KR100781171B1 - Camera system and camera - Google Patents

Abstract

The camera according to the present invention includes a second VRAM 24 in which image data is stored, and a CPU which generates image data based on an image generated by the CCD 4 or predetermined character information, and stores the image data in the second VRAM 24. 19 and a video encoder 14 for outputting image data read out from the second VRAM 24 to an external flash via communication means. The external flash includes a video I / F that receives image data through communication means and an LCD that displays an image based on the image data received by the video I / F.

Description

Camera system and camera

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external flash according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A is a plan view of a camera for illustrating a connection interface between a camera and an external flash according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3B is a bottom view of the upper flash for illustrating a connection interface between a camera and an external flash according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a display example of displaying shooting conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value in an image display device and an LCD of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5B is a display example of displaying a histogram such as luminance distribution in an image display device and an LCD of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5C is a display example of displaying an enlarged image of a part of a captured image in an image display device and an LCD of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5D is a display example of displaying a help for a camera operating method in an image display device and an LCD of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5E is a display example of displaying one sheet before a captured image in the image display device and LCD of the camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5F is a display example of displaying one before and after the captured image in the image display apparatus and LCD of the camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6A is an exemplary diagram illustrating the use of wireless communication for communication between a camera and an external flash according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6B is an exemplary diagram illustrating the use of bidirectional wireless I / F for communication between a camera and an external flash according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6C is an exemplary view showing a state in which a photographed image and a histogram are displayed on an image display apparatus of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a shooting condition is displayed on an external flash LCD.

FIG. 6D is an exemplary diagram illustrating an operating state of the image display apparatus when the histogram is displayed on the external flash by operating the camera in FIG. 6C.

7 is a display example showing that an LCD of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention is being charged.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: Zoom lens 21: AE and AWB detection circuit

2: aperture 22: memory

3: focusing lens 23: first VRAM

4: imaging device 24: second VRAM

5: zoom motor 25: media controller

6: aperture motor 26: recording media

7: Focus Motor 27: Serial I / F

8: timing generator 50: zoom panel

9: CDSAMP circuit 51: motor driver

10: A / D converter 52: light emitting unit

11: Image input controller 53: CPU

12: image signal processing circuit 54: charging unit

13: Image compression / extension circuit 55: Power supply section

14: Video Encoder 56: Video I / F

15: Image Display 57: LCD Driver

16, 17, 18: Motor driver 58: LCD

19: CPU 59: Serial I / F

20: AF detection circuit 60,61: hot shoe

The present invention relates to a camera system and a camera having an external flash with a display attached.

Conventionally, in order to provide information to a user, information about a shooting image such as a histogram or shooting conditions, a camera setting state such as an aperture, a shutter speed, a shooting mode, the number of pixels, a camera operation method, and the like are displayed on a display provided by the camera body. A method of displaying information superimposed on a photographed image is used.

In addition, an external flash connected to a single-lens reflex camera or the like is provided with a display such as liquid crystal by a segment, and displays information such as the aperture of the camera, the zoom information of the flash, and the reachable distance.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-080042, 2000-050196, 2000-261590, 2004-328038 and the like are known as prior arts.

However, in the method of providing information by using the display provided in the camera body, there is a problem that the amount of information provided is too large to display at once or the screen is complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera system and a camera having excellent information providing means.

The camera system according to the present invention includes image pickup means for imaging an object to generate an image, image storage means for storing image data, image data generated by the image pickup means, or image storage means for generating image data. A camera including an image generating means for storing the image and image output means for outputting image data read out from the image storing means to the outside, a communication means communicatively connected to the camera, and receiving instructions from the camera through the communication means. And an external flash including light emitting means for emitting flash, image input means for receiving image data via communication means, and image display means for displaying an image based on image data received by the image input means.

The camera according to the present invention generates image data based on communication means communicatively connected to an external flash, imaging means for imaging an object to generate an image, and an image generated by the imaging means or predetermined character information. And image output means for outputting through the communication means.

