JPH07298109A - Camcorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow lots of person to enjoy a reproduced image' in the camcorder and to confirm an actual field angle even in the case of electronic zooming and wide television signal processing. CONSTITUTION:A camera/video signal changeover switch 2c is set to the position of the camera when an object image is picked up, and a video recording button 2a is depressed, and when a recorded image is reproduced, the switch 2c is thrown to the position of the video, and a reproduction button 2b is depressed. When an image during image pickup is confirmed or a reproduced image is checked, the user selects an FVF 1 or an LCD panel 4. When the LCD panel 4 is closed, an LCD panel switch 6 is pushed and the LCD panel 4 is turned off and an image is displayed on the EVF 1. When the LCD panel 4 is open, the LCD panel 4 is turned on and an image is displayed thereon and the EVF 1 is turned off.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video tape recorder integrated with a video camera which is suitable for picking up an image of a subject and recording it on a video tape and reproducing a signal recorded on the video tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic viewfinder (EVF) or an optical viewfinder (OVF) is used as a member for confirming a subject being imaged when the subject is imaged by a video tape recorder integrated with a video camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional video camera recorder integrated with a video camera equipped with an EVF.
The user switches the camera / video changeover switch 105 to the camera side, presses the recording button 101, and looks into the EVF to check the subject while taking an image. This video camera integrated video tape recorder 30 records an image of a subject on a built-in video tape via the camera lens 104. At this time, the EVF displays the image actually taken, so that the user can accurately confirm the angle of view. Also, the user switches the camera / video switch 105 to the video side, and the play button 1
By pressing 02, the image recorded on the video tape can be reproduced and displayed on the EVF 103, and the captured result can be confirmed.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are views showing an example of a conventional video tape recorder integrated with a video camera provided with an OVF. The user can select the camera / video switch 11
5 is switched to the camera side, the recording button 120 is pressed, the OVF 111 is viewed, and the subject is imaged while confirming the subject. This video camera integrated video tape recorder 40
Captures a subject on a video tape via the camera lens 118. During recording, the recording LED 116 lights up.

OVF cannot monitor images recorded on a video tape. Therefore, LCD panel 11
3 is provided. The LCD panel 113 has an LCD
The imaging result can be displayed by turning on the panel switch 114. LCD panel switch 11
When 4 is turned off, nothing is displayed on the LCD panel 113.

The camera / video changeover switch 11
By switching 5 to the video side and pressing the play button 117, the image picked up on the LCD panel 113 can be played back, and a large number of people can enjoy the image.

[0007]

However, each of the video camera integrated video tape recorders shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 has the following problems. That is, in the case of the video camera integrated video tape recorder having only the EVF shown in FIG. 4, it is difficult for a large number of people to enjoy the pattern because the EVF screen is small when the recorded screen is reproduced.

Further, in the case of the video camera integrated video tape recorder equipped with the OVF shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the OVF 111 is usually used to confirm the subject.
The OVF 111 extracts a partial range of a captured image when elements such as digital zooming of a screen and wide television compatibility are added, and pixel data is interpolated or a predetermined upper and lower range is extracted in the range. Since signal processing such as cutting the range is performed, the image frame is different from the actual image pickup result, which makes it difficult to accurately image the subject in the desired range.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to reproduce and enjoy images recorded by a large number of people and to accurately capture a subject in a desired range. The purpose is to do so.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video tape recorder integrated with a video camera, comprising: an image pickup means for picking up a subject (for example, the image pickup device 21 in FIG. 3); A first display means (for example, EVF1 in FIG. 1) for displaying an image on the first display means, and a second display means, which is larger than the first display means and electrically displays the image so that a plurality of observers can observe it. For example, LCD panel 4 in Figure 1)
And the recording / reproducing means (for example, the recording / reproducing circuit 23 in FIG. 3) for recording the output from the imaging means on a video tape (for example, the video tape 23A in FIG. 3) and reproducing the video signal recorded in the video tape. And a control for selectively displaying the output from the image pickup means or the output from the video tape on the first display means (for example, EVF1 in FIG. 1) or the second display means (for example, LCD panel 4 in FIG. 1). Means (for example, the control circuit 24 in FIG. 3).

This control means (for example, the control circuit 2 in FIG. 3)
4), the above-mentioned first display means (for example, EV of FIG. 1).
F1) or the second display means (for example, the LCD panel 4 in FIG. 1) which does not display the output of the image pickup means or the output from the video tape can be cut off from the power supply.

