JPH0888784A - Video signal recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To allow the device to catch an object suitably and to attain ease of observation by fitting a finder adaptor to an electronic view finder EVF and revising a screen size interlocking therewith. CONSTITUTION: A finder adaptor 26 is fitted removably to an EVF 8. An eyepiece section 26a is provided to the adaptor 26 at a lower right corner so that other part of a camera goes so as not to give hindrance when an object is observed while eyes are set in the vicinity of an end of the camera. When the adaptor 26 is set to the EVF 8, an adaptor switch 24 is used to detect it and a signal is fed to a system microcomputer and a signal processing image conversion circuit controls the screen size to be reduced and a reduced video signal is displayed on a screen of an LCD. Thus, the finder adaptor is fitted to shut the effect by external light to allow an object to be easily caught and to attain easy to see pattern and a view finder function equivalent to that of a large sized liquid crystal display panel is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus, and more particularly to a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video camera having a display means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various video signal recording / reproducing devices such as video cameras and electronic still cameras equipped with a display means such as a liquid crystal panel have been proposed.

In such a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus,
For example, various types of video cameras equipped with large LCD panels are already on the market, and such video cameras allow multiple people to view images on the LCD panel during playback. It has advantages.

In addition, as a video camera having the above-mentioned large liquid crystal panel, a camera in which an optical finder is additionally provided for framing is also proposed.

By the way, in a camera as a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus, as means for providing a photographer with various information relating to various photographing, for example, as a means having a display lamp function for warning,
Others use LEDs.

[0006]

However, in a video camera equipped with the above-mentioned large liquid crystal panel, it is considered that the user's eyes should not be separated from the liquid crystal panel of the camera by at least some distance when taking a picture. It's difficult. Therefore, when the camera moves away from the user, it becomes difficult to accurately capture the subject, that is, it is difficult to intuitively understand what angle the camera should be held to reliably capture the subject. There are difficulties. In addition, the liquid crystal panel has a problem that it is difficult to see in places where the outside light is strong, such as outdoors.

Further, in the video camera provided with the above optical finder separately, although such a problem can be avoided, a space is required and the cost becomes high, and the user sets the magnification of the display screen to his or her preference. Can not do it.

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned LED is used as a means having a display lamp function, there is a drawback that the LED is high in cost, requires a space and is not so easy to assemble.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus which can accurately capture a subject and is easy to see.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus having a display means, wherein the display means is A finder adapter that can be attached, and for switching the screen size of the display means between a normal full-screen display and a screen display that is smaller than the normal full-screen display in conjunction with the mounting of the finder adapter. The first switch means and the first
The image processing means for converting the screen size by the output of the switch means.

A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first switch means is provided near the periphery of the display screen of the display means.

A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a mask portion is provided at a peripheral portion of the reduced display screen of the display means, and the mask portion has a display function. belongs to.

A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a second switch means for operably switching the screen size of the display means.

A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises a recognition means for identifying the optical magnification of the finder adapter, and the screen size of the display means is automatically changed by the output of this recognition means. According to claim 1, which is configured to:

The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognizing means is provided at a portion where the finder adapter and the main body of the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus are in contact with each other. Is.

A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the eyepiece portion of the finder adapter is provided on the peripheral side from the center of the finder adapter.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera as seen from the back side. The camera here may be a video camera or an electronic still camera.

An electronic viewfinder (abbreviated as EVF in the drawings and below) 8 serving as display means having a large liquid crystal panel for displaying an image is provided in the main body of the camera as the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus. It is provided.

Below the EVF 8, a camera operation button 23 consisting of a plurality of buttons for making camera settings,
LCD2 that displays camera settings and recording information other than images
2 and are provided.

An IC memory card 15, for example, is removably inserted into the camera as a recording medium for recording information.

