JPH05207345A - Picture recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain an appropriate focusing point photographing processing by designating an A/F (automatic focusing adjustment control) operation and a recording operation by one means. CONSTITUTION:The focusing state of a subject is detected by a focusing detecting circuit 111 by extracting high-pass components from a video signal outputted from a camera signal processing circuit 105. The instruction of the permission/inhibition of the A/F and the instruction of the recording are operated by a two-step type trigger switch 113. A control circuit 114 outputs a focusing control command from the output of the circuit 111, designates the recording method from the output of an SV/MV mode changeover switch 112, and controls the execution of the recording and the permission/inhibition of the AF from the output (release/half press/full press) of the switch 113. Thus, the execution/ inhibition of the AF and the operation for the recording can be merged during the single indicating operation, and the appropriate focusing point photographing processing can be attained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus capable of automatic focus adjustment as needed when recording a moving image or a still image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of magnetic recording, the demand for high-density recording has increased, and a video tape recorder (V
Also in (TR), the running speed of the tape is reduced to perform higher density magnetic recording.

When the running speed of the tape decreases, for example, when an audio signal is recorded by using a fixed head, the relative speed cannot be made large and the reproduced sound quality deteriorates. As one means for solving this, there is a method in which the length of the track scanned by the rotary head is made longer than in the conventional case and the time-axis-compressed audio signal is sequentially recorded in the extended portion.

Specifically, in the rotary 2-head helical scan type VTR, the magnetic tape was wound around the rotating cylinder by 180 degrees or more in the past, but in this method, it is wound over the rotating cylinder by (180 + θ) degrees or more, and the tape is added. This is a method of recording a PCM-compressed and time-axis-compressed audio signal in the wound "θ" portion.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a tape running system of such a VTR, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing recording tracks on a magnetic tape by the VTR shown in FIG. Here, 71 is a magnetic tape, 72 is a rotating cylinder, and 73 and 74 are cylinders 7.
2 is a head attached to 2, a video signal recording area portion of a track formed on the tape 71, and a PCM audio signal recording area portion 76. The video area 75 is traced by the heads 73 and 74 at 180 degrees of the rotating cylinder 72, and the PCM area 76 is traced at θ minutes of the rotating cylinder 72.

As an example of applying the method of recording a digital signal in another area while recording a video signal as described above, a still image is recorded as a digital signal in the digital signal (PCM) recording area. Is proposed. That is, since the amount of information is small for a still image, by scanning the PCM area a plurality of times,
It is possible to record all that information on a magnetic tape. According to this method, not only the still image can be shot using the same recording medium as the moving image shooting apparatus but also the tape running is stopped and the video signal of the same track is recorded as in the conventional VTR. It is possible to obtain a still image of higher quality than a still image to be reproduced.

[0007]

When performing moving image recording and still image recording as described above, automatic focus adjustment control (hereinafter simply referred to as AF) is an indispensable technique.
It is included as a function of various devices.

However, since AF always measures the distance, it operates delicately not only when there is a large blur, but also near the in-focus point. In addition, an unexpected AF operation may be performed due to the movement of the subject, the camera shake of the photographer, etc. As a result, the focus of the subject to be recorded suddenly becomes out of focus, or the focus position becomes incorrect. Inconvenience may occur.

Further, even when it is desired to stop the AF operation or appropriately select the prohibition / execution of the AF at the time of photographing, the operation must be performed in parallel with the original operation for recording the image. Since it must be done, the following drawbacks are observed.

(1) Depending on the time required for the operation for instructing the prohibition or execution of AF, the photographing opportunity may be missed.

(2) Since the switch for instructing the prohibition / execution of AF must be searched and pressed, it is necessary to keep an eye on the viewfinder, which is troublesome in operation and the image of the object in the viewfinder. I lose sight of it.

(3) There is a case where the switch is searched and pressed while looking at the finder without performing the above-mentioned procedure (2), and the switch may accidentally come into contact with the other switch, causing a malfunction due to the activation thereof.

(4) A camera shake is caused by the operation of the switch or the vibration of the switch itself.

The above-mentioned drawbacks significantly impair the role of the image recording apparatus.

Therefore, in view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to perform an operation for instructing a moving image recording or a still image recording, and
An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus configured so that an operation for instructing prohibition / execution of F is integrated into a single instruction operation so that quick image recording can be performed without keeping an eye on the viewfinder.

[0016]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention is an image recording apparatus having a moving image recording function or a still image recording function, and focusing means for performing automatic focus adjustment control on a subject, and the focusing means. Operation means for instructing execution or prohibition of the focusing means and also for instructing the timing of the moving image recording or the still image recording is provided.

