JPH1070675A - Valid area display method and display device for view finder of video camera having aspect ratio conversion function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend a visual field of a photographer with image information of an area not in use actually by conducting display in a way that different aspect ratio areas are clearly distinct in the specific aspect ratio mode. SOLUTION: In the case of image pickup, image signals obtained from a CCD image pickup element whose aspect ratio is 16:9 are all shown to a photographer so as to allow the photographer to accurately discriminate an image pickup range in the case of segmenting the image of the area whose aspect ratio is 4:3. In order to conduct it, in the case of segmenting the image of the area whose aspect ratio is 4:3, a marker or other representing an image segmentation range is displayed on a display screen of a view finder(VF) whose aspect ratio is 16:9. That is, a couple of area markers 33, 34 consisting of double frame lines denoting the image segmentation range are displayed onto the VF whose aspect ratio is 16:9 in the case of the 4:3 aspect ratio mode. Thus, the image signals obtained by the CCD image pickup element are all received without waste.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
An image is taken using the 6: 9 imaging device, an image is cut out in an area of 4: 3 aspect ratio, and when the image is sent to a VF (viewfinder), an image before the cutout is displayed. The present invention relates to a method for displaying an effective area of a view finder in which operability at the time of photographing is improved by allowing a marker to determine an area to be extracted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a video camera is provided with an image sensor having an aspect ratio of 16: 9, and a VF (viewfinder) used by a photographer to confirm a photographing range.
In most cases, the aspect ratio was 4: 3. In addition, since the monitor (display) screen of the captured image usually has an aspect ratio of 4: 3, the recording signal (main line signal) is also changed from an image having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 to an aspect ratio of 4: 3. It is necessary to extract the image of. Therefore, conventionally, an image pickup device having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 is provided, an image of an aspect ratio of 4: 3 area in the internal region is extracted and transmitted, and a signal for VF and a signal for recording (main line signal) are output. A video camera having a function of extracting each of them independently is used.

However, recently, the aspect ratio is 16: 9.
Are increasing, and a type having a VF aspect ratio of 16: 9 is being developed. Here, a conventional video camera having a function capable of extracting an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 will be briefly described with reference to the drawings. This video camera has an aspect ratio of 1.
It has a CCD image sensor that can take 6: 9 images,
The aspect ratio of the image shown on the VF screen is 4: 3.
Therefore, the range of the VF screen that can be seen by the photographer and the range that is actually photographed, that is, the recording signal (main line signal)
Image range is different.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a main part configuration of a conventional video camera having a function of extracting an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3. In the reference numerals in the drawing, 1 is a three-plate CCD imaging unit, 1R is an R (red) CCD imaging device, and 1G is G
(Green) CCD image sensor, 1B is B (blue) CCD
The image sensor 2, 2 is a video amplifier unit, 3 is an aspect ratio conversion circuit, 4 is a matrix circuit, R, G, B are red,
Green and blue imaging signals (color signals), Y is a luminance signal, RY,
BY represents a color difference signal, and VFY represents a luminance signal for a viewfinder.

[0005] The video camera shown in FIG. 5 is composed of components having the following functions. 3-board CC
The D imaging unit 1 includes a lens for condensing incident light, a prism for separating condensed light into light of three color bands by a difference in refractive index, and a CCD element group for photoelectrically converting each light. Then, image signals R, G, and B of three colors are output. The video amplifier unit 2 amplifies the image pickup signals R, G, B of these three colors and outputs them to the aspect ratio conversion circuit 3. In the aspect ratio conversion circuit 3, the input three-color imaging signals R,
The G / B aspect ratio is converted from 16: 9 to 4: 3 and output to the matrix circuit 4. Matrix circuit (or γ circuit: RGB / Y color difference converter)
4, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY, B are obtained from the imaging signals R, G, B given from the aspect ratio conversion circuit 3.
-Y is generated and output as a recording signal (main line signal system), and a viewfinder luminance signal VFY is generated and output to VF. Accordingly, the matrix circuit 4 generates two signal systems, a recording signal system (main line signal system) and a VF signal system (viewfinder signal system). Thus, in the conventional video camera,
The three color imaging signals R, G, and B are input to the matrix circuit 4, that is, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY,
At a stage before the conversion into BY, a process of converting the aspect ratio of 16: 9 to 4: 3 (hereinafter, referred to as a conversion process of 16: 9/4: 3) is performed. Therefore, the image signal truncated at the time of the aspect ratio conversion cannot be reproduced thereafter, so that the photographer cannot confirm the truncated image signal (information), and the amount of information is lost. Result. This relationship will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional VF for an aspect ratio of 4: 3.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the size of a screen and how the photographer sees the image. In the figure, is a CCD captured image, is a VF cutout image in the aspect ratio 16: 9 mode, is a VF cutout image in the aspect ratio 4: 3 mode, and 11 and 1.
A broken line 2 indicates a boundary of an image area having an aspect ratio of 4: 3.

