JPH0799623A - Still video camera with panoramic shot function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the still video camera with a panoramic shot, function where picture data of a still video picture for panoramic shot may be recorded in a recording medium without unnecessarily using a recording area. CONSTITUTION:The object image picked up by an objective lens system 51 is converted to electric picture data by a photo-electric conversion system 53; and if two still video pictures of the panormic size are continuously photographed at the time of recording picture data in a recording medium 7 through a buffer memory 91 as picture data of the still video picture of the panoramic size whose vertical length is a half of the still video picture of the normal size, picture data of two still video pictures of the panoramic size is recorded in one recording area part of the recording medium, which has a capacity corresponding to picture data of the still video picture of the normal size, by the control of a system control circuit 301 and a recording and reproducing processing system 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a still video camera having a panoramic photographing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a still video camera, an image of a subject captured by a lens is converted into an electronic signal by an image pickup device and I
It is recorded on a recording medium such as a C memory card, and the recorded subject image can be displayed as a still image on the screen of the television by loading the recording medium on the reproducing device. Also, some still video cameras have a playback device function. By the way, in recent years, in the field of film cameras, those capable of taking panoramic photographs by switching modes are widely provided, and in the field of still video cameras, those capable of panoramic photography are expected to be available in the future.

[0003]

In panoramic shooting with a still video camera, the top and bottom of the screen of the shot image are cut, and the top and bottom of the screen are shorter than in normal shooting. Will be recorded in. At this time, when the image data of the still video image at the time of panoramic shooting is recorded on the recording medium by occupying the same recording area as the image data of the still video image at the time of normal shooting, image data other than the actual subject, that is, However, the recording area of the recording medium is additionally consumed by the image data in the blank areas at the top and bottom of the screen, and there is a problem that the recording area cannot be effectively used.

When a still video image captured in panorama is reproduced from a recording medium and is displayed on a monitor television or the like having a normal aspect ratio screen size, the still video image is not expanded and displayed in the original size. At the time of displaying, it is necessary to process and reproduce and output the image data of the still video image captured in the panorama so that the blank areas at the top and bottom of the screen are not unsightly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to use the still video image data at the time of panoramic shooting to save the recording area when enabling panoramic shooting with the still video camera. It is to provide a still video camera with a panoramic shooting function that can be recorded on a recording medium without using it. Furthermore, in composing a still video camera with a panoramic shooting function, a still video image shot in a panoramic size can be recorded. (EN) A still video camera with a panoramic shooting function, which is capable of processing image data into image data that looks good at the time of display and reproducing and outputting it.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a normal shooting mode for shooting a normal size still video image having a vertical and horizontal aspect ratio of M: N, and the aspect ratio is M. / 2: N mode panorama shooting mode for shooting a panorama size still video image, and the normal size or panorama size still video according to the mode selecting means and the shooting mode selected by the mode selecting means. Image capturing means for capturing an image, an image recording medium on which image data of a still video image captured by the image capturing means is recorded, and image data of one still video image of the normal size captured in the normal capturing mode. First recording processing means for recording an image in a recording area portion of a capacity corresponding to the normal size in the image recording medium; Second recording processing means for recording the image data of the panorama-sized still video image for each of the two continuous shootings in the shooting mode in the one recording area portion of the image recording medium; When the image is taken once in the panoramic shooting mode and then taken in the normal shooting mode, the image data of that one panoramic size still video image is recorded in the one recording area portion of the image recording medium, and Third recording processing means for recording the image data of the last captured panorama-sized still video image in one of the recording area portions of the image recording medium when the images are photographed in the panoramic photographing mode an odd number of times in succession. It is characterized by being provided.

Further, according to the present invention, the image data of the panorama-sized still video image is recorded from the recording area portion.
Image data of the reproduced panorama size still video image and the image data of the margin display image according to the size difference between the panorama size and the normal size, and the reproduced panorama size. The still video image and the margin display image are further provided as reproduction processing means for outputting as image data of the reproduction image laid out in one screen of the normal size.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A still video camera (hereinafter abbreviated as a camera) 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a control system 3 for overall control, a photographing system 5 for photographing still video images, and a still video image photographed. A recording medium 7 on which the recorded still video image is recorded, a recording / reproducing processing system 9 for recording the captured still video image on the recording medium 7 and reproducing the recorded still video image from the recording medium 7, and a subject captured by the photographing system 5 ( A finder system (not shown) for displaying an image of (not shown) is provided.

The control system 3 controls the operation of each part of the photographing system 5 and the recording / reproducing processing system 9, and the photographing system 5 and the recording / reproducing processing system 9 via the system control circuit 301. A power supply circuit 303 for supplying power to each unit, a battery 305 and an external power supply terminal 307 connected to the power supply circuit 303, and a photographing mode selection switch 3 connected to the system control circuit 301.
09, zoom switch 311, release switch 31
3, a reproduction switch 315, a frame designation switch 317, a panorama display mode selection switch 319, a distance measuring unit 321,
The photometric unit 323 and the power switch 325 are provided.

The shooting mode selection switch 309 (corresponding to a mode selection means) is a normal shooting mode for shooting a still video image of a normal size having an aspect ratio of M: N (for example, 3: 4) on the screen. Aspect ratio is M
It is provided to select the panorama shooting mode for shooting a still video image of a panorama size of / 2: N (for example, 3/2: 2). Further, the zoom switch 311 is used for the zoom lens 51, which will be described later, in the photographing system 5.
01 for zooming operation, and the release switch 313 is provided for instructing the system control circuit 301 to record a still video image of a subject. Further, the reproduction switch 315
Is provided for switching the still video camera 1 which is normally used for shooting still video images to a state used for playing back still video images recorded on the recording medium 7. The frame designation switch 317 is Provided to instruct the system control circuit 301 of the frame number of the still video image to be reproduced from the recording medium 7.

Further, the panorama display mode selection switch 319 reproduces the image data of the panorama size still video image recorded on the recording medium 7, and an external display device having an aspect ratio of M: N in the vertical and horizontal directions of the screen ( Not shown,
It is provided to select a display mode when the panoramic size still video image is displayed on the screen of a monitor television, for example. In the present embodiment, by operating the panorama display mode selection switch 319, a side cut mode in which both the left and right sides of the panorama size still video image are cut and displayed to fill the screen of the external display device, The letterbox mode for displaying the panoramic size still video image on the left and right of the screen of the external display device and displaying the black image in the upper and lower margins of the screen is exactly the same as the state recorded on the recording medium 7. Of the normal display mode to display in the state,
Any one desired display mode can be selected.

The distance measuring unit 321 and the light measuring unit 323 function under the control of the system control circuit 301, and the distance measuring unit 321 measures the distance to the subject and the focus in the photographing system 5 to be described later. Lens 510
3, the photometry unit 323 measures the light amount of the image of the subject, and determines the diaphragm amount of a diaphragm mechanism 5105, which will be described later, in the photographing system 5 and whether or not the strobe 55 emits light. To do.

The photographing system 5 includes an objective lens system 51, a photoelectric conversion system 53, and a strobe 55. The objective lens system 51 is housed in a lens barrel (not shown) in the front part of the camera 1, and includes a zoom lens 5101 and a focus lens 51.
03, and a diaphragm mechanism 5105. The zoom lens 5101, the focus lens 5103, and the diaphragm mechanism 5105 are controlled by the zoom drive unit 5107 by operating the zoom switch 311 and controlling the system control circuit 301 based on the measurement results of the distance measuring unit 321 and the photometric unit 323. It is driven by the focus drive unit 5109 and the diaphragm drive unit 5111, respectively.

The photoelectric conversion system 53 includes a CCD image sensor 5301, an image pickup signal processing circuit 5303, and an A / D.
The converter 5305 is provided. CCD image sensor 5
Reference numeral 301 denotes a photodiode array (not shown) including a large number of photodiodes arranged in a matrix.
And C that transfers the charge accumulated in each photodiode
Objective lens system 51 including a CD channel (not shown)
An image (not shown) of the subject captured by is formed on the surface of the photodiode array.

The photodiodes in which electric charges are accumulated according to the formed image of the subject are controlled by the system control circuit 301 to generate the synchronization signal generation circuit 5
262.5 in synchronization with the synchronization signal output from 307
By the interlaced scanning method by line × twice scanning, scanning is performed in order from the left column to the right column and from the upper row to the lower row, and the accumulated charge of each scanned photodiode is accumulated by the CCD driver 5309. Imaging signal processing circuit 5
It is transferred to 303. The image pickup signal processing circuit 5303 uses the charge transferred from each photodiode, that is, 26
Predetermined signal processing is performed on the image pickup signal of 2.5 lines × 2 = 525 lines, and the A / D converter 5305 digitally converts the image pickup signal after the signal processing by the image pickup signal processing circuit 5303 to obtain a still video image. Generate image data.

The strobe 55 is arranged in the vicinity of the lens barrel in the front part of the camera 1, and the strobe circuit 5501 controls the system control circuit 301 based on the measurement result of the photometry section 323 to control the subject. It is driven to emit light when the light amount of the image is insufficient. In this example,
The objective lens system 51 and the photoelectric conversion system 53 constitute a photographing means.

The recording medium 7 is composed of, for example, an IC memory card or the like, and is divided into a plurality of recording area portions for use. One recording area portion corresponds to the normal size still video image, and the still video image is recorded. Of the 525 lines forming the image data of the image, the data is formed with a capacity corresponding to 480 lines of image data excluding the scanning line data in the blanking period.
The row address of "479" (vertical direction) and "0" to "76"
The column address (horizontal direction) of "7" is assigned.
Further, the recording medium 7 is provided with a plurality of individual information areas associated with the respective recording area portions, in which arbitrary data other than image data can be recorded.

