JPH0622200A - Still video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To operate only a camera by using a buffer memory to match a write speed/read speed to/from a recording medium with a processing speed before and after the recording medium so as to divide and display plural repro duction pictures on a screen. CONSTITUTION:When a multi-display changeover switch is depressed and from which frame is to be displayed is designated by a release switch, the picture signal of a frame designated from an IC memory card via a slot 14 and an interface 13 is read. The signal is converted into a reduction picture whose size is 1/4 by using a compression and expansion processing circuit 12 and the result is written in a buffer memory 10. The processing is repeated and the signal is subjected 1/4 reduction processing to four frames of picture signals by taking the designated frame number as a head and written in a memory 10 so as to form one screen with four pictures. Then one picture information comprising the 4 reduced pictures is read out via a memory interface 9 from the memory 10 by matching with a display speed of a post-processing circuit and monitor display speed, the data are outputted to a reproduction circuit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a still video camera, and more particularly to a still video camera having a multi-screen playback function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in place of a conventional silver-salt film type camera, an optical image from a subject is converted into an electric image signal by an image pickup device, and the electric image signal is converted into a magnetic disk or card type equivalent to a conventional film. Semiconductor memory (hereinafter, I
A still video camera having a structure in which a recording medium such as a C memory card) is detachably attached to a camera body has been put into practical use (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-183582). A still video camera having a playback function has also been put into practical use.

[0003]

By the way, a reproduction processing system for processing an image by using a computer or the like is generalized when reproducing and displaying an image signal converted into a digital signal on a monitor. Some have a function of dividing a plurality of images into a plurality of screens by image processing and displaying them on a monitor at the same time, a so-called multi-screen reproducing function.

However, in the conventional still video camera with a reproducing function, the reproducing function attached to the camera has only a function of reproducing the recorded image signal as the information of each screen as it is, and one screen is divided. Therefore, the multi-screen playback function capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of images is not provided. Therefore, when it is desired to perform multi-screen reproduction, even if the still video camera has a reproduction function, the reproduction function cannot be used, and the image processing system using a separate computer or the like must be used.

Here, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-36172 discloses an image reproducing device having a multi-screen reproducing function. However, an image reproducing device for performing such special reproduction is a still video. If the structure is provided integrally with the camera, there is a problem that a circuit for the still video camera becomes complicated because a dedicated memory for creating a multi-screen is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and improves the reproduction function attached to a still video camera to enable multi-screen reproduction, and the circuit configuration is complicated as the reproduction function is improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide a still video camera that can be prevented from changing.

[0007]

Therefore, the still video camera according to the present invention photoelectrically converts an optical image from a subject by photoelectric conversion means, and further A / D-converts an electric image signal obtained by such photoelectric conversion. A / D conversion by means. Here, a buffer memory is provided for temporarily recording the image signal recorded on the recording medium detachably attached to the camera body and the image signal reproduced from the recording medium in order to match the processing speed. The recording means reads the digital image signal converted by the A / D conversion means and temporarily recorded in the buffer memory and records it on the recording medium.

Further, there are provided recording / playback switching means for switching between recording and playback of image signals, and multi-playback instruction means for instructing a multi-screen playback mode in which a plurality of playback images are divided and displayed simultaneously on one screen. Has been. The multi-screen reproducing means reproduces the plurality of images recorded on the recording medium when the recording / reproducing switching means switches to reproduction and the multi-reproducing instructing means instructs the multi-screen reproducing mode. Then, the plurality of reproduced images are divided into one screen, processed so as to be simultaneously displayed, temporarily recorded in the buffer memory, and the reproduced image signals recorded in the buffer memory are read and output.

In the above structure, it is preferable to provide a division number variable setting means for variably setting the division number of one screen in the multi-screen reproducing means. Further, the multi-screen reproduction means can be configured to display the images in the order of the set numbers of the images recorded on the recording medium. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a multi-image random selection means for randomly selecting a plurality of images to be reproduced from the recording medium in the multi-screen reproduction means.

Further, the multi-screen reproduction means includes an enlarged image selection means for selecting an image to be enlarged and displayed from a plurality of images reproduced in one screen in the multi-screen reproduction mode, and at least the enlarged display selection means. It is preferable to include enlarged image output means for outputting a reproduced image signal for enlargedly displaying the selected image on the screen.

