JPH01221985A - Still video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a camera main body itself usable at it is even when camera functions are improved by allowing a memory unit which can be freely mounted on and removed from the camera main body to store a photographing sequence program and providing a photographing sequence control circuit on the camera main body side. CONSTITUTION:A semiconductor memory 11 which stores optical picture signals from a CCD 3 in a freely re-writable state and a photographing sequence control program is incorporated on the side of a memory unit 10 which is formed in a state where the unit 10 can be freely attached/detached on/from a camera main body 10. When a main switch is turned on, with the unit 10 being mounted on the main body 1, a program IC 6 which works as a control circuit stores the photographing sequence control program stored in the unit 10 in the built-in RAM of the IC 6. When a releasing switch 8 is turned on thereafter, the IC 6 performs photographing sequence control in accordance with the photographing sequence program stored in the RAM. When such constitution is used, it is not necessary to replace the camera main body 1 with a new one even when camera functions are improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention provides a still video camera which stores image data in a memory unit separate from the camera body and which is configured to support long-term improvements in shooting functions. Regarding the camera.

<Prior Art> In recent years, in place of conventional optical cameras, still video cameras have been developed in which an optical image signal from a subject is converted into an electrical image signal by an image sensor, and the electrical image signal is stored in a memory equivalent to film. Cameras have been developed, and electrical image signals stored in memory can be played back on a monitor or printed on a printer.

Currently, magnetic disks are generally used as memory for such still video cameras, and in this case, for example, optical image signals obtained by passing through an optical lens are transferred to a CCD.
After photoelectric conversion is performed using a solid-state image pickup device such as MOS or MOS, the electrical image signal obtained by the conversion is subjected to analog processing such as color separation, gamma, color signal, low frequency conversion, FM conversion, etc., and then converted using a magnetic head, etc. It performs electromagnetic conversion and records magnetically on a magnetic disk.

Also, during playback, the magnetic signals stored on the magnetic disk are electromagnetically converted, processed analogously, and displayed on the monitor.

However, this method of magnetically recording onto a magnetic disk requires analog processing and electromagnetic conversion of the signal, which tends to cause signal deterioration.Also, both the camera and monitor require a mechanism to drive the rotation of the magnetic disk, resulting in large transformation,
Unavoidable increases in costs have delayed its widespread use, not only for professional use but also for amateur use.

In view of this, the applicant has proposed a device in which a digital signal obtained by A/D converting an electrical image signal obtained by an image sensor is stored in a semiconductor memory that can be freely attached to and detached from the camera body (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. According to this, signal deterioration due to analog processing can be prevented, and a drive mechanism such as that required for magnetic disks is not required, so cameras and monitors can be made smaller and lighter.

Cost reduction can be achieved.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, in the case of an optical camera, if a camera with high photographic functions is developed in the future, it will be necessary to buy a new camera.

The present invention was made by focusing on the fact that the still video camera has a semiconductor memory that can be freely attached to and removed from the camera body, and the present invention is a still video camera that allows the camera body to be used as is even if the camera's shooting function is improved. The purpose is to provide cameras.

<Means for Solving the Problems> For this reason, the present invention converts an optical image signal of a subject obtained by an optical lens attached to a camera body into an electrical image signal using an image sensor, and further converts an optical image signal of a subject into an electrical image signal using an A/D converter. By A/
In a still video camera configured to record a digital image signal obtained by D conversion in a semiconductor memory built in a memory unit that is freely removably formed in the camera body, and to record the digital image signal in the semiconductor memory of the memory unit. The camera body is provided with a control circuit which stores a sequence control program stored in the semiconductor memory, and inputs the photographing sequence control program stored in the semiconductor memory into the camera body to perform photographing sequence control.

<Function> With such a configuration, even if the shooting function of the camera is improved, if a memory unit storing an improved sequence control program for shooting is installed in the camera body, the control circuit of the camera body will be able to control the memory unit. Since it is possible to control the sequence of shooting by inputting a program from the camera, it is possible to improve the shooting function without replacing the camera body.

<Example> Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the circuit configuration of a still video camera according to the present invention, and the camera body 1 side is equipped with the following circuits in addition to an optical lens 2 for forming an optical image of a subject.

3 is a CCD 3 as an image sensor, which will be described later.
Upon receiving a drive signal from the driver circuit 5, the optical lens 2 photoelectrically converts the optical image formed on the light receiving surface and outputs it as an analog signal. Note that a color filter is integrally attached to the light receiving surface of the CCD 3. As an image sensor, MO, which is a solid-state image sensor like COD, is used.
In addition to S and CPD, various image pickup tubes may be used.

4 is an A/D converter, which converts the analog signal output from the CCD 3 into a digital signal at high speed.

