JPH1093851A - Digital still camera having multiplex exposure function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera having a multiplex exposure function such as a general optical camera which can compose video data that is taken for plural times into one digital video and can make it into the video which is multiplexed/ exposed. SOLUTION: A video image pickup means 10 which converges inputted light, converts it into an electric signal and outputs it, a first conversion means converting an analog signal inputted from the video image pickup means 10 into a digital signal and outputting it and a video synthesis means 30 storing the digital signal inputted from the first conversion means in accordance with an inputted control signal and synthesizing and outputting the signal are provided. A second conversion means which has a control part 40 for controlling the video composing means 30 converts the digital signal inputted from the video composing means 30 into the analog signal and outputs it is provided. A recording device 60 storing a signal from the video composing means 30 in accordance with the control signal from the control part 40 and a computer interface 70 transmitting the signal inputted from the video composing means 30 to a computer in accordance with the control signal from the control part 40 are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a multiple exposure function (B
The present invention relates to a digital still camera having an ULB function or a B shutter function, and more particularly to a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function by synthesizing video data shot several times.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a digital still camera is a product manufactured based on the concept of a film camera, and does not continuously record and store motion pictures, but records and stores only a specific scene (still picture). When a solid-state imaging device (CCD) receives light, it is converted into a digital signal in a signal converter, and this signal is compressed and stored in a memory. Scenes recorded in the memory can be viewed through a TV or a computer monitor, can be printed using a color printer, and can be modified by operating a computer. Also,
If you suddenly need a photographic material, it can be connected to a computer immediately after taking it and transmitted over a long distance via a telephone line, so there is no time or space restriction.

On the other hand, in a general optical camera using a film, an object can be photographed several times on the same film surface by using a multiple exposure function. This technique is used in fields such as art photography.

[0004]

However, since the conventional digital still camera does not have the multiple exposure function of the general optical camera as described above, artistic photography and bulb photography are not possible.
(BULB) There is a problem that it cannot be used for shooting or the like.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to combine video data taken several times into one digital video to produce a multi-exposed video. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function like a general optical camera.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a video input / output device having a multiple exposure function for synthesizing video data taken several times into one digital video to produce and output a multi-exposure video. .

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function according to the present invention is a video imaging means for condensing input light, converting the light into an electric signal, and outputting the signal. A first converter for converting an analog signal input from the video imaging unit into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal; storing a digital signal input from the first converter in response to an input control signal; Means for synthesizing and outputting the combined signal, a control unit for outputting a control signal including a signal for controlling the image combining means, and a second means for converting a digital signal input from the image combining means into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal. A converting device, a recording device for storing a signal input from the video synthesizing unit according to a control signal input from the control unit, or a video synthesizing unit according to a control signal input from the control unit. Comprising computer interface that allows transmission of the signal input to the computer.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a video input / output device having a multi-exposure function, which collects input light, converts the light into an electric signal, and outputs the signal. A first converting means for converting a signal into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal, storing the digital signal input from the first converting means in accordance with the input control signal, synthesizing the stored signal and outputting an image A synthesizing unit, a control unit that outputs various control signals including a signal for controlling the video synthesizing unit, a second conversion unit that converts a digital signal input from the video synthesizing unit into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal,
A recording device that stores a signal input from a video synthesizing unit according to a control signal input from a control unit, and enables a signal input from the video synthesizing unit to be displayed on a computer according to a control signal input from the control unit. And a video output device for outputting an analog signal input from the second conversion means.

[0009]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function and an output device thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function and an output device thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention include a video imaging unit 10 for condensing input light, converting the light into an electric signal, and outputting the signal. An analog / digital conversion unit 20 for converting an analog signal input from the video imaging unit 10 into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal, and a digital signal input from the analog / digital conversion unit 20 in accordance with an input control signal And a video synthesizing means 30 for synthesizing the stored signal and outputting the synthesized signal. A control unit 40 is provided for outputting various control signals including a signal for controlling the video synthesizing unit 30. A digital / analog converter is provided for converting a digital signal input from the video synthesizing unit 30 into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal. A conversion unit 50 is provided. Further, a recording device 60 for storing a signal input from the video synthesizing means 30 according to a control signal input from the control unit 40.
A computer interface 70 for transmitting a signal input from the video synthesizing unit 30 to a computer in accordance with a control signal input from the control unit 40, and an analog signal input from the digital / analog conversion unit 50 And a video output device 80.

The image pickup means 10 includes a lens unit 11 for condensing and outputting input light, and a solid-state image pickup device 1 for converting light input from the lens unit 11 into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal.
Consists of two.

The image synthesizing means 30 includes a plurality of memories 31 and 32 for storing the digital signal input from the analog / digital converter 20 in units of one image (one frame) in accordance with the input control signal. 33, ...
.. and a large number of memories 31, 32, 33,...
A synthesizing memory 35 for synthesizing the signal stored in 34 into one image according to the input control signal and outputting the synthesized image.

Here, the digital still camera having the multiple exposure function according to the embodiment of the present invention is a
0, analog / digital conversion section 20, video synthesis means 3
0, a control unit 40, a digital / analog conversion unit 50, a recording device 60, and a computer interface 70.