[0011]

According to the still video camera having the above structure, the image signal recorded on the recording medium detachably attached to the camera body and the image signal reproduced from the recording medium are adjusted in processing speed. A buffer memory for temporary recording is provided, and an image signal is temporarily recorded in this buffer memory to record an image and output a reproduced image signal from the recording medium. Then, when executing a multi-screen reproduction mode in which a plurality of reproduced images are divided into one screen and displayed at the same time, a multi-screen is created using the buffer memory and read from the buffer memory while matching the processing speed. Output.

Further, in the multi-screen reproduction using the above buffer memory, the number of divisions of the multi-screen can be made variable, and the images to be displayed simultaneously can be arranged in the order of the set numbers of the images on the recording medium. It is also possible to configure a multi-screen with the images selected by. Also, when an image is selected in a state where the multi screen is displayed, the image is enlarged and displayed.

[0013]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a still video camera according to the present invention. The still video camera of this embodiment is an IC memory that is detachable from the camera body as a storage medium for recording captured image signals. In addition to using a card, it has a reproducing function of reproducing an image signal recorded in the IC memory card set in the camera body and outputting the reproduced image signal to the outside.

In FIG. 1, a light image from a subject is formed on a CCD 4 (photoelectric conversion means) via a lens 1, a diaphragm 2 and an optical filter 3. The CCD 4 photoelectrically converts the optical image and outputs it as an electric image signal. Then, the electric image signal is input to the preprocessing circuit 6 via the buffer 5 and is subjected to various processing in the preprocessing circuit 6.

The pre-process circuit 6 comprises a double correlation sampling circuit (CDS circuit) 6a, a knee circuit 6b, an amplifier 6c, a clamp circuit 6d and the like. The output from the preprocessing circuit 6 is an A / D converter 7 (A / D
It is converted into a digital image signal by a converting means), and after being subjected to γ correction and white balance adjustment by the conversion table 8, it is outputted to the memory interface 9.

The digital image signal output to the memory interface 9 is temporarily recorded in the image buffer memory 10 in order to match the writing speed to the IC memory card and the processing speed of the recording image signal, and the buffer is used for the buffer. The image signal read from the memory 10 is compressed by the compression / expansion processing circuit 12 via the compression / expansion interface 11.

The compressed image signal is sent to the IC memory card slot via the IC memory card interface 13.
It is sent to 14 and recorded in an IC memory card as a storage medium (not shown). On the other hand, the reproduced image signal from the IC memory card proceeds in the opposite direction to the signal flow at the time of recording, is subjected to decompression processing by the compression / expansion processing circuit 12, and then passes through the compression / expansion interface 11. The data is temporarily recorded in the image buffer memory 10 and temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 10, so that the read speed from the IC memory card and the reproduction display speed can be matched. The reproduced image signal read from the buffer memory 10 is sent to the image reproducing circuit portion via the memory interface 9.

In the image reproducing circuit portion, the reproduced digital image signal sent is returned to an analog signal by the D / A converter 15, and after passing through the clamp circuit 16, the color separating circuit 17 outputs R, G, B signals. The three primary color signals are separated. The color separation circuit 17
Is output to an LCD monitor (liquid crystal monitor) 20 attached to the camera body via an amplifier 18 and an LCD drive circuit 19. Here, 21 is an LCD driving timing generation circuit, 22 is a backlight for the LCD monitor 20, and the high voltage generated by the high voltage generation circuit 23 is supplied to this backlight 22. There is.

The output of the color separation circuit 17 is output to the LCD monitor 20 as described above, and is also output to the post process circuit 24 for external output, and the video output from the post process circuit 24. The signal can be supplied to an external monitor device. The post-process circuit 24 is composed of a matrix circuit 24a, an encoder circuit 24b, a video buffer 24c and the like.

On the other hand, the control unit 25 for controlling various circuits contains a CPU 25a, a program memory 25b, a timing circuit 25c and the like. The control unit 25 receives the photometric data from the photometric circuit 26 that inputs the output of the preprocess circuit 6, the dimming data from the dimming circuit 27, and the operation signals from various operation switches 28 described later. Is entered.

The control unit 25 controls the CCD drive circuit 30 via the timing generation circuit 29, and further, the diaphragm drive circuit 31, the flash circuit 32, and the LCD display section 33.
To control. Further, the control unit 25 controls the power supply control 34 and controls the AC adapter 35 or the battery 36.
The power source current obtained from the above is supplied to the DC / DC converter 38 and the constant voltage circuit 39 via the power source changeover switch 37 to control the power source supply to each block.

