JPH0286450A - Video printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure that desired frames are written in frame memories even if the operation timing of a memory switch is delayed by installing of many frame memories. CONSTITUTION:Many frame memories 191 to 194 are installed and image signals are sequentially written into the memories by frame, and desired frames are selected by a memory switch to read the image signals sequentially from frame memories 30. Since the many frame memories 191 to 194 are installed, it is ensured that the desired frames are written into the frame memories as long as the delayed operation timing of the memory switch 20 occurs within the frame.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video printer, and more particularly, to a video printer that selects a desired frame from a moving image, obtains a still image, and prints a hard copy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an example of a conventional video printer. The digital video signal that has entered the input terminal 1 passes through the interface circuit 2, is AD-converted by the AD converter 3, and is written into the frame memory 5 in response to a write control signal from the memory control circuit 4. For this writing, for example, the operator selects a desired frame (a still image) while watching a video, and operates a memory switch or the like to output a write control signal from the memory control circuit 4. .

On the other hand, when the operator specifies reading, a read control signal is taken out from the memory control circuit 4, and a still image video signal is read out from the frame memory 5. This read video signal is converted into a signal format for printing by a decoder 6, and is supplied to a print head 8 such as a thermal head via a printer processing circuit 7.
Printing is done by thermal transfer.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention When operating a memory switch to write a desired frame into the memory 5, the switch is generally operated when the desired frame arrives while watching a video, which actually causes a timing delay. Due to this timing delay, the frame written to the memory 5 is a frame that has already passed the desired frame by several frames (in the case of the NTSC system, one frame is one
730 seconds). Since the above conventional example is equipped with only one frame memory, the desired frame cannot be written to the frame memory 5 by switch operation due to this timing delay, and the still image of the desired frame cannot be printed. However, there were some problems that made it difficult to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a video printer that can reliably write desired frames into a frame memory.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has the configuration shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes a plurality of frame memories into which video signals of different frames of a moving image are respectively written. Reference numeral 20 is a memory switch for viewing a video and selecting a predetermined desired frame. Reference numeral 31 denotes a writing means that sequentially writes video signals into a plurality of frame memories 30 frame by frame by operating the memory switch 20. Reference numeral 32 denotes a reading means that sequentially reads out the video signals written in the plurality of frame memories 30.

A plurality (N) of active frame memories are provided, a video signal is sequentially written into each frame, and a desired frame is selected by a memory switch, and the video signal is sequentially read from the plurality of frame memories. Because multiple frame memories are provided in this way, even if there is a delay in the timing of memory switch operation (
N-1) If there is a delay within a frame, the desired frame can be reliably written.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a video printer according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are given the same numbers and their explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 2 shows an operation timing chart of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 30 is a plurality of frame memories, 31 is a writing means, 32 is a reading means, and 20 is a memory switch. In FIG. 1, the luminance signal (Y) separated by the interface circuit 2 is discriminated between an odd field and an even field by a field discrimination circuit 10, and a trubel is output when it is an odd field, and a trubel is output when it is an even field. be done. Here, when the signal constitutes one screen with an odd number field and an even number field, the manual switch 25
When the signal constitutes one screen with even and odd fields, switch 26 is connected to the terminal.
Connect to terminal E. It is assumed that the above field relationships are recognized in advance.

Note that 24 is an inverter. For example, the pulse generator 11 generates a pulse signal a (second
(A) and is supplied to the counter 12. Note that when configuring one screen of even and odd fields, the pulse signal a is output for each even field. Here, the write frame interval setting switch 13 is used to set whether to write each frame to the frame memory or to write to the frame memory at a desired write frame interval.

For example, when writing every frame, the switch 14 is connected to the terminal side by the signal from the setting switch 13, so that the pulse signal a from the pulse generator 11 is sent to the switch 14 and the writing without passing through the counter 12. The time signal is supplied to the pulse generator 16 via the switch 15 connected to the terminal C side. In this case, the output of the pulse generator 16 becomes the same as the output pulse signal a of the pulse generator 11, and is counted by the counter 17 of N=quaternary (the number of frame memories described later is N=4). is counted up every frame.

