JPH089095A - Still image transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The image transmission section is built in instead of the video tape recorder section of a commercially available video-integrated video camera, eliminating the deterioration of the still image signal, and it is a compact, low cost and simple still image transmission. To provide a machine. A still camera having a video camera having an image pickup unit 3 for picking up a still image, and an image transmission unit 17 for transmitting an image signal of the still image through a telephone line 35 in place of a video tape recorder unit. The image transmitter 1. Further, the image transmission unit 17 stores a storage unit 11 that stores one frame of a luminance signal and a color difference signal of the image signal captured by the image capturing unit 3, and codes the image signal of the storage unit 11 into a telephone line mode. Code conversion unit 1 for conversion
3 and a modem 15 for transmitting the image signal converted by the code converter 13 to the telephone line 35.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a still image transmitter for transmitting a still image by using an image pickup section of a video camera integrated with a video camera such as a camcorder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to transmit a color still image through a telephone line, a color television camera (image pickup device) captures a predetermined still image, and the image signal of the captured still image is transmitted by a transmission system. It is done by sending through. For example, a video camera, a single video camera or the like is used, and a modulation / demodulation process of a transmission system is provided by a coaxial cable to the output terminals of the luminance signal (Y signal) and the color difference signals (RY, BY) provided in these video cameras. It was designed to connect necessary circuits such as an input / output driver, send a still image signal through a telephone line, and display a still image on the monitor of the other party.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional still image transmission system, the transmission path is complicated because the camera system and the modulation / demodulation process are connected by the coaxial cable. Next to
There was a problem that the signal path was inevitably long, and as a result, the transmission signal deteriorated, the system configuration was costly, and the operability during system assembly and still image transmission was poor. . In addition, it is possible to transmit color image signals using a digital camera equipped with a memory card, but in this case, a large capacity is required as a memory card, and further, the interface cannot be shared and the price is low. There is a difficulty in putting it to practical use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to use a commercially available video-integrated video camera and replace the video tape recorder section of the video camera with an image transmission section. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a small still image transmitter that is small in size, low in cost, and simple by eliminating the deterioration of the still image signal.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a still image transmitter according to the present invention is a video-integrated video camera having an image pickup unit for picking up a still image, and is replaced with a video tape recorder unit. An image transmission unit for transmitting the image signal of the still image through a telephone line is incorporated.

Further, in the still image transmitter according to the present invention, the image transmission unit stores a frame of the luminance signal and the color difference signal of the image signal picked up by the image pickup unit, and a storage unit of the storage unit. It is characterized by comprising a code conversion unit for converting image data into a telephone line mode and a modem for transmitting the image signal converted by the code conversion unit to a telephone line. Further, in the still image transmitter of the present invention, the code conversion unit is a JPEG (joint).
It is composed by the Photography Expert Group). Further, the still image transmitter of the present invention is characterized in that a telephone is connected to the modem.

[0007]

In order to transmit a still image in such a still image transmitter, first, the image pickup unit is aimed in front of the image to be transmitted, the image pickup unit is focused, and the zoom degree is set. Next, make a call to the other party who will transmit the still image using the telephone, and when the telephone line is connected, a predetermined transmission operation
An image signal for one screen of a still image composed of a luminance signal and a color difference signal formed by forming an image on the CCD of the image pickup unit is stored in the storage unit, and the image signal in the storage unit is code-converted by the code conversion unit, Image compression is performed based on a predetermined algorithm, and the image signal is compressed to the minimum necessary image signal. The image-compressed image signal is modulated by a modem and transmitted through a telephone line, a still image is displayed on the monitor of the other party through the telephone line network, and the still image is transmitted while talking on the telephone.