In the present invention, the communication means may include a connection means for electrically and electronically connecting the camera and the external flash. The connection means may be a contact for transmitting a signal in a physically contacted state such as a hot shoe.

In the present invention, the communication means may include a wireless communication device for wirelessly connecting the camera and the external flash. In other words, not only physical connection by a so-called hot shoe or the like, but also wireless I / F such as Bluetooth or UWB (Ultra Wide Band) which connects the camera and the external flash by wireless communication, Can be used.

In the present invention, the wireless communication device is a wireless I / F capable of bidirectional communication, and the camera can capture an image by receiving an instruction from a shutter button installed in an external flash via the wireless I / F.

A camera system according to another aspect of the present invention includes image pickup means for imaging an object to generate an image, and image output means for generating image data based on the image generated by the image pickup means or predetermined character information and outputting the image data to the outside. A camera comprising: a communication means connected to the camera, a communication means connected to the camera; a light emitting means for emitting a flash by receiving an instruction from the camera through the communication means; an image storing means for storing image data; and an image storing image data received through the communication means. And an external flash including image input means for storing in the means and image display means for displaying an image based on image data read out from the image storage means.

The external flash of the camera system according to the present invention includes a power supply for supplying electric power and charging means for supplying power to the light emitting means when the light emitting means emits flashes by being charged by the power supplied from the power supply, and displaying an image. The means can display a predetermined image or text when the charging means is charging.

The communication means of the camera according to the present invention includes a plurality of connection terminals, and among the connection terminals, the connection terminal connected to the image output means is disposed at the forefront in the direction in which the external flash is inserted, and the image output means itself. The image data can be output only when it is possible to normally communicate with a connection terminal other than the connected connection terminal.

The external flash according to the present invention includes communication means communicatively connected to a camera, light emitting means for emitting a flash upon receiving an instruction from the camera through the communication means, image input means for receiving image data via the communication means, and image input. Image display means for displaying an image based on the image data received by the means.

Hereinafter, with reference to the embodiments of the accompanying drawings, the configuration and operation of the camera system, the camera according to the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a digital camera is described as an example of the camera according to the present invention.

The digital camera according to the present embodiment includes a zoom lens 1, an aperture 2, a focus lens 3, an imaging device (CCD) 4, a zoom motor 5, an aperture motor 6, a focus motor 7 , A timing generator 8, a CDSAMP circuit 9, and a serial I / F 27. Here, the zoom lens 1, the aperture 2, the focus lens 3, and the image pickup device 4 constitute image pickup means for picking up an object.

The diaphragm motor 6 forms the diaphragm variable part which changes the opening degree of the diaphragm 2. The timing generator 8 constitutes a shutter speed variable portion for changing the shutter speed. The correlated double sampling amplifier (CDSAMP) circuit 9 forms a gain variable portion for varying the amplification degree with respect to the output of the image pickup device 4 which constitutes the output of the image pickup means. The aperture motor 6, the timing generator 8, the CDSAMP circuit 9, and the flash constitute exposure changing means for changing the exposure state in the imaging means.

The position of the zoom lens 1 is movable by the zoom motor 5. The opening degree of the diaphragm 2 can be controlled by the diaphragm motor 6. The position of the focus lens 3 can be controlled by the focus motor 7. Light of the subject passing through the zoom lens 1, the aperture 2, and the focus lens 3 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 4.

The image pickup device 4 photoelectrically converts light of a subject formed on the light receiving surface. As the imaging device 4, a charge coupled device (CCD) imaging device, a complementary MOS (CMOS) imaging device, or the like is used. A color filter is arranged in front of the image pickup device 4. Color filter arrays consist of primary color filters of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), Cy (cyan; cyan), Mg (magenta), Ye (yellow; yellow). May use a complementary color filter. The imaging device 4 is driven by the timing signal from the timing generator 8.

