JPH04336778A - Film image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a low-cost film image input device by combining a film image input device with a video camera and to enable an excellent focusing of a film image. CONSTITUTION:The device is constructed by combining a film image input device main unit 100 and a video camera 200. Accordingly, parts common to the video camera are omitted from the film image input device. When the video camera 200 has a contrast type AF circuit 218, by setting the video camera 200 to a camera mounting part, an AF focusing range adjustable by an AF circuit 218 is restricted to a prescribed range preliminarily set. Accordingly, even the film image out of focus can be adjusted to be focused at a prescribed focusing accuracy. When the video camera has an infrared active type AF circuit, by setting the video camera to the camera mounting part, the AF operation of the AF circuit is prohibited and the focus of a photographing lens is forcedly adjusted to the focusing point of the preliminarily set film image.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a film image input device, and particularly to a film image input device that captures an image of a long length of developed still photographic film using an imaging means, converts it into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to a video monitor. The present invention relates to a film image input device for reproducing film images on a video monitor.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a film image input device for reproducing an image of a developed still photographic film on a video monitor is known from USP. 4,482,924, USP. 4,48
5,406, U.S.P. 4,506,300, WO9
0/04301 etc. is publicly known. This type of film image input device includes a film feeding system including a supply reel and a take-up reel for feeding developed still photographic film, an illumination unit for illuminating the film, an imaging optical system consisting of a photographing lens, a CCD, etc. It consists of an image sensor and an image processing circuit.

The film is fed frame by frame between the illumination unit and the photographic lens. The image on the film is illuminated by white illumination light from the illumination unit, and the illuminated film image is photographed with a photographing lens and displayed on a CCD.
image on top. As a result, the film image is converted into an image signal by the CCD, subjected to signal processing by the video processing circuit, and then output as a video signal to the video monitor and reproduced on the video monitor.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In recent years, video cameras have become popular, and the film image input device and video camera have an imaging optical system consisting of a photographic lens, an imaging element such as a CCD, an image processing circuit, etc. , many of the relatively expensive parts can be shared. Therefore, if a film image input device is constructed by combining it with a video camera, parts that can be shared with the video camera can be omitted from the film image input device, and the film image input device main body can be provided at a low cost.

[0005]Also, most video cameras in recent years are equipped with an AF function, but if the film image is out of focus and the AF circuit of the video camera uses a contrast method, the in-focus point cannot be found and hunting is repeated. ,
There is a problem that the focus is not stable. On the other hand, AF
If the circuit is an infrared active type, there is a problem that the AF function cannot be used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an inexpensive film image input device that can be combined with a video camera, and which also allows excellent focus adjustment for film images. The purpose is to provide

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a film feeding means for feeding a long length of developed still photographic film, and an illumination means for illuminating an image on the film. , a camera mounting part for mounting a video camera at a predetermined position where a film image illuminated by the illumination means can be taken; and a connector connected to various signal lines of the video camera mounted on the camera mounting part. The video camera outputs a video signal obtained by operating an imaging means to the film image input device main body through the connector, and adjusts the focus of the photographing lens using a contrast method. an AF circuit, and when set in the camera mounting section, the AF circuit;
The present invention is characterized by comprising a video camera having means for limiting an AF focusing range whose focus can be adjusted by a circuit to a predetermined range including a preset focusing position of a film image.

Furthermore, in the case of a video camera having an infrared active type AF circuit, when the video camera is set in the camera mounting section, the AF operation of the AF circuit is prohibited and the preset film image The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with means for focusing the photographing lens at a focal position.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the main body of the film image input device and the video camera are combined to form the film image input device. As a result, parts common to a video camera are omitted from the main body of the film image input device. In addition, if the video camera has a contrast-type AF circuit, when the video camera is set in the camera mounting section, the AF focusing range that can be adjusted by the AF circuit will be limited to a preset range. be done. That is, since the distance between the photographic lens and the film as the subject is constant, the focal position of the photographic lens with respect to the subject distance can be determined in advance. The predetermined range is determined in consideration of a predetermined error (installation error when the video camera and film image input device main body are combined) with respect to the focus position. As a result, in the case of an out-of-focus film image, hunting is repeated to find the in-focus position, but since the AF focusing range is limited, even an out-of-focus film image can be captured within the predetermined range. It can be stored in a hunting box.

Furthermore, if the video camera has an infrared active type AF circuit, when the video camera is set in the camera mounting section, the AF operation of the AF circuit is prohibited, and the preset film The photographing lens is forcibly brought into focus at the focal position of the image.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the film image input device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a film image input device according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, this film image input device is constructed by combining a film image input device main body 100 and a video camera 200.