The recording / reproducing processing system 9 includes a buffer memory 91, a video processing circuit 93, a recording medium control circuit 95, an image data compression / expansion circuit 97, and an input / output interface 9.
9 is provided. The buffer memory 91 temporarily stores image data of the still video image before being recorded in the recording medium 7 or before being reproduced from the recording medium 7 and output to the outside of the camera 1. , Is formed in the same capacity as one recording area portion of the recording medium 7, and "0" to
A row address of "479" and a column address of "0" to "767" are assigned.

Then, when the image data of the still video image output from the A / D converter 5305 before being recorded in the recording medium 7 is stored in the buffer memory 91, the photographing mode selection switch 309. If the normal shooting mode is selected in, the above-mentioned 48 of 525 lines forming the image data of the still video image are selected.
The image data of 0 lines is stored in the buffer memory 91 as the image data of the still video image of the normal size.

When the image data from the A / D converter 5305 is stored in the buffer memory 91,
If the panoramic shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selection switch 309, the image data of 240 lines of the 480 lines of image data, which is closer to the center in the vertical direction, is the image data of the panorama-sized still video image. Is stored in the buffer memory 91 as The system control circuit 301 controls the storage of image data in the buffer memory 91 and the extraction of the stored image data from the buffer memory 91 via the address control circuit 9101.

The video processing circuit 93 includes the recording medium 7
When reproducing the image data recorded in, the image data of the panorama-sized still video image temporarily stored in the buffer memory 91 is combined with the image data of the black image as necessary, and Image data of a reproduction image in the letterbox mode, in which a still video image and the black image are laid out within one screen of the normal size, is generated. The recording medium control circuit 95
Is the shooting mode selection switch 309 or the frame designation when the image data of the still video image stored in the buffer memory 91 is recorded on the recording medium 7 or when the image data recorded on the recording medium 7 is reproduced. The address in the recording medium 7 to be recorded or reproduced is designated by the control of the system control circuit 301 according to the operation of the switch 317.

The image data compression / expansion circuit 97 is reproduced and output from the recording medium 7 by the control of the system control circuit 301 when the side cut mode is selected by the panorama display mode selection switch 319, and the buffer. The image data for one screen stored in the memory 91 is expanded. Therefore, the expanded image data is output from the buffer memory 91 to the external display device. The input / output interface 99 is connected to the video processing circuit 93 and the recording medium control circuit 95, and the image data of the still video image reproduced from the recording medium 7 and stored in the buffer memory 91 is the input / output interface. It is output to the external display device via 99. In the present embodiment, the system control circuit 301 and the recording / reproducing processing system 9 make
Second and third recording processing means and reproduction processing means are configured.

Next, a still video image capturing operation by the still video camera 1 of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described. It should be noted that, here, the description of the shooting operation of a still video image of a normal size taken by the same operation as that of a known still video camera is omitted, and a panoramic size still picture which is a characteristic part of the still video camera 1 of the present embodiment is omitted. A video image shooting operation will be described.

First, the power switch 325 is turned on, then the reproduction switch 315 is turned off, and then the panoramic shooting mode is selected by operating the shooting mode selection switch 309. Furthermore, the finder system (not shown) is used. Point the still video camera 1 at the subject while watching the display. Then, by the distance measuring unit 321 and the photometric unit 323,
The distance to the subject and the light amount of the subject image are measured, and the system control circuit 301 determines the focal position of the focus lens 5103, the aperture amount of the aperture mechanism 5105, and the necessity of the flash 55 to emit light. Then, under the control of the system control circuit 301, the focus driving unit 510 according to the determined focus position.
The focus lens 5103 is driven by 9, and
The diaphragm driving unit 5111 drives the diaphragm mechanism 5105 in accordance with the determined diaphragm amount, and further, a capacitor (not shown) in the strobe circuit 5501 is charged if necessary.

When the still video camera 1 is pointed at the subject, the zoom switch 311 is operated while observing the display of the finder system (not shown) so that the subject is photographed at a desired magnification. Zoom switch 3
11 is operated, the zoom drive unit 51 is controlled by the system control circuit 301 according to the operation.
07 zooms the zoom lens 5101 to the telephoto side or the wide-angle side.

After the zoom lens 5101 is zoomed, the release switch 313 is operated. When the release switch 313 is operated, the CCD of the photoelectric conversion system 53 is controlled by the system control circuit 301.
The image sensor 5301 is operated, and the CCD image sensor 5301 is captured by the objective lens system 51.
According to the image of the subject formed on the surface of the photodiode array, electric charge is accumulated in each photodiode of the photodiode array. Then, the accumulated charge of each photodiode is changed to 52 by the CCD driver 5309.
Imaging signal processing circuit 5303 as imaging signals for five lines
To the A /
Converted to digital image data by D converter 5305,
The image data is recorded on the recording medium 7 via the buffer memory 91.

