JP2742111B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera suitable for capturing two types of images having different screen aspect ratios.

[Conventional technology]

ED / TV (Extended), with the aim of improving the image quality and realism of the NTSC system, which is one of the standard television systems,
Definition TV) broadcast systems are being studied, and a wide-screen television system in which the aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of the screen is enlarged has been proposed.

As means for capturing and recording images having aspect ratios different from the current one, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-52517, optical means for reducing or enlarging a light image formed on an imaging surface in a predetermined direction. It is conceivable to use means, which makes it possible to capture and record a screen wider than the current one using the conventional image sensor.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the above prior art, a video camera that captures several types of aspect ratio images does not consider a finder image for confirming a captured image. Has a problem that a distorted image having a different aspect ratio of the image content may be displayed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a video camera capable of always displaying the full angle of view of a captured image on a finder when the aspect ratio of a captured image is switched, and correctly displaying the aspect ratio of the image content. It is in.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image compression / expansion means in a camera unit of a video camera, performs compression / expansion processing on images having different aspect ratios, and shoots the images. A compression / expansion means is provided so that the entire view angle of the photographed image is projected on the finder section without horizontal or vertical distortion.

[Action]

In the camera section of the video camera, when capturing an image having an aspect ratio enlarged in the horizontal direction as compared with the related art, the image content compressed in the horizontal direction by the image compression / expansion means becomes a vertically long image.

When this image is viewed in the finder section, the image is expanded in the horizontal or vertical direction at a predetermined ratio by means for compressing and expanding the image in the horizontal or vertical direction. This allows
An image with the correct aspect ratio of the image content can be displayed on the viewfinder at the full angle of view, and the usability when photographing by the user is improved.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In order to avoid complication of description, two aspect ratios
and a _1, a _2, a ₁ aspect ratio 16: 9 (or 16/9) new standard video signal, a ₂ the current aspect ratio of 4: 3 (or 4 /
3) Video signal.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a first embodiment of a video camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing output images of respective parts in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a camera unit of a camera-integrated VTR,
1 is a lens optical system, 12 is an optical reduction means for reducing an optical image having an aspect ratio a ₁ to a ₂ / a ₁ times in a specific direction of a screen, 13 is a solid-state image sensor, 14 is a signal processing circuit, and 15 is optical Means 12
An optical path at the time of a ₁ signal recording, drive means for moving the optical path during a ₂ signal recording, 2 Fuainda unit, 21 CR
T control circuit, 22 is a CRT, 24 is an optical magnification conversion means for reducing and enlarging the image of a ₁ projected on the CRT 22 in a specific direction, 23 is a lens optical system, 25 is a finder image projecting section, 26 is an optical Driving means of the magnification converting means 24, 3 is a VTR unit, 31 is a recording signal processing circuit, 32 is a recording head, 33 is a magnetic tape, and 41 is an aspect ratio switching signal input terminal.

 First, the operation of the camera unit 1 will be described.

When imaging the current image of the aspect ratio a _2, the drive unit 15 having detected the signal of from the aspect ratio switching signal input terminal 41 which is externally applied to optical reduction unit 12 removes from the optical path of the camera unit 1. The image pickup device 13 is using those corresponding to the current aspect ratio a _2, a lens optical system 11
Optical image more yielded is correct a ₂ images of the aspect ratio of the image content. At this time, if the image of FIG. 2A is taken, for example, the image shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when imaging the new standard image of the aspect ratio a ₁ is driving means 15 by the same ratio switching signal optical reduction unit 12
Is moved and set to a predetermined portion in the optical path. Optical reduction means
An anamorphic optical system lens is used for the lens 12, for example. The anamorphic optical system lens has a function of reducing and enlarging an optical image in a specific direction.
The optical image from 11 is compressed by a ₂ / a ₁ times in the horizontal direction of the image by the optical reduction means 12 to form an image on the image sensor 13. The image picked up at this time is a vertically long image of the image content compressed in the horizontal direction by a ₂ / a ₁ times in the image frame of the current aspect ratio a ₂ as shown in FIG. 2 (b).

 Next, the operation of the finder unit 2 will be described.

