JP4953881B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video camera, and more particularly to a video camera that controls transition of an operation mode between a standby mode and a camera mode, for example.

  An example of this type of device is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1. According to this background art, the main switch and the moving image shooting button are provided on the back surface of the camera body. The ON / OFF button is provided at a position where it is exposed when the openable monitor unit is opened. When the ON / OFF button is operated, the power is turned on, and when the ON / OFF button is operated again, the power is turned off.

When the main switch is set to REC and the monitor unit is opened, when the power is turned on by operating the ON / OFF button, the camera mode is activated and a moving image representing the object scene is displayed in real time from the monitor unit. Is output. When the moving image shooting button is operated with the camera mode activated, recording of a moving image is started. When the moving image shooting button is operated again, the recording of the moving image is ended. When the monitor unit is closed with the camera mode activated, the operation mode transitions to the standby mode. When the monitor unit is subsequently opened, the operation mode is returned to the camera mode.
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. “Instruction Manual Digital Movie Camera Part Number DMX-C6”

  However, in the background art, the transition from the camera mode to the standby mode is executed even while a moving image is being recorded. That is, when the monitor unit is closed during the recording of the moving image, the recording process is terminated and the standby mode is established. This means that even when a video camera is fixed on a tripod and a moving image is recorded unattended, it is necessary to open the monitor unit and continue to display the moving image on the screen. It is.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a video camera capable of improving operability.

The video camera according to the present invention displays an image based on the image data output from the imaging means for executing an imaging process for repeatedly outputting image data representing the subject when the operation mode transitions from the standby mode to the camera mode. Display means for executing display processing in parallel with imaging processing; Recording means for executing recording processing for recording image data output from imaging means on a recording medium in a period from a recording start operation to a recording end operation in the camera mode the display means includes a monitor closure, the transition process and the transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode in response to the opening operation and closing operation of the monitor when the recording means is in a stopped state from the standby mode to the camera mode first control means for executing each Hirakimisao monitor when the recording means is in the execution state And second control means for executing each of the starting process and stop processing to the display means in response to closing operation, and the camera in response to the recording end operation when the display means by the stop processing of the second control means is in a stopped state Third control means for executing a transition process from the mode to the standby mode is provided.

  The imaging process for repeatedly outputting image data representing the object scene is executed by the imaging means when the operation mode transitions from the standby mode to the camera mode. The display process for displaying an image based on the image data output from the imaging unit is executed by the display unit in parallel with the imaging process. The recording process for recording the image data output from the imaging unit on the recording medium is executed by the recording unit during a period from the recording start operation to the recording end operation in the camera mode.

  The first control unit executes a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode and a transition process from the standby mode to the camera mode, respectively, in response to the display start operation and the display end operation when the recording unit is in the stopped state. . The second control means executes a start process and a stop process of the display means in response to the display start operation and the display end operation when the recording means is in the activated state. The third control means executes a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode in response to the recording end operation when the display means is in the stop state by the stop process of the second control means.

  Therefore, if a display end operation is performed while the recording unit is in the activated state, the display process is stopped while the recording process is continued. When a recording end operation is performed in this state, the recording process is stopped and the operation mode is changed to the standby mode. Thereafter, when a display start operation is performed, the operation mode transitions to the camera mode, and the imaging process and the display process are resumed. By continuously executing the recording process even after the display end operation, the recording process can be performed in a state where the display process is omitted, and the operability is improved.

  Preferably, the power control means (40) executes a power-on process and a power-off process in response to a power-on operation and a power-off operation, respectively.

  In one aspect, the recording process is stopped by the stop unit (S27) prior to the transition process by the third control unit.

  The mode control program according to the present invention is output from the imaging means (14, 18) for executing imaging processing for repeatedly outputting image data representing the object scene when the operation mode transitions from the standby mode to the camera mode. Display means (26, 28) for executing display processing for displaying an image based on image data in parallel with the imaging processing, and recording processing for recording the image data output from the imaging means on a recording medium is started in camera mode. In response to the display start operation and the display end operation when the recording means is stopped, the processor (36) of the video camera (10) having the recording means (32) executed during the period from the operation to the recording end operation. First control steps (S7, S9, S13) for executing a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode and a transition process from the standby mode to the camera mode, respectively. , S15, S17, S19), a second control step (S23, S25, S35) for executing the display unit activation process and the stop process in response to the display start operation and the display end operation when the recording unit is in the activated state, respectively. , S37), and a third control step (S29, S31, S37) for executing a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode in response to the recording end operation when the display means is in the stop state by the stop process of the second control means. This is a mode control program for executing S33).

