JP5034676B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The technical field relates to an imaging apparatus, and particularly relates to startup and speeding up of imaging.

  Recent imaging devices such as video cameras and digital still cameras have multiple shooting modes, such as being able to shoot both moving images and still images with a single imaging device, and support for multiple recording media. Progressing.

  On the other hand, a display device such as a liquid crystal display used for display such as shooting and reproduction tends to have a large screen size in order to improve visibility and user-friendliness. Since these display devices often display an image at all times, not only during shooting, they consume power other than during shooting.

  An imaging device using a battery needs to be used in consideration of power saving in consideration of long-term use. For example, a response such as “Turn off the power except when using the imaging device for shooting or setting” is necessary. However, when the power is turned off and the power is turned on when attempting to shoot, preparations to enable shooting and recording, such as read / write adjustment of optical recording media, capacity check, and camera focus Since processing such as setting is performed, it takes some time before the photographing and recording can be started. For this reason, when the power is turned on from the power-off state, there is a possibility that shooting or recording cannot be performed immediately and a photo opportunity is missed. Imaging devices such as video cameras and digital still cameras need to be in a state where they can shoot and record when they want to shoot or record, but if the power is always turned on, the battery will drain quickly and cannot be used for a long time. It becomes a problem.

In the conventional technology considering such a problem, the video camera is turned on and the operation mode is set to a shooting mode that is an operation mode for shooting an image, and recording is performed only when the camera is ready to shoot. Necessary drive units are operated to enter standby mode. That is, since a power saving state is achieved simply by turning on the power supply, a technique that can suppress power consumption has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1)
In another conventional technique, the video camera is switched from a power-on shooting mode state to a power-saving state, for example, a display such as a liquid crystal display or a viewfinder is turned off to reduce power consumption compared to a normal power-on state. A dedicated key (quick start key) for setting the power state is provided, and the dedicated key can be used to shift to / cancel the power saving state. Further, in the power saving state, the light emitting unit displays the power saving state so that it can be visually recognized. As a result, when returning from the power-saving state to the original power-on shooting mode, the camera can be started earlier than when the power is turned on from the power-off state, thereby shortening the time required to start shooting and recording. A video camera that can be used has been commercialized. (For example, see Non-Patent Document 1)
Further, Patent Document 2 states that “the power saving switch 26 provided in the digital still camera can shift to and release the power saving mode when a user of the digital still camera is required. The person can determine whether or not the current state is the power saving mode according to the display state of the LED 21 ”(summary).

JP 2001-223929 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-72808 Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd. digital video camera “NV-GS250” manual page 9 and 35

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the drive unit is not normally operated when the power is on, and the read / write adjustment and capacity check of the optical recording medium are performed by operating the drive unit after setting to the photographing mode. Since a standby state in which shooting and recording can be performed later is performed, there is a problem that reading / writing adjustment of the optical recording medium and capacity check take time and there is a possibility of missing a photo opportunity.

  Further, in the prior art described in Non-Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, no consideration is given to recognizing the state of the recording medium when the power saving state is set. For this reason, there is a problem that even if the recording medium cannot be recorded, the power saving state is entered, and the user may be misunderstood that recording can be performed immediately. Furthermore, after changing to a state different from that before entering the power saving state, such as taking out the recording medium during the power saving state, switching the shooting mode, etc., the power saving state is canceled and the normal power on state is restored. In this case, since the power saving state is still displayed, there is a problem in that it may be misunderstood that shooting is possible even in a state where shooting is not possible.

  Therefore, for example, an imaging apparatus is provided that has a power saving state with a short time to start shooting and recording, and prevents the user from misidentifying by prohibiting switching to the power saving state when recording on a recording medium is impossible. .

  According to the above means, for example, the operability of the user who uses the power saving mode is improved.

  Problems, means, and effects other than those described above will be clarified in Examples described later.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the appearance of the video camera according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external view of a video camera according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 (a) is a side view of the video camera, FIG. 1 (b) is a rear view of the video camera, and FIG. 1 (c) is an upper view of the video camera. The figure is shown.

  The video camera includes a lens unit 1 directed toward a subject, a viewfinder unit 2 and a liquid crystal display unit 3 for displaying captured images and various information, a battery 4 for supplying power, and various operation keys 5 for operating the video camera. , An eject key 6 for taking out the recording medium, a moving image shooting key 7 for moving image shooting / recording, a power / shooting mode switching key 8 for power on / off and shooting mode switching, and still image shooting for still image shooting / recording The key 9, the zoom key 10, the power saving key 11 for shifting / releasing to the power saving state, and the LED (light emitting diode) 12 that lights up in the power saving state. The liquid crystal display unit 3 may be another display such as electroluminescence.

  Further, the internal configuration and the operation outline will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the video camera according to this embodiment.

This video camera includes a lens 13, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 14, a camera DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 15, a recording medium (media) 16, a drive device 17, a recording / reproducing circuit 18, a microcomputer 19, an audio 20, and an input. The key 21, the power saving key 11, the LED 12, the graphic circuit 23, the viewfinder 24, the liquid crystal display 25, and the external output terminal 26 are configured. Here, the input key 21 includes various operation keys 5, an eject key 6, a moving image shooting key 7, a power / shooting mode switching key 8, a still image shooting key 9, a zoom key 10, and the like. CCD is CMOS (Complementary Metal Ox
Other imaging devices such as ide Semiconductor) may be used.

  At the time of recording, the subject image captured from the lens 13 is converted into a video signal by the CCD 14 and further subjected to processing such as encoding by the recording / reproducing circuit 18 and then recorded on the recording medium 16 such as an optical disk by the drive device 17. Is done. On the other hand, the video signal input to the recording / reproducing circuit 18 is displayed on the viewfinder 24 or the liquid crystal display 25 with the character information and the like superimposed on the graphic circuit 23 and also connected to the external output terminal 26 (TV). Etc.).

  At the time of reproduction, the video signal reproduced from the recording medium 16 through the drive device 17 is subjected to processing such as decoding by the recording / reproducing circuit 18 and then superposed with character information and the like by the graphic circuit 23 to superimpose the viewfinder 24 and the liquid crystal. In addition to being displayed on the display 25, it is displayed on a display device (TV or the like) connected to the external output terminal 26.

  The microcomputer 19 is a control unit that controls the entire video camera, and controls each block in accordance with an input from the input key 21 or the power saving key 11. The audio 20 converts an audio signal from analog to digital and from digital to analog.

  The iris 30 is a mechanism that adjusts the amount of light transmitted to the lens by changing the shape of the diaphragm blades in the lens. The iris control unit 31 controls the iris 30 according to an instruction from the microcomputer 19.

  Here, the power saving state according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When the mode is switched to the shooting mode by the power / shooting mode switching key 8, the power is turned on, and the microcomputer 19 controls each block and the state of the recording medium 16 such as read / write adjustment to the recording medium 16 and capacity check, and the lens 13. To control various functions of the video camera such as focus setting. At the same time, it is also detected whether or not recording on the recording medium 16 is possible. Thereafter, if the recording is possible, the power-on recording standby state is entered, and the user waits for the operation of the moving image shooting key 7 or the still image shooting key 9. Here, it may be displayed on the viewfinder 24 or the liquid crystal display 25 that it can be recorded together with the subject video. Thereafter, when the user presses the moving image shooting key 7 or the still image shooting key 9, recording is started. If recording is impossible, the power-on recording is disabled. Here, it may be displayed on the viewfinder 24 or the liquid crystal display 25 that it cannot be recorded together with the subject video. In the power-on recording standby state, since the circuit blocks related to shooting / recording are operating, the recording start time is short.

  When the power saving key 11 is pressed in the power-on recording standby state, the video camera shifts to the power saving state and turns on the LED 12. When the power saving key 11 is pressed in a power-on recording disabled state, a message indicating that recording is not possible is displayed on the viewfinder 24 and the liquid crystal display 25. As described above, since it is prohibited to switch to the power saving state when recording on the recording medium 16 is impossible, the LED 12 is not lit, so that it is possible to prevent the user from misidentifying that recording is possible.

  Further, when the recording medium 16 is taken out in the power saving state, the microcomputer 19 that has detected that the recording medium 16 has been taken out via the drive device 17 cancels the power saving state and sets the power-on recording disabled state. Become. In addition, when the shooting mode is changed by operating the power / shooting mode switching key 8 in the power saving state, the power saving state is canceled, and it is determined whether or not recording is possible in the switched shooting mode. The on-recording standby state is entered, and the user waits for operating the moving image shooting key 7 or the still image shooting key 9.

