JPH0360290A - Camera incorporating vcr - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the power consumption and to take a long interval video recording time by limiting a power supply in the standby state at the interval video recording mode. CONSTITUTION:When an object is picked up, an electronic view finder 46 confirms an object image in the video recording standby state, an interval video recording switch 41 is operated to select the interval video recording mode. No power supply is given to a circuit not requiring the operation for a specific period in the video recording standby state in the interval video recording mode and the power supply is given to the circuit at a prescribed time before the video recording state is started. Thus, the power consumption in the video recording standby state is reduced and a camera incorporating VCR is obtained while implementing the interval video recording picture for a long time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a camera-integrated VTR having an interval recording mode.

[Conventional technology]

Some camera-integrated VTRs have a so-called interval recording mode function in which recording for a certain period of time and recording standby (stopping) for a certain period of time are alternately repeated by commands from an operation button. FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional camera-integrated VTR having the above functions.

In the figure, 1 is a system control unit, 2 is a power supply unit that supplies power to each circuit, 3 is an imaging device unit that images an object, converts the imaged object into an electrical signal and outputs it, and 4 is an imaging device. This is a rotary head type magnetic recording/reproducing unit (hereinafter referred to as a VTR unit) which records and reproduces the video signal output from the unit 3 onto a magnetic tape.

The imaging device section 3 includes an imaging section 5. Electrical signal processing circuit 6.
and a synchronization signal generation circuit 7. When capturing an image of a subject, the image capturing section 5 forms an image of the subject through a lens on a charge storage section of an image capturing device such as a COD.

The image of the subject formed on this charge storage section is scanned by a signal from the synchronizing signal generating circuit 7 and read out in the form of a temporally continuous electric signal. This read electrical signal is
The electric signal processing circuit 6 converts the signal into a normal television signal, and this television signal is output from the imaging device section 3.

On the other hand, the main parts of the VTR section 4 include a video signal recording circuit 8, a video signal reproducing circuit 9. It is composed of a drum rotation control circuit 12, a capstan rotation control circuit 13, etc., and the television signal output from the imaging device section 3 is converted into an FM modulation signal by the video signal recording circuit 8, and the recording/reproduction changeover switch 1
0 and a rotary transformer (not shown) to a rotating magnetic head 11, and is recorded on a magnetic tape by the head 11. Further, the drum rotation control circuit 12
, 21 is a phase comparator, 14 is a phase compensation circuit, 1
5 is a speed control circuit, 16 is a motor drive circuit, 18 is a drum motor that rotationally drives a drum (not shown) on which the rotating magnetic head 11 is attached, and 17 is a rotational position detection device that detects the rotational position of the rotating drum. , 19 is drum motor 1
The rotation of the rotating drum is controlled as follows.

That is, when recording a video signal on a magnetic tape, the vertical synchronization signal output from the imaging device section 3 is used, and at other times, the reference signal from the internal reference signal generator 22 and the rotational position from the rotational position detection device 17 are used. A phase comparator 21 compares the phase of the detection signal with a so-called PC signal, and the phase error signal outputted from the phase comparator 21 is subjected to phase compensation through a phase compensation circuit 14. On the other hand, the speed control circuit 15 receives a speed detection signal obtained from the speed detection device 19.
obtain a speed error signal, add the speed error signal and the output of the phase compensation circuit 14, and input this added signal to the motor drive circuit 16 to drive the drum motor 18, thereby controlling the rotation of the rotating drum. Controls the phase.

The capstan control circuit 13 is the same as the drum rotation control circuit 1.
2, 121 is a phase comparator, 114 is a phase compensation circuit, 115 is a speed control circuit, 116 is a motor drive circuit, 118 is a capstan motor for running the magnetic tape at a constant speed, and 117 is a cap a rotational phase detection device for detecting the rotational phase of the stan; 119 is a speed detection device for detecting the rotational speed of the capstan motor 118;
Capstan rotation control is performed in the following manner in the same manner as the drum rotation control described above.

