JPH03133269A - Pickup and reproduction controller for electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the transmission reception of a request signal and a data with a camera through a few communication lines by allowing a communication control means to use a data and request signal transmission reception means to enable an output of a signal from a still camera when a start signal is outputted to an electronic still camera through the control of the communication with the still camera. CONSTITUTION:The status of a camera is detected by a camera status detection section 48 in response to a status request signal sent from a control section 40 at a prescribed time interval and especially recorded track number is detected. Since the recorded track number is added by 1 when the recorded picture is a field picture and the recorded track number is added by 2 when the recorded picture is a frame picture, the end of pickup and whether the recorded picture is the field picture or the frame picture are discriminated and the reproduction response to the picture is attained. Moreover, when the recorded picture is erased, since the recorded track number is reduced in advance in response to the erased picture number and its kind, the recorded track number at that of time at the succeeding pickup is accurately grasped and the reproduction is immediately attained after the pickup.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a photographing and playback control device for an electronic still camera.

11 As is well known, an electronic still camera photographs a subject using an imaging means and records the photographed image on a magnetic disk or the like. The recorded image is reproduced by a reproduction device.

A playback adapter is used that is connected to such an electronic still camera, plays back images recorded by the camera, and outputs a playback number 18 to a monitor. Such an adapter is usually connected to a camera and also to a monitor, reads out an image signal recorded by the camera, converts it into a video signal, performs necessary processing, and outputs it to the monitor.

In addition to visually reproducing recorded images on a monitor, the above-mentioned reproduction adapter is also used as a control device for controlling camera motion, erasing recorded images, and the like. For example, it is used as a film control device that sends a release control signal to a camera at predetermined time intervals to cause the camera to perform interval photography, or to erase images recorded on a specific track that has already been photographed.

When photographing and reproducing using such a reproduction adapter, it is preferable to reproduce the photographed image immediately after the photographing so that it can be recognized as R. However, since the playback adapter must perform playback after confirming the status of the camera, such as completion of shooting, it is required to transmit data indicating the status of the camera from the camera to the playback adapter. On the other hand, it is necessary to send various signals from the playback swallowtail to the camera in order to control the operation of the camera. Therefore, there is a problem in that a large amount of data and control lines are required to send data from both the camera and the playback adapter.

1-3 The present invention solves the problems of the prior art, reduces the number of data lines necessary for exchanging data between an electronic still camera and a playback adapter, and provides an electronic system that can smoothly exchange data. The purpose is to provide still camera footage and playback equipment (wholesale equipment).

According to the present invention, the device is connected to an electronic still camera and controls photography by the electronic still camera, and is also connected to a monitor to monitor images taken by the electronic still camera and recorded on a recording medium. A photographing and playback control device for an electronic still camera for playback includes a signal transfer means for sending and receiving data and request signals to and from the electronic still camera, and a communication control means for controlling communication with the electronic still camera, The communication control means outputs a start signal to the electronic still camera using the data and request signal sending/receiving means.
It controls communication with the still camera to permit output of signals from the still camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of an electronic still camera photographing and playback control device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a playback adapter as a photographing and playback control device for an electronic still camera according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the playback adapter 10 has a connector 4
2 to the electronic still camera 12. An image signal of a still image photographed by the electronic still camera 12 is input through the connector 42 and sent to the non-reproduction system processing circuit 14 and the reproduction system processing circuit 16. The output of the non-reproduction processing circuit 14 is input to the reproduction processing circuit I6, and the output of the reproduction processing circuit I6 is output to the monitor terminal 18. The reproduction system processing circuit 16 is connected to a monitor terminal 18 and performs processing necessary for visual reproduction using the monitor, for example, processing of converting an image signal input from a camera into a video signal for monitor reproduction. The non-reproduction processing circuit 14 performs image signal processing other than the processing performed by the reproduction processing circuit 16, such as demodulation of an RF signal or DPSK signal reproduced by a camera, erasure of an image recorded on a specific track, Performs communication processing to instruct the camera to perform operations such as erasing all tracks and advancing tracks.

The monitor terminal 18 is a bin jack with a switch connected to a monitor. When the monitor terminal 18 is connected to a monitor, image signals from the non-reproduction processing circuit 14 and the reproduction processing circuit 16 are sent to the monitor. When the monitor terminal 18 is connected to a monitor, the switch of the monitor terminal 18 is turned on, and its output is sent to the control section 40 .

