JPH04298168A - Size display system for electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display the size display pattern together with an object at reproduction in order to recognize the size of the picked-up object image easily and accurately in the electronic still camera. CONSTITUTION:Zoom information and distance information are fetched by a CPU 14 at image pickup and a scale data is obtained through the calculation. Then a scale pattern is generated from a scale pattern generator 19 from the scale data. A video image of only the scale is recorded on a track relating to a transmission of a video floppy 24 to record an object while being inserted in a video signal by scale insert circuits 6, 10. The video image of the scale is synthesized on the video image of the object and the result is outputted to a monitor by a memory 34 at reproduction.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a method for transmitting photographed subject images to a TV.
When playing back on a monitor, etc., the dimensions (
This invention relates to a dimension display system for electronic still cameras that can display scales, etc.).

0002

2. Description of the Related Art When an image of a photographed subject is reproduced using an electronic still camera, there is a system that displays ID information simultaneously on the screen of a TV monitor or the like. This includes areas such as field, frame storage identification, track number, year, month, day, hour, minute and second, and user's area. Electronic still cameras that can record this ID information are only equipped with a recording circuit for the subject and ID information.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Incidentally, the uses of electronic still cameras have expanded significantly recently, and for example, there is a demand for easily and accurately knowing the size and length of the image of a photographed subject on a display screen. . Conventional electronic still cameras have only the data display system described above and cannot meet this demand. In order to accurately know the dimensions of an object, the current goal is to simultaneously photograph something that can be compared with the object, such as a pencil or a cigarette. Furthermore, since the user's area of the ID information can be used freely, it is possible to use that, but in reality, it is difficult to accurately grasp the dimensions because it can only be expressed using an alphabet of about 10 digits. Furthermore, a system for displaying distance information during playback has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-309472), but it is still far from meeting the above requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a dimension display system for an electronic still camera that can display a dimension display pattern along with the subject during playback in order to easily and accurately know the size of the photographed subject image. It is about providing.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the size display system for an electronic still camera according to the present invention includes an imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an imaging device through a lens system into a video signal; a focus control means for obtaining zoom information and distance information when the subject image formed on the image sensor is focused; a dimension display pattern generation circuit; and a dimension for inserting the output of the dimension display pattern generation circuit as a video signal. A display insert circuit calculates dimension display data by incorporating zoom information and distance information obtained from the focusing control means during photographing, and outputs a dimension display pattern from the dimension display pattern generation circuit based on this dimension display data. a control means for creating a video signal of only a dimension display pattern and recording it on a recording medium, and for associating the recording area with a recording area of the recording medium in which the video signal of the corresponding object is recorded; The apparatus is further provided with a composition means for synthesizing images of a plurality of recording areas, and is configured to be able to synthesize and display the image and the corresponding dimension display when the image of the subject on the recording medium is reproduced on a monitor or the like. Also, an imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an image sensor through a lens system into a video signal, and a focusing control for obtaining zoom information and distance information when the subject image formed on the image sensor is focused. means, a dimension display pattern generation means for calculating dimension display data by calculating and calculating zoom information and distance information obtained from the focusing control means, and generating a dimension display pattern from the dimension display data; and said dimension display pattern. and means for inserting the image into the image of the subject. Also, an imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an image sensor through a lens system into a video signal, and a focusing control for obtaining zoom information and distance information when the subject image formed on the image sensor is focused. a dimension display pattern generation circuit; a dimension display insert circuit for inserting the output of the dimension display pattern generation circuit as a video signal; Dimension display data is calculated, and using this dimension display data, the dimension display pattern generation circuit outputs a dimension display pattern to create a video signal of only the dimension display pattern and record it on a recording medium, and the recording area and the corresponding subject are control means for associating a video signal of a recording medium with a recording area of a recording medium, and a compositing means for compositing images of a plurality of recording areas of the recording medium, the video signal of the subject on the recording medium being displayed on a monitor or the like. When playing back, the video image and the corresponding dimension display can be combined and displayed.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings and the like. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a monitor screen displayed on a scale using the size display system for an electronic still camera according to the present invention. An object 40 is reproduced in the center of the screen, and a scale 41, which is an example of dimension display, is displayed at the bottom of the screen. The dimensions of the scale are determined based on focus information and the like, and the pattern thereof is displayed. By comparing with this scale 41, the size of the subject can be easily and accurately determined.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of a dimension display system for an electronic still camera according to the present invention. The imaging system means 4 includes a lens system 1, an aperture 2, a CCD imaging device 3, and the like. The lens system 1 is composed of a master lens, a focusing lens, a variable magnification lens (zoom lens), etc., and has an aperture 2 built therein. The iris and autofocus control circuit 18 including the focus control means includes a drive unit that drives the focus adjustment lens and variable magnification lens of the lens system 1, a drive unit that drives the aperture, and a control unit that controls these. ing. A control signal is sent from the CPU (control means) 14 to the iris and autofocus control circuit 18 via the shutter control circuit 16.

[0008] The CPU 14 is a shutter control circuit 1.
When the CCD driver 17 is activated via the CCD driver 6 and the CCD image sensor 3 is driven, the subject is taken into a recording system circuit through the imaging system means 4 and displayed on an electronic viewfinder (not shown). In addition to the above operations, the iris and autofocus control circuit 18 also performs a focusing operation by driving a focusing lens using a high frequency signal extracted from a video signal. During the focusing operation process and during focusing, information (distance information) indicating the focusing lens position is sent to the CPU 14. Further, when a zoom operation is performed and a signal thereof is input from the CPU 14, the variable magnification lens is driven to enlarge or reduce the object to a desired size. The variable power lens position information at that time, ie, zoom information, is also sent to the CPU 14. The iris and autofocus control circuit 18 also receives brightness information from the video signal and drives and controls the aperture 2 so that the subject is exposed appropriately.

When the CPU 14 receives a shutter operation signal, it sends a control signal to the shutter control circuit 16. The shutter control circuit 16 is the CCD driver 1
7, the CCD image pickup device 3 discharges the charges accumulated up to that point and starts transfer, and after a predetermined time (shutter time), the transfer ends. The CCD image sensor 3 sends an electrical signal of the object image to a recording system circuit. In the recording system circuit, electrical signals from the CCD image sensor 3 are input to a color matrix circuit 5 and a Y process circuit 9. The color matrix circuit 5 subtracts the Y (luminance) signal and the chroma signal and outputs a color difference signal. On the other hand, the Y process circuit 9 uses the timing pulse from the timing generator 21 to insert a synchronization signal and the like to create a predetermined luminance signal. A part of the output of the Y process circuit 9 is sent to a contrast detection section 20. The contrast detection section 20 detects the brightness of the luminance signal at the timing of the pulse supplied from the timing generator 21, and sends the detected information to the CPU 14. The CPU 14 analyzes the detected information and sends a control signal to the iris and autofocus control circuit 18 for the above-mentioned exposure control.

The scale insert circuit 6 is a circuit for inserting scale information into the color difference signal. Further, the scale insert circuit 10 is a circuit for inserting scale information into the luminance signal. These scale insert circuits 6 and 10 operate only when scale information is sent from the scale pattern generator 19, and color difference signals and luminance signals that make up the image of the subject are supplied from the color matrix circuit 5 and Y process circuit 9. scale information is not inserted into those signals. Therefore, when one frame is photographed, the scale insert circuits 6 and 10 output a video signal of the subject and a video signal with only scale information inserted at different timings. The scale pattern generator 19 generates a pattern signal as shown in FIG. 1. The scale pattern generator 19 generates a pattern signal as shown in FIG. It outputs a dimension display signal corresponding to the size of. This dimension display signal also includes numbers indicating scales.

The color difference signal and luminance signal that have passed through the scale insert circuits 6 and 10 are processed by emphasis circuits 7 and 11 to emphasize the characteristics of the high frequency part in order to maintain the S/N ratio of the high frequency part during modulation. . The outputs of the emphasis circuits 7 and 11 are FM modulated by the C modulator 8 and the Y modulator 12, and then
The synthesizer 13 synthesizes the signals. The composite signal is recorded on a predetermined recording track of the video floppy 24 by the magnetic head 25. At this time, the video signal of only the dimension display pattern is set and recorded on the even-numbered tracks, and the video signal of the object is set and recorded on the odd-numbered tracks. The track number of the image of the object and the track number of the image of only the dimension display pattern are stored in the memory built into the CPU 14 in association with each other.

A VFD (video floppy driver) interface circuit 22 connects the VFD 2 under the control of the CPU 14.
The video floppy 24 is rotated at a predetermined speed and phase. Further, the head drive motor is driven to move the magnetic head 25 to the track of the video floppy 24 instructed by the CPU 14. An LCD 15 is connected to the CPU 14, and various displays indicating the status of the electronic still camera are made.

