JPH01204575A - Equipment for still video - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the utility by connecting not only a semiconductor memory but also an electronic display device to a still video camera equipment attachably and detachably. CONSTITUTION:A still video camera C as a still video equipment is provided with a memory unit 2 incorporating a semiconductor memory storing a digital picture signal obtained through the A/D conversion of an electric picture signal by an A/D converter 6 being the result of conversion of an optical picture signal of an object obtained from an optical lens 3 equipped with the camera 3 into an electric picture signal by an image pickup element (CCD), and a picture display unit 1 incorporating an electronic display device 20 displaying a picture based on an analog picture signal attachably and detachably. Thus, various forms convenient for a still video camera or a reproducing device or the like are obtained. Thus, the utility is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to still video equipment such as still video cameras and playback devices that use a semiconductor memory as a storage means for electrical image signals obtained by an image sensor. Regarding.

<Prior Art> In recent years, in place of conventional optical cameras, still video cameras have been developed in which an optical image signal from a subject is converted into an electrical image signal by an image sensor, and the electrical image signal is stored in a memory equivalent to film. Cameras have been developed, and electrical image signals stored in memory can be played back on a monitor or printed on a printer.

Currently, a magnetic disk is generally used as memory for such still video cameras, and in this case, for example, an optical image signal obtained by passing through an optical lens is transferred to a CCD.
After photoelectric conversion is performed using a solid-state imaging device such as MOS or MOS, the electrical image signal obtained by the conversion is subjected to analog processing such as color separation, gamma, color signal line sequentialization, and FM modulation. It is converted and magnetically recorded on a magnetic disk.

Also, during playback, the magnetic signals stored on the magnetic disk are electromagnetically converted, processed into analog signals, and displayed on a monitor.

However, since this method of magnetically recording onto a magnetic disk requires analog processing and electromagnetic conversion of the signal, signal deterioration is likely to occur (also, since both the camera and monitor require a rotation drive mechanism for the magnetic disk, Upsizing,
It is inevitable that the product will become a cost store/knob, which has delayed its widespread use not only for professional use but also for amateur use.

In view of this, the applicant has proposed a device in which a digital signal obtained by A/D converting an electrical image signal obtained by an image sensor is stored in a semiconductor memory that can be freely attached to and detached from the camera body. (Refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 59-183579 and No. 59-183582.) According to this, it is possible to prevent signal deterioration due to analog processing, and there is no need for a drive mechanism as in the case of magnetic disks. , cameras, monitors can be made smaller and lighter, and costs can be reduced.

Note that the still video camera using the semiconductor memory described above is equipped with an electronic viewfinder that displays an image based on an image signal from an image sensor.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, in the still video camera using the semiconductor memory described above, a memory unit containing this semiconductor memory has conventionally been designed to be freely attachable to and detachable from the camera body. By removing the semiconductor memory and setting it in a playback device, the images stored in the semiconductor memory can be displayed on a monitor such as a television.

However, since the electronic viewfinder is conventionally provided integrally with the camera body, it cannot be attached or detached.

Note that, conventionally, there is no player equipped with an electronic viewfinder.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned conventional situation, the present invention is to enable not only a semiconductor memory but also an electronic display device to be freely connected to and detached from a still video device such as a still video camera and a playback device. By doing so, it is possible to obtain various forms convenient for use as a still video camera, a playback device, etc., and the purpose is to improve the usability.

Means for Solving the Problems> For this reason, the still video device of the present invention converts an optical image signal of a subject obtained by an optical lens equipped on a still video camera into an electrical image signal by an image sensor,
Furthermore, there is a memory unit with a built-in semiconductor memory that stores digital image signals obtained by A/D conversion by an A/D converter, and an image display unit with a built-in electronic display device that displays images based on analog image signals. It has a structure that allows it to be freely connected to and detached from the main body.

