JPH09116797A - Separated optical system signal recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the usage of the device to be applied to other devices such as a personal computer and a printer by making the camera section including an optical system gripped by a photographer small in size and weight so as to allow the photographer to perform image pickup easily. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a camera section 20 removable from a signal recording and reproducing section 10 and providing an output of an image signal obtained by picking up an object to the signal recording and reproducing section 10 via an infrared ray or radio wave communication means such as a connection cable 40, and a liquid crystal display monitor 30 for image display attached/detached to/from a face where a projection area of the camera section 20 is maximized. In the case of image pickup, the camera section 20 is separated from the signal recording and reproducing section 10 having a comparatively heavy weight and image pickup is attained while observing the liquid crystal display monitor 30 provided to the camera section 20 removably. Furthermore, the camera section 20 and the liquid crystal display monitor 30 separated are used for an input means of an image signal to a personal computer or the like and a display means of a device outputting an image signal such as a printer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus, and more particularly to an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus having an optical system such as a camera integrated VTR and a digital still camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional camera-incorporated VTR is limited in size and weight, no matter how light and compact it is, and the burden on the photographer is not lightened. Further, recently, since a personal computer or a word processor is equipped with a hardware means for capturing an image, the VTR with a built-in camera is increasingly used as an image capturing device. However, the camera-integrated VTR having the above-described multi-functions is considerably expensive in terms of price, and it is the current situation that new demand is not yet cultivated.

For example, as an optical system separation type video camera, an imaging optical system (single focus lens, sensor, signal processing circuit, etc.) which can be used independently by removing a part of the optical system constituting the zoom lens from the zoom lens. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-207678). That is, by separating the imaging optical system that can be used independently from the VTR main body, it can be used as a single focus camera.
By using it with the front optical system on the TR main body side, it can be used as a camera with a zoom. This makes it possible to shoot images that could not be taken with a large integrated VTR, and since both the zoom lens system and the single focus camera can share part of the lens system, sensors, and circuits, the number of parts is reduced, It enables cost reduction.

Further, a camera-integrated VT with a monitor TV, in which a VTR section having a monitor TV section and a camera section can be separated from each other
R has been proposed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-6154). This camera-integrated VTR with monitor TV is provided with a monitor TV section and a camera section integrally formed with the VTR section on the side of the VTR deck section where the tape amount can be monitored, and the camera section is removable. . As a result, while monitoring the shooting state of the camera on the monitor TV, at the same time VT
Recording by the R section can be performed while directly monitoring the tape amount.

[0005]

However, the optical system separation type video camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-207678 is used as a single focus camera by separating an image forming optical system which can be used independently from the VTR main body. In this case, the camera itself becomes lighter, but at the time of shooting, it is necessary to look into the viewfinder on the VTR main body side, and because it is separated, it is rather inconvenient and the burden on the photographer is not lightened.

Further, a camera-integrated VTR with a monitor TV disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-6154 has a VT in the camera section.
When used by removing from the R section, the monitor TV section is VT
Since it is integrally provided on the R portion side, there is a problem similar to the above. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, allows a photographer to easily take a picture, and expands the application to other devices such as a personal computer and a printer. An object is to provide an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tape-shaped or disk-shaped recording medium on which an image signal is magnetically or optically recorded and reproduced, or a card-shaped recording having a semiconductor memory. A signal recording / reproducing unit that is mounted with a medium, records an input image signal on the recording medium, or reproduces an image signal from the recording medium; and a camera unit that is detachable from the signal recording / reproducing unit. A camera unit for outputting an image signal obtained by capturing the image to the signal recording / reproducing unit via a connection cable or a communication unit using infrared rays or radio waves, and a liquid crystal monitor detachable on the surface of the camera unit having the largest projected area. And a liquid crystal monitor for displaying an image based on at least an image signal input from the camera unit. Therefore,
At the time of shooting, the camera section can be separated from the relatively heavy signal recording / reproducing section, and shooting can be performed while looking at the liquid crystal monitor detachably attached to the camera section, and the burden on the photographer can be reduced.