If taken the current image aspect ratio a ₂ by the camera unit 1, an image input signal of Fuainda section 2 is the second diagram (b) '. At this time, the camera unit 1
In conjunction with the driving means 15, the driving means 26 which has detected the aspect ratio switching signal removes the optical magnification converting means 24 from the optical path. Here, via the CRT control circuit 21, C of the aspect ratio a ₂
Image movies issued on RT22 is 'an image showing, after passing through the lens optical system 23, the figure on the Utsude portion 25 of the aspect ratio a ₁ (d _1)' second diagram (c) image Is projected.

When an image with an aspect ratio a ₁ is taken by the camera unit 1,
A video signal of an image as shown in FIG. At this time, a driving unit 26 interlocked with the driving unit 15 of the camera unit 1 sets the optical magnification conversion unit 24 in the optical path. An anamorphic optical system lens or the like is used for the optical magnification conversion means 24 used in the same manner as the camera section 1, and the image is enlarged by a ₁ / a ₂ times in the horizontal direction of the image, and FIG. 2 (d ₁ )
Project an image of

The aspect ratio of Utsude portion 25 of Fuainda portion 2 is a _2, the optical magnification conversion means 24, is removed when taking pictures of the ratio a _2, a ₂ / a ₁ times in the vertical direction in a ratio a ₁ in the image A means for reducing the size is provided, and in the imaging of a ₂ and a ₁ , each is shown in FIG. 2 (d ₂ ) ′,
Display the image of (d ₂ ).

The above is the case where the CRT 22 has the aspect ratio a ₂ and the same ratio a ₁
When using a CRT, the aspect ratio of the captured image
When ₁ and a _2, CRT 22 displays images each second view (c) ",
(C). For this reason, the images projected by Finda
by moving the optical magnification conversion means 24 from the optical path in the imaging a ₁ out movies to FIG (d) ", the shooting of the ratio a _2, optical magnification to reduce the horizontal direction of the image to a ₂ / a ₁ × The conversion means 24 is installed in the optical path and operates to project the output image of FIG.

As described above, the optical magnification converting means is provided in the finder 2.
The provision of the drive unit 24 and the driving unit 26 makes it possible to project the entire angle of view of the captured image in accordance with the aspect ratio of the captured image, with the aspect ratio of the image content being correct.

In the VTR section 3, the output video signal from the camera section 1 is subjected to signal processing by a recording signal processing circuit 31, and then recorded on a magnetic tape 33 by a recording head 32. Figure 2 video signal to be recorded (b), are those corresponding to the image signal shown in (b) ', the video signal of the aspect ratio a ₁ is recorded in a compressed state in the horizontal direction.

The same ratio video signal of a ₁ recorded in VTR unit 3, when viewing an external VTR and monitor, after the reproduction signal processing in the VTR, the monitor of the ratio a ₁ is output without being subjected to the compression and expansion process The image shown in FIG. 2 (d ₁ ) and the monitor having the same ratio a ₂ are subjected to horizontal compression processing to obtain an image as shown in FIG. ₂ (d ₂ ) ′, or by the vertical compression processing. to Utsude each image of FIG. (d _2).

Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, an example of a finder projected image by changing a scan on a CRT will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 3 an alien in block diagram for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention, the CRT27 aspect ratio a ₂ is 22 CRT control circuit 21
Among them, a vertical scanning control unit, 28 is a horizontal scanning control unit, and 29 is a driving device for changing the magnification of the lens optical system.

In the figure, when taking an image of the aspect ratio a ₂ by the camera unit 1, an input image of Fuainda portion 2 is a second view (b) ', CRT control circuit 21 operates as in the first embodiment However, (c) 'similar to (b)' in FIG.
Image is projected. Then, the image on Fuainda image Utsude portion 25 through a lens optical system 23 is the same FIG. (D ₁₎ '.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an image for explaining the operation of FIG. 3, and those corresponding to (a) of FIG. 2 are omitted.