Counter 17] - Output is from a multiplexer 18
The output video signal of the AD converter 3 is converted into a parallel write control signal that is sequentially outputted frame by frame, and the output video signal of the AD converter 3 is sent to, for example, N=4 frame memories 191 to 191 by this write control signal.
191 will be prepared sequentially. That is, video signals of four consecutive frames are written as still images in the four frame memories 191 to 194. Such operations are repeated, and video signals of new frames are sequentially placed in the frame memories 191 to 194.

Here, the operator operates the memory switch 20 when a desired frame comes while watching the video.

The write stop timing selection switch 21 is a switch that specifies the number of frames from the operation timing of the memory switch 20 to when writing stops and switches to reading. For example, when O frame is specified, the stop timing circuit 2
A stop control signal is taken out from terminal 2 simultaneously with the operation timing of memory switch 20, and switch 15 is switched to terminal 2.

For example, if the first frame is the desired frame, by the time the memory switch 20 is operated, the video signals of, for example, the first to fourth frames have already been written into the frame memories 191 to 194, respectively, due to the aforementioned operation timing delay. ing. Here, when reading any of the frame memories 191 to 194, the read frame switching signal j (FIG. 2 (J)) output by the switch operation is waveform-shaped by the pulse generator 23 and becomes the read pulse k ( Second
(K)), and the pulse is generated by the pulse generator 16 via the switch 15 as a pulse e (FIG. 2 (K)).
The signal is supplied to the counter 17, and the counter 17 counts up by one (FIG. 2(M)). As a result, a video signal is output from a predetermined frame memory and displayed on, for example, 11 monitor receivers (not shown). The operator looks at this and, if it is not the desired frame, specifies reading from another frame memory. In the case of the video signal of the first frame, which is the desired frame, the printer section is operated, whereby the video signal of the first frame is supplied to the print head 8 via the decoder 6 and the printer processing circuit 7, and is printed as a still image. be done.

As described above, since the present invention has a configuration in which a plurality of frame memories are provided, even if there is a delay in operation timing when operating the memory switch 20, if the delay is within 3 frames, the desired frame will be stored in the frame memory 19. Den~194
This means that the desired frame can be printed reliably.

On the other hand, instead of printing the desired frame, memory switch 2
When printing still images of frames before and after the frame at the time when 0 is operated, multiple frames are selected using the selection switch 21. For example, if 2 frames are selected, the switch 15 switches to terminal 2 two frames after the memory switch 20 is operated (during these two frames, the write mode is in effect), and the frame memories 191 to 194 are
4 before and after the frame at the time the memory switch 20 was operated
A still image of the frame will be written.

Similarly, if you select 6 frames, for example,
The frame memories 191 to 194 have memory switches 20
Still images of 4 frames after the frame at the time of operation are written.

By the way, in the present invention, the interval between frames written in the frame memories 191 to 194 can be arbitrarily set. In the above description, a still image of each frame is written to the frame memories 191 to 194, but for example, a still image of each frame is written to the frame memories 191 to 194. ! If! In a video, the information for four consecutive frames is almost the same, so
To write four frames with clear differences, it is necessary to write still images at multiple frame intervals.

For example, when n = 5 frames (5 frame interval) is set with the backfilling frame interval setting switch 13, the hexadecimal counter 12 counts the output pulse a (FIG. 2(A)) of the pulse generator 11. When the counter 12 counts up to the maximum value, it outputs a pulse C (Fig. 2 (B)) (Fig. 2 (C)). The corresponding count value “10”
” is reset. Pulse C is output every 6 frames. On the other hand, according to the setting of the setting switch 13, the switch 14 is connected to the terminal A side.

As a result, the pulse C passes through the switches 14 and 15 and is turned into a pulse d (Fig. 2 (D)) by the pulse generator 16, and is counted up by the counter 17 (Fig. 2 (E)).
. This count-up is done every frame by pulse d. The count output of the counter 17 is sent to the demultiplexer 18 as a write control signal f to i every 6 frames.
((F) to (I) in FIG. 2), and the video signal from the AD converter 3 is written into the frame memories 191 to 194 by this write control signal f to 1. In this case, if we focus on one frame memory, it will be written in order from the first frame with the H level of the write control signal to the sixth frame, and finally the sixth frame, which is the most The image will be written. Therefore, still images are sequentially written into the frame memories 191 to 194 at intervals of five frames.

