416 is connected to the supply roller 4 as shown in FIG.
Stretched between the take-up roller 31 and the take-up roller 432, it is mounted so as to pass between the thermal head 410 and the platen roller 421 on the way, and the presence or absence of the mounting is determined by the ribbon set detection sensor 419. .

Returning to FIG. 9, a gear C is attached to the lower end of the take-up roller 432 on which the ink ribbon 416 is mounted via a slip clutch 433, and the gear C is further connected to the nip roller 412 on the lower end side via the gear B. It is connected to the mounted gear A. The slip clutch 433 always rotates the winding roller 432 at an appropriate speed regardless of the rotation speed of the nip roller 412, and performs a stable winding operation of the ink ribbon 416. The gear B is configured to mesh with the gear C when rotating in the direction f in FIG. 11 and not mesh with the gear C when rotating in the direction e in FIG.
The rotational force is transmitted to the winding roller 432 only when the 412 rotates in the g direction. That is,
To set the recording paper in a predetermined position, nip rollers 41
When the paper is conveyed in the direction b by 2,412, since the printing is not performed, the rotational force of the nip roller 416 is not transmitted to the winding roller 432 so that the ink ribbon 416 is not wound, and the recording paper is moved in the direction b by the nip rollers 412,412. When the paper is conveyed in the reverse direction, printing is performed, so that the rotational force of the nip roller 412 is applied to the take-up roller 432 so that the ink ribbon 416 is taken up.
To be communicated to.

Further, a gear E of a slit plate 434 is connected to the gear A via a gear D, and the slit plate 434 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the nip roller 412.
Accordingly, the rotation operation of the slit plate 434, that is, the rotation operation of the nip roller 412, is detected by the rotation detection sensor 413, and based on the detection signal, in addition to the transport amount of the recording paper, printing of the thermal head 410 and ink ribbon according to the transport speed. 416
Winding is performed properly.

The ink ribbon 416 having the same width as the thermal head 410 is used. FIG. 12 shows an example of a sublimation ink ribbon, and FIG. 13 shows an example of a melting ink ribbon.

The ink ribbon for sublimation and the ink ribbon for fusing have three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, each having a predetermined length, which are repeatedly arranged in this order from the winding roller 432 side. A transparent portion 416a indicating the head of the ribbon is provided. Further, the transparent portion 416a is provided with a black marker m indicating the type of the ink ribbon. For example, the sublimation ink ribbon has a marker m at the right end in the winding direction (FIG. 12), and the melting ink ribbon has a marker m at the left end in the winding direction. (Fig. 13). The marker m on the left end side with respect to the winding direction of the ink ribbon 416 is detected by the ribbon cueing sensor A417, and the marker m on the right end side with respect to the winding direction of the ink ribbon 416 is detected by the ribbon cueing sensor B418. These ribbon cue sensors
Ink ribbon attached by detection signal of A417 and B418
The type of the ink ribbon 416 is determined, and cueing of the ink ribbon 416 during printing is performed. That is, the ink ribbon 416 is determined to be a melting ink ribbon when the marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor A417, and is determined to be a sublimation ink ribbon when detected by only the ribbon cue sensor B418. .

Note that the position of the marker m is not limited to both ends of the transparent portion 416a, and may be provided so as to be shifted left and right with respect to the center line of the ink ribbon 416. Further, the correspondence between the position of the marker m and the type of the ink ribbon 416 is not limited to the above, and can be arbitrarily associated. The ink ribbon in FIG. 16 will be described later. On the other hand, the recording paper is also provided with a square marker M for determining the type of the recording paper. FIG. 14 shows an example of the sublimation recording paper, and FIG. 15 shows an example of the gradation thermal recording paper. The markers M are provided on the back surface of the recording paper Pa, provided on the diagonal opposite corners of the recording paper for sublimation, and provided on the gradation thermal recording paper one marker inside the both corners. Have been. In this embodiment, the marker M is not provided on the fusing recording paper. The recording paper Pa may be of a paper type, or may have a glue on the back surface.

Markers M provided at both diagonally opposite corners are detected by the recording paper detection sensor A414, and the markers M are positioned at one corner from the two corners.
The marker M provided inside the marker is detected by a recording paper detection sensor B415, and the recording paper detection sensor A4
The type of the recording paper Pa is determined based on the detection signals of 14 and B415.

Note that the position of the marker M is not limited to the above position, and may be provided at an arbitrary position on the back surface of the recording paper Pa. The correspondence between the position of the marker M and the type of the recording paper Pa is not limited to the above, and can be arbitrarily associated.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the internal mechanism of the printer unit when performing monochrome printing on cut sheet type recording paper,
FIG. 11 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG.

The monochrome type printer unit is configured by removing the ink ribbon 416 from the color type printer unit 111 (see FIG. 10). That is, in the monochrome type,
Printing can be performed by directly pressing the thermal head 410 against the gradation thermal recording paper. Therefore, printing can be performed only by removing the ink ribbon 416. In monochrome printing, a roll-type recording paper for gradation thermal printing can be used. In this case, instead of the ink ribbon 416, a recording paper for gradation thermal printing is used as shown in FIG. 436
Can be printed by attaching.

FIG. 18 is a view showing the internal mechanism of the printer unit 111 of the hand scan type, and is a sectional view corresponding to FIG.

Since the hand scan type does not require a drive source (DC servo motor) for the nip roller 412, the printer unit 111 is configured by detaching the printer case 2 from the camera body 1. In the hand scan, since monochrome printing is performed, a black ink ribbon 416 shown in FIG. 16 is used as the ink ribbon. Since the melting ink ribbon 416 is entirely black, a detection signal of the marker M is output from the ribbon cueing sensors A417 and B418, whereby it is determined that the melting ink ribbon 416 is black.