As described above, since the video camera is provided with the CCD image pickup device (three-plate CCD image pickup unit 1 in FIG. 5) capable of taking an image with an aspect ratio of 16: 9, it is shown in FIG. Such a CCD image is obtained. On the other hand, V
Since the aspect ratio of the screen of F is 4: 3, the center area surrounded by two broken lines 11 and 12 is displayed on the screen in the VF in the CCD captured image. When viewing a signal for 16: 9 (aspect ratio 16: 9)
In 9 mode), as shown in FIG. 6, the image in the VF was used in a form reduced in the V direction (vertical direction).
In the 16: 9 mode, all images can be viewed in the VF. On the other hand, when a signal for 4: 3 is viewed (in the aspect ratio of 4: 3 mode), a method of displaying the entire screen of the 4: 3 area in the VF as shown in FIG. Has been adopted. That is, broken lines 11 and 12 in FIG.
The display in which the image in the truncated area outside of is not reproduced is performed.

As described above, conventionally, the aspect ratio of a CCD image is 16: 9. However, since the aspect ratio of the monitor screen is mainly 4: 3, the VF is also used for the aspect ratio of 4: 3. Had been used. Then, when the captured image is cut out to the aspect ratio of 4: 3, the image display range becomes the entire area of the 4: 3 area in the VF, so that the cut-out area is displayed without being reproduced (see FIG. 6). Has the advantage that it is easier for the photographer to see. However, recently, monitors (displays) for an aspect ratio of 16: 9 have become mainstream, and VFs for an aspect ratio of 16: 9 have begun to be developed. The VF for the aspect ratio of 16: 9 has an aspect ratio of 16: 9.
This is suitable for recording the image of (1). However, in the case of recording an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, which has been widely used in the past, the aspect ratio of a CCD captured image is 16: 9.
Since the process of extracting the internal area 4: 3 area from the image is performed, the photographer cannot accurately determine the area having the aspect ratio 4: 3 in the VF image area.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a state in which information is lost due to a VF for an aspect ratio of 16: 9. In the figure,
Indicates a CCD image, a cut-out image of a recording signal in an aspect ratio of 16: 9 mode, and an aspect ratio of 4:
This figure shows a cut-out image of a recording signal in the 3 mode, and reference numerals 11 and 12 are the same as those in FIG.

An image picked up by a CCD has an aspect ratio of 16: 9.
As shown in FIG. 7, the aspect ratio is 1
A 6: 9 image is displayed. If the image of the recording signal (monitor screen) has an aspect ratio of 16: 9, the same image area as the VF is recorded as shown in FIG. However, in the case of the aspect ratio 4: 3 mode, the VF for the aspect ratio of 16: 9 displays all the CCD imaged images of the aspect ratio of 16: 9 as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the outside of broken lines 11 and 12 is chipped. That is, in the aspect ratio 4: 3 mode, the information at the left and right ends in the H direction (horizontal direction) is lost, so that the information amount of the photographer decreases as in the case of FIG. Become. The image information cut off by the 16: 9/4: 3 conversion process cannot be reproduced thereafter.

[0011]

As described in the prior art, recently, monitors having an aspect ratio of 16: 9,
A VF for an aspect ratio of 16: 9 has appeared, and is suitable for recording an image having an aspect ratio of 16: 9.
However, the aspect ratio 4:
In the case of recording an image having an aspect ratio of 3: 3, a process of extracting an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 in an internal region of an image displayed on a VF for an aspect ratio of 16: 9, that is, 16: 9/4: 3 Is required. As described above, the image area of the VF having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 does not match the image area of the signal to be recorded, and the image information once cut off cannot be reproduced thereafter. According to the present invention, an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 is recorded (cut out) using a VF for an aspect ratio of 16: 9.
In this case, it is an object to improve the operability at the time of imaging by allowing the image area actually recorded to be accurately determined.

[0012]

According to the method and the display device for displaying the effective area of the viewfinder of a video camera according to the present invention, the image signals of the entire area having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 are transmitted to the VF and output as the output signals of the video camera. When the extracted aspect ratio 4: 3 area is recorded or transmitted, the area is stored in the VF by a marker or other mark, a luminance difference, a method of easily recognizing the boundary between the two, such as color display and monochrome display. it's shown.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention presents all image signals obtained from a CCD image pickup device having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 to a photographer at the time of photographing, so that an aspect ratio of 4: 4 is obtained.
When extracting images of three areas, the photographing range can be accurately determined. Therefore, the aspect ratio 4:
When extracting images of three areas, the aspect ratio is 16:
A marker or the like indicating the extraction range of the image is displayed on the display screen of the VF 9.

First Embodiment The first embodiment relates to the first and second aspects of the present invention.
Also, the present invention corresponds to the inventions of claims 5 and 6. In the first embodiment, a VF having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 is used.
A pair of area markers 3 each composed of a double line indicating the cutout range of an image in the aspect ratio 4: 3 mode.
It is characterized in that 3, 34 are displayed.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a video camera according to the present invention having a function capable of extracting an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 5, 21 denotes a VF aspect ratio conversion unit, 22 denotes a recording aspect ratio conversion unit, 23 denotes an aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit, and 24 denotes an addition unit.

FIG. 1 shows a case where the recording signal is a color image and VF is a monochrome image. The present invention is a display method and a display device required when an image signal having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 is converted into an image signal having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 as a recording signal (main line signal system),
The aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit 23 shown in FIG. 1 performs main processing. First, the image pickup signals R, G, and B photoelectrically converted by the three-plate CCD image pickup unit 1 are amplified by the video amplifier unit 2 and then input to the matrix circuit 4 having an RGB / Y color difference conversion function. Then, in the matrix circuit 4, the same conversion processing as that of the related art is performed, and the luminance signal VFY for the viewfinder, the luminance signal Y of the recording signal system (main line signal system), and the color difference signal R-
Y and BY are generated. After that, these two signal systems are input to the VF aspect ratio conversion unit 21 and the recording aspect ratio conversion unit 22 that can be independently controlled, and the aspect ratio is converted. The configuration of the aspect ratio conversion units 21 and 22 is the same as that of the conventional aspect ratio conversion circuit 3. The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY output from the recording aspect ratio converter 22 are output to the recording system as they are. On the other hand, for the VF signal system, the aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit 23 changes the aspect ratio of the main line recording system from 16: 9 to 4: 3.
Then, a marker signal synchronized with the control signal to be converted to is generated, and this marker signal is mixed with the viewfinder luminance signal VFY and output. For this purpose, the aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit 23 has a function of generating a marker and an aspect ratio conversion unit 21 for VF.
And a function of controlling the recording aspect ratio converter 22 to be turned on / off. When turned on, the VF aspect ratio conversion unit 21 and the recording aspect ratio conversion unit 22 are 16: 9.
/ 4: 3 conversion processing, and when off, 16: 9 /
Do not perform 4: 3 conversion processing (aspect ratio 16: 9)
Output as is).

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the display method of the display method according to the present invention when the recording signal system having the aspect ratio 4: 3 in the VF in the aspect ratio 16: 9 mode is cut out. In the figure, is a CCD image,
Indicates a VF image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, indicates an image of a recording signal system having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, broken lines 31 and 32 indicate boundaries of an area having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, and double lines 33 and 34 indicate an area. Indicates a marker.

When photographing is performed using a VF in an aspect ratio 16: 9 mode, an image as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained on the VF. In the CCD captured image of the aspect ratio 16: 9 mode shown in FIG. 2, the image area having the aspect ratio of 4: 3 is a central area delimited by two broken lines 31 and 32. In this case, when the aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit 23 of FIG. 1 is turned off, as shown in FIG. 2, the image area of the aspect ratio 16: 9 and the aspect ratio are displayed on the VF image. 4:
A pair of area markers 33 and 34 consisting of double lines indicating the ranges of the three image areas are displayed. Therefore, the photographer can accurately and easily know which range of the image signal is obtained as the recording signal (main signal system) when the image is converted into the image having the aspect ratio of 4: 3. When the aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit 23 is turned on, the conversion process of 16: 9/4: 3 is performed, and as shown in FIG. The image signal in the range surrounded by the broken lines 31 and 32 is
It is extracted as a recording signal (main signal system).

Second Embodiment This second embodiment corresponds to the third and seventh aspects of the present invention, but also relates to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the aspect ratio is 1
The case has been described in which a pair of area markers 33 and 34 composed of double lines indicating the cutout range of an image in the aspect ratio 4: 3 mode are displayed on the VF of 6: 9. However, since the present invention aims at making the area having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 visible to a photographer in an area having an aspect ratio of 16: 9, it is sufficient if the purpose is achieved. That is, the same effect can be obtained by employing a display method that allows the cutout range to be easily determined instead of the markers 33 and 34 as shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the aspect ratio is 1
The feature is that the luminance of the 4: 3 aspect ratio area and the luminance of the cut-off area are changed in the area of 6: 9. Note that also in the second embodiment, V
The case where F is a monochrome display is shown.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 1; 41 is an area gain control unit; and 42 is a multiplication unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, VF is
The viewfinder luminance signal VFY is provided from the image aspect ratio converter 21. Instead of adding the signals of the markers 33 and 34 to the viewfinder luminance signal VFY, a process of multiplying the output of the area gain control unit 41 is performed. The output of the area gain control unit 41 is set such that the horizontal scanning line period is “1”, and the remaining horizontal scanning line periods on both sides are set to values such as “0.2 to 0.5”. In this case, the multiplying unit 42 outputs an image signal in which the luminance of the 4: 3 aspect ratio area and the luminance of the area outside the area are different, so that the cutout range of the recording signal and the cutout range can be accurately determined. Can be determined. In addition, it is also possible to set to "0". 3, the aspect ratio conversion control function, the area gain control unit 41, and the multiplication unit 42 are replaced with the aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit 23 and the addition unit 24 shown in FIG. Add. Accordingly, the aspect ratio conversion control unit (the function of the aspect ratio conversion control / aspect ratio conversion control of the marker generation unit 23 in FIG. 1) and the two blocks shown in FIG. 3 are constituent elements.

Third Embodiment The third embodiment corresponds to the inventions of claims 4 and 8, but also relates to the inventions of claims 1 and 5. In the above-described second embodiment, a case has been described in which, when the VF is monochrome display, an image signal in which the luminance of an area with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 and the luminance of an area outside the area are different is output. In the third embodiment, the VF can perform color display. The third embodiment is characterized in that, in an area having an aspect ratio of 16: 9, an area having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 is displayed in color and an area to be cut off is displayed in monochrome. V
F is not limited to the luminance signal Y, as in the recording signal system.
When the color difference signals RY and BY are also required, the color difference signal R-Y
What is necessary is just to output Y and BY together. In this case, if the area with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 is displayed in color and the area outside the area and the image are displayed in monochrome, the cut-out range of the recording signal and the cut-out range can be accurately determined. In this case, a circuit as shown in FIG. 4 is added.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main part of a video camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 1, 51 is a 4: 3 area signal generator, and 52 is a switch circuit.

The 4: 3 area signal generator 51 outputs "1" during the horizontal scanning line period (1H) of the 4: 3 aspect ratio area.
Thus, the remaining horizontal scanning line period and vertical blanking period (VBI) on both sides generate an area signal of "0". Due to the area signal having the aspect ratio of 4: 3, the horizontal scanning line period and the vertical blanking period (VB
Blanking is applied to the color difference signals RY and BY of I),
When the switch circuit 52 is turned on / off by a control signal synchronized with the area signal, the chrominance signals RY and BY are supplied together with the luminance signal Y to the 4: 3 aspect ratio area. : As an image signal other than the three areas, only the luminance signal Y is supplied. According to the circuit of FIG. 4, the gain of the image other than the 4: 3 area is set to "1", but the color signal component is not added, and the aspect ratio 4: 3 area from which the recording signal is extracted is obtained. And the area from which the recording signal is cut off can be easily determined.