The operation of the digital still camera having the multiple exposure function and the output device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. 2 (A) to 2
(D) shows pixel data stored in each memory after photographing with the digital still camera having the multiple exposure function according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (A) shows the first photographed pixel data in the first memory. (B) shows a form in which pixel data of a second image is stored in a second memory;
(C) shows a form in which pixel data of the third image is stored in the third memory, (D) shows a form in which pixel data of the Nth image is stored in the Nth memory, Displayed as A11, A12,... Are pixel data which is the minimum size of video data.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show three examples in which a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function according to an embodiment of the present invention shoots three times and then combines pixel data stored in each memory in a synthesis memory. 7 illustrates an example of a method. The first image is changed to the lens unit 1 by the shooting operation.
1, is input to the solid-state imaging device 12, is converted into an electric signal, and is output to the analog / digital converter 20.
The pixel data (Pixel; Picture element) of the first image converted into a digital signal and output by the analog / digital conversion unit 20 according to the pixel data storage signal of the control unit 40 as shown in FIG. It is stored in the first memory 31. In the same manner, the next video to be input is sequentially stored in the second memory 32, the third memory 33, and the N-th memory 3.
4 is stored as shown in FIGS. 2 (B), 2 (C) and 2 (D). The pixel data stored in each of the memories 31, 32, 33, and 34 is output from each of the memories 31, 32, 33, and 34 to the synthesizing memory 35 according to the pixel data synthesizing signal of the control unit 40, and is output in the synthesizing memory 35 in pixel units. Are combined into one video (one combined data). Therefore, it is possible to combine the video shot N times into one video, and the video synthesized in the synthesis memory 35 is the same as the video exposed N times by the multiple exposure function in a general optical camera.

Next, the image synthesized in the synthesis memory 35 is stored in the recording device 60 or stored in the computer via the computer interface 70 or output to the monitor (or printer) according to the instruction of the control unit 40, and edited by the computer. Is also possible. Also,
The image synthesized in the synthesis memory 35 is digital /
Video output device 8 such as TV through analog conversion unit 50
Or display at 0.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an example in which images taken three times are synthesized in the synthesizing memory 35 is given as three methods. That is, FIG. 3A shows the first combined data stored in the combining memory 35 by the first method, and the first combined data is configured as follows. The pixel data of the first, second, and third captured images are stored in the first memory 31, the second memory 32, and the third memory 33, respectively. The first pixel data A11 of the first line in the first memory 31 and the second position of the first line in the second memory 32 at the second position of the first line of the composite memory 35 In the third memory 33, the pixel data B12 of the first line and the third pixel data C12 of the first line stored in the third memory 33 are combined at the third position of the first line. The pixel data of the remaining lines of the synthesis memory 35 are packed in the same manner.

FIG. 3B shows the second combined data stored in the combining memory 35 by the second method. When the second combined data is compared with the first combined data, the data is 1 second from the second line. This is a method in which pixels are recorded with a delay.

FIG. 3C shows the third combined data stored in the combining memory 35 by the third method. When the third combined data is compared with the first combined data, the data is 2 second from the second line. This is a method in which pixels are recorded with a delay.

[0019]

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, by combining video data taken several times into one digital video to form a multi-exposure video, a general video can be further diversified into an artistic image. A digital still camera having a multi-exposure function, which has an effect of sublimating a typical image, can be provided.

Further, by synthesizing video data taken several times into one digital video to produce and output a multi-exposure video, a general video is further sublimated into an artistic video and the output composite video is output. It is possible to provide a video input / output device having a multiple exposure function, which has an effect of being able to edit through a computer or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function and an output device thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating pixel data stored in each memory after photographing with a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of three methods of synthesizing pixel data stored in each memory after synthesizing three times with a digital still camera having a multiple exposure function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 video imaging means 12 solid-state imaging device 20 analog / digital conversion unit 30 video synthesis means 35 synthesis memory 40 control unit 50 digital / analog conversion unit 60 recording device 70 computer interface 80 video output device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for condensing input light, converting the light into an electric signal and outputting the signal, and a first conversion means for converting an analog signal input from the image pickup means into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal. Video synthesizing means for storing a digital signal input from the first converting means in accordance with an input control signal, synthesizing the stored signal, and outputting the synthesized signal; control including a signal for controlling the video synthesizing means A control unit that outputs a signal; a second conversion unit that converts a digital signal input from the video synthesizing unit into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal; a control unit that is input from the video synthesizing unit according to a control signal input from the control unit A recording device for storing a signal input from the video synthesizing means in response to a control signal input from the control unit. A digital still camera having a multiple exposure function including an interface. 2. The image synthesizing unit stores a plurality of memories for storing digital signals input from the first conversion unit in one image unit according to an input control signal, and stores the digital signals in the plurality of memories. 2. The digital still camera having a multiple exposure function according to claim 1, comprising a synthesizing memory for synthesizing the output signal into one image according to an input control signal and outputting the synthesized image. 3. The digital still camera having a multiple exposure function according to claim 2, wherein the synthesizing memory performs synthesizing in units of pixels when synthesizing an image. 4. An image pickup means for condensing input light, converting the light into an electric signal, and outputting the signal, and a first conversion means for converting an analog signal input from the image pickup means into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal. Video synthesizing means for storing a digital signal input from the first converting means in accordance with an input control signal, synthesizing the stored signal and outputting the synthesized signal, various signals including a signal for controlling the video synthesizing means A second conversion unit that converts a digital signal input from the video synthesizing unit into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal; a control unit that outputs a control signal according to a control signal input from the control unit. A recording device for storing an input signal; a computer for displaying a signal input from the video synthesizing means on a computer in response to a control signal input from the control unit A video input / output device having a multiple exposure function, comprising a video output device for outputting an analog signal input from the second conversion means. 5. The image synthesizing means includes: a plurality of memories for storing digital signals input from the first conversion means in units of one image in response to an input control signal; 5. The video input / output device having a multiple exposure function according to claim 4, comprising a synthesis memory for synthesizing the stored signal into one video according to an input control signal and outputting the synthesized video. 6. The video input / output device having a multiple exposure function according to claim 5, wherein the video image is synthesized in a pixel unit in the synthesis memory.