JPH0332270B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention uses a solid-state image sensor to obtain image information,
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus that displays images as still images or moving images, and particularly relates to a means for automatically changing the orientation of a displayed image based on information specified in advance.

Conventional electrophotographic devices record image information obtained by a solid-state image pickup device installed in the camera body on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, reproduce it, and display it on a display device such as a television receiver. The structure allows for timely monitoring. In this case, if a television receiver of the current NTSC standard is used as a monitor display, the aspect ratio of the screen will be 3:4. Therefore, it is common to use an image sensor having a light-receiving surface corresponding to the above ratio. Therefore, in the case of a subject for which it is desirable to make the image vertically elongated, it is necessary to rotate the camera body 90 degrees to capture the image, similar to conventional film cameras.
However, when an image is captured in this manner, the image is displayed horizontally on the monitor display.

Figures 1 a and b are schematic diagrams showing this process. When a relatively long subject A as shown in a is photographed with the camera body B in a steady posture, the image on the monitor display C shows a normal state but the vertical direction. Both ends of the image are displayed in a slightly unreasonable manner relative to the screen. On the other hand, as shown in b, the subject A
On the other hand, if the camera body B is rotated 90 degrees and the image is taken, the image will be displayed on the monitor display C without difficulty, but it will be displayed horizontally. Conventional film cameras do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages or restrictions, and the orientation can be freely selected. Therefore, there was a great deal of dissatisfaction with the electrophotographic apparatus in this respect.

As a means to solve the above problem, there is a means to support the monitor display unit so as to be rotatable, and to change the posture of the monitor display unit vertically or horizontally depending on the situation of the image displayed on the monitor display unit. Conceivable. However, with the above method, it is necessary to judge whether or not a posture change is required after viewing the screen displayed on the monitor display, and then perform the change operation, which makes the operation complicated and does not require quick and appropriate adjustment. The problem is that it is not possible to change the posture accurately.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to automatically change the orientation of an image depending on the situation of the displayed image, and as a result, without the need for any complicated operations. In addition, it is possible to quickly and accurately set the orientation of a display image to an appropriate state, and display an extremely natural and high-quality image. The image can be recorded in a manner accompanied by a sub information signal indicating whether the image is related to a vertically elongated screen or a horizontally elongated screen, and when it is played back, an image that is compatible with this electrophotographic device can be recorded. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic device that can automatically select a screen display suitable for a vertically long screen or a screen display suitable for a horizontally long screen according to a discrimination result by a discrimination means of an information reproducing device.

The present invention has taken the following measures to achieve the above object. That is, main information signal forming means 2, 3, 4, ... 47, 4 for forming an image information signal that is a main information signal corresponding to the subject image itself.
8, and for forming a sub information signal representing at least whether the image relates to a vertically long screen or a horizontally long screen in relation to the main information signal by the main information signal forming means. A sub information signal forming means 8 receives the image information signal as the main information signal from the main information signal forming means and the sub information signal from the sub information signal forming means and generates the image information signal and the sub information signal corresponding thereto. Recording means 44, 4 for recording on the same track on the recording medium
9, 25, and so on.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the camera body in the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention. The body 1 is provided with an imaging means, a readout scanning means, a recording means, an imaging range changing means, a data introduction means, a view finder, etc. It is being

The imaging means includes an imaging lens 2, an aperture mechanism 3, a solid-state imaging device 4, etc., and forms a subject image on the solid-state imaging device to obtain image information.

The readout scanning means is provided in the control circuit 6 so as to start operating when the power switch 5A is turned on and read out and scan the image information obtained by the imaging means.

The recording means combines the image information and other data read out by the readout scanning means by turning on the operation switch 5B, and records it on the disk of the disk pack 7 loaded in the main body. It has become something to do.

