JPH07327155A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability more than that of a conventional device by displaying setting items with a low frequency of use when the image pickup condition is set by the menu system after the operation is consecutive for a prescribed time or over thereby preventing malfunction. CONSTITUTION:A microcomputer 24 repeats on/off of display of a usual menu pattern whose frequency of use is high every time a menu button of an operation section 22 is depressed and when the button is depressed for, e.g. 3sec or over, and controls a character generator 23 so as to display a setup menu whose frequency of use is low. The character generator 23 generates characters for setup menu or usual menu and gives them to a D/A converter 36 via an image synthesis circuit 35. The D/A converter 36 converts image data of characters into an image signal and gives the signal to a monitor receiver 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for picking up a still image, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus capable of setting a shooting condition such as a color temperature conversion characteristic at the time of flash synchronized shooting and ISO sensitivity by a so-called menu system. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image pickup apparatus for photographing an object and outputting image data of a still image is photographed by using a video camera including an image pickup tube, a solid-state image pickup element, etc. After performing so-called process processing such as gamma correction, white clip, knee processing, etc., the image pickup signal is converted into image data, and this image data is stored in a memory as image data of a still image. Then, for example, a still image based on the image data stored in the memory is displayed on a monitor receiver or a viewfinder, and the image data of the still image is referred to as a so-called small computer system interface (hereinafter referred to as SCS).
I: Small Computer System Interface. ) To a video printer to print (print out) a still image based on this image data, or transfer the image data via SCSI to an information processing device such as a personal computer or workstation. A still image is used or displayed on a so-called CRT included in the information processing apparatus.

Further, in the conventional image pickup apparatus, in order to improve, for example, operability, setting items of photographing conditions such as color temperature conversion characteristics during flash synchronization photographing, white balance, ISO sensitivity, electronic shutter speed, etc. There is known a menu system in which is displayed as a so-called menu and the setting operation is performed using the menu.

[0004]

By the way, the setting items include items that are frequently used and items that are not frequently used. However, in the conventional image pickup apparatus, regardless of the frequency of use,
A menu consisting of setting items is displayed, and the setting operation can be performed using the menu. Therefore,
The conventional imaging device has a problem that an erroneous operation frequently occurs and the shooting conditions change against the intention of the photographer.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and for a setting item that is not frequently used, unless the operation is continued for a predetermined time or more, the display is not performed to prevent an erroneous operation. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that can improve operability as compared with a conventional device.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an image pickup means for photographing a subject and outputting an image pickup signal, and an image pickup signal from the image pickup means into image data. Analog / digital converting means for converting, and storage means for storing image data from the analog / digital converting means as image data of a still image,
A display means for displaying a still image based on the image data read from the storage means, an operation means for performing an operation for setting shooting conditions, and a character for displaying setting items on the display means. And a control means for controlling the character generation means in response to the operation of the operation means, wherein the control means displays frequently used setting items immediately when the operation means is operated, The setting item having a low frequency of use is characterized by controlling the character generating means so that the operation of the operating means is continued for a predetermined time or longer before being displayed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the control means controls the character generation means so that the operation is displayed after the operation is continued for a predetermined time with respect to the setting item which is not frequently used.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An image pickup apparatus to which the present invention is applied, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a video lens 10 and a video camera 20 that shoots a subject and outputs an image pickup signal.
A digital processor 30 for converting an image pickup signal from the video camera 20 into image data and storing it as image data of a still image; and a monitor receiver for displaying a still image based on the image signal from the digital processor 30. 1 and a viewfinder 2.

Then, the video camera 20 supplies an image pickup signal obtained by picking up an image of a subject to the digital processor 30, and the digital processor 30 sends the image signal.
After the image pickup signal from 0 is converted into image data and stored as image data of a still image, the stored image data is supplied to an information processing device, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a personal computer) 3 as necessary. With
The image data is converted into an image signal and supplied to the monitor receiver 1 and the viewfinder 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 described above, this image pickup device is provided with a remote controller (hereinafter, simply referred to as a remote controller) 3, a generator 4, a flash 5, and a foot switch 6, and the remote controller 3 is provided. By operating the release button 3a, the foot switch 6 and the like, normal shooting or flash synchronized shooting can be performed. Further, this image pickup device is provided with a color temperature conversion characteristic, white balance, ISO
Setting items such as sensitivity and electronic shutter speed for photographing conditions are displayed on the monitor receiver 1 and the viewfinder 2 as a so-called menu according to the frequency of use, and the setting operation can be performed using the menu. ing.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the video camera 20 includes a solid-state image pickup device 21 which receives reflected light from a subject through the video lens 10 and outputs an image pickup signal, and an image pickup device. An operation unit 22 operated by a person, a character generator 23 that generates a character for displaying setting items on the monitor receiver 1 and the like, and an operation unit 22.
A microcomputer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a microcomputer) 24 for controlling the character generator 23 in accordance with the output of the above, and a release signal from the remote controller 3 converted into data and supplied to the microcomputer 24.
Digital converter (hereinafter referred to as A / D converter) 25
With.

