JPH04253479A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily confirm the water depth while implementing underwater image pickup. CONSTITUTION:A display signal generating circuit 16 generates a display video signal for measurement of water depth by a water depth sensor 10. An image pickup circuit 18 generates a video signal of an object. A synthesis circuit 20 synthesizes outputs of a display signal generating circuit 16 and the image pickup circuit 18 and gives the result to a monitor 22 and a recording circuit 24. The water depth is displayed on the monitor 22 together with the object. The recording circuit 24 records the object video image onto a recording medium together with the water depth. A warning generating circuit 30 raises warning when the measured value by the water depth sensor 10 exceeds an allowable value.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to photographic devices such as still cameras, video cameras, and TV cameras, and more specifically to a photographic device suitable for underwater photography.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, the number of scuba divers has increased rapidly, and with this, the number of people taking underwater photographs has also increased. In conventional underwater photography devices, only the camera and its accessory parts (for example, video lights, etc.) are waterproofed. In other words, a general-purpose camera-integrated VTR (video
tape recorder) in a waterproof case. The waterproof case consists of a housing that can be divided into two parts so that the camera-integrated VTR can be taken in and taken out, and both housings can be connected using a watertight structure such as an O-ring.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In scuba diving, water depth information is important for safety reasons, especially for deep divers.
This is one of the most important information. Furthermore, waterproof cameras are designed and manufactured to withstand the water pressure of the standard value stated in the specifications, and are not guaranteed against water pressure that exceeds the standard value. Therefore, the user must always be careful not to use the waterproof camera within a range that exceeds its withstand pressure (or maximum), and water depth information is also important for waterproof cameras.

[0004]Currently, wristwatch-type water depth meters are commercially available, which allow you to check the depth of the water at any time, but it is inconvenient that you have to take your eyes off the viewfinder and look at the water depth meter to check the water depth while taking pictures. There is. If you're engrossed in taking photos, you run the risk of forgetting to check the depth of the water. Another problem is that you can't concentrate on shooting because you're worried about the depth of the water.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing device that eliminates these inconveniences.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A photographing device according to the present invention includes an imaging means for outputting a video signal of a subject image, a water depth sensor for measuring water depth, and a display for generating a display signal of a value measured by the water depth sensor. a signal generating means, a synthesizing means for synthesizing the output of the imaging means and the output of the display signal generating means, and a video display means for displaying the output of the synthesizing means as an image;
It is characterized by comprising a recording means for recording the subject image on a recording medium. Furthermore, a warning generating means is provided for generating a predetermined warning signal when the measured water depth exceeds a predetermined allowable value.

[0007]

[Operation] With the above means, it is possible to check the water depth without taking your eyes off the finder. Therefore, even if the user is engrossed in photography, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user forgets to check the depth of the water with a high probability, and it becomes possible to take underwater photographs safely and with peace of mind.

[0008]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a water depth sensor that outputs an electric signal according to the water depth, 12 is a water temperature sensor that outputs an electric signal according to the water temperature, and 14 is a direction sensor that generates an electric signal according to the direction. 16 is a display signal generation circuit that generates a video signal for displaying each measured value according to the outputs of the sensors 10, 12, and 14; 18 is an imaging circuit that outputs a video signal of the subject; 2
0 is a combining circuit that combines the output of the display signal generation circuit 16 with the output of the imaging circuit 18, and 22 is a monitor that displays an image of the signal output from the combining circuit 20. Monitor 22 functions as a viewfinder. 24 is a recording circuit that records the video signal output from the synthesis circuit 20 on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape; 26 is a key for inputting various instructions; 28
is a permissible value setting circuit that sets the warning generation level of the warning generating circuit 30 according to the permissible water depth value set by the key 26. The warning generation circuit 30 constantly compares the set tolerance value with the output of the water depth sensor 10, and when the water depth exceeds the set tolerance value, issues a predetermined warning by sound, light, vibration, monitor video, or a combination thereof. Occur.

Circuits 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26
, 28, and 30 are housed in a waterproof case 32.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a display on the monitor 22. 40
is a display screen of the monitor 22, 42 is a display of the water depth measured by the water depth sensor 10, 44 is a display of water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 12, and 46 is a display of the azimuth measured by the azimuth sensor 14. Regarding the display of the direction, the magnetic needle itself may be photographed and displayed in a superimposed manner on the monitor screen. 48 is a fish that is the subject.

