JPH0591071U - Camera viewfinder display - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Accurately and easily fit the subject within the recording angle of view during electronic zoom. Configuration: Image information corresponding to the entire image output from the process circuit unit 4 is input to the memory 10. Same memory 1
At 0, electronic zoom processing is performed from the microcomputer 7 via the memory controller 11, and an electronic zoom image is output.
The whole image and the electronic zoom image are switched by the finder switch 12 and displayed on the EVF 14. in this case,
On the entire image, the character generator 9 also displays a view angle frame indicating an area corresponding to the electronic zoom image.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a finder display device of a camera, and more particularly to a finder display device in a camera having an electronic zoom function as well as having an electronic viewfinder for displaying image information captured from an image pickup means on a finder screen.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Various cameras, including video cameras, are often equipped with zooming means from the standpoint of obtaining a variety of screen effects.For example, you can quickly close up or shoot a long shot while keeping a certain subject in focus. It is used when making (far shot). At this time, the photographer adjusts to obtain an image with a desired zoom ratio while viewing the zoomed image through the viewfinder. By the way, when trying to change the zoom ratio, it is necessary to visually recognize which area of the zooming image is an image that is not zoomed (hereinafter referred to as the whole image), that is, zooming. It is possible to change the zoom ratio appropriately by recognizing in advance what kind of positional relationship a main subject, such as a human image, has with respect to the whole view without departing from the intended field of view. it can.

Therefore, in a camera having such a zoom function, by selectively supplying image information that does not perform zooming and zooming image information, the positional relationship of the zooming image with respect to the entire image can be easily confirmed. The finder device described above is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-108231. That is, two systems are provided, an optical viewfinder that allows an image to be obtained through a zoom lens and an optical viewfinder that allows an image not through a zoom lens to be provided. Three half mirrors for switching the optical paths of the system are obliquely provided on the optical path or provided with a control mechanism for removing them from the optical path, whereby the above two images are selectively displayed in the viewfinder.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, the optical viewfinder device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-108231 requires two sets of viewfinder lenses, which increases the number of parts, increases the weight, and complicates the structure. There are drawbacks such as an increase. Also, when looking into the viewfinder displaying image information that does not go through the zoom lens, it is not possible to instantly know what angle of view the image will be taken through the zoom lens on the viewfinder display. It is difficult to accurately set a fast-moving subject to the desired angle of view.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when using the electronic zoom, it is possible to solve the lack of visibility at the time of using a high magnification by adding a few small parts, and to provide a field of view without zooming. An object of the present invention is to provide a viewfinder display device for a camera, in which the subject can be accurately included in the shooting angle of view by showing the angle of view of the zoomed image on the widened EVF screen.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 A finder display device for a camera according to the present invention is a camera having an electronic viewfinder and electronic zoom means for displaying image information captured from an image pickup means on a finder screen, wherein the electronic viewfinder is at least the electronic zoom means. It is possible to select and display two or more images with different angles of view without affecting the recorded image during zooming by, and to display the relationship between these images in the viewfinder. Is characterized in that

[0007]

[Work]

 With the viewfinder display of this camera, while recording in the electronic zoom mode, it is possible to secure a wide field of view on the finder screen that does not depend on zooming. Can know.

[0008]

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

The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. First, the role of each block in FIG. 1 will be described. A CCD (charge coupled device) 2 as an image pickup means is a zoom lens. The image information obtained from the unit 1 is converted into a video signal. An SSG (sync signal generator) 3 supplies a drive pulse signal for causing the CCD 2 to output the video signal to the process circuit section 4, and also includes a process circuit section 4, a character generator 9, a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer). The signals (horizontal synchronizing signal and vertical synchronizing signal) for taking these operation timings are supplied to 7.

The process circuit section 4 receives the video signal from the CCD 2 and the signal of the angle of view frame from the character generator 9, processes the video signal, and then outputs the processed signal to the memory 10 and the finder switch 12. The mode switch 5 switches between electronic zoom and optical zoom, and the zoom switch 6 changes the zoom ratio in the tele or wide direction.