The control unit 40 is a control unit that controls each functional unit of the playback adapter 10. For example, the control unit 40, which is advantageously configured with a one-chip microcomputer, also sends a request signal for requesting camera status at regular time intervals. The control unit 40 outputs data to the camera 12, and causes the camera 12 to output data on the status of the camera 12, such as the end of shooting, completion of erasing images of a specific track, etc. After confirming the status of the camera 12, the control unit 40 , track erasure, etc., are output to the camera 12 through the interface 44.

There is a camera status detection unit 48 inside the control unit 40, and the camera status detection unit 48 is connected to the interface 44.
The status of the camera 12 is input from the camera 12 at predetermined time intervals through the interface 44, and this is detected. The output from the camera status detection section 48 is processed within the control section 40.

An interface 44 is connected to the camera status detection section 48 in the control section 40 , and the interface 44 is connected to the camera 12 via the connector 42 .

The interface 44 is connected to the camera 12 through a control signal line R and a data line. Control signals such as release control, track feed, and erasing are sent from the control unit 40 to the camera 12 via a data line. Further, the data line port is used for sending photographic data, camera status, etc. from the camera 12 to the control unit 40. The playback adapter IO becomes capable of communicating with the camera by setting the control signal line R to L level.

The reproduction adapter 10 also has a battery terminal 28 to which a battery is connected and an AC adapter terminal 30 to which an AC adapter is connected. By connecting the battery or AC adapter to any of these terminals,
Necessary power is supplied to the reproduction adapter 10. The battery terminal 28 and the AC adapter terminal 30 are connected to the relay circuit 26. The relay circuit 26 is a selection circuit that selects power from either the battery terminal 28 or the AC adapter terminal 30. Power output from relay circuit 26 is supplied to regulators 22 and 24. The regulator 22 supplies predetermined power to the non-reproduction processing circuit 14 and the reproduction processing circuit 16.

The output of the regulator 22 is sent to the non-regenerative processing circuit 14 and also to the switch 20. switch 2
0 is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 40, and is connected only when the monitor terminal 18 is connected to a monitor, thereby sending power from the regulator 22 to the reproduction system processing circuit 16 when the monitor is connected. For example, a transistor is advantageously used as the switch 20. On the other hand, the regulator 24 supplies a predetermined power to the control section 40.

The input from the AC adapter terminal 30 is also input to the battery adapter detector 32 . When power is supplied from the battery terminal 28 or the AC adapter terminal 30, the battery adapter detector 32 detects which source the power is being supplied from, that is, whether the battery or the AC adapter is being used as a power source.

The output from the battery adapter detector 32 is sent to the control unit 40.
sent to.

The control section 40 is further connected to a power switch 34 and a J remote control input section 36. power switch 34
is operated by the operator to turn on and off the power supplied to the playback adapter IO. The remote control input section 36 is constituted by a light receiving section provided on the side surface of the playback adapter 10.
Instructions such as shooting, frame-by-frame forwarding, playback, and erasing instructions are inputted by the operator using the remote control.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained.

The camera 12 is connected to the connector 42, the playback monitor is connected to the monitor terminal 18, and the battery terminal 28 or AC adapter terminal 3 is connected to the connector 42.
0 is connected to a battery or an AC adapter, respectively. When the operator turns on the power switch 34, power is supplied from the battery or AC adapter.

A control signal is sent from the control unit 40 to the camera 12 through the interface 44 and the data line, and the recording head of the camera 12 moves to an unrecorded track to enter a shooting standby state. At this time, the control unit 40 reproduces a mute screen (black screen), and the mute screen is reproduced on the monitor.

On the other hand, the control unit 40 controls the
A status request signal requesting the status of camera I2 is outputted to camera 12 every millisecond through interface 44 and a data line. When the camera 12 receives this status request signal, it outputs camera status data to the camera status detection section 48 through the data line and the interface 44. The camera status detection unit 48 thereby detects the status of the camera, such as the presence or absence of a video floppy, completion of shooting, completion of movement to an unrecorded track, number of recorded tracks, etc. at predetermined time intervals. In particular, the camera status detection unit 48 determines whether the captured image is a frame image or a field image based on data on the number of recorded tracks. The camera status detection section 48 outputs the detected signal to the control section 40.

When playing back images of an aircraft using the camera's shutter button, the operator must set whether to shoot a frame or a field, that is, whether to record the shot image as a frame image or as a field image. When you press the release button to take a picture with the camera, the captured image is recorded on the disk as a frame image or field image. The camera 12 adds 1 to the recorded track number data in the camera status when the captured image is a field image, and adds 2 when the captured image is a frame image.

When shooting is completed, the camera 12 outputs a status signal indicating the completion of shooting in response to a status request signal from the control unit 40, and also transmits data on the number of recorded tracks to the camera status detection unit through the data line D and the interface 44. Output to 48. When the camera status detecting section 48 detects an increase in the number of recorded tracks, it detects the end of photographing and whether the photographed image is a frame image or a field image, and outputs a signal to the control section 40. Control unit 4
0 detects the end of the aircraft based on a signal from the camera status detection unit 48, requests the camera for track record information, and updates the track map.

Furthermore, when the control unit 40 detects the type of image captured, it outputs a control signal instructing frame playback or field playback to the camera 12 through the interface 44, and plays back the Wf4'a3 image. Let it happen.

The photographed image data is read out from the camera 12, processed by the non-reproduction processing circuit 14 and the reproduction processing circuit 16, and then sent to the monitor through the monitor terminal 18, and the captured image is converted into a frame image or field. It is visually reproduced as an image on the monitor. This cancels the mute screen.

The screen shot by such an operation is immediately reproduced on the monitor.

On the other hand, when erasing an aircraft image or a recorded image, the control unit 40 determines whether the image to be erased is a field image or a frame image, and outputs an erasure command to the camera 12 through the interface 44 and the data line. . When the camera 12 receives the erase command, the number of recorded tracks in the camera status is reduced by 1 if the image to be erased is a field image, and by 2M if the image is a frame image.

In this way, in the case of erasure, the number of recorded tracks is reduced, and when photography is performed again, the number of recorded tracks is increased in accordance with the photographed image.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the camera status is detected by the camera status detection section 48 in response to the status request signal sent from the control section 40 at predetermined time intervals, and in particular, the number of recorded tracks is detected. . If the recorded image is a field image, l is added to the number of recorded tracks, and if it is a frame image, 2 is added to the number of recorded tracks. It is possible to determine whether it is an image and perform playback according to the image.

Also, when erasing recorded images, the number of recorded tracks is reduced in advance according to the number of erased images and the type of image, so the number of recorded tracks at that point in subsequent shooting will be reduced. It can be accurately grasped and can be played back immediately after shooting.

Effects According to the present invention, only when a start signal (status request signal, track signal, erase signal, etc.) is output to the electronic still camera, output of a signal from the camera is permitted.
Controls communication with the camera. Therefore, request signals and data can be exchanged with the camera using fewer communication lines.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic still camera photographing and playback control device according to the present invention. - Explanation of main parts 109. Reproduction adapter Camera non-reproduction system processing circuit Reproduction system processing circuit Monitor terminal switch Power switch Remote control input section Camera status detection section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Connected to an electronic still camera to control photography by the electronic still camera, and connected to a monitor to reproduce images taken by the electronic still camera and recorded on a recording medium on the monitor. A photographing and playback control device for an electronic still camera, the device comprising: a signal transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data and request signals to and from the electronic still camera; and a communication control means for controlling communication with the electronic still camera. The communication control means communicates with the still camera so as to permit the output of a signal from the still camera only when the data and request signal exchange means outputs a start signal to the electronic still camera. A photographing and playback control device for an electronic still camera characterized by controlling communication. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control means outputs a status request signal to the camera by the data and request signal exchange means at predetermined time intervals, and transmits the camera status from the camera by the data exchange means. A photographing and playback control device for an electronic still camera, characterized in that it receives signals. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the camera status signal includes data on the number of recorded tracks, and the data on the number of recorded tracks is 1 when a field image is captured, and 1 when a frame image is captured. 1. A photographing and playback control device for an electronic still camera, characterized in that 2 is added when each of the above is performed.