[0025]

According to the method and the display device for displaying the effective area of the viewfinder of the video camera according to the present invention, in the aspect ratio 16: 9 mode, the boundary mark and the luminance are set so that the 4: 3 aspect ratio area can be clearly distinguished. difference,
Different displays such as a color image and a monochrome image can be performed. Therefore, all the image signals obtained by the CCD image sensor can be captured without waste, and all information is provided to the photographer, thereby expanding the field of view of the photographer with image information of an area not actually used. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a video camera having a function capable of extracting an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a display method according to the present invention with an aspect ratio of 1;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of a display screen when a recording signal system having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 in a 6: 9 mode VF is cut out.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of a video camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of a conventional video camera having a function capable of extracting an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the size of a screen and the way a photographer looks with a conventional VF for 4: 3 aspect ratio.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a state in which information is missing due to a VF for an aspect ratio of 16: 9.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 VF aspect ratio conversion unit, 22 recording aspect ratio conversion unit, 23 aspect ratio conversion control / marker generation unit, 24 addition unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device having an aspect ratio of 16: 9, an image having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and 4: 3 can be extracted, and an image having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and 4: 3 can be displayed. Equipped with a viewfinder that can
In the 16: 9 aspect ratio mode, the aspect ratio is 1
An image signal is transmitted from a 6: 9 image area as a recording signal and a viewfinder display signal. In the 4: 3 mode, an image with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 to an image of 4: 3 area is used. In a video camera having a function capable of extracting a signal, in a 16: 9 aspect ratio mode, a boundary of the 4: 3 aspect ratio area is displayed in the display area of the 16: 9 aspect ratio of the viewfinder so as to be distinguishable. The effective area display method of the viewfinder characterized by the following. 2. The viewfinder effective area display method according to claim 1, wherein the display for determining the boundary of the 4: 3 aspect ratio area is a linear pattern indicating the boundary. 3. The viewfinder effective area display method according to claim 1, wherein the display for judging the boundary of the 4: 3 aspect ratio area is a luminance difference between the inside and outside of the boundary. 4. A display for judging a boundary of an aspect ratio 4: 3 area is, for example, a display of a color image in the boundary.
The viewfinder effective area display method according to claim 1, wherein the outside of the boundary is a display of a monochrome image. 5. An image pickup device having an aspect ratio of 16: 9, an image having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and 4: 3 can be extracted, and an image having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and 4: 3 can be displayed. Equipped with a viewfinder that can
In the 16: 9 aspect ratio mode, the aspect ratio is 1
An image signal is transmitted from a 6: 9 image area as a recording signal and a viewfinder display signal. In the 4: 3 mode, an image with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 to an image of 4: 3 area is used. A video camera having a function capable of extracting a signal, a signal extracting means for independently extracting an image signal output from the image sensor having the aspect ratio of 16: 9 as a signal for recording and a signal for display in a viewfinder; And a boundary display signal generating means for generating a mark indicating the boundary of the display area having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 and other display patterns in a display area having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 of the view finder. In the 9 mode, the signal for the viewfinder display output from the signal extracting means is output. And a signal of a mark or other display pattern indicating a boundary output from the boundary display signal generating means, and the display area of the viewfinder having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and the aspect ratio of 4: 3 are displayed. An image display device of a view finder, which displays a boundary. 6. The image display device for a viewfinder according to claim 5, further comprising a boundary display signal generating means for generating a linear pattern indicating a boundary between 4: 3 aspect ratio areas. 7. An image display device for a viewfinder according to claim 5, further comprising a luminance control means for outputting an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 area and an image outside the boundary with different gains. . 8. The viewfinder according to claim 5, further comprising signal processing means for displaying an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 area and an image outside the boundary as a color image and a monochrome image. Image display device.