[0017]

According to the above configuration of the present invention, an operation for instructing execution or inhibition (stopping of operation) of the automatic focus adjustment control and an operation for recording a moving image or a still image are respectively performed by operating one operating means. Since the designation can be made, the continuous operation of recording and AF execution / prohibition becomes extremely easy, and a moving image or a still image can be photographed at an appropriate focal point without the influence of the photographing caused by the operation.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall construction of an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration shown in this drawing is a hardware configuration common to the first to fourth embodiments described in detail below.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a taking lens system, which is provided with a focusing lens for focus adjustment. Reference numeral 102 denotes a diaphragm (iris) that controls the amount of incident light. 103 is a focusing lens 10
1 is an image pickup device such as a CCD for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed on the image pickup surface by 1 to convert it into an image pickup signal.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a sample / hold circuit, and 105.
Is a camera signal processing circuit for converting to a predetermined television signal, 106 is a video signal processing circuit for outputting a moving image recording (MV) signal, 107 is an A / D conversion circuit for A / D converting the television signal, and 108 is Rate conversion circuit for compressing A / D converted digital television signal, 1
Reference numeral 09 is a PCM conversion circuit that outputs a PCM-converted still image recording (SV) signal, and 110 is a recording circuit.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a focus detection circuit for detecting the focus state of the subject by extracting, for example, a high frequency component from the video signal output from the camera signal processing circuit 105. Reference numeral 112 denotes SV / which sets still image recording (SV) or moving image recording (MV) as a recording method.
This is an MV mode changeover switch. Reference numeral 113 denotes a two-stage trigger switch (hereinafter, simply referred to as a trigger) for performing both an AF permission / prohibition instruction and a recording instruction.

Reference numeral 114 outputs a focus control command from the output of the focus detection circuit 111, specifies the recording method from the output of the SV / MV mode changeover switch 112, and outputs the trigger 113 (open / half-press / full-press). It is a control circuit that controls the execution of recording and the enabling / disabling of AF from the pressing. Reference numeral 115 is a drive motor that executes commands such as a rotation direction, a rotation speed, and rotation / stop of the focusing lens 101 according to a focus control command from the control circuit 114.

FIG. 2 shows a control flow in the SV mode. First, in step S1, it is determined whether the recording mode is the SV mode. If it is the SV mode, it is determined in step S2 whether the trigger is opened.
If it is released, AF is executed in step S3, and if it is not opened, it is determined in step S4 whether or not the trigger is half-depressed. If the trigger is not half-pushed, it is determined in step S5 whether the trigger is full-push.
When the button is fully pressed, AF is prohibited in step S8, the subject on the image pickup screen is captured in step S9, and the still image is recorded by performing the A / D, rate, and PCM conversion described above.

If the trigger is not fully pressed, step S
Returning to step 3, AF is executed (at this time, the trigger is in the open state).

If the trigger is pressed halfway in step S4, AF is prohibited in step S7. Then, in step S8, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed, and if not, the process returns to step S2 to determine whether or not the trigger is opened. If the trigger is fully pressed, AF is prohibited in step S6, the subject on the imaging screen is captured in step S9, and a still image is recorded as described above.

FIG. 3 shows a control procedure when the recording mode is the MV mode. In step S11, it is determined whether the recording mode is the MV mode. If it is the MV mode, it is determined in step S12 whether the trigger is opened. If it is open, AF is executed in step S13, and if it is not open, it is determined in step S14 whether the trigger is half-push.

If the trigger is not pressed halfway, step S
At 15, it is determined whether the trigger is fully pressed. When the button is fully pressed, AF is executed in step S16, and the subject on the image pickup screen is subjected to the above-described video signal processing to record a moving image in step S19.

If the trigger is not fully pressed, step S
Returning to step 13, AF is executed (at this time, the trigger is in the open state). If the trigger is pressed halfway in step S14, AF is prohibited in step S17.
Then, in step S18, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed. If not, the process returns to step S12 to determine whether or not the trigger is opened.

If the trigger is fully pressed, step S16
In step S19, AF is performed, and a moving image of the subject on the image pickup screen is recorded in step S19.

During recording, if the trigger is pressed halfway in step S20, AF is prohibited in step S21. If it is not pressed halfway, it is determined in step S22 whether the trigger is opened. If it is opened, the process returns to step S16 to perform AF, and recording is performed in step S19.

If it is not opened, it is judged in step S23 whether or not the trigger is fully pressed again, and if it is not fully pressed, the recording is performed as it is. If it is fully pressed, recording is stopped in step S24.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of chattering prevention for detecting the half-depressed state of the trigger. Note that the flow is the same not only when the trigger is pressed halfway, but also when the trigger is in any other state.