Further, in the still video camera of this embodiment, various information is provided to the reproduced image signal sent to the LCD monitor 20 attached to the camera and the video signal output to the outside through the post process circuit 24. A character generator 40 and a character generator memory 41 for synthesizing and outputting are provided. The LCD display section
The 33 and various switches 28 are configured as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD display unit 33
Is configured to have various shooting modes, a display of the consumption state of the built-in battery, and a segment display section for indicating the number of frames of a reproduced image. Also, as various switches 28, a flash switch 61, a shooting mode switching switch 62, a zoom setting switch 63, a multi-display switching switch 64 (multi-playback instruction means), a frame erasing switch 65, a release switch 66, a power source,
An operation mode setting switch 67 is provided.

The operation of these switches will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the power / operation mode setting switch 67 is pressed to turn on the power, and the switch 67 is pressed in the power-on state to switch the operation mode between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode (S1). That is, the power / operation mode setting switch 67 and the circuit for switching operation by the power / operation mode setting switch 67 constitute recording / reproduction switching means.

When the mode is switched to the shooting mode, the shooting mode selector switch 62 is pressed to operate various shooting modes (for example, continuous shooting, single shooting, self-timer, etc.).
Are sequentially selected (S2), and which photographing mode is selected can be confirmed by turning on the corresponding mode portion of the LCD display unit 33. Further, the strobe switch 61 is operated to select a strobe photographing mode (S2), and the release switch 66 is manipulated to perform actual photographing (S3 → S4).

The release switch 66, the control unit 25 shown in FIG. 1, the pre-process circuit 6, the memory interface 9, the compression / expansion processing circuit 12, and other circuit components related to recording are recorded in this embodiment. Constitutes a means. By such photographing, a digital image signal is recorded on the IC memory card detachably attached to the camera body through the above-mentioned path, but the image signal is read out from the CCD 4 to perform preprocessing, A / D conversion, γ correction, The writing speed at which the image signal is compressed / expanded and recorded in the IC memory card through the IC memory card slot 14 may be different from the processing speed at which white balance adjustment is performed.

For example, due to the contact resistance of the IC memory card slot 14 and the compression / expansion processing, the writing speed to the IC memory card becomes slower than the processing speed in the previous processing circuit, or conversely, γ correction, The signal processing such as white balance adjustment takes time, and the processing speed may be slower than the writing speed. As described above, even if the processing speed and the writing speed may be different, the image signal can be temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 10 and then read at a speed suitable for the writing speed to the IC memory card. It can be recorded with consistency.

Next, the power supply / operation mode setting switch
The case where the reproduction mode is switched by the operation of 67 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when switching to the reproduction mode (S1), the release switch
66 functions as a frame setting switch (frame feed switch), and in the normal reproduction mode in which the later-described multi-screen reproduction mode is not selected (S5), the number displayed on the segment display section of the LCD display section 33 is set to the number displayed. The image of the corresponding frame is reproduced and displayed (S6).

Even in such reproduction, the digital image signal read from the IC memory card is stored in the buffer memory 10
Is temporarily recorded in the IC, and is read from the buffer memory 10 in accordance with the display speed of the post-processing circuit or the monitor,
The read speed from the memory and the processing speed in the post-processing circuit can be matched. Further, when the multi-display changeover switch 64 is pressed in the reproduction mode (S5), the mode is switched to the multi-screen reproduction mode in which a plurality of reproduced images are divided into one screen and displayed at the same time. When it is designated whether to display (S8), the image signal of the designated frame is read from the IC memory card, and this is converted into a reduced image having a size of 1/4 using the compression / expansion processing circuit 12, and the buffer memory is used.
Write to 10.

Subsequently, the image signal of the frame number subsequent to the specified frame number is read out from the IC memory card, reduced, and written in the buffer memory 10, and the specified frame number is set as the head. The image signals of the four frames are each reduced to 1/4 and written in the buffer memory 10 so that four images form one screen. Thereafter, as in the case of normal reproduction, the image information of one screen made up of four reduced images is read from the buffer memory 10 in accordance with the display speed of the post-processing circuit or the monitor and output to the reproduction circuit (S).
9).

