JP3812698B2 - Video camera equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video camera device, and more particularly to a video camera device considering reduction of power consumption of liquid crystal display means.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A so-called video camera in which a CCD camera and a video tape recorder are combined is widely used for home use. In this video camera, a video signal received by a CCD camera and an audio signal received by a microphone at the time of imaging are once recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape cassette by a video tape recorder. Then, the recorded video signal and audio signal can be reproduced and observed on a built-in liquid crystal screen or the like, or can be viewed on a TV monitor device such as an external television receiver later. .
[0003]
By the way, in a conventional liquid crystal display device of a video camera, a transmissive liquid crystal panel is used to make the display clear, and a method of making it easy to see by illuminating with a dedicated backlight light source is adopted. Conventionally, this backlight light source has been lit regardless of the surrounding brightness and power supply status.
[0004]
However, a video camera is originally considered to be portable and portable, and the power source is usually taken from a storage battery when it is carried. Therefore, it is not very desirable that the current consumption increases by turning on the backlight light source when carrying, and if the current consumption increases, the usable time is shortened.
If the video camera has a charging function for the storage battery, it is convenient if there is a means for indicating the completion of the charging of the storage battery in some way, but in the past, such a means has not been provided. It was.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, with a conventional video camera device, when a liquid crystal display device is used, the backlight light source is turned on regardless of the surrounding brightness and power supply status, power consumption is increased accordingly, and the usable time by the storage battery is shortened. Had brought. Further, in the case of a video camera with a charging function, no means for indicating that the storage battery has been fully charged has been provided.
[0006]
The present invention solves these points and controls the lighting of the backlight light source according to the state of the power supply and the surrounding environment in a relatively simple manner, thereby reducing the power consumption of the storage battery, and the video when being carried. An object of the present invention is to realize a video camera device capable of extending the usable time of the camera device. It is another object of the present invention to realize a video camera device having a charging function that can be used for displaying charging of a storage battery by using blinking of the backlight light source.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical unit that forms an optical image of an observation target, an imaging unit that converts the optical image formed by the optical unit into an image electrical signal, and the imaging unit Recording means for recording the image data, liquid crystal display means for displaying the image data recorded in the recording means on a liquid crystal screen, screen illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal display means, and external power supply In a video camera device comprising an external power supply means and a built-in storage battery for supplying power when carrying instead of the external power supply means, an illumination control means for controlling on / off of the illumination operation of the screen illumination means , ; and a charging means for charging the built-in battery, if the external power supply unit is used as a power source, said image depending on whether the brightness of surrounding environment is equal to or greater than a predetermined value brightness Controls the on-off lighting operation of the lighting means, during charging by the charging means is characterized by using a display state of charge of the screen illumination means.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a video camera apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a video camera apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microcomputer that performs detection of the presence / absence of a power source, detection of the state of charge of a storage battery, detection of brightness of an environment around the apparatus, control of liquid crystal illumination, control of a video tape recorder (not shown), and the like.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage battery serving as a power source for carrying the video camera device, and reference numeral 3 denotes an external power source such as a household commercial power source.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a liquid crystal display device that displays the recording contents of a video tape recorder (not shown) and also displays the status of the video camera device main body for control.
[0010]
Reference numeral 5 denotes an illuminating device for clearly displaying the display content of the liquid crystal display device 4.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a key input device for the user to make menu settings.
Reference numeral 7 denotes an imaging CCD camera for reading an image, but it can also be used as a brightness sensor if necessary. (The CCD camera 7 may not be used as a brightness sensor and a brightness sensor may be provided separately.)
[0011]
In the present invention, the illumination device 5 is turned on / off according to the situation, so that the power consumption of the storage battery 2 is reduced and the video camera device can be used for a longer time when carried. Further, in the case of having a charging function, the charging status of the storage battery 2 is expressed by turning on / off the illumination device 5.
[0012]
That is, in a video camera device with an illuminating liquid crystal display device, the battery power is saved by any of the following methods.
