JPS60219875A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control a television camera in an excellent way with simple constitution by using a microcomputer so as to display the warning representing the content of various settings into a view finder. CONSTITUTION:An image light from an object is irradiated at first onto an image pickup element 6 through a lens system 5 and a video signal is fed to a camera process device 7. Then a signal of the setting position of each switch and required warning is fed to the microcomputer 4. A code signal of a character to be displayed is generated in the microcomputer 4, the signal is fed to a character generator 8 and a video signal in response to the character is formed. The character signal is mixed with the image signal from the process device 7 at a mixing circuit 19 and displayed on a view finder 11. Thus, the character signal representing such as various setting values and warning is displayed in the view finder.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera that uses a microcomputer to display detailed settings, warnings, etc. in characters within a viewfinder.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY AND PROBLEMS The white balance and black balance of a video signal to be photographed is automatically adjusted using a so-called microcomputer. It has been proposed that such a video camera 2 be further provided with a character generator to display a desired title or the like.

For example, the patent application No. 58-6056 proposed earlier by the applicant
In No. 9, a character such as an arbitrary letter is set using the above-mentioned white balance and black balance adjustment switches, and a video signal corresponding to this character is generated.
It is stated that this video (No. 6) is superimposed on the signal from the imaging unit and displayed on the viewfinder or sent to the outside.

However, in addition to being automatically adjusted using the above-mentioned microcomputer, the white balance and black balance may also be adjusted manually or fixed to arbitrary preset values, and these can be set using a designated switch. be done. In this case, these changeover switches can be provided in any part of the video camera, but it is generally difficult to know their setting positions while shooting, for example, when looking through the viewfinder. Therefore, it has been considered to generate the above-mentioned characters according to these set positions and display them on the viewfinder.

Similarly, it is also being considered to display characters on the viewfinder to warn of insufficient light, low battery voltage, and the like.

That is, in FIG. 2, when the power is turned on, the warning mode [1] is first entered. In this mode [1], the viewfinder displays insufficient light r depending on the type of warning.
LOW LIGHT J, l [pressure drop r BATT, E
MPTY J, defective data set in the built-in memory, MEMORY NG J, etc. are displayed. Since these displays are displayed only when a warning is issued, photography is normally performed in this mode (1)K.

Next, when the mode change switch provided at an arbitrary location is pressed, the switch setting display mode [2] is entered.

In this mode [2], the viewfinder displays the names of each switch, black balance "B LK J, white balance r"
WHTJ, centering “cENTJ, output gain rG
Along with A I N J, each setting position, automatic rA
UTOJ or preset rPREsETJ or manual rMANUALJ is displayed. Note that for the output gain, [QDBJ, r9DBJ, or r18DBJ is displayed.

When the mode change switch is further pressed, the title setting mode becomes [3]k. In this mode [3], as described in the above-mentioned % Application No. 58-60569, titles etc. are formed using switches for setting black balance and white balance, and are displayed on the viewfinder and displayed externally. Sent out.

Further, when the mode change switch is pressed, the above-mentioned warning mode [1]K is returned.

After 5K, various settings, warnings, etc. are displayed.

By the way, the various settings described above are set in advance before the start of shooting. On the other hand, for example, if an automatic diaphragm mechanism is provided, there are demands such as wanting to open or close the diaphragm a little or to vary the pedestal level. These need to be controlled arbitrarily depending on the situation of the subject during photography.

Therefore, it is not preferable to provide independent switches for controlling these elements from the viewpoint of ease of operation. Furthermore, installing a large number of switches makes the system mechanically complicated, leading to problems such as increased costs. Furthermore, if a hyperactive switch is provided, the risk of erroneous operation increases.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to provide good control with a simple configuration in consideration of such AK.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a video camera that uses a microcomputer to display various setting contents and warnings in characters in a viewfinder. to change the character display mode, operate a function that includes arbitrary control in relation to the changed display mode, and use the second and third switches to perform the control. According to this t1', good control can be performed with a simple configuration.

Embodiment In FIG. 1, the above-mentioned mode change switch (1)
In addition, an up switch (2) and a down switch (3) are provided, and signals from these are sent to the microcomputer (
4).

Further, image light from a subject (not shown) is irradiated onto an image sensor (6) through a lens system (5) including an aperture, and the obtained image signal is supplied to a camera processing device (power).

This process is installed! , (Signals such as the set position of each force switch and necessary warnings are supplied to the microcomputer (4).

This microcomputer (4) forms a code signal of a character to be displayed, and this code signal is supplied to a character generator (8) to form a video signal corresponding to this character.

Further, the photographed video signal from the processor device (7) is supplied to the mixing circuits f9), 0(ll), and the video transmission of the character from the generator (8) is supplied to the mixing circuit (9), DI. The signal from this mixing circuit (9) is supplied to the viewfinder 09, and (g%) from the mixing circuit Ql is supplied to the output terminal Q2.

Further, a digital signal corresponding to a control value from the microcomputer (4) is supplied to a DA conversion circuit (13), and a converted analog signal is supplied to a plurality of sample and hold circuit group Q4. In addition, a microcomputer (4
) are supplied to a sample bold circuit group (14), and a desired control value is bolded to a desired hold circuit, respectively.