The microcomputer 7 sends the zoom angle (position) information to the zoom lens driver 8, the character generator 9, and the memory controller 11 based on the information from the two switches 5 and 6. Then, the zoom lens driver 8 performs optical zooming using a zoom motor or the like. The character generator 9 also supplies a signal for displaying an image frame at the edge of the zoom angle of view to the process circuit unit 4.

The memory 10 can store the signal from the process circuit unit 4 in a field unit or a frame unit, for example, in a pixel-divided manner. The memory controller 11 controls the memory, and the memory controller 11 performs a read operation corresponding to the electronic zoom operation on the pixel information in the memory 10 based on the information from the zoom switch 6 to display the read information. It outputs to the finder switch 12 as a switching means and the recording system 13.

The finder switch 12 selects a video signal from the process circuit unit 4 and a video signal from the memory 10 and outputs the selected video signal to the electronic viewfinder 14. The recording system 13 records the video signal output from the memory 10 on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape. Next, the operation of the thus constructed first embodiment will be described. When the subject image transmitted through the zoom lens unit 1 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 2, the CCD 2 photoelectrically converts the subject image based on the timing signal from the SSG 3 and outputs its output video signal as described above. It is supplied to the process circuit unit 4. When signals from the mode switch 5 for switching between the electronic zoom mode and the optical zoom mode and the zoom switch 6 for controlling the zoom movement in the tele or wide direction are fetched by the microcomputer 7, the microcomputer 7 shows the same as shown in FIG. The "zoom operation" flow is started.

First, it is determined whether the mode switch 5 is set to the electronic zoom mode or the optical zoom mode (step S1). If the optical zoom mode is set, the microcomputer 7 sends a control signal to the zoom lens driver 8 (step S2), drives the zoom lens unit 1 to a predetermined position, and then proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the electronic zoom mode is set, the microcomputer 7 sends the information to the character generator 9 and the memory controller 11 (steps S3 and S4), and the angle of view position is determined based on the timing signal from the SSG 3. recognize. After that, the process proceeds to step S5, and the above steps S1 to S5 are repeated until the zoom switch 6 is turned off. When the switch 6 is turned off, this flow is ended.

The operation when the electronic zoom mode is determined in step S1 of FIG. 2 will be described in detail. When the microcomputer 7 gives information to the character generator 9 to display the angle-of-view frame on the periphery of the angle of view, the generator 9 recognizes the display timing of the angle-of-view frame based on the timing signal from the SSG 3. At this timing, the character generator 9 superimposes a signal for displaying the angle-of-view frame on the image information from the CCD 2 sent to the process circuit unit 4.

Here, the memory controller 11 extracts pixels corresponding to the above angle of view from all the pixels of the memory 10 based on the angle of view information at the time of electronic zoom from the microcomputer 7 to obtain pixels for the normal angle of view. Distribute (stretch). This is electronic zoom processing, and one of the image signals obtained by this processing is sent to the EVF 14 via the finder switch 12 and the other to the recording system 13. The EVF 14 itself may be a color display or a monochrome display.

According to the first embodiment, two kinds of image signals of the whole image and the electronic zoom image can be switched by the finder switch 12, and the electronic zoom operation is performed to record the image (FIG. 3). When the user wants to see the electronic zoom image 18 shown in B), the signal from the memory 10 is selected. On the other hand, when the user wants to see the entire image 17 shown in FIG. 3 (A) without electronic zoom, which also displays the angle-of-view frame 17b that divides the peripheral edge of the area 17a corresponding to the electronic zoom image 18, Select the signal from. As a result, both images can be displayed in the viewfinder on the EVF 14. Therefore, for example, even when recording a fast-moving subject, it is possible to accurately use both of the above-mentioned images and accurately fit them within the shooting angle of view.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This second embodiment is largely different from the above-mentioned first embodiment in that, when displaying the whole image 17 shown in FIG. 3 (A) with the view angle frame 17b of the electronic zoom image also displayed in the viewfinder, The screen inside the view angle frame 17b is displayed in color, and the screen outside the view angle frame 17b is displayed in monochrome. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a gate signal generator 15 is used instead of the character generator 9 in FIG. 1, and a color viewfinder 19 is used as the EVF 14, respectively. Except for these points, there is no difference from the first embodiment described above, so the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted, and only the different portions will be explained below.