In FIG. 3, when an image having an aspect ratio a ₁ is photographed, the CRT control circuit 21
The vertical scanning control unit 27 in the width of the vertical scanning period on the CRT 22
₂ / a Compress ₁ times. FIG. 4 shows an input image (b) to the finder unit 2 and a display image (c) of the CRT 22 at this time.
53 is a CRT scanning start point of each frame, and 52 and 54 are CRT scanning end points. The CRT 22 moves the scanning start point from 51 to 53 and the end point from 52 to 54, and compresses and scans one frame of scanning lines (525 lines in the NTSC system) during this vertical scanning period. That is, an image as shown in FIG. 2 (d ₂₎ of the ratio a ₂
The image shown in FIG. 2 (d ₃ ) is projected on the CRT 22 and on the finder projection unit 25 having the same ratio a ₁ .

At this time, although correctly entire field angle the aspect ratio of the image content is issued movies, image is smaller than the case where the video signal is the same ratio a _2. As a method of correcting this, in order to change the magnification of the projected image to the finder projection unit 25 simultaneously with the compression and expansion of the image,
Use of a means for driving the lens optical system is mentioned.

Drive device 29 of the lens optical system 23, operates in the aspect ratio switching signal, the camera unit 1 at the time of photographing the same ratio a _1, and in conjunction with the vertical scanning control unit 28, the entire projection optical image of the lens optical system 23 4 times magnified a ₁ / a ₂ times in both vertical and horizontal directions
As shown in FIG. (D ₁ ), only the scanning period on the CRT 22 is displayed.

In the case where the aspect ratio a ₂ of the finder projection unit 25 is set, the CRT 22 image is output at the same magnification to the imaging lens 25 without particularly requiring the drive device 29 and the magnification conversion of the lens optical system 23. 2. The image shown in FIG. 2 (d ₂ ) or (d ₂ ) ′ is displayed.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Fifth
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 43 denotes a video signal compression / expansion circuit.

Fuainda unit 2 CRT22 and the ratio a ₁ of the aspect ratio of a ₁
It is assumed that the CRT control circuit 21 and the lens optical system 23 do not particularly have a compression / decompression / enlargement processing function.

2 (d ₂ ) ″ is projected on the CRT 22 and the finder image projecting unit 25 when photographed with the aspect ratio a _{1. The} signal photographed with the same ratio a ₂ is output to the CRT 23 with the same ratio a ₁ Since the image is projected as an image expanded in the horizontal direction, the output signal of the camera unit 1 is compressed horizontally by a ₂ / a ₁ times by the video signal compression / expansion circuit 43. Figure (d
₁ ) Obtain the output image. The video signal compression / expansion circuit 43 described here includes, for example, an A / D, D / A converter, a memory, a clock generation unit, and the like, which performs time axis compression / expansion of a signal every horizontal scanning. Can be

Next, an embodiment in which the video signal compression / expansion circuit 43 is used and a reproduction function is provided in the VTR unit will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which 34 is a reproducing head, 35 is a preamplifier, 36 is a reproducing signal processing circuit, 27 is a reproducing signal switching switch, and 38 is a reproducing signal output. Terminal, 44 indicates a video signal switch, and CRT2
2 and Fuainda Utsude portion 25 is the aspect ratio a _1.

At the time of recording, the video signal switching switch 44 conducts to the output side of the camera unit 1 and inputs the same to the compression / expansion circuit 43. Therefore, the same operation and image output as in the third embodiment are performed.

At the time of reproduction, a signal obtained from a magnetic tape 33 at a reproduction head 34 is amplified by a preamplifier 35, and then subjected to signal processing by a reproduction signal processing circuit 36. Video signal switch 44
Switches to the output side of the playback signal processing circuit 36 during playback,
The connection to the compression / expansion circuit 43 is established. The compression / expansion circuit 43 has a ₁ × and a ₂ / a ₁ × compression function in the horizontal direction, and can switch and select a projected image by an external aspect ratio switching signal. In this embodiment, the angle of view of the captured image is not impaired, but the image content may be compressed in the horizontal direction more than necessary. In this case, when the operation of the compression circuit 43 is switched while viewing the reproduced image and an image having the correct aspect ratio of the image content is selected, the CRT 22 and the projection unit 25 perform the operations shown in FIGS. 2 (d ₁ ) ″ and (d ₁ ).
Image is projected.

The reproduced signal is output from an output terminal 38 by switching a switch 37 between a signal in which the signal is subjected to a compression process and a signal not subjected to the compression process by using a monitor.