  The mode control method according to the present invention includes: an imaging unit (14, 18) that executes an imaging process for repeatedly outputting image data representing an object scene when the operation mode transitions from the standby mode to the camera mode; Display means (26, 28) for executing display processing for displaying an image based on image data in parallel with the imaging processing, and recording processing for recording the image data output from the imaging means on a recording medium is started in camera mode. A mode control method for a video camera (10) including a recording means (32) executed during a period from an operation to a recording end operation, and responds to a display start operation and a display end operation when the recording means is in a stopped state. The first control step (S7, S9) for executing the transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode and the transition process from the standby mode to the camera mode, respectively. , S13, S15, S17, S19), a second control step (S23, S25) for executing the display means start processing and stop processing in response to the display start operation and display end operation when the recording means is in the start state, respectively. , S35, S37), and a third control step (S29, S37) for executing a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode in response to the recording end operation when the display means is in the stop state by the stop process of the second control means. S31, S33).

  The video camera (10) according to the present invention has an imaging means (14, 18) for executing imaging processing for repeatedly outputting image data representing an object scene when the operation mode transitions from the standby mode to the camera mode, and outputs from the imaging means Display means (26, 28) for executing display processing for displaying an image based on the image data on the openable monitor in parallel with the imaging processing when the monitor is in the open state, and an image output from the imaging means The recording means (32) for executing recording processing for recording data on a recording medium in a period from the recording start operation to the recording end operation in the camera mode, the recording start operation is received when the monitor is in an open state, and the recording means Continues the recording process even after the monitor transitions from the open state to the closed state, and changes the operation mode to the standby mode in response to the recording end operation when the monitor is in the closed state. It was so that is a video camera.

  The imaging process for repeatedly outputting image data representing the object scene is executed by the imaging means when the operation mode transitions from the standby mode to the camera mode. Display processing for displaying an image based on the image data output from the imaging means on the openable monitor is executed by the display means in parallel with the imaging processing when the monitor is in the open state. The recording process for recording the image data output from the imaging unit on the recording medium is executed by the recording unit during a period from the recording start operation to the recording end operation in the camera mode. Here, the recording start operation is accepted when the monitor is in the open state. The recording means continues the recording process even after the monitor shifts from the open state to the closed state. Further, the operation mode transitions to the standby mode in response to the recording end operation when the monitor is in the closed state.

  By continuously executing the recording process even after the monitor shifts from the open state to the closed state, the recording process can be performed in a state where the display process is omitted, and the operability is improved.

  Preferably, the recording start operation when the monitor is in the closed state is invalidated.

  According to the present invention, when the display end operation is performed while the recording unit is in the activated state, the display process is stopped while the recording process is continued. When a recording end operation is performed in this state, the recording process is stopped and the operation mode is changed to the standby mode. Thereafter, when a display start operation is performed, the operation mode transitions to the camera mode, and the imaging process and the display process are resumed. By continuously executing the recording process even after the display end operation, the recording process can be performed in a state where the display process is omitted, and the operability is improved.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the video camera 10 of this embodiment includes an optical lens 12. The optical image representing the object scene is irradiated on the imaging surface of the imaging device 14 through the optical lens 12. The imaging surface is covered with a color filter (not shown) in which R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) color elements are arranged in a mosaic pattern. The amount of charge generated by each of the plurality of light receiving elements formed on the imaging surface reflects the amount of light that has passed through such a color filter.

  The power supply circuit 42 supplies power based on a battery power supply (not shown) to the entire system via the switch circuit 40. The switch circuit 40 is turned on when the power button 38p on the key input device 38 is operated, and is turned off when the power button 38p is operated again. Therefore, the power supply operation is executed / interrupted every time the power button 38p is operated.

  When the supply of electric power is started, the CPU 36 instructs the TG 16 to repeat exposure and charge readout to execute the imaging process and the display process under the camera mode, and activates the LCD driver 26. The TG 16 exposes the imaging surface every 1/30 seconds, and reads the charges generated thereby from the imaging surface in a raster scanning manner. As a result, a raw image signal representing the scene is output from the imaging device 14 at a frame rate of 30 fps.

  The camera processing circuit 18 performs a series of processes such as CDS, AGC, A / D conversion, color separation, white balance adjustment, and YUV conversion on the raw image signal of each frame output from the imaging device 14 to obtain image data in YUV format. Create The created image data is written into the SDRAM 24 by the memory control circuit 22. The LCD driver 26 reads the image data stored in the SDRAM 24 through the memory control circuit 22 every 1/30 seconds, and drives the LCD monitor unit 28 based on the read image data. As a result, a through image of the object scene is output from the LCD monitor unit 28.