In addition, the digital camera of this embodiment includes an A / D converter 10, an image input controller 11, an image signal processing circuit 12, an image compression / extension circuit 13, a video encoder 14, an image display device ( 15), motor drivers 16, 17, 18, CPU 19, AF detection circuit 20, AE and AWB detection circuit 21, memory 22, first VRAM 23, second VRAM ( 24, a media controller 25, a recording medium 26, a serial I / F 27, and a trigger R1. The digital camera of this embodiment also includes a shutter switch SW1, a recording / reproducing switch SW2, a zoom switch SW3, a flash mode switch SW4, and a shooting mode selection switch SW5.

The A / D converter 10 digitizes the image signal output by the image pickup device 4 and input via the CDSAMP circuit 9. The image input controller 11 supplies the CPU 19 the image signal output from the A / D converter 10.

The image signal processing circuit 12 performs image processing such as gamma correction, edge enhancement, and white balance on the input image signal. Parameters for such image processing are set by the CPU 19.

The image compression / extension circuit 13 compression-codes the input image signal. As the compression method of the image data, for example, a joint photo graphic experts group (JPEG) is used. JPEG is a standard for image compression using a discrete cosine transform (DCT). In addition, the compression method of image data is not limited to JPEG.

The first VRAM (video RAM) 23 is a memory for storing data of an image displayed on the image display device 15. The second VRAM 24 is a memory for storing data of an image displayed on the LCD 58 of the external flash, and is image storage means.

The video encoder 14 reads out image data stored in the first VRAM 23 and the second VRAM 24, forms a video composite signal based on the image data, and forms the first VRAM 23. The image read out from the image display device 15 is an image output means for outputting the image read out from the second VRAM 24 to the video OUT R5. The image display device 15 is a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays an image based on an input video composite signal. The video OUT (R5) is a terminal for outputting video composite signals included in the connection interface to the external flash.

The AF detection circuit 20 is for performing automatic focus adjustment based on the output of the imaging device 4. The AF detection circuit 20 detects high frequency component levels of the image signal in order to perform focus control. In other words, the high-frequency component level of the image signal increases at the confocal point. Therefore, the in-focus state can be determined by detecting the high frequency component level of the image signal. The high frequency component level of the image signal is detected by the AF detection circuit 20, and the high frequency component level of the image signal is integrated for a predetermined focal region to obtain an AF evaluation value. The obtained AF evaluation value is supplied to the CPU 19.

The AE and AWB detection circuits 21 form exposure control signals and white balance control signals in the following order based on the image signals output by the image pickup device 4 to perform exposure and white balance, Output to CPU19.

The exposure control signal refers to a luminance evaluation value indicating the brightness of the image. The AE and AWB detection circuits 21 calculate the average value of the luminance of the entire image with respect to the input image signal, and set this as the luminance evaluation value.

In addition, the white balance control signal refers to the B gain and the R gain. Here, B gain is a magnification with respect to the blue component of each pixel in white balance control, and R gain is a magnification with respect to the red component of each pixel. In addition, the white balance control controls the balance of the three primary colors by multiplying the B gain and the R gain for the blue component and the red component, respectively, without changing the green component of the three primary colors of each pixel. The AE and AWB detection circuits 21 calculate an average value of each of the red, blue, and green components of the entire image, divide the average value of the green component by the average value of the blue component, and obtain the B value and the average value of the green component. The value divided by is called R gain.

The CPU 19 is an arithmetic means for controlling the entire digital camera, and is an image generating means for generating image data. The CPU 19 is also provided with an input signal from the shutter switch SW1, the recording / reproducing switch SW2, the zoom switch SW3, the flash mode switch SW4, the shooting mode selection switch SW5, and the like. In addition, from the CPU 19, the zoom drive signal for moving the zoom lens 1, the focus drive signal for moving the focus lens 3, the aperture drive signal for opening and closing the aperture 2, the CDSAMP circuit 9 A gain control signal for controlling the gain and a trigger signal for driving the external flash are output. In addition, the CPU 19 performs serial communication with the external flash via the serial I / F 27.

