JPH10173969A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device with excellent operability in the case of attaching/detaching a tripod or the like to/from the image pickup device. SOLUTION: In the case of detecting power interruption of the image pickup device main body (S1), whether or not the main body is fixed to a tripod is discriminated (S2), when discriminated to be fixed, an image pickup setting condition before interruption of power is stored in an EEPROM and stored therein till succeeding power application (S3), and when discriminated not to be fixed, the image pickup setting condition before interruption of power is reset (S4).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a camera-integrated VTR having a function of detecting the presence or absence of a tripod or the like for fixing a main body.
And the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

(Conventional Example of First Type) Conventionally, in a so-called camera-integrated VTR in which a camera unit and a VTR unit for recording and reproducing the same are integrated, there are various methods for backing up data and the like at the time of shooting. For example, when the power switch is turned off, all or a part of the data is stored or all are reset, or when the battery is removed, all or part of the data is stored similarly. Some of them are present and some are resetting. In many cases, these methods are determined depending on the assumed user and personality of the model. As a means for backing up data when the battery is removed, the RAM of a microcomputer that operates with a sub-battery
Or in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM.

In any case, the state of backup or reset changes when a power-related switch including a standby switch or the like is operated or when a battery is replaced.

A camera-integrated VTR having a function to correct camera shake, especially in hand-held shooting, that is, a so-called camera shake prevention function has appeared. A device capable of detecting whether or not a state is present has also been proposed.

[0005] On the other hand, when a tripod or the like is attached to a video camera to which a tripod or the like for fixing a video camera main body can be attached, an operation mode of the video camera such as taking out a cassette tape is performed. Some operation modes cannot be performed because a tripod is mounted. In this type of video camera, the operation mode is disabled because a tripod or the like is attached. The switch for operating the video camera body is placed in a place where the switch cannot be physically pressed when the tripod is attached.

[0006]

By the way, considering a situation in which an image is fixed on a tripod or the like, an image can be taken at a wedding ceremony or a presentation, and the lighting conditions are basically constant. Therefore, even if the power switch is turned off or the battery is replaced for power saving, it is desirable to back up the previous photographing data. However, in the above-mentioned conventional example of the first type, there is a case where the reset is performed at this time, and it is necessary to set the optimum photographing conditions again.

However, when photographing without fixing to a tripod, the lighting conditions often change because the range of action is free. Therefore, when the power switch is turned off / on, it is better to reset the previous photographing data without backing it up. However, in the above-described first example of the first type, there is a case where backup is performed at this time.

On the other hand, in the second type of the prior art, the switch for setting the operation mode of the video camera main body in which the operation of the video camera main body is disabled when the tripod is mounted is operated by the operator when the tripod is mounted. Is placed where it cannot be physically pressed so that it cannot be operated. For this reason, there has been a problem that the arrangement of the switches is limited.

The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus with good operability when a tripod or the like is attached or detached.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an image pickup apparatus is configured as described in the following (1) to (8).

(1) Power-off detecting means for detecting that the power of the imaging apparatus main body has been turned off from on, and fixed detecting means for detecting that the imaging apparatus main body is fixed to a tripod or the like. When the power-off detection unit detects power-off, when the fixed detection unit detects that it is fixed, maintain the shooting setting conditions before the power is turned off, An image pickup apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control so as to reset a setting condition for photographing before the power is turned off, when the fixing detection unit does not detect the fixation.

(2) Power-off detecting means for detecting that the power of the imaging apparatus main body has been turned off from the on state, and an operation mode input for inputting an operation mode including a tripod fixed mode to the imaging apparatus main body. Means, when the power off detection means detects the power off, when the tripod fixed mode is input by the operation mode input means,
The setting conditions for shooting before the power is turned off are maintained, and the setting conditions for shooting before the power is turned off are reset when the tripod fixed mode is not input by the operation mode input unit. Imaging device provided with control means for performing such control.

(3) The power-off detecting means detects the power switch of the imaging apparatus main body being turned off.
Or the imaging device according to (2).

(4) The imaging apparatus according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the power-off detecting means detects that the power supply battery of the imaging apparatus main body is removed.

(5) Fixed detection means for detecting that the imaging device main body is fixed to the tripod, operation mode input means for inputting an operation mode to the imaging device main body, and being fixed by the fixed detection means. An image capturing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform control so as to limit the input of some of the operation modes input by the operation mode input unit when the operation mode is detected.

(6) There is provided display means for displaying the operation state of the imaging apparatus main body, and the control means displays a warning on the display means when restricting the input of some operation modes. 5) The imaging device according to the above.

(7) The fixed detecting means is a vibration detecting sensor of the camera shake correcting means of the image pickup apparatus main body.
(5) The imaging device according to (6).

(8) The fixation detecting means is a switch interlocked with the fixation of the main body of the imaging apparatus.
The imaging device according to (6).

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to embodiments of a "camera-integrated VTR" and a "video camera".

[0020]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) FIG.
TR "is a block diagram. In the figure, 1 is a lens, 2 is C
An image pickup unit such as a CD; 3, a camera signal processing block;
Is a microcomputer, 6 is an EEPROM, 7 is a power switch, 8
Is a main battery, 9 is an IC for detecting the presence / absence of the main battery 8, and 10 is a gyro sensor (vibration detection sensor) of camera shake correction means. Reference numeral 11 denotes a recorder signal processing block. Reference numeral 12 denotes a camera-related key group such as focus, exposure, shutter speed, and white balance.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
Light passing through the lens 1 is converted into an electric signal by the CCD 2 and sent to the camera signal processing block 3. Camera key group 12
Is input to the microcomputer 4 and the microcomputer 4 gives an instruction to the camera signal processing block 3 in accordance with the operation. The video signal from the camera signal processing block 3 is recorded in a recorder signal processing block 1 so as to be recorded on a magnetic medium or the like.
Sent to 1. The battery detection IC 9 is a camera-integrated V
It detects the presence or absence of the main battery 8 that supplies power to the TR. The input battery outputs an "H" level when the input voltage is higher than a certain voltage value, and outputs an "L" level when the input voltage is lower than a certain voltage value. This is a so-called comparator. IC9
And the switch 7 are input to the microcomputer 5. Also E
The EPROM 6 stores various data such as photographing data from the microcomputer 4, and is written and read by the microcomputer 5. The microcomputer 5 is a microcomputer that can operate with a sub-battery such as a coin-type lithium battery (not shown) without the main battery 8. The microcomputers 4 and 5 are connected by a communication line. Further, information from the gyro sensor 10 for detecting shaking as in the above-described conventional example is input to the microcomputer 4, and the microcomputer 4 analyzes the information and determines whether or not the main body is fixed to a tripod or the like. The result is transmitted to the microcomputer 5.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the main battery 8 is mounted, and the power switch 7
Is on and the body is in operation. Microcomputer 5
First, in step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1), it is determined whether the power switch 7 is turned off or the main battery 8 is removed. If neither has been done, the normal operation is continued. If either is operated, S2
To see if the main body is fixed to a tripod or the like based on the information from the microcomputer 4. S3 if fixed
The microcomputer 5 stores data such as photographing data in the EEPROM 6 and then enters a standby state. If it is determined in S2 that the camera is not fixed to a tripod or the like, the process proceeds to S4 and EE
After resetting the photographing data of the PROM 6 to the default, the apparatus enters a standby state. Then, when the power switch 7 is turned on again or the main battery 8 is attached, the microcomputer 5 reads the data of the EEPROM 6 and sends the photographing data to the microcomputer 4.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, various photographing data can be backed up if the main body is fixed to a tripod or the like without being operated by the power switch or the operation of attaching / detaching the main battery. In the situation, the data is set to a default value by the above operation, so that there is an effect that optimal photographing can always be performed according to the situation. In addition, the means for detecting whether or not the camera is fixed to a tripod or the like can use the configuration of the anti-vibration function as it is, and does not require a newly added device, so that cost and space are not increased.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a "camera-integrated VTR" which is Embodiment 2. The difference from the first embodiment is that a mechanical switch 13 is provided instead of the gyro sensor 10. Here mechanical switch 1
A switch 3 is pressed when the main body is fixed to a tripod. The operation flowchart of this embodiment is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, even in a camera-integrated VTR having no image stabilizing function, there is an effect that, as in the first embodiment, optimum photographing can always be carried out in a situation similar to that of the first embodiment with a simple configuration in which only the switch 13 is added. .

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a "camera-integrated VTR" which is Embodiment 3. In this embodiment, there is no gyro sensor 10 of the first embodiment and no mechanical switch 13 for detecting a tripod of the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a group of keys necessary for a so-called menu operation, which can turn on / off a menu screen, move and execute a cursor, and the like. FIG. 5 shows a case where the menu screen is displayed on a viewfinder or the like (not shown) using the menu key 14. When the menu screen is fixed to a tripod or the like, "Yes" is selected, and otherwise, "No" is selected. Keep it. The operation flowchart is shown in FIG.
Is the same as

According to the present embodiment, even if there is no switch for detecting the image stabilizing function or the tripod, most of the camera-integrated V
By using the menu function provided in TR,
There is an effect that the tripod mode can be set freely, and optimal shooting suited to the situation can be performed.

(Other Embodiments Related to the First to Third Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, an example of a camera-integrated VTR has been described. However, a camera unit alone may be used. In S1 of FIG. 2, the operation of the power switch and the operation of attaching and detaching the battery are equally considered. For example, when the tripod is fixed, the battery is backed up when the battery is replaced, but the power off / on may be reset. Alternatively, the reverse may be performed. Further, it may be set to the user's preference on the aforementioned menu screen.

In the third embodiment, the selection as to whether or not the camera is fixed to a tripod or the like is made on the menu screen. However, this may be a switch such as a slide switch.

EE is used as data backup means.
The present invention is not limited to the PROM, and may be stored in the RAM of the microcomputer using a sub-battery. The data is not limited to photographing data.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a "video camera" which is Embodiment 4. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a lens for inputting a subject image;
CCD for converting the input from 1 into an imaging signal; 43, a camera signal processing unit for converting the imaging signal into a video signal by performing processing such as AE; 44, an AF control unit; 45, an output of a display signal generation circuit 47; A video signal processing unit for synthesizing the video signal and outputting it to the viewfinder unit 46; 46, a viewfinder unit for displaying the video signal; 47, a display signal generating circuit for displaying the status of the video camera as characters; Is a system control unit, 49 is a tripod detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a tripod or the like that fixes the video camera body, and 50 is a key input unit that controls the operation of the video camera by the video camera operator.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment. The processing according to this flowchart is performed by a CPU (not shown) of the system control unit 48. The operation will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

When the operator attaches the video camera to the tripod to which the video camera body is fixed, the tripod detecting section 49
The system control unit 48 can know whether a video camera is attached to a tripod that fixes the video camera body.
The operator controls the operation of the video camera by operating the key input unit 50 to operate the video camera (S71). When an operation instruction is received from the key input unit 50 by the operator, the system control unit 48 determines the presence or absence of a tripod by the tripod detection unit 49 (S72). If yes, the operation of the video camera is restricted by the tripod. Although no operation instruction is accepted (S74), an operation that is not restricted is accepted (S73). If there is no tripod, all operation instructions are received (S73).

The presence or absence of a tripod is determined as in the first embodiment.
The determination may be made based on the output of the vibration detection sensor of the camera shake correction unit, or as in the second embodiment, the determination may be made based on the on / off state of a mechanical switch that is interlocked with the mounting of the tripod.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By judging the presence or absence of a tripod, and in the presence of the tripod, an operation instruction in which the operation of the video camera is restricted by the attachment of the tripod is not accepted, thereby providing an effect of preventing unnecessary video camera operation errors.

(Fifth Embodiment) This embodiment is a modification of the fourth embodiment, in which a warning display is displayed when a restricted operation mode is instructed. The hardware configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. The same is true. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the operator attaches the video camera to the tripod to which the video camera body is fixed, the tripod detecting section 49
The system control unit 48 can know whether a video camera is attached to a tripod that fixes the video camera body.
The operator controls the operation of the video camera by operating the key input unit 50 to operate the video camera (S71). When an operation instruction of the video camera comes from the key input unit 50 by the operator, the system control unit 48
The tripod detector 49 determines whether a tripod is present or not (S7).
2) If yes, the operation instruction that the operation of the video camera is prohibited by the tripod is disabled (S7).
4) Also, the system control unit 48 controls the display signal generation circuit 47
Is instructed to warn the operator, and a warning display is displayed on the viewfinder 46 (S75). If there is no tripod, all operation instructions are received (S75).

FIG. 9 shows warning display contents displayed on the viewfinder section 46.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
By judging the presence or absence of a tripod, if there is, when the operator operates an operation instruction in which the operation of the video camera is restricted by mounting the tripod, by displaying a warning display that alerts the operator, This has the effect that the reason for the non-acceptance becomes clear to the operator.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Operability when attaching and detaching a tripod or the like can be improved.
More specifically, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first to fourth, seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, when it is desired to keep the photographing setting state as it is, even if the power switch is turned off for power saving or the main battery is replaced, the previous state is restored. There is no need to reset the state, and there is no chance of missing a record. Also, in situations such as shooting conditions that are constantly changing due to handheld shooting, etc., always switch to the initial setting value even when the power switch is turned off to save power or replace the main battery. Can be.

Further, since only a software change of the microcomputer is required without adding almost any circuit or component to the conventional configuration, it is possible to always carry out optimal photographing without increasing cost and space.

According to the fifth to eighth aspects of the present invention, the presence or absence of a tripod is determined, and if so, an operation instruction in which the operation of the imaging device is restricted by the tripod is not accepted, thereby causing an operation error. Can be prevented. According to the invention described in claim 6, when there is an operation instruction in which the operation of the imaging device is restricted by the tripod, a warning display urging the operator's attention is displayed, so that the operator cannot accept the instruction. The reason becomes clear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a viewfinder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4, 5 microcomputer 6 EEPROM 7 power switch 8 main battery 10 gyro sensor

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A power-off detecting means for detecting that a power supply of an imaging apparatus main body is turned off from a power-on state,
When the imaging device main body is fixed to a tripod or the like, and when the power-off detection unit detects that the power-off is detected by the power-off detection unit, when the fixed detection unit detects that the imaging device body is fixed, If the fixing condition is not detected by the fixation detecting means, the setting condition of the photographing before the power is turned off is maintained, and the setting condition of the photographing before the power is turned off is reset. An imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform control as described above. 2. A power-off detecting means for detecting that the power of the imaging apparatus main body has been turned off from a power-on state;
An operation mode input unit for inputting an operation mode including a tripod fixed mode to the imaging apparatus main body, and when the power-off detection unit detects power off, the tripod fixed mode is input by the operation mode input unit. When the power is turned off, the shooting setting conditions before the power is turned off are maintained, and when the tripod fixed mode is not input by the operation mode input unit, the shooting setting before the power is turned off is set. An imaging device comprising: a control unit configured to control a condition to be reset. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power-off detection means detects that a power switch of the imaging apparatus main body is turned off. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power-off detection unit detects that a power supply battery of the imaging apparatus main body is removed. 5. A fixed detection means for detecting that the imaging device main body is fixed to a tripod, an operation mode input means for inputting an operation mode to the imaging device main body, and being fixed by the fixed detection means. An image pickup apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the input of a part of the operation modes among the operation modes input by the operation mode input means when detecting the operation mode. 6. A display device for displaying an operation state of the imaging apparatus main body, wherein the control unit displays a warning on the display unit when input of a part of the operation mode is restricted. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixed detection means is a vibration detection sensor of a camera shake correction means of the image pickup apparatus main body. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation detecting means is a switch that is linked to fixing of the imaging device main body.