The pedestal control value from this sample and hold circuit group I is the process device! (7) to control, for example, the pedestal clamp level.

Further, the aperture control value from the number hold circuit group α is supplied to the automatic aperture mechanism α9. In this mechanism 09, the video signal from the process device (7) is supplied to the detection circuit (15a) to detect the level, this level is compared with the reference level in the comparison circuit (15b), and the comparison output is The aperture of the lens system (5) is adjusted for FA.

In this mechanism 09, the control value from the sample and hold circuit group α4 described above is supplied as a reference level to the comparison circuit (15b). As a result, the automatic diaphragm mechanism αω
Control is performed to slightly open or close the aperture.

Furthermore, in FIG. 3, the above-mentioned modes [1] to [3] are performed in substantially the same way as in FIG. 2, and when the mode change switch (1) is pressed in mode [3], the aperture control mode [ 4]. In this mode [4], the viewfinder (11) has switches (11 to (3)
) name and contents of its operation, rU UP J rD
DOWN J rU/D PRESBT Jr CHG
N B X T J is displayed. Here CHG is mode change switch (1), U is up switch 12+
, D indicates the down switch (3), and U/D indicates that switch +21 (31) is operated at the same time (for example, within 0.5 seconds). Also, at the bottom of the viewfinder αυ, this mode [ 4] FA/IRI indicating the control content
SJ is displayed, and its control value r-1, OJ
~rNoaM”~r+1. OJ is displayed in steps of 0.5, for example. Note that rNOIIMJ is in a steady state (
±0).

And in this mode [4], the up switch (2)
When is pressed, the control value is increased by 0.5, and when the down switch (3) is pressed, it is decreased by 0.5.

More switches! 21, (If 31 is pressed at the same time, it is returned to ±0. Then, this control value is
1, and a digital signal corresponding to this control value is output to the DA conversion circuit 03.

Furthermore, in mode [4], the mode change switch (
When 1) is pressed, the mode becomes pedestal control mode [5]. In this mode [5], the viewfinder OB has each switch (1
) to (3) and the contents of this operation are displayed, and at the bottom, rPED・'' indicating the control contents of mode [5] is displayed, and the control value f'MINJ r-30J
˜“00”˜r 30 j rMAXJ is displayed in steps of 1, for example.

And in this mode [5], the up switch (2)
When is pressed, the control value is increased by a predetermined amount, and when the down switch (3) is pressed, the control value is decreased by a predetermined amount.

Note that this control value is controlled in 256 steps with 8 bits, for example, in the output digital signal to the DA conversion circuit α3, but the display on the viewfinder αυ is 6 steps for every 4 steps.
Displayed in 3 different numbers. Although this numerical value is not a measured value, it corresponds to a unit of so-called 11LE. Furthermore, if switches 121 and f31 are pressed at the same time, the preset value is returned to, but in this case, the preset value is
For example, it is set to 2 for NTS (, c) 11o and PAL.

Also, in mode [5], the mode change switch (1
, 1 is pressed, the mode is returned to [1].

In this way, the aperture and pedestal level are controlled, but according to the above-mentioned device, the new switch (2
) and (3), there is less burden on operability and mechanical aspects than in the past.

There are also fewer design restrictions.

Furthermore, since the details of the controls are displayed in the viewfinder, the cameraman can perform any desired controls while looking at the display, greatly improving the operability of these controls.

The switches (1) to (3) may be provided, for example, at the lower left corner of the front surface of the camera, as shown in FIG. 4, so that they can be easily operated with the left hand, for example, during photographing.

Furthermore, since control can only be performed when the relevant display is being displayed on the viewfinder, the risk of erroneous operation is extremely reduced.

The content of the control is the above-mentioned aperture and pedestal level VC.
Not limited to red signals in color video signals.

It can also be applied when independently controlling the gain of a blue signal, etc.

By the way, with the above device, normal shooting is done in warning mode [1
], but if a low battery voltage or low memory data message appears here, you will need to stop shooting immediately. On the other hand, when the amount of light is insufficient, it is possible to take pictures except for the problem of image quality. In this case, if the insufficient light amount display continues, it becomes difficult to see the original photographed image in the viewfinder.

Therefore, the display of insufficient light quantity can be made to blink at will.

However, this alone makes it unclear whether the amount of light is sufficient or whether the display is turned off. Therefore, in the switch setting display mode [2], the leading deficit display rL, L・IN
A display is made to show DJ and its lighting "ON" and turning off rOFFJ.

The blinking of the display indicating insufficient light intensity is in mode [1] [2].
It may also be done through switches +21 and (31).

Furthermore, in the title setting mode [3], instead of the conventional black balance and white balance setting switches, switches f21 and (31) may be used in the above device. It may also be used to control vertical movement.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, it has become possible to perform good control with a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a conventional device, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the present invention. (1) to (3) are switches, (4) is a microcomputer, (input is a camera processor, Qll is a viewfinder, and a) is an output terminal. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 f'X1

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a video camera that uses a microcomputer to display detailed settings and warnings in characters in the viewfinder, first to third switches are provided, and the first switch selects the character display mode. At the same time, any control is operated in relation to the changed display mode, and the second and third
A video camera configured to perform the above control using a switch.