JPH07226881A - Method for selecting title video of picture camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To quicken the reading of a prescribed picture correlated to a season by specifying a class through the use of a data clocked in a video camera and reading out a title picture in the class. CONSTITUTION:A calender circuit 7 clocks a present date and time and an image picking-up person operates an operation part 17 to set the video camera into a standby state. Thereby, signals R, G and B which are seal-image-picked- up by way of an image pickup lens 20 are sent to a recording system signal processing part 3 and the respective signals are encode-processed to input a luminance signal to a finder 12 and to display a scene during image pickup at a finder 12. In order to synthesize the title picture, the operation part 17 is made to instruct title synthesizing to specify the address of LUT 13 by date data from the circuit 7 to read written-in data to send it to the memory controller 4 as the address of a title memory 14. After then, through the use of a controller 4, title data for one frame is read out by each bit while synchronizing with the luminance signal and displayed as a synthetic picture.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a title image selecting method for a video camera having a title image synthesizing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a video camera, title images such as names of events and illustrations related to events and seasons are stored in a title memory (ROM) in advance, and a desired image is selected from these title images. It is known to select and to insert the video image into a video image that is being captured and synthesize the video image. When synthesizing the title images, the video camera is set to the standby state, the title selecting buttons are operated to call the title images in order, and the desired title images are displayed in the viewfinder. Then, when recording is started, the title image is combined with the video image and recorded on the video tape. Alternatively, a desired title image is selected before shooting and stored in a work (RAM) memory for titles, and the title image is combined with a calling video signal during shooting and recorded on a video tape.

[0003]

However, in the above method, since the title images are read out in the order in which they are written in the title memory, the order of appearance of the title images is determined, and the title images behind the order of appearance are displayed. When calling, it is necessary to operate the button for selecting a title many times, which causes a problem that it takes time and effort.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a title image selecting method for a video camera, which makes it possible to easily and quickly read out a desired title image. Is.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a plurality of title images are classified according to the date, season, etc., and the classification is determined from the date counted in the video camera. The title images in this category are read out sequentially. Here, "month day" as a classification is
Including only the month.

[0006]

The classification is specified from the date and time measured in the video camera, and the title image in this classification is read. Since there is a correlation between the title image and the month, day, or season, the desired title image can be read out quickly.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 2 showing a video camera embodying the present invention, a video camera 1 is an integrated video tape recorder and camera which conform to the well-known 8 mm standard. The imaging unit 2 photographs a scene and sends a blue signal (B), a green signal (G), and a red signal (R) signal for one field to the recording system signal processing unit 3. Recording system signal processing unit 3
Encodes the R, G, and B primary color signals from the image pickup unit 2 and converts them into a luminance signal (Y) and a color signal (C). Further, when the title data is input from the memory controller 4, the recording-system signal processing circuit 3 does not encode the three primary color signals from the image pickup unit 2 for a pixel having the title data, but instead performs the encoding process in advance. The set luminance signal (Y) and color signal (C) are generated to synthesize the title image.

The recording-system signal processing circuit 3 converts the luminance signal (Y) into an FM signal and the color signal (C) into a low frequency at the time of recording, and then mixes the mixed video signal into the cylinder 5. Recording is performed in the video track area of the 8 mm video tape 6 by the two R / P heads 5a and 5b provided on the. The recording system signal processing circuit 3 sends a luminance signal (Y) to the finder 12 in the standby state and during recording.

Further, the recording-system signal processing unit 3 includes audio data obtained by PCM-converting an audio signal input from a microphone or the like during recording and compressing it, and an ID code of the date and time input from the calendar circuit 7. The R / P heads 5a, 5b
To record in the PCM audio track area of the 8 mm video tape 6.

The servo 8 accurately and automatically controls the rotation of the cylinder 5 and the feeding of the 8 mm video tape 6. The tape running mechanism unit 9 controls the tape running through the rotation of the capstan while always maintaining the tracking. When reproducing the 8 mm video tape 6, the reproduction system signal processing unit 10
An NTSC signal is generated from the video signal picked up from the video track area by the R / P heads 5 a and 5 b and the audio data picked up from the PCM audio track and output to the video output terminal 11. Also, NTS
The luminance signal (Y) component of the C signal is also sent to the finder 12. A monitor (not shown) such as a home TV is connected to the video output terminal 11 so that an image reproduced from the 8 mm video tape 6 can be viewed while listening to the sound.

