JP3238474B2 - Remote control device for still video camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a still video camera, and more particularly to a remote control device capable of controlling a photographing operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging device having a solid-state imaging device (CCD) has been known. In this imaging apparatus, an image is taken by forming an image of external incident light on a CCD and performing photoelectric conversion. In such an imaging device,
2. Description of the Related Art Some remote control (hereinafter, referred to as a remote control) is used for controlling a shooting operation. That is,
A remote control signal such as an infrared signal emitted from the remote control device is photoelectrically converted by a sensor provided in the still video camera, and based on this, decoded by a CPU or the like,
Accordingly, each device of the camera is controlled to perform an operation such as photographing.

[0003]

However, an image pickup apparatus having the above-described remote control function requires a sensor, a decoder, and a circuit block associated therewith, and a space for accommodating these sensors and the like is required. Required. There is a problem that securing this space is a factor that hinders downsizing of the still video camera.

An object of the present invention is to provide a remote controller for a still video camera that can be remotely controlled without hindering miniaturization.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a remote controller for a still video camera, comprising: an image pickup device having a light receiving portion capable of forming an image of a subject; And means for performing control corresponding to the infrared signal.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An opening 12 is formed in the front of the camera body 11 of the still video camera, and the opening 12 can be opened and closed by a lens cover 13. In the camera body 11, an aperture blade 14 is provided at a position close to the lens cover 13, and a lens 15, an infrared cutoff optical filter 16, a CC
D17 are provided in this order. Lens cover 13
Is opened and closed by the drive mechanism 18 based on the control of the MPU 30. The opening and closing of the aperture blade 14 is performed by the MPU 3
This is performed by the drive mechanism 19 based on the control of 0.

The lens cover 13 comprises two cover members 13a and 13b which are vertically divided in this embodiment. Each of the cover members 13a and 13b includes a storage portion 21 formed above and below the opening 12 when the opening 12 is opened.
22.

An opening 23 for receiving an infrared signal as a remote control signal is formed in the lower storage section 22. At a position corresponding to the receiving opening 23 of the storage section 22,
An optical filter 24 that passes only infrared signals is provided.
Are connected at one end. The other end of the optical fiber 25 faces the lower end of the light receiving section 17a of the CCD 17. Therefore, the infrared signal output from the remote controller is applied to the light receiving unit 17a via the receiving aperture 23, the optical filter 24, and the optical fiber 25.

The opening 1 is formed by the cover members 13a and 13b.
When the shutter 2 is open, incident light from the outside is imaged on the light receiving portion 17a of the CCD 17 via the optical system, and photoelectric conversion is performed. The driving and control of the CCD 17 is performed by the MPU 3
This is performed by the drive circuit 27 based on the control of 0. In this state, the receiving opening 23 is shielded from light by the cover member 13b housed in the housing part 22. Therefore, the infrared component contained in the natural light is not irradiated to the CCD 17 via the optical filter 24 and the optical fiber 25, and the captured image is not affected by the infrared light.

The opening 1 is formed by the cover members 13a and 13b.
When the shutter 2 is closed, light from the outside is blocked by the cover 13, and is transmitted through the optical system such as the lens 15.
It is not led to CD17. However, since the receiving opening 23 is open in the lower storage section 22, light from the outside is guided to the CCD 17 from the opening 23. That is, the infrared signal from the remote control device is
CC via the optical filter 24 and the optical fiber 25
The light is guided to the lower end of the light receiving portion 17a of D17, and as described later, operations such as photographing by the remote control device can be performed. Note that the infrared signal is applied to a portion near the end of the light receiving portion 17a, and the output of this portion (non-effective area) is not normally used as an image signal of a subject, but is used because a synchronization signal or the like is added in subsequent processing. Will be erased.

As described above, in this embodiment, the optical filter 2
4 and an optical fiber 25 to transmit an infrared signal to the CCD 1
7, and the infrared signal is transmitted to the CCD 17
Is converted into a luminance signal by the photoelectric conversion effect of the above, thereby controlling the photographing operation by the remote control device.
That is, the CCD 17 can be used as a sensor for receiving a remote control signal together with imaging of a subject.

