JPH11187332A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a video camera extending the usable time at the time of carrying by controlling the lighting of the illumination of liquid crystal display according to the condition of a power source and a surrounding environment by a comparatively easy method so as to reduce the power consumption of a battery. SOLUTION: The camera is provided with a CCD camera 7 forming the optical image of an object, a recording means converting this optical image to an image electric signal to record, a liquid crystal display device 4 displaying image data recorded in this recording means on a liquid crystal screen, an illuminating device 5 illuminating the liquid crystal screen of this device 4, an external power source supply power from the outside and an incorporated battery 2 supplying power at the time of carrying in stead of the external power source 3. The on/off of the illuminating operation of the device 5 is controlled by a microcomputer 1 to control the on/off of the illuminating operation of the device depending on whether the external power source 3 is used as a power source and on whether surrounding environment is brighter than a prescribed value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera device, and more particularly to a video camera device in which the power consumption of a liquid crystal display is reduced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called video camera in which a CCD camera and a video tape recorder are combined is widely used for home use. In this video camera, a video signal received by a CCD camera and an audio signal received by a microphone at the time of imaging are temporarily recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape cassette by a video tape recorder.
Then, later, the recorded video signal and audio signal can be reproduced and observed on a built-in liquid crystal screen or the like, or monitored by a TV monitor device such as an external television receiver for viewing. .

In a conventional liquid crystal display device of a video camera, a transmission type liquid crystal panel is used to make the display clear, and a method of illuminating with a dedicated backlight light source to make it easy to see is adopted. Conventionally, this backlight light source has been turned on regardless of the surrounding brightness and power supply conditions.

[0004] However, video cameras are originally considered to be portable and portable, and when they are carried, they are usually powered by a storage battery. Therefore, it is not so desirable that the current consumption is increased by turning on the backlight light source when carrying.
An increase in current consumption leads to a reduction in usable time. Further, when the video camera has a charging function for the storage battery, it is convenient if there is a means for indicating the completion of charging of the storage battery in some way, but such a means is not particularly provided conventionally. Was.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional video camera device, when a liquid crystal display device is used, the backlight light source is turned on regardless of the surrounding brightness and the power supply condition, and the power consumption increases accordingly. However, the useable time by the storage battery has been shortened. In the case of a video camera with a charging function, no means for indicating that the storage battery has been fully charged has conventionally been provided.

The present invention solves these problems, and controls the lighting of the backlight light source in accordance with the situation of the power supply and the surrounding environment in a relatively simple manner, thereby reducing the power consumption of the storage battery, and It is an object of the present invention to realize a video camera device capable of extending the usable time of the video camera device at the time. Another object of the present invention is to realize a video camera device having a charging function that can be used to display the charge of a storage battery by using the blinking of the backlight light source.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical device for forming an optical image of an object to be observed, and converts the optical image formed by the optical device into an image electric signal. Imaging means, recording means for recording image data captured by the imaging means, liquid crystal display means for displaying the image data recorded on the recording means on a liquid crystal screen, and a screen for illuminating the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal display means In a video camera device comprising an illuminating means, an external power supply for supplying power from the outside, and a built-in storage battery for supplying power when carrying the portable telephone in place of the external power supply, turning on / off the lighting operation of the screen illuminating means Comprising lighting control means for controlling whether the external power supply means is used as a power supply,
The on / off control of the lighting operation of the screen lighting means is controlled depending on whether the brightness of the surrounding environment is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a video camera device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
1 is a block diagram of a main part of a video camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microcomputer, which detects the presence or absence of a power supply, detects the state of charge of a storage battery, detects the brightness of the environment around the device, controls the illumination of liquid crystal, controls a video tape recorder (not shown), and the like. . Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage battery serving as a power source when the video camera device is carried, and reference numeral 3 denotes an external power source such as a commercial power source for home use. Reference numeral 4 denotes a liquid crystal display which displays the recorded contents of a video tape recorder (not shown), and also displays the status of the video camera apparatus main body for control.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an illuminating device for making the display contents of the liquid crystal display device 4 look clear. Reference numeral 6 denotes a key input device for a user to make menu settings. Reference numeral 7 denotes a CCD camera for reading an image, which can be used as a brightness sensor if necessary. (The CCD camera 7 may not be used as a brightness sensor, but may be provided with a separate brightness sensor.)

In the present invention, the lighting device 5 is turned on and off according to the situation, so that the power consumption of the storage battery 2 is reduced, and the video camera device can be used for a longer time when it is carried. If the battery has a charging function, the storage battery 2
Is represented by ON / OFF of the lighting device 5.

That is, in a video camera device with an illuminated liquid crystal display device, the power of the storage battery is reduced by any of the following methods. (Case 1) When the apparatus is automatically driven using an external power supply, the illumination is turned on, and when the apparatus is driven by a storage battery, the illumination is turned off. (Case 2) When the apparatus is driven by using an external power supply, the illumination is automatically turned on. When the apparatus is driven by a storage battery, whether or not the illumination is turned off is left to the user's choice. (Case 3) While charging the storage battery, it is left to the user's choice whether to turn off the illumination. (Case 4) During charging of the storage battery, the illumination is turned on, and when fully charged, the illumination is turned off to notify completion of charging. (Case 5) The brightness around the video camera device is detected. If it is bright, the light is extinguished, and if it is dark, it is illuminated. (Case 6) In case 5, in order to detect the brightness,
The CCD camera of the video camera device is used.

First, cases 1 and 2 will be described. The control of the illumination of the liquid crystal display device performed by the microcomputer 1 is performed according to the control specification charts of FIGS.
That is, the illumination is turned on when driven by an external power supply, and turned off to reduce current consumption when not driven by an external power supply. At this time, when priority is given to reduction in current consumption, the illumination is unconditionally turned off unless driving by an external power supply as shown in FIG. (Case 1) On the other hand, according to the user's preference, the illumination can be turned on by user setting (menu setting or the like) even when not driven by an external power supply. (Case 2) The control in this case is as shown in the control specification chart of FIG.

An example of an algorithm for realizing the control specifications of FIG. 2 is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an algorithm example for realizing the control specifications of FIG. The main routine in this case is the same as the flowchart in FIG.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the illumination control part is a subroutine so that one microcomputer 1 can perform the illumination control in parallel with the other processing. The illumination control unit subroutine is configured to be periodically called from the main routine.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process enters step 102, which is a subroutine of illumination control, between other processes in steps 101 and 103 in the main routine. Illumination control subroutine (step 10
In 2), different ones can be selected in each case.

The illumination control subroutine A of Case 1 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. When you enter the illumination control subroutine,
The power supply is detected, the detection result is saved in a register or a RAM, and the information is used as a control condition (step 111). Next, it is determined whether the power supply currently used is an external power supply according to the information of the detection result (step 112). As a result of this determination, the illumination device 5 is turned on if it is an external power source (step 114), and the illumination device 5 is turned off if it is not an external power source (that is, if the storage battery 2 is used as a power source) (step 113). ). When the subroutine ends, the process returns to the main routine (step 115). Thereby, the control specifications shown in FIG. 2 are realized. The step of detecting the power supply in step 111 may be included in the main routine.

Next, the subroutine B of the illumination control in case 2 will be described with reference to FIG. When entering the illumination control subroutine, first, the power supply and the key input device 6 are detected, the detection result is saved in a register or a RAM, and the information is used as a control condition (step 121). Next, it is determined whether the power supply currently used is an external power supply according to the information of the detection result (step 122). As a result of this determination, the illumination device 5 is turned on unconditionally if it is an external power supply (step 125). If it is not an external power source, the input conditions of the key input device 6 are checked to determine whether the menu setting is set to turn on the illumination device 5 even when the storage battery 2 is used as the power source (step 123). If the menu setting is such that the lighting device 5 is turned on even with the power source of the storage battery 2, the lighting device 5 is turned on (step 125). If the menu setting is to turn off the lighting device 5 when the power source of the storage battery 2 is used, the lighting device 5 is turned off (step 1).
24). When the above subroutine ends, the process returns to the main routine (step 126). Thereby, the control specifications shown in FIG. 3 are realized. The steps of detecting the power supply and detecting the key input device 6 in step 121 may be included in the main routine.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a control specification chart in case 3 and case 4. In case 3 and case 4, during charging of the storage battery, whether or not to turn off the illumination is left to the user's choice, and when lighting is turned on during the charging of the storage battery, the lighting is turned off when fully charged. Notifies completion of charging. The illumination control subroutine C in this case is shown in FIG.
The operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

When the illumination control subroutine is entered from the main routine of FIG. 4, detection of the state of charge and detection of the key input device 6 are first performed, and the detection result is saved in a register or RAM or the like, and the information is controlled. (Step 131). Next, it is determined whether or not charging is possible. If both the storage battery 2 and the external power supply are not connected, the battery cannot be charged.
If the charging is not possible (step 132), the illumination is turned off (step 136).

Next, charging is started, and it is determined from the detection result of the key input device 6 whether the setting of the menu is set to turn off the illumination at the time of charging (step 1).
33). If the illumination is set to be turned off during charging, the illumination is turned off (step 136). If the illumination is set to be turned on at the time of charging, it is determined whether the storage battery 2 has been fully charged by charging (step 134). If the battery is not fully charged, the illumination is turned on (step 135). If it is determined that the battery is fully charged, the illumination is turned off (step 136).

After steps 135 and 136, this subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine (step 137). When the process returns to the main routine from step 135, after exiting this subroutine, the process returns to the subroutine from the main routine again. As a result, the control specifications shown in FIG. 7 are realized.

Next, FIG. 9 shows a control specification chart for the case 5 and the case 6. In Cases 5 and 6, the brightness around the video camera device is detected. When the brightness is high, the video camera device is turned off, and when dark, the illumination is performed. In case 6, a CCD camera 7 of a video camera device is used for brightness detection. The illumination control subroutine D in this case is shown in FIG.
0, and the operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

When the illumination control subroutine is entered from the main routine of FIG. 4, first, the brightness around the video camera device is detected (step 141). If the detected brightness is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the brightness is increased. Is determined (step 142). If it is determined to be bright, the illumination is turned off (step 144). If it is not determined to be bright, the illumination is turned on (step 143). When the above subroutine ends, the process returns to the main routine (step 145). As a result, the control specifications shown in FIG. 9 are realized.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a control specification chart when Case 2, Case 3, and Case 4 are combined. In this case, the illumination device 5 is turned on when the power is driven by an external power source, and the illumination is basically turned off when not driven by the external power source, but the illumination can be turned on according to a user's selection. it can. Furthermore, while charging the storage battery, it is left to the user's choice whether or not to turn off the illumination, and when turning on the illumination while charging the storage battery, the illumination is turned off when the battery is fully charged, and the completion of charging is notified. It is a specification.

FIG. 12 shows a subroutine E of the illumination control in this case, and the operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG. When entering the illumination control subroutine from the main routine of FIG. 4, it is detected whether or not the power is input (step 151). If the power is not input, the illumination is turned off (step 152), and the process returns to the main routine (step 156). If the power is on, it is determined whether it is in a normal use state or in other cases (charging) (step 153). In the case of normal use, the process proceeds to step 154, and the subroutine B shown in FIG. 6 is executed. In the case of charging, the process proceeds to step 155, and the subroutine C shown in FIG. 8 is executed. After the subroutine ends, the process returns to the main routine (step 156). As a result, the control specifications shown in FIG. 11 are realized.

Based on the same concept, the subroutine E of FIG.
In the above, if subroutine D is used instead of subroutine B in step 154, a subroutine in which case 2, case 5, and case 6 are combined can be constructed.

As described above, by implementing the present invention, it is possible to prevent shortening of the photographable time when the built-in storage battery is used as a power supply, to improve operability, and to improve the operability when using an illuminated display. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the degree of recognition of the screen.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an optical means for forming an optical image to be observed and an optical image formed by the optical means are converted into an image electric signal. Imaging means, recording means for recording image data captured by the imaging means, liquid crystal display means for displaying the image data recorded on the recording means on a liquid crystal screen, and a screen for illuminating the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal display means In a video camera apparatus including a lighting unit, an external power supply unit for supplying power from the outside, and a built-in storage battery for supplying power when carrying the portable telephone in place of the external power supply unit, turning on / off the lighting operation of the screen lighting unit It is characterized by comprising illumination control means for controlling. Thus, by controlling the lighting of the backlight light source, which is a screen illuminating means, according to the use situation of the video camera device, the power consumption of the storage battery is reduced, and the usable time of the video camera device when it is carried is extended. Can be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the external power supply is used as the power supply, the illumination control means turns on the illumination operation of the screen illuminating means, and the built-in storage battery is used as the power supply. In this case, the lighting operation of the screen lighting means is turned off. Accordingly, power consumption can be reduced when the built-in storage battery is used as a power source, for example, when the camera is carried, and the usable time of the video camera device when the camera is carried can be extended.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention comprises a brightness detecting means for detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the lighting control means sets the brightness of the surrounding environment detected by the brightness detecting means to a predetermined value. In the case of the above brightness, the lighting operation of the screen lighting means is turned off, and when the brightness of the surrounding environment does not reach a predetermined value, the lighting operation of the screen lighting means is turned on.
Thereby, when the surrounding environment is sufficiently bright and the liquid crystal screen can be sufficiently recognized without illumination, the lighting operation of the backlight, which is a screen lighting means, is turned off, so that when the surrounding environment is bright, power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the usable time of the video camera device when it is carried can be extended.

Further, the invention of claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that a CCD camera as optical means is also used as brightness detecting means. As a result, it is not necessary to newly provide a special means for detecting the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the number of parts can be reduced and the device can be manufactured at low cost.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that an illumination control function stop switch for manually stopping the function of the illumination control means is provided. Thereby, the lighting operation of the screen lighting means can be always turned on irrespective of the function of the lighting control means according to the user's preference, and the usability can be improved accordingly.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device for charging the built-in storage battery, wherein the screen illuminating device is used for displaying the state of charge during charging by the charging device. As a result, the charging status can be known without newly providing any special means, and the usability can be improved at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an embodiment of a video camera device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control specification chart showing an example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control specification chart showing another example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a main routine of a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a subroutine of illumination control in a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a subroutine of illumination control in a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a control specification chart showing another example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a subroutine of illumination control in a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a control specification chart showing another example of illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a subroutine of illumination control in a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a control specification chart showing another example of the illumination control of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a subroutine of illumination control of a flowchart for realizing the control specifications shown in FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microcomputer, 2 ... Storage battery, 3 ... External power supply, 4 ... Liquid crystal display device, 5 ... Illumination device, 6 ... Key input device, 7 ... CCD
camera.

Claims (6)

[Claims] An optical unit for forming an optical image of an observation target, an imaging unit for converting an optical image formed by the optical unit into an image electric signal, and image data captured by the imaging unit are recorded. Recording means, liquid crystal display means for displaying image data recorded on the recording means on a liquid crystal screen, screen illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal display means, external power supply means for supplying power from the outside, A video camera device comprising a built-in storage battery for supplying power when carrying in place of the external power supply means, comprising a lighting control means for controlling on / off of a lighting operation of the screen lighting means. Camera device. 2. The lighting control means turns on the lighting operation of the screen lighting means when the external power supply means is used as a power supply, and the screen lighting means when the built-in storage battery is used as a power supply. The video camera device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting operation is turned off. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a brightness detection unit configured to detect a brightness of the surrounding environment, wherein the illumination control unit performs the operation when the brightness of the surrounding environment detected by the brightness detection unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value. The video according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting operation of the screen lighting means is turned off, and the lighting operation of the screen lighting means is turned on when the brightness of the surrounding environment does not reach a predetermined value. Camera device. 4. The video camera device according to claim 3, wherein said optical means is also used as said brightness detecting means. 5. The video camera device according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination control function stop switch for manually stopping a function of said illumination control means. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit for charging the built-in storage battery, wherein the screen illumination unit is used for displaying a state of charge during charging by the charging unit. The video camera device according to item 1.