The memory 22 is a read only memory (ROM) that stores a program for operating the CPU 19 and a random access memory (RAM), which is a volatile memory used as a working memory when the CPU 19 operates. )to be.

The shutter switch SW1 is a switch for photographing an image when pressed in the recording mode.

The recording / playback switch SW2 is a switch for setting the digital camera to a recording mode for photographing an image or a playback mode for displaying the photographed image on the image display device 15.

The zoom switch SW3 is a switch for moving the zoom lens 1 in the recording mode.

The flash mode switch SW4 is a light emitting mode of the flash, and is a switch for setting auto flash / forced flash / flash off.

The photographing mode selection switch SW5 is a switch for selecting one photographing mode according to a photographing situation from among self-timer mode, continuous photographing mode, single photographing mode, and bracket modes.

The media controller 25 functions to read / write data to and from the recording medium 26.

The recording medium 26 is a medium in which a compression-encoded image signal is recorded as an image file. For example, a card-type removable memory using a flash memory is used. The recording medium 26 may also be a nonvolatile memory, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like incorporated in a digital camera.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external flash according to an embodiment of the present invention. The external flash includes the zoom panel 50, the motor driver 51, the light emitting unit 52, the CPU 53, the charging unit 54, the power supply unit 55, the video I / F 56, the LCD driver 57, LCD 58, serial I / F 59.

The zoom panel 50 is a panel driven by the motor driver 51 to change the irradiation angle of the flash emitted by the light emitting unit 52. The light emission part 52 flashes by the instruction | command of CPU53. The charging unit 54 stores electric power and supplies a large current for the light emitting unit 52 to emit light. The power supply unit 55 is a battery that supplies electric power stored in the charging unit 54. The video IN (P5) is a connection terminal for connecting with the video OUT (R5) of the camera, and the video I / F 56 connected to the video IN (P5) is image input means for receiving a video composite signal. The LCD driver 57 receives the video composite signal of the video I / F 56 or the image data of the CPU 53 to drive the LCD 58. The LCD 58 is image display means which is driven by the LCD driver 57 and displays the image received by the LCD driver 57. The serial I / F 59 is an interface for serial communication with the camera and is connected to Sin (serial in), Sout (serial out), CLK (clock), CS (clear to send), and GND (ground). Communicate by terminal. The trigger P1 is a signal line that transmits the light emission timing of the flash notified by the camera.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating hot shoes 60 and 61 which are communication means of a camera and an external flash according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3A is a view of the camera from above, and the hot shoe 60 is mounted by sliding the hot shoe 61 of the external flash from the front side. The connection terminals of the hot shoe 60 include the serial communication Sin (R3), Sout (R4), CS (clear to send; R6), CLK (clock; R7), and trigger output trigger of the serial I / F 27. (R1), GND (R2) which is the common ground of each connection terminal, and video OUT (R5) for output of the video encoder 14. The video OUT R5 is arranged in the front of the insertion direction of the external flash than the other connection terminals. FIG. 3B is a view of the external flash from below, and the connection terminals of the hot shoe 61 include the serial communication Sin (P4), Sout (P3), CS (P6), and CLK (P7) of the serial I / F 59. ), A trigger input trigger P1, GND (P2) which is a common ground of each connection terminal, and a video IN (P5) for input of the video I / F 56.

In this way, the connection terminal connected to the image output means is disposed in front of the other flash terminal in the direction of inserting the external flash, and the image data is output only in a state in which the other connection terminal can normally communicate, thereby preventing malfunction of the external flash. can do.