The imaging range changing means includes an aspect change switch 8, a drive circuit provided in the control circuit 6 to send out a drive output based on a signal from the switch 8, a motor 9 rotated by the output from the drive circuit,
The rotational force of the motor 9 is transmitted through the gear 10 to rotate the image sensor holding table 11, and the micro switch 12 (actually As described later, 12A,
12B), etc., and the imaging range of the solid-state image sensor 4 can be changed between a vertical position and a horizontal position by rotating the element 4 through 90 degrees.

The data introduction means includes a keyboard 13, a data circuit 14 that forms data such as a date based on a signal from the keyboard 13, a light emitting display element 15 such as an LED that performs a light emitting display according to the data from the data circuit 14, A lens 1 for forming an image of the display content by the light emitting display element 15 onto the image pickup element
6.

The view finder includes a table 18 that rotates 90 degrees by transmitting the rotation of the table 11 through a gear 17, and a table 18 that is held by this table 18 and displays an image based on image information from the control circuit 6 and a counter 20. It is comprised of an electronic display element 19 that displays an imaging number based on imaging number information, etc., and is capable of determining the field of view to be imaged.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are views showing in detail the movable part of the imaging range changing means and the movable part of the view finder. As is clear from FIGS. 3a and 3b, the table 11 has a pair of micro switches 12A,
A pin 11a is provided to operate the micro switch 12B, and when the table 11 changes from state b to state a, the micro switch 12A is turned on.
Conversely, when the state changes from state a to state b, the micro switch 12B is turned on and issues a motor rotation stop command. Also table 11
A gear 21 having the same diameter as the table 18 on the finder side is provided on the back side of the table 11.
When the table 18 rotates 90 degrees, the table 18 also rotates 90 degrees via the relay gear 17. Thus, during normal operation, the image sensor 4 and the viewfinder display element 19 are in a horizontally elongated state as shown in FIG. It's summery. Further, when the table 11 and the table 18 are rotated by 90 degrees by operating the vertical/horizontal change switch 8, the image pickup element 4 and the display element 19 become vertically elongated as shown in FIG. 3b. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the state is suitable for photographing objects such as relatively tall trees.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing a support mechanism that rotatably supports the image sensor holding table 11. FIG. As is clear from this figure, a flange 11c is provided adjacent to a meshing portion 11b that meshes with a gear 10 of the motor 9, and this flange 11c is rotatably supported by a support frame 22.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view of the disk pack 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the disk pack 7 rotatably accommodates a magnetic disk 24 as a recording medium in a case 23.
The recording surface of No. 4 is arranged in close proximity to a recording head 25 provided within the camera body. Thus, when the recording head 25 is moved in the radial direction as shown by the arrow and a recording operation is performed, image information and data are recorded concentrically, for example. Note that 26 indicates a recording track on the disk.

6a and 6b are diagrams schematically showing the arrangement state of image information and data recorded on each recording track on the disk 24, and FIG.
6b corresponds to the case where the image is taken in the state shown in FIG. 3b. As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, vertical and horizontal position data DA as display image orientation designation information is recorded in the first part of the recording track 26, and then data DB indicating the imaging number is recorded. The image information DC is then stored. Note that "0101" is data indicating horizontal direction, and "1010" is data indicating vertical direction. Further, "00001" is data indicating the imaging number <1>, and "00010" is data indicating the imaging number <2>.

Figures 7a and 7b are diagrams showing the configuration of the viewfinder, where a shows the horizontal position corresponding to Figure 3a, and b shows the vertical position corresponding to Figure 3b. ing. 27 in Figure 7 a, b
indicates the window frame of the finder. This window frame is square, and a rectangular image display section 28 appears within the square window frame in accordance with the orientation of the electronic display element 19. Also, a line 29 regulating the width of the display section 28
In the space outside a and 29b, there is a numerical value 30a indicating the imaging number and a spot 30 indicating that the imaging operation is in progress.
b, a mark 30c indicating the aperture state, etc. are displayed.

