JPH11196298A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To call the user's attention to the way that an image of an object at a bright place is not photographed while an infrared ray cut filter is removed. SOLUTION: A device (not show) that mounts/dismounts an infrared ray cut filter 2 is provided to, e.g. a camcorder and a switch 19 is provided to operate the mount/dismount. The switch 19 applies mount/dismount of the filter 2 and a control signal of the switch 19 is fed also to a microprocessor 9. Then the microcomputer 9 discriminates it that the infrared ray cut filter 2 is removed, a prescribed signal is fed to an on-screen display circuit 17 based on the discrimination and an image signal denoting it that the filter 2 is removed is formed. Then the image signal is fed to a superimposing circuit 6 and superimposed on a video signal from, e.g. a processing circuit 4 and displayed on a display section 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus suitable for use in, for example, a VCR-integrated video camera apparatus, a video camera apparatus, and an electronic still camera apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a VCR-integrated video camera apparatus, there is a problem that the S / N of a video signal is deteriorated due to a decrease in the level of a signal to be captured at low illuminance such as at night.

On the other hand, in such a VCR-integrated video camera device, in many cases, a CCD image pickup device is used for an image pickup section. In general, an infrared cut filter is provided on the image pickup surface of such a CCD image pickup device, and the infrared cut filter also lowers the level of the video signal to be picked up.

[0004]

Therefore, a means for detaching the infrared cut filter provided in the above-mentioned image pickup section is provided, and the infrared cut filter is detached at low illuminance such as at night to obtain a good image pickup (NIGH).
(TSHOT) has been proposed.

However, when the infrared cut filter is detached as described above, the color of the image of the captured video signal becomes reddish. Such a reddish image is not a problem in the above-described imaging at low illuminance, but is a problem in an image captured in a bright place.

This application has been made in view of such a point, and the problem to be solved is that in the conventional apparatus, an image taken in a bright place with the infrared cut filter removed is red. It can taste and be problematic.

[0007]

Therefore, in the present invention, when the infrared cut filter is detached, an image indicating that the infrared cut filter has been detached is displayed on a display portion of a video signal to be picked up. However, according to this, it is possible to call the user's attention so that an image is not taken in a bright place with the infrared cut filter removed.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS That is, the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having means for detaching an infrared cut filter provided in an image pickup section and enabling imaging with the infrared cut filter detached at low illuminance. Is displayed on the display section of the video signal captured when the infrared cut filter is released.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a VCR-integrated video camera device to which an imaging device according to the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, image light from a subject is supplied to a CCD image pickup device (imager) 3 through a lens system 1 and an infrared cut filter 2. This image sensor 3
Is supplied to the camera signal processing circuit 4 to form a video signal, and this video signal is supplied to, for example, a recording circuit 5 of a VCR device (not shown). The video signal from the processing circuit 4 is supplied to a video signal display section (LCD panel finder) 7 through an image signal superimposing circuit 6 to be described later, and is also taken out to a line output terminal 8.

On the other hand, in this apparatus, a microprocessor 9 for drive control is provided. A key signal from a key input circuit 12 such as a power switch 10 and a recording start / end switch 11 is supplied to the microprocessor 9 to control, for example, each part of the VCR integrated video camera device. Further, the drive power from the built-in battery 13, the outlet 14 of the commercial power supply, etc.
5, and is supplied to a microprocessor 9 for drive control.

Further, a control signal from the microprocessor 9 is supplied to the above-described recording circuit 5 to control, for example, a VCR device (not shown). Further, a control signal from the microprocessor 9 is supplied to the focus motor 16 to perform control such as auto-focusing in the lens system 1 described above.

Further, a signal from the microprocessor 9 is transmitted to an on-screen display (OSD) circuit 17.
And the formed image signal is supplied to the superimposing circuit 6 described above.
Supplied to The switch 18 is controlled by a power control signal from the microprocessor 9 to control the power supply from the power circuit 15 to, for example, each unit of the VCR integrated video camera device.

In such a VCR-integrated video camera, for example, the infrared cut filter 2 is provided with a mechanism (not shown) for mounting / detaching the filter 2. In addition, installation of this filter 2 /
A switch 19 for operating the detachment is provided, and the filter 2 is configured to be mounted / removed by operating the switch 19. At the same time, this switch 19
Is supplied also to the microprocessor 9 described above.

As a result, in the microprocessor 9,
It is determined that the infrared cut filter 2 has been detached, and a predetermined signal is supplied to the OSD circuit 17 based on this determination. In the OSD circuit 17, for example, A in FIG.
And an icon 21 indicating that the infrared cut filter 2 has been detached, as shown in (NIGHTSHOT).
Is formed. The image signal is supplied to the superimposing circuit 6 and superimposed on the video signal from the processing circuit 4 displayed on the display unit 7, for example.

Therefore, in this apparatus, when the infrared cut filter is detached, an image indicating that the infrared cut filter has been detached is displayed on the display section of the image signal to be picked up, so that the infrared cut filter is kept bright and detached. It is possible to call the user's attention so that imaging is not performed at the place.

As a result, in the conventional apparatus, an image captured in a bright place with the infrared cut filter removed may be reddish and may cause a problem.
According to the present invention, these problems can be easily solved.

In the above device, the OSD circuit 17
The image signal formed by may display only the icon 21 as shown in FIG. 2B, for example. Alternatively, the image signals of B and C in FIG. 2 may be alternately formed at predetermined intervals so that the icon 21 and the character 22 of (NIGHTSHOT) blink.

Further, the above-mentioned indication is displayed on the switch 19
And a key signal from the key input circuit 12 such as the power switch 10, the recording start / end switch 11, and the like, for example, immediately after the infrared cut filter is released. Display can be performed for a predetermined period.

A signal indicating that the infrared cut filter has been released from the switch 19 and a key signal from the key input circuit 12 such as the power switch 10 and the recording start / end switch 11 are discriminated. The display can be performed during a predetermined period when the power is turned on with the cut filter removed.

Further, for example, a signal indicating that the infrared cut filter has been released from the switch 19 and key signals of the power switch 10, the recording start / end switch 11 and the like from the key input circuit 12 are discriminated, and for example, The display can also be performed during a predetermined period when recording is started with the cut filter removed.

According to the imaging apparatus described above, the infrared cut filter is provided in the image pickup unit, and the infrared cut filter is detached from the apparatus at low illuminance. By displaying the fact that the infrared cut filter has been detached on the display of the video signal that is imaged when the infrared cut filter has been detached, the user can avoid taking images in a bright place with the infrared cut filter detached. It can call attention.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the infrared cut filter is detached, an image indicating that the infrared cut filter has been detached is displayed on the display section of the image signal to be picked up. It is possible to call the user's attention so that an image is not taken in a bright place with the filter removed.

Thus, in the conventional apparatus, an image picked up in a bright place with the infrared cut filter removed may be reddish, causing a problem.
According to the present invention, these problems can be easily solved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an imaging apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Lens system, 2 ... Infrared cut filter, 3 ... CC
D imaging device (imager), 4 camera signal processing circuit, 5 recording circuit, 6 image signal superimposing circuit, 7 display unit (LCD panel finder), 8 line output terminal, 9 drive control Microprocessor, 10 power switch, 11 recording start / end switch, 12 key input circuit, 13 built-in battery, 14 commercial power outlet, 15 power supply circuit, 16 focus motor,
17. On-screen display (OSD) circuit, 1
8: Power control switch, 19: Switch for operating on / off of filter

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus having means for detaching an infrared cut filter provided in an image pickup section and enabling image pickup with the infrared cut filter detached at low illuminance, wherein the infrared cut filter is detached. An image pickup apparatus, wherein a display indicating that the infrared cut filter has been detached is displayed on a display section of the image signal to be imaged. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display indicating that the infrared cut filter has been removed is displayed for a predetermined period immediately after the removal of the infrared cut filter. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an indication that the infrared cut filter has been detached is displayed for a predetermined period when the power is turned on with the infrared cut filter detached. Imaging device. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an indication that the infrared cut filter has been detached is displayed for a predetermined period when recording is started with the infrared cut filter detached. Imaging device.