JPH06268903A - Camcorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize effective fade without sacrificing the operability by selecting automatically a black or white fade when a fade function of the camcorder is used. CONSTITUTION:A luminance signal level detection circuit 2 provides a signal output threshold processed to 0, 1 in response to a luminance level of an input signal and selects one of a black fade circuit 7 or a white fade circuit 8 by selecting switches 5, 6 based on a binary switching signal 10. In the usual operation, since no fade operation is caused, a video signal 1 from a camera gives any hindrance even when it passes through the black fade circuit 7 or the white fade circuit 8. When a fade button is depressed, a control signal 4 is changed and simultaneously the black fade circuit 7 or the white fade circuit 8 starts fading to provide an output signal 9. The switching signal 10 changes normally in response to the luminance level and inputted to a switch 5 to select the fade circuit 7 or 8, then fading in response to the luminance level is attained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera-integrated VTR having a fade function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many camera-integrated VTRs have a fade function. When the fade function is activated, the subject being photographed by the camera can be gradually changed to white or black. The former is called white fade and the latter is called black fade. Normally, when the fade button is pressed, the fade function works, and the audio is also linked to change the volume.

However, in the conventional camera-integrated VTR,
Many have only the fade function of either white or black. Even if it had a fade function for both white and black, it was necessary to switch manually. Such a technique is introduced, for example, on page 57 of the magazine "Video SALON" (published by Genkosha), May 1992, page 57, with a function of "AV interlocking white fade".

[0004]

The brightness of the subject of the camera is wide ranging from high to low.
Therefore, depending on the subject, there is a case where a feeling of strangeness is given at the time of fading. For example, in a camera-integrated VTR having only a white fade, when a dark subject is photographed and a white fade occurs, the screen becomes bright due to the fade. However, in general, for dark subjects,
Since the brightness level is low, a black fade that lowers the brightness level to darken the screen is preferable. Even with a model that has the function of switching between white and black fades, it was necessary to manually select it according to the shooting scene. As described above, the above-mentioned conventional technology is
There was a problem in terms of visual effect and operability, depending on the brightness level during fade.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a function of automatically selecting a fade mode according to the brightness level of a subject in a camera-integrated VTR.

[0006]

The above object is achieved by detecting the brightness level of a subject at the time of fading and automatically selecting a black and white fade according to the brightness level.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above operation, the configuration is as shown in FIG. 1 as an example. Reference numeral 1 is an input signal from the camera, and 2 is a luminance signal level detection circuit, which outputs a signal binarized into 0 and 1 according to the luminance level of the input signal. With the binarized switching signal 10, the switches 5 and 6 are switched to select one of the black fade circuit 7 and the white fade circuit 8. The switches 5 and 6 are located at the input and output ends of the fade circuit and interlock with each other. Reference numeral 4 is a fade control signal for operating the fade circuit, which changes in conjunction with the fade button. Since the fade operation is not performed during the normal operation, there is no problem even if the video signal 1 from the camera passes through any path of the black fade circuit 7 and the white fade circuit 8. When you press the fade button,
The control signal 4 changes, and at the same time, the black fade circuit 7 and the white fade circuit 8 start the fade operation and output the output signal 9. Since the switching signal 10 constantly changes according to the brightness level and is input to the switch 5 to select the fade circuit, the fade according to the brightness level can be realized. If the level detection circuit 2 is held by the control signal 4, there is no malfunction such that the fade circuit is switched when the brightness changes suddenly during the fade.

[0008]

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention. Those having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. As a method of detecting the brightness level, first, input signal 1 from the camera
Is input to the clamp circuit 11 to keep the DC potential constant. Next, the low-pass filter 12 attenuates the high-frequency components of the color signal and the luminance signal of the video signal to form a low-frequency component (DC component), so that the level of the luminance signal can be detected. A comparator 13 binarizes the luminance signal into 0 and 1 according to the input level and outputs the switching signal 10. By adjusting the threshold value of the comparator 13, it is possible to arbitrarily select the black fade and white fade switching points for the brightness level. Switch 3
Is the control signal 10 during normal times other than fade time.
Prevents switching of the fade circuit. The switch 3 is turned on by the fade control signal 4,
The switches 5 and 6 are switched by the switching signal 10 to select one of the black fade circuit 7 and the white fade circuit 8. At the same time, the fade control signal 4 holds the output signal of the comparator 13 to prevent a malfunction during the fade and to start the fade operation of the fade circuits 7 and 8. The output from the fade circuit passes through the switch 6 and becomes the output signal 9.

[0009]

By applying the present invention, when using the fade function of the camera-integrated VTR, black or white fade is automatically selected, which is effective without sacrificing operability. You can achieve a perfect fade.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... input signal, 2 ... luminance level detection circuit, 3 ... switch, 4 ... fade control signal, 5 ... switch, 6 ... switch, 7 ... black fade circuit, 8 ... white fade circuit, 9 ... output signal, 10 ... switching Signal, 11 ... Clamp circuit, 12 ... Low pass filter, 13 ... Comparator.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroki Fukuda 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi Image Information Systems Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A VTR integrated with a camera, wherein a white fade and a black fade, which are modes at the time of fading, are automatically switched according to the brightness of an object. 2. A camera-integrated VTR, wherein a white fade and a black fade, which are modes at the time of fading, are automatically switched according to arbitrary information. 3. A video editing apparatus, wherein a white fade and a black fade, which are modes at the time of fading, are automatically switched according to arbitrary information.