JPH04368082A - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use more than a half of the user's area for other information storage areas even in the case of dimension display by storing image magnification information to the user's area and to calculate the data relating to the dimension based on the image magnification information when the image is reproduced with a dimension display command and to display the dimension on a reproduced pattern of an object. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 14 calculates image magnification information with position information of a zoom lens and a focus adjustment lens at image pickup and stores the information to a user's area for ID information. Since the image magnification information and its identification information bits are enough to be 16 bits, the remaining bits are used for a storage area of other information. When a dimension display is commanded and the image is reproduced, a real dimension is obtained through calculation based on the image magnification information and a character generator 30 generates a character pattern or the like to display the real dimension onto an object image.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is an electronic device capable of recording the data necessary for displaying dimensions on a reproduced image of a subject at the time of photographing, and further performing calculations based on the data and displaying dimensions on the reproduced image of the subject. The present invention relates to a still camera, and more specifically, to an electronic still camera that uses an ID user's area as an area for storing size information.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art The present applicant has proposed a dimension display system for an electronic still camera that can insert a dimension pattern into an image of a subject in order to easily and accurately know the dimensions of the subject. One of these proposals is to store various data for calculating dimensions in the user's area of the ID, calculate data related to dimensions by calculating from this data during playback, and scale the subject image using a scale generation circuit etc. (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-91381).

0003

The ID information includes fields, frame storage identification, track numbers, year, month, and date allocation areas, as well as a user's area for users as described above. This user's area is not very large and consists of 54 bits, and the number of digits is 10.
It can only be expressed in digits. In the above proposal, the user's area requires almost all bits, and when used as an information storage area regarding dimension display, there is no room for storing other information in the user's area. An object of the present invention is to store image magnification information in the user's area, so that even when displaying dimensions, more than half of the user's area can be used as an area for storing other information. To provide an electronic still camera capable of calculating data and displaying the dimensions of an object on a playback screen.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, an electronic still camera according to the present invention includes an imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an image sensor through a lens system into a video signal, and the imaging system means. a recording system circuit that converts the output from the image pickup device into a recording signal format; a focusing control unit that obtains position information of a variable magnification lens and a focus lens when a subject image formed on the image sensor is in focus; and a calculation means that calculates the distance and focal length to the subject using a lens tracking curve from the focus lens position information and performs predetermined calculations to calculate the image magnification of the subject image, a phase modulation means for phase modulating the ID information as a modulation signal, and a synthesis means for superimposing the video signal of the subject image FM modulated by the recording system circuit and the phase modulation signal, and the image magnification of the subject is The information is stored in the user's area of the ID and recorded on the recording medium. Further, an imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an image sensor through a lens system into a video signal, a recording system circuit for converting an output from the imaging system means into a recording signal format, and an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the image sensor. a focusing control means for obtaining variable magnification lens and focus lens position information when the subject image is in focus; a first calculation means for calculating an image magnification of the subject image by calculating the calculation formula;
a phase modulation means for storing information in a user's area and phase modulating the ID information as a modulation signal; a combining means for superimposing the video signal of the subject image FM modulated by the recording system circuit and the phase modulation signal; A recording medium for recording the synthesizer output, and a signal read from the recording medium is separated into a video signal of the subject and an ID information signal, and the video signal of the subject is converted into a signal format that can be played back, and the ID information is
a reproduction demodulation means for demodulating the information signal; and a reproduction demodulation means for demodulating the information signal;
a second calculation means that calculates the actual size data of the subject by performing a predetermined calculation using the image magnification stored in the user's area of the D information; and a second calculation means that calculates the actual size data of the subject; a character generator that generates numerical values, units, and scale pattern signals based on the reproduction and demodulation means; and a synthesis means that synthesizes the output of the character generator with the video signal of the subject from the reproduction and demodulation means, and when a dimension display is selected and reproduced. , is configured to display numerical values, units, and scales on the video signal of the subject.

[0005]

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 circuit diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention. The imaging system means includes a lens system 1, an aperture 2, and a CCD image sensor 3. 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. The iris and autofocus control circuit 18 performs drive control based on control signals sent from the CPU 14, which functions as first and second calculation means.

