JPH09247601A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a synthesis image with a simple processing by synchronizing a picked-up image signal with a reproduced image signal. SOLUTION: A video encoder 16 in a camera section 10 generates a monitor image signal VM based on a reproduced black/white still image signal PBM and a view finder (VF) 19 or an external monitor displays a reproduced black/ white still image signal. In order to execute the process of synchronizing the reproduced black/white still image signal PBY outputted from a video controller 31 with a picked-up image, a synchronizing signal detection section 34 extracts a vertical synchronizing signal VD and a horizontal synchronizing signal HD from the monitor image signal VM and gives them to the video controller 31. The video controller 31 controls the synchronization of its output reproduced black/white still image signal PBY with the picked-up color moving image signal. The synthesis processing between the picked-up image signal and the reproduced image signal is conducted while the picked-up image signal and the reproduced image signal are synchronous with each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and for example, relates to a photographing apparatus configured by integrally connecting a camera section for photographing and a recording / reproducing section for recording / reproducing with respect to a recording medium, or separately. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a photographing system for recording an image photographed by a video camera on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape,
There are those in which the camera unit and the recording / reproducing unit (video unit) are integrated, and those in which the camera unit and the video unit are formed as separate devices and are connected by a cable for use.

The camera unit is provided with, for example, an electronic viewfinder so that the photographer can confirm the image currently being photographed with the viewfinder, and the photographed image can be monitored by connecting another monitor display device. You can also do it. Further, it is also practiced to reproduce an image captured by a camera unit and recorded on a magnetic tape in the video unit from the video unit and displaying the image on a viewfinder or a monitor display. By properly using these operations according to the shooting situation and the like, various shootings can be efficiently performed.

[0004]

By the way, there is a case where it is desired to synthesize and display the image currently photographed by the camera unit and the image photographed in the past and recorded on the magnetic tape. For example, if you want to shoot a certain background video first and then combine the video of the subject to be captured with the background video that has already been captured to generate the video, Sometimes, if it is possible to monitor in a state in which the background image is combined with the subject image, it is extremely convenient in terms of image frame alignment and shooting position alignment.

Therefore, in order to synthesize and monitor images photographed and reproduced in the past at the time of photographing as described above,
For example, both a video image currently captured by the camera unit and a video image reproduced from a magnetic tape or the like by another recording / reproducing apparatus are input to a monitor device having an image processing function. Then, the two image signals on the monitor device side are, for example, synchronized and then combined and displayed on the monitor display.

However, since such a large-scale system is required, it is good for shooting in a studio, for example, but when shooting outdoors, the equipment becomes large and equipment transportation and shooting settings become difficult. ,
It is unsuitable for shooting that requires mobility.

Further, the photographer decides the photographing position and the like while checking the display in which the photographed image and the reproduced image are combined, but for this purpose, it is inconvenient if the combined image does not have good visibility. However, in the operation of looking at the composite image, there are cases where you want to check the captured image with emphasis, and when you want to confirm the playback image firmly, this is the person who sees the composite image, the timing to see, the shooting situation, etc. Depends on And if you can clearly see either the captured image or the reproduced image, the other will be difficult to see, which makes it possible to obtain almost equal visibility for both. It means that you cannot get good visibility. In addition, the balance between the captured image and the reproduced image may be disturbed due to the brightness of the subject side at the time of shooting, and the visibility may deteriorate.

[0008]

In view of the above problems, the present invention realizes monitoring of a composite image of a photographed image and a reproduced image with a simple device configuration, and the photographed image and the reproduced image are reproduced on the composite image. It is intended to improve visibility for both images.

For this reason, as a photographing device, a photographing means capable of performing an image photographing operation and outputting a photographed image signal, and a reproducing operation for a recording medium on which the image signal is recorded and outputting a reproduced image signal. And a monitor image generation unit capable of individually or synthesizing the captured image signal output from the image capturing unit and the reproduced image signal output from the reproducing unit as a display image signal. The reproduction means detects the synchronization signal for the captured image signal output from the imaging means, and adjusts the output timing of the reproduction image signal based on the synchronization signal, so that the captured image signal and the reproduction image signal are The monitor image generation means is supplied in a synchronized state. By setting the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal in a synchronized state in this way, a composite image can be obtained by a simple process.

Further, as a photographing device, a photographing means capable of performing an image photographing operation and outputting a photographed image signal,
Reproducing means capable of performing a reproducing operation on a recording medium on which an image signal is recorded and outputting a reproduced image signal,
Provided is monitor image generation means capable of synthesizing the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal and outputting the combined image signal as a display image signal, and capable of variably setting the composition ratio in the composition process of the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal. . That is, the visibility of each of the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal is flexibly controlled, and each visibility is improved as necessary.

Further, as a photographing device, a photographing means capable of performing an image photographing operation to output a color photographed image signal as a moving image, and a reproducing operation for a recording medium on which the image signal is recorded, and at least a still image. And a monitor image generating means capable of synthesizing the color photographed image signal and the black and white reproduced image signal and outputting the combined image signal as a display image signal. That is, the reproduced image that is a still image with relatively good visibility is a black and white image with relatively poor visibility,
By combining a captured image that is a moving image with relatively poor visibility as a color image with relatively good visibility, it is possible to improve the visibility of both while balancing the visibility.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the internal configuration of the image capturing apparatus. The photographing device is roughly divided into a camera unit 10 and a video unit 30. The camera unit 10 and the video unit 30 may be integrally formed, or may be cable-connected as separate devices.

A subject image captured by this photographing apparatus is captured by the lens unit 11, and a light beam incident through the lens unit 11 is imaged on the CCD 12 which is a photoelectric conversion element. The CCD 12 corresponds to the three primary colors of R, G, B and CC
D elements are provided, and the CCD elements corresponding to each color are arranged according to a predetermined rule on the CCD substrate plane on which the photographing light introduced from the lens unit 11 is imaged to form a two-dimensional image area. It is a thing.

The driving of the CCD 12 and the processing of the read signal are performed based on the timing control from the timing generator 17. That is, the timing generator 17 is a CCD
The reference timing for driving 12 is the CCD driver 2
5 The CCD driver 25 outputs a vertical scanning signal and a horizontal scanning signal to the CCD 12 based on the reference timing, and causes the CCD 12 to perform an image pickup operation.

The electric charge read out from the CCD 12, that is, the electric signal due to the electric charge according to the exposure from the object is supplied to the amplification / gain adjustment unit 13. The amplification / gain adjustment unit 13 first amplifies a weak signal from the CCD 12. Then, the sampled and held process is performed on the amplified signal, the gain is adjusted, and the amplified signal is output to the A / D converter 14. The A / D converter 14 converts the input analog signal into digital data, and the process circuit 15
To supply.

The process circuit 15 performs processing such as detail processing (edge enhancement processing), gamma correction, knee correction, white balance correction, and black balance correction, and the red signal R and green signal G subjected to these processings. , The blue signal B is supplied to the video encoder 16.

The video encoder 16 performs matrix processing or encoding processing as a so-called television image signal from the supplied red signal R, green signal G, and blue signal B, for example, composite format, Y / C format, or component format. The image signal in the form (Y, BY, RY) or the like is output. That is, the recording image signal V _REC is generated and output to the video unit 30, and the monitor image signal V _M is output to each unit as a signal for photographing monitoring. The recording image signal V _REC is output in the form of digital data,
On the other hand, the monitor image signal V _M is output in the form of an analog signal.

Further, the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the horizontal synchronizing signal HD for obtaining the form as a television image signal in the video encoder 16 are supplied from the synchronizing generating section 24. In the synchronization generator 24, the vertical synchronization signal V
D, the timing reference of generation of the horizontal synchronizing signal HD is given from the timing generating unit 17, so that the vertical synchronizing signal V
The D and horizontal sync signals HD are supplied to the video encoder 16 in synchronization with the output signal from the CCD 12.

The photographed image is made visible to the photographer by the viewfinder 19. For this reason, the monitor image signal V _M from the video encoder 16 is supplied to the drive circuit 18, and the viewfinder 19 is used.
The monitor display output of the captured image is executed. The monitor image signal V _M can be supplied from the terminal 20 to an external monitor device, and is also supplied to the video unit 30.

The camera controller 21 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and controls the entire camera unit 10. That is, a reference timing generation instruction to the timing generation unit 17, the process circuit 15, the video encoder 1
The process of 6 is controlled. Further, the generation of the character signal CR is controlled by the character generator 23,
It is supplied to the video encoder 16. Character signal CR to the character image is superimposed on the example monitor image signal V _M at the video encoder 16, a character image on a display the captured image in the view finder 19 and an external monitor device is superimposed and displayed. As a result, the camera controller 21 causes the character display to execute information to be transmitted to the cameraman, such as the operation state display and the mode display.

The operation unit 22 is provided with various operation keys which a cameraman operates at the time of photographing. In addition to general operation keys as a photographing device, particularly in the case of the present example, an operation unit for adjusting a combination ratio of a combined image described later is provided. The camera controller 21 controls the required circuit section according to various operations on the operation section 22.

Video encoder 1 in camera section 10
The recording image signal V _REC output from the video unit 6 is a video unit 30 configured as a so-called digital VTR device.
At the encoding / decoding unit 33. The encoding / decoding unit 33 supplies the supplied recording image signal V when performing the recording operation on the magnetic tape 90.
_{The REC} is subjected to processing such as modulation according to the recording format, addition of an error correction code, and addition of management information, and a recording signal is generated and supplied to the head unit 35.

The head unit 35 is configured to scan the magnetic tape 90 by a so-called helical scan system, and has a head mechanism in which the recording head 35a / reproducing head 35b is arranged on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum. In addition, a recording amplifier that amplifies the recording signal from the encoding / decoding unit 33 and a recording head 35 that outputs the signal amplified by the recording amplifier.
A rotary transformer for supplying a is provided. Further, as a circuit system during reproduction, a rotary transformer for outputting a signal read from the reproduction head 35b, a reproduction amplifier for amplifying the output signal, and the like are provided.

The recording signal supplied from the encode / decode section 33 to the head section 35 is amplified by a recording amplifier and then supplied to a recording head 35a in a rotary drum via a rotary transformer, and is run by the recording head 35a. The magnetic recording operation is performed on the recorded magnetic tape 90. The magnetic tape 90 is housed in, for example, a tape cassette, and the magnetic tape 90 is pulled out from the tape cassette (loading) and wound around a rotary drum at the time of recording / reproducing. The magnetic tape 90 is sandwiched between a capstan 37a driven by a portion shown as a tape traveling system 37 and a pinch roller 37b, and the capstan 37a is rotated at a constant speed, so that the magnetic tape 90 runs at a constant speed. It will be.

During reproduction, the reproducing head 35b traces the track on the magnetic tape 90, and the recorded data is read. The signal read from the magnetic tape 90 by the head unit 35 is supplied to the encoding / decoding unit 33, and binarization, demodulation, error correction, etc. are performed as a reproduction / decoding process, and decoded into reproduction data in a television signal form. Will be done. The reproduction data is written in the frame memory 32, read at a predetermined timing, converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 36, and supplied to the video encoder 16 of the camera unit 10.

The reproduction data is a so-called color moving image signal, and the reproduction data to be sequentially decoded is used as the frame memory 3.
By reading sequentially frame by frame via 2,
The reproduced color operation image signal PBY _{/ C} is supplied to the video encoder 16. Video encoder 1
6 generates a monitor image signal V _M based on the reproduced color operation image signal PBY _{/ C} , the viewfinder 19
And an external monitor device can display a reproduced image as a color moving image.

Further, after writing one frame of a certain reproduction data in the frame memory 32, the writing of the reproduction data in the frame memory 32 is stopped, and the frame memory 32 is stopped.
If so repeatedly read out and outputs only one frame of Y (luminance) signal data in the reproduction monochrome still picture signal PB _Y will be supplied to the video encoder 16.

[0028] Video encoder 16 may be generated to monitor image signals V _M on the basis of the reproduction monochrome still picture signal PB _Y, but will be capable of displaying the reproduced image by the monochrome still image in the view finder 19 and an external monitor device, In the present example, such a reproduced monochrome still image signal P
A captured image (color moving image signal) captured by the CCD 12 at that time is mixed with B _Y to generate a monitor image signal V _M as a composite image. This operation will be described later.

The video controller 31 is formed of, for example, a microcomputer and controls the entire video section 30. At the time of recording, the input recording image signal V
The encoding operation of the encoding / decoding section 33 for _REC, the constant speed rotation operation of the rotating drum as the recording operation of the head section 35, and the tape running operation by the tape running system 37 are controlled. The servo circuit 38 executes the constant speed rotation operation of the rotary drum and the constant speed rotation operation of the capstan mechanism in the tape running system 37.

Also during reproduction, the constant speed rotation operation of the rotary drum as the reproduction operation of the head portion 35 and the tape traveling operation by the tape traveling system 37 are controlled, but especially the reproducing head 35b.
The servo circuit 38 controls the rotation speed of the capstan 37a for the tracking servo. Also, the decoding operation of the encoding / decoding unit 33 and the writing / reading control of the frame memory 32 are performed. In particular, in this example, when the mix reproduced monochrome still picture signal PB _Y and the photographed image photographed by CCD 12 (color video signal), and generates a monitor image signal V _M as the composite image, the video controller 31 performs control for synchronizing the reproduced monochrome still picture signal PB _Y to be output to the color video signal by the photographing.

The synchronization detecting section 34 is used for encoding / recording.
The vertical synchronizing signal VD and the horizontal synchronizing signal HD are extracted from the recording image signal V _REC for setting the processing timing in the decoding unit 33 and supplied to the video controller 31.
Play monochrome still image signal PB _Y output in order to realize the processing for synchronizing the captured image, it extracts a monitor image signal V _M from the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the horizontal synchronizing signal HD, and supplies it to the video controller 31.

The operation section 39 is provided with various operation keys for operating the video section 30. For example, a recording operation key and a reproduction operation key are provided. The video controller 31 controls the required circuit section in accordance with various operations on the operation section 39.

Of the photographing apparatus of the present example configured as described above, the internal configuration of the video encoder 16 is as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The R, G, B signals from the process circuit 15 are processed by the matrix processing unit 41 to obtain a luminance signal Y and a chroma signal C.
And is supplied to the digital image signal generation unit 42. The digital image signal generation unit 42 performs various kinds of processing as a so-called television signal on the luminance signal Y and the chroma signal C to generate a recording image signal V _REC . The recording image signal V _REC is supplied to the video section 30 and recorded on the magnetic tape 90 as described above.

On the other hand, the monitor image signal V _M output to the viewfinder 19 or the like is generated by the monitor image signal generator 44. To the monitor image signal generation unit 44, the luminance signal Y and the chroma signal C as a captured image are extracted from the digital image signal generation unit 42, and these are input as analog signals by the D / A converter. For the sake of explanation, an analog luminance signal as a captured image input to the monitor image signal generation unit 44 is called a camera image luminance signal Y _CA, and an analog chroma signal as a captured image is a camera image chroma signal C.
_Let's call it _CA.

Therefore, in the monitor image signal generation unit 44, the camera image luminance signal Y _CA and the camera image chroma signal C _CA are supplied as image signals during the period in which the camera unit 10 is performing the photographing operation, and the video unit is also used. period running reproduction operation at 30 would play monochrome still picture signal PB _Y or reproduced color video signal PB Y _{/ C} is supplied.

The monitor image signal generator 44 generates a monitor image signal V _M from these image signals. As the generated monitor image signal V _M , the image signal generated from the camera image luminance signal Y _CA and the camera image chroma signal C _CA (that is, the captured monitor image signal), the reproduced color moving image signal PB
An image signal generated from _{Y / C} (that is, a reproduction monitor image signal) and an image signal generated from a camera image luminance signal Y _CA , a camera image chroma signal C _CA, and a reproduced monochrome still image signal PB _Y (that is, a combined image signal) Three types are possible.

The photographic monitor image signal and the reproduction monitor image signal are normal moving image signals, but the composite image signal is a signal in which a moving image is superposed on a reproduced image which is a still image.

As signals necessary for the generation processing of these monitor image signals V _M , a camera / reproduction mode signal MD, a freeze mode signal FMD, a mix ratio control signal SK, a character ON signal CR _ON , character signal CR, sync signal SYN
C, a sync removal level signal BL _LV , and a sync removal timing signal BL _T are supplied.

The camera / reproduction mode signal MD is a mode signal for switching between an operation of monitoring a captured image and an operation of monitoring a reproduced image as a monitor operation. When the camera / playback mode signal MD is in the camera mode, the monitor image signal generation unit 44 generates the monitor image signal V _M (shooting monitor image signal) from the camera image luminance signal Y _CA and the camera image chroma signal C _CA. Output to the viewfinder 19 or the like. When the camera / reproduction mode signal MD is in the reproduction mode, the monitor image signal generation unit 44 generates the monitor image signal V _M (reproduction monitor image signal) from the reproduction color moving image signal PBY _{/ C} , and the viewfinder. Output to 19 mag.

The freeze mode signal FMD is a signal in a mode for monitoring the above-mentioned composite image. In this example, when the camera / playback mode signal MD is in the camera mode, the freeze mode signal FMD is turned on (freeze mode), so that the composite image monitor is executed. In this case, the monitor image signal generation unit 44 generates a camera image luminance signal Y _CA and the camera image chroma signal C _CA and reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y monitor image signal from the V _M (composite image signal), the view finder 19 or the like Output to.

The mix ratio control signal SK is a signal for setting the mix ratio of the photographed image and the reproduced image in the freeze mode for outputting the composite image signal.

The camera / playback mode signal MD, the freeze mode signal FMD, and the mix ratio control signal SK are supplied from the camera controller 21. The camera controller 21 will generate these signals according to the operation from the operation unit 22.

The character-on signal CR _ON and the character signal CR are supplied from the character generator 23.
This is a signal for superimposing a required character image on the monitor image signal V _M.

The sync signal SYNC from the sync generator 24,
The synchronization removal level signal BL _LV and the synchronization removal timing signal BL _T from the camera controller 21 are used for synchronization signal processing when generating a composite image.