The main body 100 of the film image input device has a camera mounting section 102 for mounting a video camera 200, and when the video camera 200 is correctly mounted on the camera mounting section 102, it is locked so that it cannot be moved, and as will be described later. Connector 104 on the film image input device main body 100 side
and the connector on the side of the video camera 200 are connected, and a film image of a long developed still photographic film can be photographed by the photographing lens of the video camera 200. In addition, 206 is a lock release button, and 108
is a window portion through which a film image taken by the video camera 200 is viewed.

The long developed still photographic film is stored in a film cartridge having one or two spools, and this film cartridge is set in a cartridge loading section 110 of the main body 100 of the film image input device. Further, the film image input device main body 100 has a remote control light receiving section 112, and can be remotely controlled by a remote control 114.

On the other hand, the video camera 200 is configured to be mounted on the camera mounting portion 102 of the main body 100 of the film image input device, and has a grip 202 that can be folded and stored. Note that 204 is a cassette storage section in which a video cassette is stored, and 206 is a viewfinder. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the film image input device shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the film image input device main body 100 mainly includes a lighting unit 1.
16, a film running controller 120, a film table controller 122, a sound controller 124, an input/output selection circuit 126, and a TV tuner 12.
8, a power supply circuit 130, and a system controller 132
It is composed of.

The illumination unit 116 is composed of a light source, a diffusion plate, etc., and the light from the light source is diffused by the diffusion plate and illuminates the developed still photographic film 119 in the film cartridge 118. Film travel controller 120
1 feeds the film 119 in the film cartridge 118, and moves the film 119 in the film cartridge 118 in the X direction ( (in the vertical direction in FIG. 2).

The film table controller 122 moves the entire table on which the film cartridge 118 and reels (not shown) are mounted in the X and Y directions (directions perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2), and is controlled by the system controller 132. The table is moved in the X and Y directions according to the scan signal, and the film image is scanned within one frame.

The system controller 132 controls the film running controller 120 and the film table controller 122 in response to various control signals applied from the remote controller 114 through the remote control light receiving section 112.
In addition, a sound controller 124 and an input/output selection circuit 1
26, controls the TV tuner 128 and also controls the video camera 200 via the connector 208; still,
Details of control by the system controller 132 will be described later.

The power supply circuit 130 inputs commercial power, converts it into a predetermined constant voltage power, and outputs it to each power input section of the film image input device main body 100, and also connects each of the video cameras 200 via the connector 104. Output to power input section. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the power supply circuit 130. As shown in the figure, the power supply circuit 130 includes voltage sensor sections 142 and 144, a transformer circuit 146, and a rectifier circuit 1.
48, an input selection circuit 150, a power supply output selection circuit 152, and a power supply controller 154.

Commercial power is applied to a transformer circuit 146 via a voltage sensor section 142, where it is reduced to a predetermined voltage, then rectified by a rectifier circuit 148, and is applied to the A input of an input selection circuit 150 as a predetermined constant voltage power source. added to. Power is applied to the B input of the input selection circuit 150 from the power output section of the video camera 200 via the voltage sensor section 144.

The power supply controller 154 determines whether commercial power is being supplied or not based on the detection signal from the voltage sensor section 142, and if the commercial power is being supplied,
The input selection circuit 150 is commanded to select the A input, and at the same time, the power output selection circuit 152 is commanded to supply power to the video camera 200. As a result, the input selection circuit 150 selects the constant voltage power supply applied to the A input, outputs it to each power input section of the film image input device main body 100, and also outputs it to the video camera via the power output selection circuit 152. It outputs to the power input section of 200.

On the other hand, if commercial power is not supplied, it is determined whether or not power can be supplied from the video camera 200 based on the detection signal from the voltage sensor section 144, and if it is possible to supply power, the input selection At the same time as instructing the circuit 150 to select the B input, the power output selection circuit 152 is instructed not to supply power to the video camera 200. As a result, the input selection circuit 150 selects the constant voltage power supply from the video camera 200 side that is applied to the B input, outputs it to each power input section of the film image input device main body 100, and also outputs it to the power supply input section of the film image input device body 100. 152 becomes inoperable. Furthermore, if commercial power is not being supplied and power cannot be supplied from the video camera 200, this fact is notified to the system controller 132.

Next, the video camera 200 will be explained. This video camera 200 is configured so that it can function as a normal video camera by itself, but it is different from a normal video camera in a video circuit 216, a power supply circuit 230, a system controller 232, etc. First, a case will be described in which the video camera 200 is used as a normal video camera.

In this case, the subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device (CCD) 212 by the photographing lens 210,
Each sensor of the CCD 212 converts the light into an amount of signal charge corresponding to the intensity of the light. This signal charge is sequentially read out and applied to the video processing circuit 214, where appropriate signal processing is performed, and then output as a video signal to the video circuit 216 and to the AF circuit 218.

