JP3673528B2 - Still image / video camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a still image / moving image camera capable of selectively shooting still images and moving images, and improves operability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of camera device is turned on with the power on / off switch, switched between the moving image mode or the still image mode with the mode selection switch, and further switched between the single shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode for the still image. Recording was performed by a recording switch. That is, the power switch, the moving image / still image mode switching switch, the still image single shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode switching switch, and the moving image / still image recording switch are configured. Also, the same automatic exposure control and automatic focus control are performed for both moving images and still images, and both moving images and still images are shot under the same control.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional camera device has the above-described configuration, it is necessary to switch the moving image mode or the still image mode after turning on the power, and further select the single shooting or the continuous shooting of the still image by the mode switching switch, and then record the still image. However, when a still image is desired to be recorded, a decisive moment is often taken, and there is a drawback that a photo opportunity is missed while the mode is switched. In addition, still images are required to have higher image quality than movies, but both movies and still images use the same automatic exposure control and automatic focus control, so the image quality of movies and still images is the same. To reduce the image quality of still images that require higher image quality to the level of movies, or to increase the image quality, take more time for the above control, resulting in an unreasonable effect such that the image quality becomes unnecessary. I was going.
[0004]
As described above, conventionally, since still images and moving images are recorded by the same switch, there has been a disadvantage that an erroneous operation is caused by forgetting to switch modes. Moreover, it was impossible to switch to a still image during moving image recording or to a moving image during continuous image recording, particularly during continuous shooting. In addition, there is a drawback in that still image shooting is confused because the shooting operation and still image shooting operation that can be seen with a general silver halide camera are too different.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is possible to easily switch on and switch between a single shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode of a still image, and to stop moving image shooting even during moving image shooting. It is another object of the present invention to provide a still image / moving image camera capable of recording a still image automatically or by selection.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a still picture and moving dual camera having a third switch for capturing a still image and a second switch for start / end of the first switch and moving image shooting for ON / OFF the power Then, after the first switch and the second switch are operated and moving image shooting is performed, the third switch is pressed to perform still image shooting, and then moving image / still image shooting is performed. Even when the second switch is pressed while the third switch is operated and still image shooting is being performed, priority is given to still image recording, or the third switch If the second switch is pressed while the switch is operated and still image shooting is performed, priority is given to moving image recording, or the second switch is operated to perform moving image shooting. While the third switch After the still image is recorded by pressing, it is possible to select whether to continue the movie shooting or to enter the movie / still image shooting standby state, or the third switch is operated to take the still image. When the second switch is pressed while the recording is being performed, it is possible to select whether priority is given to still image recording or moving image recording.
[0007]
And it has automatic exposure control and automatic focus control means, the automatic focus control means has a focusing means for moving images and a focusing means for still images, and the automatic exposure control means is a photometric means for moving images. When the camera apparatus is turned on, the object in the initially set distance measuring area is focused by the moving image focusing means and is in the initially set photometric area. By determining the optimal exposure for the subject using the photometric means for moving images, in the case of moving image shooting, turn on the second switch that quickly starts / stops moving image recording regardless of whether it is in single shooting mode or continuous shooting mode. By doing so, video recording can be performed. When recording a still image, the distance measurement area / photometry area is selected by pressing the position 1 of the third switch, and a subject in the selected distance measurement area is focused by a still image focusing means. In this configuration, the brightness of the subject in the selected photometry area is obtained by the photometry means for the still image, the optimum exposure is determined, and the still image is recorded at position 2.
[0008]
[Action]
According to the present invention, it is possible to shoot images with optimum image quality for both still images and moving images. Further, since it has the same configuration as a shutter switch that can be seen with a general silver salt camera or the like, the photographer is not confused and still image recording can be performed smoothly. In the case of still image recording, since a decisive moment is often taken, the subject is focused by the focusing means for moving images, and the optimal exposure is determined by the photometric means for moving images. The time for automatic exposure control and automatic focus control for still images is shortened, and still images can be captured without missing a photo opportunity while switching modes.