That is, when recording a video signal on a magnetic tape, a vertical synchronizing signal is output from the imaging device section 3, and at other times, a reference signal from an internal reference signal generator 122 and a rotational phase from a rotational phase detection device 117 are used. A phase comparator 121 compares the phase with the detection signal, and a phase error signal outputted from the phase comparator 121 is subjected to phase compensation through a phase compensation circuit 114. On the other hand, the speed control circuit 115 obtains a speed error signal based on the speed detection signal obtained from the speed detection device 119, and the speed error signal and the phase compensation circuit 114
The rotation of the capstan is controlled by adding the outputs of the capstan motor 118 and inputting the added signal to the motor drive circuit 116 to drive the capstan motor 118. In this way, the capstan rotates at a constant speed in synchronization with the synchronization signal.

The system control unit 1 is a circuit block that controls the operation of the entire system, and includes a start/stop switch 40. Interval recording switch 41. Other various operation switches 43. and information from various sensors 45, the system is brought into a predetermined operating state by various power supply control signals and various system control signals, and various display devices 4
4 to display various operations. The power supply unit 2 supplies necessary power to each circuit unit based on various power control signals from the system control unit 1. In addition, the electronic viewfinder 46 receives the reproduction signal from the video signal reproduction circuit 9 during signal reproduction, and the reproduction signal from the image pickup device section 3 in other operating states.
The television signal from the electrical signal processing circuit 6 is displayed as an image on a built-in CRT (cathode ray tube).

Camera-integrated VTRs like the ones mentioned above are usually portable.
When shooting outdoors, a battery is generally used as a power source. Currently, such camera-integrated VT
The power consumption during shooting in the R is about 6W to IOW, and considering the size and weight of the appropriate battery shape, the battery capacity is set to guarantee about 1 hour of shooting time.

FIG. 6 is a system operation state transition diagram in the camera-integrated VTR shown in FIG. In Figure 6, EJE
CT indicates the insertion and removal status of the cassette, and 5TO
P is standby state (stopped state), FF is tape fast forward, R
EW indicates reverse fast forwarding of the tape, PB indicates the recording signal reproduction state from the tape, and R3 and FS indicate forward and reverse speed search states, respectively. Also, RPC indicates the state in which the photographed subject is recorded on tape, and RECPAUSE indicates R
This shows the recording standby state before transitioning to the EC state. INTE
When RVAL HC is in interval recording mode,
This shows a state in which a photographed subject is recorded on a tape, and is substantially the same as the RFC state described above. INTERVAL
J? ECPAUSE is INTERVAL I? E
This shows a recording standby state before shifting to the C state, and is substantially the same as the RECPAUSE state described above. Also, POW
ER indicates a po prisoner ER0FF (power off) state. The above conventional example uses a so-called loading standby system, in which when a cassette is inserted, the tape is loaded and the tape is placed on standby with the tape wrapped around the rotating drum (STOP).
).

In the 5TOP state, power supply to circuit blocks other than the system control unit 1 in FIG. 5 is stopped. When photographing a subject, operate specific operation keys from the outside,
The operating state of the system transitions to RECPALISE.

Normally, the transition to RECPAUSE is completed by moving the tape backwards by an amount corresponding to the recording time of about 1 to 2 seconds from the position where recording was stopped. In this state, normally at least the system control unit 1. Imaging device section 3. A drum rotation control circuit 12 necessary for rotating the rotating drum with the electronic viewfinder 46 and VTRTaO2. Capstan rotation control circuit 13
It is necessary to supply power to the When the start/stop switch 40 is operated in the RECPAUSE state,
The tape is held between a capstan and a pinch roller (not shown), and the tape runs. At the same time, power is supplied to the circuit blocks necessary to record the signal, and the captured signal is recorded on the tape (REC). . Start in REC state.
When the stop switch 40 is operated, the tape moves backwards for about 1 to 2 seconds, then stops, and then starts recording again.
It moves to E state and enters recording standby. When the interval recording switch 41 is operated, INTERVAL RECP
It enters the AUSE state, which is the same state as the RECPAUSE described above. Then, when the start/stop switch 40 is operated, it becomes the INTERVAL REC state and the above R
It becomes the same state as the PC, and after this continues for a certain period of time, I
It returns to the NTERVAL RECPAUSE state, and after a certain period of time it becomes INTERVAL REC again. From then on,
These repetitions are performed automatically. If the interval recording switch 41 is operated again in this state, the interval recording mode is canceled.

