JPH0332271B2 - - 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 means for changing the orientation of images displayed on a screen.

Conventional electrophotographic devices record image information captured by a solid-state image sensor installed in the camera body on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, and reproduce this information for display on a display device such as a television receiver. The structure is such that it can be monitored in a timely manner. 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 to take a picture, the image will fit comfortably on the screen on the monitor display C, but will be displayed horizontally.

It should be noted that conventional film cameras do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages or restrictions, and the above-mentioned vertical and horizontal orientations can be freely selected. Therefore, there was a great deal of dissatisfaction with the electrophotographic apparatus in this respect.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to enable the orientation of an image displayed by a display means to be changed to any desired state at any time based on an external command, without causing any unnaturalness. In addition to being able to display an image, the main information representing the image itself is accompanied by at least sub-information representing whether the image relates to a vertically long screen or a horizontally long screen. Provided is an image information reproducing device capable of automatically selecting a screen display suitable for a vertically long screen or a screen display suitable for a horizontally long screen according to the discrimination result by a discriminating means when image information in a mode that is displayed is reproduced. It is to be.

The present invention has taken the following measures to achieve the above object. That is, an information reproducing means for reproducing image information recorded on a recording medium, and main information representing the image itself by the information reproducing means, at least whether the image is related to a vertically elongated screen or When image information that is accompanied by sub-information indicating whether the image pertains to a horizontally long screen is reproduced, it is determined based on the above-mentioned sub-information in the reproduced image information whether the image is pertinent to a vertically long screen. a discriminating means for discriminating whether the screen is present or related to a horizontally elongated screen, and a screen display adapted to a vertically elongated screen or a screen display adapted to a horizontally elongated screen is selectively performed according to the discrimination result by the discriminating means. A screen display means is provided.

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, in which 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. ing.

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 the composite on the disk of the desk pack 7 loaded in the main body. It has become a thing.

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 image sensor holding table 11 is rotated by the rotational force of the motor 9 being transmitted through the gear 10, 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 houses a magnetic disk 24 in a case 23, and is configured such that the recording surface of the disk 24 is close to a recording head 25 provided inside the camera body. There is. 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 26
indicates the 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 indicating the vertical and horizontal conditions are recorded in the first part of the recording track 26, and then data DB indicating the imaging number is recorded. After that, image information DC is recorded. Note that "0101" is data indicating the horizontal direction, and "1010" is data indicating the vertical direction. Furthermore, "00001" is data indicating the imaging number <1>,
“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 to 10, the monitor display 31 is rotatably supported on a column 33 of a support base 32 so that its screen can be changed vertically and horizontally. A gear 34 fixed to the shaft of the display 31 which is pivotally supported by the column 33 meshes with a gear 36 fixed to the shaft of a drive motor 35 attached to the column 33. On the other hand, on the upper surface of the support stand 32, a disk pack loading section 37,
A reproduction start switch 38, vertical and horizontal manual operation switches 39 and 40, etc. are provided.

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 power 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 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°.

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 from the image sensor 4, and also displays an image capturing number corresponding to the image capturing 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, the video signal for one screen, 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, the required image information and data are sequentially recorded on each recording track of the disk 24. I'm going to go.

The regeneration system P operates as follows. The disk bag 7 on which recording has been completed is taken out from the camera body and loaded into the disk pack loading section 37 of the monitor device, and the reproduction 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 brings the monitor display 31 into a vertical position 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 required 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. .

