JP3984660B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus including a digital signal processing unit that digitally processes an electrical video signal from an imaging unit such as a CCD and has one or a plurality of digital image processing functions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of photographing apparatus , an optical video signal input from a camera lens or the like is converted into an electrical video signal by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and this is processed in an analog manner. A video signal for output to a monitor or the like is generated.
[0003]
In recent years, photographing apparatuses of a format that digitally processes the analog signal processing portion have become mainstream, and it is possible to provide beautiful images with less signal deterioration.
[0004]
Another advantage of this digital signal processing is that it can easily achieve many kinds of beautiful or fun visual effects by applying some kind of arithmetic processing (digital image processing) during output signal generation. It is. These visual effects are called “digital features”. For example, the “fade” effect in which the video gradually fades away into white, the “art” effect that transforms the image into a painting-like image, and a specified portion of the subject is digitally converted. “Tele-con” effect, other “Mosaic” effect, “Strobe” effect, etc.
[0005]
In recent years, the above-mentioned digital feature has been realized with a relatively simple and small configuration, and is also mounted on a general video camera (camcorder) integrated with a small camera. The operation method relating to the use of this digital feature is as follows. First, one of a plurality of features is selected by a digital feature selection means such as a dial switch or a tact switch, and then the above selected feature is selected by a digital feature execution means such as an execution switch. Is to execute. At that time, the user of the photographing apparatus confirms the type of the digital feature currently selected by characters or icons displayed on the image display means such as EVF, and what kind of feature is obtained by executing it. It can be confirmed whether it is a thing.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional photographing apparatus as described above, it is impossible to recognize what effect the selected feature has until it is actually executed. However, there is a problem that a complicated operation of executing digital image processing of the selected feature is required.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems as described above, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of easily confirming newly selected digital image processing without requiring a complicated operation. It is an object.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention in the imaging apparatus configured as to the following (1) to (4).
(1) Digital signal processing means for converting a video signal from the imaging means into a digital video signal, and selectively performing a plurality of digital features on the converted digital video signal;
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of digital features;
Execution instruction means for instructing execution of the digital feature;
Control means for controlling the operation of the digital signal processing means in response to signals from the selection means and the execution instruction means,
The control means causes the digital signal processing means to execute a demonstration of the selected digital feature and temporarily output a video signal of a demonstration video when a digital feature is selected by the selection means. When execution of the digital feature is instructed by the execution instruction means, the digital feature selected by the selection means is executed on the digital video signal related to the image being photographed by the imaging means, and the digital feature is An imaging device that outputs a recordable video signal that has been processed.
(2) The photographing apparatus according to (1), further including an execution time selection unit that selects an execution time of a demonstration of the digital feature selected by the selection unit.
(3) The photographing apparatus according to (1), wherein the control unit prohibits execution of a demonstration of the digital feature selected by the selection unit during a recording operation.
(4) Demonstration execution selection means for enabling a user to select execution of the demonstration of the digital feature, and the control means is selected by the selection means according to the selection by the demonstration execution selection means The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein execution of a digital feature demonstration is controlled.
[0016]
【Example】
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a lens for generating an optical signal a of a subject, 2 is a CCD (imaging means) for receiving the optical signal a and converting it into an electric signal b, and 3 is an electric signal from the CCD 2. A digital signal processing means that converts the signal (video signal) b into a digital signal and processes it to generate a luminance signal (Y) and a color signal (C), and performs one or more digital features (digital image processing). . 4 receives the Y and C signals, generates a predetermined video signal (recording signal), records this signal, reproduces it from the recording medium, and superimposes character information on this signal. The video signal processing means) outputs the signal to the EVF 8 and the video output terminal 5.
[0017]
5 is a video output terminal described above, 6 is a signal received from operation input means 11, digital feature selection means 9, digital feature execution means 10 and the like capable of setting a prohibited mode for prohibiting execution of digital features. The system control means 7 controls the entire system such as the digital signal processing means 3, the video signal processing means 4, the OSD 7, and the EVF 8. An OSD (character information generating means) 8 for outputting a character signal g to be superimposed on the signal processing means 4, 8 is the above-mentioned EVF, receives the video signal from the video signal processing means 4, displays it, and displays it. This is for the user to confirm the subject, the currently selected digital feature, and the like.
[0018]
The digital feature selection means 9 selects one of a plurality of digital features and generates an analog DC signal d corresponding thereto, and 10 provides a pulse signal for executing the currently selected digital feature. The digital feature execution means 11 is an operation input means 12 that receives an operation from the user and gives an analog DC signal i for determining the mode and operation of the entire photographing apparatus (the entire system). A demo execution counter that determines the time of demo execution of the digital feature that has been triggered and reset by the system control means 6.