FIG. 2 shows the system control circuit 3 described above.
9 is a flowchart showing a recording control operation of image data in the panoramic shooting mode by 01. As shown in FIG. 2, the system control circuit 301 first confirms that the power switch 325 is turned on in step S1. When the power switch 325 is not turned on, step S
1 is repeated, and if it is input, the next step S3
Then, it is confirmed that the reproduction switch 315 is turned off. If the reproduction switch 315 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S35 described later, and if it is turned off, in the next step S5, it is determined whether or not the panorama shooting mode is set according to the operation state of the shooting mode selection switch 309. Check. If it is not the panoramic shooting mode, it is confirmed that it is the normal shooting mode, and the process proceeds to step S30 described later.

On the other hand, if the panoramic photography mode is confirmed in step S5, the system control circuit 301
A counter N (not shown) that counts the number of continuous shootings in the panoramic shooting mode is reset to zero (step S
7) Next, the counter N is incremented by "1" (step S9), and it is checked in step S11 whether the value of the counter N is odd or even. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the value of the counter N is an odd number (N = 1). If the value of the counter N is an odd number, the operation of the release switch 313 is detected in the next step S13. When the operation of the release switch 313 is detected, in step S15, the scanning line data in the blanking period is converted from the image data of the still video image of 525 lines converted by the A / D converter 5305. Of the removed 480 lines of image data, 240 lines of image data in the vertical direction near the center are used as the image data of the panorama-sized still video image, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. "0" ~
It is stored in the row address portion of "239". At this time,
The row address of the buffer memory 91 for storing the image data is designated by the system control circuit 301 via the address control circuit 9101.

Next, the photographing mode selection switch 30
By confirming the operation state of 9 again after a predetermined time, it is confirmed whether or not the panoramic photography mode is continued (step S17). For example, if it is confirmed that the panoramic shooting mode is not continued by changing the shooting mode selection switch 309 to the normal shooting mode,
In the next step S19, "0" of the buffer memory 91-
As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 4, the image data of the panoramic size still video image stored in the row address portion of “239” has the smallest frame number in the empty recording area portion of the recording medium 7. "120" in the recording area
The line address portion of "359" is transcribed and recorded. At this time, the row address of the recording area portion of the recording medium 7 onto which the image data is transferred and recorded is designated by the system control circuit 301 via the recording medium control circuit 95.

At the same time, in step S19, in the individual information area in the recording medium 7 attached to the recording area portion in which the image data is recorded, the image data is the data of the panorama size still video image, and It is recorded that the panorama size still video image recorded in the recording area portion corresponds to one screen. Then, the ON / OFF state of the reproduction switch 315 is confirmed again after a predetermined time to confirm whether or not the still video image capturing is continued (step S21). For example, the reproduction switch 315 is turned ON. If it is confirmed that the photographing is ended, as described above, the control operation is ended. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the shooting is continued, for example, because the reproduction switch 315 remains OFF,
The process returns to step S5.

If it is confirmed in step S17 that the panoramic shooting mode is to be continued, for example, because the selection state of the shooting mode selection switch 309 remains in the panoramic shooting mode, the buffer memory 91
The image data of the panorama-sized still video image stored in the recording medium 7 is transferred to the recording medium 7 and is not recorded.
Return to 9. Here, the recording control operation of the system control circuit 301 after returning from step S17 to step S9 will be described. When the process returns from step S17 to step S9, the counter N is incremented by "1" to change the value of the counter N from "1" to "2", and at the next step S11, the value of the counter N is an even number (N = 2) is confirmed. If the value of the counter N is an even number, the operation of the release switch 313 is detected in the next step S23.

When the operation of the release switch 313 is detected, then in step S25, the two screens converted by the A / D converter 5305 according to the second operation of the release switch 313 confirmed in step S23. Eye 525
Of the 480 lines of image data obtained by removing the data of the scanning lines in the blanking period from the image data of the still video image of the lines, 240 in the vertical center direction.
The image data for the lines is stored in the buffer memory 91 as the image data of the still-picture image of the panorama size of the second screen. At this time, the image data of 240 lines of the still video image of the second screen is "0" to "23" in the buffer memory 91 in step S15.
As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5, the image data of the second screen is addressed from the system control circuit 301 so as to follow the image data of the still video image of the first screen stored in the row address portion of “9”. From “240” of the buffer memory 91 designated through the control circuit 9101
It is stored in the row address portion of "479".

Further, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the image data of the panorama-sized still video image for two screens stored in the row address portions of "0" to "479" of the buffer memory 91 in step S27. In this manner, of the vacant recording area portion in the recording medium 7, the recording area portion having the smallest frame number is transferred and recorded in the row address portion of "0" to "479". Also at this time, the row address of the recording area portion of the recording medium 7 on which the image data is transferred and recorded is designated from the system control circuit 301 via the recording medium control circuit 95. At the same time, in step S27, in the individual information area in the recording medium 7 attached to the recording area portion in which the image data is recorded, the fact that those image data are panorama-sized still video image data, and the recording thereof It is recorded that the panorama size still video image recorded in the area portion is for two screens.

Then, in step S29, similarly to step S17, it is confirmed whether or not the panoramic photography mode is continued. If it is confirmed that the panoramic photography mode is continued, the process returns to step S9 to continue the panoramic photography mode. If it is confirmed that the mode has been changed to the normal shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S21.

Next, the case where it is confirmed in step S5 that the normal photographing mode is set will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. If it is confirmed in step S5 that the normal photographing mode is set, the operation of the release switch 313 is detected in step S30. When the operation of the release switch 313 is detected, the next step S31
Then, the image data of the still video image of 525 lines converted by the A / D converter 5305, the image data of 480 lines excluding the data of the scanning line of the blanking period is converted into the still image of the normal size. As image data of the video image, “0” to “47” in the buffer memory 91.
9 ”is stored in the row address portion. At this time, the row address of the buffer memory 91 for storing the image data is designated from the system control circuit 301 via the address control circuit 9101 as before.

Further, in step S32, the image data of the still video image of the normal size for one screen stored in the line address portion of “0” to “479” of the buffer memory 91 is vacated in the recording medium 7. "0" to "47" of the recording area portion with the smallest frame number among the recording area portions
It is transcribed and recorded in the row address portion of "9". Also at this time, the row address of the recording area portion of the recording medium 7 on which the image data is transferred and recorded is determined by the system control circuit 3
01 through the recording medium control circuit 95.

Then, in step S33, it is confirmed whether or not the normal photographing mode is continued. If it is confirmed that the normal photographing mode is continued, the process returns to step S30, and the normal photographing mode is not continued but the panoramic photographing mode is set. If it is confirmed that the mode has been changed, the process proceeds to step S21.

Next, the reproducing operation of the still video image captured by the still video camera 1 and recorded on the recording medium 7 will be described. First, the power switch 325
, Then turn on the regeneration switch 315,
Then, the frame designation switch 317 is used to designate the frame number of the recording area portion of the recording medium 7 in which the image data to be reproduced is recorded. Further, when the still video image to be reproduced has a panoramic size, a panorama display is performed. A display mode at the time of reproduction is selected by operating the mode selection switch 319. Then, under the control of the system control circuit 301, the recording medium control circuit 95 causes the image data recorded in the recording area portion from the recording area portion of the designated frame number to be stored in the buffer memory 91 and the input / output interface 99. After that, it is output to the external display device (not shown).

8 and 9 are flow charts showing the reproduction control operation of the image data of the video still image by the system control circuit 301. First, if the reproduction switch 315 is turned off in the step S3 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 referred to in the description of the shooting operation, the frame number is designated by the frame designation switch 317 in the step S35 of FIG. It is confirmed whether or not is performed and the designated frame number.

When the frame number is not designated, step S35 is repeated. If the frame number is designated, in the next step S37, from the recording area portion corresponding to the designated frame number in the recording medium 7, The image data recorded in the recording area portion is transferred to the buffer memory 91, and the recording information in the individual information area accompanying the recording area portion is transferred to a memory (not shown) in the system control circuit 301. To be done. At this time, the print data at each address in the vertical and horizontal directions of the recording area portion is transferred to the same address in the vertical and horizontal directions of the buffer memory 91. Then, the step S
In step S39 of FIG. 9 following 37, the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 is a panorama size video still image based on the recording information in the individual information area transferred to the memory (not shown). Check whether or not.

Here, the following description will be continued on the assumption that the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 has been confirmed to have the normal size in step S39.
If the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 has a normal size, the image data in the buffer memory 91 is directly output from the input / output interface 99 to the external display device (not shown) (step S41).

In the next step S43, the state of the frame number designated by the frame designation switch 317 is confirmed again after a predetermined time, and the image of the normal size video still image currently being output by the control operation of the step S41 is displayed. Confirm whether to continue playing the data. Step S
If it is confirmed in 43 that the reproduction of the image data currently being output is continued, for example, because the frame number specified by the frame specifying switch 317 has not changed, the process returns to step S41. On the other hand, the step S4
If it is confirmed that the reproduction of the image data currently being output is not continued due to the change of the state of the frame number designated by the frame designation switch 317, the reproduction switch 315 is operated at the next step S45. The setting state of is checked again after a predetermined time, and it is checked whether or not another video still image is reproduced.

If it is confirmed in step S45 that another video still image is not reproduced, for example, by switching the reproduction switch 315 to OFF, the reproduction operation is stopped (step S47). A series of reproduction control operations are ended. On the other hand, in step S45
If it is confirmed that another video still image is to be reproduced, for example, by the reproduction switch 315 remaining ON, the process returns to the step S35 and is newly designated by the frame designation switch 317. Check the frame number.