The circuit section on the right side of the one-dot chain line is a circuit section showing a reproduction system. The video signal of the subject on the predetermined odd-numbered track recorded on the video floppy 24 is sent to the CPU 14.
The signal is read out under the control of the Y/C separation circuit 26 and separated into a luminance signal modulated wave and a color difference signal modulated wave. The color difference signal modulated wave is demodulated by the C demodulator 27, and the luminance signal modulated wave is demodulated by the Y demodulator 31. Each demodulated signal is returned to its original flat characteristic by a C de-emphasis circuit 28 and a Y de-emphasis circuit 32. The R-Y and B-Y demodulated waves of the color difference signal are synchronized by the R-Y/B-Y synchronization circuit 29, and the synchronized signal and the signal from the Y de-emphasis circuit 32 are converted into NTS.
The signal is input to the C encoder 30. NTSC encoder 3
0 converts these signals to NTSC signals and converts them to NTSC signals.
The SC signal is sent to the A/D converter 33.

The output of the A/D converter 33 is temporarily stored in the address space of the memory 34 indicated by the memory control circuit 37 which receives instructions from the CPU 14. Here CPU1
4. When receiving an instruction to display dimensions at the same time by key input, reads the predetermined odd-numbered track and even-numbered track number information of the set from the built-in memory,
The VFD interface circuit 22 is controlled to move the magnetic head 25 to the even-numbered track. When the magnetic head 25 is positioned on the even-numbered track, a video signal showing only the dimensions is read out. This read video signal is subjected to the same processing as the video signal of the subject, and is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 33. The memory control circuit 37 stores a video signal showing only dimensions in an address space different from the address space of the memory 34 in which the video signal of the object is stored. Thereafter, the object and video signal in the memory 34 are simultaneously read out and combined by the memory control circuit 37 during playback, and converted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 35. The signal is then amplified by the video amplifier 36 and output from the video output terminal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the photographing operation procedure of FIG. 2. When the main switch is turned on (step 1), it is determined whether a video floppy is installed (step 2). If a video floppy is not installed, a warning process is performed. If a video floppy is installed, then it is determined whether or not the video floppy is recordable (step 3). This determination also includes determining whether one set of odd and even tracks exists. When the shutter is pressed down (step 4), aperture and focusing operations are performed (step 5), and it is determined whether an instruction to record a dimension display has been given (step 6). If there is no instruction to record the dimension display, the video signal of the object is recorded on a predetermined recording track (step 9). If an instruction to record the dimension display is given, distance information such as a focus signal and zoom information are fetched and set (step 7). First, a video signal of the object is recorded on a predetermined odd-numbered track of the video floppy (step 8), and then a video signal of a dimension display is recorded on the associated even-numbered track (step 10). After that, if the photographing is to be continued, the process returns to step 3 (step 11).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure during playback. The steps up to step 2 are the same as in the case of recording. In step 3, it is determined whether the video floppy is playable. If it is reproducible, it is determined whether or not to display dimensions (step 4). When displaying dimensions, press the play button (step 5), first the image of the subject is read out from the selected track (step 6), and then the image of the dimensions is read out (step 6).
Step 7). The video signal for displaying the object and dimensions is stored in memory 3.
4 and are synthesized and reproduced on the monitor (step 8). Next, it is determined whether or not to continue displaying the dimensions (step 9), and if the dimensions are to be displayed, the reproduction of the object and dimensions is completed. If the image does not continue to be displayed, only the size display image is not read out from the memory 34 (step 10), and the image of only the object is reproduced on the monitor. On the other hand, if an operation has been performed that does not display dimensions during playback, if you press the playback button (step 1)
1) Only the video signal of the subject is read out, temporarily stored in the memory 34, and then played back (steps 12 and 13).
. In the above embodiment, an example was explained in which the association data between the odd track number for recording the object and the even number track number for recording the dimension display is stored in the memory built into the CPU. The ID information may be stored in the user's area of the ID information to be superimposed on the track to be recorded. In such a case, even when the video floppy is played back by another electronic still camera, dimensions can be displayed at the same time if that electronic still camera has the playback system circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
This is an example in which a track for displaying one dimension is set for a large number of subject images. The subject 42 is photographed at regular intervals, and the growth of the subjects 42 to 45 at each stage is recorded. At this time, one size display is sufficient, so the same size display is used for each video. The objects 42 to 45 are recorded on tracks 2 to 5, respectively, and the size display image is recorded on one track. At this time, the track 1 and the object 42 where the image of the dimension display was recorded
Data indicating the correspondence between tracks 2 to 5 in which numbers 45 to 45 are recorded is stored in the user's area of the ID information. When reproducing, the data in the user's area is read out to obtain correspondence data between the size display track and the subject track, and first, tracks 1 and 2 are read out and combined and reproduced. Next, tracks 1 and 3 are read out, and then tracks 1 and 4, and so on, and are combined and reproduced.