  When the REC button 38r on the key input device 38 is operated with the camera mode selected, the CPU 36 instructs the I / F circuit 32 to start the recording process. The I / F circuit 32 reads the image data stored in the SDRAM 24 through the memory control circuit 22 every 1/30 seconds, and records the read image data on the recording medium 34 in a compressed file format. When the REC button 38r is operated again, the CPU 36 commands the I / F circuit 32 to end the recording process. The I / F circuit 32 executes a predetermined end process. As a result, a compressed file containing a desired moving image is obtained in the recording medium 34.

  With reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D, the video camera 10 has a plate-like camera housing 44. The optical lens 12 is provided on the upper portion of the front surface of the camera housing 44, the REC button 38r is provided on the upper portion of the rear surface of the camera housing 44, and the power button 38p is provided on the lower portion of one side surface of the camera housing 44. Each of the one side surface and the other side surface of the camera housing 44 corresponds to the main surface.

  A biaxial hinge mechanism 46 is provided above one side surface of the camera housing 44. The plate-like LCD monitor unit 28 is connected to the camera housing 44 by such a hinge mechanism 46. The monitor screen SC is embedded in the back surface of the LCD monitor unit 28 and faces the one side surface of the camera housing 44 in the closed state shown in FIG. 2A, while shown in FIGS. 2B to 2D. Exposed in the open state. The power button 38p is covered by the LCD monitor unit 28 in the closed state shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when the operator opens LCD monitor unit 28 and operates power button 38p, the camera mode is selected, and imaging processing and display processing are started. As a result, a through image of the object scene is displayed on the screen SC of the LCD monitor unit 28. When the REC button 38r is operated in this state, the recording process is started, and when the REC button 38r is operated again, the recording process is ended. Further, when the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed while the recording process is being performed, the display process is terminated, and when the LCD monitor unit 28 is opened while the recording process is being performed, the display process is started.

  If the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed while the imaging process and the display process are being performed, the operation mode changes from the camera mode to the standby mode. The transition to the standby mode also occurs when the REC button is operated while the display process is finished and the recording process is being executed. In the standby mode, all of the imaging process, the display process, and the recording process are completed, thereby reducing power consumption.

  The transition to the standby mode in response to the operation of the REC button is one-way, and it is necessary to open the LCD monitor unit 28 and operate the REC button 38r in order to resume the recording process.

  The CPU 36 executes a plurality of tasks including the mode control task shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 in parallel. Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 20.

  First, in order to establish a camera mode, an imaging process and a display process are started in steps S1 and S3, respectively. As a result, a through image of the object scene is output from the LCD monitor unit 28. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the REC button 38r has been operated. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the LCD monitor unit 28 has transitioned from the open state to the closed state. In step S9, the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed. It is determined whether or not the state has transited to the open state.

  If “YES” in the step S7, the imaging process is ended in a step S13 and the display process is ended in a step S15 so as to shift to the standby mode. If “YES” in the step S9, the imaging process is started in a step S17 and the display process is started in a step S19 so as to shift to the camera mode. When the process of step S15 or S19 is completed, the process returns to step S5. If “YES” in the step S5, the process proceeds to a step S11 to instruct the I / F circuit 32 to start the recording process. As a result, the operation of recording the image data stored in the SDRAM 24 on the recording medium 34 in the compressed file format is started.

  In step S21, it is determined whether or not the REC button 38r has been operated again. In step S23, it is determined whether or not the LCD monitor unit 28 has transitioned from the open state to the closed state. In step S25, the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed. It is determined whether or not the state has changed to the open state. If YES in step S23, the display process ends in step S35, and if YES in step S25, the display process starts in step S37. When the process of step S35 or S37 is completed, the process returns to step S21.

  If “YES” in the step S21, the I / F circuit 32 is commanded to end the recording process in a step S27. As a result, the compressed file is completed in the recording medium 34. In step S29, it is determined whether or not the LCD monitor unit 28 is in a closed state. If “NO” here, the process directly returns to the step S5, whereas if “YES”, the imaging process and the display process are ended in the steps S31 and S33, and then the process returns to the step S5.

  As can be seen from the above description, the imaging processing for repeatedly outputting image data representing the object scene is executed by the imaging device 14 when the operation mode returns from the standby mode to the camera mode. Display processing for displaying an image based on image data output from the camera processing circuit 18 is executed by the LCD driver 26 and the LCD monitor unit 28 in parallel with the imaging processing. The recording process for recording the image data output from the camera processing circuit 18 on the recording medium 34 is executed by the I / F circuit 32 during a period from the first operation to the next operation of the REC button 38r in the camera mode.