Next, the control operation by the system control circuit 301 after that, when it is confirmed in step S39 that the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 is of the panoramic size, will be described.
If the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 has the normal size in the step S39, the step S39
At 51, based on the recording information transferred to the memory of the system control circuit 301, the buffer memory 9
It is confirmed whether the image data of the panorama size video still image transferred to 1 is for one screen or for two screens.

First, the description will be continued assuming that one screen has been confirmed in step S51. If it is confirmed that the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 is for one screen, the display mode is side cut mode or letter mode depending on the operation state of the panorama display mode selection switch 319 in the next step S53. Check if it is in box mode. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the display mode is the letterbox mode. If it is confirmed in step S53 that the display mode is the letterbox mode, the buffer memory 91 is checked in the next steps S55 to S59.
The output processing of the image data transferred to is performed.

First, in step S55, the image processing circuit 93 replaces the 120 lines of image data while outputting the image data of the row address portions "0" to "119" in the buffer memory 91. The image data of the created black image is output from the input / output interface 99 to the external display device (not shown). In a succeeding step S57, the image data of the row address portion of "120" to "359" in the buffer memory 91 is directly output from the input / output interface 99.

Further, in the succeeding step S59, while the image data of the line address portions "360" to "479" in the buffer memory 91 are being output, the image data for 120 lines is replaced in the same manner as in step S55. Then, the image data of the black image created by the video processing circuit 93 is output from the input / output interface 99 to the external display device (not shown). As a result, from the input / output interface 99, a reproduction image in the letterbox mode in which the panoramic size still video image and the black image are laid out in one screen of the normal size as shown in FIG. Image data of is output. When the output processing in steps S55 to S59 is completed, in the next step S61, similarly to step S43, is the reproduction of the image data of the panorama size video still image in the letterbox mode being currently output continued? Confirm whether or not. If it is confirmed in step S61 that it will continue, the process returns to step S55, and if it is confirmed that it does not continue, the process proceeds to step S45.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S53 that the display mode is the side cut mode,
In the next step S63, the output processing of the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 is performed. In step S63,
Only the column address portions “192” to “575” of the buffer memory 91 designated via the address control circuit 9101 are limited to “120” to “3” in the buffer memory 91.
The image data of the row address portion of "59" is repeatedly output twice for each row, and is output from the input / output interface 99 to the external display device. Here, the column address “192” specified via the address control circuit 9101 ...
"575" is a portion near the center of the image data of each row address and corresponds to a data area of half of each row address.

As a result, the image data portion, which is shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4 and in which a quarter region near the left and right sides of the image data is cut, is substantially doubled in the vertical and horizontal directions, and FIG. Is output from the input / output interface 99 as image data of a reproduction image in the side cut mode as shown in FIG. When the output processing in step S63 is completed, in the next step S65, the reproduction of the image data of the panorama size video still image in the side cut mode which is currently being output is continued in the same manner as in step S43 or step S61. Check whether or not. If it is confirmed in step S65 that the operation is continued, the process returns to step S63, and if it is confirmed that the operation is not continued, the process proceeds to step S45.

Next, when it is confirmed in step S51 that the image data of the panoramic size video still image transferred to the buffer memory 91 is for two screens, the subsequent control by the system control circuit 301. The operation will be described. The buffer memory 91
If it is confirmed that the image data transferred to the screen is for two screens, it is confirmed in step S67 whether the display mode is the normal display mode or not by the operation state of the panorama display mode selection switch 319. It If it is confirmed in step S67 that the display mode is the normal display mode, the process proceeds to step S41. If it is confirmed that the display mode is not the normal display mode, then in step S69, the panorama display mode is set. Selection switch 31
It is confirmed whether the display mode is the letterbox mode or the side cut mode according to the operation state of 9.

If it is confirmed in step S69 that the display mode is the letterbox mode, in the next step S71, which one of the upper and lower two video still images in the buffer memory 91 is to be output is selected. specify. This designation is made by, for example, the frame designation switch 317.
Can be done by. When the upper and lower parts of the output image data have been designated in step S71, the process shown in FIG.
The process proceeds from step S73 shown in 2 to the subroutine of step S77.

In the subroutine, first, step S7
3, during the time required to output the image data for 120 row addresses from the buffer memory 91, the image data of the black image created by the video processing circuit 93 is input from the input / output interface 99 to the unillustrated. Output to the external display device. Next, in step S75, the image data of the row address portion of "0" to "239" in the buffer memory 91 (when "up" is designated in step S71).
Alternatively, “240” to “47” in the buffer memory 91.
The image data of the row address portion of "9" (when "down" is designated in step S71) is directly output from the input / output interface 99. Further, in the following step S77, the image data of the black image created by the video processing circuit 93 is transferred from the input / output interface 99 to the external display device (not shown) for the same length of time as described in step S73. Output. As a result, the image data of the reproduction image in the letterbox mode as shown in FIG. 10 is output from the input / output interface 99.