8 and 9a and 9b are diagrams showing a monitor device using a television receiver as a monitor display 31. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9a and 9b, the monitor display 31
3, the screen is rotatably supported so that the screen can be changed vertically and horizontally. A gear 34, which is fixed to the shaft of the display 31 which is pivotally supported by the pillar 33, meshes with a gear 36 which is fixed to the shaft of a drive motor 35 attached to the pillar 33. On the other hand, a disk pack loading section 37, a reproduction start switch 38, vertical and horizontal manual operation switches 39 and 40, etc. are provided on the upper surface of the support base 32.

When the playback start switch 38 is pressed after loading the disk pack 7 into the disk pack loading section 37 in this way, the monitor display 31 changes to the state shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in b, the posture is automatically changed and the reproduced image information is displayed on the screen of the monitor display 31.
Further, if the horizontal operation switch 39 is manually pressed as necessary, the monitor display 31 changes its posture to the state shown in FIG. 9a, and when the vertical operation switch 40 is pressed, the posture changes to the state shown in FIG. 9b.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram mainly showing the electrical system of the camera body shown in FIGS. 2-7a and 7b and the monitor device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9a and 9b. In FIG. 10, the area above the two-dot chain line represents the recording system R , and the area below the two-dot chain line represents the reproduction system P.

Recording system R operates as follows. When the disk pack 7 is loaded into the camera body, the radio wave switch 5A is turned on, and the portrait/horizontal change switch 8 is switched to the horizontal position H side as shown by the solid line in order to capture a horizontally long image, a resistor is connected to the control power line 41. A high level signal "1" appears at point K via 42. This signal "1" is applied to the motor drive circuit 43 on one side, and to the synthesis circuit 44 on the other side. The motor drive circuit 43 rotates the motor 9 in the forward direction when given a high level signal "1". motor 9
As the image sensor holding table 11 rotates forward, the image sensor holding table 11
and electronic display element holding table 18
rotates forward. When the solid-state image pickup device 4 and the display device 19 are rotated by 90 degrees to the horizontal position as shown in the figure, the first microswitch 12A is turned on and gives a stop command to the motor drive circuit 43. Therefore, the motor 9 is connected to the tables 11 and 18.
Rotation stops when it rotates 90 degrees.

The image sensor 4 in the above state has a main optical system 45.
That is, a subject image is formed through an optical system including the lens 2, aperture mechanism 3, etc. shown in FIG. An image of predetermined data such as a date is formed through an optical system including a light emitting display element 15 and a lens 16.

On the other hand, the drive circuit 47, video circuit 48, etc. are already in operation by turning on the power switch 5A. Therefore, image information and data captured by the image sensor 4 are read out and scanned by the video circuit 4.
8, it is converted into a video signal. Said video signal is fed on the one hand to a finder electronic display element 19 and on the other hand to a synthesis circuit 44.
input to the other input end of the . Therefore, the electronic display element 19 displays an image corresponding to the image information and data read out from the image sensor 4, and also displays an imaging number corresponding to the imaging number information from the counter 20. Therefore, the field of view of the subject to be imaged is determined from the display state. Note that the synthesis circuit 44 does not operate unless the operation switch 5B is pressed.

Therefore, when the operating switch 5B is pressed to close its contact in order to perform the first imaging, the combining circuit 44 is activated. Then, this synthesis circuit 44
is a high-level signal "1" for specifying the horizontal position inputted to one input terminal, a video signal for one image inputted to the other input terminal, and a counter inputted to another input terminal. The image capturing number information from 20 is combined and provided to the recording circuit 49. The recording circuit 49 converts the synthesized signal into a recording signal and supplies it to the recording head 25. As a result, the lateral position data DA, imaging number data DB, image information DC, etc. are recorded on the first recording track of the disk 24 in the state shown in FIG. 6a.