Next, an operation from when the digital camera is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. By operating the power switch (not shown), the main power of the digital camera is turned on / off. When the power is turned on, the digital camera performs initialization of memory, zooming, DSP, various drivers 16, 17, 18, etc., and then the CPU 19 sends the video encoder 14 to the video OUT R5. To stop signal output. Through this, the output of the external flash video signal is turned off (S11). Next, the CPU 19 checks the setting state of the recording / reproducing switch SW2 and determines whether it is set to the recording mode (S12).

Here, if the recording mode is set, the image pickup device 4 periodically receives images in addition to image capturing, and receives image signals through the CDSAMP circuit 9, the A / D converter 10, and the image input controller 11. Is input to the CPU 19 (the operation at the time of image capturing will be described later). The CPU 19 outputs this digital image signal to the image signal processing circuit 12. When the image signal is input from the CPU 19, the image signal processing circuit 12 performs image processing such as gamma correction, edge emphasis, white balance control, etc. on the image signal, and outputs the resulting image signal. This image signal is stored in the first VRAM 23 as image data via the CPU 19. The video encoder 14 forms a video composite signal with reference to the image data stored in the first VRAM 23, and outputs the video composite signal to the image display device 15. Since the image display device 15 displays this video composite signal, the monitor image during shooting is displayed on the image display device 15 (S13).

In addition, the CPU 19 inputs the image signal input to the image signal processing circuit 12 to the AE and AWB detection circuit 21, and as a result, acquires the exposure control signal and the white balance control signal. Next, the CPU 19 outputs the aperture driving signal and the gain setting signal based on the exposure control signal. The aperture driving signal is supplied to the aperture motor 6 through the motor driver 17, and the opening degree of the aperture 2 is controlled to reach a predetermined signal level. In addition, the gain setting signal is supplied to the CDSAMP circuit 9, and the gain of the CDSAMP circuit 9 is controlled to be at a predetermined signal level. The CPU 19 sets the B gain and the R gain in the image signal processing circuit 12 based on the white balance control signal. In this manner, in the recording mode, the exposure and the white balance are always controlled to the optimum state so that shooting can be performed at any time.

Further, at the time of determination at step S12, when the recording / reproducing switch SW2 is set to the reproduction side, the condition does not hold, and therefore, the process moves to step S14. In step S14, the CPU 19 opens the image file of the recording medium 26 via the media controller 25, and reads out the image data. The CPU 19 supplies the image data read out from the recording medium 26 to the image compression / expansion circuit 13. The image compression / extension circuit 13 performs decompression processing of the image data, and stores the resulting image data in the first VRAM 23. The video encoder 14 generates a video composite signal with reference to the image data of the first VRAM 23 and supplies it to the image display device 15. The reproduced image is output to the image display device 15 (S14).

Next, the CPU 19 starts communication with the external flash via the serial I / F 27 (S15). The CPU 19 determines whether normal communication with the external flash is established (S16). If the external flash is not yet connected and no communication is established here, the condition of step S16 does not hold, and therefore, the process goes to step 22. In step S22, the CPU 19 instructs the video encoder 14 again to follow the step S11 to stop the signal output for the video OUT R5 (S22). In addition, the signal output is stopped here because the external flash is connected to the camera and the video is output from the video OUT (R5) before the external flash is removed. Next, unless the power supply is turned off (S23), the process returns to step S12 to repeat the same sequence.

If the external flash is connected to the camera while repeating the above sequence, the CPU 19 can communicate with the external flash in step S15. For this reason, the normal communication which is the determination condition of step S16 is established, and it moves to step S17. In step S17, the CPU 19 queries the external flash about the state of charge via the serial I / F 27. When the CPU 53 of the external flash receives the inquiry of the charging state through the serial I / F 59, it acquires the charging state from the charging unit 54 and notifies through the serial I / F 59. If the charging unit 54 is being charged here since the external flash is connected, the CPU 19 receives a notification that it is being charged via the serial I / F 27 (S17).

