JP3777723B2 - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic still camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera capable of recording a still image captured using a solid-state imaging device on a recording medium, and displaying an arbitrary still image from the recorded still images of the recording medium on a television monitor. It relates to a still camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a so-called camera-integrated VTR that converts a video signal of a subject imaged using a solid-state image sensor into a standard television signal by digital signal processing, magnetically records it on a magnetic recording medium, and reproduces it is put into practical use. It is becoming widely popular. On the other hand, an electronic still camera that records a still image captured using a solid-state image sensor on a recording medium while having a function of transferring data to these media with the background of popularization of personal computers (personal computers), etc. It has been known.
[0003]
In general, since the pixel shape on the personal computer monitor is a square, it is desirable that the pixel shape of image data to be displayed on the monitor is also a square. However, when a solid-state image sensor used in a conventional camera-integrated VTR is used in an electronic still camera, the pixels are not in a square lattice shape. Therefore, before displaying on the personal computer monitor, each pixel shape of the image data is changed. It is necessary to convert to a square lattice using digital signal processing. Therefore, in an actual electronic still camera, it is becoming common to use a solid-state imaging device compatible with VGA (Video Graphics Array), which is a standard for graphics display, in which each pixel has a square lattice shape.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the VGA-compatible square-lattice pixel solid-state imaging device currently has only 480 charge transfer elements (CCDs) having effective vertical scanning lines and 580 effective scanning lines of PAL television signals. Does not exist. Therefore, even if the interline conversion is performed as it is, it cannot be displayed on the PAL television monitor. In order to check still images recorded on a recording medium, it is better to display them on a television monitor. However, in the past, image data was edited while viewing the screen when checking images. The electronic still camera cannot be operated with a cursor or the like displayed on the monitor.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an electronic still camera that can display an arbitrary still image picked up by a solid-state imaging device or recorded on a recording medium on a PAL television monitor. The purpose is to do.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera that realizes a bitmap OSD function capable of operating a camera when displaying a recorded still image on a PAL television monitor.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention captures a subject and outputs a non-interlaced imaging signal. The vertical resolution is the first number of effective vertical scanning lines per frame of the first standard television system. The same, all-pixel readout type solid-state image pickup device of square lattice pixels, and one frame of the second standard television system in which the number of vertical effective scanning lines per frame is larger than the number of first vertical effective scanning lines An imaging signal to which dummy data corresponding to the number of scanning lines corresponding to the difference between the second number of effective vertical scanning lines and the number of first effective vertical scanning lines is added so as to be the same as the number of effective second vertical scanning lines per unit Solid-state image sensor control means for outputting a solid-state image sensor, a recording medium for recording an output image signal of the solid-state image sensor relating to a still image, an output image signal of the solid-state image sensor or an image signal read from the recording medium Frame interline conversion means for converting and outputting an interlaced video signal obtained by alternately synthesizing an image pickup signal for an even line and an image pickup signal for even lines for each field, and an output video signal from the frame interline conversion means On the other hand, an electronic zoom means that performs electronic zoom in the vertical direction and outputs a video signal having the same number of vertical effective scanning lines as the number of vertical effective scanning lines per field of the second standard television system, And an encoder that converts the output video signal into a video signal conforming to the second standard television system and outputs the video signal.
[0008]
In the present invention, the output image signal of the solid-state image sensor having a square lattice pixel of the first standard television system with the vertical resolution can be converted and output from the video signal of the second standard television system.
[0009]
Further, according to the present invention, the frame interline conversion means stores one frame of an imaging signal relating to a still image read from the recording medium, and stores one frame of bitmap format data from an external device, and stores them in an arbitrary manner. The signals are mixed at a ratio, converted into an interlaced video signal, and output.
[0010]
In the present invention, bitmap format data from an external device is mixed with an image signal at an arbitrary ratio, converted to an interlaced video signal, and read out, so that it conforms to the second standard television system. A video signal can be displayed on a television monitor and a bitmap OSD (On Screen Display) function can be realized.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a first embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention. The electronic still camera of this embodiment stores a still image conforming to the VGA format in a semiconductor storage device, and an imaging signal (video signal) that is subject light input from the optical lens unit 1 and the lens as an electrical signal. A VGA-compatible solid-state imaging device 2 for conversion into An imaging signal (video signal) output from the solid-state imaging device 2 is supplied to an analog signal processing unit 3 and subjected to processing such as correlated double sampling and automatic gain control (AGC), and then an A / D converter. 4 is digitized and further supplied to the digital signal processing unit 5.
[0012]
The video signal that has been subjected to various signal processing by the digital signal processing unit 5 is subjected to frame interline conversion, which will be described later, at any time by the frame interline conversion unit 13, and then again by the PAL encoder 6 via the digital signal processing unit 5. The color signal component is converted to a carrier color signal by modulating a carrier wave having a PAL subcarrier frequency of 4.43 MHz, and then multiplexed with the luminance signal component and then supplied to the D / A converter 7 to be an analog signal. Is converted into a standard television signal conforming to the PAL system.
[0013]
At the same time, the video signal data subjected to various signal processing by the digital signal processing unit 5 is also supplied to the semiconductor recording unit 12 as a recording medium and stored as still image data. Further, a PAL standard television signal is output from the D / A converter 7, and the video signal output from the solid-state imaging device 2 and the semiconductor recording unit 12 is displayed by connecting to a PAL television monitor. be able to.
[0014]
Here, for example, when a VGA-compatible RGB all-pixel readout type CCD is used as the solid-state imaging device 2, a vertical synchronization signal shown in FIG. 2A and a signal charge readout pulse shown in FIG. The output video signal shown in FIG. In general, the solid-state imaging device 2 has a vertical effective resolution of 480 and outputs a so-called non-interlaced frame signal. When an image is displayed on an NTSC television monitor, the vertical synchronization signal shown in FIG. 3A and the video signal shown in FIG. 13, where a video signal obtained by alternately synthesizing odd-line video signals and even-line video signals for each field shown in FIG.
[0015]
That is, by performing frame interline conversion in the frame interline conversion unit 13, display of an interlaced video signal conforming to the NTSC system can be realized. This frame interline conversion unit 13 has a semiconductor memory for two frames, and simultaneously writes the non-interlaced video signal from the solid-state imaging device 2 in the memory area for one frame, and at the same time the other one frame of memory. By alternately reading out the stored video signal one frame before from the area in the frame interline format, the non-interlace video signal from the solid-state imaging device 2 can be displayed on the interlace television monitor as needed.
[0016]
However, since the vertical drive frequency of the solid-state imaging device 2 is NTSC 60 Hz and the vertical resolution is 480, an image cannot be displayed on a PAL television monitor. Therefore, in this embodiment, the solid-state imaging device controller 10 drives the solid-state imaging device 2 at a PAL vertical driving frequency of 50 Hz, and the vertical synchronization signal of the output video signal as shown in FIG. Is set to 50 Hz, and a signal charge readout pulse of 25 Hz shown in FIG. 5B is input, and as shown in FIG. 100 lines are added as dummy data DD to the end of the video signal and output.
[0017]
Thereafter, the video signals shown in FIGS. 5B and 4C are supplied to the frame interline conversion unit 13 through the digital signal processing unit 5, where the number of vertical effective scanning lines per frame is 480 and dummy. The frame interline conversion is performed on the non-interlace video signal of 100 data so that it becomes a frame interline image of 240 vertical effective scanning lines and 50 dummy data per field. As shown in FIG. 4, a video signal composed of one field of odd lines and a signal composed of dummy data and a video signal composed of one field of even lines and a signal composed of dummy data are alternately synthesized for each field. Output to the digital signal processing unit 5. FIG. 5A shows a vertical synchronization signal.
[0018]
The video signal data subjected to frame interline conversion shown in FIG. 5C is once written from the digital signal processing unit 5 to the semiconductor memory 8 having a capacity for one field via the field memory controller 9 and then read out. By applying an electronic zoom process of about 1.2 times only in the vertical direction, the number of vertical effective scanning lines per field is reduced from 240 to 290, and is output to the digital signal processing unit 5 again.
[0019]
The video signal data of 290 vertical effective scanning lines is taken out from the digital signal processing unit 5 and supplied to the PAL encoder 6 and converted into video signal data compliant with the PAL system, and then a D / A converter. 7 is converted into a television signal compliant with the PAL system, which is an analog video signal, and input to a PAL system television monitor. As a result, a captured image of a VGA-compatible CCD can be displayed with a correct aspect ratio in an interlaced manner on a PAL television monitor.
[0020]
On the other hand, an arbitrary still image once recorded in the semiconductor recording unit 12 passes through the frame interline conversion unit 13, the digital signal processing unit 5, the PAL encoder 6, and the D / A converter 7 again in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11. Can be displayed on a PAL television monitor. At that time, by using the semiconductor memory for two frames built in the frame interline control unit 13, the video data for one frame from the semiconductor recording unit 12 is written in the region for one frame, and the other one frame is written. For example, bitmap format data input from a personal computer or the like is written to the minute area via the control unit 11. Then, the data written in the region for the two frames is mixed at an arbitrary ratio and output to the digital signal processing unit 5.
[0021]
The bitmap format data may be stored in the electronic still camera as ROM data, read as necessary, and written into the frame interline conversion unit 13. Further, without mixing the data, a bit serving as a key may be assigned to the bitmap format data, and the video data and the bitmap data may be switched and output using the key signal.
[0022]
Further, the frame interline conversion unit 13 has ROM data such as an 8 × 8 pixel cursor, and the cursor data is mixed at an arbitrary ratio at an arbitrary position in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11 every frame. By outputting, a bitmap OSD function can be realized on a PAL television monitor.
[0023]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as in FIG. In FIG. 6, the semiconductor recording unit 12 is connected to an external recording medium 15 such as a PC card through a connector 14 with the outside. Various types of bitmap format data are recorded in the external recording medium 15 in advance. Then, any necessary data is read from the external recording medium 15 at any necessary time and supplied to the frame interline conversion unit 13 via the semiconductor recording unit 12 to provide a more versatile bitmap OSD function. It can be realized on a television monitor of the system.