In the photographing apparatus of this example configured as described above, the reproduction operation in the video section 30 is performed in synchronization with the photographed image, and the photographed image (color moving image signal)
Mixing of the reproduced monochrome still picture signal by mixing the PB _Y to generate the monitor image signal V _M as the composite image that, can be further variably setting the mixing ratio of the composite image of the captured image reproduced image, the captured image and the reproduced image It is characterized by eliminating the disturbance of the synchronization signal due to.

First, it will be described that the reproducing operation in the video section 30 is performed in synchronization with the photographed image.
As described above, the synchronization detection unit 34 of the video unit 30 outputs the vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD for the recording image signal V _{REC and} the vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD for the monitor image signal V _M. Can be extracted.

FIG. 4A shows the horizontal synchronizing signal HD of the monitor image signal V _{M and} the horizontal synchronizing signal HD of the recording image signal V _REC .
(B). The sync signal of the monitor image signal V _{M in} FIG. 4A is synchronized with the read timing from the CCD 12, but the recording image signal V _REC is processed by the digital image signal generation unit 42. A delay is added to some extent, and the synchronization timing is delayed as shown in FIG.

When the video section 30 simply performs the operation of recording the photographed image, the recording image signal V shown in FIG.
_It suffices to perform processing with the synchronization signal for _REC as a reference. However, if the output operation of the reproduced image in the video unit 30 is accompanied, the video controller 31 is reproduced monochrome still picture signal PB _Y or reproduced color video signal PB
The output of _{Y / C} is synchronized with the synchronizing signal of the monitor image signal V _M as shown in FIG.

For example, when the reproduced color moving image signal PBY _{/ C} is output for performing reproduction monitoring with the viewfinder 19 or the like, the monitor image signal V _M is the synchronization signal in the camera unit 10 in the monitor image signal generation unit 44. However, in this case, the video controller 31 uses the sync signal of the monitor image signal V _M to
For example, a reproduction processing clock synchronized with the monitor image signal V _M is generated by a PLL circuit or the like, and this is used as a reference for reproduction output.

Then, the reproduction processing clock is applied to the servo circuit 38 as a reference clock to lock the servo operation of the data read operation from the magnetic tape 90. That is, the reproduction servo operation is locked in a state of being synchronized with the monitor image signal V _M (image signal relating to processing in the camera unit 10). The reproduced image data read from the magnetic tape 90 is written in the frame memory 32, but the video controller 31 uses this reproduction processing clock for the read operation from the frame memory 32, and the reproduced image data is supplied to the monitor image signal generation unit 44. Color video signal PBY _{/ C}
Is in a state synchronized with the processing in the monitor image signal generation unit 44 as shown in FIG.

Consider the operation of recording the recording image signal V _REC on the magnetic tape while displaying the composite image on the viewfinder 19 or the like. This time is used in the composite image generating first in the video unit 30 reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y
Data of a certain image frame is reproduced from the magnetic tape and written in the frame memory 32.
Then, stop the writing and reproducing operation to the frame memory 32, and executes output of the playback monochrome still picture signal PB _Y by going repeatedly outputs one frame of the Y signal data stored in the frame memory 32 The monitor image signal generator 44 causes the composite image to be generated. Thereafter, when the recording operation is started, while continuing the reproduction monochrome output of the still image signal PB _Y from the frame memory 32, the recording to continue operating the recording image signal V _REC coming inputted to the magnetic tape It will be.

Also at this time, regarding the read operation from the frame memory 32, the reproduction processing clock (or the synchronization signal of the recording image signal V _REC) generated by the PLL circuit or the like into which the synchronization signal of the monitor image signal V _M is injected is injected. 4 from the clock generated by the PLL circuit etc.
(A) The monitor image signal generation unit 44 is caused to execute the read operation from the frame memory 32 using the reproduction processing clock generated by advancing the phase so as to correct the timing difference shown in (b). Play monochrome still picture signal PB _Y to be supplied, in a state of being synchronized to the process of the monitor image signal generation portion 44 as shown in FIG. 4 (c).

Next, in the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, particularly a mix of reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y and the photographed image (a color video signal), such as a view finder 19 to generate a monitor image signal V _M as synthesized image The operation of displaying at will be described.

In this case, a normal photographing operation is performed as the operation of the camera unit 10, and the camera image luminance signal Y _CA and the camera image chroma signal C _CA are thereby supplied to the monitor image signal generation unit 44. As the operation of the video unit 30, for example, the background image corresponding to the subject currently being photographed (the image previously photographed and recorded on the magnetic tape 90) is processed by the camera unit 10 as described above. relative read from the frame memory 32 in a state of being synchronized, is supplied to the monitor image signal generation unit 44 as a reproduced monochrome still picture signal PB _Y.

