JP3709407B2 - Video signal recording and playback device - Google Patents

Description

    The present invention relates to a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus, and more particularly to a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video camera provided with display means.

    Various video signal recording / reproducing apparatuses such as video cameras and electronic still cameras equipped with display means such as a liquid crystal panel have been proposed.

    Among such video signal recording / playback apparatuses, for example, video cameras equipped with large liquid crystal panels are already on the market, and such video cameras are used by a plurality of people at the time of playback. It has the merit that the image on the liquid crystal panel can be seen.

    However, in the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus provided with the liquid crystal panel, when the display unit switches between the normal full screen display and the screen display reduced in size than the normal full screen display, the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus is reduced. When the setting confirmation display unit is displayed on the screen display, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to see the display screen.

    The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus in which a display screen is easy to see with a reduced screen display.

    In order to achieve the above object, the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprises image processing means for performing display processing of an image displayed on the display means, and the image processing means has a display screen for a subject image. When displaying on a screen having a size smaller than a normal size screen, a display unit for confirming the setting of the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus is displayed outside the display screen of the subject image of the reduced size.

    According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, since the display unit for confirming the camera settings is displayed outside the reduced screen, it is possible to realize a display that does not hinder the display screen, An easy-to-see display function can be achieved.

    Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the camera as viewed from the back side. The camera here may be a video camera or an electronic still camera.

  An electronic viewfinder (hereinafter abbreviated as EVF) 8 as a display means provided with a large liquid crystal panel for displaying an image is provided in the main body of the camera as the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus. Yes.

  Below the EVF 8, a camera operation button 23 including a plurality of buttons for performing camera settings and an LCD 22 for displaying recording information other than camera settings and images are provided.

  For example, an IC memory card 15 is detachably inserted into the camera as a recording medium for recording information.

  A finder adapter 26 is detachably attached to the EVF 8, and the finder adapter 26 is provided with an eyepiece 26a at the lower right corner as shown in the figure. As a result, even when the finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera, the position of the eyes is close to the end of the camera, so other parts of the camera do not get in the way when observing.

  The finder adapter 26 is attached to the entire panel of the EVF 8, is fixed by a finder lock function 28, and can be detached by operating a switch 27.

  Further, a finder adapter switch 24 as a first switch means is provided at the lower edge portion of the EVF 8, and this finder adapter switch 24 is for recognizing whether or not the finder adapter 26 is attached. It is.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the camera. The subject light image incident through the optical lens 1 is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 3 via an optical low-pass filter (denoted as optical LPF in the figure) 2 for obtaining predetermined optical characteristics. Yes.

  The subject light image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 3 and output as a video signal, which is input to the imaging process circuit 4 and electrically processed.

  The video signal output from the imaging process circuit 4 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 5 and then processed by the frame memory control circuit 6 to be output to the compression / expansion circuit 13 described later. On the other hand, it is converted again into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 7.

  An output signal of the D / A conversion circuit 7 is output as a video signal from a video signal output terminal, and an image can be observed on the monitor by connecting the monitor to the video signal output terminal. .

  On the other hand, the video signal output from the D / A conversion circuit 7 is also supplied to the EVF 8 to display an image on the EVF 8 having a large liquid crystal panel.

  The output of the frame memory control circuit 6 is input to the compression / decompression circuit 13 and compressed to an appropriate data amount, and then recorded on the IC memory card 15 as a recording medium via the card interface 14. It is like that.

  On the other hand, when reproducing image data, the image data input from the IC memory card 15 via the card interface 14 is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 13, and the frame memory control circuit 6 and D / A conversion are performed. After being converted into a video signal via the circuit 7, it is output to the EVF 8 or the like.

  The card interface 14 is controlled by a system microcomputer 16 which is a control means for controlling various controls of the camera. The system microcomputer 16 is also electrically connected to a sub-microcomputer 21 which also constitutes the control means. ing.