Next, regarding the printing operation of the printer unit 111,
The case of color printing on cut sheet type recording paper, the case of monochrome printing on cut sheet type recording paper, and the case of printing by hand scanning will be described separately.

(1) Color printing on cut sheet type recording paper In FIG. 11, when the recording paper Pa is inserted from the recording paper insertion port 42 in the direction b (the direction from the top surface to the bottom surface side of the printer unit 4), the recording paper Insertion and type of the recording paper Pa are detected by the detection sensors A414 and B415, and the DC servomotor 420 is rotationally driven in the i direction in response to the detection signal.
As a result, the grip roller 425 rotates in the direction c, and the inserted recording paper Pa moves with the grip roller 425 and the nip roller 4.
12 and transported in the direction b. On the other hand, at this time, the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is in the off state, and the thermal head 410 is held at a position separated from the platen roller 421. Also, grip rollers
When the 425 rotates in the c direction, the nip roller 412 rotates in the h direction, and this rotational force is transmitted to the gear B via the gear A, and the gear B rotates in the e direction. However, since the gear B is not connected to the gear C, the winding roller 432 does not rotate, and the winding of the ink ribbon 416 is not performed.

When the rotation detecting sensor 413 detects that the recording paper Pa has been conveyed to a predetermined position, the DC servo motor 420 is stopped, and then the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 41 is turned off.
1 is turned on, and the thermal head 410 is pressed against the platen roller 421 via the ink ribbon 416 and the recording paper Pa.
Thereafter, the DC servo motor 420 is rotationally driven in the j direction,
As a result, the platen roller 421 rotates in the direction d to feed the recording paper Pa, and the thermal head 410 prints yellow image data one line at a time in synchronization with the paper feeding speed. At the time of printing, the rotational force of the nip roller 412 is transmitted to the gear B, and the gear B rotates in the f direction. As a result, the gear B is connected to the gear C, and the winding roller 432 rotates to wind the ink ribbon 416.

When the yellow printing is completed, the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is turned off, and the thermal head 410 is switched to a position separated from the platen roller 421.
Thereafter, when the DC servo motor 420 is driven to rotate again in the i direction and the recording paper Pa is fed to the predetermined position in the b direction, printing of magenta image data is performed by the same operation as described above. Then, printing of magenta and cyan is sequentially performed, and when these printings are completed, the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is turned off, and the thermal head 410 is switched to the separated position with respect to the platen roller 421. Thereafter, the DC servo motor 420 is driven to rotate in the j direction, and the printed recording paper Pa is conveyed in the direction of the recording paper insertion port 42 and discharged.

(2) Monochrome printing on cut sheet type recording paper Monochrome printing on cut sheet type recording paper is performed by the same operation as color printing on the cut sheet type recording paper, and black printing is performed only once. Then, the recording paper Pa is discharged from the recording paper insertion port.

(3) Printing by Hand Scan In printing by hand scan, the printer case 2 is detached from the printer unit 4 body, and the server 10 is moved to the recording paper Pa.
The camera body 1 is moved in the k direction in FIG. 18 with the hand head print switch (not shown) turned on, and the circle head 4 is used to move the camera body 1. When the printer unit 4 is moved in the k direction, the nip roller
412 rotates in the g direction. This rotation is detected by the rotation detection sensor 413, and the printing timing and printing speed of the thermal head 410 are controlled based on the detection signal, and the image data for one line is recorded on the recording paper Pa by the nip roller.
Printing is performed in synchronization with the rotation speed of 412, that is, the paper feeding speed.

In addition, when printing using the ink ribbon for fusion,
Plain paper can be used as the recording paper Pa. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, the insertion portion of the recording paper Pa can be inserted by a predetermined distance from the front side in the horizontal direction of the printer unit 4, and the groove is opened in the vertical direction of the printer unit 4. With this structure, it is possible to print out a captured image freely not only on the recording paper Pa having a predetermined size but also on the end of the ordinary recording paper Pa having an arbitrary size. This makes it possible to easily confirm a photographed image, perform simple recording, and the like, and reduce the cost of the recording paper Pa. The groove-shaped recording paper insertion portion is provided in the printer unit 4.
Not limited to the front side surface of the main body, it can be provided at any position on the rear side surface.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the thermal head 410.

The thermal head 410 includes an output control unit 500 that controls serial output of print data, a head driver 504 that controls print timing, and a heating resistor R corresponding to each print head.
It comprises a heating section 505 provided with 1 to R496 and a thermistor 506 for detecting a heating temperature.

The output control unit 500 includes shift registers 501 and 502 to which 248 D flip-flops (hereinafter, referred to as DFFs) are cascaded, and a latch circuit 503 for latching 496 pieces of print data. The print data is serially input to the input of the first DFF of the shift registers 501 and 502, and the Q output of each DFF of the shift register 501 is sequentially latched.
The Q output of each DFF of the shift register 502 is sequentially input to the even-numbered latch circuit in the latch circuit 503. The CLOCK signal is input to the CK input of the shift register 501, and the CLOCK signal is input to the CK input of the shift register 502 by the inverter 50.
The inverted CLOCK signal inverted in 7 is input.