The composite image (and the above-mentioned photographing monitor image,
The configuration of the monitor image signal generation unit 44 for forming the monitor image signal V _M as the reproduction monitor image) is as shown in FIG. That is, the freeze mode switch 51 and the multiplication circuit 5
2, 53, adder 54, synchronization removal circuit 55, adder 5
6, synchronization adding circuit 57, camera / playback mode switch 5
8, a character composition unit 59, and an amplifier 60.

The case of generating a composite image is the case where the camera mode is set by the camera / playback mode signal MD and the freeze mode is set by the freeze mode signal FMD. When the camera mode is set by the camera / playback mode signal MD, the camera / playback mode switch 58 is connected to the TC terminal. When the freeze mode is set by the freeze mode signal FMD, the freeze mode switch 51 is connected to the TF terminal.

The supplied camera image luminance signal Y _CA is given a gain based on the coefficient K in the multiplication circuit 52, and is supplied to the adder 54. The reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y from the video unit 30, the gain is given based on the coefficient (1-K) multiplication circuit 53 via the freeze mode switch 51, is supplied to the adder 54. Camera image luminance signal Y and the reproduced monochrome still picture signal PB _Y from the adder 54 in multiplier circuit 52 and 53 so that the image signal synthesized is generated. The combined image signal is supplied to the synchronization removal circuit 55.

The sync removal circuit 55 is supplied with the sync removal timing signal BL _T and the sync removal level signal BL _LV . The sync removal timing signal BL _T is a vertical sync signal in the so-called vertical blanking period, and 1 It is a signal indicating the timing for all horizontal synchronization signals in each horizontal cycle. For example, the vertical sync signal VD from the sync generator 24
And the horizontal synchronization signal HD, the synchronization removal timing signal BL _T can be generated by slightly widening the timing width of each synchronization signal.

The sync removal circuit 55 performs processing for cutting the image signal and replacing it with the sync removal level signal BL _LV in the timing period defined by the sync removal timing signal BL _T. The synchronization removal level signal BL _LV may be a signal having a level corresponding to the pedestal level of the image signal, for example. As a result, the vertical sync signal VD and the horizontal sync signal HD that existed at the time of being input to the sync removal circuit 55.
Are all removed.

The output of the synchronization removing circuit 55 is supplied to the adder 56. The camera image chroma signal C _CA is also supplied to the adder 56, and the output of the synchronization removal circuit 55 and the camera image chroma signal C _CA are combined. In other words, reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y at this stage, the camera image luminance signal Y _CA, three cameras image the chroma signal C _CA but are synthesized, the synthesis of monochrome still picture of the reproduced image and a color moving image shooting image is performed It will be. However, since the vertical sync signal VD and the horizontal sync signal HD are removed by the sync removal circuit 55, the vertical sync signal VD and the horizontal sync signal HD are newly added by the sync addition circuit 57. Synchronization adding circuit 57
Is supplied with a sync signal SYNC (vertical sync signal VD, horizontal sync signal HD) from the sync generator 24, which is added to the composite image signal.

A process of removing the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the horizontal synchronizing signal HD by the synchronization removing circuit 55 and newly adding the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the horizontal synchronizing signal HD by the synchronization adding circuit 57 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] supplied from the video unit 30 in a state where reproduction is monochrome still picture signal PB _Y is synchronized with the synchronizing signal of the camera unit 10 side as described above. Therefore, the reproduced monochrome still image signal P
The timings of the synchronizing signals in B _Y and the camera image luminance signal Y _CA are substantially in agreement with each other, but may be slightly deviated due to the influence of delay time differences in various circuit stages. Then, it is assumed that there is a FIGS. 5 (a) slight shift in the timing of the synchronizing signals between the reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y and the camera image luminance signal Y _CA as (b), for example. Then, the synchronization signal becomes as shown in FIG. 5C at the time of combination by the adder 54. If this is output as the monitor image signal V _M in this state, it is displayed on the monitor display side such as the viewfinder 19. The image may be distorted.

Therefore, the synchronization removing circuit 55 cuts the image signal based on the synchronization removal timing signal BL _T and replaces it with the synchronization removal level signal BL _LV .
The signal state is as shown in (d). Then, the synchronization adding circuit 57 newly adds the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the horizontal synchronizing signal HD to obtain the state as shown in FIG. 5E, so that the proper synchronizing signal state is realized in the composite image, and the monitor image is displayed. It is possible to eliminate the disorder.