[0024]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a third embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is characterized in that a SECAM encoder 16 is provided instead of the PAL encoder 6 shown in FIGS. Since the SECAM vertical synchronizing signal is 50 Hz, the same as the PAL system, and the number of vertical effective scanning lines is 580, the number of vertical effective scanning lines per field can be obtained by performing the same signal processing as in FIG. A vertical synchronizing signal 50 Hz video signal having 290 is input to the SECAM encoder 16.
[0025]
The SECAM encoder 16 generates a video signal that conforms to the SECAM system from the input video signal, converts it into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 7, and inputs the analog video signal to a SECAM system television monitor. As a result, a captured image of the VGA-compatible CCD can be displayed on the SECAM television monitor with a correct aspect ratio.
[0026]
Further, ROM data such as an 8 × 8 pixel cursor is provided inside the frame interline conversion unit 13, and the cursor data is mixed at an arbitrary ratio according to an instruction of the control unit 11 every frame, By outputting, a bitmap OSD function can be realized on a SECAM television monitor.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the output image signal of the VGA-compatible square lattice pixel solid-state image sensor having the vertical resolution of the first standard television system is used as the second standard television system video signal. Since it can be converted and output, a still image captured on a PAL or SECAM television monitor can be displayed using a system that is almost the same as the current NTSC system.
[0028]
Also, according to the present invention, the second standard television system is obtained by mixing bitmap format data from an external device with an imaging signal at an arbitrary ratio, converting it to an interlaced video signal, and outputting it. In addition to displaying video signals in compliance with the TV monitor and realizing the bitmap OSD function, the user interface can be enhanced and the electronic still camera can be operated while viewing images on the TV monitor. In addition, it is possible to realize a function such as inserting into a still image obtained by capturing data in a desired bitmap format.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a timing chart of signals at various parts when a VGA-compatible RGB all-pixel readout type CCD is used as the solid-state imaging device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a timing chart of signals at various parts in FIG. 1 when an image is displayed on an NTSC television monitor.
4 is a timing chart showing a vertical synchronization signal, a signal charge readout pulse, an imaging signal, and the like when the solid-state imaging device of FIG. 1 is driven at 50 Hz.
5 is a timing chart showing a vertical synchronization signal, a digital signal processing unit output video signal, a frame interline conversion unit output video signal, and the like when the solid-state imaging device of FIG. 1 is driven at 50 Hz. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical lens part 2 VGA corresponding solid-state image sensor 3 Analog signal processing part 4 A / D converter 5 Digital signal processing part 6 PAL encoder 7 D / A converter 8 Field memory (electronic zoom means)
9 Field memory controller (electronic zoom means)
10 Solid-state image sensor driving unit (solid-state image sensor control means)
11 Control unit (solid-state image sensor control means)
12 Semiconductor recording part (recording medium)
13 Frame interline conversion unit (frame interline conversion means)
14 Connector part 15 External recording medium 16 SECAM encoder

Claims (4)

Reads out all the pixels of a square lattice pixel that captures a subject and outputs a non-interlaced image pickup signal, the vertical resolution is the same as the first number of effective vertical scanning lines per frame of the first standard television system Type solid-state imaging device;
The number of effective vertical scanning lines per frame is the same as the number of effective second scanning lines per frame of the second standard television system, which is larger than the number of effective first scanning lines. Solid-state image sensor control means for outputting an imaging signal to which dummy data corresponding to the number of scanning lines corresponding to the difference between the second vertical effective scanning line number and the first vertical effective scanning line number is added from the solid-state imaging element; ,
A recording medium for recording an output imaging signal of the solid-state imaging device relating to a still image;
An output image signal of the solid-state image sensor or an image signal read out from the recording medium is converted into an interlaced video signal in which odd-line image signals and even-line image signals are alternately combined for each field and output. Frame interline conversion means to perform,
A video having the same number of vertical effective scanning lines as the number of vertical effective scanning lines per field of the second standard television system is applied to the output video signal from the frame interline conversion means by performing vertical electronic zoom. Electronic zoom means for outputting a signal;
An electronic still camera comprising: an encoder for converting an output video signal of the electronic zoom means into a video signal conforming to the second standard television system and outputting the video signal. The frame interline conversion means stores one frame of an imaging signal related to a still image read from the recording medium, and stores one frame of bitmap format data from an external device, and mixes them at an arbitrary ratio. 2. The electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic still camera is converted into an interlaced video signal and read out. 2. The electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the first standard television system is an NTSC system, and the second standard television system is a PAL system or a SECAM system. It has an external semiconductor storage medium in which various types of bitmap format data are recorded in advance, and the frame interline conversion means stores arbitrary bitmap format data read from the external semiconductor storage medium at any time. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic signal is mixed with an imaging signal related to a still image read from the recording medium at an arbitrary ratio, is converted into an interlace video signal, and is read out and output. Still camera.

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