Next, since the determination condition of step S18 requires charging of an external flash, this condition is established. Since the determination condition of step S18 is established, the flow advances to step S19. The CPU 19 writes the image data of the character " charging! &Quot; in the second VRAM 24 (S19). Next, the CPU 19 instructs the video encoder 14 to start outputting the signal for the video OUT R5 (S21). Upon receiving this instruction, the video encoder 14 reads out image data stored in the second VRAM 24 and generates / outputs a video composite signal based on this image data. This video composite signal is transmitted to the LCD driver via video OUT R5 and video I / F 56. When the LCD driver receives the video composite signal, the LCD driver displays " charging! &Quot; on the LCD 58 as shown in FIG. Next, unless the power is turned off (S23), the process returns to step S12 to repeat the same sequence.

In this way, the connection terminal video OUT (R5) of the external flash connection interface of the camera is provided in the direction of insertion of the external flash rather than the serial communication or trigger connection terminal, which is a conventional connection terminal for external flash, and the external flash is connected. The output of video OUT R5 is stopped until serial communication is established. In this way, when the external flash is connected, the external flash does not malfunction or load even when the video OUT (R5) which is the connection terminal of the video encoder 14 contacts the serial communication of the external flash or the d0 connection terminal of the trigger.

In addition, since the ground inside the external flash becomes unstable while the charging unit 54 is being charged, the display of the LCD 58 may be distorted. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the display content is changed or the display is restricted, and a display such as "charging!" Is performed so that the image quality is not significantly reduced even if the image is distorted. In addition to this, for example, the display of the LCD 58 can be made monochrome by changing or limiting the display contents. Alternatively, the output of the video I / F 56 is cut off, the image already held by the LCD driver 57 or the like is displayed on the LCD 58, and when charging is completed, the image input from the video I / F 56 is displayed. Can also be displayed.

In this manner, when the charging means of the external flash is being charged, by displaying a predetermined image or character on the image display means, it is possible to prevent the image quality from being significantly reduced even if the display of the image display means is disturbed.

Further, when the charging of the charging section 54 of the external flash has elapsed with time, the CPU 19 completes charging from the CPU 53 via the serial I / F 59 and the serial I / F 27 in step S17. Receive notification of Therefore, it is not satisfied that charging, which is the determination condition of step S18, is satisfied, and therefore, the flow moves to step S20. In step S20, the CPU 19 writes the designated information data (for example, shooting conditions such as a shutter speed, aperture value, and the like) shown in FIG. 5A as image data (S20). At this time, since the video encoder 14 has already started outputting the signal in step S21, the video data stored in the second VRAM 24 is read out from time to time to generate a video composite signal based on the video data. Output Therefore, here, image data of the information data recorded in the second VRAM 24 is read out to generate / output a video composite signal, and the LCD driver is passed through the video OUT (R5) and the video I / F 56 to the LCD driver. Send. When the LCD driver receives the video composite signal, it displays the information data on the LCD 58 based on the signal. Thereafter, this process is repeated until the condition that the power source, which is the determination condition of step S23, is OFF is satisfied.

Here, the CPU 19 writes the image written in the second VRAM 24 and displayed on the LCD 58 as the shooting conditions shown in Fig. 5A. In addition, for example, in the reproduction mode or the recording mode, the captured image is displayed in the CPU. Histogram such as luminance distribution obtained by analyzing (19), an enlarged image (Fig. 5C) of a photographed image in the playback mode or the recording mode, or stored in the memory 22 in the playback mode or the recording mode. It may be a help display (FIG. 5D) for the camera operating method being performed, or one sheet before the captured image (FIG. 5E) or one sheet before or after the captured image (FIG. 5F) in the playback mode or the recording mode.