The EVF 8 is provided with a finder adapter 2
6 is detachably attached, and this finder adapter 26 is provided with an eyepiece 26 as shown in the drawing.
a is provided at the lower right corner. Accordingly, even when the finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera, the other part of the camera does not get in the way when observing because the eye position is close to the end of the camera.

The finder adapter 26 is an EVF8.
The panel is mounted on the entire panel, is fixed by the finder lock function 28, and is detached by operating the switch 27.

A finder adapter switch 24, which is a first switch means, is provided at the lower edge of the EVF 8, and the finder adapter switch 24 is
This is for recognizing whether or not the finder adapter 26 is attached.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing mainly the electrical construction of the camera. The subject light image incident through the optical lens 1 passes through an optical low-pass filter (referred to as an optical LPF in the drawing) 2 for obtaining a predetermined optical characteristic, and C
An image is formed on the image pickup surface of the CD 3.

The subject light image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 3 and output as a video signal, input to the image pickup process circuit 4 and electrically processed.

The video signal output from the image pickup process circuit 4 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 5, and is then subjected to signal processing by the frame memory control circuit 6 to be compressed / decompressed circuit 13 described later. While being output to the side, the D / A conversion circuit 7 converts it to an analog signal again.

The output signal of the D / A conversion circuit 7 is output from the video signal output terminal as a video signal, and by connecting a monitor to the video signal output terminal, an image can be observed on the monitor. Has become.

On the other hand, the video signal output from the D / A conversion circuit 7 is also supplied to the EVF 8 to display an image on the EVF 8 equipped with a large liquid crystal panel.

The output of the frame memory control circuit 6 is input to the compression / expansion circuit 13 and compressed into an appropriate amount of data, and then the card interface 1
4 is recorded on the IC memory card 15 which is a recording medium.

On the other hand, when reproducing image data, the IC memory card 15 to the card interface 1 is used.
The image data input via 4 is the compression / expansion circuit 1
3 is expanded, converted into a video signal through the frame memory control circuit 6 and the D / A conversion circuit 7, and then output to the EVF 8 and the like.

The card interface 14 is controlled by a system microcomputer 16 which is a control means for controlling various controls of the camera. The system microcomputer 16 is electrically connected to a sub-microcomputer 21 which also constitutes the control means. It is connected to the.

The sub-microcomputer 21 includes a camera operation button 23 and a finder adapter switch 24 described above.
And the changeover switch 25 are electrically connected.

The switch outputs from these are input to the sub-microcomputer 21, and a command is issued via the system microcomputer 16 to the circuit system such as the EVF 8, the card interface 14 and the lens microcomputer 12 described later. ing.

An LCD 22 is connected to the sub-microcomputer 21, and when the camera operation button 23, the finder adapter switch 24, and the changeover switch 25 are operated, the operation status thereof is displayed.

Further, the sub-microcomputer 21 has a power source 20.
Are electrically connected and controlled.

The lens microcomputer 12 that controls the lens system is electrically connected to the system microcomputer 16, and when a command is input from each of the operation switches, the lens microcomputer 12 causes the lens microcomputer 12 to operate with the sub-microcomputer 21 and the system. The command is received via the microcomputer 16 and the AF / zoom motor 9 is driven to perform the zoom operation or AF operation of the lens 1.

The lens microcomputer 12 has an AF / photometric gate array (AF / photometric G / A in the figures and below).
Is abbreviated. ) 10 and the electronic volume 11 are electrically connected, and the AF / photometric G / A 10 and the electronic volume 11 are further electrically connected to the imaging process circuit 4.

That is, the lens microcomputer 12
The imaging process circuit 4 for performing the F operation and the exposure control operation
To the AF / photometer G / A 10 to perform a calculation process, and drive control of the lens 1 and control of the accumulation time of the CCD 3 are performed.

Further, the command input from the camera operation button 23 is the sub-microcomputer 21 and the system microcomputer 16
To the lens microcomputer 12 and further from the lens microcomputer 12 to the imaging process circuit 4 via the electronic volume 11 to set various constants such as white balance.