At the time of recording and in the standby state, the brightness signal (Y) from the recording system signal processing unit 3 is input to the finder 12, and the image taken by the image pickup unit 2 or the title image is combined with this. You can see the composite image. During reproduction, the luminance signal (Y) from the reproduction system signal processing unit 10 is input to the finder 12, and the image reproduced from the 8 mm video tape 6 or a composite image with the title image is viewed in the finder 12. be able to. Information such as the date, time, and the like from the calendar circuit 7 can be displayed on the finder 12 during shooting. Further, at the time of reproduction, the ID code of the date and time picked up from the 8 mm video tape 6 can be displayed on the finder 12 by being decoded by the reproduction system signal processing unit 10.

The calendar circuit 7 is provided with a clock function, and the year, month, day and time are set in advance, and the time and the year, month, day are counted up to measure the time and the date and time at that time are known. be able to. The calendar circuit 7 sends the ID code of the measured date and time to the recording-system signal processing unit 3 and also sends the date and time to the LUT 13 as date data. This date data and LU
The address of T13 is 366 days (February 29
It is 9-bit data that can represent (including the day), but in the present embodiment, for example, "February 19th" for convenience.
If so, the month / day data is represented as “0219”, and the address of the LUT 13 specified by this month / day data is also “0219”.
As described below.

In the LUT 13, the address of the title memory 14 is written in each of 366 addresses in advance. When there is an instruction to synthesize a title image, the LUT 13 uses the month and day data from the calendar circuit 7 as an address, extracts the address of the title memory 14 from this address, and sends it to the memory controller 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the addresses of the LUT 13 are grouped into groups A to D, and the same data used as the address of the title memory 14 is written in the same group. In this embodiment, the group A is "winter", the group B is "spring", the group C is "summer", and the group D is "autumn".

The title memory 14 is classified according to the categories of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and the title images are arranged in order of frequency of use within each category. A plurality of addresses are assigned to one title image, and each address has an 8-bit configuration, for example, and each bit constitutes one pixel of the title image.

The memory controller 4 has a counter for indicating the read start address of the title data from the title memory 14. Memory controller 4
At the time of title composition, the title data for one frame having the value of this counter as the start address is read from the title memory 14 by 8 bits in synchronization with the luminance signal (Y), converted into a serial signal, and then a recording system signal is obtained. It is sent to the processing unit 3. The memory controller 4 sets the address of the title memory 14 read from the LUT 13 in the counter when there is an instruction to synthesize the title. Also,
The memory controller 14 includes a push-type switch 1
5 is connected, and a predetermined address is added to the value of the counter each time the switch 15 is operated once. As a result, the value of the counter is set to the start address of the next-placed title image. If the switch 15 is operated while the value of the start address of the last title image stored in the title memory 14 is reached, the value of the counter becomes the start address of the title memory 14.

The control unit 16 centrally controls each unit.
An operating unit 17 is connected to the control unit 16, and by operating the operating unit 17, a standby state or a recording state is set, reproduction, title image composition, time display of the finder 12, a calendar circuit. It is possible to set the date and time of 7 and so on.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. The calendar circuit 7 clocks the current date and time. The photographer operates the operation unit 17 to put the video camera in a standby state. As a result, the photographing lens 2
A red signal (R), a green signal (G), and a blue signal (B) are sent to the recording system signal processing unit 3 from the image pickup unit 2 which has photographed the scene via 0. The recording system signal processing unit 3 encodes these RGB color signals to obtain a luminance signal (Y).
To the finder 12. And the finder 12
Indicates the scene being photographed.

When it is desired to combine the title images, the operation unit 17 is operated at this stage to instruct the title composition. When the title synthesizing instruction is given, the LUT 13 specifies the address of the LUT 13 with the date data from the calendar circuit 7 and reads the data written therein. This data is sent to the memory controller 4 as an address of the title memory 14 and set in its counter. Then, the memory controller 4 reads out one frame of title data having the value of this counter as a start address from the title memory 14 bit by bit in synchronization with the luminance signal (Y), and causes the recording system signal processing section 3 to read the title data. send. On the finder 12, the title image is combined with the scene and the combined image is displayed.

To change to another title image, the switch 15 is operated. When the switch 15 is operated, a predetermined address is added to the counter value of the memory controller 4, and the counter value becomes the start address of the next title image. The memory controller 4 reads the title data for one frame with the value of this counter as the start address and sends it to the recording system signal processing circuit 3. The finder 12 displays a composite image in which this title image is composited. The photographer operates the switch 15 while observing the viewfinder 12 until a desired title image is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the address "00000
From (H) ”,“ Merry Christmas ”,“ New Year ”,
A title image related to winter (December 1st to February 29th) such as "skiing" is written in advance. From the address “10800 (H)”, title images related to spring such as “graduation ceremony” and “entrance ceremony”, and from “1F800 (H)” titles related to summer such as “summer vacation” and “sea”. The image shows the address "2E8
From "00 (H)" to the final address, "Athletic meet",
Title images related to autumn such as "Travel" are written.