To play back a signal from the 5TOP state, when you operate the playback operation key, power is supplied to the circuit blocks necessary for playing back the signal from the tape in the system control unit 1゜electronic viewfinder 46 and VTRTaO2. Play (PB).

As mentioned above, in current camera-integrated VTRs, efforts are being made to stop the power supply to unnecessary circuit blocks within a range that does not interfere with the operation of the device, and to suppress battery consumption as much as possible.

In addition, REC in the system operation state transition diagram in Figure 6
In the recording standby state, such as the PAUSE state, it is necessary to supply power to most of the device (actually, if the power consumption during shooting and recording is 100%, it corresponds to about 80 to 90%), and in the recording standby state If this condition continues for a long time, the battery will be significantly consumed.

Next, the actual operations when taking pictures with a camera-integrated VTR and the operations within the camera-integrated VTR will be described. Needless to say, when taking a picture, after operating the necessary operation keys, first point the lens at the subject to be photographed, check the image of the subject in the viewfinder, and focus manually or automatically. After completing these operations necessary before starting shooting, the user operates the operation key (start/stop switch 40) to transmit input information to start recording to the camera-integrated VTR. Start/stop switch 4
0 is operated, the magnetic tape is held between the capstan and the pinch roller in the camera-integrated VTR and starts running. First, the capstan rotation control circuit 13 starts playing back the signals already recorded on the tape. A recording trunk that has already been recorded is controlled so that the track locus of the recording signal already recorded on the tape matches the scanning locus drawn by the magnetic head mounted on the rotating drum (so-called splicing). After the scanning trajectories of the magnetic head match, actual recording on the tape begins.

As mentioned above, since various operations and operations are required for recording, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, in the recording standby state (in the example according to the system operation state transition diagram shown in FIG. Device section 3. Electronic viewfinder 46° drum rotation control circuit 12. Power is supplied to the capstan rotation control circuit 13, and consideration is given so that the image of the subject input from the lens can be confirmed on the screen of the electronic viewfinder 46, and the rotating drum is rotated to change the image of the subject in the imaging unit 5. At the same time, the sweep of the charge accumulating section accumulating the charges is synchronized with the rotational phase of the rotating drum, and the capstan is also configured to rotate at a constant speed in synchronization with the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generation circuit 7 of the imaging device section. has been done.

Therefore, if you operate the start/stop switch 40 from this recording standby state, the time required for continuous shooting (1 to 2
Recording can be started after a time period of approximately seconds (which corresponds to the tape backward movement time described above).

As described above, the subject image is converted into an electrical signal and recorded on the tape by the rotating magnetic head.

Next, interval recording will be described. In this case as well, after determining the subject image to be photographed in the same manner as described above, the interval recording switch 41 is operated, and then the start/stop switch 40 is operated.

As a result, the magnetic tape starts running in the same way as above, and following the continuous shooting operation, the REC state (INTERVAL
REC) and recording is performed. In the interval recording mode, when the above-mentioned recording is performed for, for example, 2 seconds, a command a is output from the system control section 1 in FIG.
A signal equivalent to operating the start/stop switch 40 is input to the system control unit 1, recording is stopped, and RECPAUSE (INTERVAL RE
CPAUSE) state and enters recording standby. Next, this recording standby state lasts, for example, for two minutes, and the system control unit 1 outputs command a again to start recording.