The multi-screen reproducing means in this embodiment corresponds to the parts S7 to S9 in the flow chart of FIG. 3, and the hardware configuration is the control unit 25, the compression / expansion circuit 12, and the D / A conversion. The reproduction circuit portion such as the device 15 and the color separation circuit 17 corresponds to this. Here, in the multi-screen reproduction mode instructed by the multi-display changeover switch 64, one screen can be divided into four and four images can be simultaneously reproduced, and also, for example, 9 or 16 divisions can be selected. It is preferable that such a function corresponds to the division number variable setting means.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an actual image. The original image has a pixel size of M × N, and 4 images are 1
In the case of displaying on one screen at the same time, it is necessary to reduce each of the original images to (M / 2) × (N / 2). As an image reduction method, a method of simply taking an average of four pixels around a target pixel, an error diffusion method of taking an average of four peripheral pixels, and then allocating an error between the average and the target pixel to the next pixel, etc. It is possible to adopt various methods.

Further, as described above, when the mode is switched to the reproduction mode, the release switch 66 functions as a frame setting switch for designating the number of frames of the reproduced image. When the reproduction mode is selected, the flash switch 61 and the photographing mode switch 62 function as scroll switches for selecting an image on the multi-screen (S7 part in the flowchart of FIG. 3).

Even in the reproduction mode, the flash switch 61 and the photographing mode selection switch 62 are set to the flash photographing mode and the photographing mode in the same manner as when the photographing mode is selected until the mode is switched to the multi-screen reproducing mode. Since it functions as a setting, when switching to the shooting mode from the normal playback state, it is not necessary to set the flash shooting mode and shooting mode again after switching to the shooting mode, and shooting can be performed immediately. .

By the way, in the above multi-screen reproduction mode, as shown in FIG.
The image having consecutive frame numbers starting from the image selected in 66 is displayed on one screen at the same time.
As shown in (C), in addition to the image selected by the release switch 66, an image randomly selected on the camera side may be displayed on the multi-screen. Such a function corresponds to a multi-image random selection means. Further, it is possible to select a mode in which the continuous frame number is displayed in a multi mode or a multi display mode by random selection.

Next, the function of the scroll switch in the multi-screen reproduction mode will be described. As described above, when switching to the multi-screen playback mode, the flash switch 61 and the shooting mode switching switch 62 are switched to scroll switches. Then, while the multi-screen is being played back, while watching the playback screen, the flash switch 61 as the scroll switch and the shooting mode selection switch 62 are operated to select a desired image from a plurality of images, and then the multi-display is performed. Operate the selector switch 64.

Then, the frame number of the image designated by the scroll switch is switched to a screen in which four frames are displayed in order or the frame numbers of the designated image are randomly selected. Switch to a screen that displays 3 frames. If one of the images displayed on the screen is designated by the scroll switch and then the zoom setting switch 63 is turned on, the image is quadrupled (in the case of 4-division multi), that is, the normal size. It is enlarged and displayed on the screen size. That is, it has a function of enlarging only the selected image in the multi-screen to the normal size and reproducing and displaying it.

The flash switch 61 and the photographing mode selector switch 62 functioning as a scroll switch in the multi-screen reproduction mode, and the zoom setting switch.
Reference numeral 63 corresponds to the enlarged image selecting means, and the above-described function of enlarging the image instructed to be enlarged with such a configuration corresponds to the enlarged image output means. Here, since the image in the multi-display is written in the buffer memory 10 by thinning out the pixels, the image signal recorded in the buffer memory 10 is interpolated to obtain a normal screen size. When converted to and displayed, the image quality deteriorates.

Therefore, in the enlarged display of one image in the multi-screen by the zoom setting switch 63, the buffer memory 10 is once cleared and the corresponding image signal is re-IC.
It is advisable to read from the memory card, newly write to the buffer memory 10, and display in a normal size. However, if the memory clear and the read-out from the IC memory card are performed again as described above, it takes time to process. Therefore, in order to secure the zoom display speed, the multi-playback read from the buffer memory 10 is performed. You may make it interpolate and display the pixel which is lacking in an image.

In the zoom display function, a selected image among a plurality of images which have been multi-reproduced is enlarged and displayed in a normal screen size so that only the selected image is enlarged and displayed. However, as shown in FIG. 6, one image in the multi-screen is enlarged within a range in which it is not enlarged to the normal screen size, and the multi-screen correspondence is performed around the enlarged image of the image selected on the multi-screen. A part of the image that is also enlarged may be displayed while maintaining the relationship.