496 print data are serially input to the first DFF of the shift registers 501 and 502, and each DFF of the shift register 501 is input.
From the rising edge of the CLOCK signal, the odd-numbered print data is sequentially output to the corresponding latch circuit in the latch circuit 503.Each DFF of the shift register 502 sequentially shifts the even-numbered print data at the rising edge of the inverted CLOCK signal. Latch circuit 503
Is output to the corresponding latch circuit. Then, when all print data is output to the latch circuit 503, a latch signal is input to the latch circuit 503, and print data for one line is determined.

FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are time charts showing the operation of the output control unit 500. FIG. 22 shows the case of the melting type or the hand scan mode, and FIG. 23 shows the case of the sublimation type or the gradation thermal mode.

4 (2 × 2) in the fusion type or hand scan mode
Area) is performed using the dot data of
The print data for one line is composed of 496 pieces, and the 496 pieces of print data are output to the latch circuit 503 in synchronization with the CLOCK signal and the inverted CLOCK signal. On the other hand, in the sublimation type or gradation thermal mode, the density gradation is performed by modulating the printing energy using four (2 × 2) dot data as one surface element. , The second, third, fourth,... 495,496th adjacent data are the same data. Therefore, the same print data is input to both DFFs in the same arrangement position of the shift registers 501 and 502, and in the time chart, as shown in FIG.
Eight print data are synchronized with the CLOCK signal and the latch circuit 502
Will be output.

Table 2 shows the relationship between the number of pixels, the dot density, and the image size in the sublimation mode and the fusion mode.

The difference between the sublimation mode and the fusion mode is that the dot density of the sublimation mode is half that of the fusion mode, and this is based on the above-described difference in the gradation method. The number of pixels and the image size are the same, the number of pixels is about 370,000 pixels, and the image size is almost the size of a business card.

The thermal head 410 is composed of 496 heat-generating resistors, whereas Table 2 shows that the print data of one line of the captured image is composed of 494 pieces, and the print data for two pieces is insufficient. However, the serial output control unit 50
In the input of print data at 0, data without printing, for example, “00” is input for the two data.

Referring back to FIG. 21, the head driver 504 is composed of 496 NAND circuits, and print data output from each latch circuit of the latch circuit 503 is input to each NAND circuit. Also,
The 496 NAND circuits are divided into 8 blocks each of 62,
If the 1st to 62nd NAND circuit groups are the first block, the 63rd to 125th NAND circuit groups are the 2nd block, and the 435th to 496th NAND circuit groups are the 8th block, Control signals STB1 to STB8 are input to the respective NAND circuits. The output terminal of each NAND circuit is connected to one end of a heating resistor Ri (i = 1, 2,..., 496) of a corresponding dot, and the other end of the heating resistor Ri is always connected to a drive voltage ( For example
24v) is connected to the applied common terminal.

In the above configuration, for example, when a high control signal STB1 is input, a NAND signal of the control signal STB1 and print data is output to an output terminal of each NAND circuit in the first block, and 1
The 62nd print data is printed. In this case, only the output terminal of the NAND circuit to which the high print data is input becomes low level, the heating resistor Ri connected to the output terminal generates heat, and the dot is printed on the recording paper Pa.
Similarly, when the control signals STB2 to STB8 are input, the second to eighth
Each NAND circuit in the block operates, and print data is printed in block units.

FIG. 24 shows a time chart of the control signals STB1 to STB8. The control signals STB1 to STB8 are input in a time-division manner, and 62 print data are printed. In this case, the heating time of each heating resistor Ri of the heating unit 505 is controlled by the control signals STB1 to STB.
8 are controlled by the respective pulse widths T1 to T8.
8 determines the printing energy. Since the magnitude of the printing energy is proportional to the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 410, the temperature of the thermal head 410 is monitored by the thermistor 506, and the pulse width is controlled in accordance with a change in the temperature, whereby the printing energy is appropriately held. You. That is, the pulse widths T1 to T8 of the control signals STB1 to STB8 are shortened when the temperature rises, and lengthened when the temperature falls.

In the melting mode or the hand scan mode,
The gradation control is not performed depending on the magnitude of the printing energy, but in the sublimation type or gradation thermal mode, the gradation control is performed according to the magnitude of the printing energy.

The n-gradation control in the sublimation type or gradation thermal mode is performed by converting the image data of each dot into a gradation level and printing with a predetermined pulse width the number of times corresponding to the gradation level. That is, the image data of one line is converted into print data of n lines based on the gradation level data of each dot. For example, a dot having image data of k gradation levels is converted so that data with print is output for 1 to k lines and data without print is output for k + 1 to n lines. Then, on the same line, each of these print data is printed by control signals STB1 to STB8 having a pulse width corresponding to the print energy for one gradation. Therefore, the printing operation is performed n times in the same line. However, the image data of each dot is printed the number of times corresponding to the gradation level, for example, the dot having the image data of the k gradation level is printed only k times. Printing of image data according to the tone level is performed.

Next, the operation of the camera will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the main flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 (A) and 25 (B).

When the main power supply battery EB is mounted, the contents of various flags and registers are reset to initial values (# 5), and the main routine of the camera operation is executed.

First, a control signal _DCON of “00” is transmitted from the CPU 100 to the DC / DC converter 200, and the driving of the DC / DC converter 200 is stopped (# 10). Subsequently, if the main capacitor C of the flash unit 108 is boosting (charging), the boosting is stopped (# 15). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the switch S _REC is on (# 20). If the switch S _REC is off (a mode other than the recording mode) (NO in # 20), the switch S _OFF is further _turned on. Is determined (#
25) If the switch S _OFF is in the off state (the camera is in the operating state) (NO in # 25), the process proceeds to a “playback” routine described later. If the switch S _OFF is on (YE at # 25)
S), the type of the taking lens 11 of the camera unit 1 is determined (# 30), and if it is set as a standard lens (# 30)
NO), returning to # 5, if the lens is set as a macro lens (YES at # 30), switching to the standard lens and returning to # 5 to put the camera in an inoperative state.