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified as described below. For example, in the above embodiment, the monitor display 31 is rotated by 90° in a plane parallel to the screen, with the center of the screen as the axis, as means for changing the orientation of the image displayed by the display means. However,
As shown in FIG.
It is rotated in the horizontal direction (X direction) by a column 53 that is rotationally driven by a motor 61, and is rotated in the vertical direction ( A support arm 55 is rotated in the Y direction) and is further rotationally driven by a third motor 63 installed on the movable base 54.
It may also be rotated in the left-right direction (Z direction). In this case, the rotation angle is not particularly limited to 90° and may be arbitrary. By doing so, the displayed image can be oriented in any direction that is most suitable for the content or viewer.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a CRT display 71 with an approximately square screen is used as a monitor display,
A specific area on the screen of this display 71, for example within the range of regulation lines 72A, 72B or 73A, 7
The image may be displayed vertically and horizontally within the 3B range. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b, it is necessary to change the display scanning mode between vertical and horizontal directions, but this change in scanning mode can be realized by a circuit as shown in FIG. 14.

In FIG. 14, an image signal applied to a terminal 81 is separated by a sync separator 82 into a horizontal sync signal SH and a vertical sync signal SV. When no vertical/horizontal switching signal is applied to the terminal 83, the signals SH, SV pass through the horizontal/vertical switch 84 as they are and are supplied to the first and second sawtooth wave generators 85, 86, respectively. Therefore, in this case, the sawtooth wave for horizontal deflection generated from the first sawtooth wave generator 85 is supplied to the left and right deflection coils 87, and the sawtooth wave for vertical deflection generated from the second sawtooth wave generator 86 is supplied to the left and right deflection coils 87. The waves are supplied to the upper and lower deflection coils 88, and as shown in FIG.
The display is scanned as shown below. On the other hand, when a vertical/horizontal switching signal is applied to the terminal 83 by operating a manual switch or reproducing a signal recorded on the disk, the horizontal/vertical deflection controller 89 is activated and issues a switching command to the horizontal/vertical switch 84. give. Therefore, the switch 84 is activated and switches the synchronization signals SH and SV. Therefore, in this case, the left and right deflection coils 8
7 is supplied with a sawtooth wave synchronized with the vertical synchronization signal SV from a first sawtooth wave generator 85, and a sawtooth wave synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal SH is supplied from a second sawtooth wave generator 86 to the vertical deflection coil 88. A sawtooth wave is applied and the display is scanned as shown in FIG. 13b. The first and second sawtooth wave generators 85 and 86 are memorized with offsets, gains, etc. for vertical and horizontal display, respectively, so that the best image can be displayed on the monitor display 71. There is.

Of course, various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the orientation of the image displayed on the display means such as the monitor display can be arbitrarily changed at any time in accordance with external commands such as the aspect ratio switch, so that At the same time, the image can be fit comfortably on the screen regardless of the
There are no inconveniences such as images being displayed sideways, and it is possible to display high-quality images in a very natural manner. Moreover, according to the present invention, the information reproducing means, the means for discriminating the content of sub-information in the reproduced information, and the screen display means for displaying a screen suitable for a vertically or horizontally long screen according to the discrimination result are provided. Therefore, image information in such a manner that the main information representing the image itself is accompanied by at least sub-information indicating whether the image is related to a vertically long screen or a horizontally long screen is required. When reproduced, it is possible to provide an image information reproduction 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 the discrimination result by the discrimination means.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the image orientation changing means in the present invention, and FIGS. 13a, b to 14 The figure is a diagram showing still another example of the above-mentioned changing means. 1... Camera body 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,
53... Support column, 54... Movable base, 55... Support arm, 61, 62, 63... First to third motors, 71... Monitor display, 72A, 72B and 73A, 73B... Regulation line , 87... Left and right deflection coils, 88... Up and down deflection coils.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Information reproducing means for reproducing image information recorded on a recording medium; and by the information reproducing means, at least the image is displayed on a vertically elongated screen with respect to main information representing the image itself. When image information is reproduced in a mode accompanied by sub-information indicating whether the image is related to a horizontally long screen or a horizontally long screen, based on the above-mentioned subinformation in the reproduced image information, the image is a screen display that is suitable for a vertically long screen or a screen that is suitable for a horizontally long screen according to the discrimination result by the above discrimination means. An image information reproducing device comprising: a screen display means for selectively displaying information; and an image information reproducing device.