[0019]
Reference numeral 13 denotes an A / D converter that converts the analog signal d for selecting the digital feature into a digital signal, reference numeral 14 denotes an A / D converter that converts the analog signal i to determine the mode of the entire photographing apparatus, and reference numeral 15 denotes a digital signal. This is a demo execution flag for indicating that the digital feature is being demo run, and is set and reset by the system control means 6.
[0020]
Next, the specific operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart represents an operation procedure of the system control unit 6 regarding the demonstration execution of the digital feature, and the system control unit 6 repeatedly executes the procedure from START to END at a certain short period. When the video photographing apparatus is in an operating state, the currently selected digital feature type is always displayed on the EVF 8.
[0021]
First, the system control means 6 checks whether or not the digital feature demonstration is being executed by referring to the digital feature demonstration execution flag 15 in step 21. If not, the signal from the A / D converter 13 is referred to in step 22 to check whether the selected digital feature has been changed.
[0022]
If the digital feature has not been changed, the processing relating to the execution of the digital feature demonstration is terminated at this point, and the system control means 6 moves to another control. If it is detected that the digital feature has been changed, an icon or character string signal f representing the type of digital feature output to the OSD 7 in step 23 corresponds to the newly selected digital feature. Change the icon or character string to be used.
[0023]
Next, in step 24, the digital feature executing means 10 generates a signal for executing the newly selected digital feature to the digital signal processing means 3. Upon receiving this signal, the digital signal processing means 3 starts arithmetic processing corresponding to the designated digital feature, and outputs Y and C signals generated as a result to the Video signal processing means 4.
[0024]
Thereafter, in step 25, the system control means 6 sets the demonstration execution flag 15 of the digital feature (= 1), resets and triggers the demonstration execution counter 12, and ends this processing. As described above, the system control means 6 performs a series of operations from Steps 23 to 25, whereby demonstration execution of digital features is started.
[0025]
Next, the operation during the demonstration of the digital feature will be described. In step 21 of FIG. 2, when it is detected that the digital feature demonstration is being executed by referring to the digital feature demonstration execution flag 15, the system control means 6 refers to the demonstration execution counter 12, and in step 26. It is checked whether the counter value cnt is a predetermined value K. This value K is a value representing the time for performing the demonstration. If this counter value is equal to or less than K, it is determined that the demo is still being executed, and the process is directly exited. At this time, of course, the digital signal processing means 3 continues to output a signal for executing the digital feature.
[0026]
If it is determined in step 26 that the counter value is equal to or greater than K, processing for ending the demonstration of digital features is performed. That is, in step 27, the signal output to the digital signal processing means 3 is switched to a signal indicating that the digital feature is not executed, and in response to this, the digital signal processing means 3 stops the operation corresponding to the designated digital feature. Then, the signal is returned to the Y and C signals which are not subjected to the digital feature. Thereafter, in step 28, the demonstration execution counter 12 is stopped, and the demonstration execution flag 15 is turned OFF to end the demonstration execution of the digital feature.
[0027]
Next, the case where the above operation is viewed from the user side will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when the digital feature demonstration is viewed from the user side.
[0028]
First, in FIG. 3A, the photographing apparatus outputs a normal screen that is not subjected to digital feature processing. In addition, “Fade” is selected as the digital feature, and this is displayed in characters on the screen.
[0029]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the user operates the digital feature selection means 9 to switch the selection from “fade” to “mosaic”, the photographing apparatus (c) in FIG. ), The character display is switched to “mosaic”, and the newly selected “mosaic” processing screen is temporarily output.
[0030]
Then, after this state continues for several seconds, as shown in FIG. 3D, the photographing apparatus ends the demonstration execution of the digital feature by switching the output to a normal screen not subjected to the digital feature processing. Of course, after this, the character display is the newly selected “mosaic”.
[0031]
In this way, in the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the system control means 6 performs the processing procedure as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the digital feature demonstration as shown in FIG. 3 can be realized.
[0032]
Then, when the digital feature selected by the digital feature selection unit 9 is switched, the switched digital feature is temporarily executed, or when the switching is performed and the prohibited mode is not set. By executing the replaced digital feature, it is possible to easily confirm the newly selected digital feature without requiring a complicated operation.
[0033]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. When the photographed video signal is recorded with the same configuration as the above embodiment, the digital feature is not demo-executed. The operation of the system control means 6 is shown.
[0034]
In FIG. 4, a signal j is a device operation input output from the operation input means 11 shown in FIG. 1, and is a DC analog signal corresponding to the operated key. Signal k is a REC signal indicating that recording is in progress, signal d is output by digital feature selection means 9, a DC analog signal indicating the selected digital feature, and signal l is output from system control means 6 to digital signal processing means 3. This is a digital feature execution instruction.