If the switch S _REC is on (recording mode) at # 20 (YES at # 20), it is determined whether the switch S _REC has been switched on from the switch S _OFF and turned on (# 4).
0) If the switch has been switched from the switch S _OFF to the switch S _REC (YES in # 40), the flag FCHG is set to 1 to indicate the boosting of the main capacitor C, and the process proceeds to # 50 (# 45). If the ON state of the switch S _REC continues (NO in # 40), the process jumps to # 50. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the switch S _CARD is turned on (# 50), and the switch S _CARD is turned off (memory card 1).
If 12 is not mounted) (NO in # 50), the flag FIC is reset to 0, and the flow shifts to # 85 (# 55). The flag FIC is a flag indicating a mounted state of the memory card 112,
If it is reset to "0", it indicates that it is not mounted, and if it is set to "1", it indicates that it is mounted. If the switch S _CARD is on (# 5
(YES at 0), and it is determined whether the switch _SCARD has been switched from OFF to ON (# 60). If it has been switched from OFF to ON (YES at # 60), the flag FIC is reset to 0. If the switch is reset and the ON state of the switch S _CARD continues (NO in # 60), the process jumps to # 70. In # 70, the flag FIC is determined, and if FIC = 1 (N in # 70
O), proceed to # 85, and if FIC = 0 (YES in # 70),
The flag FIC is set to 1 (# 75), and after the management information of the recording data is read from the memory card 112 to the CPU 100 (# 80), the process proceeds to # 85. Then, in # 85,
It is determined whether or not all image data in the memory card 112 is protected (# 85). If not protected (NO in # 85), it is determined that shooting is possible, and the switch is turned on.
Whether S ₁ is ON is discriminated (# 90). If switch S ₁ is turned on (YES at # 90), and further determines whether the switch S ₁ is switched from OFF to ON (# 95), if the switched from OFF to ON ( # 95
YES), and shifts to the “S ₁ ” routine to be described later to prepare for shooting. On the other hand, (YES at # 85) when all the image data in # 85 is protected, (NO at # 90) when in an off state of the switch S ₁ in # 90, or a switch S ₁ at # 95
When the ON state of the is continued (NO in # 95), # 100
Go to # 125 and switch S _MODE , S _FL , S _MONO , S _MAC , S _PRO
And S _ADJ are turned on in this order, and if any switch is on, switching to the mode or set value selected by that switch is performed. That is, if the switch S _MODE is ON (YES in # 100), the shooting mode is switched to the set mode (# 130), and if the switch _SFL is ON (YES in # 105), the flash The mode is switched to the set mode (# 135), and if switch S _MONO is on (YES in # 110), the mode is switched to the binarization mode (# 14).
0), if the switch S _MAC is on (YES in # 115),
The photographing lens 11 is switched to the macro lens (# 14)
5) If switch S _PRO is on (YES in # 120),
The protected state of the recorded image is switched to the set state (protected or unprotected state) (# 15).
0), if the switch S _ADJ is on (YES in # 125),
The date is changed to the set value (# 155), and the process returns to # 10. If any of the switches is in the off state in # 100 to # 125, it is determined whether 1 is set in the flag FCHG (# 160), and if FCHG = 0 (N in # 160)
O) Since the flash is not fired, the process immediately returns to step # 10. If FCHG is 1 in # 160 (YES in # 160), it is further determined whether the boosting (charging) of the main capacitor C is completed (# 165), and if the charging is completed (# 165 YES), returning to # 10, if the charging is not completed (NO in # 165), the boosting of the main capacitor C is started (# 175), and the process returns to # 10.

Next, the “S ₁ ” routine will be described with reference to FIG.

When the switch S ₁ is turned on, if in the main capacitor C is boosted, the booster is stopped (# 180), the battery check of the main power supply battery EB is performed (# 185). As a result of battery check, main power battery EB is defective (insufficient capacity)
If (NO in # 190), a warning is displayed on the display 25,
The photographing operation ends (# 195). If the main power supply battery EB is good (YES in # 190), the DC / DC converter 200
After the control signal D _CON of “00” is transmitted and the driving of the DC / DC converter 200 is stopped (# 200), the distance is measured by the distance measuring unit 104 (# 205). Photometry is performed (# 210). Subsequently, it is determined whether the subject brightness is low based on the photometric data (# 215). If the brightness is low (YES in # 215), it is further determined whether the flash mode is the non-emission mode. (# 225).
If the flash mode is the non-emission mode (YE in # 225)
S), proceeding to # 260, if the flash mode is the light emission mode (NO in # 225), it is determined whether or not the charging of the main capacitor C to complete the emission of the flash 6 has been completed (# 230); Is completed (YES in # 230),
The boost operation is stopped, and the routine goes to # 260. If the charging is not completed in # 230 (NO in # 230), the switches S _REC and S
_The main capacitor C is boosted while determining whether ₁ changes to the off state (# 230, # 240 to # 250 loop). When charging is completed without turning off both the switches S _REC and S1 (YES in # 230),
The boost operation is stopped, and the routine goes to # 260. On the other hand, when any of the switches S _REC or S ₁ during the boosting period is changed to the OFF state (NO in NO or # 250 and # 245), the process returns to the to # 10 stops the photographic preparation operation.

If the subject brightness is not low at # 215 (N at # 215
O) Further, it is determined whether or not the flash mode is the forced light emission mode (# 220). If the flash mode is not the forced light emission mode (NO in # 220), the process proceeds to # 260,
If the mode is the forced light emission mode (YES in # 220), the process proceeds to # 230 and the above-described boosting operation (loop of # 230, # 240 to # 250) is performed.

In # 260, whether the switch S ₂ is on is determined, if turned on, is discriminated whether there are more shooting mode is self-mode (# 265), if the photographing mode is a self mode ( If YES in # 265), a known self-photographing control is performed (# 267). If the shooting mode is not the self mode (NO in # 265), a control signal D _CON of “10” is sent from the CPU 100 to the DC / DC converter 200, and the DC / DC converter 200 sends the control signal D _CON to the imaging unit 202 and the camera unit 203. Power is supplied (# 270). Thereby, the imaging unit 202 and the camera unit
203 starts. Then, move to the "exposure" routine,
Exposure control is performed (# 280).

Exposure control is performed according to the "exposure" routine of FIG. 27. First, it is determined whether or not 1 is set in the flag FIC (# 281). If FIC = 1 (YE in # 281)
S), the memory card 112 is selected as a recording medium (# 28)
2) If FIC = 0, the internal memory 31 as a recording medium
After 1 and 312 are selected (# 283), exposure control (imaging by the CCD 101) is performed (# 284). Then, after the above-described predetermined signal processing is performed, the image pickup signal is recorded on the selected recording medium (# 285), the frame number displayed on the display 25 is updated, and the process returns (# 286).

Returning to FIG. 26, when the exposure control is completed, the DC
The control signal D _CON of “00” is sent to the / DC converter 200,
The driving of the DC / DC converter 200 is stopped (# 290).
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode (# 310), and if the shooting mode is not the continuous shooting mode (# 310).
NO), return to # 10, and if in continuous shooting mode (# 31
If YES, the process returns to step # 185 to perform the next shooting.
If the switch S ₂ is in the OFF state at # 260 (NO in # 260),
It is determined whether the shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode (# 29).
5) If the shooting mode is continuous shooting mode (YE in # 295)
S), returns to # 10, if not in continuous shooting mode (# 295
NO), it is determined whether the switches S _REC and S ₁ change to the off state (# 300, # 305), and the switch S _REC or S _{1 is determined.}
Is turned off (NO in # 300 or NO in # 305
NO), the photographing preparation operation is stopped, and the process returns to # 10. If both the switches S _REC and S1 are on (YES in # 300 and # 305), the process returns to # 260.

Next, the "reproduction" routine will be described with reference to FIG.

In the reproduction mode, if the main capacitor C is boosting, the boosting is stopped (# 400), and the flag F
The IC and FRBN are reset to 0 and the process proceeds to the SMAIN routine (# 405). The flag FRBN is a flag indicating whether or not the ink ribbon is in a printable state. If FRBN = 0, it indicates a printable state, and if FRBN = 1, it indicates a print disabled state, that is, the end of winding.

In the SMIN routine, it is determined whether or not the switch S _REP or S _PRI is on (# 410). If both are off (TV playback and printout are prohibited) (# 41)
If it is 0 (NO), the process returns to # 10, and if any switch is on (YES in # 410), it is further determined whether or not the switch S _CARD is on (# 415). Switch S
_{If the CARD} is in the off state (the memory card 112 is not mounted) (NO in # 415), the flag FIC is reset to 0 and # 450
(# 420). If switch S _CARD is on at # 415 (YES at # 415), switch SCARD is turned off
It is determined whether it has been switched to ON (# 425), and it is OFF.
If the flag FIC is reset to 0 (# 430), and if the switch SCARD remains on (NO in # 425), # 4 is set.
Jump to 35. In # 435, the flag FIC is determined, and
If C = 1 (NO in # 435), the flow shifts to # 450 and FIC = 0
If (YES in # 435), the flag FIC is set to 1 (# 440), and after the management information of the recording data is read from the memory card 112 to the CPU 100 (# 445), the flag FIC is set to # 450. Transition. At # 450, the presence or absence of a recorded image is determined, and if there is no recorded image (NO at # 450), "no recorded image" is displayed on the display 25, and the process returns to # 410.

If it is a recording image at # 450 (YES at # 450), switch S
_It is determined whether _UP or S _DOWN has been turned on (# 460),
If both are off (NO in # 460), the process proceeds to # 485, and if any switch is on (YE in # 460)
S), it is further determined whether or not the switch has been switched from OFF to ON (# 465). Switch S _UP or S _DOWN
Is not switched from OFF to ON (N in # 465
O), shift to # 485, switch S _UP or S _DOWN from OFF to O
If the switch has been switched to N (YES in # 465), it is determined which switch has been turned on (# 470). If the switch S _UP has been turned on (YES in # 470), the next recorded image Is accessed (# 475), and if the switch S _DOWN is turned on (NO in # 470), the previous recorded image is accessed (# 475), and the process returns to # 410. In # 485, it is determined whether the switch S _MAL is on (# 48
5) If switch S _MAL is on (YES in # 485),
"Multi display" is lit on the display 25 (# 490), and if the switch S _MAL is off (NO in # 485), the display 25
Is turned off (# 495), and then display 2
The piece number is displayed in 5 (# 500). Then switch S
It is determined whether the _PRO is on (# 505), and if the switch _SPRO is on (YES in # 505), the recording image is protected (# 510), and the process proceeds to # 515. And
If the switch S _PRO is off (NO in # 505), # 515
Jump to In # 515, whether the switch S _REP is on is determined, if the switch S _REP is turned on (YES at # 515), TV playback process of a recorded image is performed (#
520), if the switch S _REP is in the OFF state (N in # 515)
O) Printout of the recorded image is performed (# 525), and thereafter, the process returns to # 410.

Next, the "print" routine will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 (A), (B), (C) and (D).

In the print mode, first, it is determined whether or not the ink ribbon 416 is set (# 530). If the ink ribbon 416 is not set (NO in # 530),
The mode is determined as the gradation thermal mode, and the mode is stored (# 53).
5) Go to # 600.

If the ink ribbon 416 is set (YE at # 530)
S) Further, it is determined whether or not black is detected by the ribbon cueing sensors A417 and B418 (# 540), and if black is not detected by both ribbon cueing sensors A417 and B418 (# 5).
If YES at 40), the mode is determined to be the hand scan mode, and the printing process by the hand scan described later is performed. If black is not detected by both ribbon cueing sensors A417 and B418 at # 540 (NO at # 540), it is determined whether or not flag FRBN is reset to 0 (# 545). If NO in # 545), it is determined that the winding of the ink ribbon 416 has been completed, and the flow shifts to # 580, where the winding operation of the ink ribbon 416 is stopped. If FRBN = 0 in # 545 (YES in # 545), it is determined that the ink ribbon 416 has a remaining amount, and the DC servo motor 4
20 is rotated in the j direction (see FIG. 11), and winding of the ink ribbon 416, that is, cueing is started (# 55).
0). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the black marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor A417 (# 555). If the black marker m is not detected by only the ribbon cue sensor A417 (NO in # 555), the ribbon is further increased. It is determined whether or not the black marker m is detected only by the cue sensor B418 (# 565).
If the black marker m is not detected only by the cueing sensor B418 (NO in # 565), that is, if the black marker m is not detected by any of the ribbon cueing sensors A417 and B418, a timer (not shown) is used. After the black marker m is detected for a predetermined period of time (# 555, # 565, # 585 loop), the DC servo motor 420 is stopped and the ink ribbon 416 is stopped.
Is stopped (# 590), and an error is displayed on the display 25 (# 595). On the other hand, ribbon cue sensor A417
If only the black marker m is detected (YES in # 555), the mode is determined to be the fusion type mode, and that mode is stored (# 56).
0), if the black marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor A418 (YES in # 565), the mode is determined to be the sublimation mode, the mode is stored (# 570), and the routine proceeds to # 575. # 57
In 5, the flag FRBN is set to 1 (# 575). Subsequently, the winding operation of the ink ribbon 416 is stopped, and the cueing ends (# 580). Subsequently, whether the switch S ₂ is turned on is determined (# 600), if the switch S ₂ is in the OFF state (NO at # 600), the process returns to # 410, if switch S ₂ is turned on (YES in # 600), recording paper detection sensor A4
14, The type of the recording paper Pa by B415 is detected. That is, the black marker M is detected by the recording paper detection sensor A414 or B415.
Is determined (# 605). If the black marker M is not detected by any of the sensors A414 and B415 (NO in # 605), the process returns to # 410. If the black marker M is detected by the recording paper detection sensors A414 and B415 (YES in # 605), it is further determined whether or not the black marker M is detected only by the recording paper detection sensor A414 (# 610).
If the black marker M is detected only by the recording paper detection sensor A414 (YES in # 610), it is further determined whether or not the printing mode is the sublimation mode (# 615). If the print mode is the sublimation mode (YES in # 615), the process proceeds to # 650. If the print mode is not the sublimation mode (NO in # 615), the ink ribbon 416 matches the recording paper Pa. Since there is no such error, the display 25 displays a media mismatch error (# 635). Until both recording paper detection sensors A414 and B415 detect black, that is, until the mismatched recording paper Pa is removed, the medium mismatch error display is performed (loop of # 635 and # 640). When the recording paper Pa is removed, the mismatch error display is turned off (# 645), and the process returns to # 410.

If the black marker M is not detected only by the recording paper detection sensor A414 in # 610 (NO in # 610), it is further determined whether the black marker M is detected only by the recording paper detection sensor B415 (# 620). If the black marker M is detected only by the recording paper detection sensor B415 (YES in # 620), it is further determined whether the printing mode is the gradation thermal mode (# 62).
0). If the print mode is the gradation thermal mode (YE at # 625)
S), proceeding to # 650, if the printing mode is not the gradation thermal mode (NO in # 625), proceed to # 635- # 645, and the above-mentioned mismatch error display is performed.

If the black marker M is not detected only by the recording paper detection sensor B415 in # 620, that is, the recording paper detection sensor A414
If the black marker M is not detected by any of the sensors B415 and B415 (NO in # 620), it is further determined whether or not the print mode is the fusion mode (# 630). If the printing mode is the fusion mode (YES in # 630), the process proceeds to # 650, and if the printing mode is not the fusion mode (# 630)
NO), the process proceeds to steps # 635 to # 645, and the above-described mismatch error display is performed.