  In this power saving state, when the power saving state in the lens 13, CCD 14, camera DSP 15, drive device 17, audio 20, graphic circuit 23, viewfinder 24, liquid crystal display 25, external output 26, etc. is canceled, power-on recording is performed. The circuit blocks that require a short time to enter the standby state are operated, and the other circuit blocks are stopped from operating and shifted to the power saving state. For example, the viewfinder 24 and the liquid crystal display 25 are put into a power saving state by turning off the display screen, and the lens 13 is moved to a position where the lens 13 can be activated quickly, and then the operation of the drive circuit block is stopped. In addition, each circuit block such as the CCD 14, camera DSP 15, drive device 17, audio 20, graphic circuit 23, external output 26, etc. is placed in a power saving standby state. Further, since the iris 30 is generally completely closed (full closed) when operation is stopped (no load), the microcomputer 19 is configured so that the iris 30 is completely closed via the iris control unit 31 in the power saving state. Control. Further, the microcomputer 19 stores a control value for the iris 30 immediately before entering the power saving state.

  When the power saving state is not prepared, the operation state may be set to a state where the power consumption is low and the start-up is fast. For example, when the power consumption for the circuit block is low when the video is played back, not in the recording standby state, the power consumption is suppressed as much as possible by setting the playback state.

  Next, the flow of processing during and during the transition to the power saving state of the video camera according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the process for shifting the video camera to the power saving state according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the process during the power saving state of the video camera according to the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, when the power saving key 11 is pressed, the video camera shifts to the power saving state, and when the power saving key 11 is pressed again, the power-on recording standby state can be started immediately after the power saving state is released. The time at the start of recording can be shortened while saving power. Details are shown below.

When an operation for switching to the shooting mode is performed with the power / shooting mode switching key 8 in step S1, the power is turned on, and the video camera is started in step S2. The shooting mode shown here refers to a moving image mode or a still image mode for recording a moving image or a still image. In step S2 of the start-up process of the video camera, various types of video cameras such as focus setting by controlling the state of the recording medium 16 such as read / write adjustment to the recording medium 16 (hereinafter referred to as a medium) and capacity check, and the lens 13 are set. It is detected whether or not recording on the recording medium 16 is possible together with preparation processing for photographing such as setting of functions. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the recording in the shooting mode selected on the recording medium 16 is possible in the process performed in step S2. If it is in a recordable state, the process proceeds to a power-on recordable state (hereinafter referred to as a recording standby state) in step S4 and waits for the user to operate the moving image shooting key 7 or the still image shooting key 9. When the user presses the moving image shooting key 7 or the still image shooting key 9, recording starts. At this time, since the recording is started from the recording standby state, the recording can be started in a short time.

  Here, the recordable state and the recording standby state are states in which the medium 16 is inserted into the video camera, and the remaining amount of the medium 16 remains and the captured video can be recorded. In addition, the video recording key 7 and the still image shooting key 9 can be used to record video, such as the selection of a video recording mode for the inserted media 16 and the sufficient capacity of the battery 4. Means.

  In step S2, if the video camera is not in a recordable state, such as there is no capacity to record the video shot on the medium 16, the medium 16 is not inserted, or the battery 4 has insufficient capacity. If it is determined, the image cannot be shot in step S5, but the video camera main unit is turned on (hereinafter referred to as a recording disabled state).

  When the power saving key 11 is pressed in step S6 in the recording standby state in step S4, the process shifts to the power saving state in step S7. At this time, the LED 12 indicating that the video camera is in the power saving state is turned on. Since the display screens of the viewfinder 24 and the liquid crystal display 25 are turned off in the power saving state, turning on the LED 12 suppresses misunderstanding of the power-off state.

  If the power saving key 11 is pressed in step S17 in the record disabled state in step S5, a message indicating that recording cannot be performed in the viewfinder 24 or the liquid crystal display 25 is displayed in step S18, and the process returns to the record disabled state in step S5. Thus, by enabling the power saving key 11 only in the recordable state in step S4, the recordable state is always obtained when the power saving state is canceled. In addition, when the power saving key 11 is pressed in the recording disabled state in step S5, the reason why the video camera cannot be recorded can be urged to be displayed by displaying the reason why it is not possible to shift to the power saving state. Can be prevented.

  Next, the flow of processing after shifting to the power saving state will be shown using FIG. In the power saving state, the state of the video camera is checked at any time in steps S8, S9, S10, S11, and S12.