In the CCD 17, an image pickup signal is formed, for example, for each field. This imaging signal is supplied to a CDS (correlated double sampling circuit) 31, and reset noise is reduced. Then, the imaging signal is supplied to an AD converter 33 via an amplifier 32, and is converted into a digital signal.
The signal is supplied to an SP (digital signal processing circuit) 34. DS
In P34, various signal processes such as γ correction are performed on the digital image pickup signal based on the control of the MPU 30.
The digital imaging signal is supplied to a next-stage circuit (not shown) via a terminal 35, converted into a composite video signal conforming to, for example, the NTSC system, and output for monitoring.

The MPU 30 is a microcomputer for controlling the entire image pickup apparatus, and a key switch 36 is connected to the MPU 30. This key switch 36
When a desired mode or function or the like is selected by operating the
It is supplied to U30. In the MPU 30, the key switch 3
Based on the signal supplied from 6, the mode setting of the imaging apparatus is performed, and the operation control for each circuit block is performed to execute the operation in the set mode.

The first and second memories 41 and 42 temporarily store 1H (horizontal scanning period) digital image pickup signals (ie, remote control signals) corresponding to the CCD light receiving section 17a to which infrared signals from the remote control device are irradiated. Provided for temporary storage. These memories 41 and 42 are line memories, each of which can store a digital image pickup signal for one horizontal scanning period (1H). Note that the first and second memories 41 and 42 are not limited to line memories, but may be, for example, field memories.

In the preceding and succeeding stages of the memories 41 and 42,
The changeover switches 43 and 44 are respectively connected. The changeover switches 43 and 44 are controlled to be switched by the MPU 30. That is, the changeover switch 43 is set to the first
Switch 44 when connected to the memory 41 of the
Are connected to the second memory 42. Conversely, when the changeover switch 43 is connected to the second memory 42, the changeover switch 44 is connected to the first memory 41. As a result, the 1H digital imaging signal output from the DSP 34 is stored in the first or second memory 41, 42, and the 1H digital imaging signal stored in the first or second memory 41, 42 is , Are input to the level difference detection circuit 45.

Here, the operation of taking in the 1H digital image pickup signal into the level difference detection circuit 45 will be described. The changeover switches 43 and 44 operate for one field period (1/60
Every second), and the timing of the connection state switching is the same. First, the changeover switch 43 is connected to the first memory 41, and the digital imaging signal of 1H is
At the same time as being directly input from 34 to the level difference detection circuit 45, it is also input to the first memory 41. At this time,
The changeover switch 44 is connected to the second memory 42, and at the same time when the output signal from the DSP 34 is input to the detection circuit 45, the 1H digital signal of one field before stored in the second memory 42 is stored. The imaging signal is input to the level difference detection circuit 45.

Similarly, the changeover switch 43 is connected to the second memory 42, and the digital imaging signal of 1H is
At the same time, the signal is input to the level difference detection circuit 45 and also to the second memory 42. Further, at this time, the changeover switch 44 is connected to the first memory 41, and D
At the same time that the output signal from the SP 34 is input to the detection circuit 45, the 1H digital imaging signal one field before stored in the first memory 41 is output to the level difference detection circuit 4.
5 is input.

In the level difference detection circuit 45, under the control of the MPU 30, 1H digital imaging signals of a portion irradiated with infrared light in two continuous fields are simultaneously inputted from two input terminals, and the digital imaging signals Two consecutive
A determination is made as to whether the field level difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If the level difference between the two inputs is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the comparison output signal CYL (i) = 1 is set,
If there is no level difference exceeding a predetermined value, the comparison output signal C
YL (i) = 0 is set. This comparison output signal CY
L (i) is supplied to the MPU 30.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The flow chart of FIG. 2 shows the detection operation in the level difference detection circuit 45, and FIGS.
In the flowchart, the determination in the MPU 30 and the control operation of the imaging device are shown.

The program for the level difference detection operation in FIG.
The operation is started when the remote control mode is selected by operating the key switch 36. Also, as an initial state of the program, the lens cover 13 is closed and the reception opening 23 is closed.
Are opened, and the CCD 17 is driven by the drive circuit 27.

In step 101, a level difference of a luminance signal between two consecutive fields is obtained. That is, the level difference is output from the DSP 34 directly to the level difference detection circuit 4.
The luminance level of the digital imaging signal input to 5 and the luminance level of the digital imaging signal that is one field before and stored in the memory are compared with each other. FIG. 5 shows the comparison of the level difference between the luminance signals.
This will be described next with reference to FIG.

The composite synchronizing signal CSY is equal to the horizontal synchronizing signal HSY.
And a vertical synchronizing signal included in the vertical blanking period VBLK. When the infrared signal is not transmitted in a state where the receiving opening 23 is open, the luminance level YL is low as shown in FIG. 5B. On the other hand, when infrared rays are irradiated while the receiving opening 23 is open, the luminance level YL becomes a high level as shown in FIG. 5C. 1H is a period between one horizontal synchronizing signal HSY and the next horizontal synchronizing signal HSY.
The 1H digital imaging signal of one field and the 1H digital imaging signal of the previous field are stored in the memory 41.
Or 42.

As described above, since the infrared signal is irradiated to the ineffective area at the lower end of the CCD light receiving section 17a, the timing at which the luminance signal corresponding to the infrared signal is output is determined by the blanking period VBLK. Is the number H immediately before. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the luminance level YL taken in by the level difference detection circuit 45 is appropriately selected from the number H immediately before the blanking period VBLK, that is, 1H.

In step 102, step 10
The information indicating the presence or absence of the level difference obtained in
Output to PU30. In the MPU 30, control is performed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. On the other hand, in step 103, it is determined whether or not a stop command has been output from the MPU 30. The MPU 30 identifies a command based on the comparison output signal CYL (i). In this embodiment, the comparison output signal CYL
Based on (i), it is determined whether or not the remote control signal indicates a shutter release command. When this determination is completed, a stop command is issued from the MPU 30 to the level difference detection circuit 4.
5 is output.

If the level difference detection circuit 45 determines in step 103 that a command to stop the level difference detection operation has not been input, the process returns to step 101, and if the command to stop the level difference detection operation has been input. , And the process ends.

Next, the luminance level Y in each field
The detection of the change in L and the timing of outputting the comparison result to the MPU 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows the vertical synchronization signal VD, and FIG. 6B shows the emission timing of the infrared signal by the remote control device. FIG. 6C shows a luminance component YL of the CCD output.

As is clear from the figure, in each of the field periods VD1, VD3 and VD4 in the vertical synchronizing signal,
By operating the remote controller, an infrared signal is output from the remote controller at a predetermined timing. If the state in which the infrared signal is output is represented by ("1") and the state in which the infrared signal is not output is represented by ("0"), the code of the infrared signal output from the remote controller is ("10110"). This code is an output signal on the remote control device side corresponding to a release operation described later, and the cycle of outputting the infrared signal is a field cycle, that is, (1/60) seconds.

Since the infrared signal is output from the CCD 17 one field later than the light emission timing, the luminance level YL is detected as a high signal in each of the field periods VD2, VD4 and VD5 in the vertical synchronizing signal.

The detection of the level difference between the luminance levels YL is performed as follows. Periods VD2 and VD in the vertical synchronization signal
In each of the field periods D4 and VD5, the luminance level YL of the high signal is detected.
In each of the field periods of 1, VD3, and VD6, the luminance level YL of the high signal is not detected. When the level difference of the luminance level YL is obtained between two consecutive fields, the periods VD1 and VD2 in the vertical synchronization signal, the periods VD2 and VD3 in the vertical synchronization signal, and the periods VD3 and VD in the vertical synchronization signal are obtained.
4. It is determined that there is a level difference between the periods VD5 and VD6 in the vertical synchronization signal. Also, it is determined that there is no level difference between the periods VD4 and VD5 in the vertical synchronization signal.

These comparison results are output from a comparison output signal CYL.
Output as (i). For example, when the case where it is determined that there is a level difference is represented as “1” and the case where it is determined that there is no level difference is represented as “0”, the comparison output signal CYL (i)
(I = 1 to 5) is represented as “11101”. That is, when an infrared signal indicating a shutter release is output by the remote control device, the comparison output signal CYL (i) becomes “11101”.

Next, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG.
The operation of 30 will be described. This flowchart is
This indicates a shutter release operation. Steps 201 to 212 show a process of identifying the comparison output signal CYL (i) after the camera is in a state of waiting for a remote control signal, and a process of a release operation after step 213 is shown.

In this embodiment, a signal for setting a release mode is input to the MPU 30 by operating the key switch 36 prior to using the remote controller. Thus, the entire imaging device is set to the release mode. By setting this mode, the processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is executed. At this time, it is assumed that the photographing lens is focused on the subject.

In step 201, the lens cover 13 is closed and the receiving opening 23 is opened. Then, in step 202, the CCD 17 is driven, and in step 203
In this case, the voltage applied to the sub-substrate of the CCD 17 is reduced from the normal 15 V to, for example, 10 V, and the CCD 1
7 for the infrared signal.

Step 204 is a comparison output signal CYL.
Step (2) is repeatedly executed until (1) = 1 is input. When the comparison output signal CYL (1) = 1 is input, step 2 is executed.
Go to 05. That is, when the comparison output signal CYL (1) = 1 is input, step 205 is executed, and it is determined whether or not a shutter release command has been issued by the remote control device.

In step 205, one field period,
That is, the process waits for 1/60 second and proceeds to step 206.
In step 206, it is determined whether or not the comparison output signal CYL (2) = 1 has been input. Comparison output signal C
If YL (2) = 0, the process returns to step 204. If the comparison output signal CYL (2) = 1 is input, the process waits for one field period in step 207, and then proceeds to step 208. In step 208, the comparison output signal CY
It is determined whether L (3) = 1 has been input.
Step 20 if the comparison output signal CYL (3) = 0
4, when the comparison output signal CYL (3) = 1, the process waits for one field period in step 209, and then proceeds to step 210. In step 210, it is determined whether or not the comparison output signal CYL (4) = 1 has been supplied. If the comparison output signal CYL (4) = 1, the process returns to step 204. If the comparison output signal CYL (4) = 0, the process waits for one field period in step 211, and then proceeds to step 212. In step 212, it is determined whether or not the comparison output signal CYL (5) = 1 has been input. If the comparison output signal CYL (5) = 0, the process returns to step 204, and the comparison output signal CYL (5) = 1. If so, the process proceeds to step 213.

As described above, the comparison output signal CYL (= “1”
If 1101 ") is input, step 213 is executed, and it is recognized that a remote control signal indicating a release command has been input.
At 217, a release operation is performed.

In step 213, the voltage applied to the sub-substrate of the CCD 17 is increased to the normal state of 15V. In step 214, the lens cover 13
Is opened, and the receiving opening 23 of the lower storage section 22 is closed. Then, in step 216, the aperture blade 14 is adjusted. In step 217, a shutter release is performed, and an image signal obtained by photographing is recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a memory.

In step 218, it is determined whether or not to end the processing. This process ends when the end of the remote control operation is instructed by operating the key switch 36, but returns to step 201 when the end instruction is not input.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the CCD 1
7 can be used as a sensor for detecting an infrared signal for a remote controller. Therefore, in the case of a relatively simple remote control operation, the sensor, the decoder, the circuit blocks associated therewith are not required, and the space for accommodating these circuit blocks is not required. For this reason, the size and cost of the camera can be reduced.

According to this embodiment, the optical fiber 25
Since an ineffective area is used as a portion where the infrared signal from the CCD 17 is irradiated on the light receiving section 17a of the CCD 17, the photoelectric conversion of the subject imaged on the light receiving section 17a is not affected.

Further, according to the present embodiment, during imaging by the CCD 17, the lens cover 13 is housed in the housings 21 and 22, and the infrared signal receiving path between the receiving opening 23 and the optical filter 24 is shielded. , An infrared component contained in natural light is converted into an optical filter 24 and an optical fiber 25.
The CCD 17 is not illuminated via the CCD, and the captured image is not affected by infrared rays.

In this embodiment, the remote control of the release operation is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other remote control operations. is there.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, the effect that remote control can be performed with a simple and small configuration can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a level difference detection process.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of identifying a comparison output signal in the MPU.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure at the time of a release operation in the MPU.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing detection of an infrared signal in a CCD.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing emission timing of an infrared signal and output timing of a luminance signal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Lens Cover 17 CCD 17a Light Receiving Unit 21, 22 Storage Unit 23 Reception Opening 24 Optical Filter 25 Optical Fiber 45 Level Difference Detection Circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image pickup device having a light receiving portion capable of forming an image of a subject, means for irradiating a part of the light receiving portion with an infrared signal from a remote control device, and means for performing control corresponding to the infrared signal And a remote controller for a still video camera.