The example shown in FIG. 6 shows the case where the central image (image of 1/9 size of the screen) is enlarged to 1/4 size of the screen in the multi-screen of 9-division display. As for the image around the designated image (center image), a part of it is displayed in a size of 1/16 or 2/16 of the reproduction screen. Even in the case of enlarging as shown in FIG. 6, in order to secure the image quality, the buffer memory 10 is cleared once and the image signal is read again from the IC memory card,
A buffer memory for image information of enlargement processing as shown in FIG.
It is good to write in 10.

Further, in the enlargement processing in the 9-division multi-screen as shown in FIG. 6, since it is possible to display four screens simultaneously on the enlargement processing screen, the image designated for enlargement is the central image. However, such an image may be displayed in a lower left corner, an upper right corner, or the like so that four images in the 9-division multi-screen are simultaneously enlarged and displayed, including an image not designated for enlargement.

If an image arbitrarily selected from a plurality of images displayed on the multi-screen as described above can be enlarged and displayed, the multi-screen is used to search for the desired image, and the desired image is searched. It is possible to greatly enlarge only the image and reproduce it, and it is possible to enhance the searchability of the image.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, at the time of recording an image on a recording medium and reproducing an image from the recording medium, a writing speed / reading speed to / from the recording medium and a processing speed before and after the recording medium are achieved. Since the buffer memory provided for matching is used to perform the multi-screen playback in which a plurality of playback images are divided into one screen and displayed simultaneously, it is necessary to use an external playback device for the multi-screen playback. There is an effect that the circuit configuration is not complicated because the multi-screen reproduction is performed without operating the camera.

In the multi-screen reproduction, the number of divisions can be selected, the images displayed on the multi-screen can be matched in the order on the recording medium, or the images randomly selected from the recording medium. Can be displayed. Furthermore, it is possible to select from a plurality of images displayed as a multi-screen and to enlarge the display.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display unit and an operation unit of the camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic recording / playback sequence.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of multi-screen display.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how images are selected on a multi-screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing enlargement processing on a multi-screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 lens 4 CCD (photoelectric conversion means) 10 buffer memory 24 post-process circuit 25 control unit 33 LCD display 61 strobe switch 62 shooting mode selection switch 63 zoom switch 64 multi-display selection switch 65 frame erase switch 66 release switch 67 power supply / operation Mode setting switch

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting an optical image from a subject, and an electrical image signal converted by the photoelectric conversion means by A /
A / D conversion means for D conversion, an image signal to be recorded in a recording medium detachably attached to the camera body, and an image signal reproduced from the recording medium are temporarily recorded in order to match processing speeds. Buffer memory, recording means for reading the digital image signal converted by the A / D conversion means and temporarily recorded in the buffer memory and recording it on the recording medium, and recording / reproducing for switching between recording and reproducing of the image signal. A switching means, a multi-reproduction instructing means for instructing a multi-screen reproduction mode in which a plurality of reproduced images are divided and displayed simultaneously on one screen, and the recording / reproduction switching means switches to reproduction and the multi-reproduction instruction A plurality of images recorded on the recording medium are reproduced when the multi-screen reproduction mode is instructed by the means. A multi-screen reproducing means for dividing an image into one screen, processing it for simultaneous display, temporarily recording it in the buffer memory, and reading out and outputting the reproduced image signal recorded in the buffer memory. Still video camera characterized by the following. 2. A still video camera according to claim 1, further comprising variable division number setting means for variably setting the division number of one screen in said multi-screen reproducing means. 3. The still video camera according to claim 1, wherein the multi-screen reproducing means displays images in the order of set numbers of the images recorded on the recording medium. 4. The multi-image random selection means for randomly selecting a plurality of images to be reproduced from the recording medium in the multi-screen reproduction means is provided.
Or the still video camera according to any one of 2 and 3. 5. An enlarged image selecting means for selecting an image to be enlarged and displayed from a plurality of images reproduced in one screen in the multi-screen reproducing mode, and at least the enlarged display selecting means. 2. An enlarged image output means for outputting a reproduced image signal for enlarging and displaying the selected image on the screen, and a configuration comprising:
The still video camera according to any one of 3 and 4.