[0064] Also in this embodiment, is basically in a state synchronization has been taken, the timing of the synchronization signal that substantially matched between the reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y and the camera image luminance signal Y _CA Therefore, the synchronization removal operation can be performed easily and accurately at the synchronization signal timing of both. Therefore, it is not necessary to take a complicated circuit configuration.

The composite image signal to which the synchronization signal SYNC has been added by the synchronization adding circuit 57 is the camera / playback mode switch 5
It is supplied to the character synthesizing unit 59 via 8. For the character synthesizing unit 59, the character generator 23
Character signal CR and character on signal CR from
_ON is supplied, and the character signal CR is superimposed on the composite image signal during the period in which the character _ON signal CR _ON instructs the character superimposition. The horizontal synchronizing signal HD and the clamp pulse CL are used for this superposition processing.
P is supplied, the composite image signal is pedestal clamped based on the clamp pulse CLP, and then the character signal CR is superimposed at a timing based on the horizontal synchronizing signal HD.

The composite image signal output from the character composition section 59 is amplified by the amplifier 60 and output from the monitor image signal generation section 44 as the monitor image signal V _M. As a result, an image in which the color moving image being captured is superimposed on the monochrome still image from the video unit 30 is displayed on the viewfinder 19 or the like.

In general, still images have better visibility than moving images, and color images have better visibility than monochrome images. In the case of this example, a reproduced image that is a still image with relatively good visibility is a black and white image with relatively poor visibility, and a captured image that is a moving image with relatively poor visibility is relatively visible. Since the composition is performed as a good color image, the visibility of both is improved while the visibility is balanced.

In the case of this example, the camera image luminance signal Y _CA
Is given a gain based on the coefficient K in the multiplication circuit 52,
The reproducing monochrome still picture signal PB _Y from the video unit 30 in terms of gains based on the coefficient (1-K) multiplication circuit 53 is given, it is synthesizing process. The coefficient K and the coefficient (1-K) are variable according to the mix ratio control signal SK from the camera controller 21. As described above, the mix ratio control signal SK is output according to the operation from the operation unit 22. That is, when the reproduced image and the captured image are combined, the composition ratio can be arbitrarily set by the photographer or the like.

Therefore, when it is desired to mainly view the reproduced image while monitoring the composite image, the composition ratio on the reproduced image side is increased, and when mainly the photographed image is desired to be viewed. It is possible to perform an operation of increasing the composition ratio on the captured image side, and it is possible to flexibly improve the visibility of the desired person at each occasion.

Although the combining ratio is changed by changing the gains in the multiplying circuits 52 and 53, more simply, combining is performed through a variable resistor to change the resistance ratios of both signals. You may do it. In this case, it is conceivable that the operation unit 22 is provided with a knob in the form of a so-called operation volume so that the variable resistance unit is directly operated by the operation to change the composition ratio.

The composite image signal is provided with a sync signal by the sync addition circuit 57, that is, is supplied to the character synthesizing section 59 in a state of being completely synchronized with the processing in the camera section 10. Therefore, the character generator 2
When the character signal CR from 3 is superimposed, the character signal CR can be superimposed exactly as in the case of a normal captured monitor image. Thereby, it is easy to execute the character display for informing the freeze mode, for example.

By the way, when the monitor image signal V _{M is} to be a normal photographing monitor image, the camera / playback mode signal M
The camera mode is set by D, the camera / playback mode switch 58 is connected to the TC terminal, and the freeze mode signal FMD is turned off.
Is connected to the TN terminal.

Therefore, the camera image luminance signal Y _CA passes through the multiplication circuits 52 and 53 and the adder 54 with a gain of 1,
It is combined with the camera image chroma signal C _CA by the adder 56 via the synchronization removal circuit 55. Then, the synchronization adding circuit 57, the camera / playback mode switch 58, the character synthesizing unit 5
9. The monitor image signal V _M of only the color moving image captured image is output via the amplifier 60. In this case, the multiplication circuits 52 and 53, the adder 54, the synchronization removal circuit 55, and the synchronization addition circuit 57 are practically unnecessary, so a signal system for bypassing them may be provided.

When the monitor image signal V _M is used as the reproduction monitor image, the reproduction mode is set by the camera / reproduction mode signal MD, and the camera / reproduction mode switch 58 is set to T.
Connected to P terminal. As a result, the reproduced color moving image signal PBY _{/ C} from the video unit 30 is output as the monitor image signal V _M of only the reproduced image of the color moving image through the camera / reproduction mode switch 58, the character synthesizing unit 59, and the amplifier 60. .