In this video camera integrated video tape recorder, detection means (for example, LC in FIG. 3) for detecting the use state of the second display means (for example, LCD panel 4 in FIG. 1) is used.
A D panel switch 6) is further provided, and when the output from the image pickup means or the video tape is detected by the detection means as the second display means, the second control means is provided to the control means. When the display means is selectively supplied and it is detected that the second display means is not used,
It can be selectively supplied to the above-mentioned first display means.

[0013]

In the video tape recorder with a built-in video camera having the above structure, the LCD panel 4 is closed when the subject is confirmed using the EVF 1 when the subject is imaged. At this time, when the LCD panel switch 6 is pushed in, the LCD panel 4 is turned off and the EV
Power is supplied to F1 and an image of the subject is displayed on EVF1. When using the LCD panel 4, the LCD panel 4 is opened. At this time, the LCD panel switch 6 is not pushed in, the LCD panel 4 is turned on, and the LC
Power is supplied to the D panel 4, and the subject is displayed on the LCD panel 4. When the recorded screen is played back and is enjoyed by a large number of people, the LCD panel 4 is opened and an image is displayed on the LCD panel 4.

[0014]

1 and 2 are views showing the configuration of an embodiment of a video tape recorder integrated with a video camera according to the present invention. Video camera integrated video tape recorder 10
When the camera / video changeover switch 2c is switched to the camera side and the recording button 2a is pressed, the subject is imaged via the camera lens 5.

The imaged image is EVF1 or
It is adapted to be displayed on the LCD panel 4. The user of the video tape recorder 10 with the integrated video camera can selectively use the EVF 1 or the LCD panel 4 in order to confirm this image.

When the LCD panel 4 is used, this LC
The D panel 4 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 1).
At this time, an image is displayed on the LCD panel 4 and is not displayed on the EVF 1. When the EVF 1 is used, the LCD panel 4 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 2) and the image is confirmed by looking through the EVF 1. LC
When the D panel 4 is closed, the LCD panel switch 6 is pushed in and the LCD panel 4 is turned off.

Further, when the recorded image is reproduced, the camera / video changeover switch 2c is switched to the video side, and the reproduction button 2b is pressed, so that the EVF 1 or the LCD is displayed.
This image is displayed on the panel 4.
In this case also, the user can change the display screen to EVF according to the purpose.
1 or the LCD panel 4 can be selected.

When the LCD panel 4 is selected, the LCD
The panel 4 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 1). At this time, an image is displayed on the LCD panel 4 and no image is displayed on the EVF 1. At this time, the speaker 3 outputs sound.
When EVF1 is selected, the LCD panel 4 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 2). Further, when the LCD panel 4 is closed, the LCD panel switch 6 is pushed in and the LCD panel 4 is turned off.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the internal structure of the video camera integrated video tape recorder 10 shown in FIG. CC
The image sensor 21 including D or the like converts the captured image of the subject into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the signal processing circuit 22. The signal processing circuit 22 processes the input signal and outputs it to the recording / reproducing circuit 23. The recording / reproducing circuit 23 records the input video signal on the video tape 23A. The audio signal is collected by a microphone (not shown), input to the recording / reproducing circuit 23, and recorded on the video tape 23A.

The operation button 2 is composed of buttons such as a recording button 2a, a reproduction button 2b, a camera / video switching button 2c, etc., and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressed button to a control circuit 24 including a microcomputer. Has been done. Also, LCD panel switch 6
1 outputs an ON signal to the control circuit 24 when the LCD panel 4 of FIG. 1 is open and an OFF signal when the LCD panel 4 is closed. The control circuit 24 outputs control signals to the recording / reproducing circuit 23, the EVF / LCD changeover switch 25, and the power supply circuit 26 in response to signals from the operation buttons 2 and the LCD panel switch 6.

The recording / reproducing circuit 23 selects the video signal output from the image pickup device 21 or the reproduction signal from the video tape 23A and outputs it to the EVF / LCD changeover switch 25. The EVF / LCD changeover switch 25 outputs the output from the recording / reproducing circuit 23 to the LCD panel 4 or EVF.
1 is selectively output.

The power supply circuit 26 supplies necessary power to each circuit and selectively supplies power to the LCD panel 4 or the EVF 1 in response to a control signal from the control circuit 24. .

Next, the operation of the video tape recorder 10 integrated with a video camera will be described. When a subject is imaged, the camera / video switch 2c is switched to the camera side, the recording button 2a of the operation button 2 is pressed, and the signal is input to the control circuit 24. At this time, the control circuit 24 starts the photographing operation.

The image pickup device 21 converts an image of a subject into an electric signal and outputs it to the signal processing circuit 22. Signal processing circuit 2
Reference numeral 2 processes the input signal and outputs it to the recording / reproducing circuit 23 as an NTSC video signal. The recording / reproducing circuit 23 records the input video signal on the video tape 23A.