Next, when the vertical/horizontal change switch 8 is switched to the vertical position V side as shown by the broken line in order to capture a vertically elongated image, the K point is grounded, so a low level signal "0" appears at the K point. This signal is applied to the motor drive circuit 43 on one side and to the synthesis circuit 44 on the other side, as in the case described above. The motor drive circuit 43 rotates the motor 9 in the reverse direction when a low level signal "0" is applied. When the tables 11 and 18 are rotated 90° in the opposite direction due to the reverse rotation of the motor 9, another micro switch 12B is turned on and the motor drive circuit 43 is stopped. Therefore, the rotation of the motor 9 is stopped. As a result, the image sensor 4
And the electronic display element 19 is in the vertical position.

In this state, the image information and data formed on the image sensor 4 are read out and scanned in the same manner as described above, and displayed on the electronic display element 19 together with the imaging number.

Therefore, when the operating switch 5B is pressed and its contacts are closed in the same manner as described above, the synthesis circuit 44 is activated.
The recording circuit 4 synthesizes the low level signal "0" for specifying the vertical position, one screen, the video signal, and the imaging number information.
Supply to 9. The recording circuit 49 converts the combined signal into a recording signal and supplies it to the recording head 25 in the same way as in the previous case. As a result, the second recording track of the disk 24 contains vertical position data DA, imaging number data DB, and image information in a pattern as shown in FIG. 6b.
DC etc. are recorded.

In this way, after setting the vertical/horizontal change switch 8 according to the shape of the object to be imaged, by pressing the operation switch 5B, each recording track on the disk 24 is loaded with the required image information, display image orientation designation information, Other data will be recorded sequentially.

The regeneration system P operates as follows. The disk pack 7 for which recording has been completed is loaded from the camera body into the disk pack loading section 37 of the monitor device, and the playback start switch 38 is pressed to temporarily close the contact. Then, the reproduction circuit 50
is activated, and the reproduction head 51 reproduces recorded information picked up from one recording track on the disk 24. Among the reproduced information, the vertical/horizontal position data DA is detected by the vertical/horizontal detector 51.
, and it detects whether the data is in vertical or horizontal orientation. Now, if the data DA is "0101" as shown in FIG. The vertical/horizontal changing device 52 includes the above-mentioned support base 32, column 33, motor 35, gears 34, 3.
6, etc., and when horizontal position information is given, the monitor display 31 is brought into a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 9a. On the other hand, among the reproduced information, the imaging number data and image information are supplied to the monitor display 31, on which the image is projected horizontally and the imaging number is displayed.

When the reproduction start switch 38 is pressed again, the information picked up from the second recording track is reproduced. If the vertical/horizontal position data DA of this playback information is "1010" as shown in FIG. 52. Then, the vertical/horizontal changing device 52 changes the orientation of the monitor display 31 to vertical information as shown in FIG. 9b. Imaging number data and image information are then supplied to the monitor display 31 in this position, and the image and imaging number are displayed on the monitor.

By pressing the vertical/horizontal manual operation switch 39 or 40 as necessary before or during monitor display, the posture of the monitor display 31 can be forcibly changed at any time as shown in FIG. 9 a or b. .

In the present embodiment described above, the imaging range of the solid-state image sensor is automatically changed in response to an external command such as an aspect change switch, for example, by rotating the image sensor by 90 degrees, so that the above-mentioned image capturing range can be changed without changing the orientation of the camera body. The imaging range can be easily changed and set to a predetermined state, and a desired image can be obtained without causing camera shake or the like. In addition, since the posture of the camera body is always maintained in a steady state regardless of the change in the imaging range mentioned above, changes in the light distribution characteristics of the artificial light source due to changes in the posture of the camera body can be avoided and high-quality images can be obtained. be able to. What is more distinctive is that the display 3
Image orientation designation information, that is, vertical and horizontal position data DA, for designating the orientation of the image displayed in 1 is pre-recorded on the disk 24, which is a recording medium, together with the image information DC, and the designated information is detected during playback. and the monitor display 31 is displayed accordingly.
The point is that the posture is automatically changed by the changing device. That is, in this apparatus, there is no need to change the attitude of the display 31 after checking the status of the image displayed on the monitor display 31 each time. Therefore, the operation is not complicated at all, and an appropriate display is always made according to the image situation.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the embodiment described above, a case has been shown in which change information on the imaging range by the image sensor 4 is used as image orientation designation information for specifying the orientation of the image displayed by the display means, but there is no direct relationship with the above change information. It is also possible to separately designate the image orientation designation information without the image orientation information and record it in advance together with the image status information. Further, the recording medium is not limited to a disk, but may also be a tape or the like. It goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