[0035]
First, when the user presses the REC button of the operation input means 11 at the timing of T1, and the voltage of the apparatus operation input j becomes a voltage corresponding to the REC signal k, it is converted to the system control means 6 through the A / D converter 14. The system control means 6 starts recording by outputting a REC signal at the timing T3. At this time, “fade” is selected as the digital feature by the signal d from the selection means 9, but it is not executed, and the digital signal processing means 3 is a normal video signal not subjected to the digital feature processing. Is output.
[0036]
When the user operates the digital feature selection means 9 during the recording and the voltage of the signal d is switched and a “mosaic” is newly selected, the system control means 6 responds accordingly to the digital signal. The digital feature selection command output to the processing means 3 is switched to “mosaic”, and at the same time, the character display on the screen is switched to this. However, in this case, since recording is in progress, no digital feature execution instruction is output to the digital signal processing means 3. That is, the digital feature demonstration is not performed in this case.
[0037]
Thereafter, when the REC button of the operation input unit 11 is pressed again, the voltage of the apparatus operation input j becomes a voltage corresponding to the REC signal k, and this is detected by the system control unit 6 through the A / D converter 14, and T4 The recording ends at the timing. Next, when the digital feature selection unit 9 is operated at the timing of T6 and the selected digital feature is switched from “mosaic” to “strobe”, since the recording is not in progress in this case, the system control unit 6 performs the demonstration of the digital feature. Performs a series of processes for execution.
[0038]
As described above, the system control means 6 performs the process represented by the timing chart of FIG. 4 so that the digital feature demonstration is not performed during the recording.
[0039]
(Example 3)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention in which the demonstration of digital features in the above (first embodiment) is further expanded. In the figure, 16 is a demo execution selection means for selecting whether or not to execute a demo and outputting a signal corresponding to the user, and 17 is a voltage value corresponding to the user selecting the execution time of the demo execution. Is a demonstration execution time selection means 18 for outputting A / D converter 18 for converting the voltage value into a digital value.
[0040]
In the above configuration, the system control unit 6 switches between performing / not performing the above-described series of processes for performing the demonstration execution in accordance with the input from the demonstration execution selecting unit 16. Further, the input from the demonstration execution time selection means 17 is detected through the A / D converter 18, and the value of K in the procedure of step 26 shown in FIG. Switch the time.
[0041]
Even with this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiments, and it is possible to easily confirm the selected digital image processing without performing complicated operations and erroneous operations.
[0042]
Although details are well known and omitted, in the above-described embodiments, the digital feature selection means 9 and the digital feature execution means 10 are based on line-of-sight input, and are incorporated into the configuration of FIG. High operability can be obtained.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it includes a digital signal processing means for selectively performing digital image processing for the image signal from the imaging means, when the digital image processing is switched to be selected by the selection means The digital image processing that has been switched by the system control means is temporarily executed by the system control means, and then when the formal execution instruction is given by the instruction means for instructing execution of the digital image processing, Since the image processing is performed on the captured video signal, it is possible to easily confirm the newly selected digital image processing without requiring a complicated operation , and to reliably perform the desired digital image processing. There is an effect that it can be executed .
[0044]
In addition, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the selected digital image processing according to the state and to set the execution time when executing it, thereby obtaining more flexible operability. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation state of the first embodiment. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention.
1 Lens 2 CCD (Imaging means)
3 Digital signal processing means 4 Video signal processing means (video signal processing means)
5 Video output terminal 6 System control means 7 OSD (character display means)
8 EVF
9 Digital feature selection means 10 Digital feature execution means 11 Operation input means 12 Demo execution counter 15 Demo execution flag 16 Demo execution selection means 17 Demo execution time selection means

Claims (4)

A digital signal processing means for selectively performing a plurality of digital features on the digital video signal to convert the video signal into a digital video signal, and the conversion of the image pickup means,
Selection means for selecting one of the digital features of the plurality of digital features,
Execution instruction means for instructing execution of the digital feature ;
Control means for controlling the operation of the digital signal processing means in response to signals from the selection means and the execution instruction means,
To the control unit said digital signal processing means, when the digital features elected by the said selection means, by executing a demonstration of the selected digital features, temporary video signals demonstration video is output, when said execution instruction means digital feature of run I by the is instructed, the digital feature that is selected by the selecting means to the digital video signal according to the image being captured by the imaging means by executing photographing apparatus according to claim Rukoto to output the recordable video signal subjected to digital feature process. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an execution time selection unit that selects an execution time of a demonstration of the digital feature selected by the selection unit. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits execution of a demonstration of the digital feature selected by the selection unit during a recording operation. Demonstration execution selection means for enabling a user to select execution of the demonstration of the digital feature , and in response to the selection by the demonstration execution selection means, the control means of the digital feature selected by the selection means 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the demo is controlled.

Images