In FIG. 4, the luminance signal Y 1 which is processed in the process circuit unit 4 and separated by Y / C is directly supplied to the memory 10 and the finder switch 12. On the other hand, the chroma signal C1 is supplied to the memory 10 and the finder switch 12 as the chroma signal C1 'via the gate signal generator 15. The gate signal generator 15 has a function of cutting off the chroma signal from the pixels existing outside the electronic zoom angle frame based on the zoom angle information supplied from the microcomputer 7.

The operation of the second embodiment constructed as described above will be described below only with respect to the difference from the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the zoom operation in the second embodiment. Step S3 of FIG. 2 in the first embodiment corresponds to step S3A in FIG. 5, but the electronic zoom angle of view from the microcomputer 7 is changed. The signal corresponding to the frame is sent to the gate signal generator 15 instead of the character generator 9. Then, the gate signal generator 15 removes the chroma signal components from the pixels located outside the angle-of-view frame from the chroma signal C1 Y / C separated by the process circuit unit 4 and locates it inside. Only the chroma signal C1 'from the pixel is passed. On the other hand, the luminance signal Y1 separated by Y / C in the process circuit section 4 is supplied to the finder switch 12 as in the first embodiment.

In the color viewfinder 19, the two kinds of image signals Y1 and C1 'and the electronic zoom image signals Y2 and C2 read from the memory 10 are switched by the finder switch 12 and displayed on the finder screen. To do. That is, when the user wants to see the electronic zoom image 18A shown in FIG. 6 (B) which has been subjected to the electronic zoom processing to be recorded, the Y2 and C2 signals are selected and the electronic zoom image 18A displayed in color is displayed. A viewfinder is displayed on the viewfinder 19.

On the other hand, when it is desired to display the entire image 17A shown in FIG. 6A including the area (hereinafter referred to as the corresponding area) 17Aa corresponding to the electronic zoom image 18A in the viewfinder, the signals Y1 and C1 'are displayed. Select. Then, since the chroma signal from each pixel outside the corresponding area 17Aa is cut, only the corresponding area 17Aa is displayed in color, and the entire image 17A in which the outside is displayed in monochrome can be displayed on the color viewfinder 19 in the viewfinder. ..

In FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), it is indicated that a shaded area with a broken line is a color display, and a white background area is a monochrome display.

According to the second embodiment described above, only the area 17Aa corresponding to the electronic zoom image cut out from the monochrome-displayed entire image 17A is displayed in color, so the mutual relationship between the entire image and the electronic zoom image is displayed. Can be seen more easily.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The big difference between the third embodiment and the above-mentioned respective embodiments is that the positional relationship of the electronic zoom image with respect to the whole image is made variable, and the microcomputer 7 shown in FIGS. The zoom switch 6 is used to perform the variable operation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation of changing the position of the area 17Ba when a part of the entire image 17B is cut out and the electronic zoom operation is targeted in the third embodiment. In this case, the zoom switch 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) includes a wide-tele changeover switch 21 and a moving switch 22 for moving the cut-out position of the area 17Ba up, down, left and right, as shown in FIG. ..

According to the third embodiment, the cut-out position of the area 17Ba targeted for the electronic zoom operation in the whole image 17B shown in FIG. 7 can be arbitrarily changed by the key operation of the zoom switch. You can make continuous movements like panning without moving the camera.

In the third embodiment described above, the relative position of the electronic zoom image with respect to the entire image is made variable, but in addition to this, the ratio of the size of the area for electronic zoom operation to the entire image, that is, the angle of view is changed. May be changed, and this will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 as a modification of the third embodiment. An example of the finder display in this case is shown in FIG. 9, and the area 17C for cutting out a part of the entire image 17C and performing the electronic zoom operation is 17Ca. When attempting to move the area 17Ca to the area 17Cb surrounded by a broken line and having a completely different angle of view, the zoom switch 6 is provided with a wide tele switch 21 and an electronic zoom area moving switch 22 as shown in FIG. In addition to this, a zoom field angle determination switch 23 and a drive zoom field angle switching switch 24 are added.