[0009]
Further, with the above configuration, even when the moving image shooting is being performed, if the third switch is pressed, the moving image shooting can be stopped and the still image recording can be performed. Only the cuts to be performed can be extracted and recorded as still images.
[0010]
【Example】
1 and 2 are an external view and a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0011]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens for guiding a subject image on a photoelectric conversion element surface to be described later, 1a is a focus lens having a focusing function, and 3 is a photoelectric conversion for converting light guided by the photographing lens 1 into an electric signal. Element 2 is an aperture for guiding the optimum amount of light to the photoelectric conversion element 3, 4 is an aperture switching actuator for switching the aperture 2 based on a CPU command described later, and 5 is a focus lens 1 a based on a CPU command described later. A focus lens driving motor composed of a stepping motor or the like that is driven in the direction of the photographing optical axis, 6 is a motor position detection circuit that detects the position of the focus lens driving motor and feeds back information to a CPU, and 8 is the entire camera device. LOCK, which is the power OFF position of the camera, power ON, and still image single shooting mode and continuous shooting mode A first switch which is a switching switch, 9 is a second switch for starting / ending moving image recording, 10 is a third switch for starting / ending still image recording, and the third switch is Selects a distance measurement area / photometry area that corresponds to the subject area in the shooting area at position 1 and positions the subject in the selected distance measurement area with the focusing means for still images. A position that is turned on at the first stroke, in which the brightness of the subject in the selected photometry area is determined by the photometry means for the still image, the optimum exposure is determined, and the timing of the still image shooting operation is input at position 2 1 and a switch having a position 2 which is turned on with a second stroke larger than the first stroke. 11 is a photometric element for obtaining luminance information of the subject, and 12 is a moving image shooting while moving image shooting is performed. After the third switch is pressed and a still image is recorded, moving image shooting is continued again. A selection switch for selecting whether to enter a video / still image standby state, or 13 converts an electrical signal obtained from the photoelectric conversion element 3 as a video signal into a signal suitable for a recording device or arithmetic circuit to be described later. The image pickup circuit 14 that outputs the image is output from the image pickup circuit 13. The calculation circuit 14 obtains the image formation state and luminance of the subject image on the surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2 based on the signal output from the image pickup circuit 13. A recording device for recording the received signal, 16 an electronic viewfinder for displaying the video signal output from the imaging circuit 13, and 7 for supplying power to each block of the camera device based on the signal of the first switch 8, Still image Judgment of single shooting mode or continuous shooting mode, display of electronic viewfinder 16, obtain necessary information from each block, perform automatic exposure control and automatic focus control, record still images and movies, etc. The CPU controls all operations of the camera device based on the signals of the respective blocks.
[0012]
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart at the time of shooting in the camera device having the above configuration, and the operation of the camera device of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described according to this flowchart. In the following flowchart, each step is abbreviated as S.
[0013]
When the camera device is turned on by switching the first switch 8 to the still image single-shot mode (S1), the CPU 7 outputs an operation signal for each operation. First, driving of the photoelectric conversion element 3 is started (S2). The output of the photoelectric conversion element 3 is converted into a video signal by the imaging circuit 13 and displayed on the electronic viewfinder 16 (S3). Next, the video signal is calculated by the calculation circuit 14, and driving of the aperture 2 and the focus lens 1a is started by a moving image photometry / ranging control method described later (S4). Further, the video signal is calculated by the calculation circuit 14 to determine the optimum exposure (S5).
[0014]
In this state, the photographer enters a moving image shooting preparation state in which an electronic viewfinder 16 confirms a video captured at a television signal rate of 1 field, that is, 1 screen per 1 screen.
[0015]
Here, when the position 1 of the third switch 10 is turned ON (S6), the moving image recording is stopped if the moving image is being recorded (S7), and the photometry / ranging area corresponding to the subject selected by the photographer is set. Determination is made (S8), and driving of the aperture 2 and the focus lens 1a is started by a still image photometry / ranging control method described later (S9). So-called S8 and S9 are AE and AF lock operations. Further, the video signal is calculated by the calculation circuit 14 to determine the still image optimum exposure (S12), and the still image recording preparation is completed.