If it is determined in step S31 that the trigger has been pressed halfway, the timer in step S32 is started, and time is counted until the timer ends in step S33. This time determines the sensitivity of reading the half-pressed state of the trigger. This time is not the same in both the SV mode and the MV mode.
The half-pressed state can be read sensitively, and when the MV is set, it can be set long depending on the mode and the control function in consideration of recording the full-pressed state directly from the release of the trigger.

If it is in the half-depressed state even after the timer time has elapsed in step S34, the trigger half-depressed state is detected in step S35.

Second Embodiment In the SV mode, as in the first embodiment, the AF is always executed when the two-stage trigger is open, and the AF is performed when the half-press is pressed.
You do not have to prohibit it.

Therefore, in the second embodiment described in detail below, as shown in FIG. 5, AF is prohibited when the two-stage trigger is opened, and AF is executed when half-pressed. First, in step S41, it is determined whether the recording mode is the SV mode. If it is the SV mode, it is determined in step S42 whether the trigger is opened. If it is open, AF is prohibited in step S43, and if it is not open, it is determined in step S44 whether the trigger is half-push.

If the trigger is not pressed halfway, step S
At 45, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed. When fully pressed, AF is prohibited in step S46, and the subject on the imaging screen is captured in step S49.
Still image recording is performed by performing the above A / D conversion, rate conversion, and PCM conversion.

If the trigger is not fully pressed, step S
Returning to 43, AF is prohibited (at this time, the trigger is in the open state).

If the trigger is pressed halfway in step S44, AF is executed in step S47. Then, in step S48, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed, and if it is not fully pressed, the process returns to step S42,
Determine if the trigger is open.

If the trigger is fully pressed, step S46
In step S49, the AF is prohibited, and in step S49, the subject on the imaging screen is captured and still image recording is performed.

Embodiment 3 When the recording mode is set to the MV mode,
When recording (that is, when the trigger is fully pressed)
The execution and prohibition of the AF can be configured so as to follow the AF state (trigger open, half-pressed state) up to that point.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, it is first determined in step S51 whether the recording mode is the MV mode. If it is the MV mode, it is determined in step S52 whether the trigger is opened. If it is released, AF is executed in step S53, and if it is not opened, it is determined in step S54 whether or not the trigger is half-depressed.

If the trigger is not pressed halfway, step S
At 55, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed. If it is fully pressed, moving image recording is performed in step S56.
If the trigger is not pressed all the way back to step S53,
AF is executed (at this time, the trigger is open).

If the trigger is pressed halfway in step S54, AF is prohibited in step S57. Then, in step S58, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed, and if not, the process returns to step S52 to determine whether or not the trigger is opened. If the trigger is fully pressed, moving image recording is performed in step S56 while AF is prohibited.

During recording, if the trigger is half-depressed in step S59, AF is prohibited in step S60, and if not half-depressed, it is determined in step S61 whether the trigger is open. If not open, step S
Return to step 56, record a moving image, and if it is open, step S
At 62, AF is executed. Next, step S63.
Then, it is determined whether or not the trigger is fully pressed again, and if it is not fully pressed, the recording is performed as it is. If it is fully pressed, recording is stopped in step S64.

Embodiment 4 When the MV mode is set as the recording mode, the half-pressed state of the two-stage trigger may have no function (that is, it may act as a one-stage trigger switch). Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, by releasing the trigger and fully pressing it, recording is performed without having the function of executing / prohibiting AF.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the “AF execution / prohibition” and “record” instructions can be executed by one operation means, the operability for performing AF prohibition / recording and recording is significantly improved, and the range of shooting conditions is widened. Also, it becomes easier to reflect the will of the photographer in the recording.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in a still image recording (SV) mode in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in a moving image recording (MV) mode in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for detecting a half-pressed state of a two-stage trigger switch.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a rotary head according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a recording track on a magnetic tape according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 shooting lens system (focusing lens) 102 aperture 103 image sensor 104 sample / hold circuit 105 camera signal processing circuit 106 video signal processing circuit 107 A / D conversion circuit 108 rate conversion circuit 109 PCM conversion circuit 110 recording circuit 111 focus detection circuit 112 SV, MV mode changeover switch 113 Two-stage trigger switch 114 Control circuit 115 Drive motor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus having a moving image recording function or a still image recording function, and focusing means for performing automatic focus adjustment control on a subject, and an instruction to execute or prohibit the focusing means, and to record the moving image or An image recording apparatus comprising an operating means for instructing the timing of the still image recording as well. 2. The focus according to claim 1, wherein a two-stage trigger switch is used as the operating means, and the focus is adjusted during moving image recording or still image recording depending on whether the trigger switch is opened, half-pressed or fully pressed. An image recording apparatus characterized by instructing execution / prohibition of means.