The lens microcomputer 12 has a photometric circuit 18
A photometric sensor 17 for measuring the brightness of the subject is electrically connected via the, and the output of the photometric sensor 17 is processed by the lens microcomputer 12.

A strobe 19 is further electrically connected to the lens microcomputer 12, and the lens microcomputer 1
A signal for setting a strobe or the like is sent from the device 2, and when a light emission command is sent, the strobe 19 emits light to illuminate a subject.

Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the details of the EVF 8. This FIG. 3 will be described along the flow of signals.

The video signal converted into an analog signal and output by the D / A conversion circuit 7 (see FIG. 2) is input to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 which is an image processing means and image-converted. At this time, a control signal is input from the system microcomputer 16 to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 to perform image conversion.

The output signal from the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 is output as an RGB signal by the RGB decoder driver 32 and input to the LCD 30 which is a liquid crystal panel.

On the other hand, the sync signal extracted toward the timing control 31 is sent from the RGB decoder driver 32, and the timing control 31 synchronizes with the sync signal to the LCD 30. A horizontal drive pulse and a vertical drive pulse are supplied.

Further, the LCD 30 is provided with a backlight 34 which serves as illumination from the back side.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, in a normal state in which a picture is taken while looking at the EVF 8 as it is, a normal size screen 41 is obtained on the EVF 8, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera, the finder adapter switch 24 detects this and the signal is sent to the system microcomputer 16 via the sub-microcomputer 21, and the system microcomputer 16 changes the screen size. EV instructions to make it smaller electrically
It is sent to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 of F8.

The signal processing image conversion circuit 3 which has received this instruction
In step 3, the lines on the screen are appropriately thinned and the screen is reduced by sample-holding on the lines.

The image signal thus reduced is RGB
When it is sent to the LCD 30 via the decoder driver 32, a reduced screen 42 as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed.

By such a process of reducing the image, the optimum screen size can be obtained even when the finder adapter 26 for changing the optical magnification is attached.

Also, from the camera to the viewfinder adapter 26
If you remove the finder adapter switch 24
By detecting this, the signal is sent from the sub-microcomputer 21 to the system microcomputer 16, and the system microcomputer 16 sends a command to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 to restore the original normal screen size. There is.

According to the first embodiment as described above, by attaching the finder adapter, the influence of the external light is blocked to provide a screen that makes it easy to catch the subject and is easy to see, and when the finder adapter is attached to the liquid crystal panel surface. By making the displayed screen small, even if a large liquid crystal panel is used, it is possible to automatically obtain a function equivalent to that of an electronic viewfinder having a small liquid crystal panel.

Further, when the viewfinder adapter is not attached, the display is automatically switched to the normal size panel display, so that it is possible to enjoy the advantage of the large-sized liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of people can view the image at the same time. .

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment described above will be omitted, and mainly different points will be described.

The external appearance of the camera in the second embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 1, the electrical configuration is in FIG. 2, and the EVF configuration is in FIG.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
First, in a normal state where the EVF 8 is photographed while looking at it as it is, a normal size screen 51 is obtained on the EVF 8, as shown in FIG. This normal size screen 51 is provided with a display section 54 for confirming the settings of the camera, and a peripheral section is provided with a mask section 53 for displaying black by processing a video signal. .

Then, the EVF is added to the mask portion 53.
Lamp portions 52a and 52b having a display lamp function for emitting a part of light 8 to display a warning of the camera are provided.

The lamp units 52a and 52b are provided with the signal processing image conversion circuit 3 according to a command from the system microcomputer 16.
3 is created and sent to the LCD 30 via the RGB decoder driver 32 for display.

On the other hand, when the finder adapter 26 is attached to the camera, the finder adapter switch 24 detects this and the signal is sent to the system microcomputer 16 via the sub-microcomputer 21, and the system microcomputer 16 changes the screen size. EV instructions to make it smaller electrically
It is sent to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 of F8.