When the LCD panel 4 is used to confirm the subject, the LCD panel 4 is opened as shown in FIG. At this time, the LCD panel switch 6 is not pushed, and a signal indicating that the LCD panel 4 is ON is input from the LCD panel switch 6 to the control circuit 24. EVF
When using 1 to check the subject, as shown in FIG.
The LCD panel 4 is closed. At this time, LCD
The panel switch 6 is pushed in, and a signal for turning off the LCD panel 4 is input from the LCD panel switch 6 to the control circuit 24.

The control circuit 24 uses the LCD panel switch 6
A signal corresponding to the ON / OFF control signal of the LCD panel 4 input from the EVF / LCD changeover switch 25.
And output to the power supply circuit 26.

The EVF / LCD changeover switch 25 is responsive to a control signal from the control circuit 24, and the LCD panel 4
LCD panel 4 when is ON (when it is open)
Side, when it is OFF (when it is closed), EVF
The signals input to the recording / reproducing circuit 23 are switched to the 1 side and output to the EVF 1 or the LCD panel 4.

Further, the power supply circuit 26 uses the input LCD
Power is supplied to the LCD panel 4 when ON and to the EVF 1 when OFF according to the ON / OFF signal of the panel 4. As a result, the power in the non-used state is cut off, so that wasteful consumption of power is suppressed.

Through such an operation, EVF1 or L
The signal from the image sensor 21 is output to one side of the CD panel 4,
Is displayed.

To reproduce the image recorded on the video tape 23A, the camera / video changeover switch 2c of the operation button 2 is switched to the video side, and the reproduction button 2 is selected.
A reproduction command signal is input to the control circuit 24 by pressing b. At this time, the control circuit 24 controls the recording / reproducing circuit 23 to reproduce the video tape 23A. This reproduction signal is also selectively output and displayed on the EVF 1 or the LCD panel 4 via the EVF / LCD changeover switch 25. Even in this case, if the LCD panel 4 is open, the reproduced image is displayed there, and if it is closed, E is displayed.
It is displayed on VF1.

[0031]

As described above, according to the video camera integrated video tape recorder of the present invention, both the first display means and the second display means are configured to electrically display an image. Even when signal processing for electronic zoom or wide television is performed, not only can the user confirm the same range as the range that is actually being imaged, but also a large number of people can enjoy the recording screen. Further, since the image is displayed on only one of both sides, it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a video tape recorder integrated with a video camera of the present invention in a state where an LCD panel 4 is opened.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the video camera integrated video tape recorder shown in FIG. 1 in a state in which an LCD panel 4 is closed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the video camera integrated video tape recorder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an example of a video tape recorder integrated with a video camera, which is provided with a conventional EVF.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration on a photographer side of an example of a video tape recorder with a built-in video camera provided with a conventional OVF.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a subject side of the video camera integrated video tape recorder shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electronic View Finder (EVF) 2 Operation Button 3 Speaker 4 LCD Panel 5 Camera Lens 6 LCD Panel Switch 7 Battery Case 21 Image Sensor 22 Signal Processing Circuit 23 Recording / Reproducing Circuit 24 Control Circuit 25 EVF / LCD Changeover Switch 26 Power Supply Circuit 101 Record button 102 Play button 104 Camera lens 105 Camera / video switch 106 Battery case 111 Optical viewfinder (OVF) 112 Speaker 113 LCD panel 114 LCD panel switch 115 Camera / video switch 116 Recording LED 117 Play button 118 Camera lens 119 battery case

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject, and a first small image for electrically observing by a photographer.
And a second display unit, which is larger than the first display unit and electrically displays an image, which is observable by a plurality of observers, and the output from the imaging unit is recorded on a video tape. At the same time, a recording / reproducing means for reproducing the video signal recorded on the video tape, and an output from the imaging means or an output from the video tape are selectively supplied to the first display means or the second display means. A video tape recorder integrated with a video camera, comprising: a control unit for displaying. 2. The control means cuts off power supply to one of the first display means and the second display means that does not display the output of the image pickup means or the output from the video tape. A video camera integrated video tape recorder according to claim 1. 3. A detection means for detecting a use state of the second display means, wherein the control means outputs the output from the image pickup means or the video tape, and the detection means causes the second display means. The first display is selectively supplied to the second display means when it is detected that the second display means is not used, and the first display is detected when the detection means detects that the second display means is not used. The video tape recorder integrated with a video camera according to claim 1, wherein the video tape recorder is selectively supplied to the means.