[0016]
Further, in the moving image shooting preparation state, the position 1 of the third switch 10 is not turned on but the second switch 9 is turned on (S10), so that the third switch 10 which is still image recording operation is turned on. Until position 1 is turned on (S6) or the second switch 9 is turned off (S10), a moving image is recorded (S10 → S11 → S4 → S5 → S6 → S10). When the second switch 9 is turned off, a moving image preparation state is established.
[0017]
When the position 1 to the position 2 of the third switch 10 are turned on (S13) from the still image recording preparation state, a still image is recorded (S14).
[0018]
In addition, while the position 1 of the third switch 10 is ON (S6), the state of waiting for the ON of the position 2 continues until the position 1 is turned OFF (S16). When the still image has been recorded, since the single shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode is selected when the power is turned on (S1), if it is the single shooting mode, the process proceeds to the next step (S15), and the second switch 9 is turned on. If it remains ON (S19), it is determined whether the selection switch 12 for determining whether or not to continue moving image recording is ON (S17). If it is continued, the second switch 9 remains ON, so S17 → S4 → The process proceeds from S5 → S6 → S10 → S11 → S4, and the video recording is continued. If interrupted, the CPU 7 turns off the second switch 9 (S18), and returns to S18 → S4 → S5 → S6 → S10 → S4. Thus, the moving image shooting preparation state is set.
[0019]
If it is determined in S15 that the continuous shooting mode is selected, the process returns to S13, and the still image is continuously recorded until the position 2 of the third switch 10 is turned off (S15 → S13 → S14 → S15). .
[0020]
In the above-described configuration, the third switch 10 is pressed while moving image shooting is performed, the moving image shooting is interrupted, and after the still image recording is performed, the moving image shooting is continued, or the moving image / still image is recorded. An example is shown in which it is possible to select whether or not to enter the image shooting standby state. By making it selectable, the operability of the photographer is more flexible.
[0021]
If the continuation selection switch 12 is eliminated so that the moving image shooting is always continued and the process does not pass through S18, it is not necessary to press the moving image switch again when the cut intended by the photographer during the moving image shooting is extracted. Also, the number of parts is reduced.
[0022]
Further, if the selection switch 12 is eliminated and the process passes through S18 so that the moving image standby state is always obtained, it is possible to prevent forgetting to cut the moving image shooting.
[0023]
Next, the moving image photometry / ranging control method and the still image photometry / ranging control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.
[0024]
First, a photometric method will be described.
[0025]
The imaging signal circuit 13 changes the video signal from the output of the subject image captured at a 1/60 second television signal rate of the area on the photoelectric conversion element corresponding to the set photometric area, and the arithmetic circuit 14 converts the video signal. The object brightness (EV) is obtained by calculation. Next, in the case of moving images, the aperture diameter is determined according to the moving image program diagram shown in FIG. 4 based on the shutter speed 1/60 (TV = 6) and the subject brightness (EV), and the optimum exposure is obtained. In the case of a still image, it is possible to determine the aperture diameter and obtain the optimum exposure according to the still image program diagram shown in FIG.
[0026]
Photometry using only a photoelectric conversion element eliminates the need for a photometric element and leads to cost reduction.
[0027]
However, since the subject brightness can be obtained only at a TV signal rate of 1/60 seconds, there is a demand for a still image to obtain subject brightness faster than the TV signal rate of 1/60 seconds. A photometry method for moving images using a certain photoelectric conversion element 3 and a photometry method for still images using the photometry element 11 are provided. The photometry method for the still image using the photometry element 11 is a method widely used in a silver halide camera or the like, and the luminance of the subject can be obtained as an electrical signal at any time, and the subject luminance (EV) is obtained from the value. In accordance with the still image program diagram shown in FIG. 4, the shutter speed and aperture diameter are determined to obtain the optimum exposure.
[0028]
It is also possible to control the case of a moving image by a generally used video camera aperture control method.