In # 650, the battery check of the main power supply battery EB is performed, and if the main power supply battery EB is defective (insufficient capacity) (# 655
NO), a warning is displayed on the display 25, and the operation is terminated (# 660). As a result of the battery check, if the main power supply battery EB is good (YES in # 655), the recording paper Pa is transported by the DC servo motor 420 by a predetermined amount in the insertion direction (b direction in FIG. 10) (# 665). . Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the printing mode is the gradation thermal mode (# 670). If the printing mode is not the gradation thermal mode (NO in # 670), the number of times of printing 3 is set in the color counter (# 670). 675), if the printing mode is the gradation thermal mode (YES in # 670), the number of printings 1 is set in the color counter (# 680), and then the thermal head 410 prints on the recording paper Pa via the ink ribbon 416. It is pressed (# 685). Subsequently, the recording paper Pa is moved by the DC servo motor 420 to set the printing start position.
A predetermined amount is conveyed to the second side (# 690), and the total number of lines of one screen (for example, 768 lines) is set (# 695).
Subsequently, a control signal _DCON of “11” is transmitted from the CPU 100 to the DC / DC converter 200, and power is supplied from the DC / DC converter 200 to the printer unit 111 and the camera unit 203 (# 70).
0). This activates the printer unit 111 and the camera unit 203. Subsequently, printing of one line for yellow and paper feeding of the recording paper Pa to the recording paper insertion port 42 side are alternately repeated (loop of # 705 and # 710), and when printing for one screen is completed ( # 710: YES), CPU 100 to DC / DC converter 200
Then, the control signal _DCON of “00” is transmitted, and the drive of the DC / DC converter 200 is stopped (# 715). Subsequently, the color counter value is decremented by 1 (# 720), and it is determined whether the color counter value is 0 (# 725). If the color counter value is not 0 (# 725
NO), after the thermal head 410 is switched to the rest position (# 730), the recording paper Pa is inserted again in the insertion direction (b direction in FIG. 7).
Is transported by a predetermined amount (the amount of approach + 1 the total number of lines of one screen) (# 735), and printing of one screen for the next color is performed in # 685 to # 725. Then, printing for one screen is completed for each of the colors magenta and cyan, and when the color counter value becomes 0 at # 725 (YES at # 725), printing is completed, and the recording paper Pa is inserted into the recording paper insertion port 42. Is discharged to the side (# 74
0) After the thermal head 410 is switched to the rest position (# 730), the flag FRBN is reset to 0 and the process returns to # 410 (# 750).

If black is detected by both the ribbon leading sensors A417 and B418 in # 540 (YES in # 540), it is determined that the hand scan mode is set, and the mode is stored (# 755).
Subsequently, whether the switch S ₂ is turned on is determined (# 760), if the switch S ₂ is in the OFF state (at # 760 N
O), the process returns to # 410, if switch S ₂ is turned on (YES at # 760), the battery check of the main power supply battery EB is performed (# 765). If the main power battery EB is defective (insufficient capacity) as a result of the battery check (NO in # 770), a warning is displayed on the display 25 and the operation is terminated (# 775). On the other hand, if the main power supply battery EB is good (YES in # 770), the rotation of the nip roller 412 is started by the detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 413 (YES in # 780), and the thermal head 410 is pressed against the recording paper Pa. (# 785). Subsequently, after the total number of lines of one screen (for example, 768 lines) is set (# 79)
0), a control signal _DCON of “11” is sent from the CPU 100 to the DC / DC converter 200, and power is supplied from the DC / DC converter 200 to the printer unit 111 and the camera unit 203 (# 795).
Subsequently, in synchronization with the rotation speed of the nip roller 412, that is, in synchronization with the paper feed speed of the recording paper Pa toward the recording paper insertion port 42 with respect to the thermal head 410, printing of one line and paper of the recording paper Pa are performed. Is alternately repeated (# 800, #
(805, loop of # 810) Printing of one screen is performed. When printing for one screen is completed (YES in # 805), the CP
The control signal _DCON of “00” is transmitted from the U100 to the DC / DC converter 200, and the driving of the DC / DC converter 200 is stopped (# 815). Subsequently, after the thermal head 410 is switched to the rest position (# 820), the process returns to # 410.

In the above embodiment, the image signal from the camera unit 1 is branched into the TV playback unit and the printer unit 4 in the TV playback unit 2. However, the recorded image is printed. In this case, it is preferable that the image signal from the camera unit 1 is directly guided to the printer unit 4. In consideration of this, for example, the image signal from the camera unit 1 is stored in the TV playback unit 3.
A signal line leading into the TV playback unit 3 and a through line leading directly to the printer unit 4 are provided, and the signal line in the TV playback unit 3 and the through line are switched by a control signal from the CPU 100 in the camera unit 1. You may make it control. Further, a print switch may be provided in the printer unit 4, and the signal line may be switched to a through line when the print switch is turned on. Such branch control of the signal line can be applied to the monitor unit 5 as well.

In this embodiment, a memory card for recording digital data is used as an external recording medium. However, a floppy disk for recording analog data, an optical disk, or an optical card may be used.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a camera unit, a TV playback unit, a monitor unit, a printer unit, and other units are made into a unit that can be attached to each other, thereby achieving a systematization of a still video camera. Therefore, by configuring a still video camera according to the purpose of use, a large number of functions can be properly used according to the purpose.

In addition, while the system can be expanded at low cost, only the necessary units can be combined according to the purpose of use, so the still video camera for each purpose is compactly configured and the camera's inherent operability , Portability and the like are not impaired.

According to the present invention, the playback unit and the printer unit are detachably connected to the camera unit to form a unit, and the operation members of the playback unit and the printer unit are shared and installed in the camera unit. With this configuration, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the reproducing unit and the printer unit, and to eliminate the complexity of the operation due to the scattered operation members.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a still video camera system including a camera unit, a TV playback unit, and a printer unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the still video camera system separated into individual units. Is a perspective view showing a monitor unit, FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of a still video camera system including a camera unit, a monitor unit and a printer unit, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the chill video camera system having the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 6 (A) is a diagram showing a power supply relationship of a power supply unit of the system, FIG. 6 (B) is a diagram showing a control line between a CPU and a DC / DC converter, and FIG. 7A and 7B are detailed block diagrams of a signal processing unit, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a printer unit, FIG.
The figure is a front sectional view of the printer unit, and FIG. 10 is XX of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is a view showing the configuration of an ink ribbon for sublimation, FIG. 13 is a view showing a configuration of an ink ribbon for fusing, FIG. Fig. 15 shows an example of a marker on a sublimation recording paper, Fig. 15 shows an example of a marker on a gradation thermal recording paper, Fig. 16 shows a hand scan type ink ribbon, and Fig. 17 shows a cut. FIG. 18 shows a configuration of a printer unit for sheet type recording paper, FIG. 18 shows a configuration of a hand scan type printer unit, and FIG. 19 shows a configuration of a printer unit for roll type gradation thermal recording paper. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the recording paper insertion section, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the thermal head, FIG.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an input timing chart of print data in a fusion type or a hand scan mode, FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an input timing chart of print data in a sublimation type or a gradation thermal mode, and FIG. time chart showing the, Figure 25 (a), (B) is the main flow chart for explaining the camera operation, the flow chart of FIG. 26 "S _1" subroutine, the flow chart of FIG. 27 is "exposed" subroutine, first Figure 28 is "Play"
Flowchart of the subroutine, FIG. 29 (A),
(B), (C), and (D) are flowcharts of the “print” subroutine. 1 ... Camera unit, 3 ... TV playback unit, 4 ...
... Printer unit, 5 ... Monitor unit, 11 ...
Shooting lens, 12: Viewfinder window, 13: AF projector, 14
… Flash, 15… Release / print start button, 16… Mode switch, 17… Protect switch, 18… Multi-switch, 19… Flash firing mode switch, 20… Date setting switch, 21 ......
Shooting mode switch, 22, 23 ... Access button, 2
4… Macro / two-level mode switch, 25… Display unit, 31… Output terminal for TV, 41… Printer case, 42…
... Recording paper insertion slot, 43 ... Recording paper storage section, 26, 32, 52 ... Connection section, 51 ... Display section, 100 ... CPU (system controller), 101 ... Solid-state image sensor (CCD), 102 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. , 110… BC (battery check) circuit, 111… Printer section, 112… Memory card, 200… DC / DC converter, 201… Regulator
02: Image pickup unit, 203: Camera unit, 204: Internal memory,
301: CCD driver, 302: CCD-TG, 303: CDS, 30
4 GC (gain controller), 305 A / D converter, 306 WB processing circuit, 307 γ correction circuit, 308
Process circuit, 309 Matrix circuit, 310 Address generation circuit, 311, 312 Memory, 313 Data selector and compression / decompression unit, 314 Interface (card I / F), 315 TV output signal Processing circuit, 316,317 …… D
/ A converter, 318 oscillator, 319 multi-playback controller, 320 multi-video memory, 321 printer data conversion circuit, 400 thermal head control circuit, 401 solenoid / motor drive Circuit, 402: Sensor input circuit, 403: Thermal head block, 404:
… Paper feed block, 405… Ink ribbon feed block, 410… Thermal head, 411… Solenoid for thermal head press contact, 412… Nip roller, 4
13: Rotation detection sensor, A414, B415: Recording paper detection sensor, 416: Ink ribbon, 416a: Transparent part, A417,
B418… Ribbon cue sensor, 419… Ribbon set detection sensor, 420… DC servo motor, 421… Platen roller, 422,423,424, A, B, C, D, E… Gear, 425… Grip roller , 426 ... storage case, 427 ... plunger,
428… lever, 429… shaft, 430… fulcrum, 431… supply roller, 432… take-up roller, 433… sliding clutch, 43
4 Slit plate, 500 Output control unit, 501, 502 Shift register, 503 Latch circuit, 504 Head driver, 505 Heating unit, 506 Thermistor, 507 Inverter, EB main power _{battery, S 1, S 2, S} OFF, S REC, S REP, S
_PRI , S _UP , S _DOWN , S _PRO , S _MAL , S _MAC , S _MONO , S _CARD , S _FL , S _ADJ ,
S _MODE ... switch, m, M ... marker, Pa ... recording paper.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hirokazu Naruto 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-shi Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshito Tanaka Azuchi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 2-3-13 Machi, Osaka Kokusai Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Dai Shintani 2-3-13, Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka Kokusai Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Namba Katsuyuki 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-261270 (JP, A) JP-A-61-65669 (JP, A) JP-A-3-29471 (JP, A) JP-A-3-14879 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/225 B41J 2/00 H04 N 5/76

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A camera unit comprising: an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject by a photoelectric conversion element; a recording unit for recording image data picked up by the image pickup unit; and an image data recorded in a recording unit of the camera unit. A TV playback unit that generates image data for TV playback; anda printer unit that generates image data for printing from the recorded image data and prints out a captured image on a recording sheet. A still video camera system, wherein a reproducing unit and a printer unit are configured to be detachable from each other. 2. A camera unit comprising: an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject by a photoelectric conversion element; and a recording unit for recording image data picked up by the image pickup unit on a predetermined recording medium, and detachably attached to the camera unit. And a playback unit that plays back a captured image based on image data recorded in a recording unit of the camera unit, and is configured to be detachably attached to the camera unit and recorded in a recording unit of the camera unit. A printer unit for printing a photographed image on recording paper based on image data, wherein a common operation member relating to operation of an image to be reproduced and printed in the reproduction unit and the printer unit is provided in the camera unit. A still video camera system. 3. The still video camera system according to claim 2, wherein the operation member is a feed operation member for sequentially changing an image to be reproduced or printed.