In addition, the image display device 15 of the camera displays the photographed image and the histogram, and the external flash LCD 58 displays the histogram on the external flash by operating the camera in the state of displaying the shooting conditions (FIG. 6C). Display of the image display device 15 and the LCD 58 so that 19 changes the image stored in the first VRAM 23 to stop displaying the histogram on the image display device 15 (FIG. 6D). You may associate contents. For another example, when there are six types of display items: (1) shutter speed, (2) aperture, (3) zoom, (4) exposure compensation, (5) flash mode, and (6) histogram, (1) When the shutter speed is displayed on the LCD 58 of the external flash, the remaining (2) to (6) are displayed on the image display device 15 of the camera, and the aperture of (2) is displayed on the LCD 58 of the external flash. If the display items are displayed on the display items, the display items may be changed in order in order to display the remaining (1) and (3) to (6) on the image display device 15 of the camera.

Next, the operation at the time of image shooting is demonstrated. First, when the shutter switch SW1 is pressed and the CPU 19 detects this, the shutter signal is sent to the timing generator 8 and the trigger signal is sent to the external flash via the trigger 29 when the flash is emitted. Since the CPU 53 sends a light emission instruction to the light emitting unit 52 upon receiving the trigger signal, the light emitting unit 52 emits flash by the power supplied from the charging unit 54. The imaging device 4 receives the image reflected by the flash and outputs the received image as an analog image signal. This analog image signal is gain controlled by the CDSAMP circuit 9 and converted into a digital image signal by the A / D converter 10. This digital image signal enters the CPU 19 through the image input controller 11. Thereafter, the received digital image signal is subjected to image processing such as gamma correction, edge enhancement, white balance, YC conversion, etc. in the image signal processing circuit 12, and data is compressed by the image compression / extension circuit 13 to obtain an image. It is recorded on the recording medium 26 as a file.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the external flash receives the video composite signal outputted from the camera to the connection terminal video OUT (R5) provided with the second VRAM 24 and the video encoder 14 in the camera. 2 VRAM 24 and video encoder 14 may be provided in the external flash, and image data output by the CPU 19 may be recorded in the second VRAM 24 provided in the external flash.

Wireless communication devices can also be used to communicate image data or video composite signals between the camera and an external flash. That is, as shown in Fig. 6A, wireless I / F such as Bluetooth or ultra wide band (UWB) can be used. At this time, it does not matter whether or not there is a physical connection means such as a connection terminal such as a hot shoe. In the case of using such a wireless I / F, as shown in Fig. 6B, a bidirectional wireless I / F is used, a shutter button is provided on the external flash side, and the instruction of the shutter button is given to the wireless I / F. The CPU 19 can be notified via the camera, and the camera can take an image.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, these are merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims.

Since the camera system of the present invention displays the image data generated by the image generating means of the camera on the image display means of the external flash, various information can be provided to the user.

Claims (6)

Imaging means for imaging an object to generate an image; image storage means for storing image data; and image for generating and storing image data on the image storage means based on an image generated by the imaging means or predetermined character information; A camera including generation means and image output means for outputting image data read out from the image storage means to the outside; And Communication means connected in communication with the camera, light emitting means for emitting a flash by receiving instructions from the camera through the communication means, image input means for receiving image data through the communication means, a power supply for supplying power; Charging means for supplying power to the light emitting means when the light emitting means emits flash when the light emitting means flashes, and displays the image based on the image data received by the image input means. A camera system comprising an external flash including image display means for displaying a predetermined image or a predetermined character when charging. delete The method of claim 1, And said communication means comprises a connection terminal for electrically and electronically connecting said camera and said external flash. The method of claim 1, And the communication means comprises a wireless communication device for wirelessly connecting the camera and the external flash. The method of claim 4, wherein The wireless communication device is a wireless I / F capable of bidirectional communication, and the camera takes an instruction from a shutter button installed in the external flash via the wireless I / F to take an image. Communication means communicatively connected with an external flash having an image display means; Imaging means for imaging an object to generate an image; Generate image data based on the image or text information generated by the image pickup means, output the image data to the image display means through the communication means, and when the external flash is charging, the predetermined means or the predetermined text is transferred to the communication means. And an image output means for outputting to the image display means.

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