The signal processing image conversion circuit 3 which has received this instruction
In 3, the line on the screen is appropriately thinned and the process of sample-holding on the line to reduce the screen is performed. At this time, the display unit 54 and the lamp unit 52 are used.
Processing is performed so that a and 52b are also reduced at the same time.

At this time, the ramp parts 52a, 5
2b is displayed at a position where a normal size screen is reduced as it is with respect to the display screen of the subject image, but the display unit 54 is reduced while substantially maintaining its center position. As shown in, the subject image is displayed outside the display screen, and the reduced display screen is not difficult to see. Needless to say, this display unit 54 may be displayed on the display screen of the subject image.

The image signal thus reduced is displayed on the LCD.
When it is sent to 30, the reduced screen 55 as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed. At this time, the black mask portion 53 around the image becomes large as shown in the drawing and is reduced to the above-mentioned position. Lamp parts 52a and 52b and display part 5
4 is displayed.

Also, from the camera to the viewfinder adapter 26
The operation when the is removed is similar to that of the first embodiment described above.

According to such a second embodiment, normally L
Since the warning display that is often displayed using ED etc. is electrically processed by the display function provided in the mask part, the viewfinder adapter can be used even on a normal size screen without the viewfinder adapter attached. Even when the screen is reduced in size by mounting it, a necessary warning can be displayed, an LED or the like can be eliminated, space can be effectively used, and cost can be reduced.

6 and 7 show the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera as seen from the rear side. In the third embodiment, the above-mentioned first,
A description of the same parts as those in the second embodiment will be omitted,
Mainly, only different points will be described.

In the camera of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a changeover switch 25 as a second switch means is provided near the left side of the switch 27. The changeover switch 25 is a switch for arbitrarily changing the sizes of a plurality of screens of the EVF 8 having a liquid crystal panel.

The electric construction of the camera in the second embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the construction of the EVF is the same as that of FIG.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the changeover switch 25 is operated, the signal is input to the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 of the EVF 8 via the sub-microcomputer 21 and the system microcomputer 16 shown in FIG.
3 performs an electrical process to change the magnification of the screen of the EVF 8.

That is, the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 shown in FIG. 3 performs processing for appropriately thinning lines on the screen and sample-holding on the lines to reduce the screen. In accordance with the instruction, the signal processing for determining the screen size is performed by changing the thinning rate of the lines on the screen and the sampling hold interval.

The output of the signal processing image conversion circuit 33 is passed through the RGB decoder driver 32 to the LCD 30.
And the EVF 8 displays various screens of different sizes.

That is, for example, a reduced screen 61 as shown in FIG. 7A, a screen 62 further reduced than the screen 61 as shown in FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C are shown. A reduced screen 63 larger than the above screen 61
It is possible to obtain screens of various sizes by arbitrarily operating the changeover switch 25.

According to the third embodiment, the magnification of the electronic viewfinder can be electrically changed according to preference. Further, since the change of the magnification can be performed by one switch, the operation is easy. Furthermore, by providing such a configuration that changes the magnification of the electronic viewfinder, even when various finder adapters having finder lenses with different magnifications are attached, the optimum screen size that matches the magnification of the finder adapter is obtained. Can be adjusted.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera as seen from the rear side. In the fourth embodiment, description of the same parts as those of the first to third embodiments will be omitted, and only different points will be mainly described.

A plurality of finder adapters 26 having different magnifications and other functions are prepared, and a finder adapter 26 of a desired type is attached to the camera as needed.

At this time, in the camera, as shown in FIG. 8, a detecting device 29a constituting a recognizing means near the left side of the finder adapter switch 24 which is the peripheral portion of the EVF 8.
On the other hand, on the other hand, on the back side of the finder adapter 26, there is provided a recognition pattern 29b which also constitutes a recognition means for identifying the finder adapter 26 by the detection device 29a.

As a result, even when different finder adapters 26 are attached to the camera, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is possible to automatically switch to various screen sizes as shown in (B) and (C).