[0006] 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 image is taken into the camera process circuit 5 through the imaging system means and displayed on an electronic viewfinder (not shown). Along with the above operation, the AF detector 20 extracts a high frequency signal from the luminance signal sent from the camera process circuit 5 and sends it to the CPU 14. CPU1
4 sends a drive signal to the iris and autofocus control circuit 18 based on the high frequency signal. The iris and autofocus control circuit 18 drives a focusing lens using a drive signal to perform a focusing operation. 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 zoom signal is input from the CPU 14, the variable magnification lens is driven to enlarge or reduce the object to a desired size. In addition, the iris and autofocus control circuit 18 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 release operation signal, it sends a control signal to the CCD driver 17 to cause the CCD image sensor 3 to discharge the charge accumulated up to that point and start transfer, and after a predetermined time (shutter time) has elapsed. , terminate the transfer. The CCD image sensor 3 sends an electrical signal of the subject image to the camera process circuit 5. Camera process circuit 5
uses a timing signal from the signal generator 19 to separate the imaging signal from the CCD image sensor 3 into a chroma signal and a luminance signal, and creates a color difference signal by subtracting the chroma signal from the luminance signal. Furthermore, a predetermined luminance signal is created by inserting a synchronization signal or the like into the luminance signal. A portion of the luminance signal is sent to the AF detector 20 in accordance with the timing signal from the signal generator 19 as described above.

During a release operation, the CPU 14 takes in position information and exposure information of the variable magnification lens and focusing lens from the iris and autofocus control circuit 18. Further, by detecting the high frequency component from the AF detector 20, it is possible to obtain focus information on whether or not the object is in focus. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the imaging principle of the imaging system. In Figure 2, if the distance from the subject to the CCD image sensor is L, and the focal length of the lens system is f, then β
(Image magnification) is expressed by the following formula. β=f/k(L−f) (1) Here, k is a constant indicating the size of the CCD. The distance L to the subject and the focal length f can be determined from a lens tracking curve based on the position information of the variable magnification lens and focus adjustment lens sent from the iris and autofocus control circuit 18. The CPU 14 stores the image magnification information obtained in this way in the user's area of the ID.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of data bits stored in the user's area. 4 bits are allocated to identification bits indicating that it is image magnification data, and 12 bits are allocated to image magnification data. Since the total number of bits is 16 bits and the user's area is 54 bits, the number of bits less than 1/3 of the user's area is sufficient. CPU
14 stores the image magnification information in the user's area, and then sends the ID information to the 13fh PLL circuit 13. 1
3fh PLL circuit 13 is 20 phase synchronized with ID information.
Create a 4kHz carrier wave. Then, the DPSK modulator 8 performs phase modulation using the coded signal of the ID information as a modulation signal. That is, the phase of the 204 kHz carrier wave is shifted by a predetermined angle in correspondence with the ID information coded signal. On the other hand, the color difference signal of the object output from the camera process circuit 5 is FM-modulated by the C modulator 6, and the luminance signal is FM-modulated by the Y modulator 7. The phase modulation signal of the DPSK modulator 8 and the FM modulation signals of the C and Y modulators 6 and 7 are combined by a combiner 9. The combined signal is then recorded on a predetermined track of the video floppy 12.

[0010] A VFD (video floppy drive) interface circuit 10 uses CP in recording and reproducing operations.
The spindle motor within the VFD 11 is controlled under the control of U14 to rotate the video floppy 12 at a predetermined speed and phase. Further, the head driving motor is driven to move the magnetic head to the track of the video floppy 12 instructed by the CPU 14. CPU14
An LCD 15 is connected to display various displays indicating the status of the electronic still camera. A key circuit 21 for instructing dimension display is also connected.

Next, the reproduction system circuit section shown on the right side of the dashed line will be explained. The video signal of the subject recorded on the video floppy 12 is controlled by the CPU 14.
The signals are read out to the C/ID separation circuit 22 and separated into modulated waves of the luminance signal, color difference signal, and ID information. The C demodulator 23 demodulates the FM modulated wave of the color difference signal, and the demodulated signal is restored to the original color difference signal by the C process circuit 24. The Y demodulator 25 demodulates the FM modulated wave of the luminance signal, and the demodulated signal is restored to the original luminance signal by the Y process circuit 26. On the other hand, the modulated wave of the ID information is demodulated by the DPSK detector 29 and sent to the CPU 14. Here, if the key circuit 21 is instructing to display dimensions, the CPU 14 calculates the following equation. W=(1/2)×1/β (2) W is an actual size, and indicates a length corresponding to a length scale of 1/2 of the width of the playback screen. In addition, by this calculation, the unit information of the actual size (m/m, cm, m, etc.)
You can also get