The method of use and operation will be briefly explained. Before diving, the user uses the key 26 to input the permissible depth of the waterproof case 32 or the depth at which a warning is to be issued. As a result, the allowable value setting circuit 28 sets the allowable water depth value in the warning generating circuit 30. Water depth sensor 10, water temperature sensor 12, and orientation sensor 14 each measure water depth, water temperature, and orientation, and output electrical signals according to each measurement value. sensors 10, 12,
The output of 14 is applied to a display signal generation circuit 16, and the display signal generation circuit 16 outputs video signals for displaying each measurement value on a monitor, as shown by reference numerals 42, 44, and 46 in FIG.

The imaging circuit 18 outputs a video signal of the subject, and the synthesis circuit 20 synthesizes the video signal of the subject with the output of the display signal generation circuit 16, and outputs the video signal of the subject to the monitor 22 and recording circuit 2.
4. As shown in FIG. 2, the monitor 22 displays the image of the subject and the images of the measured values from the sensors 10, 12, and 14 together. The recording circuit 24 records the output video signal of the combining circuit 20 on a magnetic tape (not shown) in response to the operation of the key 26.

The output of the water depth sensor 10 is sent to a warning generating circuit 30.
The warning generating circuit 30 compares the set allowable value with the current water depth, and if the current water depth exceeds the allowable value, generates a warning by sound, light, vibration, etc., and also outputs a display signal generating circuit. Output a control signal to 16 to display water depth 4
Make 2 blink. As a mode of warning, it is not necessary to use all of sound, light, and flashing video display, or only some of them may be used. Furthermore, methods such as pressure stimulation to the user are also considered.

Although the case of a camera-integrated VTR has been described as an example, the same applies to an electronic still camera. In the case of an electronic still camera, the recording circuit 24 records captured images on a magnetic disk or memory card.

In this embodiment, the measured values of the sensors 10, 12, 14 are also recorded on the recording medium together with the subject;
A display device (for example, a liquid crystal display device) for displaying the measured values of No. 4 may be separately provided so that the measured values can be viewed at the same time as the subject.

Alternatively, a transmissive liquid crystal display device may be placed in front of a monitor screen that displays an image of the subject, and the measured values of the sensors 10, 12, and 14 may be displayed on this transmissive liquid crystal display device. good. In this way, the subject and measured values such as water depth can be viewed together, and the image of only the subject can be recorded on the recording medium.

[0018]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, the water depth can be confirmed within the finder. Also, since a warning is issued when the water depth exceeds the set tolerance value, there is no chance of accidentally diving too deep.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a display on the monitor 22.

[Explanation of symbols]

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An imaging means for outputting a video signal of a subject image, a water depth sensor for measuring water depth, and a display signal generation means for generating a display signal of a value measured by the water depth sensor.
It is characterized by comprising a composition means for combining the output of the image pickup means and the output of the display signal generation means, a video display means for displaying the output of the composition means as an image, and a recording means for recording the subject image on a recording medium. Photography equipment. 2. The photographing device according to claim 1, further comprising warning generating means for generating a predetermined warning signal when the measured water depth exceeds a predetermined tolerance value. 3. The display signal generating means further comprises a water temperature sensor indicating the water temperature and a direction sensor indicating the direction, and the display signal generating means comprises:
The photographing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photographing device generates a video signal that displays the water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor and the direction measured by the direction sensor. 4. Imaging means for outputting a video signal of a subject image, water depth measuring means for measuring water depth, display means for displaying an image by the imaging means and a measured value by the water depth measuring means, and a recording medium for storing the subject image. A photographing device consisting of a recording means for recording. 5. The photographing device according to claim 4, further comprising warning generating means for generating a predetermined warning signal when the measured water depth exceeds a predetermined tolerance value. 6. The display signal generating means further comprises a water temperature sensor that indicates the water temperature and a direction sensor that indicates the direction.
The photographing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the photographing device generates a video signal that displays the water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor and the direction measured by the direction sensor.