In this case, as described above, the reproduced color moving image signal PBY _{/ C} is supplied in synchronization with the processing in the camera section 10.
It is possible to properly perform the superimposing process of the character images by the character synthesizing unit 59, and therefore, even during the reproduction monitor.
Character display can be easily performed without providing a dedicated character generator on the video unit 30 side. Further, since the reproduced color moving image signal PBY _{/ C} is synchronized, the image is not disturbed even when the monitor operation of the reproduced image is switched to the monitor operation of the captured image.

Even when the reproduced image is monitored in this manner, the sync signal is removed and the sync signal is added to the reproduced color moving image signal PBY _{/ C} so that the monitor image signal in the completely synchronized state is obtained. V _M may be generated.

Although not applicable to this example, for example, when a reproduced color moving image signal and a captured color moving image signal are combined, or when a reproduced color still image signal and a captured color moving image signal are combined, a reproduced black and white moving image signal and a captured color moving image signal are combined. In any combination of synthesis, such as when synthesizing video signals,
It is preferable to apply the synchronization signal removal and the synchronization signal addition as in this example.

[0078]

As described above, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the reproducing means detects the synchronizing signal for the photographed image signal output from the photographing means, and the output timing of the reproduced image signal is determined on the basis of the synchronizing signal. By the adjustment, the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal are supplied to the monitor image generation means in a synchronized state. By thus synchronizing the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal with each other, the synthesizing process of the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal can be simplified, the circuit scale can be reduced, and the downsizing of the photographing apparatus can be promoted. it can. Further, it is also suitable for superimposing a signal by a character generation unit or the like on the side of a captured image signal.

Further, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, when the photographed image signal and the reproduced image signal are combined and output as the display image signal, the combination ratio of the photographed image signal and the reproduced image signal can be variably set. . Therefore, there is an effect that the visibility of each of the captured image signal and the reproduced image signal can be flexibly controlled on the composite image, and the visibility of each can be improved as necessary.

Further, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, when the photographed image signal and the reproduced image signal are combined and output as the display image signal, the photographed image signal is combined with the color moving image image and the reproduced image signal is combined with the monochrome still image image. I am trying to do it. This has the effect of improving the visibility of both while maintaining the balance of visibility.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a video encoder of the image capturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a monitor image signal generation unit of the image capturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a synchronous reproduction operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of synchronization removal and synchronization addition operation according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 camera section, 11 lens section, 12 CCD, 13
Amplification / gain adjustment unit, 14 A / D converter, 15 process circuit, 16 video encoder, 17 timing generation unit, 18 drive circuit, 19 viewfinder, 21 camera controller, 22 operation unit, 23
Character generator, 24 Sync generation section, 30 Video section, 31 Video controller, 32 Frame memory, 33 Encode / Decode section, 34 Sync detection section, 35 Head section, 36, 43 D / A converter, 37
Tape running system, 28 servo circuit, 41 matrix circuit, 42 digital image signal generation unit, 44 monitor image signal generation unit, 51 freeze mode switch, 52,
53 multiplication circuit, 54, 56 adder, 55 sync removal circuit, 57 sync addition circuit, 58 camera / playback mode switch, 59 character composition section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A photographing means capable of performing an image photographing operation and outputting a photographed image signal, and a reproduction capable of outputting a reproduced image signal by performing a reproducing operation with respect to a recording medium on which the image signal is recorded. Means, and a monitor image generation means capable of individually or synthesizing the photographed image signal output from the photographing means and the reproduced image signal output from the reproducing means, and outputting the resultant as a display image signal. The reproducing means detects a synchronization signal for the captured image signal output from the capturing means, and adjusts the output timing of the reproduction image signal with the synchronization signal as a reference to obtain the captured image signal and the reproduction image signal. The image pickup device is characterized in that the image is supplied to the monitor image generation means in a synchronized state. 2. A photographing means capable of performing an image photographing operation and outputting a photographed image signal, and a reproduction capable of performing a reproducing operation on a recording medium having an image signal recorded thereon and outputting a reproduced image signal. Means for combining the photographed image signal output from the photographing means and the reproduced image signal output from the reproducing means and outputting the combined image signal as a display image signal, and combining processing of the photographed image signal and the reproduced image signal. And a monitor image generating means capable of variably setting the composition ratio in the case of. 3. A photographing means capable of performing an image photographing operation to output a color photographed image signal as a moving image, and a reproducing operation with respect to a recording medium on which the image signal is recorded, and at least a monochrome as a still image. A reproducing unit capable of outputting a reproduced image signal, a color photographed image signal outputted from the photographing unit and a monochrome reproduced image signal outputted from the reproducing unit can be combined and outputted as an image signal for display. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a monitor image generation unit.