JPH06303495A - Camcorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable even a user unfamiliar with photographing by a camera to execute stable photographing by displaying a hand shaking state, panning velocity, etc., on an electronic viewfinder, etc. CONSTITUTION:The motion of a picture is detected by a motion vector detector 15. Then, frequency and quantity in the case of exceeding a hand shake correcting range are calculated by a microcomputer 16 on the basis of the output of the motion vector detctor 15. A character or a pattern for displaying hand shake, etc., is generated by controlling a character generator 18 in accordance with a calculated result, and it is mixed in a video signal in a monitor signal processing circuit 19, and is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for displaying a shake condition, a panning speed, etc. in a camera-integrated video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as a camcorder).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the amount of camera shake is detected by an angular velocity sensor or a motion vector between field images, and the read range of a CCD image sensor or the read range of a memory is controlled.
Alternatively, a camcorder that corrects a camera shake by controlling the angle of a prism is known (“TV technology”).
June 1991, p. 111-112, "Nikkei Electronics" 1992.7.6, p. 203-211, etc.).

Among them, a method of correcting a camera shake by controlling a reading range of a memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory control method)
A / D converts the output of the CCD image sensor, writes it in the field memory, detects the motion of the camcorder from the video signal of 2 fields, and detects the frame of the screen read from the field memory according to the motion of the camcorder. Move it and, for example, take out about 85% of the entire screen and enlarge it by about 15% to make it the size of the original screen.
It is taken out as a static image. This method is I
Since it can be configured with only C, it is suitable for downsizing and cost reduction.

7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the memory control system, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a memory writing position, and FIG. 8 is a timing chart of the writing and reading. First, the memory control method will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Now, a subject is photographed in a certain field, and the A / D converted video signal is O in FIG.
It is assumed that the data is written in the area A whose center is (xo, yo). Then, in the next field, it is assumed that the video signal is written in the area A ′ centered on P (xp, yp) due to camera shake. Image stabilization possible range in the horizontal direction ± x _C, when the vertical _{± y C, | xp-xo} | <x C,
If | yp-yo | <y _C , the read address of the memory is controlled as shown in FIG. 7, so that A ′ can be controlled to be at the same position as A on the monitor. is there.

In FIG. 8, (a) shows the relationship between the horizontal write address W _X of the memory and time t, (b) shows the relationship between the horizontal synchronizing signal H _S of the video signal and time t, and (c) shows the memory. Of the pulse H _CLW for clearing the horizontal write address W _X and the time t. In this way, H _CLW and H _S are synchronized. Further, in FIG. 8, (d) the relationship between the horizontal direction read address R _X1 and time t in the absence of camera shake, a pulse H _CLR1 to clear the horizontal read addresses R _X1 when (e) is not shake hands This is the relationship with time t. Since H _CLR1 is synchronized with H _S , the horizontal write address xo corresponding to the O position is the horizontal synchronization signal H _S.
It occurs at the timing from to to. Next, (f) is the relation between the horizontal direction read address R _X2 and time t when there is camera shake, (e) is a pulse H _CLR2 to clear the horizontal read addresses R _X2 when there is shake time t Relationship. Since H _CLR2 is generated at a timing tp-to earlier than the horizontal synchronization signal, the horizontal write address xo corresponding to the position P is generated at a timing from the horizontal synchronization signal H _S to to. Therefore, in the video signal read from the memory, O and P have the same timing with respect to the horizontal synchronizing signal H _S.

Although the address control in the horizontal direction has been described above, by performing the address control in the same manner also in the vertical direction, it is possible to control so that A'is at the same position as A on the monitor. .

[0007]

However, in the conventional memory control method, when a user who is unfamiliar with camera shooting takes a picture, the subject often moves beyond the camera shake correction range. In addition, a user who is not accustomed to taking a picture with a camera often changes a camera angle frequently in addition to camera shake. When the imaged / recorded image is reproduced in this way, a very unsightly image is displayed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and it is possible to display an operation state such as a camera shake and a panning speed on an electronic viewfinder (hereinafter referred to as EVF) of a camcorder. An object of the present invention is to provide a camcorder capable of stable shooting even for a user who is unfamiliar with camera shooting.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a first means for detecting the movement of the housing and a horizontal housing based on the output of the first means. A second means for calculating a frequency exceeding a camera shake correction range in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and at least one horizontal or vertical movement of the housing based on an output of the first means for a predetermined time. The third means for integrating and the fourth means for indicating that the camera shake is large are provided, and the output of the second means exceeds the predetermined first reference value, and the third means
When the output of the means is smaller than the predetermined second reference value, the display by the fourth means is performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, based on the first means for detecting the movement of the casing and the output of the first means, the casing exceeds the camera shake correction range in at least one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. A second means for calculating the frequency; a third means for integrating at least one of the horizontal and vertical movements of the housing based on the output of the first means for a predetermined time; A fourth means for displaying, wherein the output of the second means exceeds a predetermined first reference value, and the output of the third means is a second predetermined value.
When the value is equal to or more than the reference value of, the display is made by the fourth means.

Further, the third invention is such that the first means for detecting the movement of the housing and the second means for integrating the horizontal movement of the housing based on the output of the first means for a predetermined time. Means and a third means for displaying the panning speed,
The display is made by the third means based on the magnitude relation between the output of the second means and the standard panning amount. And 4th invention was comprised so that it may display by EVF in 1st-3rd invention.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the movement of the camcorder when the camera shake correction range is exceeded is detected, and the fact that the camera shake amount is large is displayed according to the frequency and the integrated value. The second invention is
The movement of the camcorder when the camera shake correction range is exceeded is detected, and it is displayed that the camera angle greatly changes according to the frequency and the integral value. Further, in the third invention, the horizontal movement of the camcorder is detected, and the panning speed is displayed according to the value obtained by integrating the movement for a predetermined time. And the fourth
The invention is displayed by EVF in the first to third inventions.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camcorder according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the operation of the entire camcorder will be described with reference to FIG. CC
The video signal from the D imager 1 is sampled and held.
It is input to the A / D converter 4 via the AGC circuit 2 and the switch 3 and converted into a digital signal. The digitized video signal is input to the camera signal processing circuit 6 from the R terminal of the switch 5 and subjected to camera signal processing such as gamma correction and white balance adjustment, and then through the switch 8 and under the control of the memory controller 17. , Are written in the video memory 9. The output of the switch 8 is input to the motion vector detector 15, and the minimum value of the difference between the representative points and the address thereof are detected and sent to the microcomputer 16.
The microcomputer 16 calculates a motion vector based on the output of the motion vector detector 15, calculates a read address of the video memory 9 from the motion vector as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, and the read address is read by the memory controller 17
Send to. The memory controller 17 uses this read address to control the reading of the video memory 7. As a result, the digital video signal in which the camera shake is corrected is read from the video memory 9.

The video signal read from the video memory 9 is subjected to recording signal processing such as emphasis, FM modulation of luminance signal, and low frequency conversion of chroma signal in the recording signal processing circuit 10. Then, the FM luminance signal and the low-frequency conversion chroma signal are converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 11, and then passed through the recording / reproducing amplifier 12 and the video head 13.
Is recorded on the video tape 14.

Further, the video signal read from the video memory 9 is displayed in the monitor signal processing circuit 19 by a command from the microcomputer 16 such that a large amount of camera shake, a large amount of camera angle variation, and the like are displayed by the character generator. 18 controls. Then, a composite video signal (may be a Y / C separated signal) is formed, converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 20, and the EVF 21 and the monitor output terminal 22.
Is supplied to. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the character generator 18 and the monitor signal processing circuit 19. The part that inserts characters and patterns such as camera shake display,
The output signal of the color look-up table is switched and input to the transmission paths of the Y signal and the color difference signal.

In the figure, the video signal reproduced from the video tape 14 by the video head 13 is amplified by the recording / reproducing amplifier 12 and is supplied from the P terminal of the switch 3 to A /
It is input to the D converter 4 and converted into a digital signal.
Then, the signal is input from the P terminal of the switch 5 to the reproduction signal processing circuit 7 and subjected to reproduction signal processing such as high frequency conversion of the chroma signal and FM demodulation of the luminance signal, and the P terminal of the switch 8, the video memory 9 and the monitor signal. Processing circuit 19, D / A converter 2
It is supplied to the EVF 21 and the monitor output terminal 22 via 0. At this time, in the video memory 9, writing / reading is performed as it is without performing address control for camera shake correction as in recording. Noise removal processing may be performed using the video memory 9. Further, the monitor signal processing circuit 19 does not perform the process of inserting characters or patterns.

Next, the principle of detecting the hand shake display and the camera angle variation display in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Generally, in the case of camera shake, the camcorder shakes when trying to shoot a subject, so that the value approaches 0 when the horizontal component x or the vertical component y of the motion vector of the image is integrated for a certain period of time. That is, ∫xdt <K ₁ or ∫ydt
When <K ₁ (however, the reference value K ₁ ≈0), it is determined to be camera shake. Then, measure the frequency when | x |> x _C or | y |> y _C (that is, when the image stabilization range is exceeded),
When this exceeds a certain reference value K ₂ , it is displayed that the amount of camera shake is large.

On the other hand, when the camera angle is changed frequently, it does not approach 0 even if the motion vector is integrated for a certain period of time. Therefore, when ∫xdt ≧ K ₁ or ∫ydt ≧ K ₁ ,
Judge as a camera angle change. And | x |> x _C
Alternatively, the frequency at the time of | y |> y _C is measured, and when it exceeds a certain reference value K ₂ , it is displayed that the camera angle variation is large.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the camera shake display and the camera angle variation display in the embodiment of the present invention. The operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. First, the microcomputer 16 measures the frequency at which the motion vector (x, y) of the image exceeds the camera shake correction range ± xc or ± yc shown in FIG. 7 based on the output of the motion vector detector 15 (S1 in FIG. 3). ). If the frequency is equal to or higher than the reference value, the horizontal component x and the vertical component y of the motion vector are integrated for a predetermined time, and it is determined whether each integrated value is less than a predetermined threshold value K ₁ (see FIG. 3). S2, S
3). If the respective integrated values are less than K ₁ ,
A control signal for causing the EVF 21 to generate a character indicating that the camera shake is large is supplied to the character generator 18 (S4 in FIG. 3). If the integrated value of the horizontal component x or the vertical component y is K ₁ or more, a control signal for generating a character indicating that the fluctuation of the camera angle is large is supplied to the character generator 18 (S5 in FIG. 3). ). It should be noted that these displays may be performed by an LED or the like on the camera housing. If you do this,
Even when a photograph is taken without looking through the EVF 21, it is possible to know camera shake and a change in camera angle.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart for determining the panning state in the embodiment of the present invention. In the panning state, the camcorder does not move much in the vertical direction, but moves in the horizontal direction at a substantially constant speed. Therefore, when this state continues for several fields, it is judged that the panning state.
The operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

First, the counter is set to n = 0 (S1
1). Next, the vertical component y _n of the motion vector in the n field is a predetermined reference value K _3, and the horizontal component x _n of the motion vector in the horizontal component x _n and the n-1 field of motion vectors in the n field difference _-1 determines whether less than a _fourth predetermined reference value K (S1
2). Then, if this condition is satisfied, n = n +
When 1 is set and n reaches a predetermined value M (for example, 5 to 6), it is determined that the panning state is set (S14 and S15 in FIG. 4).
If the condition of S12 is not satisfied, it is determined that the panning state is not set (S16). When it is determined that the panning state is set, the EVF 21 or the like displays the panning state.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart for displaying the panning speed in the embodiment of the present invention. The operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. First, the horizontal component x _n of the motion vector is integrated over several fields and compared with the standard panning amount xs (S21). If the integrated value is larger than xs, a message instructing to perform panning more slowly is displayed on the EVF 21 (S22), and the integrated value is xs.
If it is smaller, a message instructing to perform panning earlier is displayed on the EVF 21 (S24), and if the integral value is equal to xs, the display regarding the panning speed is not performed (S23). When the integrated value is equal to xs, it may be displayed that the panning speed is appropriate.

FIG. 6 shows an EVF 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows an example of the pattern displayed on. here,
In (a), it is displayed that the camera shake is large due to the characters. Further, in (b), the arrow indicates the panning speed and direction, and the letter indicates the panning speed.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various modifications are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. For example, the amount of camera shake may be detected using an angular velocity sensor,
The reference value of S2 and the reference value of S3 in FIG. 3 may be set to different values in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

[0023]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the movement of the camcorder is detected, and the viewfinder or the like is informed that the camera shake is large, the panning speed is large, etc. Since it was configured to encourage
Even a user who is unfamiliar with camera photography can easily perform stable photography.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camcorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a character generator and a monitor signal processing circuit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of a camera shake display and a camera angle variation display in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart for determining a panning state in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart for displaying a panning speed in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern displayed on an EVF in the example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a memory write position in a memory control method.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart of writing and reading in the memory control method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 15 motion vector detector 16 microcomputer 17 memory controller 18 character generator 21 EVF

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshimichi Hamada 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Kyoko Fukuda 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Koji Iijima 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. (a) First means for detecting movement of a housing, and (b) shake correction of the housing in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction based on an output of the first means. Second means for calculating a frequency exceeding the range; and (c) third means for integrating at least one horizontal or vertical movement of the housing for a predetermined time based on the output of the first means. And (d) fourth means for displaying a large amount of camera shake, wherein the output of the second means exceeds a predetermined first reference value and the output of the third means Is smaller than a second reference value set in advance, the display by the fourth means is performed for display. 2. (a) First means for detecting movement of the housing, and (b) shake correction of the housing in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction based on an output of the first means. Second means for calculating a frequency exceeding the range; and (c) third means for integrating at least one horizontal or vertical movement of the housing for a predetermined time based on the output of the first means. And (d) fourth means for displaying that the fluctuation of the camera angle is large, wherein the second means exceeds a predetermined first reference value and the third means has A video tape recorder with a built-in camera, characterized in that the display by the fourth means is performed when the output is equal to or more than a second predetermined reference value. 3. (a) a first means for detecting the movement of the housing, and (b) a horizontal movement of the housing is integrated for a predetermined time based on the output of the first means. The second means and (c) third means for displaying the panning speed are provided, and the display by the third means is performed based on the magnitude relationship between the output of the second means and the standard panning amount. A camera-integrated video tape recorder characterized by being performed. 4. The camera-integrated video tape recorder according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed by an electronic viewfinder.