Further, by providing the camera section with an interface connectable to other equipment such as a personal computer,
It can be used as a means for inputting image signals to a personal computer or the like. Further, by separating the liquid crystal monitor and connecting it to the signal recording / reproducing unit or another device capable of outputting an image signal, such as a printer, it can be used as a display means for a reproduced image.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are external perspective views showing a first embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, showing a separated state and a connected state of a camera section including an optical system. . This optical system separated type signal recording / reproducing apparatus comprises a VTR deck section 10 as a signal recording / reproducing section to which a tape cassette (not shown) is mounted, a camera section 20 including an optical system 22 and a liquid crystal monitor 30. And constitutes a camera-integrated VTR.

A concave portion 1 is formed on the upper surface of the VTR deck portion 10.
2 is formed, and a convex portion 24 is formed on the lower surface of the camera portion 20, and the concave portion 12 and the convex portion 24 allow the camera portion 20 to be attached to and detached from the VTR deck portion 10. Details of this attachment / detachment mechanism will be described later. In addition, 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation button group of the VTR deck section 10. Also,
The VTR deck unit 10 and the camera unit 20 are connected to each other with a connection cable 4
Image signals and audio signals obtained by shooting with the camera unit 20 are added to the VTR deck unit 10 via the connection cable 40. When the connection cable 40 is not used as shown in FIG. 2, the connection cable 40 is provided on the VTR deck section 10 side or the camera section 20 side and is wound up by a cable winding mechanism (not shown) to take a compact storage form. It is like this.

The camera section 20 has a camera signal processing section 26 and a zoom button 28 in addition to the optical system 22 and the convex section 24.
And switches including a photographing button (not shown) and the like. It should be noted that the optical system 22 uses a zoom lens capable of changing the optical zoom magnification up to about 12 times according to the photographing state. In addition, the liquid crystal monitor 30 has a surface on which the projected area of the camera unit 20 is maximum (see FIG. 1).
In the above, it is provided on the upper surface of the camera unit 20 so as to be attachable to and detachable from it, and is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. The image can be displayed based on the image signal input from the camera unit 20.

Next, the VTR deck section 10 and the camera section 20
The attachment / detachment mechanism between the camera unit 20 and the liquid crystal monitor 30 will be described. 3 is a perspective view of an essential part of the lower surface of the camera unit 20, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an essential part of the upper surface of the VTR deck unit 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the camera unit 20
The six fitting portions 2 are provided on the convex portion 24 provided on the lower surface of the
4A to 24F are formed. Of these fitting portions, four fitting portions 24A to 24D around the convex portion 24 are formed with overhang portions for engaging during sliding. In addition, a claw 24G that is depressed by a lock release button (not shown) is provided in the fitting portion 24F.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the concave portion 12 provided on the upper surface of the VTR deck portion 10 is formed in such a size that the convex portion 24 of the camera portion 20 can slide by a predetermined amount. Further, in this recess 12, six fitting portions 12A to 12F corresponding to the six fitting portions 24A to 24F of the protruding portion 24 are provided.
12F is formed. Then, by inserting the convex portion 24 of the camera portion 20 into the concave portion 12 of the VTR deck portion 10 and sliding the camera portion 20 in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
The fitting portions 24A to 24D are fitted to the fitting portions 12A to 12D, and the claw 24G is finally engaged with the fitting portion 12F at the slide end, whereby the camera portion 20 is moved to the VTR deck portion 10.
Attach to. When removing the camera unit 20, the lock release button is used to immerse the claw 24G to release the engagement with the fitting unit 12F, and the camera unit 20 is slid in the opposite direction to that when the camera unit 20 is attached to the VTR. Deck 1
Can be separated from zero.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a state where the liquid crystal monitor 30 is attached to the camera section 20, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the liquid crystal monitor 30 is not attached. As shown in these drawings, the liquid crystal monitor 30 includes a monitor body 32 having a liquid crystal screen 32A, a mounting member 34, and a monitor body 32.
And a pair of hinge portions 36 for rotatably attaching the attachment member 34.