  After shifting to the power saving state in step S7, if it is determined in step S8 that the power saving key 11 is pressed again, the power saving state is canceled and the recording standby state in step S4 is resumed. At this time, since the video camera is shifted to the recording standby state without performing the state determination of the medium 16 or the video camera function setting performed in the normal activation process, the recording can be started immediately and the photo opportunity is missed. Can be prevented.

  That is, for example, when returning to the recording standby state, the display screens of the viewfinder 24 and the liquid crystal display 25 that have been turned off are turned on, the lens 13 performs focusing, etc., and the CCD 14, camera DSP 15, drive device 17, audio 20, circuit blocks such as the graphic circuit 23 and the external output 26 are turned on.

  Here, by displaying the video on the viewfinder 24 and the liquid crystal display 25 earlier, the photographer can quickly adjust the angle of view in the subject direction. Specifically, for example, immediately after canceling the power saving state, the microcomputer 19 opens the iris 30 to the first state via the iris control unit 31. After the first state, the transmission amount (incident light amount) suitable for photographing is adjusted.

  The first state may be determined according to the assumed shooting situation and is not particularly limited. For example, if the iris 30 is in a fully open state (full open), it is particularly effective in a dark place where the iris is relatively open. Further, if the iris is completely closed (fully closed), it is particularly effective in a bright place where the iris is relatively closed. In addition, when these intermediate positions are set, there is an average effect at various brightness locations.

  Further, the first state may use the control value for the iris 30 immediately before the power saving state stored in the microcomputer 19, and in this case, the iris 30 is in the state at the control value, or By setting the state in the vicinity of the control value (for example, fully open, fully closed, intermediate position, etc.), it is effective when the shooting location does not change. The control value is not limited to a numerical value and may be a level or the like. Further, it may be stored in the microcomputer 19 or a separate memory may be provided, and is collectively referred to as an exposure amount state storage unit. The position of the iris 30 itself may be kept at the position when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. However, since there is a possibility of causing damage to the image pickup device or the like, the control value is stored and the iris is based on this. It is preferable to open 30.

  On the other hand, during normal startup (from power-off to power-on), the iris 30 is gradually opened from the second state, which is narrower than the first state, to adjust the amount of transmission suitable for the setup. In this way, the control of the iris 30 is switched between normal startup and startup from the power saving mode to power-on.

  Further, the control is not limited to the iris 30. By increasing the shutter speed time (exposure time per field (for example, 1/60 seconds)) in the image sensor (CCD 14), the exposure amount can be increased. Further, the exposure amount can be increased by increasing the amplification factor by the amplification function (AGC: Automatic Gain Control) of the camera DSP 15. Also in these controls, the exposure amount is switched between normal startup and startup from the power saving mode by the microcomputer 19 or a control unit or driver (not shown). At this time, similarly to the control of the iris 30, the adjustment is started from a predetermined value (for example, maximum, minimum, intermediate, etc.) set in advance in the power saving mode, or the value when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode is set. It may be stored in the exposure amount state storage unit and the control amount may be adjusted based on this.

  Using these or in combination with the control of the iris 30, the photographer can switch the exposure amount control between the normal activation and the activation from the power saving mode to the power-on mode. Has the effect of facilitating the quick matching. In particular, for example, if the shutter speed time is slowed down, a predetermined exposure amount can be obtained even if the amount of opening the iris 30 is small. Even if the amplification factor is increased, the same effect can be obtained. Further, since the iris 30 is accompanied by a mechanical operation, it is effective to use or combine them when the response when adjusting the exposure amount is slower than the response of the image sensor or AGC.