5 is a CCD driver circuit, which is a program I described later.
The CCD 3 is driven as described above in accordance with the photographing sequence control signal from the C6, and the digital signal from the A/D converter 4 is read into a semiconductor memory 11 built in a memory unit 10, which will be described later.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a program IC as a control circuit for controlling the sequence of photographing, which includes a built-in RAM for freely rewriting and storing a program for sequence control of photographing inputted from the semiconductor memory 11, and is capable of controlling the sequence of photographing. The photographing sequence is controlled while exchanging data with the semiconductor memo according to the program.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a CPU that starts photographing sequence control when the release switch 8 is turned on.

In addition, a shutter, an aperture, and an optical or electronic finder are built into the camera body, but illustrations and descriptions thereof will be omitted here for the sake of brevity.

On the other hand, on the memory knit side, which is detachably formed in the camera body l via the electrical connector 9, the digital signal from the A/D converter 4 can be freely rewritten and stored, and a program for controlling the sequence of photographing can be stored. In addition to the stored semiconductor memory 11, a main switch 1 is installed in each circuit shown above.
A battery 13 is built-in for supplying power via 2. Semiconductor memo January 1 states that, as devices that can stabilize digital signals, for example, N-MOS RAM, C-
MOS RAM or the like may be used.

When the memory unit 10 is attached to the camera body 1, the respective terminals of the electrical connector 9 are connected to electrically connect the circuits as shown.

When the main switch 12 is turned on in this state, the program IC 6 is activated and the photographing sequence control program stored in the memory unit 10 is transferred to and stored in the RAM built in the program IC 6.

Next, when the release switch 8 is pressed and turned on, the program IC 6 controls the photographing sequence while driving the CCD driver circuit 5 and the like according to the photographing sequence program stored in the RAM.

A specific example of photographing sequence control will be described below with reference to the time chart shown in FIG.

First, when the release switch 8 is pressed (T,), the charge in the photodiode section of the CCD 3 immediately before exposure is read in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal VP (T2) input immediately after that, and from T3 to T4. Perform an exposure for any number of seconds.

Next, in order to remove dark current components and smear components generated during the exposure period from T4 to T6, T.

~T, high-speed sweeping drive is performed.

After T6, the device returns to the normal driving state and outputs frame images (imaging data) over a period of 2.

With this configuration, even if there is a change in the photographing sequence control due to improved camera functions, the program IC 6 inputs the photographing sequence control program stored in the memory unit IO side and performs the photographing sequence control. Therefore, the camera function can be improved by simply replacing the memory unit, which is relatively inexpensive, without having to replace the camera body, which has more expensive parts than the memory knit version. This increases the added value of the still video camera and, in turn, increases the desire to purchase the still video camera.

Furthermore, by providing the program storage section with a RAM for transferring the imaging sequence control program from the semiconductor memory 11 as in this embodiment, the program storage section of the semiconductor memory 11 is used for storing imaging data after the transfer. This eliminates the need to reduce the number of imaging units.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of a still video camera having such a circuit configuration, in which a recess 14 is formed on the side of the camera body 1 into which the end of a memory unit 10 formed in the shape of a card is fitted. A socket terminal 9a is provided in the recess 14 to fit with a pin terminal 9b of an electrical connector 9 formed on the unit 8 side.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, a program for controlling the sequence of shooting is stored in a memory unit that is freely attachable to the camera body, and the camera body side inputs this program from the memory unit while shooting. Since the camera is configured with a circuit that performs sequence control, there is no need to replace the camera body even if the camera functions are improved, which increases the added value of the still video camera and increases the desire to purchase it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a time chart showing an example of shooting sequence control of the above still video camera, and Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shows the structure of a video camera (
A) is a front view when the camera body and the semiconductor memory are connected, (B) is a side view of the camera body, and (C) is a partial sectional view of the unit. 1...Camera body 2...Optical lens 3...C
CD 4...A/D converter 6...Program IC10...Memory unit 11...Semiconductor memory Fig. 2

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The optical image signal of the subject obtained by the optical lens attached to the camera body is converted into an electrical image signal by the image sensor, and then the digital image signal obtained by A/D conversion by the A/D converter. In a still video camera configured to record data and take pictures in a semiconductor memory built into a memory unit that is detachably formed in the camera body,
The semiconductor memory of the memory unit stores the photographing sequence control program, and the camera body includes a control circuit that inputs the photographing sequence control program stored in the semiconductor memory to control the photographing sequence. A still video camera characterized by the following configuration. (2) The photography sequence control program is stored in a rewritable semiconductor memory, and the camera body includes a semiconductor memory that freely rewrites and stores the photography sequence control program transferred from the memory unit. A still video camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: