JPH08186768A - Electronic camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an electronic camera device containing an LCD which can freely set its angles while looking at the LCD and also can facilitate its shutter operations together with the improved handling facilitation. CONSTITUTION: An electronic camera device 1 consists of camera part 3 which includes a photographing lens 7, an image pickup element 40 and a circuit substrate 41 in a case 5 and a main body part 2 which includes an LCD 6 serving as a finder for image recording and also as a monitor for image reproduction, a battery store part 25, various switches and the circuit substrates 32 and 34 in a case 4. The part 3 is provided on the side face of the part 2 and at the left hand side of a photographer and also assembled in a rotatable way to the part 2. The the part 25 is provided within a grip shape part 20 of the part 2 and at the right hand side of the photographer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera device including a camera section having a taking lens and a main body section having a liquid crystal display device serving as a finder and a monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of electronic camera devices, a photographing lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Decode) are used.
liquid crystal display device (Liquid Crys) that includes a viewfinder during image recording and a monitor during image reproduction.
2. Description of the Related Art There is a digital still camera with an LCD equipped with a tal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD).

[0003]

However, the conventional digital still camera with LCD has the following problems. (1) Since the viewing angle of the LCD is limited, when the LCD is used as a viewfinder for photographing, the conventional LC in which the camera portion including the photographing lens cannot rotate.
With a digital still camera with D, it was impossible to obtain a free camera angle.

(2) Therefore, it is conceivable that the camera portion can be rotated. Even if the camera portion can be rotated, the camera portion is on the right hand side of the photographer and the shutter is provided on the camera portion side. If there is a button, depending on the camera angle, the shutter button may be difficult to press.

(3) The photographer mainly supports the camera with his / her right hand.
A camera whose center of gravity is located farther than the right-hand side has a problem in that it tends to be blurred during shooting.

(4) When the wiring from the battery is performed by using a lead wire or another substrate, there is a problem that a mounting space cannot be taken, wiring workability is poor, and the number of parts is increased due to miniaturization restrictions. was there.

(5) When the main substrate is provided in the vicinity of the LCD, there are problems that heat generation is accelerated and that noise adversely affects the screen. An object of the present invention is to improve the usability of an electronic camera device with an LCD by making it possible to obtain a free camera angle while looking at the LCD, and also make it easy to operate the shutter.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily support the camera with the right hand, to reduce the number of parts and downsize, and to eliminate the adverse effects of thermal and noise on the LCD. I am trying.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
It is composed of two blocks: a camera unit including a taking lens, an image pickup element, and a circuit board, and an LCD as a viewfinder during image recording and a monitor during image reproduction, a battery storage unit, a main unit including various switches and a circuit board. It is characterized by the configuration of an electronic camera device.

The invention according to claim 2 is based on claim 1.
In the invention described above, the camera section is arranged on a side surface of the main body section on a left hand operation side by a photographer, and is rotatably assembled to the main body section.

[0011] Further, the invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 2.
In the invention described above, the battery storage portion is provided in a grip shape portion of the main body portion on the right hand operation side by the photographer.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the third aspect, the circuit boards for various switches are arranged substantially horizontally in the vicinity of the upper surface of the case of the main body, and
By projecting into the battery storage section, on the lower surface of the projecting section,
It is characterized by a battery contact piece.

The invention according to claim 5 is the same as claim 1,
The invention described in 2, 3, or 4 is characterized in that a main circuit board is arranged on the side of the main body opposite to the LCD, and other electronic components are intensively mounted on the main circuit board.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera section including a taking lens, an image pickup element and a circuit board, a finder at the time of image recording and a liquid crystal display device as a monitor at the time of image reproduction, a battery storage section and various switches. In an electronic camera device composed of two blocks, a main body portion including a circuit board and a circuit board, a color process for video through display and a recorded image signal generation for an image pickup signal obtained by the photographing lens and the image pickup element. The color process of is executed separately.

As a result, according to the invention of claim 1,
Since the electronic camera device is divided into two blocks, that is, a camera section including a taking lens, an image sensor, and a circuit board, and a main body section including an LCD, a battery housing section, various switches, and a circuit board, for example, the camera section is LC as rotatable
The camera angle can be freely obtained while looking at D, and the usability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the camera section is disposed on the side surface of the main body section on the left hand operation side by the photographer and is rotatably assembled to the main body section. The viewing angle of the LCD and the position of the shutter button are kept constant, and the photographer can rotate the camera section with his left hand while supporting the main body section with his right hand, and obtain a free camera angle while looking at the LCD. It is easy to use.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, since the battery storage portion is provided in the grip shape portion on the right hand operation side by the photographer of the main body, the entire camera is provided on the grip shape portion which the photographer holds with the right hand. With the center of gravity of the body positioned, the main body can be supported by the right hand in a well-balanced manner. Therefore, the feeling of holding is increased, and the turning operation of the camera unit can be performed easily with the left hand.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the circuit boards for various switches arranged substantially horizontally in the vicinity of the upper surface of the case of the main body are made to project into the battery housing portion, and the battery contact piece is attached to the lower surface of the protruding portion. Since the circuit board for various switches can be used also as a receiver for the battery contact piece, the wiring of the power switch and the like can be performed on the pattern, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the main body can be made compact.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since other electronic components are intensively mounted on the main circuit board arranged on the side opposite to the LCD of the main body, thermal and noise effects on the LCD are avoided. It can eliminate such adverse effects.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the color process for displaying the video through and the color process for creating the recorded image signal are separately executed for the image pickup signal. Can be realized by software.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an electronic camera device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an LCD as an example of an electronic camera device to which the present invention is applied.
2 and 3 are rear and front views, FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are plan and bottom views, and FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are FIG. One side view and the other side view are shown, respectively.

As shown in the figure, the digital still camera with LCD 1 is composed of two blocks divided into a main body portion 2 and a camera portion 3. That is, the LCD 6 is provided in the case 4 of the main body 2.
6 is directed to the rear surface side of the case 4.

A photographing lens 7 is provided in the upper portion of the case 5 of the camera unit 3, and the photographing lens 7 is provided.
Are directed to the front side of the case 5. The main body 2 is provided on the upper surface of the case 4 with a power switch 8, a shutter button 9, a delete key 10, a plus key 11, a minus key 12, a mode key 13, and a display key 1.
4, a zoom key 15 and a self-timer key 16 are provided, and an external power supply terminal (not shown) is provided in the opening / closing lid 17.
It has a video output terminal and a digital terminal.

Further, a function switching key 18 is provided on the front surface of the case 4, and a tripod hole 19 is provided on the lower surface of the case 4. Case 4 of the main body 2 described above
Is a grip portion 20 having a swelling grip shape portion so that the photographer's right hand operating side can be easily gripped by the hand, and an openable electric lid 21 is provided on the lower surface corresponding to the grip portion 20. . Also, this grip portion 2
The shutter button 9 is located on the upper surface of 0.

The camera section 3 is provided on the side surface of the case 5,
The focus changeover switch 22 is provided. The camera unit 3 is arranged on the side surface on the left hand operation side by the photographer with respect to the main body unit 2, and as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. It is assembled so that it can rotate 180 °.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, a hole 23 is formed in the left side surface of the case 4 of the main body section 2, and a hole 24 is also formed in the right side surface of the case 5 of the camera section 3. In the holes 23 and 24, the main body portion 2 and the camera portion 3 are rotatably assembled around the shaft member through a shaft member (not shown).

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the inside of the grip portion 20 of the case 4 of the main body portion 2 is a battery chamber 25 which is a battery accommodating portion.
The batteries 26, 26, 26, 26 of the book are stored.

These four batteries 26, 26, 26, 26
As shown in FIG. 9, above each battery contact piece 2
7, 27, 27, 27 are arranged, and these battery contact pieces 27, 27, 27, 27 extend to the inside of the battery chamber 25 of the circuit board 28 for various switches which is the circuit board for the power switch and button switch. It is directly attached to the lower surface of the protruding portion 29 by soldering.

The power switch 8, shutter button 9, delete key 10, plus key 11, minus key 12, mode key 13, display key 14, zoom key 15, self-timer key 16 are provided on the circuit board 28 for various switches. Not only is it mounted, but wiring is also provided by a printed pattern.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the LCD 6 is
The LCD panel 6p is housed in the shield case 30, and the backlight 31 is arranged in the case 4 so as to be adjacent to the back side of the shield case 30.

Further, the LCD peripheral circuit board 3 is provided in the case 4 so as to be adjacent to the back side of the backlight 31.
The flexible printed circuit board 33 extending from the LCD panel 6p and the backlight 31 are connected to the LCD peripheral circuit board 32.

As shown in FIG. 8, a main circuit board 34 is disposed on the side opposite to the LCD 6 in the case 4, and the main circuit board 34 includes a CPU 35 and a CPU 35.
Various other electronic components 36, 37, 38, 39 such as LSI are collectively mounted.

In the case 5 of the camera unit 3, in addition to the taking lens 7, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
A CCD 40 and a CCD peripheral circuit board 41 on which the CCD 40 is mounted are housed.

A flexible printed circuit board (not shown) extends from the CCD peripheral circuit board 41, and the flexible printed circuit board passes through the shaft member around which the camera section 3 rotates and in the case 4 of the main body section 2. , Is connected to the main circuit board 34.

FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration of the digital still camera with an LCD constructed as described above. The CCD 40 converts an image signal into an electric signal, the A / D converter 52 converts an analog signal into a digital signal, A timing generator 53 that generates a timing signal that controls a drive circuit 54 that drives the CCD 1, and a compression / expansion circuit 5 that compresses / expands a digital image signal by encoding / decoding.
DRA for temporarily recording the captured digital image signal
CP that operates based on a program recorded in M56, a flash memory 57 that stores a compressed video signal, and a ROM 58, and that also operates based on an input from a key input unit 60 using the RAM 59 as a work RAM.
U61, a signal generator 62 for generating a digital video signal by adding a synchronization signal to the digital image signal,
VRAM 63 for recording a digital video signal, D / A converter 64 for converting a digital video signal output from the signal generator 62 into an analog signal, amplifier 6
5, an LCD 6 for driving a liquid crystal based on an analog video signal input via the LCD 6 to display an image, and an interface 67 for inputting and outputting a video signal converted into a serial signal by the CPU 61.

In the digital still camera with an LCD constructed as described above, the timing signal is output from the timing generator 53 at a predetermined cycle to drive the driving circuit 54.
Control unit, and captures the corresponding image pickup signal of the subject image formed by the CCD 40, converts the analog signal into a digital signal by the A / D converter 52, and DR as a digital image signal.
It is temporarily stored in AM56. In this case, the image pickup signal from the CCD 40 stored in the DRAM 56 is one that has passed through the color filter of the CCD 40 and is, for example, Ye, Cy,
It has a color component such as Gr.

Based on the image pickup signal stored in the DRAM 56 by the CPU 61, an image signal for video through display of the monitor by image processing in the high speed mode and an image signal for image recording by image processing in the high image quality mode are generated. To do. In this case, the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed.

First, in step 201, a luminance signal generation process with a reduced amount of information is executed. In this case, the luminance signal is generated by Ye and C of the signal read from the DRAM 56.
Of the y and Gr components, for example, only the Ye component is used for generation, and as shown in FIG.
The pixels of the image pickup signal stored in the DRAM 56 are scattered, the process proceeds to step 302, and the pre-filter of LPF is applied to the corresponding signal and the Ye component data of a total of 3 pixels from both sides of the corresponding signal, and in step 303, γ Correction (because the brightness and the characteristics of the image display device are not linear, a correction opposite to the properties of the brightness and the image display device is performed in advance so that they are linear when displayed on the image display device). Generate a luminance signal.

Then, returning to FIG. 11, step 202
Then, the color signal generation process corresponding to the luminance signal with the reduced image quality is executed. In this case, in the generation of the color signal, as shown in FIG. 13, in step 401, the Ye, Cy, and Gr component signals read from the DRAM 56 are spread to ⅙, and the process proceeds to step 402 to determine that A total of 6 pixels of data from both sides of this signal are generated and prefiltered. And here, Ye with pre-filter,
In step 403, white balance (the variation of the color signal due to the variation of the color filters is corrected and the white is changed to white) is applied to the signals of the Cy and Gr components, and the color calculation is performed in step 404. And color signals of RY and BY are generated.

Next, returning to FIG. 11, the process proceeds to step 203, where the luminance signal and color signal generated in steps 201 and 202 are transferred to the signal generator, converted into a video signal, and displayed on the LCD 6 as a video through display on the monitor. Is done.

Next, in FIG. 11, the routine proceeds to step 204, where it is judged whether or not the recording key (shutter button) of the key input section 60 is pressed. If the record key is not pressed, the process returns to step 201 and the above operation is repeated.

As a result, the video through display on the LCD 6 is continued, but the video through display at this time is DRA.
The number of pixels to be processed by the image signal read out from the M56 is reduced and the processing procedure is also reduced, enabling high-speed video through display, which allows smooth movement of the monitor screen. Therefore, it becomes possible to refresh the monitor screen of several frames or more per second, for example.

Next, in step 204 shown in FIG. 11, when it is determined that the recording key of the key input unit 60 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 205 and high-quality luminance signal generation processing is executed. In this case, the luminance signal is generated by the DRAM 5
With respect to the signal read out from No. 6, first, as shown in FIG. 14, in step 501, data of a total of 7 pixels from the relevant signal and both sides of the relevant signal are generated and pre-filtered, and in step 502, γ correction is performed. Step 503
Balance moiré with. Due to this moire balance, variations in the luminance signal due to variations in color filters are corrected.

Then, in step 504, LPF is applied to reduce the noise of the high frequency component, and in step 505, an enhancer process is performed to generate a luminance signal. The enhancer processing in this case is to enhance the resolution by emphasizing the edge portion because the high frequency component becomes dull and the resolution is lowered by applying the LPF.

Then, returning to FIG. 11, step 206
Then, the color signal generation processing corresponding to the high-quality luminance signal is executed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the generation of the color signal is performed in step 601 with respect to the Ye, Cy, and Gr component signals read from the DRAM 56, the corresponding signal, and the data of 12 pixels in total from both sides of the corresponding signal. Apply a pre-filter to. Then, regarding the signals of the Ye, Cy, and Gr components that are prefiltered here, step 6
In step 02, white balance is applied, and color calculation is performed in step 603 to generate color signals RY and BY.

Next, returning to FIG. 11, the process proceeds to step 207, and the luminance signal and the color signal generated in steps 205 and 206 are transferred to the compression / expansion circuit 55, and the compression / expansion circuit 55 causes the luminance signal and the color signal. The signal is encoded to be compressed, and the compressed image signal (luminance signal and color signal) is transferred to the flash memory 57 and recorded.

Then, again returning to step 201,
The above operation is repeated. As a result, in the image recording in the flash memory 57, fine signal processing is performed without performing pixel blinking, so that a high-quality image can be recorded.

On the other hand, when the image signal is reproduced, the key input unit 6
When the reproduction key is operated at 0, a predetermined compressed image signal (compressed luminance signal and color signal) is read from the flash memory 57 and transferred to the compression / expansion circuit 55. Then, the luminance signal and the color signal are expanded, and the signal generator 62
Generate a digital video signal by adding a sync signal with
The data is displayed on the LCD 6 via the / A converter 64 and the amplifier 65.

Therefore, according to such an embodiment, (1) in the digital still camera 1 with LCD, the camera section 3 is composed of the taking lens 7, the CCD 40 and the CCD peripheral circuit board 41, and the main body section 2 is LCD6, battery 2
6, 26, 26, 26, LCD peripheral circuit board 32, main circuit board 34, circuit board for power switch and button switch (circuit board for various switches) 28.

The camera section 3 is arranged on the side surface of the main body section 2 on the left hand operation side by the photographer.
It can be rotated 180 ° backwards. (2) Therefore, the photographer holds the camera unit 3 with the left hand and holds the grip unit 20 of the main body unit 2 with the right hand, and tilts the main body unit 2 at an angle at which the LCD panel 6p can be seen most easily, for example, slightly forward. In this state, the tip of the taking lens 7 faces slightly downward, so the camera section 3 is rotated to adjust the composition, and then the shutter button 9 is pressed to take an image.

As described above, since the camera unit 3 is on the left hand side of the photographer, the visual angle of the LCD panel 6p and the positional relationship between the shutter button 9 and the right hand of the photographer regardless of the camera angle. Since there is no change in, you can shoot easily.

(3) In addition, the battery 2 which is relatively heavy
Battery compartment (battery housing) 2 containing 6, 26, 26, 26
By putting 5 in the grip part 20 on the right hand side of the photographer, the center of gravity of the entire body is moved to the right hand side of the photographer, the feeling of holding is improved, and the photographer can easily operate the camera part 3 with the left hand. . (4) In addition, the circuit board 28 for various switches includes the power switch 8 and various switches (shutter button 9, delete key 10, plus key 11, minus key 12, mode key 13, display key 14, zoom key 15, self-timer key). 16) and the like, and the battery contact pieces 27, 2 are attached to the lower surface of the protruding substrate projection 29 by protruding the battery chamber 25 to the upper surface.
By directly soldering 7, 27, and 27, it is possible to connect the power switch 8 on the circuit board 28 for various switches with a printed pattern, which contributes to reduction of parts and downsizing of the camera.

(5) By the way, the LCD 6 comprises the LCD panel 6p and the backlight 31. The backlight 31 also serves as a heat source, and the heat of the backlight 31 causes the electronic parts 36 and 37 such as the CPU 35 and the LSI on the circuit. , 3
When the heat generated by 8, 39, etc. is added, the operation guaranteed range of each or the entire camera may be exceeded. Further, noise generated from the CPU 35 or other operation clocks may affect the LCD panel 6p thermally, and therefore, for those reasons, it is desirable to place the LCD 6 and other circuits as far apart as possible. .

Therefore, L which must be adjacent to the LCD 6
On the CD peripheral circuit board 32, the CPU 35 and other electronic parts 36, 37, 38, 39, and the main circuit board 34 related to the overall control are placed on the case 4 of the main body 2 while limiting to the minimum necessary electronic parts related to the LCD 6 periphery. LCD 6 in
It is located on the opposite side of and and the distance is as large as possible.

(6) Further, the CPU 35, electronic parts 36, 37, 38, 39 such as LSI and the like are connected to the main circuit board 34.
Above, in the case 4 of the main body 2, it is arranged on the opposite side of the LCD peripheral circuit board 32. As a result, the CPU 35 and the electronic components 36, 37, 38, 39 are thermally separated from the LCD 6 and the backlight 31, and an environment in which the influence of noise or the like is less likely to occur can be prepared.

In the above description, the camera unit is moved forward by 90 °.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be freely rotated.

(7) On the other hand, the CPU 61 causes the DRAM 5
An image signal for video through display on the LCD 6 by the image processing in the high speed mode and an image signal for image recording by the image processing in the high image quality mode are generated based on the image pickup signal stored in the LCD 6, and the image signal for the LCD 6 is generated. In the case of video through display, the pixels of the image pickup signal stored in the DRAM 56 are scattered by the image processing in the high speed mode to reduce the number of pixels to be processed, and the luminance signal and the color signal are generated as the image signal. When an image is recorded in the flash memory 57, a luminance signal and a color signal are generated by fine signal processing without performing pixel spreading of the image pickup signal read from the DRAM 56 by image processing in the high image quality mode. I have to.

As a result, the video through display on the LCD 6 can be performed at a high speed and the monitor screen can be smoothly moved. For example, the monitor screen can be refreshed for several frames or more per second. In addition, since image recording on the flash memory is performed with fine signal processing, high-quality images can be recorded and reproduced.

Further, by adopting two kinds of processes, that is, the process for displaying the video through and the process for creating the recorded image signal, these processes can be realized by software which has a large time constraint. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the size and cost of the device.

Further, based on the image pickup signal stored in the DRAM 56 by the CPU 61, an image signal for video through display on the LCD 6 by the image processing in the high speed mode and an image signal for image recording by the image processing in the high image quality mode are generated. In the case of video through display on the LCD 6 generated respectively, the pixels of the image pickup signal stored in the DRAM 56 are spread by the image processing in the high speed mode to reduce the number of pixels to be processed, and the luminance signal and the color signal are imaged. Generated as a signal,
In addition, when an image is recorded in the flash memory 57, a luminance signal and a color signal are generated by fine signal processing without causing the pixels of the image pickup signal read from the DRAM 56 to be image-processed in the high-quality mode. I am trying to do it. As a result, the video through display on the LCD 6 can be performed at high speed and the movement of the monitor screen can be smoothed. For example, the monitor screen can be refreshed for several frames or more per second, and the flash screen can be displayed. Since image recording in the memory is performed by fine signal processing, high quality images can be recorded and reproduced.

Further, by adopting two kinds of color processes, that is, a color process for video through display and a color process for creating a recorded image signal, these processes can be realized by software which has a large time constraint. Therefore, it is possible to realize a significant downsizing and cost reduction of the device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for more specifically explaining the color process processing by such software. In the figure, 71 is a CCD, and this CCD 71
Is a 1/5 inch 270,000 pixel frame transfer type CCD, and uses a Ye (yellow) Cy (cyan) G (green) stripe filter as a filter.

Here, the frame transfer type CCD is adopted because such a CCD has a separate exposure section and storage section, and is therefore less susceptible to external light when reading data.

A core IC 72 is connected to the CCD 71. The core IC 72 has an analog processing unit 721, an amplifier 722, an A / D converter 723, and a CCD drive signal generator 724.
After the analog processing unit 721 performs CDS (correlation double sampling), the A / D converter 72 is passed through the amplifier 722.
It is A / D converted at 8 bits and digitally output at 3.

A data bus 73 is connected to the core IC 72, and a CPU 74 and a DRAM 75 are connected to the data bus 73. CPU74 is MPU
741 as well as DMAC 742 and DRAM controller 7
43 and a bus controller 744, the transfer of digital data from the core IC 72 is performed by the DMA controller 74.
3 is written in the DRAM 75.

Here, the CCD 71 outputs one data in three clocks, so when writing to the DRAM 75, D
The MAC 742 is set to 3 states. Also, CC
D71 must read data for one line continuously
S / N ratio deteriorates. It takes about 120 to read one line.
Since it takes μs, refresh the DRAM 75 with CAS.
This time becomes a problem when the before RAS refresh is set, but it was solved by collectively refreshing several times before reading.

In this way, the data exposed by the CCD 71 is developed on the DRAM 75 in the order of Ye, Cy, and G. Then, in such a configuration,
The color process is performed by software. In this case, in addition to the color process for creating a recorded image signal, a high-speed color process for video through display is used.
It employs different color processes.

First, in the color process mode for video through display, an LCD that does not require a high resolution is used as an image output destination, and the number of pixels used for calculation is reduced as much as possible to access the DRAM 75 and the number of calculations. Is used to generate image data as quickly as possible.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the Y process (luminance signal generation process) for video through display. In this case, in step 1601, only the most sensitive Ye of the output data Ye, Cy, and Gr of the CCD 71 is used as the luminance original signal, and in step 1602, the gamma-processed one is directly used as the luminance signal. There is.

That is, here, assuming that the number of horizontal effective pixels of the CCD 71 is 480, 160 pixels are processed, and in the vertical direction, only 112 lines out of 240 effective lines of CCD data are processed. I do. That is, the number of data by this processing is 160 × 11
It becomes 2. In this Y process, special processing such as low-pass filter and edge enhancement is not performed because speedup is taken into consideration.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of the C process (color signal generation process) for video through display. First, in step 1701, processing by a low pass filter is performed. In this case, among the output data of the CCD 71, a certain Ye and two pixels before and after that (Cy (-1), Gr (-1), Ye (0),
Cy (1), Gr (1)) total 5 pixels 1, 2, 3, 2, 1
And the following data Yec, Cyc, Grc for color signal calculation are created.

Yec = (3 * Ye (0)) / 3 Cyc = (Cy (-1) + 2 * Cy (1)) / 3 Grc = (2 * Gr (-1) + Gr (1)) / 3 The low-pass filter is considered to be the minimum necessary to suppress chroma noise and edge noise while suppressing the processing time. Next, in step 1702, chroma calculation is executed. The chroma data RY / BY here is Ye.
The following operations are performed on c, Cyc, and Grc to generate them.

RY = KY1 × Yec + KC1 × Cyc + KG1 × Grc (1) BY = KY2 × Yec + KC2 × Cyc + KG2 × Grc (2) Coefficients KY1, KC1, KG1, KY2, KC2
KG2 will be described in AWB (auto white balance).

Then, step 170 is performed on this data.
In step 3, high luminance Gr removal and edge false color removal are performed to obtain a final color difference signal. This process is horizontal 8
It is performed for 0 pixels, Ye of vertical 56 pixels and two pixels before and after it. That is, the number of chroma data in the viewfinder mode is 80 × 56.

Next, in the color process mode for creating a recorded image signal, high definition image data for PC transfer and video output is generated. FIG. 19 shows Y for recording image signal creation.
The flowchart of a process (luminance signal generation process) is shown. In this case, what becomes a problem when the luminance signal is generated in the normal process is the difference in sensitivity among the color filters Ye, Cy, and Gr of the CCD. If the CCD data is processed as it is, the image looks dark or the subject looks like stripes. In order to suppress this phenomenon, this system uses the following methods.

First, in step 1801, of the CCD data Ye, Cy, and Gr used for the calculation of the luminance signal, C
Multiply y · Gr by 1.2 and 1.5, respectively, and then Cy '· Gr'
(Moire balance), then step 1802
Then, a horizontal 7-tap low-pass filter (coefficients -1, 0, 4, 6, 4, 0, -1) is applied to the data to absorb the sensitivity difference between pixels.

Then, the final luminance signal is obtained in step 1
In step 803 and step 1804, gamma processing and edge enhancement processing are performed on the data generated by the above processing to generate the data. Since the above processing is performed for all CCD effective pixels 480 × 240, the number of luminance signal data is 480 × 240.

FIG. 20 shows a flow chart of the C process (color signal generation process) for producing a recorded image signal. First, in step 1901, processing by a low pass filter is performed. In this case, of the output data of CCD,
A certain Ye and 5 pixels before and after it (Cy (-2), Gr (-2), Ye (-1), Cy
(-1), Gr (-1), Ye (0), Cy (1), Gr (1), Ye (2), Cy (2), Gr (2))
For a total of 11 pixels of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 5,
By assigning coefficients of 4, 3, 2, and 1, as in the video-through mode, the color signal calculation data Yec, Cyc,
Make Grc.

Yec = (3 × Ye (-1) + 6 × Ye (0) + 3 × Ye (1)) / 12 Cyc = (Cy (-2) + 4 × Cy (-1) + 5 × Cy (1 ) + 2 × Cy
(1)) / 12 Grc = (2 × Gr (-2) + 5 × Gr (-1) + 4 × Gr (1) + G
r (2)) / 12 In step 1902, this data is subjected to the same calculation as equations (1) and (2), and then in step 1903, a high brightness G
A color difference signal is obtained by performing r removal and edge false color removal processing.

This processing is performed on Ye having 160 horizontal pixels and 120 vertical pixels and 5 pixels before and after it. That is, the final number of chroma data is 160 × 120. By the way, to explain AWB (auto white balance) mentioned in the above-mentioned C process (color signal generation process), the following relationship is established between the three primary colors R, G, and B in a state where white balance is achieved. It is made up.

R = G = B (3) Pixel data handled by this apparatus are three colors of Ye, Cy, and Gr, and R, G, and B are R = rky × Ye + rkc ×, respectively. Cy + rkg × Gr (4) B = bky × Ye + bkc × Cy + bkg × Gr (5) G = gky × Ye + gkc × Cy + gkg × Gr (6)

Assuming that rky ·· gkg are independent coefficients and Ye, Cy, and Gr are independent variables that change with time, R, G, and B must be satisfied in order to satisfy (3). It is necessary to multiply each by a coefficient.
The coefficients for R, G, and B are RAMP and GA, respectively.
Letting MP and BAMP be Rw, Gw, and Bw where R, G, and B are in a state where white balance is achieved by the coefficients, equations (4), (5), and (6) can be expressed as follows.