As shown in FIG. 6, a recess 38 is formed on the lower surface of the mounting member 34. The recess 38 has the same structure as the recess 12 of the VTR deck portion 10 shown in FIG. Further, a convex portion (not shown) similar to the convex portion 24 on the lower surface of the camera unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 is formed on the upper surface of the camera unit 20, and the convex portion on the camera unit 20 side and the liquid crystal monitor are formed. It can be attached / detached by the recess 38 of the lower surface of the mounting member 34 of 30. Further, the monitor main body 32 can rotate about 180 degrees with respect to the mounting member 34 via the hinge portion 36, and can be stopped at an arbitrary angle by frictional resistance of a spring or the like inserted in the hinge portion 36. . Furthermore, when the liquid crystal monitor 30 is not mounted, the mounting member 34
By folding the LCD screen as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to prevent dirt and scratches on A.

It should be noted that input / output terminals for applying image signals and the like from the camera section 20 to the liquid crystal monitor 30 may be provided in the concave portion and the convex portion so that the liquid crystal monitor 30 can be connected in conjunction with attachment / detachment. The camera section 20 and the liquid crystal monitor 30 may be electrically connected by a connection cable (not shown). When shooting with a camera-integrated VTR having the above configuration, the VTR has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
As shown in FIG. 7, the deck part 10 is a waist bag 50.
It is housed inside, and only the camera section 20 with the liquid crystal monitor 30 attached is gripped and photographed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the camera unit 20 or the like to be gripped, as compared with the conventional camera-integrated VTR, and reduce the burden on the photographer.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, the camera-integrated VTR is described.
Will be described. As shown in the figure, the camera unit 20 mainly includes an optical system 22 and an audio unit 23.
And a camera processing unit 26. The VTR deck unit 10 mainly includes a video signal processing unit 16 and a mechanism unit 17.
And a control circuit section 18. Camera section 2
The optical system 22 of 0 is a photographing lens, an aperture, a CCD (Charge
The output signal from the CCD is applied to the camera processing unit 26. Camera processing unit 26
Is composed of an AGC (Auto Gain Control) circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, a camera process circuit, a D / A conversion circuit, a camera control microcomputer, and the like.

The CCD output from the CCD of the optical system 22 is
After being amplified by the AGC circuit, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit and added to the camera process circuit. In the camera process circuit, DSP (Digital
Signal Processor) etc. for “RGB separation” and “γ correction”
Various processes such as “sharpness correction”, “color correction”, and “YC separation” are performed. Then, finally, it is again converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit and is added to the video signal processing section 16 in the VTR deck section 10 via the connection cable 40, and also with the liquid crystal monitor 30 etc. via the analog amplifier. It is added to the connected analog output terminal.
In the camera-integrated VTR that handles digital signals, the camera signal processing circuit may be "AGC circuit" to "camera process circuit", and the camera unit 20 can be downsized.

The audio section 23 is mainly composed of a microphone unit and an FM modulation circuit. Then, the audio signal is FM-modulated by the FM modulation circuit through the microphone unit, is applied to the video signal processing unit 16 in the VTR deck unit 10 via the connection cable 40, and is finally synchronized with the video signal on the magnetic tape. Recorded in. VTR
The video signal processing unit 16 of the deck unit 10 includes a video signal processing circuit, a recording / reproducing circuit, and a recording / reproducing amplifier. The video signal input from the camera unit 20 is converted into a luminance signal and a chroma signal by the video signal processing circuit. These signals are separated, and these signals are converted into recording signals suitable for magnetic recording by a recording / reproducing circuit, and then the mechanical section 17 is passed through a recording / reproducing amplifier.
Added to the rotating head drum. As a result, a magnetic signal indicating an image is recorded on the magnetic tape.

On the other hand, during reproduction, a magnetic signal representing an image recorded on the magnetic tape is read by the rotary head drum and applied to the recording / reproducing circuit via the recording / reproducing amplifier. The recording / reproducing circuit demodulates the magnetic signal into a video signal of a predetermined format and outputs it to the liquid crystal monitor 30 or the like. The control circuit unit 18 of the VTR deck unit 10 includes a power supply circuit including a DC / DC converter that boosts the power supply of a battery or the like, a mechanical / servo control circuit that controls the mechanical unit 17, the mechanical unit 17, and the camera processing unit 26. It is composed of a main microcomputer that controls and controls the.

