JPH11164180A - Camera integrated type video recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera-integrated type video recorder capable of preventing the screen of a liquid crystal display panel from becoming a screen of the so-called white void of high luminance and a black paint-out of low luminance corresponding to the change of photographing conditions. SOLUTION: A system control part 4 is provided with a signal system control part 21 constituted of a CPU and a ROM, etc., and performs control to a camera part 1, a recorder part 2 and a display part 3, including control to a backlight 20. In this control, control signals for controlling the light quantity of the back light 20 are generated, based on exposure control information for controlling the aperture of an iris 12, and the light quantity of the back light 20 is controlled so as to match luminance to a liquid crystal display 18 by the back light 20 with the value of the luminance obtained by the diaphragm control of the iris 12 by the control signals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention
The present invention relates to a camera-integrated video recording device capable of recording the imaging signal on a recording medium and displaying information on an image and an imaging state indicated by the imaging signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a camera for capturing an image of a subject and outputting the captured image signal, recording means for recording the captured image signal from the camera on a recording medium (for example, magnetic tape), and an image and a video indicated by the captured image signal A camera-integrated video recording device (hereinafter, referred to as a camera-integrated VTR) including display means for displaying information on an imaging state of the camera.
, A liquid crystal viewfinder is used as a display means. The liquid crystal view finder has a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image indicated by an image pickup signal and information on an image pickup condition, and a backlight means for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from behind the liquid crystal display panel with a light source. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp, a hot cathode fluorescent lamp, or the like is used as a light source of the backlight means, and the light source is always lit so that the light amount becomes a set amount under constant conditions.

[0003] The camera-integrated VTR will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional camera-integrated VTR.

[0004] As shown in FIG. 5, the camera-integrated VTR includes a camera unit 1 which takes an image of a subject and generates a video signal indicating the taken subject. The camera unit 1 includes a lens 11 that captures a subject as an optical image, and an iris 1 that can automatically adjust the amount of light incident through the lens 11.
And 2. The optical image of the subject captured by the lens 11 is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device 13 via the iris 12. The imaging element 13 is formed of a CCD, and converts an optical image formed on the imaging surface into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion and outputs the electric signal. The electric signal output from the image sensor 13 is a CD
The signal is input to the S / AGC circuit 14 and the CDS / AGC circuit 1
Reference numeral 4 amplifies the electric signal from the image sensor 13 so that its level becomes an appropriate value, and outputs the amplified signal to the camera signal processing circuit 15. The camera signal processing circuit 15 includes the CDS / AGC circuit 1
A video signal is generated by performing predetermined signal processing (white balance, gamma correction, etc.) on the signal from the control unit 4. The generated video signal is input to the recorder unit 2.

The recorder unit 2 includes a VTR signal processing circuit 16
a and a recording / reproducing unit 17. VTR signal processing circuit 1
6a takes in a video signal from the camera signal processing circuit 15 and converts the video signal into a video signal of a format corresponding to a predetermined recording medium. The video signal of this format is input to the recording / reproducing unit 17 and the display unit 3, and the recording / reproducing unit 17 records the input video signal on a predetermined recording medium, and reproduces the video signal recorded on the recording medium. .

[0006] The display unit 3 is provided from the camera unit 1 to the recorder unit 2.
And a liquid crystal display 18 for displaying information on a video and an imaging state of a video signal input through the LCD. The liquid crystal display 18 is formed of a TFT and has a 4: 3 display area. The liquid crystal display 18 is illuminated by a backlight 20a from the back side.

The liquid crystal display 18 includes a liquid crystal driving circuit 1
9 driven. The liquid crystal drive circuit 19 has a decoder / decoder for decoding a video signal from the VTR signal processing circuit 16.
It comprises a driver IC and a TG driver IC for driving the liquid crystal display 18 based on the decoded contents. Further, the liquid crystal drive circuit 19 controls the lighting of the backlight 20a, and the backlight 20a is always lit so that its light amount becomes a set amount under a constant condition.

[0008] Camera unit 1, recorder unit 2, and display unit 3
Is controlled by the system control unit 4. The system control unit 4 includes a signal system control unit 21 including a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and a signal system control unit 2.
1 has an interface (not shown) for connecting the camera unit 1, the recorder unit 2 and the display unit 3, and controls the camera unit 1, the recorder unit 2 and the display unit 3.

[0009]

However, in the above-described conventional camera-integrated VTR, the backlight 20a is always lit so that the light amount becomes a set amount under a constant condition. Depending on the condition, the screen of the liquid crystal display 18 may be a so-called high-brightness whiteout, and a low-brightness blackout screen. Therefore, when the photographing situation changes greatly, the photographer needs to perform an operation for adjusting the light amount of the backlight 20a so that the screen brightness of the liquid crystal display 18 becomes an appropriate value according to the photographing situation that has changed. .

Further, since the color temperature of the backlight 20a is determined by the specifications of the fluorescent lamp used for the backlight 20a, it may not be possible to obtain a color temperature suitable for natural light or artificial light. As a result, the color temperature of the liquid crystal display 18 and the color temperature of the backlight 20a greatly differ, and the display on the liquid crystal display 18 becomes unnatural. Also, a combination of the color temperature of the backlight 20a, the characteristics of the color filter of the liquid crystal display 18, the deviation of the white balance, and the like may cause a variation in the color temperature, and the display on the liquid crystal display 18 may become unnatural. It is difficult to adjust a desired color temperature so that the display on the liquid crystal display 18 does not become unnatural.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera-integrated type which can prevent a screen of a liquid crystal display panel from becoming a so-called high-brightness whiteout and a low-brightness blackout screen in accordance with a change in shooting conditions. It is to provide a video recording device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a camera-integrated video recording apparatus capable of preventing a display on a liquid crystal display panel from becoming unnatural due to a color temperature of a light source.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An imaging unit that images a subject, generates and outputs a video signal of the captured subject, a recording unit that records a video signal from the imaging unit on a recording medium, and at least a video indicated by the video signal from the imaging unit A camera-integrated video recording device comprising: and a display unit for displaying information on an imaging state of the imaging unit, wherein the display unit includes:
A liquid crystal display panel for displaying at least the image indicated by the image signal and information on the imaging state;
Backlight means for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from the back side of the liquid crystal display panel with a light source capable of varying the amount of light, capturing exposure information in the imaging means, and controlling the light source of the backlight means based on the captured exposure information. Backlight control means for variably controlling the amount of light.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera-integrated video recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the backlight control means controls the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel by the backlight means to be the brightness of the captured exposure information. The light amount of the light source of the backlight means is controlled so as to correspond to the following.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera-integrated video recording apparatus according to the first aspect, a video signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced, and a video indicated by the reproduced video signal is displayed on the display means. Is provided with a reproducing means for displaying the information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an object is imaged,
An imaging unit that generates and outputs a video signal of the captured subject; a recording unit that records a video signal from the imaging unit on a recording medium; and at least a video indicated by the video signal from the imaging unit and the imaging unit. A camera-integrated video recording device including display means for displaying information on an imaging state, wherein the display means is a liquid crystal display panel for displaying at least an image indicated by the video signal and information on the imaging state; and A backlight unit for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from the back side of the liquid crystal display panel with a light source capable of changing the temperature, capturing white balance information in the imaging unit, and controlling the backlight unit based on the captured white balance information. Backlight control means for variably controlling the color temperature of the light source; That.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera-integrated video recording apparatus according to the third aspect, the backlight control means controls the backlight means so as to match the color temperature of the captured white balance information. The color temperature of the light source is controlled.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the camera-integrated video recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a video signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced, and a video represented by the reproduced video signal is displayed on the display means. It is characterized by comprising a reproducing means for displaying.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a camera-integrated video recording apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera-integrated video recording apparatus (camera-integrated VTR) includes a camera unit 1 that captures an image of a subject and generates a video signal indicating the captured subject. The camera unit 1 includes a lens 11 that captures a subject as an optical image, and an iris 12 that can automatically adjust the amount of light incident through the lens 11. Lens 11
The optical image of the subject captured by the above is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device 13 via the iris 12. The image sensor 13 is C
An optical image formed on a CD and formed on the imaging surface is converted into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion and output. The electric signal output from the image sensor 13 is input to a CDS / AGC circuit 14, which amplifies the electric signal from the image sensor 13 so that its level becomes an appropriate value. Output to Camera signal processing circuit 1
Reference numeral 5 generates a video signal by subjecting the signal from the CDS / AGC circuit 14 to predetermined signal processing (white balance, gamma correction, etc.). The generated video signal is input to the recorder unit 2.

The recorder unit 2 includes a VTR signal processing circuit 16
And a recording / reproducing unit 17. VTR signal processing circuit 16
Captures a video signal from the camera signal processing circuit 15 and converts the video signal into a video signal of a format corresponding to a predetermined recording medium. The video signal of this format is input to the recording / reproducing unit 17 and the display unit 3, and the recording / reproducing unit 17 records the input video signal on a predetermined recording medium, and reproduces the video signal recorded on the recording medium. .

The display unit 3 is provided between the camera unit 1 and the recorder unit 2.
And a liquid crystal display 18 for displaying information on a video and an imaging state of a video signal input through the LCD. The liquid crystal display 18 is composed of a TFT type liquid crystal and has a 4: 3 display area. The liquid crystal display 18 can be composed of a simple matrix TN liquid crystal, STN liquid crystal, FLC (ferroelectric liquid crystal), or the like, and the display area is configured to be a 16: 9 display area. Is also possible. The liquid crystal display 18 is illuminated by a backlight 20 from the back side. The backlight 20 is composed of a light source that can change the amount of light.

The liquid crystal display 18 includes a liquid crystal driving circuit 1
9 driven. The liquid crystal drive circuit 19 has a decoder / decoder for decoding a video signal from the VTR signal processing circuit 16.
It comprises a driver IC and a TG driver IC for driving the liquid crystal display 18 based on the decoded contents. The liquid crystal drive circuit 19 controls the lighting of the backlight 20, and the amount of light of the backlight 20 is controlled by a control signal input from the system control unit 4 via the recorder unit 2. This control signal is transmitted to the backlight 2
This is a signal for controlling the amount of light of the backlight 20 so that the luminance of the liquid crystal display 18 by 0 coincides with the luminance value obtained by controlling the aperture of the iris 12.

The system control unit 4 includes a CPU, R
A signal system control unit 21 composed of an OM or the like, and an interface (not shown) for connecting the signal system control unit 21 with the camera unit 1, the recorder unit 2, and the display unit 3; The control unit 2 and the display unit 3 are controlled. This control includes control of the backlight 20 by the control signal described above.

Next, control of the backlight 20 (control of the amount of light) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a drive control system of the iris 12 of the camera unit 1 in the camera-integrated VTR of FIG.

The iris 12 is driven by a motor driver 24 and performs a diaphragm operation so as to adjust the amount of light incident through the lens 11. The aperture amount (F value) of the iris 12 is determined by exposure control information from the signal system control unit 21. Specifically, the signal system control unit 21 extracts the luminance information (Ys) from the video signal from the camera signal processing circuit 15 and sets the value of the luminance information extracted based on the aperture amount from the iris encoder 22 to a predetermined value. Exposure control information for controlling the aperture amount of the iris 12 is generated so as to match. The exposure control information is input to the iris drive system hardware circuit 23, and the iris drive system hardware circuit 23 generates and applies a voltage for driving the motor driver 24 based on the input exposure control information.
As described above, the aperture amount of the iris 12 is controlled by the exposure control information, and the value of the luminance information of the video signal is held at a predetermined value.

The signal system control section 21 generates a control signal for controlling the light amount of the backlight 20 based on the exposure control information. The control signal is used to control the amount of light of the backlight 20 so that the luminance of the backlight 20 with respect to the liquid crystal display 18 matches the luminance value obtained by controlling the aperture of the iris 12.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the light amount of the backlight 20 is controlled so that the luminance of the backlight 20 with respect to the liquid crystal display 18 matches the luminance value obtained by controlling the aperture of the iris 12. It is possible to prevent the screen of the liquid crystal display 18 from becoming a so-called high-brightness whiteout and a low-brightness blackout screen according to a change in the shooting situation.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera unit according to a second embodiment of the camera-integrated video recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a back light 2 of the camera-integrated video recording apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part configuration of No. 0.

The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the backlight 2 comprises a light source capable of changing the color temperature.
0 is provided, white balance control information in the camera unit 1 is fetched, and the color temperature of the backlight is variably controlled based on the fetched white balance control information. Note that this embodiment basically has the same main configuration (shown in FIG. 1) as the above-described first embodiment, and this embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment. The components will be described.

Camera-integrated VTR in the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 3, the camera unit 1 includes a lens 11 that captures a subject as an optical image, and an iris 12 that can automatically adjust the amount of light incident through the lens 11. The optical image of the subject captured by the lens 11 is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device 13 via the iris 12. The imaging element 13 converts the optical image formed on the imaging surface into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion and outputs the electric signal. The electric signal output from the image sensor 13 is input to a CDS / AGC circuit 14 (denoted as AGC in the figure), and the CDS / AGC circuit 1
Reference numeral 4 amplifies the electric signal from the image sensor 13 so that its level becomes an appropriate value, and outputs the amplified signal to the luminance signal generation unit 31.
The luminance signal generator 31 converts the signal from the CDS / AGC circuit 14 into luminance signals YH and YL and chromaticity signals R and B. The luminance signal YH is input to the encoder 36 and the color signal detector 37, and the luminance signal YL is input to the color difference signal generator 24. The chromaticity signal R is supplied to the gain control unit 32 by the chromaticity signal B.
Are input to the gain control unit 33, respectively.

The gain control section 32 performs gain control on the input chromaticity signal R based on the white balance correction signal output from the correction signal output section 40, and converts the chromaticity signal R 'obtained by the gain control. Output. Similarly, the gain control unit 33 performs gain control on the input chromaticity signal B based on the white balance correction signal output from the correction signal output unit 40, and converts the chromaticity signal B ′ obtained by the gain control. Output. The chromaticity signals R ′ and B ′ are input to the chrominance signal generator 24. The chrominance signal generation unit 24 generates chrominance signals RY and BY based on the chromaticity signals R 'and B' and the luminance signal YL, and generates the chrominance signals RY and BY.
Y is input to the color difference gain correction unit 35. The color difference gain correction unit 35 calculates the gain of each of the color difference signals RY and BY input based on the R gain correction signal output from the color correction unit 44 and the B gain correction signal output from the color correction unit 45. And the respective color difference signals R−
Y ′ and BY ′ are generated. Each color difference signal RY ', B-
Y ′ is input to the encoder 36 and the color signal detector 37.

The encoder 36 generates a video signal from the luminance signal YH and each of the color difference signals RY ′, BY ′ and outputs the video signal to the recorder unit 2.

The color signal detecting section 37 detects each color signal for performing white balance control from the luminance signal YH and each of the color difference signals RY 'and BY'. Is input to the correction signal calculation unit 38 or the correction signal calculation unit 39 via the. Correction signal calculator 3
Reference numeral 8 denotes a circuit for performing predetermined arithmetic processing on the input color signal and automatically performing white balance control based on the result of the arithmetic processing and the reference value described in the table 41 (Ref. 1). Calculate the control value. This control value is input to the correction signal output unit 40 and the color control unit 44. The correction signal calculation unit 39 performs a predetermined calculation process on the input color signal, and the result of the calculation process and the table 42 (Ref.
Based on the reference value described in 2), a control value for performing white balance setting control is calculated. This control value is input to the correction signal output unit 40 and the color control unit 45.

The correction signal output section 40 controls each gain control section 3 based on a control value from one of the correction signal calculation sections 38 and 39.
Generate white balance correction signals for 2, 33,
Output. The color correction control unit 44 generates and outputs an R gain correction signal for correcting the color difference gain based on the control value from the correction signal calculation unit 38. The color correction control unit 45
A B gain correction signal for correcting the color difference gain based on the control value from the correction signal calculation unit 39 is generated and output.

In this embodiment, as described above, the backlight 20 composed of a light source capable of changing the color temperature is provided.
The signal system control circuit 21 captures the white balance control information of the camera unit 1 and controls the color temperature at the time of emission of the backlight 20 based on the captured white balance control information.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the backlight 20 is composed of a plurality of LEDs 51, 52, and 53 respectively emitting R, G, and B colors.
1, 52 and 53 are regularly arranged. Instead of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A, the LEDs 51, 52 and 53 may be arranged in the same manner as the arrangement of the color filters of the liquid crystal display 18, as shown in FIG. 4B.

The control of the backlight 20 (color temperature control) is performed by the signal system control unit 21.
The signal system control unit 21 captures white balance control information of the camera unit 1, calculates a color temperature set based on the white balance control information, and emits light having a color temperature that matches the set color temperature. The backlight 20 is controlled as described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the backlight 20 is controlled to emit light having a color temperature that matches the color temperature set based on the white balance control information of the camera unit 1. It is possible to prevent the display of the liquid crystal display 18 from becoming unnatural due to the color temperature of the backlight 20.

[0041]

As described above, according to the camera-integrated video recording apparatus of the first aspect, the display means displays the liquid crystal display panel for displaying at least the video indicated by the video signal and the information on the imaging state. Backlight means for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from the back side of the liquid crystal display panel with a light source capable of varying the light quantity; capturing exposure information in the image capturing means; and controlling the light quantity of the light source of the backlight means based on the captured exposure information. Backlight control means for variably controlling the light amount of the light source of the backlight means based on the exposure information in the image pickup means. In addition, it is possible to prevent a black-out screen having a low luminance from being lost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the backlight control means controls the light source of the backlight means so that the luminance of the backlight means with respect to the liquid crystal display panel matches the luminance of the acquired exposure information. , The brightness of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel can be made more appropriate according to the change in the shooting situation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera-integrated video recording apparatus comprising a reproducing means for reproducing a video signal recorded on a recording medium and displaying an image indicated by the reproduced video signal on a display means. Can be configured.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the display means includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying at least an image indicated by the image signal and information on the image pickup state, and a color temperature can be varied. A backlight unit that illuminates the liquid crystal display panel from the back side of the liquid crystal display panel with a light source, and white balance information in the imaging unit are captured, and the color temperature of the light source of the backlight unit is variably controlled based on the captured white balance information. Since the backlight unit has the backlight control unit, the color temperature of the light source of the backlight unit is controlled based on the white balance information in the imaging unit, and the display of the liquid crystal display panel is prevented from becoming unnatural due to the color temperature of the light source. be able to.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the color temperature of the light source of the backlight means is controlled by the backlight control means so as to match the color temperature of the captured white balance information. There is no difference between the color temperature of the light source and the color temperature of the display on the liquid crystal display panel, and an image display with an appropriate white balance can be obtained.

According to the camera-integrated video recording apparatus of the sixth aspect, the video signal recording apparatus reproduces a video signal recorded on a recording medium and includes a reproducing means for displaying a video indicated by the reproduced video signal on a display means. Can be configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a camera-integrated video recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a camera section 1 in the camera-integrated VTR of FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a drive control system of the iris 12 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera unit according to a second embodiment of the camera-integrated video recording device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a backlight 20 of the camera-integrated video recording device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional camera-integrated VTR.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera part 2 Recorder part 3 Display part 4 System control part 11 Lens 12 Iris 13 Image sensor 14 CDS / AGC circuit 15 Camera signal processing circuit 16 VTR signal processing circuit 17 Recording / reproducing part 18 Liquid crystal display 19 Liquid crystal drive circuit 20 Backlight 21 Signal system control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] An imaging unit that images a subject, generates and outputs a video signal of the captured subject, a recording unit that records a video signal from the imaging unit on a recording medium, A camera-integrated video recording apparatus comprising: a video signal indicated by the video signal; and a display unit for displaying information on an imaging state of the imaging unit. The display unit displays at least the image indicated by the video signal and the information on the imaging state. A liquid crystal display panel for displaying, a backlight means for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from the back side of the liquid crystal display panel with a light source capable of varying the amount of light, capturing exposure information in the imaging means, and capturing the captured exposure information Backlight control means for variably controlling the light amount of the light source of the backlight means based on Camera integrated video recording device. 2. The backlight control unit controls a light amount of a light source of the backlight unit such that luminance of the backlight unit with respect to the liquid crystal display panel matches luminance of the captured exposure information. The camera-integrated video recording device according to claim 1. 3. A reproducing device for reproducing a video signal recorded on the recording medium and displaying a video indicated by the reproduced video signal on the display device.
The video recording device integrated with a camera according to the above. 4. An image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject, generating and outputting a video signal of the captured subject, a recording means for recording a video signal from the image capturing means on a recording medium, and at least a A camera-integrated video recording apparatus comprising: a video signal indicated by the video signal; and a display unit for displaying information on an imaging state of the imaging unit. The display unit displays at least the image indicated by the video signal and the information on the imaging state. A liquid crystal display panel for displaying, backlight means for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from the back side of the liquid crystal display panel with a light source capable of changing color temperature, and white balance information in the image pickup means. A backlight system for variably controlling a color temperature of a light source of the backlight unit based on white balance information. And a control means. 5. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the backlight control means controls a color temperature of a light source of the backlight means so as to match a color temperature of the captured white balance information. Body type video recording device. 6. The camera-integrated camera according to claim 4, further comprising a reproducing unit that reproduces a video signal recorded on the recording medium and displays a video indicated by the reproduced video signal on the display unit. Video recording device.