<Function> With this configuration, in a camera serving as a still video device, by connecting an image display unit, an image before shooting can be displayed. Furthermore, by connecting a memory unit, the optical image signal of the object obtained by the optical lens can be stored as a digital image signal. Further, the image display unit can also display the stored image after photographing.

On the other hand, in playback machines used as still video equipment,
By +ivcing the image display unit, images stored in the semiconductor memory similarly installed can be displayed.

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

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a still video camera C as a still video device transmits an optical image signal of a subject obtained by an optical lens 3 equipped on the camera to an image sensor (
a memory unit 2 having a built-in semiconductor memory for storing a digital image signal obtained by converting it into an electric image signal from a CCD (CCD) and further A/D converting it by an A/D converter 6;
An image display unit 1 incorporating an electronic display device 20 that displays an image based on an analog image signal is configured to be freely attachable and detachable, and a plurality of attachment parts for these units 1.2 are provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the main body of the camera is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and is equipped with an optical lens 3 on the front surface for forming an optical image of a subject. The memory unit 2 and the image display unit l are each formed into a card shape, and are attached to the camera body 1.
8, and are mounted parallel to each other in the left-right direction.

The camera body 18 is provided with the following circuits as shown in FIG.

That is, 4 is a CCD as an image sensor, and CCD, which will be described later,
Upon receiving a drive signal from the CD driver circuit 5, the optical lens 3 photoelectrically converts the optical image formed on the light receiving surface and outputs it as an analog signal. In addition, CCD4
A color filter is attached to the light-receiving surface of the device.

As the image pickup device, in addition to MOS and CPD, which are solid-state image pickup devices like the CCD 4, various types of image pickup tubes may be used.

6 is an A/D converter, which converts the analog signal output from the CCD 4 into a digital signal at high speed.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a CCD driver circuit, which operates the CC as described above in accordance with a photographing sequence control signal from the CPU 7, which will be described later.
A semiconductor memory 8 built in the memory unit 2 drives the digital signal D4 and receives the digital signal from the A/D converter 6.
have it read.

7 is a CP as a control circuit for controlling the photographing sequence.
U, and controls the photographing sequence while exchanging data with the semiconductor memory 8.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a CPU that starts photographing sequence control when the release switch 10 is turned on.

Further, the camera body 18 having such a configuration includes a CC
D4, CCD driver circuit 5, A/D converter 6, CPU
7. A battery 1 for supplying power to each circuit of the CPU 9 and the semiconductor memory 8 via a main switch 11, which will be described later.
3 is built-in.

Here, the main switch 11 is installed on the camera body 18.

The battery 13 and the main switch 11 are connected in series, and this connection circuit is connected in parallel to each circuit of the CCD 4, CCD driver circuit 5, A/D converter 6, CPU 7, and CPU 9.

In addition, a shutter, a diaphragm, etc. are built into the camera body 18, but illustrations and descriptions thereof are omitted here for the sake of brevity.

On the other hand, on the memory unit 2 side, a semiconductor memory 8 for freely storing digital signals from the A/D converter 6 and a battery 14 for backing up the semiconductor memory 8 are built-in.

The semiconductor memory 8 is, for example, an N-MOS RAM that can stabilize digital signals.

C-MOS RAM, etc. may be used.

The camera body 18 and the memory unit 2 configured as described above are provided with an electrical connector 15 that can be attached and detached by attaching and detaching the two.

That is, a recess 16 into which a part of the memory unit 2 is fitted is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 18 as a memory unit mounting part.
A socket terminal 15b is provided in the recess 16 to fit with a pin terminal 15a of the electrical connector 15 formed on the memory unit 2 side.

On the other hand, on the image display unit) l side, as shown in FIG.
9, and an electronic display device 20 connected to the D/A converter 19 and using a CRT, liquid crystal, EL, etc., which displays an image based on the output signal thereof.

Further, the electronic display device 20 is configured to be directly connectable to the CCD 4 on the camera C side via a signal line 21.
The connection between CD4 and D/A/converter 19 is made using selector switch 2.
2.

This changeover switch 22 can be switched manually or by remote control from the camera C.

The image display unit 1 having the above configuration has a tip that can fit into a recess 23 formed on the side of the upper surface of the camera body 18, and a socket terminal of an electrical connector (not shown) formed in the recess 23. A matching pin terminal 24a is provided.

When the memory unit is attached to the camera body 18, the A/D converter 6, CCD driver circuit 5 and CPU 7 are connected by connecting the terminals 15a and 15b of the electrical connector 15.
The signal lines between each circuit and the semiconductor memory 8 are connected, and the series connection circuit of the battery 13 and the main switch 11 is connected to the semiconductor memory 8 in parallel.

When the image display unit 1 is attached to the camera body 18, the semiconductor memory 8 of the memory unit 2 is connected to the D/A converter 19 by connecting each terminal of the electrical connector, and the battery 13 is connected to the D/A converter 19.
A series connection circuit of the main switch 11 and the main switch 11 is connected to the electronic display device 20 and the D/A converter 19. Also, signal line 2
1 is connected to CCD4.

Here, one of the memory unit 2 and image display unit 1 to which a signal is to be input is selected by switching operation of a chip select terminal (not shown).

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, when the memory unit 2 is attached to the camera body 18 and a unit to which a signal is to be input is selected by switching the chip select terminal, a signal can be input to the selected unit as described above.

Then, by turning on the main switch 11,
Power is turned on to each circuit, and preparations are made to start photographing.

When shooting, press the release switch 10 to
When an image is created, each circuit is activated, and the CPU 7 controls the photographing sequence while driving the CCD driver circuit 5 and the like according to the photographing sequence program stored therein.

A specific example of photographing sequence control will be described below with reference to the time chart shown in FIG. 4.

First, when the release switch 10 is pressed (TI), the charge in the photodiode section of the CCD 4 immediately before exposure is read in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal VP (T2) input immediately after that, and the charge in the photodiode section of the CCD 4 immediately before exposure is read. Perform an exposure for any number of seconds.

Next, in order to remove dark current components and smear components generated during the exposure period from T4 to T6, T.

~T6, high-speed sweeping drive is performed.

After T6, the normal driving state is resumed, and frame images are output for 2 hours.

Here, when the image display unit 1 is selected as the unit to which the signal should be input by switching the chip select terminal during shooting, and the changeover switch 22 is switched to contact a, the analog image signal output from the CCD 4 is displayed on the electronic display. added to device 20. Therefore, an image of the subject viewed through the optical lens 3 can be seen from the electronic display device 20. If this image is what you want, you can perform the photographing operation as described above.

However, since the image signal from the CCD 4 is output only for a moment, the electronic display device 20 needs to have a memory function in order to stably view the image. Otherwise, the image display unit 1 must have an image memory for one screen.

Also, if you want to see the image after the ↑most shadow, press switch 2.
Switch 2 to contact. As a result, memory unit 2
The digital image signal stored in the semiconductor memory 8 of
It is sent to the A converter 19 and converted into an analog image signal,
An image is reproduced on the electronic display device 20 based on this analog image signal.

According to the camera C having such a configuration, an image before being photographed can be viewed on the electronic display device 20. Further, since the images stored in the semiconductor memory 8 of each memory unit 2 can be played back and viewed at the shooting site after photography, mistakes in photography can be quickly corrected.

Since not only the memory unit 2 but also the image display unit 1 can be attached and detached to the camera C, the camera C itself has a D/A converter 19 and a D/A converter 19.
an electronic display device 20 that displays images based on signals from
Since it is not necessary to provide the camera C, the structure of the camera C itself can be simplified, and the camera C can be made smaller and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 7, the camera C is equipped with an electronic display device 2 larger than the electronic display device 20 of the image display unit l.
5, and the camera may be configured to be used exclusively for playback, especially for enjoyment at a shooting site or the like.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 5 and 6.