  The sub-microcomputer 21 is electrically connected to the camera operation button 23, the finder adapter switch 24, and the changeover switch 25 described above.

  The switch outputs from these are input to the sub-microcomputer 21, and commands are sent to the EVF 8, the card interface 14, and a circuit system such as a lens microcomputer 12 (to be described later) via the system microcomputer 16.

  An LCD 22 is connected to the sub-microcomputer 21, and when the camera operation button 23, finder adapter switch 24, and changeover switch 25 are operated, the operation status is displayed.

  Further, the sub-microcomputer 21 is controlled by being electrically connected to a power source 20.

  A lens microcomputer 12 for controlling the lens system is electrically connected to the system microcomputer 16. When a command is input from each operation switch, the lens microcomputer 12 connects the sub microcomputer 21 and the system microcomputer 16. The command is received via this, the AF / zoom motor 9 is driven, and the zoom operation or AF operation of the lens 1 is performed.

  The lens microcomputer 12 is electrically connected to an AF / photometry gate array (hereinafter abbreviated as AF / photometry G / A) 10 and an electronic volume 11 in the figure, and these AF / photometry G / A 10 and the electronic volume 11 are further electrically connected to the imaging process circuit 4.

  That is, the lens microcomputer 12 fetches a video signal from the imaging process circuit 4 to the AF / photometry G / A 10 to perform an AF operation and an exposure control operation, performs arithmetic processing, and controls driving of the lens 1 and accumulation of the CCD 3. The time is controlled.

  The command input from the camera operation button 23 is sent to the lens microcomputer 12 via the sub-microcomputer 21 and the system microcomputer 16, and further sent from the lens microcomputer 12 to the imaging process circuit 4 via the electronic volume 11. For example, various constants such as white balance are set.

  The lens microcomputer 12 is electrically connected to a photometric sensor 17 for measuring the brightness of the subject via a photometric circuit 18, and the output of the photometric sensor 17 is processed by the lens microcomputer 12. Yes.

  Further, a strobe 19 is electrically connected to the lens microcomputer 12 so that a signal such as a strobe setting is sent from the lens microcomputer 12, and the strobe 19 emits light when a light emission command is sent. Then, the subject is irradiated.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the EVF 8. FIG. 3 will be described along the signal flow.

  The video signal converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 7 (see FIG. 2) and output is input to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 serving as an image processing means and subjected to image conversion. At this time, a control signal is input from the system microcomputer 16 to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 to perform image conversion.

  The output signal from the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 is output as an RGB signal by the RGB decoder driver 32 and input to the LCD 30 which is a liquid crystal panel.

  On the other hand, a sync signal extracted toward the timing control 31 is sent from the RGB decoder driver 32, and the timing control 31 synchronizes with the sync signal and sends a horizontal drive pulse to the LCD 30. And a vertical drive pulse is supplied.

  Further, the LCD 30 is provided with a backlight 34 which is illuminated from the back side.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, in a normal state where shooting is performed while viewing the EVF 8 as it is, a normal-size screen 41 is obtained in the EVF 8 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera, the finder adapter switch 24 detects this, and the signal is sent to the system microcomputer 16 via the sub-microcomputer 21, and the system microcomputer 16 electrically changes the screen size. An instruction to reduce the size is sent to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 of the EVF 8.

  In response to this instruction, the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 performs processing for appropriately thinning out the lines on the screen and reducing the screen by sample-holding on the lines.

  When the image signal thus reduced is sent to the LCD 30 via the RGB decoder driver 32, a reduced screen 42 as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed.

  By such a process of reducing the image, an optimum screen size can be obtained even when the finder adapter 26 for changing the optical magnification is attached.

  When the finder adapter 26 is removed from the camera, this is detected by the finder adapter switch 24, and the signal is sent from the sub-microcomputer 21 to the system microcomputer 16, and the system microcomputer 16 receives the signal processing image conversion circuit 33. A command is sent to return to the original normal screen size.