According to the fourth embodiment as described above, by providing the finder adapter and the camera with the recognition means for identifying the finder adapter, even if the finder adapters having different optical magnifications are attached, Since the image conversion processing can be performed to set the optimum screen size, the usability is improved.

Further, since the recognizing means is provided at the portion where the finder adapter and the camera are brought into contact with each other, the recognizing means is not exposed to the outside when the finder adapter is attached, so that the finder adapter does not become dirty. There is no false recognition.

[0080]

According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, by attaching the finder adapter, the influence of the external light can be blocked and the function equivalent to the small panel can be realized. it can. Further, by removing the finder adapter, it is possible to enjoy the advantage of the large-sized panel that allows a plurality of people to view an image.

According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the switching operation of the switch means can be easily performed without particularly complicating the structure of the finder adapter.

According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the reduced mask portion at the peripheral portion of the screen is provided with the display function, so that the LED or the like becomes unnecessary and the cost is reduced and the cost is saved. It is possible to realize a display that is a space and does not obstruct the display screen. Furthermore, since the display function is performed by electrical processing, it is possible to perform a display function that is easy to see regardless of whether the finder adapter is attached or removed.

According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the screen size of the display means can be electrically switched according to preference, and the operation can be easily performed by one switch means. be able to. Further, even when the finder adapters having different optical magnifications are attached, it is possible to adjust to the optimum screen size.

According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the screen size of the display means is automatically changed according to the optical magnification of the attached finder adapter, so that the usability is improved. good.

According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the recognition by the recognition means is easy, and when the finder adapter is attached, it is not exposed to the outside, so that it does not become dirty. Also, there will be no false recognition due to this stain.

According to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the finder adapter is attached, the eye position is close to the end of the camera. Other parts do not hit the face or the like and obstruct the observation.

As described above, according to the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the subject can be accurately captured and is easy to see.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic viewfinder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 (A) in the liquid crystal panel of the first embodiment.
The figure which shows the screen display of a normal size, (B) reduced size screen display when a finder adapter is attached.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a liquid crystal panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
The figure which shows the screen display of (A) normal size, and (B) reduced size when a finder adapter is attached.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a camera of a third embodiment of the present invention as seen from the back side.

FIG. 7A shows a reduced size screen display on a liquid crystal panel when a viewfinder adapter is attached to the camera of the third embodiment, and FIG. 7B shows a reduced size screen display further reduced than FIG. (C) The figure which shows the screen display of the reduction size larger than (A), respectively.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the camera of the fourth embodiment of the present invention as seen from the back side.

[Explanation of Codes] 8 ... Electronic viewfinder (EVF) (display means) 16 ... System microcomputer 21 ... Sub-microcomputer 24 ... Finder adapter switch (first switch means) 25 ... Changeover switch (second switch means) 26 ... Finder adapter 29a ... Detection device (recognition means) 29b ... Recognition pattern (recognition means) 33 ... Signal processing image conversion circuit (image processing means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A video signal recording / reproducing apparatus having a display means, and a finder adapter which can be attached to the display means, and in association with the attachment of the finder adapter,
The first switch means for switching the screen size of the display means between the normal full-screen display and the screen display smaller than the normal full-screen display, and the output of the first switch means, An image signal recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs a screen size conversion process. 2. The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first switch means is provided near the periphery of the display screen of the display means. 3. The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mask portion is provided at a peripheral portion of the reduced display screen of the display means, and the mask portion has a display function. 4. The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second switch means for operably switching the screen size of the display means. 5. A recognition means for identifying the optical magnification of the finder adapter is provided, and the screen size of the display means is automatically changed by the output of the recognition means. The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognizing means is provided at a portion where the finder adapter and a main body of the video signal recording / reproducing apparatus are in contact with each other. 7. The video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the eyepiece portion of the finder adapter is provided on the peripheral side of the center of the finder adapter.