Assuming that the calendar circuit 7 is counting the date of July 10, for example, the calendar circuit 7 outputs "07
The date data of 10 ”is sent to the LUT 13. And
The LUT 13 takes out data representing the address “1F800 (H)” of the title memory 14 of the group C from the address “0710” and sends it to the memory controller 4. The memory controller 4 uses this "1F800
(H) "is set in the counter and" 1F800
(H) ”is read out for one frame of title data and sent to the recording-system signal processing unit 3, so that the title image of“ Summer vacation ”is displayed in the finder 12 in combination with the scene being photographed. Will be.

When the switch 15 is operated, the counter value of the memory controller 4 is set to "1800".
(H) "is added to become" 21000 (H) ". The memory controller 4 reads out the title data of the title image of “sea” whose head address is “21000 (H)” and sends it to the recording-system signal processing unit 3. Finder 1
In 2, a composite image in which the title image of “sea” is composited is displayed. When the switch 15 is operated again, the counter value "21000 (H)" is further changed to "1800".
(H) ”is added, the title data of the next title image of“ Tanabata ”is read, and a composite image in which the title image of“ Tanabata ”is combined is displayed on the finder 12.

When the operation of the switch 15 is continued,
After the title image of "mountain" is displayed, the title images of "athletic meet" classified in autumn are displayed. When the switch 15 is operated when the title image of "Seventh Five Three" arranged at the end of the fall classification is displayed, the value of the counter of the memory controller 4 is "00000 (H)".
Becomes In this case, the title data of the title image of "Merry Christmas" classified in winter is read and the title image of "Merry Christmas" is displayed in the finder 12.
Is displayed in. When the switch 15 is further operated, title images such as "Hinamatsuri" classified in spring are displayed on the finder 12, and after "Children's Day" is displayed, the title image of "Summer vacation" is displayed again. 1
It is displayed in 2.

As described above, by selecting one of the categories of spring, summer, autumn, and winter from the date counted by the calendar circuit 7 and reading the title image, for example, from June 1
During the period of August 31, the order of appearance of title images such as "Merry Christmas" and "New Year", which are unlikely to be used, is delayed. On the contrary, "summer vacation", "sea", which is considered to be particularly frequently used in this season,
The title images such as "mountain" appear earlier.
Therefore, the title images such as "summer vacation" and "sea" related to the season at the time of shooting are read out earlier than the title images such as "Merry Christmas" and "New Year" which are not related to this season. The number of operations of 15 can be reduced, and the title image can be quickly read.

When the desired title image is displayed, the operation unit 17 is operated to switch the video camera 1 from the standby state to the recording state and start recording. As a result, the blue signal (B), the green signal (G), and the red signal (R) of the scene imaged by the image capturing unit 2 are encoded by the recording system signal processing unit 3 and the luminance signal (Y) and the color signal are encoded. (C) is converted to. The luminance signal (Y) is converted into an FM signal, and the color signal (C) is converted into a low frequency, and then mixed.
It is recorded in the video track area of the millimeter video tape 6. As for the pixel having the title data, the R / P head 5a is obtained by converting the preset luminance signal (Y) into the FM signal and the color signal (C) into the low frequency and then mixing. , 5b for recording in the video track area of the 8 mm video tape 6. In this way, a composite image in which the desired title image and the captured scene are composited is recorded.

In the embodiment described above, the title images are classified into four according to the season, but they may be classified according to the month or further classified. Further, the arrangement of the title images in the same classification may be arranged in the order of the date and time when the event of the title image is performed, in addition to the order of the frequency of use. Further, since the dates of "Merry Christmas" and "New Year" are fixed, these may be added as one classification.
In the above embodiment, the title memory is described as continuous addresses, but banks may be switched.

[0027]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the title images are classified according to the date and season, and the classification is selected from the date and time counted in the video. Since the title images included in are read sequentially, the title images related to the date and time of shooting are preferentially read and displayed. Therefore, a desired title image can be selected with a short time and few operations. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an address of a title memory and a title image.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a video camera embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an address of an LUT and an address of a title memory.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Video Camera 3 Storage System Signal Processor 4 Memory Controller 7 Calendar Circuit 12 Finder 13 LUT 14 Title Memory

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A video camera for reading a selected one of a plurality of prestored title images and synthesizing it into a video image, wherein the plurality of title images are classified and arranged for each month or element, and arranged side by side. A method for selecting a title image for a video camera, characterized in that a category determined from the date counted in the table is prioritized and the title images included in this category are sequentially read out.