JPH06141226A - Video camera apparatus and lens unit for video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a video camera apparatus in which an operating part for area movement for focusing can be provided without increasing the number of switches or the like additionally. CONSTITUTION:In the video camera apparatus which detects a focusing state corresponding to the video signal of a partial area out of video screens formed by a two-dimensional video signal obtained by an image pickup element, a track ball 14 is provided at the lower stage part of a front plane 11 in the camera main body 10 of the video camera apparatus, and it is shared with a VTR start/stop switch. Such constitution that the partial area can be moved on the video screen by performing the rotary operation of the track ball 14 in a circumferential direction is employed. Also, the recording of the video signal on a recording medium by a recorder means can be started or stopped by performing the pressing operation of the track ball 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera device having a photographing device for obtaining a two-dimensional video signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to automatically focus a video image captured by a video camera, a hill-climbing autofocus method is often used in which the edge of a subject in the horizontal direction of the screen is extracted and added to the video signal. It is used, and generally, the area of the high frequency component of the video signal detected to know the focus level of autofocus, that is, the area for focusing is fixed.

Therefore, if the area for focusing is fixed to the central portion of the image screen, the expected focus cannot be obtained at a location away from the central portion of the image screen. Therefore, if the area for focusing can be freely moved within the video screen, it is convenient because an arbitrary part in the video screen, that is, an arbitrary subject in the video can be focused.

By the way, for example, as shown in the right side view, the front view, and the left side view of FIGS. 10 to 12 showing the use state of the conventional video camera device, the video camera 2 to be used while being carried on the shoulder of the cameraman 1. Then the cameraman 1 is the right hand 1R
Through the grip belt 3 from below and the lens grip part 4
, And the lens barrel 5 is supported by the left hand 1L to take an image.

Therefore, in the video camera 2 which is used while being carried on the shoulder as described above, in consideration of the operability of the cameraman 1, as shown in FIG.
ET switch 6a, electric zoom switch 6b, IRIS
Changeover switch 6c, instant automatic aperture switch 6d
Etc. are arranged, and the cameraman 1 operates these switches with the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the right hand 1R. In addition, the rear surface 4 of the lens grip portion 4
In b, a VTR start / stop switch 6 for controlling the start / stop of feeding the video tape accompanying recording / playback
It is assumed that the camera operator 1 operates e with the thumb of the right hand 1R.

On the other hand, the lens barrel 5 is provided with a focus ring 7a for driving the taking lens system in the optical axis direction, a zoom ring 7b, an IRIS ring 7c, etc., and these are operated by the left hand 1L. .

[0007]

A conventional video camera, as typified by the video camera 2 to be carried on a shoulder shown in FIG. 13, has various switches and rings in consideration of operability. The lens grip portion 4 is concentrated on the upper surface 4a and the lens barrel 5. Therefore, the above-described operation unit for freely moving the focusing area within the image screen is provided in the lens grip unit 4 or the lens barrel 5 in which a large number of switches and rings are already installed. It is difficult.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention was made by focusing on the fact that the focusing operation is generally performed during recording or before and after recording, and the prior application by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 3). −
No. 126915), we further improved the video camera device that uses a trackball as the operation unit to move the area for focusing freely within the image screen, and focus without increasing the number of switches. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video camera device that can be provided with an operation unit for moving the area.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image pickup device for obtaining a two-dimensional image signal, and an image of a partial area of an image screen formed by the image signal. Focus detecting means for detecting a focus state according to a signal, recording means for recording the video signal on a recording medium, moving means for moving the partial area in the video screen, And a trackball used as an operating unit of the moving means, wherein the trackball is also used as a VTR start / stop switch for starting / stopping recording of a video signal on the recording medium by the recording means. And

Further, in the present invention, the trackball is configured to be capable of being pressed, and the recording means alternately repeats the start and stop of recording of the video signal for each pressing operation of the trackball. I decided to do it. further,
In the present invention, the trackball is biased in the returning direction of the pressing operation.