Rw = (rky × Ye + rkc × Cy + rkg × Gr) × RAMP ·· (7) Bw = (bky × Ye + bkc × Cy + bkg × Gr) × BAMP ·· (8) Gw = (gky × Ye + gkc × Cy + gkg × Gr) × GAMP ··· (9) Then, when the color difference signals RY and BY in this state are (RY) (w) and (BY) (w), (RY) (w) = Ir x (Rw-Gw) + Jb x (Bw-Gw) ··· (10) (BY) (w) = Ib x (Bw-Gw) + Jr x (Rw-Gw) · · (11), From the condition, (RY) (w) = 0, (BY) (w) = 0, that is, Ir * (Rw-Gw) + Jb * (Bw-Gw) = 0 ... (12) Ib * ( Rw−Gw) + Jr × (Rw−Gw) = 0 (13) Here, (RY) (w) and (BY) (w) are Y
If it is a function of e, Cy, and Gr, (RY) (w) = KY1 × Ye + KC1 × Cy + KG1 × Gr ·· (14) (BY) (w) = KY2 × Ye + KC2 × Cy + KG2 × Gr · (( When expressed as 15), (7) (8) (9) (12) (13) (1
4) From the equation (15), KY1 = Ir × rky × RAMP + Jb × bky × BA
MP- (Ir + Jb) × gky × GAMP KC1 = Ir × rkc × RAMP + Jb × bkc × BA
MP- (Ir + Jb) × gkc × GAMP KG1 = Ir × rkg × RAMP + Jb × bkg × BA
MP- (Ir + Jb) × gkg × GAMP KY2 = Ib × bky × BAMP + Jr × rky × RA
MP- (Ib + Jr) × gky × GAMP KC2 = Ib × bkc × BAMP + Jr × rkc × BA
MP- (Ib + Jr) × gkc × GAMP KG2 = Ib × bkg × BAMP + Jr × rkg × BA
MP- (Ib + Jr) × gkg × GAMP, and GAMP = “constant” RAMP = Gw × GAMP / Rw BAMP = Gw × GAMP / Bw.

As a result, when the color difference signal is calculated by the C process, only the calculations of the equations (1) and (2) are required, so that the number of calculations can be reduced and the calculation time can be shortened. By the way, when trying to realize such an AWB, if the above white balance calculation is performed without correlation in the time axis direction, in extreme terms, the color of the same subject changes for each viewfinder mode screen. Such a phenomenon occurs. To calculate the white balance, Ye of the whole screen,
Integral values of Cy and Gr INTEG _- Ye, INTEG _- C
If y, INTEG _- Gr is used, for example, there is a subject with a red object in a white background (A) and a subject with a blue object in a white background (B), and the camera is (A).
When it is suddenly swung from (B) to (B), the information of the entire screen changes, and the background white, which should be the same color, changes from blue to red. Therefore, in order to prevent such a phenomenon, this system uses INT to calculate the WB of the nth screen.
_{EG - Ye, INTEG - Cy,} INTEG - INTEG without a _{Gr - Yen = (Σ INTEG -} Ye (k)) / 16 INTEG - Cyn = (Σ INTEG - Cy (k)) / 16 INTEG - Grn = ( ΣINTEG _- Gr (k)) / 16 is used.

That is, Y for the previous 15 screens is calculated for WB.
By using the data of e, Cy, and Gr, it is possible to prevent the appearance color from being greatly changed. Therefore, even in such a case, by adopting two kinds of color processes, that is, a color process for video through display and a color process for creating a recorded image signal, these processes can be performed by software that has a large time constraint. It will be possible to realize a large size and cost reduction of the device, and by executing these color processes, high-speed video through display and recording / reproduction of high-quality images will be realized. You can also

[0086]

As described above, according to the electronic camera device of the first aspect of the present invention, the camera section including the photographing lens, the image pickup element, and the circuit board, the LCD, the battery storage section, the various switches, and the circuit are provided. Since the structure is divided into two blocks, that is, the main body part including the substrate, the camera part can be rotated, and the camera angle can be freely obtained while viewing the LCD.

Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the usability. In the electronic camera device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the camera section disposed on the side surface of the main body section on the left hand operation side by the photographer is rotatably assembled to the main body section. Since the viewing angle of the LCD and the position of the shutter button are kept constant, the photographer can rotate the camera with his left hand while supporting the main body with his right hand and obtain a free camera angle while looking at the LCD. become.