Next, in the above-described embodiment, the operation of the compression / expansion circuit 43 is switched in accordance with the aspect ratio of the reproduced signal to change the
The case where the image content is always displayed with the correct aspect ratio will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 40 denotes a discrimination signal adding circuit for adding a signal for detecting an aspect ratio to a recording signal, and 39 denotes a signal for detecting an aspect ratio from a reproduced signal. Is a discrimination signal detection circuit 45 for outputting the same ratio switching signal at the same time as the detection, and a switch 45 for the aspect ratio switching signal which is switched at the time of recording and reproduction. Discriminating signal adding circuit 40 adds a signal same ratio detection signal in the blanking period or the like only during the shooting, for example, the aspect ratio a _1.

Reproducing the aspect ratio a ₁ of the signal, the reproduction signal processing circuit 36
The above aspect ratio detection signal is determined from the determination signal detection circuit 39.
And outputs the same ratio switching signal. The same-ratio switching signal switch 45 switches the signal between recording and reproduction. During reproduction, the signal output from the discrimination signal detection circuit 39 is input to the video signal compression / expansion circuit 43, and the same aspect ratio discrimination as during recording is performed. I do. Same companding circuit from video signal switch 44
Since reproduction signal input to 43 to be applied the same horizontal compression processing and time of recording, the signal of the ratio a ₁ is FIG. 3 (d ₁₎ ", the ratio a ₂ is movies Fuainda in FIG (d ₁₎ Outgoing video is obtained.

Next will be described the case of applying the a ₂ / a ₁ × compression processing to the magnification and the vertical direction of the image in connexion video signal compression and decompression circuit 43 back to Figure 5.

The vertical compression / expansion processing of a video signal uses the correlation between horizontal scanning lines to perform interpolation and decimation between scanning lines. In this case, the number of horizontal scanning lines in the video signal period is reduced by the above-described operation. / 4 times, that is, a ₂ / a ₁ times. The switching of the same size and compression of this circuit is the same as the presence or absence of the vertical control of the second embodiment, and the output image of the finder is converted to the aspect ratio a ₂ , CR
T22 also when the same ratio a _2, imaging signals at the same ratio a ₁ or a ₂ is an image shown in FIG. 2 (d _2), or (d ₂₎ '.

In the above embodiment, the same signal from the aspect ratio switching signal input terminal 41 is generated by a switching switch operation selected by the user.

Here, another embodiment of the camera unit 1 will be described. 8th
FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which the camera unit 1 has an aspect ratio switching signal generating means and uses a signal compression / decompression circuit.

In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes an equal-ratio detecting means for detecting an aspect ratio of a photographed image based on a shape characteristic or the like of the optical reducing means 12 to be used and outputting the switching signal. Here, the optical reduction means 12 has no driving means, detects the same ratio from the reduction means 12 inserted by the user's selection by the aspect ratio detection means 16, and compresses or expands the output signal of the camera unit 1.

In addition, a case where an image light source other than the CRT is used for the finder unit 2 is shown. FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which an LCD 52 is used as an image light source of the finder section 2, the finder section 2 uses the LCD 52 and its control circuit 51, and the finder section 2 LCD 52, its control circuit 51, light source 53, lens optical system 23, and finder projector
Consists of 25. However, in this embodiment, the compression / expansion is performed by the signal compression / expansion circuit 43.

Similarly to the third embodiment, the signal subjected to the time axis compression processing or the like in the signal compression / expansion circuit 43 is set to L by the LCD control circuit 51.
Get video on CD. LCD image is light source 53 and lens optics 2
3 and forms an image on the finer projection unit 25. The compression / expansion of the signal is switched in accordance with the same ratio switching signal according to the aspect ratio of the LCD 52 and the finder projection unit 25 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the same projection image is obtained.