As explained above, according to the present invention, image orientation designation information for designating the orientation of the image displayed by the display means is recorded on the recording medium together with the image information, and during reproduction, the above information is reproduced together with the image information. Since the orientation of the image displayed by the display means is automatically changed based on the image orientation specification information, the orientation of the displayed image can be quickly and accurately set to the appropriate state without any complicated operations. It is possible to display extremely natural and high-quality images. Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a main information signal forming means, a sub information signal forming means, and a recording means for recording the two signals formed by each of the above-mentioned signal forming means on the same track. Therefore,
The main information signal representing the image itself can be recorded in a manner accompanied by a sub-information signal indicating whether the image relates to a vertically long screen or a horizontally long screen, and this can be recorded. When playing,
Provided is an electrophotographic device that is capable of automatically selecting a screen display that is suitable for a vertically long screen or a screen display that is suitable for a horizontally long screen according to the discrimination result by a discrimination means of an image information reproducing device that is compatible with the present electrophotographic device. can do.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1a and 1b are schematic diagrams showing imaging range changing means (image vertical/horizontal changing means) by a conventional device;
Figures 2 to 10 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the camera body, and Figures 3a and 3b are views of the movable part of the imaging range changing means and the viewfinder. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of the support mechanism that rotatably supports the image sensor holding table, and FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view of the structure of the disk pack. Figure, 6th
Figures a and b are diagrams schematically showing the arrangement of each piece of information recorded on the disk, Figures 7 a and b are front views showing the configuration of the viewfinder, and Figures 8 and 9 a and b are A perspective view showing the configuration of a monitor device,
FIG. 10 is a block diagram mainly showing the configuration of the electrical system of the camera body and the monitor device. 1...Camera body, 2...Lens, 3
...Aperture mechanism, 4...Solid-state image sensor, 5A...Power switch, 5B...Operation switch, 6...Control circuit, 7...Disk pack, 8...Aspect/horizontal change switch, 9...Motor, 10... ...Gear, 11...
Image sensor holding table, 12 (12A, 12B)
... Micro switch, 13 ... Keyboard, 1
4... Data circuit, 15... Light emitting display element, 16
... Lens, 17 ... Relay gear, 18 ... Electronic display element holding table, 19 ... Electronic display element for viewfinder, 20 ... Counter, 21 ... Gear, 22 ... Support frame, 23
... Case, 24 ... Magnetic disk, 25 ... Recording head, 26 ... Recording track, 27 ... Viewfinder window frame, 31 ... Monitor display (TV receiver), 32 ... Support stand, 35 ... motor, 37
... Disc pack loading section, 38 ... Playback start switch, 39 ... Side operation switch, 40 ...
Vertical operation switch, R...recording system, P...playback system.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Main information signal forming means for forming an image information signal which is a main information signal corresponding to the subject image itself; sub-information forming means for forming a sub-information signal indicating whether the image pertains to a vertically elongated screen or a horizontally elongated screen; and an image information signal as a main information signal produced by the main information signal forming means. and recording means for receiving the sub-information signal from the sub-information signal forming means and recording the image information signal and the sub-information signal corresponding thereto on the same track on the recording medium. Characteristic electrophotographic equipment.