Therefore, the usability can be improved. Further, according to the electronic camera device of the third aspect of the invention, since the battery storage portion is provided in the grip shape portion on the right hand operation side of the main body by the photographer, the grip shape portion that the photographer holds with the right hand. By positioning the center of gravity of the entire camera on the side, you can support the main body with your right hand in a well-balanced manner.

Therefore, the feeling of holding can be increased, and moreover, the turning operation of the camera section can be easily performed with the left hand. According to the electronic camera device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the battery contact piece is provided on the lower surface of the projecting portion of the circuit board for various switches arranged substantially horizontally near the upper surface of the case of the main body portion into the battery housing portion. With such a configuration, the circuit board for various switches can be used also as a receiver for the battery contact piece, and the wiring such as the power switch can be formed on the pattern.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and make the main body compact. According to the electronic camera device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the other electronic components are intensively mounted on the main circuit board arranged on the side opposite to the LCD of the main body, heat to the LCD is reduced. It is possible to eliminate the adverse effect of noise and noise. Therefore, it is possible to achieve satisfactory component mounting in terms of heat and noise.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital still camera with an LCD as an example of an electronic camera device to which the present invention is applied.

2 is an LCD of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG.
Rear view from the side.

FIG. 3 is an LCD of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG.
The front view seen from the opposite side.

4A and 4B are a top view and a bottom view of the digital still camera with LCD shown in FIG.

5A and 5B show both side surfaces of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG. 1, FIG. 5A is a side view of one side, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the other side.

6 is a perspective view of the digital still camera with LCD shown in FIG.
The rear view seen from the CD side.

7 is a plan view of the main body of the digital still camera with LCD shown in FIG. 1 when the camera is rotated 90 ° forward and viewed from the top side.

8 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an example of the internal arrangement of the digital still camera with LCD shown in FIG.

9 is a rear perspective view seen from the LCD side showing an example of the internal arrangement of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG. 1. FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the LCD-equipped digital still camera shown in FIG.

12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the LCD-equipped digital still camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the LCD-equipped digital still camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the LCD-equipped digital still camera shown in FIG.

15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the LCD-equipped digital still camera shown in FIG.

16 is a diagram showing a more specific circuit configuration of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a more specific operation of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a more specific operation of the LCD-equipped digital still camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a more specific operation of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG.

20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a more specific operation of the digital still camera with LCD of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Electronic camera device 2 ... Main body part 3 ... Camera part 4,5 ... Case 6 ... LCD 6p ... LCD panel 7 ... Shooting lens 8 ... Power switch 9 ... Shutter button 20 ... Grip part 21 ... Battery lid 25 ... Battery storage part (Battery chamber) 26 ... Battery 27 ... Battery contact piece 28 ... Circuit board for various switches 29 ... Projection part 30 ... Shield case 31 ... Backlight 32 ... LCD peripheral circuit board 33 ... Flexible printed board 34 ... Main circuit board 35 ... CPU 36, 37, 38, 39 ... Electronic parts 40 ... CCD 41 ... CCD peripheral circuit board 52 ... A / D converter 53 ... Timing generator 54 ... Drive circuit 55 ... Compression / expansion circuit 56 ... DRAM 57 ... Flash memory 58 ... ROM 59 ... RAM 60 ... Key input section 61 ... CPU 62 ... Signal generator 63 ... RAM 64 ... D / A converter 65 ... amplifier 67 ... I / O port 71 ... CCD 72 ... core IC 73 ... data bus 74 ... CPU 75 ... DRAM.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical indication H04N 5/781

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A camera unit including a taking lens, an image pickup device, and a circuit board, and a main body unit including a liquid crystal display device as a finder during image recording and a monitor during image reproduction, a battery storage unit, various switches, and a circuit board. An electronic camera device comprising two blocks ,. 2. The camera section is disposed on a side surface of the main body section on a left hand operation side by a photographer, and is rotatably attached to the main body section. The described electronic camera device. 3. The electronic camera device according to claim 2, wherein the battery storage portion is provided in a grip-shaped portion of the main body portion on a right hand operation side by a photographer. 4. A circuit board for various switches is disposed substantially horizontally in the vicinity of the upper surface of the case of the main body, and is projected into the battery housing portion, and a battery contact piece is provided on the lower surface of the protruding portion. An electronic camera device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The main circuit board is arranged on the side of the main body opposite to the liquid crystal display device, and other electronic components are intensively mounted on the main circuit board. The electronic camera device described in 2, 3, or 4. 6. A camera unit including a taking lens, an image pickup element, and a circuit board, and a main body unit including a liquid crystal display device as a finder during image recording and a monitor during image reproduction, a battery storage unit, various switches, and a circuit board. Of 2
In an electronic camera device composed of two blocks, a color process for video through display and a color process for creating a recorded image signal are separately executed for an image pickup signal obtained by the taking lens and an image pickup device. A characteristic electronic camera device.