  If it is determined in step S9 that the eject key 6 has been pressed, the power saving state is canceled, the media cover (not shown) is opened, and the media 16 is removed. Since there is no medium 16 or the medium cover is opened, the video camera returns to step S5 and is in a recording disabled state.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the power saving state has passed for a certain time, the power saving state of the video camera is canceled, and the power of the video camera body is turned off in step S16. The appearance of the power saving state is close to power-off, but unlike normal power-off, the power-saving state consumes more power than the normal power-on state. Therefore, by automatically turning off the power, the power saving state is canceled and the power is turned off in a certain period of time in order to suppress the shortage of the battery life even a little. The fixed time may be set by the user, or a fixed time such as 30 minutes may be set in advance. Here, when the power is turned on next time, since it is not a start from the power saving state, a normal start process is performed.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the battery 4 or the AC adapter (not shown) has been removed, the power saving state of the video camera is canceled, and the power is turned off in step S16. Here, when the power is turned on next time, since it is not a start from the power saving state, a normal start process is performed.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the power supply / shooting mode switching key 8 is turned off or the shooting mode is changed, it is determined in step S14 which state of the video camera the power / shooting mode switching key 8 is set. . In step S14, it is determined that the shooting mode has been changed. For example, when the shooting mode before the power saving state is the moving image shooting mode, the shooting mode is changed to the still image shooting mode or the shooting mode before the power saving state is stopped. If the shooting mode has been changed (No), such as changing to the movie shooting mode when it is in the image shooting mode, the power saving state is canceled, and the video camera is activated in accordance with the changed shooting mode in step S15. Returning to S4, the recording standby state is entered. If the power is set to off (Yes), the video camera is turned off in step S16.

  In step S15, when the shooting mode is changed, it is necessary to check whether the recording mode is ready for recording in the changed shooting mode, so the status of the video camera and the medium 16 is checked in the startup process. If you can guarantee that you can move to the recordable state, such as changing the mode from the movie shooting mode to the still image shooting mode, such as changing the mode to still image shooting / recording, which has a smaller recording capacity than the normal movie shooting / recording. The startup process may be omitted.

  The flow of processing in the power saving state has been described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 regarding the flow of the video camera shifting to the power saving state and the power saving state of the video camera. In this way, by providing a power saving state in which the transition to the recording standby state can be made immediately, the recording start time is shortened while saving power, and the user does not enter the power saving state when recording is impossible. It is possible to prevent misidentification that it can be recorded.

  Next, a display example in step S18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a screen example when a message is displayed on the video camera according to the present embodiment.

  On the screen 27 of the liquid crystal display, a message 28 indicating that recording is not possible and other displays 29 such as a shooting mode and date are displayed. Here, a case where recording is not possible because the medium 16 is not inserted is shown, and “message is not inserted” is displayed as the message 26. If the reason why recording is not possible is due to another cause, the display corresponding to the cause is displayed.

  It should be noted that the types and arrangement of keys, batteries, etc. in the video camera of FIG. 1 shown in Embodiment 1 are merely examples, and the display contents and arrangement are not limited. In addition, regarding the transition to the power saving state and the power saving state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the process during power saving is merely an example of the process and does not limit the processing content. Of course, the number of processing items may be increased or decreased, and the method of handling the power saving of the imaging apparatus is not limited.

The figure which shows the example of an external appearance of the video camera by a present Example The block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the video camera by a present Example The flowchart which shows the example of a transfer process to the power saving state of the video camera by a present Example. The flowchart which shows the process example in the power saving state of the video camera by a present Example. The figure which shows the example of a screen at the time of the message display of the video camera by a present Example

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens part, 2 ... Viewfinder part, 3 ... Liquid crystal display part, 4 ... Battery, 5 ... Various operation keys, 6 ... Eject key, 7 ... Movie shooting key, 8 ... Power supply / shooting mode switch key, 9 ... Still Image capture key, 10 ... zoom key, 11 ... power saving key, 12 ... LED (light emitting diode), 13 ... lens, 14 ... CCD, 15 ... camera DSP, 16 ... recording medium (media), 17 ... drive device, 18 ... Recording / reproducing circuit, 19 ... microcomputer,
20 ... Audio, 21 ... Input key, 23 ... Graphic circuit, 24 ... Viewfinder, 25 ... Liquid crystal display, 26 ... External output terminal, 27 ... Liquid crystal display, 28 ... Message, 29 ... Other display, 30 ... Iris, 31 ... Iris control unit

Claims (4)

An imaging unit for imaging a subject, the imaging apparatus Ru and a recording section for recording on a recording medium the image information captured,
And power-on mode of the device, and a low power saving mode power consumption than the power-on mode is provided,
Wherein if the recording medium has a predetermined remaining recording capacity, and allow it to shift to the power saving mode from the power-on mode, the case the recording medium has no predetermined recording remaining capacity, said from the power-on mode An imaging device that prohibits transition to a power saving mode. The imaging device according to claim 1.
The power saving mode is an imaging apparatus in which a block having a short transition time to the power-on mode is in a power saving state. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
An imaging apparatus provided with switching means for switching to the power saving mode by a user operation . The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An imaging device that turns off the display unit in the power saving mode.

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