In the present invention, the moving means moves the partial area in the video screen in response to the operation of the trackball during the recording operation of the video signal by the recording means. I decided. Further, according to the present invention, the moving means moves the partial area in the video screen in response to an operation of the trackball before and after the recording of the video signal by the recording means is started. And

[0012]

A video camera device according to the present invention uses a trackball to move a partial area in a video signal used for detecting a focus state of a captured image on a screen. Since this trackball is also used as a VTR start / stop switch for starting / stopping the recording of the video signal on the recording medium by the recording means, an operation for arbitrarily designating a subject to be focused on the photographing screen Since it is not necessary to newly install the section in addition to the existing switches, and since it is also used as a VTR start / stop switch for starting / stopping the recording of the video signal on the recording medium by the recording means, the It is possible to unify the switches that are operated before and / or after recording to improve the operability.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a video camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and 10 in FIG. 1 is a camera body. A front view 11 of the camera body 10 is provided with a viewfinder 12 in an upper stage, a lens barrel 13 in a middle stage, and a trackball 14 in a lower stage, and one side of the lens barrel 13 holds the lens barrel 13. Lens grip part 1 for
5 are provided. The track ball 14 may be provided on the rear surface 15b of the lens grip 15 as shown in FIG.

The lens barrel 13 is provided with a focus ring 16a for driving the photographing lens system housed in the lens barrel 13 in the optical axis direction, a zoom ring 16b, an IRIS ring 16c, and the like. Further, a RET switch 17a, an electric zoom switch 17b, an IRIS switch 17c, an instant automatic aperture switch 17d, etc. are arranged on the upper surface 15a of the lens grip portion 15.

Next, the electrical construction of the essential parts of the video camera apparatus of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. Reference numeral 21 in FIG. 3 denotes an image pickup device provided at the image forming position of the photographing lens system housed in the lens barrel 13, and the two-dimensional image captured by the photographing lens system in the lens barrel 13 by the image pickup device 21. Optical subject image is photoelectrically converted into an electrical video signal. A CCD imager or the like is used as the image pickup device 21, for example. In addition, the video camera device of the present embodiment has a high-pass filter circuit 3 that passes a high-frequency component of a video signal obtained by the image pickup device 21 in order to determine a focused state of the video signal.
1, a gate circuit 32 for limiting a partial area for determining the in-focus state, and an area movement variable function section 36 for moving the partial area.

Further, the video camera device of FIG. 1 is provided with a trackball 14 provided at the lower stage of the front surface 11 of the camera body 10 described above as an operating portion of the moving means. Also serves as a VTR start / stop switch. This trackball 14
The detailed configuration and operating method of will be described later.

Now, as shown in FIG. 3, the output of the image pickup device 21 is input to the video processing circuit 23 via the amplifier circuit 22, and the output of the video processing circuit 23 is input to the mixing circuit 25 as a video signal. It In the mixing circuit 25, a part of the area for the focus state determination in the video screen, which is defined by the area movement variable function unit 36 according to the operation of the trackball 14, is displayed in the display screen of the viewfinder 12. The frame display output signal from the movable frame display output circuit 30 for frame display is input, and the video signal and the frame display output signal are mixed by the mixing circuit 25. The mixing circuit 25
Is output to the viewfinder 12 via the display drive circuit 26. The video signal from the video process circuit 23 may be taken out as a video signal output via the amplifier circuit 24 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the electrical video signal obtained by the image pickup device 21 is input to the high pass filter circuit 31.
The high-pass filter circuit 31 extracts a high-frequency component important for detecting the in-focus state and outputs it to the gate circuit 32. A gate pulse is input from the gate pulse generating circuit 27 to the gate circuit 32. This gate pulse is a part of the area for judging the in-focus state defined by the operation of the trackball 14 from the output signal composed of the high frequency component of the video signal extracted by the high pass filter circuit 31. This is for cutting out a portion, and in the present embodiment, the track ball 14 and the gate pulse generating circuit 27 constitute an area movement variable function section 36. The gate circuit 32 is connected to the peak hold circuit 33. The peak hold circuit 33 is connected to a microcomputer 34 (corresponding to focus detection means, hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer), and the microcomputer 34 controls a focus motor 35 for driving a photographing lens.

Here, the operation of the detection unit having the high-pass filter circuit 31, the gate circuit 32, the peak hold circuit 33, and the area movement variable function unit 36 in the video camera device configured as described above will be described. The high-pass filter circuit 31 cuts unnecessary low-pass signals from the video signal converted into an electric signal by the image pickup device 21, and the necessary high-frequency component is extracted to become an output signal. The output signal is input to the gate circuit 32 in order to cut out a part of the area for determining the focus state. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the cutout region R on the screen which is the output of the gate circuit 32.