Therefore, by providing a commercially available video-integrated video camera with an image transmission section instead of the video tape recorder section, it is possible to reliably transmit a still image to the other party through the telephone line. In addition, since the image transmission unit is built in the case of the video camera, the connection path is not complicated unlike the conventional case, and the transmission signal path is not lengthened. With the ability to transmit high quality still images,
Since the commercially available video camera is provided with the image transmission section in place of the video tape recorder section, the system is simplified, and it is possible to obtain a compact still image transmitter at low cost. Further, since the connection by the coaxial cable as in the past is not necessary, the power consumption is reduced, the operation can be performed for a long time, and the operability during image transmission is improved.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the color still image transmitter of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block configuration diagram showing the color still image transmitter. As shown in FIG. 1, the color still image transmitter 1 of the present embodiment has a built-in image transmission unit instead of a video tape recorder unit provided in a commercially available video camera, for example, a camcorder (video integrated video camera). It was done.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the color still image transmitter 1 of this embodiment is provided with a color CCD, and an image pickup lens system (image pickup section) 3 for forming an image on the CCD.
And a focus / zoom drive unit 5 for focusing the image pickup lens system 3 and for zooming the image pickup lens system 3.
And a luminance signal (Y signal) by synthesizing based on the primary color signal (RGB signal) of the CCD of the imaging lens system 3
The matrix circuit section 7 for producing the color difference signals (RY, RB) and the A / D converter 9 for analog-digital converting the luminance signal and the color difference signals are provided.
Further, the color still image transmitter includes a frame memory (storage unit) 11 for storing one frame of the digitally converted luminance signal and color difference signal, that is, an image signal for one screen, and the inside of the frame memory 11. A code conversion unit (JPEG = Joint Photography Expert Group) 13 for calling the image signal for one frame stored in the memory, performing code conversion by encoding, and compressing the image signal to the minimum necessary image signal, and the code conversion. A modem (modulation unit) 15 for performing a predetermined modulation of the image signal and transmitting it to a telephone line is provided, and the frame memory 11, the code conversion unit 13, and the modem 15 constitute an image transmission unit 17. The code conversion unit 13 performs code conversion by, for example, Fourier transform in order to perform image compression based on a predetermined algorithm.

Further, the frame memory 11 has a D / A
A view finder (EVF = electric view finder) 21 is connected through the converter 19, and a black and white image can be displayed and monitored by the image signal stored in the frame memory 11.
Further, a microcomputer (CPU) 23 is connected to the focus / zoom drive unit 5, the code conversion unit 13, and the modem 15, and the microcomputer 23 is provided with an image pickup operation and a focus and zoom drive operation of the image pickup lens system 3. , Command operation of code conversion of image signal, modem 15
An operation unit 25 for performing various operations such as an image signal transmission command operation by is connected to the imaging lens system 3,
The operation unit 25 and the viewfinder 21 are cases 27.
The focus / zoom drive unit 5, the matrix circuit 7, the A / D converter 9, the frame memory 11, the code conversion unit 13, the modem 15, and the D / A converter 19 are provided in a predetermined position of the case 27. The microcomputer 23 has a built-in structure. Further, a remote control unit (not shown) for remotely performing various operations performed by the operation unit 25 is connected to the microcomputer 23 through a connection unit (not shown) provided in the case 27. .

Further, the case 25 is provided with a terminal 31 for connecting the telephone 29, and by connecting to the terminal 31, the telephone 29 is connected to the modem 15 as shown in FIG. Further, the case 27 is provided with a telephone line terminal 33, and the telephone line 3 is connected to the terminal 33.
By connecting 5, the telephone line 35 connected to the telephone network 37 is connected to the modem 15. The image pickup lens system 3, the operation unit 25,
Viewfinder 21, focus / zoom drive unit 5,
The matrix circuit unit 7, the A / D converter 9, the D / A converter 19, and the microcomputer 23 are provided in a conventional camcorder, and an image transmission unit including a frame memory 11, a code conversion unit 13, and a modem 15. The case 17 has a structure in which it is built in a case 27 instead of a video tape recorder of a camcorder.