[0012] The CPU 14 sends the actual dimensions and unit information obtained through the above calculations to the character generator 30, and the character generator 30 calculates the numerical value of the actual dimensions, the dimension unit, and the width of the playback screen based on the actual dimensions and unit information. A pattern signal with a scale of 1/2 is output. The output of the character generator 30 is sent to a synthesizer 31, where it is synthesized with the restored luminance signal of the subject. The combined output of the combiner 31 and the color signal restored by the C process circuit 24 are sent to the encoder 27, where they are converted into an NTSC signal. The NTSC signal is then amplified by the video amplifier 28 and then output from the video output terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a playback screen of a TV monitor or the like connected to the video output terminal. Monitor screen 3
0, a building 31 is reproduced as a subject. A scale 32, an actual size numerical value 33 indicating the length of the scale, and a size unit 34 are shown at the bottom of the screen. FIG. 5 is an example of actual dimensions displayed in actual numerical values. For example, the distance L from the lens tracking curve to the subject is 20m.
, the focal length f is derived to be 48 mm, then β=0.00375 is obtained by calculating the image magnification formula. Therefore, by calculating the actual size formula, W=1.33 m. The CCD image sensor is 1/2 inch, and k=6.4.
mm, and the dimension unit is mm when it is 100 mm or less, and cm when it is 100 mm or more and 1000 mm or less.
When the length is 1000 mm or more, m units are used.

[0014]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the electronic still camera according to the present invention obtains zoom and focusing lens position information at the time of focusing, determines distance information and focal length using a lens tracking curve, and performs predetermined calculations. Calculates image magnification information, stores this image magnification information in the user's area of the ID information, and performs calculations based on the image magnification information superimposed on the video signal of the subject if a dimension display instruction is given during playback. The camera is configured to display the dimensions on the playback screen by generating actual dimensions, scale patterns, etc., and combining them with the subject image. Therefore, not only can you easily know the size of the subject, but you can also reduce the number of bits of information stored in the user's area of ID information that is the source of dimension display, and even when displaying dimensions using the user's area, At the same time as display, the user's area can be used as a storage area for other information.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the imaging principle of the imaging system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of image magnification data and identification bits stored in a user's area.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a playback screen displaying a subject image, its actual size, etc.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of actual dimensions expressed by specific numerical values.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...Lens 2...Aperture 3...CCD 5...Camera process circuit 6...C modulator 7...Y modulator 8...DPSK modulator 9...Synthesizer 10...VFD interface 11...Video floppy drive 12...Video floppy 13...13fhPLL circuit 14...CPU 16...Shutter control circuit 17...CCD driver 18...Iris, autofocus control circuit 1
9...Signal generator 20...AF detector 22...Y/C/ID separation circuit 23...C demodulator 24...C process circuit 25...Y demodulator 26...Y process circuit 27...Encoder 28...Video amplifier 29...DPSK detector 30...Character generator

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an imaging device through a lens system into a video signal, a recording system circuit for converting an output from the imaging system into a recording signal format, and the imaging device. a focusing control means for obtaining variable magnification lens and focus lens position information when the subject image is focused; and a focusing control means for obtaining variable magnification lens and focus lens position information when the subject image is focused; calculation means for calculating the image magnification of the subject image by performing predetermined calculations; and phase modulation means for storing the calculated image magnification in a user's area of ID information and phase modulating the ID information as a modulation signal. , comprising a composition means for superimposing the video signal of the subject image FM modulated by the recording system circuit and the phase modulation signal, and configured to store image magnification information of the subject in a user's area of an ID and record it on a recording medium. An electronic still camera characterized by: 2. Imaging system means for converting a subject image formed on an imaging device through a lens system into a video signal, a recording system circuit for converting an output from the imaging system into a recording signal format, and the imaging device. a focusing control means for obtaining variable magnification lens and focus lens position information when the subject image is focused; and a focusing control means for obtaining variable magnification lens and focus lens position information when the subject image is focused; a first calculation means for calculating an image magnification of the subject image by calculating a predetermined calculation formula; and storing the calculated image magnification in a user's area of ID information;
a phase modulation means for phase modulating the ID information as a modulation signal; a combining means for superimposing the phase modulation signal with a video signal of the subject image FM modulated by the recording system circuit; and a recording medium for recording the output of the combiner. a reproduction/demodulation means for separating the signal read from the recording medium into a video signal of the subject and an ID information signal, converting the video signal of the subject into a signal format that can be reproduced, and demodulating the ID information signal; a second calculation means that calculates the actual size data of the subject by performing a predetermined calculation using the image magnification stored in the user's area of the ID information, and the actual size calculated by the second calculation means; A character generator that generates numerical values, units, and scale pattern signals based on the data, and a synthesizing means that synthesizes the output of the character generator with the video signal of the subject from the reproduction demodulation means, and selects and reproduces the dimension display. An electronic still camera characterized in that the electronic still camera is configured to display numerical values, units, and scales on the video signal of the subject.