If the write frame interval set by the write frame interval setting switch 13 is 01 frames, and the number of memories is N, then
(N-1)n+N frames (n=5 in the example,
Since N=4, it is possible to write data into N frame memories from among the 19 frames at intervals of n frames. In this way, even if the motion of the moving image is slow, it is possible to move forward with N types of still images with clear differences, making it easy to select the desired frame.

Note that the above embodiment has a configuration in which odd fields and even fields are determined from the video signal, but this is different from the VTR.
is the first channel, the second channel is an odd field,
This configuration is necessary because even fields are recorded without distinction. However, if the first channel and the second channel are always recorded in correspondence with odd and even fields, it is possible to distinguish between odd and even fields using the control signal.

Also, if you want to directly print the output of the television camera,
If the discrimination signal is output from the television camera, printing can be performed in the same way from the output of the television camera.

As described in detail, according to the present invention, since the frame memory is repeated in multiple stages, a desired frame can be reliably written even if there is a delay in the operation timing of the memory switch. In addition, since the writing frame interval can be set arbitrarily, even videos with particularly slow movement can be written with clear differences between them.
Easy to select the desired frame. As a result, the so-called 11 opportunities for still cameras and the like are expanded. Furthermore, since a timing selection means is provided for selecting the frame interval from operation of the memory switch to reading, it is possible to write frames before and after the frame at the time when the memory switch is operated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an operation timing chart of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional example. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Composite video signal input terminal, 2... Interface circuit, 3... AD converter, 6... Decoder, 7... Printer processing circuit, 8... Print head, 10... Field discrimination circuit, 11, 16.23
...Pulse generator, 12.17...Counter, 13
...Injury frame interval setting switch, 14.15...
・Switch, 18... Demultiplexer, 191-1
94...Frame memory, 2o...Memory switch,
21...Write stop timing selection switch, 22...
- Stop timing circuit, 30... a plurality of frame memories, 31... writing means, 32... reading means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A video printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video to obtain a still image and prints a hard copy includes a plurality of frame memories into which video signals of different frames of the video are written, and a printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video and prints a still image. a memory switch for selecting a desired frame; a writing means for sequentially writing the input video signal into the plurality of frame memories for each frame; and a writing means for sequentially writing the input video signal into the plurality of frame memories by operating the memory switch. A video printer comprising: reading means for reading data. (2) A video printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video to obtain a still image and prints a hard copy has a plurality of frame memories into which the video signals of different frames of the video are respectively written, and a printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video and prints a still image. a memory switch for selecting a desired frame; a frame interval setting means for setting an interval between frames to be written in the plurality of frame memories; and a frame interval setting means for setting an interval between frames to be written in the plurality of frame memories; A video printer comprising: a writing means for sequentially writing data in the plurality of frame memories; and a reading means for sequentially reading video signals written in the plurality of frame memories by operating the memory switch. (3) In a video printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video to obtain a still image and prints a hard copy, there are multiple frame memories into which the video signals of different frames of the video are respectively written, and a printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video and prints a still image. a memory switch for selecting a desired frame; a writing means for sequentially writing the input video signal into the plurality of frame memories frame by frame; a timing selection means for selecting a frame interval from operation of the memory switch to readout; The video is characterized by comprising a readout means for sequentially reading out the video signals written in the plurality of frame memories after a frame selected by the timing selection means from the operation of the memory switch by operation of a switch. printer. (4) A video printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video to obtain a still image and prints a hard copy has multiple frame memories into which the video signals of different frames of the video are respectively written, and a printer that selects a predetermined desired frame from a video and prints a still image. a memory switch for selecting a desired frame; and a writing means for determining odd and even fields of a video signal and sequentially writing input video signals of frames in the order of fields constituting one screen into the plurality of frame memories frame by frame. , by operating the above memory switch,
A video printer comprising: reading means for sequentially reading video signals written in the plurality of frame memories.