Next, the color still image transmitter 1 having the above structure.
The operation of will be described. First, before transmitting a still image, a remote control unit, a telephone 29, and a telephone line 35 are connected to the case 27, and an image to be transmitted, for example, a person image, a photograph, a document, or the like is taken by the imaging lens system 3 The position of the image pickup lens system 3 is set in front of, and the operation unit 25 is operated to focus the image pickup lens system 3 through the microcomputer 23 and the focus / zoom drive unit 5 to set the zoom degree.
Next, the telephone 29 is used to make a call to the other party who transmits the still image, and when the telephone line is connected, the telephone 29 makes a predetermined call. Then, in order to transmit a still image, when a predetermined transmission operation is performed by the remote control unit, one frame worth of one frame is generated in the matrix circuit unit 7 based on the image signal of the still image formed on the CCD by the imaging lens system 3. Luminance signal (Y signal) and color difference signal (R
-Y, RB).

The luminance signal (Y signal) and the color difference signals (RY, RB) are converted into digital signals through the A / D converter 9, and one of the luminance signal and the color difference signal is obtained.
An image signal for one frame, that is, for one screen is stored in the frame memory 11. Further, when a predetermined operation of the remote control unit is performed, the microcomputer 2
In response to the instruction of No. 3, the image signal for one frame in the frame memory 11 is called to the code conversion unit 13, the code conversion is performed in the code conversion unit 13, and the image compression based on a predetermined algorithm is performed. Compressed to a minimum image signal. Then, the image compressed image signal is modulated by the modem 15 and transmitted through the telephone line 35, a still image is displayed on the monitor of the other party through the telephone line network 37, and the still image is transmitted while talking on the telephone 29. To be done.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the image transmission section 17 is provided in place of the video tape recorder section in the commercially available video-integrated video camera, so that a still image can be reliably transmitted to the other party through the telephone line 35. Can be transmitted. Further, since the image transmission unit 17 is built in the case 27 of the video camera, the connection path does not become complicated and the transmission signal path does not become long as in the conventional case, so that the transmission signal is not deteriorated and is high. Since a high-quality still image can be transmitted and the system is simplified, the price can be reduced and the size can be reduced. Further, since the connection by the coaxial cable as in the past is not necessary, the power consumption is reduced, the operation can be performed for a long time, and the operability during image transmission is improved.

In the above embodiment, the case in which the telephone line 35 is connected by the telephone 29 connected to the modem 15 to transmit a still image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a personal computer using a commercially available personal computer is used. It goes without saying that also in communication, it is possible to transmit a still image in the same manner, and it is also possible to transmit a monochrome still image.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the image transmission section is built in the case of the video camera, the connection path is not complicated and the transmission signal path is long as in the conventional case. Therefore, a high-quality still image can be transmitted without deterioration of the transmission signal, and a commercially available video camera is equipped with an image transmission section instead of the video tape recorder section, which simplifies the system. Therefore, it becomes possible to obtain a still image transmitter of low price and downsized. Further, since the connection by the coaxial cable as in the past is not necessary, the power consumption is reduced, the operation can be performed for a long time, and the operability during image transmission is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a still image transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a still image transmitter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 still image transmitter 3 image pickup unit 11 storage unit 13 code conversion unit 15 modem 17 image transmission unit 29 telephone 35 telephone line

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 1/46 5/765

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A video camera integrated with a video having an image pickup unit for picking up a still image, wherein an image transmission unit for transmitting an image signal of the still image through a telephone line is incorporated instead of a video tape recorder unit. Characteristic still image transmitter. 2. A storage unit for storing one frame of a luminance signal and a color difference signal of an image signal captured by the image capturing unit by the image transmission unit, and code conversion of image data in the storage unit into a telephone line mode. The still image transmitter according to claim 1, comprising a code conversion unit for performing the conversion, and a modem for transmitting the image signal converted by the code conversion unit to a telephone line. 3. The still image transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the code conversion unit is composed of JPEG (Joint Photography Expert Group). 4. The still image transmitter according to claim 2, wherein a telephone is connected to the modem.