(Case 1) Illumination is turned on automatically when the apparatus is driven using an external power source, and illumination is turned off when the apparatus is driven by a storage battery.
(Case 2) When the device is driven using an external power supply, the illumination is automatically turned on, and when driven by the storage battery, whether the illumination is turned off or not is left to the user's selection.
(Case 3) During charging of the storage battery, it is left to the user to decide whether to turn off the illumination.
(Case 4) During charging of the storage battery, the illumination is turned on, and when fully charged, the illumination is turned off to notify the completion of charging.
(Case 5) The brightness of the periphery of the video camera device is detected. When it is bright, it is extinguished, and when it is dark, it is illuminated.
(Case 6) In case 5, the CCD camera of the video camera device is used for brightness detection.
[0013]
First, cases 1 and 2 will be described.
The illumination control of the liquid crystal display device performed by the microcomputer 1 is performed as shown in the control specification charts of FIGS.
That is, the illumination is turned on when driven by an external power supply, and the illumination is turned off to reduce current consumption when not driven by an external power supply. At this time, when priority is given to reducing current consumption, illumination is turned off unconditionally when not driven by an external power source as shown in FIG. (Case 1)
On the other hand, according to the user's preference, illumination can be turned on by user settings (menu settings, etc.) even when not driven by an external power source. (Case 2) The control in this case is as shown in the control specification chart of FIG.
[0014]
An example of an algorithm for realizing the control specification of FIG. 2 is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. A subroutine of an example algorithm for realizing the control specifications of FIG. 3 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The main routine in this case is the same as the flowchart of FIG.
[0015]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the part of the illumination control is made a subroutine so that one microcomputer 1 can process the illumination control in parallel with other processes. The illumination control unit subroutine is configured to be called periodically from the main routine.
[0016]
Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process enters step 102, which is a subroutine for illumination control, between other processes in the main routine, step 101 and step 103.
Different illumination control subroutines (step 102) can be selected for each case.
[0017]
A subroutine A of the illumination control in case 1 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.
When the illumination control subroutine is entered, the power source is detected, the detection result is saved in a register or RAM, and the information is used as a control condition (step 111).
Next, it is determined whether the power source currently used is an external power source according to the information of the detection result (step 112). As a result of this determination, if it is an external power source, the illumination device 5 is turned on (step 114), and if it is not an external power source (that is, when the storage battery 2 is used as a power source), the illumination device 5 is turned off (step 113). ). When the subroutine ends, the process returns to the main routine (step 115).
As a result, the control specifications shown in FIG. 2 are realized.
The step of detecting the power supply in step 111 may be included in the main routine.
[0018]
Next, the subroutine B of illumination control in case 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the illumination control subroutine is entered, the power source is detected and the key input device 6 is detected, the detection result is saved in a register or RAM, and the information is used as a control condition (step 121).
Then power used to so the current information of the detection result to determine whether the external power source (step 122). As a result of this determination, if it is an external power supply, the illumination device 5 is turned on unconditionally (step 125).
If it is not an external power source, the input condition of the key input device 6 is checked, and it is determined whether or not the menu setting is set to turn on the illumination device 5 even when the storage battery 2 is used as a power source (step 123). If the menu setting is set to turn on the illumination device 5 even with the storage battery 2 power supply, the illumination device 5 is turned on (step 125). When the menu setting is the storage battery 2 power supply, if the illumination device 5 is set to be turned off, the illumination device 5 is turned off (step 124). When the above subroutine ends, the process returns to the main routine (step 126).
Thereby, the control specifications shown in FIG. 3 are realized.
The step of detecting the power source in step 121 and the step of detecting the key input device 6 may be included in the main routine.
[0019]
Next, FIG. 7 shows a control specification chart in case 3 and case 4. In case 3 and case 4, while charging the storage battery, it is up to the user to turn the illumination off or not. If the illumination is turned on while the storage battery is charging, turn the illumination off when fully charged. Notify the completion of charging.
FIG. 8 shows the illumination control subroutine C in this case, and the operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG.
[0020]
When the illumination control subroutine is entered from the main routine of FIG. 4, first the state of charge is detected and the key input device 6 is detected, the detection result is saved in a register or RAM, and the information is used as a control condition. Use (step 131).
Next, it is determined whether or not charging is possible. Since charging is not possible unless both the storage battery 2 and the external power supply are connected, the state of the power supply is detected, and if charging is not possible with either the storage battery 2 or the external power supply (step 132), the illumination is turned off. (Step 136).
[0021]
Next, charging is started, and it is determined from the detection result of the key input device 6 whether the menu setting is set to turn off the illumination during charging (step 133). If it is set to turn off the illumination during charging, the illumination is turned off (step 136).
If it is set to turn on the illumination at the time of charging, it is determined whether or not the storage battery 2 is fully charged by charging (step 134). If the battery is not fully charged, the illumination is turned on (step 135). If it is determined that the battery is fully charged, the illumination is turned off (step 136).
[0022]
After step 135 and step 136, this subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the main routine (step 137). When returning from step 135 to the main routine, after exiting this subroutine, the main routine returns to this subroutine again.
Thereby, the control specification shown in FIG. 7 is realized.
[0023]
Next, FIG. 9 shows a control specification chart in case 5 and case 6. In cases 5 and 6, the brightness of the periphery of the video camera device is detected, and when it is bright, it is turned off, and when it is dark, it is illuminated. In case 6, a CCD camera 7 of a video camera device is used for brightness detection.
FIG. 10 shows the illumination control subroutine D in this case, and the operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG.
[0024]
When the illumination control subroutine is entered from the main routine of FIG. 4, first the brightness of the periphery of the video camera device is detected (step 141), and it is determined that the detected brightness is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. (Step 142).
If it is determined to be bright, the illumination is turned off (step 144). If it is not determined to be bright, the illumination is turned on (step 143). When the above subroutine ends, the process returns to the main routine (step 145).
As a result, the control specifications shown in FIG. 9 are realized.
[0025]
Next, FIG. 11 shows a control specification chart when case 2, case 3, and case 4 are combined.
In this case, when the power source is driven by an external power source, the illumination device 5 is turned on. When the power source is not driven by an external power source, the illumination is basically turned off. However, the illumination may be turned on according to the user's selection. it can. Furthermore, when charging the storage battery, it is left to the user to select whether or not to turn off the illumination. When turning on the illumination while charging the storage battery, when the battery is fully charged, the illumination is turned off to notify the completion of charging. This is the specification.
[0026]
FIG. 12 shows the illumination control subroutine E in this case, and the operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG.
When the illumination control subroutine is entered from the main routine of FIG. 4, it is detected whether or not power is input (step 151). If no power is input, the illumination is turned off (step 152) and the process returns to the main routine (step 156).
If the power is on, it is determined whether it is in a normal use state or otherwise (in the case of charging) (step 153). In the case of normal use, the process proceeds to step 154, and the subroutine B shown in FIG. 6 is executed. In the case of charging, the process proceeds to step 155, and the subroutine C shown in FIG. 8 is executed. After completion of the subroutine, the process returns to the main routine (step 156).
Thereby, the control specification shown in FIG. 11 is realized.
[0027]
In the same way, in the subroutine E shown in FIG. 12, if the subroutine D is used instead of the subroutine B in step 154, a subroutine in the case where the case 2, the case 5 and the case 6 are combined can be configured.
[0028]
In this way, by implementing the present invention, it is possible to prevent shortening the shootable time when using the built-in storage battery as a power source, improving operability and recognizing the screen when using an illuminated display. Degradation can be prevented.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the optical means for forming an optical image to be observed, the imaging means for converting the optical image formed by the optical means into an image electrical signal, Recording means for recording image data captured by the imaging means, liquid crystal display means for displaying the image data recorded in the recording means on a liquid crystal screen, screen illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal display means, external Illumination control means for controlling on / off of the illumination operation of the screen illumination means in a video camera apparatus comprising an external power supply means for supplying power from the power supply and a built-in storage battery for supplying power when carrying instead of the external power supply means And a charging means for charging the built-in storage battery, and the screen illumination means is used for displaying the state of charge during charging by the charging means .
This reduces the power consumption of the storage battery and lengthens the usable time of the video camera device when it is carried by controlling the lighting of the backlight light source that is the screen illumination means according to the usage status of the video camera device. Can do.
Further, it is possible to know the charging state without newly providing special means, and the usability can be improved at a low cost.
[0030]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the illumination control means turns on the illumination operation of the screen illumination means when the external power supply means is used as the power supply, and the screen when the built-in storage battery is used as the power supply. The illumination operation of the illumination means is turned off.
As a result, power consumption can be reduced when the built-in storage battery is used as a power source, and the usable time of the video camera device can be extended.
[0031]
The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention further includes brightness detection means for detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the illumination control means is a brightness in which the brightness of the surrounding environment detected by the brightness detection means is not less than a predetermined value. In this case, the illumination operation of the screen illumination unit is turned off. When the brightness of the surrounding environment does not reach a predetermined value, the illumination operation of the screen illumination unit is turned on.
As a result, when the surrounding environment is sufficiently bright and the LCD screen can be fully recognized without lighting, the lighting operation of the backlight, which is the screen illumination means, is turned off, so that the power consumption can be reduced when the surrounding environment is bright. The usable time of the video camera device when carried can be lengthened.
[0032]
The invention of claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that a CCD camera as an optical means is also used as a brightness detecting means.
Thereby, it is not necessary to newly provide a special means for detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing can be made inexpensively.
[0033]
Further, the invention of claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that an illumination control function stop switch for manually stopping the function of the illumination control means is provided.
As a result, the lighting operation of the screen illumination means can always be turned on regardless of the function of the illumination control means depending on the user's preference, and the usability can be improved accordingly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an embodiment of a video camera device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control specification chart showing an example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a control specification chart showing another example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a main routine of a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an illumination control subroutine of a flowchart for realizing the control specification shown in FIG. 2;
6 is a subroutine for illumination control of a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a control specification chart showing another example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a subroutine for illumination control of a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a control specification chart showing another example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a subroutine of illumination control of a flowchart for realizing the control specification shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a control specification chart showing another example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a subroutine of illumination control of a flowchart for realizing the control specification shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microcomputer, 2 ... Storage battery, 3 ... External power supply, 4 ... Liquid crystal display device, 5 ... Illumination device, 6 ... Key input device, 7 ... CCD camera.

Claims (5)

Optical means for forming an optical image of the observation object;
Imaging means for converting an optical image formed by the optical means into an image electrical signal;
Recording means for recording image data captured by the imaging means;
Liquid crystal display means for displaying image data recorded in the recording means on a liquid crystal screen;
Screen illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal display means;
An external power supply means for supplying power from outside;
In a video camera device comprising a built-in storage battery for supplying power when carrying instead of this external power supply means,
Illumination control means for controlling on / off of the illumination operation of the screen illumination means ;
Charging means for charging the internal storage battery;
Comprising
The video camera device characterized in that the screen illumination means is used for displaying the state of charge during charging by the charging means .   The lighting control means turns on the lighting operation of the screen lighting means when the external power supply means is used as a power source, and turns off the lighting operation of the screen lighting means when the built-in storage battery is used as a power source. The video camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   A brightness detection unit configured to detect brightness of an ambient environment, and the illumination control unit is configured to illuminate the screen illumination unit when the brightness of the ambient environment detected by the brightness detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; 3. The video camera device according to claim 1, wherein the operation is turned off and the illumination operation of the screen illumination unit is turned on when the brightness of the surrounding environment does not reach a predetermined value. 4. The video camera apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the imaging unit is also used as the brightness detection unit.   5. The video camera device according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination control function stop switch for manually stopping the function of the illumination control means.

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