Next, the distance measuring method will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
The image formed by the photographic lens 1 becomes a video signal captured at a television signal rate of 1/60 seconds via the photoelectric conversion element 3 and obtains a luminance signal of the ranging area set by the arithmetic circuit 14. In the luminance signal, an appropriate frequency component is extracted, and the focus detection signal subjected to amplitude detection is calculated as an integral value or a differential value of the focus detection signal for each field, and a focus evaluation value of the current field is output. A focus lens drive motor that drives the focus lens in a direction that increases the focus evaluation value by calculating the direction of defocusing from the changed focus evaluation value by changing the optical path length of image capture during focusing operation. 5, the CPU 7 issues a signal. As the optical path length varying means, a method of minutely vibrating the focus lens 1a and the image sensor in the optical axis direction has been devised. The CPU 7 drives the focus lens 1a in the same direction by the focus lens driving motor 5 as long as it is determined that the focus evaluation value of the current field is larger than the evaluation value of the previous field. At this time, the CPU 7 stores the maximum value of the focus evaluation value up to the present and the position information of the focus lens 1a at that time. When the current field focus evaluation amount is smaller than a predetermined ratio than the peak value, the focus lens driving motor 5 is reversed, and the focus lens 1a has the maximum stored focus evaluation value. It is driven to the focus lens position (focus point). When the focus evaluation value obtained from the reversely driven focus lens 1a coincides with the maximum value of the stored focus evaluation value, the CPU 7 issues a lens drive stop command, and the focus lens 1a as shown by the arrow in FIG. And the focus lens 1a stops.
[0030]
In the moving image ranging control method, unless the focus evaluation signal falls below the moving image focusing operation restart threshold value Vm, it is regarded as being in focus, and the focus lens 1a is stopped. The restart threshold value Vm at this time is the value determined from the permissible circle of confusion of the imaging system in the same manner as in the conventional video camera technology, and is set so that unnecessary restart operations are not performed. Has been.
[0031]
In the still image ranging control method, the permissible circle of confusion needs to be set stricter than a moving image. Therefore, a still image focusing operation restart threshold value Vs is set. The ratio is also set smaller than that of the moving image. Although more stringent conditions are set, since the movie shooting preparation state is set, since the still image shooting is performed from the state of being substantially focused by the moving image focusing means, the focus lens movement until focusing on the still image is small. It can cope with still image shooting.
[0032]
Note that when switching from still image shooting to moving image shooting, the focusing operation is not restarted unless the focus evaluation value falls below a predetermined restart threshold value Vm in moving image shooting.
[0033]
A flow chart showing a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, there is a selection switch 12 for determining whether or not to continue still image recording when the second switch 9 is turned ON during still image recording.
[0034]
Note that in FIG. 6, the steps having the same step numbers as those in FIG. 3 are the same as the processes described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
[0035]
With the above configuration, in the second embodiment, the moving image priority mode for recording moving images and the second switch 9 are turned on when the second switch is turned on, particularly during the continuous shooting mode, during still image recording. It is possible to have a still image priority mode that ignores the above and continues still image shooting. It is determined whether or not the second switch 9 is turned on on the way from S14 to S15 (S20). If it is ON, it is determined whether or not still image recording is continued (S21). If the still image recording is stopped, the CPU 7 issues a warning (not shown) so as to turn off the third switch 10 (S22), and proceeds to the moving image recording (S11).
[0036]
In the above configuration, when the second switch 9 is pressed while still image shooting is being performed, it is possible to select whether to continue still image shooting or movie shooting. . By making it selectable, the operability of the photographer can be further increased.
[0037]
If the second switch 9 is pressed while still image shooting is being performed, the selection switch for whether to continue still image shooting or movie shooting is eliminated, and the still image shooting is always continued. If you accidentally turn on the second switch against the photographer's intention during still image shooting, you can follow the photographer's will to prioritize the still image by ignoring it. Is reduced and operation becomes easier.