The AF circuit 218 extracts and integrates only the high frequency components contained in the video signal, and drives the photographic lens 21 through the lens drive circuit 220 so that the integrated value is maximized.
By moving 0, the focus of the photographing lens 210 is adjusted. Further, the voice is converted into an electrical signal by the microphone 222. After this electrical signal is subjected to appropriate signal processing in the audio processing circuit 224, it is sent to the video circuit 224 as an audio signal.
16.

During recording, a recording operation command is applied from the system controller 232 to the video circuit 216 and the VTR deck section 226, and the video circuit 216 magnetically converts the video and audio signals applied from the video processing circuit 214 and the audio processing circuit 224. It converts into a recording signal suitable for recording and outputs it to the VTR deck section 226.
6 magnetically records the recording signal on a video tape via a magnetic head.

On the other hand, during playback, the system controller 2
A command for playback operation is sent from 32 to the video circuit 216 and VTR.
The VTR deck section 226 extracts a recording signal from the video tape via a magnetic head and outputs it to the video circuit 216, and the video circuit 216 reproduces a video signal and an audio signal from the input recording signal. , these video signals and audio signals are output to a video monitor (not shown) via the connector 208. This causes the video to be displayed on the video monitor.

Next, a case will be described in which the video camera 200 is combined with the film image input device main body 100. First, the video camera 200 is combined with the film image input device main body 100, and the film image input device main body 100 is assembled.
When the connector 104 on the side and the connector 208 on the video camera 200 side are connected, a predetermined constant voltage power source is connected to the power input section (power supply circuit 230) of the video camera 200 when commercial power is supplied as described above. added to.

The power supply circuit 230 of the video camera 200 is
It has a function of charging the battery 228 of the video camera 200 using a constant voltage power supply applied through the connector 208, and as shown in FIG.
It is composed of an overcharge prevention circuit 242, switches 244 and 246, and a DC/DC converter 248. The switches 244 and 246 are switched simultaneously in conjunction with the connection/disconnection of the connector 208 or the presence/absence of constant voltage power input. When the constant voltage power is input from the film image input device main body 100 side, the switches 244 and 246 are switched as shown in the figure. The switch is switched so that the battery 228 can be charged. That is, the constant voltage power input through the connector 208 is connected to the constant current circuit 2.
40 and the battery 22 via the overcharge prevention circuit 242.
8 and charges the battery 228. The simplest constant current circuit 240 can be configured with one resistor, and the overcharge prevention circuit 242 checks the voltage and prevents the battery 228 from being overcharged.

Now, when reproducing a film image, the CCD 212, the video processing circuit 214, and the AF circuit 218
etc. to take an image of the film 119. At this time, the system controller 2 of the video camera 200
32 outputs a signal to limit the AF focusing range to the AF circuit 218 on the condition that the video camera 200 is set in the film image input device main body 100.

That is, since the distance between the photographic lens 210 and the photographic subject film 119 is constant, the focal position of the photographic lens 210 with respect to the photographic subject distance can be determined in advance. Note that due to installation errors when the video camera 200 and the film image input device main body 100 are combined,
The AF focusing range is determined in consideration of the error with respect to the focusing position.

The AF circuit 218 adjusts the focus of the photographing lens 210 by setting the position where the contrast of the film image is maximum within the AF focusing range as the focusing position. Of course, it goes without saying that there is an optimal focusing position within the above AF focusing range. Note that with focus adjustment using the contrast method as in this example, if the film image is out of focus, hunting is repeated to find the in-focus position, and the focus is not stable. By limiting, even out-of-focus film images can be AFed.
Hunting can be done within the focusing range.

Furthermore, in the case of infrared active type AF, the AF operation is prohibited and the photographic lens 210 is focused on a predetermined focusing position. A video signal indicating a film image photographed by the photographing lens 210 whose focus has been adjusted as described above is sent to the video processing circuit 21.
4 to input/output selection circuit 126 via video circuit 216 and connectors 208 and 104. The input/output selection circuit 126 is controlled in its input/output by the system controller 132 of the film image input device main body 100, and in this case, the video signal is outputted to a video monitor (not shown) via a video output terminal. This causes the film image to be played back on the video monitor.

Next, simultaneously with the reproduction of the film image,
A mode for reproducing audio from a videotape (hereinafter referred to as A mode) will be explained. From the remote control 114 to the system controller 132 via the remote control light receiving section 112
When an A-mode operation instruction is added to the system controller 132, the system controller 132 outputs the A-mode operation instruction to the sound controller 124 and the system controller 232 of the video camera 200.

When the system controller 232 of the video camera 200 receives the A-mode operation command, it causes the VTR deck section 226 to execute a playback operation and causes the video circuit 216 to execute the following operations. That is, the video circuit 216 reproduces a video signal and an audio signal from the recording signal inputted from the VTR deck section 226, extracts only the audio signal from these signals, and converts this audio signal into a video signal inputted from the video processing circuit 214. It is also output to the film image input device main body 100 via the connector 208.