  According to the first embodiment, by attaching the finder adapter, the influence of the external light is cut off to make it easy to catch the subject and the screen is easy to see, and when the finder adapter is attached to the liquid crystal panel surface, By reducing the screen size, a function equivalent to that of an electronic viewfinder having a small liquid crystal panel can be obtained automatically even when a large liquid crystal panel is used.

  Further, when the finder adapter is not attached, the display is automatically switched to the normal size panel display, so that the advantage of the large liquid crystal panel that a plurality of persons can view images simultaneously can be enjoyed.

  FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different points will be mainly described.

  The external appearance of the camera in the second embodiment is the same as in FIG. 1, the electrical configuration is the same as in FIG. 2, and the EVF is the same as in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. First, in a normal state where shooting is performed while viewing the EVF 8 as it is, a normal-size screen 51 is obtained in the EVF 8 as shown in FIG. The normal-size screen 51 is provided with a display unit 54 for confirming camera settings, and a mask unit 53 for displaying black by processing a video signal is provided at the periphery. .

  The mask portion 53 is provided with lamp portions 52a and 52b having a display lamp function for emitting a part of the EVF 8 to display a warning of the camera.

  The lamp units 52 a and 52 b are generated by the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 according to a command from the system microcomputer 16 and sent to the LCD 30 via the RGB decoder driver 32 for display.

  On the other hand, when the finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera, the finder adapter switch 24 detects this, and the signal is sent to the system microcomputer 16 via the sub-microcomputer 21, and the system microcomputer 16 electrically changes the screen size. An instruction to reduce the size is sent to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 of the EVF 8.

  In response to this instruction, the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 performs processing for appropriately thinning out the lines on the screen and reducing the screen by sample-holding the lines. At this time, the display unit 54 and the lamp units 52a and 52b are also used. Process to reduce at the same time.

  At this time, the lamps 52a and 52b are displayed at positions where the normal size screen is reduced as it is with respect to the display screen of the subject image, but the display unit 54 maintains its center position substantially. Since the image is reduced, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is displayed outside the display screen of the subject image, and the reduced display screen is not made difficult to see. Needless to say, the display unit 54 may be displayed on the display screen of the subject image.

  When the image signal thus reduced is sent to the LCD 30, a reduced screen 55 as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed. At this time, the black mask portion 53 around the image is enlarged as shown in the figure. Thus, the reduced lamp portions 52a and 52b and the display portion 54 are displayed at the positions described above.

  The operation when the finder adapter 26 is removed from the camera is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment, since the warning display, which is usually performed using an LED or the like, is electrically processed by the display function provided in the mask portion, the finder adapter is installed. Even when the screen is a normal size that is not attached, or when the finder adapter is attached and the screen is reduced, necessary warnings can be displayed, and LEDs can be used and space can be used effectively. , Can reduce the cost.

  6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the camera viewed from the back side. In the third embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and only different points will be mainly described.

  In the camera of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a changeover switch 25 serving as a second switch means is provided in the vicinity of the left side of the switch 27. The changeover switch 25 is a switch for arbitrarily changing the size of a plurality of screens of the EVF 8 provided with a liquid crystal panel.

  Further, the electrical configuration of the camera in the second embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the configuration of the EVF is the same as that of FIG.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the changeover switch 25 is operated, the signal is input to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 of the EVF 8 via the sub-microcomputer 21 and the system microcomputer 16 shown in FIG. 3, and the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 is electrically connected. By performing various processes, the magnification of the EVF 8 screen is changed.

  That is, the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 shown in FIG. 3 performs processing for appropriately thinning out the lines on the screen and reducing the screen by sampling and holding on the lines. Then, the signal processing for determining the screen size is performed by changing the ratio of thinning out the lines on the screen and the sampling hold interval.

  The output of the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 is output to the LCD 30 via the RGB decoder driver 32, and various screens of different sizes are displayed on the EVF 8.

  That is, for example, a reduced screen 61 as shown in FIG. 7A, a screen 62 further reduced than the screen 61 as shown in FIG. 7B, and the above as shown in FIG. 7C. Various sizes of screen such as a reduced screen 63 larger than the screen 61 can be obtained by arbitrarily switching the screen by operating the changeover switch 25.

  According to such a 3rd Example, the magnification of an electronic viewfinder can be electrically changed according to liking. In addition, since the change in magnification can be performed with one switch, the operation is easy. Furthermore, by providing a configuration that changes the magnification of such an electronic viewfinder, even when various finder adapters with finder lenses with different magnifications are attached, the optimal screen size that matches the magnification of the finder adapter is achieved. Can be adjusted.

  FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view showing an appearance of the camera as seen from the back side. In the fourth embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments will be omitted, and only different points will be mainly described.

  A plurality of finder adapters 26 having different magnifications and other functions are prepared, and a desired type of finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera as necessary.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the camera is provided with a detection device 29 a that constitutes a recognition means in the vicinity of the left side of the finder adapter switch 24, which is the periphery of the EVF 8. A recognition pattern 29b that also constitutes a recognition means for identifying the finder adapter 26 by the detection device 29a is provided.

  Thus, even when a different finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera, various screen sizes as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, for example, according to the magnification of the finder adapter 26. Can be switched automatically.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the recognition means for identifying the finder adapter is provided in the finder adapter and the camera so that the image conversion is automatically performed even when the finder adapter having a different optical magnification is attached. Since processing can be performed and the optimal screen size can be set, usability is improved.

  Further, since the recognizing means is provided in the abutting portion of the finder adapter and the camera, when the finder adapter is attached, the recognizing means is not exposed to the outside so that it is not contaminated. There is no recognition.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance which looked at the camera of 1st Example of this invention from the back side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the camera of the first embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic viewfinder of the said 1st Example. The figure which shows the screen display of the reduced size when (A) normal size screen display and (B) finder adapter are attached in the liquid crystal panel of the said 1st Example. The figure which shows the screen display of the reduced size when (A) normal size screen display and (B) finder adapter are attached in the liquid crystal panel of 2nd Example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance which looked at the camera of 3rd Example of this invention from the back side. (A) Reduced-size screen display, (B) Reduced-size screen display further reduced than (A) on the liquid crystal panel when the finder adapter is attached to the camera of the third embodiment, (C) ( The figure which respectively shows the screen display of the reduced size larger than A). The perspective view which shows the external appearance which looked at the camera of 4th Example of this invention from the back side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Electronic viewfinder (EVF) (display means), 16 ... System microcomputer, 21 ... Sub microcomputer, 24 ... Finder adapter switch (first switch means), 25 ... Changeover switch (second switch means), 26 ... Finder adapter, 29a ... detection device (recognition means), 29b ... recognition pattern (recognition means), 33 ... signal processing image conversion circuit (image processing means)

Claims (4)

In a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a display means,
Image processing means for performing display processing of an image displayed on the display means;
When the subject image display screen is displayed on a screen having a reduced size compared to a normal size screen, the image processing means includes a display unit for confirming the setting of the video signal recording / reproducing device. A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by displaying on the outside of the display screen. In a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a display means,
Image processing means for performing display processing of an image displayed on the display means;
The image processing means displays a display unit for confirming the setting of the video signal recording / reproducing device within the normal size screen when the subject image display screen is displayed on the normal size screen, and displays the subject image. A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus, characterized in that when a screen is displayed in a reduced size screen than a normal size screen, the reduced size subject image is displayed outside the display screen. The image processing means displays a mask between a reduced-size screen and a display unit for confirming the setting of the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus displayed on the outside of the reduced-size screen. Item 3. The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. A switch means for switching the screen size of the display means between a normal size screen and a screen display reduced in size than the normal size screen;
The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

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