The recording operation follows the procedure shown in FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment, but the size display image is recorded on one track.
The procedure for recording subject images on the four tracks is different. Also, the data of the correspondence of the track is ID
A procedure for storing information in the user's area will be added. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the reproduction operation procedure of the second embodiment. The steps up to step 3 are the same as in FIG. In step 4, it is determined whether or not to display dimensions. As a result, if there is a dimension display instruction, the track number in which the dimension display is recorded is read out from the user's area of the ID information and is associated with the track number of the object to be reproduced (step 5). When the playback button is pressed (step 6), the image of the track displaying the dimensions is read out and stored in the memory (step 7), and then the image of the track of the subject is read out and stored in the memory (step 7). Step 8). Then, the size display and the image of the subject are read out from the memory, and these are combined and reproduced on the monitor (step 9). On the other hand, if there is no dimension display instruction, when the playback button is pressed down (step 10), the video signal of any of tracks 2 to 5 to be played back is read out and stored in the memory 34 (step 11).
). The video signal stored in the memory 34 is read out and played back (step 12). Above, examples of scales have been shown for displaying dimensions in both the first and second embodiments, but there are other ways to display dimensions, such as displaying them divided by color, or using illustrations such as pictures. Examples can be considered.

[0019]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the size display system for an electronic still camera according to the present invention records an image of a subject and an image of a size display (scale, etc.) corresponding to the image, and can play them back simultaneously. Since it is configured,
A scale etc. can be displayed on the image of the subject on a TV monitor, making it possible to easily and accurately know the size and length of the subject. In addition, since a scale scale image pattern is generated from the shooting conditions (distance information, zoom information, etc.),
The photographer only needs to give an operational instruction as to whether or not to incorporate scale information, and there is no need for troublesome operations to set the scale. Furthermore, when displaying the dimensions is not necessary, it is also possible to play back the image of only the subject. If one size display is commonly used for a plurality of objects as in the second embodiment, the capacity of the recording medium can be saved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example of a dimension display system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of a dimension display system for an electronic still camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operational procedure for recording during photographing.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a display operation procedure during playback.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a dimension display screen according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a display operation procedure during playback in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...Lens 2...Aperture 3...CCD 4...Imaging system means 5...Color matrix 6, 10...Scale insert circuit 7, 11...Emphasis circuit 8...C modulator 9...Y process circuit 12...Y modulator 13...Synthesizer 14... CPU (control means) 15...LCD 16...Shutter control circuit 17...CCD driver 18...Iris, autofocus control means 1
9...Scale pattern generator (dimensional display pattern generation circuit) 20...Contrast detector 21...Timing generator 22...VFD interface circuit 23...VFD (video floppy driver) 25...Magnetic head 33...A/D converter 34...Memory 35 ...D/A converter 36...video amplifier 37...memory control circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an image sensor through a lens system into a video signal, and obtaining zoom information and distance information when the subject image formed on the image sensor is focused. a focus control means; a dimension display pattern generation means for calculating dimension display data by incorporating and calculating zoom information and distance information obtained from the focus control means, and generating a dimension display pattern from the dimension display data; 1. A dimension display system for an electronic still camera, comprising means for inserting a dimension display pattern into an image of a subject. 2. Imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an image sensor through a lens system into a video signal, and obtaining zoom information and distance information when the subject image formed on the image sensor is focused. A focus control means, a dimension display pattern generation circuit, a dimension display insert circuit for inserting the output of the dimension display pattern generation circuit as a video signal, and incorporating zoom information and distance information obtained from the focus control means at the time of photographing. Calculate dimension display data, and use this dimension display data to output a dimension display pattern from the dimension display pattern generation circuit to create a video signal of only the dimension display pattern and record it on a recording medium, as well as the recording area. A control means for associating a video signal of a corresponding subject with a recording area of a recording medium in which a video signal of a corresponding subject is recorded, and a synthesizing means for synthesizing images of a plurality of recording areas of the recording medium, the video signal of the subject of the recording medium being A dimension display system for an electronic still camera, characterized in that, when played back on a monitor or the like, the image and the corresponding dimension display can be synthesized and displayed.