Also, as another embodiment using an LCD as a video light source,
Some of the finder units 2 use optical magnification conversion means 24. Since this optically compresses and expands the light image obtained from the LCD 52, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to the aspect ratio of the current a _2, a video camera capable of capturing images of the aspect ratio a ₁ of the new standard, the captured image, Fuainda image light source to be used, Fuainda movies Regardless of the aspect ratio of the projection portion and the like, there is an effect that the aspect ratio of the image content can be correctly displayed in all the angles of view of the captured image in any combination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a video camera according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining FIG. 3, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a seventh embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera part, 12 ... Optical reduction means, 15 ... Driving means of optical reduction means, 2 ... Finder part, 24 ... Optical magnification conversion means, 26 ... Driving device of optical magnification conversion means, 3
…… VTR section, 41 …… Aspect ratio switching signal input terminal.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Nobuo Higashi, 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Home Appliances Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Atsushi Yoshioka 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi, Ltd. Home Appliance Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Shuichi Matsuo 292, Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hitachi Video Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. A has a first means for compressing or extending at a predetermined ratio in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction of the image, the image in the horizontal and vertical lengths of the ratio i.e. the aspect ratios are different from each other a ₁ or a ₂ (a ₁ > a ₂ ), a camera unit that compresses or expands the image in the horizontal or vertical direction, and a total angle of view captured by the camera unit using the second unit. A video camera comprising: a finder for projecting without distortion of a ratio of length and width of a subject. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit includes: a lens optical system; an optical reduction unit configured to reduce an image in a predetermined direction at a predetermined ratio;
A video camera, comprising: a signal processing circuit that converts captured image information into a video signal. 3. The video camera according to claim 2, wherein the camera unit further includes a driving device that inserts or removes the optical reduction unit in an optical path according to an aspect ratio switching signal. 4. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the camera unit detects the presence or absence of an optical reduction unit, outputs an aspect ratio switching signal, and outputs the signal to at least the second unit.
A video camera further comprising an aspect ratio detecting means for supplying the means to the means. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein Fuainda section, the aspect ratio a ₂ of the CRT, a Utsude unit for displaying an image, a ₂ / a ₁ a video signal in the vertical direction taken by the aspect ratio a ₁ A video camera comprising: a vertical scanning control circuit that compresses video signals _twice and captures an image signal with an aspect ratio a2 without performing vertical compression / expansion. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein Fuainda unit includes a video source of the aspect ratio a _1, a video signal captured by the aspect ratio a ₂ in the horizontal direction is compressed into a ₂ / a ₁ times, the aspect ratio a A video camera having a video signal compression / expansion circuit that does not perform compression / expansion on the video signal captured in ( ₁₎ . 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the finder section compresses to a ₂ / a ₁ times the video source of the aspect ratio a _2, a video signal captured by the aspect ratio a ₁ in the vertical direction, the aspect ratio a _2. A video camera having a video signal compression / expansion circuit that does not perform compression / expansion on the video signal captured in ( ₂₎ . 8. The method of claim 1, wherein Fuainda section, a ₂ and video sources having an aspect ratio a _1, a light image of the video signal captured by the aspect ratio a ₂ in the horizontal direction
A video camera comprising: an optical magnification conversion unit that compresses video signals at a ratio of / a ₁ and removes the video signals captured at an aspect ratio a ₁ outside the optical path. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein Fuainda section, a ₂ and video sources having an aspect ratio a _2, a light image of the video signal captured by the aspect ratio a ₁ in the vertical direction
/ a compressed to _1x, video camera and having an optical magnification conversion means is removed from the optical path in the case of Utsude an image signal picked up by the aspect ratio a _2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein Fuainda unit includes a video source of the aspect ratio a _2, a Utsude portion of the aspect ratio a _1, a light image of the video signal captured by the aspect ratio a ₁ in the horizontal direction A video camera comprising: an optical magnification conversion unit that expands a ₂ / a by a factor of ₁ and removes an image signal captured at an aspect ratio of a ₂ outside the optical path when the video signal is projected. 11. A video camera according to claim 1, wherein said finder section has said second means for compressing and expanding an image which can be set / removed by a user. 12. The video camera according to claim 1, further comprising video signal recording means for recording an output video signal of said camera section. 13. The video camera according to claim 12, wherein said video signal recording means further has a function of reproducing a recording signal. 14. The video signal recording means according to claim 13, wherein said video signal recording means adds a signal for detecting an aspect ratio at the time of photographing to a recording signal, and detects said detection signal from a reproduced signal to output an aspect ratio switching signal. And a detection unit for generating the switching signal to the finder unit when the video signal recording unit is in a reproduction state.