In the operation of this modified example configured as described above, the drive zoom field angle changeover switch 24 is used to switch from the area 17Ca of the field angle currently zoomed to and the area 17Ca of this field angle. Decide which angle of view, the corner area 17Cb, is selected. Here, the angle of view of the area 17Cb is selected, the electronic zoom image movement switch 22 moves the electronic zoom image frame to be cut out from the entire image, and the zoom angle of view determination switch 23 switches the angle of view.

According to the above modification, not only the position of the area to be electronically zoomed out from the entire image but also its size can be changed, so that the shooting effect can be further enhanced.

In the above modification, the relative position of the area to be electronically zoomed with respect to the entire image and the ratio of its size, that is, the angle of view are changed, but the change in this case is instantaneous. Alternatively, it may be continuously variable in an analog manner. However, from the viewpoint of the visual effect given to the photographer as the viewfinder display device of the camera, it is more effective to make the above change digitally, and this is shown as another modified example in the third embodiment. 11 to 13 will be described below.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing an example of display of the entire image 17D in which areas 17Da to 17Dd for electronic zoom operation in this other modification are also displayed. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a member forming the zoom switch 6 in this case. The wide tele switch 21, the electronic zoom area moving switch 22, the zoom angle determining switch 23, and the drive zoom angle of view in FIG. In addition to the changeover switch 24, a stage number indicator 25 such as a 7-segment display element and a stage number determining switch 26 are added.

In this another modified example configured in this way, digital zoom areas 17Db and 17Dd of different angles of view are digitally changed from the electronic zoom areas 17Da and 17Dc of the first angle of view shown in FIGS. The number of stages to move to is determined to be, for example, three, and the number of movement stages 3 is input by the stage number determination switch 26 while monitoring the stage number indicator 25 shown in FIG. When the zoom angle of view determination switch 23 is turned on, when changing from the first angle of view to another angle of view, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the angle of view changes through two angles of view in a stepwise manner.

According to the above-mentioned another modified example, since zooming and panning are performed digitally, a visual effect given to a photographer as a viewfinder display device of a camera (easy to recognize) as compared with a normal analog type. Sex) can be enhanced.

According to each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, in using a digital zoom function in a camera having a display means for displaying image information captured from a photographing means on a finder screen and having an electronic zooming function, By adding a few parts to the viewfinder, it is possible to select and display two or more images with different angles of view that do not affect the recorded image, and by displaying the relationship between these images in the viewfinder, Since the recording angle of view can always be grasped, it is possible to easily perform accurate shooting without departing from the intended field of view of the shooting target.

[0036]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the remarkable effect that the subject can be accurately and easily included in the recording angle of view without affecting the recorded image is exhibited.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a zoom operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a viewfinder display example in the first embodiment, wherein (A) shows an entire image and (B) shows an electronic zoom image.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a camera to which a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a zoom operation in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a finder display example in the second embodiment, wherein (A) shows an entire image and (B) shows an electronic zoom image.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining finder display in a finder display device of a camera showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a zoom switch according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining finder display in a modification of the third embodiment.

10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a zoom switch corresponding to the example of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a finder display in another modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining another finder display in another modification of the third embodiment.

13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a zoom switch corresponding to the example of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... CCD (imaging means) 12 ... finder switch (switching means) 14 ... EVF (display means, finder) 19 ... Color view finder (display means, finder)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A camera having an electronic viewfinder and electronic zoom means for displaying image information captured from an image pickup means on a finder screen, wherein the electronic viewfinder displays a recorded image at least during a zooming operation by the electronic zoom means. The present invention is characterized in that it is possible to select and display two or more images having different angles of view without affecting, and to display the relationship between these images in the viewfinder. Camera finder display device.