The solid-state image pickup device 21 is composed of, for example, three charge-coupled devices (so-called CCD), and supplies image pickup signals of three primary colors obtained by photographing an object to the digital processor 30.

On the other hand, the operation unit 22 is provided on the back surface of the video camera 20, and the operation unit 22 has a button switch (hereinafter, referred to as a button switch) for turning on / off the menu display as shown in FIG. 2, for example. , Menu button.) 2
2a, a release button 22b, function buttons 22c and 22d for moving a so-called cursor,
Data buttons 22e and 22f for changing numerical values
And connectors for connecting cables between the viewfinder 2, the video lens 10 and the digital processor 30.

Then, the microcomputer 24 receives a signal corresponding to the operation of these button switches, and turns on / off the display of a normal menu consisting of frequently used setting items each time the menu button 22a is pressed, for example. While controlling the character generator 23 to repeat,
When the menu button 22a is pressed for a predetermined time, for example, 3 seconds or more, the character generator 2 displays a setup menu including setting items that are less frequently used.
Control 3 The character generator 23 generates a character for a normal menu or a setup menu and supplies it to the digital processor 30.

The digital processor 30 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, an A / D converter 31 for converting the image pickup signal from the video camera 20 into image data, and an image memory 32 for storing the image data from the A / D converter 31 as image data of a still image. A memory controller 33 for controlling the image memory 32, a character generator 34 for generating a display character for displaying an aperture value, etc., a character from the character generators 23, 34 and an image from the image memory 32. An image synthesizing circuit 35 for synthesizing data, a D / A converter 36 for transforming the image data from the image synthesizing circuit 35 into an image signal,
A small computer system for outputting the image data stored in the image memory 32 to the personal computer 3.
Interface (hereinafter, SCSI: Small Computer S
It is called ystem Interface. ) A circuit 37 and a microcomputer 38 that controls the entire circuit.

Then, the digital processor 30
Displays the moving image captured by the video camera 20 as it is on the monitor receiver 1 or the like in a state where the aperture of the video lens 10 is opened, and the release buttons 3a, 2
2b or the foot switch 6 is pressed, the aperture is set to a set value, and then the camera mode in which the image data of the still image is captured in the image memory 32 and the still image based on the image data stored in the image memory 32 are received by the monitor. The memory mode displayed on the camera 1 or the like and the moving image captured by the video camera 20 with the aperture set to the set value are displayed on the monitor 1 or the like as they are, and the release button 22b is displayed.
, Etc. are pressed, the image data of the still image is transferred to the image memory 3
It is designed to operate in three modes, a standby mode for loading into 2.

That is, the A / D converter 31 converts the image pickup signal supplied from the video camera 20 into image data, and the image data is converted into the image memory 32 and the image synthesizing circuit 3.
Supply to 5. The image memory 32 is composed of a plurality of frame memories, and the memory controller 33 selects a frame memory for storing image data according to an instruction from the microcomputer 38 when the release button 22b or the like is pressed in the camera mode and the standby mode. Control is performed to store the image data supplied from the A / D converter 31 in the frame memory.

In the camera mode and the standby mode, the image synthesizing circuit 35 synthesizes the display character from the character generator 34 with the image data from the A / D converter 31 and supplies it to the D / A converter 36. In the memory mode, the image composition circuit 35 supplies the image data read from the image memory 32 to the D / A converter 36.

On the other hand, when setting shooting conditions such as color temperature conversion characteristics during flash synchronization shooting, white balance, ISO sensitivity, electronic shutter speed, etc., the image synthesizing circuit 35 is used.
Supplies the character for the normal menu or the character for the setup menu supplied from the character generator 23 of the video camera 20 to the D / A converter 36.

The D / A converter 36 converts the image data from the image synthesizing circuit 35 into an image signal, and the monitor receiver 1
And to the viewfinder 2.

Thus, the monitor receiver 1 and the like have an image in which a moving image taken by the video camera 20 is combined with a display character indicating the aperture value, a still image taken, or a menu for setting shooting conditions. Is displayed.

As a result, the photographer can adjust the focus and the like while checking the moving image displayed on the monitor receiver 1 and the like, and can also check the aperture value. Further, the photographer can judge the quality of the photographed still image based on the still image displayed on the monitor receiver 1 or the like. Furthermore, the photographer can easily set the photographing conditions while looking at the normal menu or the setup menu displayed on the monitor receiver 1 or the like.

Further, in this image pickup device, if necessary,
That is, for example, in response to a request from the personal computer 3, the image data read from the image memory 32 is transferred to the SCSI circuit 3
The data is supplied to the information processing apparatus such as the personal computer 3, the workstation, the digital video printer, etc. via 7. As a result, a still image based on the stored image data is printed (printed out), and a still image based on the image data is displayed on a so-called CRT included in the personal computer 3 or the like.

Specific examples of the normal menu and the setup menu will be described below. The microcomputer 24 of the video camera 20 operates, for example, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 when generating a menu character consisting of setting items.

That is, when the photographer presses the menu button 22a in step ST1, the microcomputer 24 determines in step ST2 whether or not the menu button 22a has been pressed for 3 seconds or longer. If not, step S
When it corresponds to T3, the process proceeds to step ST4.

At step ST3, the microcomputer 24
Controls the character generator 23 so as to generate a character for a normal menu, and the character generator 23, for example, displays the image data of the character consisting of “LIVE” (hereinafter, referred to as “LIVE”) indicating that it is in the camera mode.
Simply called "Live". ), "STILL" indicating the standby mode, "AWBNG" indicating that the white balance was not achieved, and "C.
“Temp”, “Fl” indicating whether flash synchronized shooting
Ash, “Red” indicating red gain, and “Blue” indicating blue gain are generated and the image data of these characters are supplied to the image synthesizing circuit 35. Thus, for example, the monitor receiver 1 or the like is As shown in FIG. 4, an image of a normal menu composed of these characters is displayed.

On the other hand, in step ST4, the microcomputer 24 controls the character generator 23 so as to generate a character for the setup menu, and the character generator 23 controls the character for the setup menu as in the case of displaying the normal menu. The image data of the character is supplied to the image synthesizing circuit 35. By the way, the setup menu includes a so-called I
A camera screen for setting SO sensitivity, electronic shutter speed, etc., for example, a process screen for setting so-called gamma characteristics, sharpness, and contrast as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a video lens used as shown in FIG. 7, A mode screen for setting the flash emission interval when auto white balance is set, for example, a reset screen 4 for returning each set value to the initial value as shown in FIG.
There are two screens, and in this step ST4, the photographer presses the data button 22 when the cursor is on the first line.
When e or 22f is pressed, the microcomputer 24 controls the character generator 23 so that the screen displayed on the monitor receiver 1 or the like is switched according to the operation. In this way, the monitor receiver 1 etc. 1 of the setup menu
The screen is displayed.

When the photographer operates the function buttons 22c and 22d while looking at these menus, the microcomputer 24 controls the character generator 23 so that the cursor moves according to the operation.
Next, when the photographer operates the data buttons 22e and 22f, the ISO sensitivity, the electronic shutter speed, etc. are changed according to the operation, and the character generator 23 is controlled so that the values are displayed. In this way, when the photographer sets the shooting conditions and then presses the menu button 22a again, the microcomputer 24 responds to the operation by
The character generator 23 is controlled to end the generation of the character.

That is, in this image pickup apparatus, the setup menu consisting of the setting items that are not frequently used is displayed after the menu button 22a is pressed for a predetermined time or longer, so that the values of the setting items that are not frequently used are displayed. Can be easily (wrongly) changed. In other words, the operability can be improved as compared with the conventional device.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the setting items that are not frequently used are displayed after the operation is continued for a predetermined time or more.
It is possible to prevent the value of a setting item that is not frequently used from being changed by mistake, that is, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation, and it is possible to improve operability as compared with a conventional device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of an imaging device to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a specific configuration of an operation unit of a video camera which constitutes the image pickup apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the image pickup apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a normal menu.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a setup menu.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a setup menu.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a setup menu.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a setup menu.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Monitor Receiver 2 Viewfinder 20 Video Camera 21 Solid-state Image Sensor 22 Operation Section 22a Menu Button 23 Character Generator 24 Microcomputer 30 Digital Processor 31 A / D Converter 32 Image Memory 33 Memory Controller 35 Image Synthesis Circuit 36 D / A Converter

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for photographing a subject and outputting an image pickup signal, an analog / digital conversion means for converting the image pickup signal from the image pickup means into image data, and image data from the analog / digital conversion means. Storage means for storing as still image image data, display means for displaying a still image based on the image data read out from the storage means, operation means for performing an operation for setting shooting conditions, and setting items A character generating means for generating a character for displaying on the display means, and a control means for controlling the character generating means in response to an operation of the operating means. , Is displayed immediately when the operating means is operated, and the setting items that are less frequently used are displayed after the operation of the operating means continues for a predetermined time or longer. As the imaging device and controls the character generator means.