Next, a second embodiment of the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. 9 and 10 are external perspective views showing a second embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, respectively, showing a separated state and a connected state of a camera section including an optical system. . This optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus is a disk-shaped magnetic or optical (magnetic) recording medium, for example, a removable hard disk having a size of about 1.8 ″, a large-capacity floppy disk of 100 MB or more, a magneto-optical disk, a rewritable optical disk. , Or a signal recording / reproducing unit 110 to which a recording medium such as a phase change disk or an IC card using a flash memory is mounted, a camera unit 120 including an optical system 122, and a liquid crystal monitor 130. I am configuring.

A concave portion 112 is formed on the upper surface of the signal recording / reproducing unit 110, and a convex portion 12 is formed on the lower surface of the camera unit 120.
4 is formed, and the concave portion 112 and the convex portion 124 allow the camera unit 120 to be attached to and detached from the signal recording / reproducing unit 110. Since this attachment / detachment mechanism is the same as that of the first embodiment, its detailed description is omitted. Incidentally, 114 is a switch for operating the signal recording / reproducing unit 110, 116 is a recording medium insertion port, 118 is a recording medium eject button, 126 is a camera signal processing unit, and 12 is a camera signal processing unit.
8 is a zoom button, and 140 is a connection cable.

The liquid crystal monitor 130 also includes a camera unit 12.
The surface where the projected area of 0 is the maximum (in FIG. 9, the camera unit 12
It is detachably provided on the upper surface 0) and is rotatable in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. And
An image can be displayed based on an image signal input from the camera unit 120. Note that the attachment / detachment mechanism for the liquid crystal monitor 130 and the camera unit 120 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the internal structure of the digital still camera will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the camera unit 120 mainly includes an optical system 122 and a camera processing unit 126. Camera unit 120
The optical system 122 is composed of a taking lens, a CCD and the like, and an output signal from the CCD is added to the camera processing unit 126. The camera processing unit 126 includes an A / D conversion circuit, a memory controller, a memory buffer, a signal processing circuit, and a D / D converter.
It is composed of an A conversion circuit and the like. CC of optical system 122
The CCD output from D is “γ-corrected” “white balance processing” “color separation” by an analog processing circuit (not shown).
After analog processing is performed, the data is converted into digital data by the A / D converter. The digital data of the A / D converted image is stored in the memory buffer via the memory controller. Furthermore, the digital signal of the image is
After being appropriately processed by the signal processing circuit, it is converted into an analog signal through the D / A conversion circuit and the liquid crystal monitor 30
Etc. are output to the analog output terminal connected to.

This allows the photographed image to be confirmed on the liquid crystal monitor 130. This signal processing process is a signal processing process that must be included in the camera processing unit 126 at a minimum. The signal thus processed is sent to the signal recording / reproducing unit 110 via the connection cable 140. This signal recording / reproducing unit 110 uses the CP
U, ADCT (Adaptive Discrete cosine Transform),
It is composed of a coder, an interface, etc., and digital data representing an image input from the camera unit 120 enters an image compression unit using ADCT, and calculates “activity” according to the pattern of the image. Then DCT
After conversion, quantization is performed using a quantization table, fixed length is performed, and data compression is completed. Although "ADCT" was used for image compression, "JPE" was used as the compression method.
A method such as “G”, “Motion JPEG”, or “MPEG” may be adopted.

The image data thus data-compressed is recorded on the recording medium via the interface. On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the image data recorded on the recording medium is read via the interface, and the decompression process of the data compressed image data is performed. The image data expanded in this way is added to the liquid crystal monitor 30 and the like through a signal processing circuit and a D / A conversion circuit, and an image is displayed here.

In the above embodiment, the video signal and the audio signal are transmitted and received through the connection cable, but the connection cable is not used and the camera section and the signal recording / reproducing section emit light / light. By installing a light receiving element and performing infrared communication, or by installing a radio wave transmitter / receiver,
If wireless communication is performed, portability is further improved.