When the above subroutine is completed, in the next step S79, the steps S43 and S6 are executed.
Similar to 1 and step S65, it is confirmed whether or not the reproduction of the image data of the panorama size video still image in the letterbox mode currently being output is continued. If it is confirmed in step S79 that the operation is continued, the process returns to step S73, and if it is confirmed that the operation is not continued, in the next step S81, reproduction of another video still image is performed in the same manner as in step S45. Confirm whether to do. If it is confirmed in step S81 that reproduction is not performed, the process proceeds to step S47, and if it is confirmed that the upper and lower video still images in the same frame are reproduced, step S71 is performed. If it is confirmed that the video still image of another frame is reproduced, the process proceeds to step S35.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S69 that the display mode is the side cut mode,
In step S83, which of the upper and lower two video still images in the buffer memory 91 is to be output is designated. When the designation of the upper and lower sides of the output image data is completed in step S83, the output process of the image data transferred to the buffer memory 91 is performed in the next step S85.

At step S85, the step S63 is performed.
Similarly to the above, column addresses “192” to “57” of the buffer memory 91 designated via the address control circuit 9101 are designated.
Only "5" portion, "0" in the buffer memory 91 ~
Image data of the line address portion of "239" (step S
83 when "upper" is designated) or the image data of the line address portion of "240" to "479" in the buffer memory 91 (when "lower" is designated in step S83), Each row is repeatedly output twice, and is output from the input / output interface 99 to the external display device. As a result, from the input / output interface 99 shown in FIG.
The image data of the image for reproduction in the side cut mode as shown in 1 is output.

When the output process in the step S85 is completed, in the next step S87, the step S43 is executed.
Similarly to step S61 and step S65, it is confirmed whether or not to continue the reproduction of the image data of the panorama size video still image in the side cut mode which is currently being output. If it is confirmed in step S87 that it will continue, the process returns to step S85, and if it is confirmed that it does not continue, in the next step S89, as in steps S45 and S81, another video still image is generated. Confirm whether to play the image. Then, if it is confirmed in step S89 that the reproduction is not performed, the process proceeds to step S47, and if it is confirmed that the upper and lower video still images in the same frame are reproduced, the step S83 is performed. If it is confirmed that the video still image of another frame is played back,
Then, the process proceeds to step S35.

As described above, according to the still video camera 1 of the present embodiment, the subject image captured by the objective lens system 51 is converted into electrical image data by the photoelectric conversion system 53, and the image data is converted into a normal-sized still image. As image data for a still video image with a panorama size that is half the width of the video image,
In recording on the recording medium 7 via the buffer memory 91, if two panoramic still video images are continuously captured, the two screens are controlled by the system control circuit 301 and the recording / reproducing processing system 9. Image data of a still video image of a panorama size is recorded in one recording area portion of the recording medium 7 having a capacity corresponding to the image data of a still video image of a normal size.

Therefore, the ratio of the image data of one screen of the panoramic still video image to the recording medium 7 occupying the same recording area as that of the image data of one screen of the normal size still video image is recorded. Can be reduced
Image data of a panorama-sized still video image can be recorded on the recording medium 7 without wasting the recording area, and the recording area of the recording medium 7 can be effectively used.

Further, according to the still video camera 1 of the present embodiment, the still video image recorded on the recording medium 7 and having the panoramic size of half the width of the normal size still video image is reproduced in the letterbox mode. In this case, the image data of the black image created by the video processing circuit 93 is combined with the image data part of the blank space corresponding to the size difference between the normal size and the panorama size, and the panorama size still video image and the black image are normally combined. The data is laid out in one size screen and is output as image data of a reproduction image in the letterbox mode. Therefore, in constructing a still video camera 1 having a panoramic shooting function, it is possible to process image data of a still video image shot in a panoramic size into data of an image that looks good at the time of display and reproduce and output it. it can.

In this embodiment, the video still camera 1 having the function of reproducing and outputting the image data of the still video image recorded on the recording medium 7 has been described.
The function of reproducing and outputting the image data from the recording medium 7 may be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, when capturing a panorama size still video image, only the image data portion corresponding to the panorama size of the image data from the photoelectric conversion system 53 is taken into the recording / reproducing processing system 9 side. The configuration for capturing a panoramic still video image is not limited to this. For example, the size of the subject image formed on the surface of the photodiode array may be changed by projecting and retracting a light shielding member in front of the photodiode array of the CCD image sensor 5301.