Of these signals, the video signal is outputted from the video output terminal via the input/output selection circuit 126 as described above, and the audio signal is applied to the sound controller 124. The sound controller 124 adjusts the volume of the input audio signal according to the signal from the system controller 132, and then outputs it from the audio input/output terminal via the input/output selection circuit 126.

Next, a mode (hereinafter referred to as B mode) in which externally input audio is recorded on a video tape at the same time as a film image will be explained. When an instruction for B-mode operation is applied from the remote controller 114 to the system controller 132 via the remote control light receiving section 112, the system controller 132 outputs a B-mode operation instruction to the sound controller 124 and the system controller 232 of the video camera 200.

When the sound controller 124 receives the B mode operation command, it adjusts the volume of the audio signal input from the input/output selection circuit 126 in accordance with the signal from the system controller 132, and then outputs the audio signal to the video signal via the connector 104. Output to camera 200. Video camera 2
When the system controller 232 of 00 inputs the B mode operation command, it causes the VTR deck unit 226 to execute a recording operation and causes the video circuit 216 to execute the following operations.

That is, the video circuit 216 is the video processing circuit 2.
The video signal input from 14 and the audio signal input via the connector 208 are converted into recording signals suitable for magnetic recording and output to the VTR deck section 226.
6 magnetically records the recording signal on a video tape via a magnetic head. Next, the case where this film image input device is used as a normal video deck will be explained.

The main body 100 of the film image input device includes a TV.
A tuner 128 is provided, and this TV tuner 1
28 selects a target channel signal from among the signals input from the antenna terminal in response to a signal from the system controller 132, processes the selected signal, and outputs a video signal and an audio signal to the input/output selection circuit 126. do. Furthermore, an audio signal and a video signal are applied to the input/output selection circuit 126 from an audio input/output terminal and a video input terminal.

The input/output selection circuit 126 selects the input signal from the TV tuner 128 or the input signal from the audio input/output terminal or the video input terminal according to the signal from the system controller 132, and sends the selected signal to the connector 10.
4 to the video camera 200. The video camera 200 has a connector 208 like a normal video camera.
The video signal and audio signal inputted from the input/output selection circuit 126 via the connectors 104 and 208 are recorded on a video tape. Also, the connector 20 connects the video and audio signals recorded on the videotape.
Needless to say, the signal can be output to the video output terminal and the audio input/output terminal of the film image input device main body 100 via the input/output selection circuit 126 and the input/output selection circuit 126.

That is, the film image input device formed by combining the film image input device main body 100 and the video camera 200 can also be used as a normal video deck.

[0042]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the film image input device of the present invention, parts common to the video camera can be omitted from the main body of the film image input device by combining it with a video camera. A film image input device can be provided. In addition, when taking film images with a video camera, the AF focusing range is restricted or the shooting lens is focused at a predetermined focusing position, allowing for good focus adjustment for film images. This can be expected to be particularly effective when the film image is out of focus.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a film image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the film image input device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of a power supply circuit within the main body of the film image input device shown in FIG. 2;

4 is a block diagram showing details of a power supply circuit within the video camera shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

100...Film image input device main body 102...Camera mounting section 104, 208...Connector 116...Lighting unit 119...Developed still photo film 120...Film travel controller 122...Film table controller 132, 232
…System controller 200…Video camera 210…Photographing lens 212…CCD 214…Video processing circuit 218…AF circuit 220…Lens drive circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A film feeding means for feeding a long length of developed still photographic film, an illumination means for illuminating an image on the film, and a predetermined location capable of photographing the film image illuminated by the illumination means. a film image input device main body having a camera mounting section for mounting a video camera at a position, and a connector connected to various signal lines of the video camera mounted on the camera mounting section; The video camera outputs the obtained video signal to the main body of the film image input device via the connector,
AF that adjusts the focus of the photographic lens using the contrast method
A video camera comprising: a circuit; and means for limiting an AF focusing range that can be adjusted by the AF circuit to a predetermined range including a preset focusing position of a film image when set in the camera mounting section; A film image input device comprising: 2. A film feeding means for feeding a long length of developed still photographic film, an illumination means for illuminating an image on the film, and a predetermined location capable of photographing the film image illuminated by the illumination means. a film image input device main body having a camera mounting section for mounting a video camera at a position, and a connector connected to various signal lines of the video camera mounted on the camera mounting section; The video camera outputs the obtained video signal to the main body of the film image input device via the connector,
Adjusting the focus of the photographic lens using the infrared active method A
a video camera having an F circuit, and a means for prohibiting the AF operation of the AF circuit and focusing the photographing lens at a preset focus position of the film image when set in the camera mounting section; A film image input device characterized by: