JPH11239289A - Still image pickup device and switching method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the functions of analog and digital video signal input/output terminals with common terminals by enabling a device to be switched to the state of connecting the output and input of the digital video signal to the signal terminal part of a still image pickup device and the state of connecting the output of the analog video signal to the external signal terminals. SOLUTION: When a selection menu is displayed with digital output ON, an input terminal RD for the digital video signal of an RS-232 interface (RSIF) 30 is connected to a first movable contact 45a of a jack 45 and an output terminal SD for the digital video signal is connected to a second movable contact 45b. In such a state, the output jack 45 is turned into the state equipped with the output terminal and input terminal for the digital video signals. In the display with digital output OFF, on the other hand, the part 45 is in the state of supplying the analog video signal of the NTSC standard from the output terminal of a line amplifier 136 to the first movable contact 45a of the jack 45. In such a state, the output jack 45 is turned into the state equipped with the output terminal for the analog video signals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a still image pickup apparatus capable of outputting a digital image signal and an analog image signal and inputting a digital image signal, and a method of switching the still image pickup apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a CCD image sensor or CM
It has a semiconductor image sensor such as an OS image sensor, an optical lens, and a digital signal processor, and forms an image from a subject on the photoelectric conversion surface of the semiconductor image sensor through the optical lens. This optical image image is converted into an analog image signal of an electric image by a surface part, the analog image signal is processed by a digital signal processing unit, converted into a digital image signal, output to the outside, a digital image signal is input from the outside, and A still image pickup device that outputs this analog signal to the outside is known.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 150 denotes an example of a side surface of a housing of the conventional still image pickup apparatus. An analog video signal output terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a video output jack) 151 is provided on a side surface portion 150 (hereinafter, referred to as a side surface portion 150) of the housing of the still image pickup device, and a digital video signal input / output terminal. Output terminal (Digital I
/ 153), an external power input terminal 155,
A function selection dial (hereinafter, referred to as a function selection dial) 157, a lens unit rotation lock lever 159, and a concave portion 150a of the still image pickup device are disposed at the positions shown in FIG. I / O terminal 1
53 is provided. The opening of the recess 150a is covered with a removable protective cover 153a to protect the digital I / O terminal 153.

An analog video signal output obtained by converting the optical image into an electric image is output to a video output jack 1.
51, output from a video output jack 151, and convert the analog video signal into a digital signal. The digital video signal is supplied to a digital I / O terminal 153 and output from the digital I / O terminal 153. The still image pickup apparatus is configured so that a digital video signal from a signal source different from that of the still image pickup apparatus can be externally input to the digital I / O terminal 153, taken in the still image pickup apparatus, and stored.

[0005]

In such a conventional still image pickup apparatus, a digital I / O is provided in addition to a video output jack.
Since the O terminal is installed on the side surface, a considerable portion of the side surface needs to be assigned as a place for installing the video output jack and the digital I / O terminal, so that the area of the side surface has to be increased. Therefore, there is an inconvenience which is an obstacle in reducing the size of the still image pickup device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a still image pickup apparatus in which the functions of an analog video signal output terminal and a digital video signal input / output terminal are realized by a common terminal. With the goal.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a still image pickup apparatus having a digital video signal input and output and an analog video signal output. A means for selecting an analog video signal output is provided, and one of the input terminal of the digital video signal and the output terminal of the digital video signal is shared with the output terminal of the analog video signal. The terminals of the imaging device are to be consolidated.

The present invention also relates to a method for switching a still image pickup apparatus having a digital video signal input and output and an analog video signal output, wherein one of the digital video signal input and the digital video signal output is provided. A method of switching between analog video signal output and selective output, so that either one of digital video signal input and digital video signal output and analog video signal output are input / output from a common terminal unit. As a result, the terminals of the still image pickup device are integrated.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, an embodiment of a still image pickup apparatus and a method for switching between still image pickup apparatuses according to the present invention will be described. And a detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a main part of a still image pickup apparatus as an example. FIG. 2A is an external view showing a front portion of a still image pickup device as one example, and FIG. 2B is an external view showing a rear portion of the still image pickup device as one example. 3A is an external view showing an upper surface of the still image pickup device as an example of this, FIG. 3B is a right side external view showing a right side portion of the still image pickup device as an example from the front, and FIG. 3C FIG. 2 is a left side external view showing a left side portion from the front portion of the still image pickup device as an example.
FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the contents of a display menu in a camera mode as one example, and FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining the contents of a display menu in a reproduction mode as one example. FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram showing a main part of another example of the still image pickup apparatus as an example. FIG. 6 is a right side external view of another example of the still image capturing apparatus, showing a right side surface from the front as another example of this example.

Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit block of a main part of the still image pickup apparatus will be described.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a main circuit block of the still image pickup apparatus. The circuit block 1 is a single-chip microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 2
CCD image sensor unit 3, optical lens unit 5,
The first LSI block unit 7 and a data bus line also serving as a control bus (hereinafter, referred to as a data bus)
9, a DRAM section 11, and a second LSI block section 13
, A rewritable nonvolatile memory unit (hereinafter referred to as a flash memory unit) 15 composed of a flash memory (flash EEPROM memory), and a V-RAM (video-R
AM) unit 17 and a TFT-LCD (thin film transist).
or-liquid crystal display) monitor section (hereinafter referred to as LCD monitor section) 19 and operation key section 21
And human interactive control
) Processor unit (hereinafter referred to as HIC unit)
23, and a function selection dial unit 157.

The function selection dial unit 157 includes a rotary dial 157a, a rotation angle and a rotation direction of the rotary dial 157a, and that the rotary dial 157a is lightly pushed into the inside of the side surface (hereinafter referred to as a click operation). This is a detection unit for detecting the rotation angle and rotation direction of a well-known rotary dial 157a configured by a rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an electronic switch unit, and reference numeral 45 denotes a digital I / O / video output jack unit (hereinafter, referred to as a jack unit).

Next, the configurations of the microcomputer 2, the first LSI block 7 and the second LSI block 13 will be described.

The microcomputer 2 includes a CPU core 26 and a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as a RAM) 2.
7, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as a ROM) 28, a direct memory access controller (hereinafter referred to as a DMA) 29, and an RS-2.
32C interface (hereinafter referred to as RSIF) 30 and an input / output port for signals between the operation key unit 21 and the CPU core unit 26 (operation key I / O in the following description)
31). The RS-232C interface is an abbreviation of the Recommended Standard-232C interface, which is a standard for connecting data to be transmitted and received between a device and a computer.
This is a well-known standard.

The first LSI block unit 7 includes a line amplifier 71, a converter (hereinafter, referred to as an ADC) 72 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, and a timing generator (hereinafter, referred to as a TG) 73.
And a CCD driver 74.

The second LSI block 13 is composed of a JPEG image compression / expansion coprocessor (hereinafter referred to as a JPEG coprocessor) 131 for compressing / expanding an image signal according to the well-known JPEG method, and an encoder / decoder. 132 and a converter for converting a digital signal into an analog signal (referred to as DAC in the following description)
133.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A to 3C, the optical lens unit 5, the lens unit rotation lock lever 159,
A rotary dial 157a, an operation key section 21, an LCD monitor 19, a function selection dial section 157, a jack section 45,
The arrangement position of the rotary switch knob 58 will be described.

The optical lens unit 5 is attached to the still image pickup apparatus so as to be rotatable between a position facing the front side and a position facing the back side of the still image pickup apparatus. 21 and the LCD monitor 19 are arranged on the back side of the still image pickup device.

A function selection dial portion 157 is provided at a position where the rotary dial 157a can be operated by a finger of the hand holding the still image pickup device, and a position where the function selection dial portion 157 is provided on the side portion. A jack 45 is provided at the lower left position of the camera, and a rotary switch knob 58 is provided on the right side of the still image pickup apparatus on the side closer to the optical lens unit 5.

In this still image pickup apparatus, by turning the rotary switch knob 58 in the direction shown by the arrow 58a in FIG. 3C, the camera power-off state shown as "OFF" in FIG. The state of the camera photographing mode (hereinafter referred to as a photographing mode) indicated as "camera" and the reproduction mode for reproducing a still image image also indicated as "reproduction" (hereinafter referred to as the reproduction mode)
The operation of this stopped image pickup device can be switched between the states described above.

First, the state of the photographing mode will be described.

The rotary switch knob 58 is shown by an arrow 58 in FIG. 3C.
The camera rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by a, sets the still image pickup device to a “camera” state, and sets the peripheral device unit 1 to a shooting mode.

In the photographing mode, the microcomputer 2
The TG 73 generates a CCD scanning signal based on a clock signal supplied to the TG 73 through the data bus 9, and supplies the generated scanning signal to the CCD driver 74 to generate a read signal.
It is supplied from the driver 74 to the CCD image sensor unit 3.

The CCD image sensor unit 3 is controlled by the read signal, and a still image of a subject (not shown) formed on the CCD image sensor unit 3 by the optical lens unit 5 is converted into an analog image signal, and the CCD image sensor unit 3 controls the CCD image sensor unit. Output from the image sensor unit 3 and output the analog image signal to the first
And supplies the amplified analog image signal to the ADC 72 from the line amplifier 71. The ADC 72 converts the analog image signal into an 8-bit digital video signal.
The 8-bit digital video signal converted by the ADC 72 under the control of the DMA 29 is written into the DRAM 11 via the data bus 9 and temporarily stored.

The stored 8-bit digital video signal is read from the DRAM unit 11 under the control of the DMA 29,
The read 8-bit digital video signal is supplied to the JPEG coprocessor 131 through the data bus 9, and the JPEG coprocessor 131 performs signal compression on the digital video signal using JPEG compression technology.
The compressed digital video signal obtained from the output of the PEG coprocessor 131 is converted into an image file signal format by the microcomputer 2, and the image file signal is written to the flash memory 15 via the data bus 9.

Then, this 8-bit digital video signal is read from the DRAM unit 11 by the DMA 29, and
The 8-bit digital video signal is supplied to the encoder / decoder 132 via the data bus 9 and
It is converted into a digital still image video signal by the decoder 132,
The digital still image video signal output from the encoder / decoder 132 is converted by the microcomputer 2 into the V-RAM 1
Write to 7.

The digital still image video signal written in the V-RAM unit 17 is repeatedly and continuously read out from the V-RAM unit 17, and the digital still image video signal is continuously and repeatedly read out from the V-RAM unit 17. Is supplied to an encoder / decoder 132, and the encoder / decoder 132 converts the digital still image video signal into a digital video signal of the NTSC standard.

The digital video signal of the NTSC standard obtained from the output of the encoder / decoder 132 is
The DAC 133 converts the signal into an NTSC standard analog video signal, obtains an NTSC standard analog video signal from the output of the DAC 133, and converts the NTSC standard analog video signal obtained from the DAC 133 output into a line amplifier 135.
The amplified analog video signal of the NTSC standard is supplied from the line amplifier 135 to the LCD monitor 19 and displayed on the view finder of the LCD monitor 19, so that the LCD monitor 19 is in the view finder in the shooting mode. To be available as

The NTSC standard analog video signal is supplied to a line amplifier 136 and amplified, and the amplified NTSC standard analog video signal is supplied from the line amplifier 165 to the electronic switch unit 40.

Next, the state of the reproduction mode will be described.

The rotary switch knob 58 is rotated in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow 58a to bring the still image pickup device into the "playback" state, and the peripheral device section 1 into the playback mode.

In this reproduction mode, the image file signal read and stored in the flash memory unit 15 is read from the flash memory unit 15 by the DMA 29, and the read image file signal is sent to the JPEG coprocessor 131 through the data bus 9. Supply,
The JPEG coprocessor 131 expands the image file signal using the JPEG expansion technique and converts it into an 8-bit digital video signal.

The 8-bit digital video signal is supplied to the encoder / decoder 132 via the data bus 9 to be converted into a digital still picture video signal, and this digital still picture video signal is output from the encoder / decoder 132.
The output digital still image video signal is written into the V-RAM 17 by the microcomputer 2.

The digital still image video signal written in the V-RAM unit 17 is repeatedly and continuously read from the V-RAM unit 17, and the digital still image video signal repeatedly and continuously read from the V-RAM unit 17 is obtained. The encoder / decoder 132 supplies the
The decoder 132 converts this digital still image video signal into N
Converted to a TSC standard digital video signal, this NTSC
Encoder / decoder 132 converts standard digital video signals
Output from

The output NTSC standard digital video signal is supplied to the DAC 133, and the DAC 133 outputs the NTSC standard digital video signal.
The analog video signal is converted into a standard analog video signal, and an NTSC standard analog video signal is obtained from the output of the DAC 133.
3 is supplied to the line amplifier 135 and amplified, and the amplified analog video signal of the NTSC standard is supplied to the line amplifier 1.
35 to the LCD monitor 19,
, The LCD monitor 19 is used as a viewfinder in the playback mode.

The original 8-bit digital video signal is controlled by the microcomputer 2 to control the data bus 9 and the microcomputer 2.
Through an internal bus line (not shown) to the RSIF 30, and this 8-bit digital video signal
From F30, it is supplied to the electronic switch unit 40.

The HIC 23 and the electronic switch unit 4
0, the jack unit 45, and the function selection dial unit 157, the input / output signal of the jack unit 45 of the still image pickup apparatus is converted into a state of outputting the analog video signal, and a state of the compressed digital video signal. A part for switching between an input state and an output state of the compressed digital video signal is configured. First, the configurations of the electronic switch unit 40 and the jack unit 45 will be described.

The electronic switch section 40 is composed of a two-circuit two-contact type electronic change-over switch in which a first change-over switch 41 and a second change-over switch 42 each having one circuit and two contacts, and switching control of this switch. And a control logic unit 43, and the jack unit 45 is a three-wire jack having a first movable contact 45a and a second movable contact 45b.

The first movable contact 45a of the jack part 45 is connected to the movable contact 41a of the first switch 41.
And the second movable contact 45b of the jack part 45 is connected to the movable contact 42a of the second changeover switch 42,
The first fixed contact 41b of the first switch 41 is connected to the input terminal R of the 8-bit digital video signal of the RSIF 30.
D, the second fixed contact 41 c of the first changeover switch 41 is connected to the signal output terminal of the line amplifier 136, and the first fixed contact 42 of the second changeover switch 42 is connected.
b is connected to the output terminal SD of the 8-bit digital video signal of the RSIF 30, the second fixed contact 42c of the second changeover switch 42 is disconnected, and the control signal input terminal 43a of the control logic unit 43 is connected to the HIC unit 23. Control signal output terminal 2
3a.

Next, the operation of the electronic switch unit 40 will be described.

When the level of the signal supplied from the HIC 23 control signal output terminal 23a to the control signal input terminal 43a of the logic unit 43 is high, the logic unit 42
Is switched to the fixed contact 41b side, and the movable contact 42a of the switch 41 is switched to the 42b side. When the level of this signal is low, the logic unit 4
2 switches the movable contact 41a of the switch 41 to the fixed contact 41c side, and switches the movable contact 42a of the switch 42 to the 42c side.

Next, in a state where the still image pickup device is in the photographing mode, the display of the menu displayed on the LCD monitor unit 19 is changed, so that the output jack unit 45 is changed.
The operation of switching between a state in which the digital video signal output terminal and the digital video signal input terminal are provided and a state in which the output jack unit 45 is provided with the analog video signal output terminal will be described.

When the still image pickup device clicks the rotary dial 157a in the photographing mode, the click operation is detected by the rotary encoder, and this detection signal is sent to the HIC 23.
The IC 23 displays a menu 61 having contents as shown in FIG. 2B on the LCD monitor 19. The menu 61 displayed on the LCD monitor 19 is a part of the menu shown in FIG. 4A.

In FIG. 4A, reference numeral 62 denotes a heading menu.
The heading menu 62 indicates that the still image capturing apparatus is in the camera mode, that is, the shooting mode. 63 indicates the contents of the individual menus. FIG. 4A shows a state where the menu “digital output on” is selected. The arrow 65 indicates that an undisplayed portion of the individual menu still remains.

When the menu "digital output on" is not displayed on the menu 61 displayed on the LCD monitor 19, the rotary dial 157 is turned on.
rotate a. Then, a rotary encoder (not shown) detects the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the rotary dial 157a, sends this detection signal to the HIC 23, and
At C23, the menu 61 displayed on the LCD monitor unit 19 is scrolled according to the rotation direction and rotation angle of the rotary dial 157a, and the menu "digital output on" is displayed.

In this state, from the menu 61 displayed on the LCD monitor 19, the rotary dial 157a is used to move the cursor 64 to the menu "digital output ON" with the cursor 64, and click the rotary dial 157a. By this operation, this click operation information is changed to HI
Input to C23, this menu "Digital output on"
Is switched to "Digital output off", and each time the rotary dial 157a is clicked, the display state of this menu "Digital output on" and the display state of "Digital output off" are alternately switched.

When the menu selected by the cursor 64 is in the display state of "digital output on", a high-level control signal is output from the control signal output terminal 23a of the HIC 23, and in the display state of "digital output off", the HIC 23 is in the display state.
, A low-level control signal is output from the control signal output terminal 23a. The operation of switching the control signal output between the high level and the low level based on the display state of “digital output on” in the menu selected by the cursor 64 is stored in a ROM (not shown) in the HIC 23. This is executed by controlling the HIC 23 by a program.

Therefore, when the menu selected by the cursor 64 is in the display state of “digital output on”, the input end RD of the 8-bit digital video signal of the RSIF 30 is connected to the first movable contact 45 a of the jack unit 45, and The digital video signal output terminal SD is connected to the second movable contact 45b. Therefore, in the display state of "digital output on", the output jack section 45 has a state in which the output terminal of the digital video signal and the input terminal of the digital video signal are provided.

On the other hand, in the display state of "digital output off", an analog video signal of the NTSC standard is supplied from the output side of the line amplifier 136 to the first movable contact 45a of the jack section 45. Therefore, in the display state of "Digital output off", the output jack section 45 has the output terminal for the analog video signal.

Next, in a state where the still image pickup device is in the reproduction mode, by changing the display of the menu displayed on the LCD monitor unit 19, the output jack unit 45 is changed.
The operation of switching between a state in which the digital video signal output terminal and the digital video signal input terminal are provided and a state in which the output jack unit 45 is provided with the analog video signal output terminal will be described.

Since the switching operation in the reproduction mode is the same as that in the photographing mode described above, a detailed description of the same parts as described above will be omitted.

In FIG. 4B, reference numeral 66 denotes a heading menu.
The heading menu 66 indicates that the still image capturing apparatus is in the playback mode, 67 indicates the content of each individual menu, and the individual menu on which the cursor 64 is overlapped among the individual menus 67 is selected from among the individual menus 67. FIG. 4B shows a state where the menu “digital output on” is selected.

In the reproduction mode, the rotary dial 157a
When the click operation is performed, the click operation is detected by the rotary encoder, and the detection signal is transmitted to the HIC2.
3 and the HIC 23 receiving this detection signal
The menu 61 is displayed on the LCD monitor 19 with the menu shown in FIG.

The menu 61 that can be displayed on the LCD monitor section 19 is a part of the entire menu that can be displayed in the same manner as in the recording mode, and "Digital output on" is not displayed in this menu 61. Occasionally, the rotary dial 157a is rotated, and the rotary dial 157a is rotated.
LCD monitor 1 according to the rotation direction and rotation angle of 7a
The menu 61 displayed in 9 is scrolled by the HIC 23 so that the menu “digital output on” is displayed.

In this state, the menu “Digital output
"ON" is selected with the cursor 64 and the rotary dial 157a
Click to display this menu display as “Digital output
Switch to "On" or "Digital output off" and set the level of the signal supplied to the control signal input terminal 43a of the logic unit 43 to the high level when this menu display is "Digital output on" and to the low level when "Digital output off" Switch to

Therefore, when the menu is in the display state of "digital output on", the output jack section 45 is switched to a state having the output terminal and the input terminal of the digital video signal, and the menu is in the display state of "digital output off". Then, the output jack section 45 is switched to a state having an output terminal for the analog video signal.

According to one embodiment of the still image pickup apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, two jacks of a conventional analog video signal jack and a digital video signal input / output jack are used.
Since only one set of output jacks is required, the size of the housing of the still image pickup device can be reduced.

According to this example, switching between the state of outputting an analog video signal and the state of inputting and outputting a digital video signal can be performed on the menu displayed on the monitor screen. Is very easy.

Further, according to this example, a display menu can be generated on the monitor screen by a computer program, so that only the change of the computer program does not require the change of the circuit or the mechanical section. Changing the function is extremely easy.

According to this example, since this computer program can be stored in the ROM,
It is easy to change the function of this switching operation only by replacing this ROM.

Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 show another example of the still image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment, and the same parts as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Will be explained.

5 and 6, reference numeral 80 denotes a two-circuit, two-contact type manually operated slide switch. The manually operated slide switch 80 includes a movable contact 81a, a first fixed contact 81b, and a second fixed contact 81c. And a second switch 82 comprising a movable contact 82a, a first fixed contact 82b, and a second fixed contact 82c.

The movable contact 81a is connected to the first movable contact 45a of the jack part 45, and the first fixed contact 81b is connected to the RS.
The second fixed contact 81c is connected to the analog video signal output side of the line amplifier 136, and the movable contact 82a is connected to the second movable contact 45b of the jack unit 45. The first fixed contact 82b is connected to the output terminal SD of the 8-bit digital video signal of the RSIF 30. The second fixed contact 82c is an unconnected contact.

Therefore, by operating the operation knob 83, the movable contact 81a is connected to the first fixed contact 81b, and the movable contact 8
2a is connected to the first fixed contact 82b, so that the first movable contact 45a of the jack 45 is connected to the input end RD of the 8-bit digital video signal of the RSIF 30, and the movable contact 82a is connected to the second end of the jack 45. Of the RSIF 30 is an output terminal SD of an 8-bit digital video signal.
Connect to

Then, the operating knob 83 is operated to move the movable contact 8.
1a is connected to the second fixed contact 81c, and the movable contact 82a
Is connected to the second fixed contact 82c, so that the analog video signal output side of the line amplifier 136 is connected to the jack 4
5 is connected to the second movable contact 45b.

Therefore, by operating the operation knob 83, the movable contact 81a is connected to the first fixed contact 81b and the movable contact 82a
Is connected to the first fixed contact 82b, the output jack section 45 switches to a state having an output terminal and an input terminal for the digital video signal, and the operation knob 83 is operated to move the movable contact 81a to the second When the movable contact 82a is connected to the second fixed contact 82c and the movable contact 82a is connected to the second fixed contact 82c, the output jack section 45 switches to a state having the analog video signal output terminal.

According to another embodiment of the still image pickup apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, two jacks of an analog video signal jack and a digital video signal input / output jack are provided.
Since one set of output jacks is required, it is easy to reduce the size of the housing of the still image pickup device, and the switching is performed by operating the operation knob 83. It is easy to confirm the switching state even in the camera power-off state described with reference to FIG. 3C.

[0070]

According to the present invention, in a still image pickup apparatus having a digital video signal input / output and an analog video signal output, any one of these digital video signal input, digital video signal output and analog video signal output is used. By providing a means for selecting one of them, the number of signal output terminals can be reduced, and the size of the housing of the still image pickup device can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a still image pickup device for explaining an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an external view of a front portion of the still image pickup device. FIG. 1B is an external view of the rear part of the still image pickup device.

FIG. 3A is an external view of an upper surface of the still image pickup device. FIG. 2B is an external view of a right side surface of the front portion of the still image pickup device. C is an external view of the left side of the front part of the still image pickup apparatus.

FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining display menu contents in a camera mode; B is a diagram for explaining the contents of the display menu in the reproduction mode.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram for explaining another example of the still image capturing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a right side surface part of a front part of a still image pickup device of another example.

FIG. 7 is an external view for explaining a right side surface portion of a front portion of a conventional still image pickup device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Circuit block of still image pickup device, 19 L
CD monitor section, 23 HIC section, 23 a control signal output terminal, 30 RSIF, 40 electronic switch section,
41 first switch, 42 second switch, 43 control logic section, 45 jack section, 61 menu, 62, 63 heading menu, 80 2 circuit 2 Contact type manually operated slide switch, 157 ‥‥ function selection dial

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A still image pickup apparatus that outputs a digital video signal and an analog video signal and inputs a digital video signal, wherein the digital video signal is output and the digital video signal is input to a signal terminal of the still image pickup apparatus. And a means for switching between a state of connecting the analog video signal and a state of connecting the output of the analog video signal to the external signal terminal section. 2. A method for switching a still image pickup apparatus for outputting a digital video signal and an analog video signal and inputting a digital video signal, comprising: outputting the digital video signal to the signal terminal of the still image pickup apparatus; A method for switching a still image pickup apparatus, wherein a state of connecting a signal input and a state of connecting an output of the analog video signal to the external signal terminal unit are switched.