In this embodiment, a unit 26 that combines a memory unit with a built-in semiconductor memory and an image display unit with a built-in electronic display device is detachably attached to a camera C as a still video device. , this unit 26 is constructed as shown in FIG.

That is, the unit 26 includes a semiconductor memory 27, a battery 28 for backing up the semiconductor memory 27, a D/A converter 29, and an electronic display device 30. still,
On the image display unit 26 side, a semiconductor memory 27 is provided with a terminal 27a of a screen bone capable of storing memory, and a switch 31 provided between the D/A converter 29 and the semiconductor memory 27 allows the The connection between the /A converter 29 and the terminal 27a of the semiconductor memory 27 can be switched.

Further, like the image display unit 1 of the previous embodiment, the electronic display device 30 is configured to be directly connectable to the CCD 4 via the signal line 32, and the CCD 4 and the D/A converter 2
9 is made by a changeover switch 33 that can be switched manually or by remote control from the camera C.

The unit 26 having the above configuration has a tip end that can fit into a recess 34 formed on the top surface of the camera body C, and a pin terminal 35a that fits into a socket terminal (not shown) formed in the recess 34. It is provided.

In the camera C having such a configuration, an image before being photographed can be viewed on the electronic display device 30 as in the previous embodiment. In addition, the image stored in the semiconductor memory 27 after being photographed can be reproduced and viewed at the photographing site or the like. Furthermore, camera C
Since the unit 26 having a memory function and an image display function can be freely attached and detached to the camera C, the structure of the camera C itself can be simplified, and since only a single unit 26 is used, the structure can be improved. can be simplified.

The unit 26 of this embodiment is supported by a support stand, for example, and if it is electrically connected to a battery mounted on the support stand, the unit 26 can display an image by itself, and is effective as a desk display. Available.

In the above embodiment, an example was explained in which the present invention was applied to a camera C as a still video device, but the present invention may also be applied to a playback device P as a still video device.

In this case, in addition to the memory unit 2 as shown in FIG. 2, the image display unit 37, which is obtained by removing the D/A converter 19 from the image display unit 1 as shown in FIG. 3, can be freely attached and detached to the player P. (See Figure 8).

According to this playback device P, images stored in the semiconductor memory 8 of the memory unit 2 can be displayed on the image display unit 37 without being connected to a monitor such as a television. Furthermore, since there is no need to incorporate an electronic display device into the player P itself, the structure of the player P can be simplified, making it possible to downsize the player P and reduce manufacturing costs.

If the camera C and the player P are used in combination, the image display unit can be shared by both.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, not only a semiconductor memory but also an electronic display device can be freely connected to and detached from still video equipment such as a still video camera and a playback device. By doing so, it is possible to obtain various forms that are convenient for use as still video cameras, playback devices, etc., improving usability, and simplifying the structure of still video equipment itself, making it more compact. , production costs can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera showing an embodiment of still video equipment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the same camera, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of the image display unit in the same camera. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the structure; FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of the shooting sequence control of the same camera; FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of a camera showing another embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the structure of an image display unit in the same camera.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of a camera and a playback device showing still another embodiment. 1.37... Image display unit 2... Memory unit 3... Optical lens 4... CCD5
...CCD driver circuit 6...A/D converter 7
...CPU 8...Semiconductor memory 9...
CPU18...Camera body 19.29...D/
A converter 20.30...Electronic display device C...
Camera P...Player patent applicant Konica Co., Ltd. agent Patent attorney Fujio Sasashima Figure 4/+1 (71h

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical image signal of a subject obtained by an optical lens equipped on a still video camera is converted into an electrical image signal by an image sensor, and a digital image signal obtained by further A/D conversion by an A/D converter is stored. A still video device characterized in that a memory unit with a built-in semiconductor memory and an image display unit with a built-in electronic display device that displays an image based on an analog image signal can be freely connected to each other.