12 to 18 are schematic views showing the third to ninth embodiments of the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, and constitute the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus. An example of the arrangement of the signal recording / reproducing unit, the optical system of the camera unit, the camera signal processing unit, and the liquid crystal monitor when not in use is shown. In these drawings, (A) =
Signal recording / playback unit, (A) = camera signal processing unit, (C) =
An optical system, (d) = a liquid crystal monitor is shown. As shown in these figures, the liquid crystal monitor can be mounted on either the upper surface of the optical system (c), the upper surface of the camera signal processing section (a), or the upper surface of the optical system (c) and the camera signal processing section (a). It suffices if it is arranged within the maximum projected area of the camera section. FIG.
In the case of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 13 and 16, the signal recording / reproducing unit may be arranged on the left side surface of the camera unit.

By the way, in the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the separated camera section can be used alone as an input device, for example, as an image input means of a personal computer or the like. In addition to the original usage of the still camera, it can be used for a wide range of purposes, and it has the advantage that it can be used for multiple purposes. Further, the separated liquid crystal monitor has a great advantage that it can be used for various purposes other than the liquid crystal monitor used in the conventional camera-integrated VTR by connecting to an image output device such as a printer. is there.

[0030]

As described above, according to the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the camera section detachable from the signal recording / reproducing section and the liquid crystal monitor detachable from the camera section. By using the, the camera unit can be separated from the relatively heavy signal recording / playback unit at the time of shooting, and shooting can be performed while looking at the LCD monitor that is detachably attached to the camera unit, and the burden on the photographer can be reduced. You can Further, since the separated camera unit and liquid crystal monitor unit can be independently used for a personal computer or a printer, there is an effect that the device can be used for more purposes than ever.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera unit including an optical system in a separated state, showing a first embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

2 is an external perspective view showing a connection state of a camera unit including an optical system in the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an essential part of a lower surface of a camera section in the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of an upper surface of a VTR deck section in the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a perspective view of a main part of a lower surface of a camera section in the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a liquid crystal monitor is not attached in the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of use of the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during photographing.

8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a camera section including an optical system showing a second embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention in a separated state.

10 is an external perspective view showing a connection state of a camera unit including an optical system in the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

11 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a sixth embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a seventh embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an eighth embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a ninth embodiment of an optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... VTR deck section 12, 38, 112 ... Recessed section 20, 120 ... Camera section 22, 122 ... Optical system 24, 124 ... Convex section 30, 130 ... Liquid crystal monitor 34 ... Mounting member 36 ... Hinge section 40, 140 ... Connection cable 50 ... waist bag 110 ... signal recording / reproducing section

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A tape-shaped or disk-shaped recording medium on which an image signal is magnetically or optically recorded or reproduced or a card-shaped recording medium having a semiconductor memory is mounted, and an input image signal is recorded on the recording medium. Or a signal recording / reproducing unit for reproducing an image signal from the recording medium, and a camera unit detachable from the signal recording / reproducing unit, in which an image signal obtained by capturing an image of a subject is connected to a cable, infrared rays, or radio waves. A camera unit for outputting to the signal recording / reproducing unit via a communication means according to, and a liquid crystal monitor detachable on the surface of the camera unit having the largest projected area, and based on at least an image signal input from the camera unit. An optical system-separated type signal recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal monitor for displaying an image by means of: 2. The optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal recording / reproducing section is a VTR deck section in which a tape cassette is mounted. 3. The optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the VTR deck portion has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape so that it can be stored in a waist back. 4. The signal recording / reproducing unit is equipped with a recording medium selected from a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a rewritable optical disk, and an IC card, and records and reproduces a digital image signal on the recording medium. The optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, which is a recording / reproducing unit constituting a digital still camera. 5. The optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit has an interface connectable to another device such as a personal computer which displays an image based on an image signal. . 6. The optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit has an interface connectable to another device such as a personal computer which displays an image based on an image signal. . 7. The liquid crystal monitor displays an image based on an image signal reproduced by the signal recording / reproducing unit or an image signal from another device that outputs another image signal. 1. An optical system separation type signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to 1.