  In response to the opening and closing operations of the LCD monitor unit 28 when the I / F circuit 32 is in a stopped state (when the recording process is in an end state), the CPU 36 performs a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode. Transition processing from the standby mode to the camera mode is executed (S7, S9, S13, S15, S17, S19).

  The CPU 36 also starts and stops the LCD driver 26 in response to the opening and closing operations of the LCD monitor unit 28 when the I / F circuit 32 is in the startup state (when the recording process is in the execution state). (Start and end of display processing) are executed (S23, S25, S35, S37). The CPU 36 further executes a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode in response to the operation of the REC button 38r when the recording process is in the execution state and the display process is in the end state (S29, S31, S33). .

  Therefore, if the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed while the recording process is in the execution state, the display process is stopped or terminated while the recording process is continued. When the REC button 38r is operated in this state, the recording process is stopped and the operation mode is changed to the standby mode. Thereafter, when the LCD monitor unit 28 is opened, the operation mode is changed to the camera mode, and the imaging process and the display process are resumed. By continuously executing the recording process even after the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed, the recording process can be performed without the display process, and the operability is improved.

  The CPU 36 may execute processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 instead of the mode control task shown in FIGS.

  When power supply is started by operating the power button 38p, it is determined in step S41 shown in FIG. 6 whether or not the current operation mode is the camera mode. If NO, the process proceeds to another process. If YES, the process proceeds to step S43 shown in FIG.

  In step S43, shooting processing is started, and in step S45, display processing is started. In step S47, it is determined whether or not the REC button 38r has been operated. In step S49, it is determined whether or not the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed. In step S51, it is determined whether or not the power button 38r has been operated. . If “YES” in the step S47, the I / F circuit 32 is commanded to start the recording process in a step S53, and the process proceeds to a step S59 shown in FIG. If “YES” in the step S49, the display process is stopped in a step S55, and the process proceeds to a step S73 shown in FIG. If “YES” in the step S51, the display process is stopped in a step S57, and then the power supply is stopped.

  Referring to FIG. 8, in step S59, it is determined whether or not the REC button 38r has been operated. In step S61, it is determined whether or not the LCD monitor unit 28 is closed. In step S63, the power button 38r is operated. It is determined whether or not it has been done. If “YES” in the step S59, the I / F circuit 32 is instructed to stop the recording process in a step S65, and the process returns to the step S43. If “YES” in the step S61, the process proceeds to a step S75 shown in FIG. If “YES” in the step S63, the display process is stopped in a step S69, the recording process is stopped in a step S71, and then the power supply is stopped.

  Referring to FIG. 9, in step S73, it is determined whether or not LCD monitor unit 28 is in a closed state. If YES, the process returns to step S43 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in step S75, it is determined whether or not the REC button 38r has been operated. In step S77, it is determined whether or not the LCD monitor unit 28 is in a closed state. If “YES” in the step S75, the I / F circuit 32 is instructed to stop the recording process in a step S79, and the process returns to the step S73 shown in FIG. If “YES” in the step S77, the display process is started in a step S81, and the process returns to the step S59.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. (A) is a perspective view showing a state in which the appearance of a video camera taking a certain posture is viewed from diagonally forward, and (B) is a state in which the appearance of a video camera taking another posture is viewed from diagonally forward. (C) is a perspective view showing a state in which the appearance of a video camera in another posture is viewed from diagonally forward, and (C) is a perspective view of the video camera in the same posture as (D). It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked at the external appearance from back diagonally upward. It is an illustration figure which shows a part of operation | movement of FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of deformation | transformation operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other deformation | transformation operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other deformation | transformation operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other deformation | transformation operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Video camera 14 ... Imaging device 18 ... Camera processing circuit 26 ... LCD driver 28 ... LCD monitor unit 30 ... Opening / closing sensor 32 ... I / F
34 ... Recording medium 36 ... CPU

Claims (1)

Imaging means for executing imaging processing for repeatedly outputting image data representing a subject when the operation mode transitions from standby mode to camera mode;
Display means for executing display processing for displaying an image based on the image data output from the imaging means in parallel with the imaging processing;
Recording means for executing recording processing for recording the image data output from the imaging means on a recording medium in a period from a recording start operation to a recording end operation in the camera mode;
The display means includes an openable monitor,
A transition process from the standby mode to the camera mode and a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode are executed in response to the opening and closing operations of the monitor when the recording unit is in a stopped state, respectively. 1 control means,
A second control unit that executes a start process and a stop process of the display unit in response to an opening operation and a closing operation of the monitor when the recording unit is in an execution state; and a stop process of the second control unit A video camera comprising third control means for executing a transition process from the camera mode to the standby mode in response to the recording end operation when the display means is in a stopped state.

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