Thereafter, these series of operations from recording to recording standby are automatically repeated, for example, up to 500 times or until the interval recording switch 41 is operated again. Such a recording mode is a convenient function, for example, when examining the appearance of flowers that bloom over a long period of time.

Now, as mentioned above, in conventional camera-integrated VTRs, even in the recording standby state where no recording is actually performed, power is consumed close to that during recording, so the battery consumption during actual use is large, especially as mentioned above. In interval recording mode, most of the power is consumed for recording standby, so if interval recording is performed using a battery, the number of interval recordings can be limited. Therefore, at present, this problem has been solved by connecting an external power source, such as an AC adapter, to the camera-integrated VTR instead of using a battery when performing long interval recording (for example, the 500 times mentioned above).

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a camera-integrated VTR that can greatly reduce power consumption in a recording standby state and perform interval recording for a long time.
The purpose is to provide

[Means to solve the problem]

The camera-integrated VTR according to the present invention is characterized in that power supply is controlled in the recording standby state in the interval recording mode.

[Effect]

In this invention, the recording standby state (INTERVAL RECPAUSE) is set in the interval recording mode.
(7) Power is not supplied to circuits that do not require operation during a specific period, and the power is supplied a certain time before the recording state (INTERVAL REC) is started, thereby reducing power consumption.

〔Example〕

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

In FIG. 1, numeral 3 is an imaging device section, in this imaging device section 3, numeral 5 is an imaging section that forms an image of the subject on a charge storage section of an imaging device such as a CCD through a lens, and 7 is a vertical synchronization signal. 6 is an electrical signal processing circuit that converts the signal scanned by the signal of the synchronous signal generating circuit 7 and read out in the form of an electrical signal into a normal television signal. It is a circuit.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a VTR section which records the output signal of the imaging device section 3 onto a track inclined in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape using a rotating magnetic head.The main part of the VTR section 4 is a video signal recording circuit 8. Video signal reproduction circuit 9. It is composed of a drum rotation control circuit 12, a capstan rotation control circuit 13, and the like. The drum rotation control circuit 12 includes a phase comparator 21.degree. phase compensation circuit 14. Speed control circuit 15. Motor drive circuit 169 Drum rotational position detection device 17 for detecting the rotational position of the rotating drum. The drum motor 18 has a speed detection device 19 and a reference signal generation circuit 22. The capstan rotation control circuit 13 also has the same configuration as the drum rotation control circuit 12, including a phase comparator 1212, a phase compensation circuit 114, a speed control circuit 115. Motor drive circuit 116. A cab scan rotational phase detection device 117 for detecting the rotational phase of the capstan. capstan motor 118
, speed detection device 119. and a reference signal generation circuit 122.

The system control unit 1 is a circuit block that controls the operation of the entire system, and includes a start/stop switch 40.
Interval recording switch 41. Power control function selector switch 42. Information from various other operation switches 43 and various sensors 45 is obtained, and various power supply control signals and various system control signals are used to bring the system into predetermined operating states, and various display devices 44 display various operation displays. conduct. The power supply unit 2 supplies and stops power to the imaging device unit 3 and the VTR unit 4 based on a power control signal from the system control unit 1. 46 is an electronic viewfinder that includes a CRT and an electric circuit for driving the CRT in order to convert a video signal into an optical image. 42 is a changeover switch for enabling or disabling the power control function in the interval recording mode. 47 is a recording period TR setting means for setting the period of the INTERVAL REC state in interval recording, and 48 is a waiting period Tp setting means for setting the period of the INTERVAL RECPAUSE state in interval recording. In general, T, (T, for example, T, = 2 seconds, T, =
It is set to 2 minutes, etc.

Next, the operation will be explained.

The case of normal recording is the same as that described for the conventional example, and the explanation will be omitted. The operation in the interval recording mode according to the present invention will be described below.

When photographing a subject, first confirm the subject image through the electronic viewfinder 46 in the RECPALISE state. Next, the interval recording switch 41 is operated to set the interval recording mode. In this state, the recording period TR setting means 47, the standby time T, and the setting means 48
Set R and Tp.

After that, when you operate the start/stop switch 40,
Interval recording will start. That is, for example, T,=2
Recording is performed for a second, then recording stops, the magnetic tape moves backwards for about 1 to 2 seconds, and then stops. The recording stop period (standby time) continues for TP=2 minutes, for example. In the interval recording mode, this 2 seconds of recording and 2 minutes of standby are automatically repeated alternately. When the recording is stopped and the tape moves backward, that is, when the tape enters recording standby, the power sent from the power supply section 2 to the electronic viewfinder 46 and the VTR section 4 is controlled as follows. That is, these power sources are stopped until several seconds before the next recording starts, and the operation of the electronic viewfinder 46 and VTRTaO2 is stopped. This reduces power consumption. Next, a few seconds before the start of recording, the power is supplied again, the electronic viewfinder 46 and the VTRTaO2 are started, and the rotating drum and capstan are activated.

When the power supply starts, the drum rotation control circuit 12 starts the drum motor 18, and the speed control circuit 15 starts the drum motor 18.
．． The drum rotation is brought to a constant speed in about 3 to 0.5 seconds. Similarly, in the capstan control circuit 13, 0.2 to 0.
The capstan will start rotating at a constant speed in about 3 seconds. In this way, RECPAUSE (INTER
VAL RECPAUSE) state. After this, when the time required for continuous shooting has elapsed (usually about 1 to 2 seconds) and the recording stop period reaches T, = 2 minutes, recording will automatically start again, recording for TR = 2 seconds. After that, the state returns to the RECPAUSE state. These series of operations are then repeated. The situation at this time will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2(a) shows a state in which the interval recording mode is set, and FIG. 2(b) shows the electronic viewfinder 46 and VTRTaO2 The supply state is shown, and (C) of the same figure shows the interval recording state. In FIG. 2, period t is at least VTR
It is necessary to include the time required for TaO2 rise and continuous shooting. Furthermore, the electronic viewfinder 46 is operated to reconfirm the subject image immediately before the start of interval recording, and the time required for this must also be taken into consideration.
An additional 2 to 3 seconds may be added to the former approximately 1 to 2 seconds to set t to a value of several seconds.

The charge storage unit used in the imaging unit 5 can be roughly divided into two types: a so-called tube type image pickup tube, and an M
There are so-called semiconductor image pickup devices using semiconductors such as 2S type or CCD type.

In the case of a semiconductor image sensor, a normal video signal can be obtained in about 0.5 seconds, including the time required for stabilization of the electrical signal processing circuit section 6. On the other hand, since the image pickup tube needs to be heated with a heater, a heating time of about 4 to 5 seconds is required after the power is turned on.

Therefore, in this case, t=7 to 8=76 minutes.

Naturally, if an optical viewfinder is used instead of the electronic viewfinder 460, the power supply becomes completely irrelevant and the subject can be checked at all times.
Only the TaO2 rise time needs to be considered.

Figure 3 shows that when the battery capacity is set to guarantee continuous recording time of approximately 1 hour, recording (RFC) is approximately 1 hour.
The approximate time that can be actually recorded on a tape when the same battery is used is calculated when the recording standby state (RECPAUS) is repeated for minutes.

Figure a is an example of a camera-integrated VTR based on the present invention, in which the power consumption in the recording standby state (Tp period in Figure 2 (C)) is about 3% of the power consumption in the recording state. . b is a camera-integrated VTR based on the conventional example.
This is an example in which the power consumption in the recording standby state (RECPAUSE) is approximately 94% of the power consumption in the recording state (REC).