The gate circuit 32 is connected to an area movement variable function section 36 capable of freely selecting a high frequency component cutout area R. This area movement variable function unit 36
The gate pulse generating circuit 27 is configured by the track ball 14 and the gate pulse generating circuit 27 as described above, and the gate pulse generating circuit 27 generates a gate pulse for defining the cutout region R portion for the focus state determination determined by the operation of the track ball 14. It is generated and sent to the gate circuit 32. The high frequency component signal of the cutout region R in FIG. 4 which is the output signal from the gate circuit 32 is input to the peak hold circuit 33, where the peak level of the high frequency component signal is detected as a DC voltage. The DC voltage enters the microcomputer 34, and the microcomputer 34, based on the voltage value of the DC voltage, determines the focus state of the video signal in the cutout region R for the focus state determination determined by the operation of the trackball 14. Is detected, and in response to this, the focus motor 35 is controlled to drive the taking lens to the in-focus position.

In the above description, the trackball 14 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 has been mentioned, but the details will be described here. The trackball 14 can specify the position of the high-frequency component region, that is, the cutout region R for determining the in-focus state, by a normal rotation operation. In the perspective view of the video camera device shown in FIG. 1, the trackball 14 is arranged at a position where the thumb of the left hand of the cameraman holding the lens barrel 13 hits, and in the perspective view of the taking lens shown in FIG. Is arranged at a position where the right thumb of the lens grip 15 hits, and both are also used as a VTR start / stop switch.

When the video camera device of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used, the cameraman puts his shoulder on the shoulder in the same manner as the use state of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 referred to in the description of the prior art. The user views the viewfinder 12 with one eye to determine the shooting direction, and then rotates the trackball 14 while watching the image displayed on the viewfinder 12 in order to focus on a desired subject.

Here, the trackball 14 is on a surface substantially parallel to the display surface of the viewfinder 12. Therefore,
When the cameraman operates the trackball 14 while looking at the display screen of the viewfinder 12 to change the focus position, the operation direction of the trackball 14 and the operation within the display image of the viewfinder 12 according to the operation are moved. The moving direction of the frame display indicating the cutout region R for determining the focused state is the same. Therefore, the trackball 14 is, for example, a RET switch 17a, an IRIS switch 17c, an instant automatic aperture switch 17d.
In the case where the trackball 14 is also used, the operability is excellent as compared with the case where the trackball 14 is provided in the other portion of the lens grip portion 15, the lens barrel 13, the camera body 10, and the like.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the high pass filter circuit 31, the gate circuit 32 and the peak hold circuit 33. In this circuit, when the cutout area R for determining the in-focus state is determined by operating the trackball 14,
A gate pulse, which is generated by the gate pulse generation circuit 27 based on the timing pulse generated by the timing pulse generator 40 and is used to cut out a desired region for the focus state determination, is input to the analog switch 20. That is, the gate pulse from the gate pulse generating circuit 27 is used to move the desired cutout region R cut out from the video signal and move the frame display synthesized and displayed on the viewfinder 12.

The video signal obtained by the image pickup device 21 passes through the emitter follower 41, the condenser 42 and the resistor 4
An unnecessary low-pass signal is removed by the high-pass filter circuit 31 configured by 3, and then input to the analog switch 20 configuring the gate circuit 32. The analog switch 20 performs a switching operation based on the gate pulse, so that, for example, a high-frequency component signal of the video signal input from the high-pass filter circuit 31 to the analog switch 20 cuts out a central region of the screen. This is output to the emitter follower 44 as a signal of the cutout region R.

The signal in the cutout region R that has passed through the emitter follower 44 is input to the peak hold circuit 33 composed of the diode 45 and the capacitor 46, and the peak voltage of the signal in the cutout region R is held here. .
The signal peak-held by the peak-hold circuit 33 is reset at the initial position α (FIG. 4) of the cut-out screen by the reset pulse input from the gate pulse generator 27 to the analog switch 47.

With the above operation, in FIG. 5, the peak hold signal having high frequency information is amplified by the operational amplifier 48 and waveform-shaped by the low-pass filter circuit composed of the resistor 49 and the capacitor 50 to become a complete DC level signal. . Therefore, the microcomputer 34 monitors the DC signal,
The focus motor 35 is controlled so that it becomes maximum.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the waveform of the signal of each part of FIG. 5 at the horizontal level. Reference numerals a to e in FIG. 6 correspond to reference numerals a to e given in FIG. 5, and a in FIG.
The video signal waveform obtained in step b is the gate pulse generation circuit 2
7 is a gate pulse waveform, c is a signal waveform cut out by the gate circuit 32, d is a signal waveform held by the peak hold circuit 33, and e is a gate pulse generation circuit 27.
It is the signal waveform of the reset pulse from. Waveforms a1, b1, and c1 in FIG. 7 represent the signal waveforms a, b, and e in FIG. 6 at the vertical level.

FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of the trackball 14. As shown in the drawing, a contact piece 51 is in sliding contact with the rear portion of the trackball 14, and a contact point 52 is arranged apart from the contact piece 51. The trackball 14 has a spherical shape, and is rotatable in the circumferential direction by 360 ° and movable in the arrow Z direction in FIG. The contact piece 51 itself is made of an elastic member such as a spring plate, or is urged in a direction away from the contact point 52 by another member such as a spring coil. 51 by the trackball 1
4 is urged in the return direction of the pressing operation.

When the track ball 14 is used, the gate circuit 3 is operated by performing a normal rotation operation.
The position of the high-frequency component region cut out from the video signal, that is, the cut-out region R for determining the focus state on the screen is designated by 2. For example, if the trackball 14 is turned to the right, the cutout region R moves in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 9, and if the trackball 14 is turned downward, it moves in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. That is, the trackball 14 functions as an operation unit of a unit that moves the cutout region R for determining the focus state when the trackball 14 is rotated in the circumferential surface direction.

Further, by pressing the trackball 14 in the direction of the contact piece 51 against the bias of the contact piece 51, the contact piece 51 and the contact point 52 come into contact with each other, and this contact is made by a detection unit (not shown). The detected VT in the recording unit (not shown)
It is fed back to the control of R start / stop.
Therefore, the recording unit (not shown) changes from the stopped state to the recorded state and from the recorded state to the stopped state each time the trackball 14 is pressed. That is, trackball 1
Reference numeral 4 functions as a VTR start / stop switch when pressed in the arrow Z direction.

The VTR start / stop operation is performed only at the start / end of recording. On the other hand, the movement operation of the focus area is performed only during recording (and / or before / after recording). Therefore, by consolidating the operation parts for these two operations into the trackball 14 into one operation part, the cameraman can rotate or push the trackball 14 with his / her finger on the trackball 14. A series of operations from the start of recording to the movement of the cutout region R to the end of recording can be performed without changing the finger each time. Of course, the focus area can be moved before / after recording.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the in-focus state is detected according to the signal of the partial area of the video signal from the image pickup device, and this partial area is detected by the trackball. The track ball is moved by the rotational movement in the circumferential direction, and the trackball is also used as the VTR start / stop switch. Therefore, the position to be focused is moved according to the position of the subject on the video screen. The operation and the VTR start / stop operation can be performed continuously with one hand, improving the operability and providing an operation unit for moving the area for focusing without newly adding switches. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a video camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a lens barrel and a lens grip portion of the video camera device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of the video camera device of the present embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a cutout area on a screen which is an output of the gate circuit shown in FIG.

5 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a high-pass filter circuit, a gate circuit, and a peak hold circuit shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing the waveform of the signal of each part in the circuit shown in FIG. 5 at the horizontal level.

7 is a video signal waveform shown in FIG. 6, a gate pulse waveform,
6 is a waveform diagram showing signal waveforms of a reset pulse and a vertical level. FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the trackball shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a moving state of a region for focusing state determination accompanying the operation of the trackball shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a usage state of a conventional video camera device.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a usage state of a conventional video camera device.

FIG. 12 is a left side view showing a usage state of a conventional video camera device.

13 is an enlarged perspective view showing a lens barrel and a lens grip portion of the conventional video camera device shown in FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 trackball (VTR start / stop switch) 21 image sensor 34 microcomputer (focus detection means) 36 area movement variable function section (moving means) 51 contact piece (trackball biasing means) R cutout area (part of region)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 27, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Title of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Title: Video camera device and lens unit for video camera

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Added

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0001]

The present invention relates to a video camera and a video turtle having an imaging device for obtaining a two-dimensional video signal
Regarding a lens unit for LA .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention was made by focusing on the fact that the focusing operation is generally performed during recording or before and after recording, and the prior application by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 3). −
No. 126915), we further improved the video camera device that uses a trackball as the operation unit to move the area for focusing freely within the image screen, and focus without increasing the number of switches. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video camera device and a video camera lens unit that can be provided with an operation unit for moving the area.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the present invention, the moving means moves the partial area in the video screen in response to the operation of the trackball during the recording operation of the video signal by the recording means. I decided. Further, according to the present invention, the moving means moves the partial area in the video screen in response to an operation of the trackball before and after the recording of the video signal by the recording means is started. And In addition, the present invention is an imaging method for capturing an optical image of a subject.
A lens unit provided with a lens, and the imaging lens
Imaging that converts the optical image captured in 2 into a two-dimensional video signal
Element and recording device for recording the video signal on a recording medium
In a video camera device having a step, the lens unit
The knit is a video signal to the recording medium by the recording means.
VTR start / stop to start / stop recording the number
The switch is configured to include the VTR start / stroke
The up switch is a track board that can be rotated and pressed.
And a signal corresponding to the operation of the trackball is generated.
And a signal generating means for outputting to the recording means side.
It is characterized by being.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a video camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and 10 in FIG. 1 is a camera body. A front view 11 of the camera body 10 is provided with a viewfinder 12 in an upper stage, a lens barrel 13 in a middle stage, and a trackball 14 in a lower stage, and one side of the lens barrel 13 holds the lens barrel 13. Lens grip part 1 for
5 is provided, et al is, the lens barrel 13 and the lens grip portion 15
A lens unit is constituted by the. Note that arrangement設箇plants trackball 14, rather it may also be a surface 15b of the lens grip portion 15 as shown in FIG. 2, these barrel
13, trackball 14, and lens grip portion 15
A conventionally known one is used.

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

On the other hand, the electrical video signal obtained by the image pickup device 21 is input to the high pass filter circuit 31.
The high-pass filter circuit 31 extracts a high-frequency component important for detecting the in-focus state and outputs it to the gate circuit 32. A gate pulse is input to the gate circuit 32 from a gate pulse generating circuit 27 (corresponding to signal generating means) . This gate pulse is a part of the area for judging the in-focus state defined by the operation of the trackball 14 from the output signal composed of the high frequency component of the video signal extracted by the high pass filter circuit 31. This is for cutting out a portion, and in the present embodiment, the track ball 14 and the gate pulse generating circuit 27 constitute an area movement variable function section 36. The gate circuit 3
2 is connected to the peak hold circuit 33. The peak hold circuit 33 is connected to a microcomputer 34 (corresponding to focus detection means, hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer), and the microcomputer 34 is a focus motor 35 for driving a photographing lens.
Control.

[Procedure Amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Explanation of code

[Correction method] Added

[Correction content]

[Explanation of reference numerals] 14 trackball (VTR start / stop switch) 21 image sensor 27 gate pulse generation circuit (signal generation means) 34 microcomputer (focus detection means) 36 area movement variable function section (movement means) 51 contact piece (Trackball biasing means) R cutout area (partial area)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device for obtaining a two-dimensional video signal, and a focus detection means for detecting a focus state according to a video signal of a part of a video screen formed by the video signal. A recording means for recording the video signal on a recording medium; a moving means for moving the partial area in the video screen; and a trackball used as an operating unit of the moving means, The trackball is also used as a VTR start / stop switch for starting / stopping recording of a video signal on the recording medium by the recording means. 2. The trackball is configured to be capable of being pressed, and the recording means alternately repeats start and stop of recording of the video signal for each pressing operation of the trackball. The described video camera device. 3. The video camera device according to claim 2, wherein the trackball is urged in a returning direction of the pressing operation. 4. The moving means moves the partial area in the video screen in response to an operation of the trackball during a recording operation of the video signal by the recording means. The video camera device according to 2 or 3. 5. The moving means moves the part of the area in the video screen in response to an operation of the trackball before and after recording of the video signal by the recording means is started. The video camera device according to 1, 2, 3 or 4.