[0038]
Also, if the continuation switch is eliminated and the moving image shooting is always performed, it is possible to follow the will of the photographer who gives priority to the moving image, the number of switches is reduced, and the operation is simplified.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has the first switch for turning on / off the power, the second switch for starting / ending moving image recording, and the third switch for starting / ending still image recording. The camera device is capable of capturing both still images and moving images that can be switched between a single-shot mode of a still image and a continuous shooting mode that captures a still image continuously. When the first switch is switched to a single shooting mode or a continuous shooting mode, and when the first switch is switched from the LOCK position to either the single shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode for a still image, By turning on and turning on the electronic viewfinder, the recording time can be shortened and shooting can be performed without missing a shooting opportunity.
[0040]
Further, it has automatic exposure control and automatic focus control means, the automatic focus control means has a moving image focusing means and a still image focusing means, and the automatic exposure control means is a moving photometry means. When the camera apparatus is turned on, the object in the initially set distance measuring area is focused by the moving image focusing means and is in the initially set photometric area. By determining the optimal exposure for the subject using the photometric means for moving images, in the case of moving image shooting, the second switch that quickly starts / stops moving image recording regardless of the single shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode. Video recording can be performed by turning it ON. When recording a still image, the distance measurement area / photometry area is selected by pressing the position 1 of the third switch, and the subject in the selected distance measurement area is focused on the still image. Focusing by means, the brightness of the subject in the selected photometry area is calculated by the photometry means for still images, the optimum exposure is determined, and still image recording is performed at position 2, so a general silver salt camera or the like Since it has the same configuration as the shutter switch that can be seen in, a still image can be recorded smoothly without confusion for the photographer. In the case of still image recording, since a decisive moment is often photographed, the subject is focused by the moving image focusing means, and the optimum exposure is determined by the moving photometry means. The automatic exposure and automatic focus control for an image are shortened, and there is an effect that a still image can be taken without missing a photo opportunity while switching modes.
[0041]
Furthermore, with the above-described configuration, when a camera having both a moving image release and a still image release is used to capture a still image, the AF / AE lock is being performed or the release is being pressed while continuously shooting. Even when the release for moving images is inadvertently pressed, still image recording can be ensured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a program diagram representing automatic exposure control of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the movement of the focus lens of the hill-climbing focusing means of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shooting lens 1a Focus lens 2 Aperture 3 Photoelectric conversion element 4 Aperture switching actuator 5 Focus lens driving motor 6 Focus lens driving motor position detection circuit 7 CPU
8 First switch 9 Second switch 10 Third switch 11 Photometric element 12 Selection switch 13 Imaging circuit 14 Arithmetic circuit 15 Recording device 16 Finder Vs Focusing operation restart threshold Vm in still image shooting mode Focal restart threshold

Claims (5)

Power to be a still picture and moving dual camera having a third switch for capturing a still image from the first second switch for starting / stopping switch and movie shooting for ON / OFF,
After the first switch and the second switch are operated and moving image shooting is performed, the third switch is pressed to record a still image, and then the moving image / still image shooting standby state is set. A camera for both still and moving images. A still and moving image camera having a first switch for turning on / off the power, a second switch for starting / ending moving image recording, and a third switch for capturing a still image,
Still image taking priority even when the second switch is pressed while the first switch and the third switch are operated to perform still image shooting.・ Video camera. A still and moving image camera having a first switch for turning on / off the power, a second switch for starting / ending moving image recording, and a third switch for capturing a still image,
If the second switch is pressed while the first switch and the third switch are operated and still image shooting is being performed, priority is given to moving image shooting. Video camera. A still and moving image camera having a first switch for turning on / off the power, a second switch for starting / ending moving image shooting, and a third switch for shooting still image,
  After the first switch and the second switch are operated and moving image shooting is being performed, the third switch is pressed to perform still image recording. A camera for both still and moving images, which can be selected to be in a still image shooting standby state. A still and moving image camera having a first switch for turning on / off the power, a second switch for starting / ending moving image shooting, and a third switch for shooting still image,
If the second switch is pressed while the first switch and the third switch are operated and still image shooting is performed, whether still image shooting or movie shooting priority is given priority? A camera for both still and moving images that can be selected.

Images