In Figure 3, for example, if P = 3, that is, an interval recording mode is set in which recording is approximately 1 minute and recording standby is 3 minutes, the actual recording time on the tape of a conventional camera-integrated VTR is approximately It is 19 minutes. In this case, the number of interval recordings n is approximately 19 times, and the possible period of interval recording mode is approximately 19 times x (1 minute + 3 minutes) = 76 minutes. On the other hand, in interval recording according to the present invention, the actual recording time is approximately 57 minutes, so approximately 57 recordings are performed, and the possible period of interval recording mode is approximately 57X (1 + 3) = 228 minutes. The effectiveness of the present invention is clearly understood. This effect becomes more pronounced as the interval recording time becomes shorter and the standby time becomes longer.
The larger R becomes, the more noticeable it becomes.

FIG. 4 shows the discharge characteristics of a NiCd battery commonly used in commercially available camera-integrated VTRs. For example, the curve designated as I CmA is I Cm
This shows that the battery can be used for about 1 hour if it is continuously discharged with a current consumption of A. As is clear from FIG. 4, it is easily understood that the smaller the discharge amount, the longer the continuous discharge time becomes.

Currently, in commercially available camera-integrated VTRs, the system control unit 1 uses a microprocessor (μmProcesso).
r) It is common practice to use a so-called microcomputer. This microcontroller normally operates dynamically at all times using a built-in clock, and in this case, the microcontroller itself requires power consumption of several milliamps, but some models operate in a static operating state (so-called sleeping mode). Mode)).

In this case, the power consumption is only several tens of microamperes, and it becomes even more effective if the sleeping mode operation state is used.

That is, as described above, in the interval recording mode, the larger the ratio between the recording standby time and the recording time is, the more times the number of recordings will be made, and the longer the interval recording mode will be.

The power control function changeover switch 42 is provided for manually performing interval recording at any time in the recording standby state even in the interval recording mode. When this switch 42 is operated, power is constantly supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the electronic viewfinder 46 and the VTR unit 4 in the same way as in a conventional camera-integrated VTR, that is, the power supply control is canceled, and therefore Since the recording standby state is established as in the past, by operating the start/stop switch 40 at any time during this period, the recording state can be entered. When the switch 42 is operated again, the power supply control state is entered.

Note that the above embodiment uses an electronic viewfinder.

Although all the power supplies of the VTR unit are controlled, it is also possible to control only a part of them, for example, only the part that is dominant in power consumption.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in the interval recording mode, only the minimum power necessary for system control is supplied during the period excluding the time required to shift to recording during recording standby. Therefore, a camera-integrated VTR
In the interval recording mode, the period of the interval recording mode can be significantly lengthened using the same battery capacity. Furthermore, power consumption is reduced and the device generates less heat. This also has the effect of reducing deterioration of devices, parts, and the like.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a camera-integrated VTR according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram explaining the operation of the device in interval recording mode, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the operation of the device in interval recording mode, and Fig. 3 shows the actual tape recording when 1 minute of recording and P minutes of recording standby time are repeated with the same capacity battery. Figure 4 shows the discharge characteristics of NiCd batteries used in camera-integrated VTRs currently on the market. FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of a conventional camera-integrated VTR, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of system operation state transition of a conventional camera-integrated VTR. 1 is a system control section, 2 is a power supply section, 3 is an imaging device section, 12 is a drum rotation control section, 13 is a capstan rotation control section, 40 is a start/stop switch, 41 is an interval recording switch, 46 is a viewfinder It is. Note that the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Capturing a subject image and converting the optical image into an electrical signal,
A means for recording this on a magnetic tape, a capstan rotation control means for transporting the magnetic tape, a drum rotation control means for rotationally driving the magnetic head for recording the electric signal, and confirming the subject image. In the camera-integrated VTR, the camera-integrated VTR includes a viewfinder device for recording, and an interval recording mode command means for repeating a fixed recording stop period and a subsequent recording period a plurality of times. A camera comprising means for stopping power supply to at least one of the capstan rotation control means, the drum rotation control means, and the viewfinder device during a specific period following the recording period. Body shape VTR.