Further, in the present embodiment, one recording area portion of the recording medium 7 and the buffer memory 91 are formed with the same capacity, and moreover, "0" to "479" are stored in the recording area portion and the buffer memory 91. Row address and "0" ~
Although the column address of “767” is described as being allocated, the capacity of the recording area portion and the buffer memory 91 and the addresses allocated to them are not limited to those shown in this embodiment. Further, the configurations of the control system 3, the photographing system 5, the recording medium 7, and the recording / reproducing processing system 9 are not limited to the configurations shown in this embodiment as long as the same operational effect is produced.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, the normal shooting mode for shooting a still video image of a normal size having a vertical and horizontal aspect ratio of M: N and the aspect ratio of M / 2: N. Mode selection means for selecting a panoramic shooting mode for shooting a panoramic still video image, and shooting for shooting the normal size or panoramic size still video image according to the shooting mode selected by the mode selection means Means, an image recording medium for recording image data of a still video image captured by the image capturing means, and image data for one still video image of the normal size captured in the normal capturing mode. The first recording processing means for recording in one recording area portion having a capacity corresponding to the normal size, and continuous in the panoramic shooting mode. Second recording processing means for recording the image data of the still video images of the panorama size for two times each in the recording area portion of the image recording medium, and 1 in the panoramic photographing mode. When it was shot twice and then in the normal shooting mode,
The image data of the one panorama size still video image is recorded in the one recording area portion of the image recording medium, and when the image is continuously photographed an odd number of times in the panoramic photographing mode, it is photographed last. Third recording processing means for recording image data of a panorama-sized still video image in one of the recording area portions of the image recording medium is provided.

Therefore, in enabling panoramic shooting with a still video camera, one screen of image data of a panoramic still video image has the same recording area as that of one screen of a normal still video image. It is possible to occupy the area and reduce the ratio of being recorded on the recording medium, and it is possible to record the image data of the still video image at the time of panoramic shooting on the recording medium without wasting the recording area.

According to the present invention, one image data of the panorama size still video image is reproduced from the recording area portion, and the reproduced panorama size still video image image data and the panorama size are reproduced. And the image data of the margin display image corresponding to the size difference of the normal size are combined, and the reproduced panorama size still video image and the margin display image are laid out within one screen of the normal size. A reproduction processing means for outputting as image data of the use image is further provided.
Therefore, in constructing a still video camera with a panorama shooting function, image data of a still video image shot in a panoramic size can be processed into data of an image that looks good at the time of display and reproduced and output. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a recording control operation of image data in a panoramic shooting mode by the system control circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a storage state of image data of a panoramic size still video image captured by the image capturing system of FIG. 1 and stored in a buffer memory.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a recording state of image data when the image data of a panoramic size still video image stored in the buffer memory in the state shown in FIG. 3 is transferred and recorded on a recording medium.

5 is a schematic diagram showing a storage state of image data of a panorama size still video image captured by the image capturing system of FIG. 1 and stored in a buffer memory.

6 is a schematic diagram showing a recording state of image data when the image data of a panoramic size still video image stored in a buffer memory in the state shown in FIG. 5 is transferred and recorded on a recording medium.

7 is a flowchart showing a recording control operation of image data in a normal photographing mode by the system control circuit shown in FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing a pre-stage portion of a reproduction control operation of image data of a video still image by the system control circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a latter part of the image data reproduction control operation of the video still image by the system control circuit shown in FIG. 1;

10 is a schematic diagram showing image data of a reproduction image in a letterbox mode reproduced and output from the recording medium of FIG. 1 via a buffer memory.

11 is a schematic diagram showing image data of a reproduction image in a side cut mode which is reproduced and output from the recording medium of FIG. 1 via a buffer memory.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 video still camera 301 system control circuit (first, second, third
Recording processing means, reproduction processing means) 309 Shooting mode selection switch (mode selection means) 51 Objective lens system (shooting means) 53 Photoelectric conversion system (shooting means) 9 Recording / playback processing system (first, second, third recording processing) means,
Reproduction processing means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A normal shooting mode for shooting a normal-sized still video image having a vertical and horizontal aspect ratio of M: N, and a panorama for shooting a panoramic-sized still video image having an aspect ratio of M / 2: N. A mode selecting means for selecting a shooting mode, a shooting means for shooting a still video image of the normal size or the panorama size according to the shooting mode selected by the mode selecting means, and a shooting means for shooting by the shooting means. An image recording medium in which image data of a still video image is recorded, and image data of one still video image of the normal size photographed in the normal photographing mode having a capacity corresponding to the normal size in the image recording medium. First recording processing means for recording in one recording area portion, and for each consecutive two-time photographing in the panoramic photographing mode, Second recording processing means for recording image data of two still-size panoramic size still video images in one of the recording area portions of the image recording medium, and once in the panoramic shooting mode, and then in the normal shooting mode Image data of the panorama size still video image for one time is recorded in one of the recording area portions of the image recording medium, and when the image is continuously photographed an odd number of times in the panoramic photographing mode,
Still video camera with panoramic shooting function, comprising: third recording processing means for recording image data of a still-shot panorama-sized still video image in one of the recording area portions of the image recording medium. . 2. One piece of image data of the panoramic size still video image is reproduced from the recording area part, and the image data of the reproduced panorama size still video image and the panorama size and the normal size. The image data of the margin display image corresponding to the difference is combined, and the reproduced panorama size still video image and the margin display image are laid out in the normal size one screen as the image data of the reproduction image. The still video camera with a panoramic shooting function according to claim 1, further comprising reproduction processing means for outputting.