Imaging device, method for controlling the imaging device, and storage device for the imaging device

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an image pickup device and a control method of the image pickup device, and a storage device of the image pickup device, in which a system can be configured by using a detachable accessory.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Currently, VTR-integrated digital video cameras and digital still cameras (hereinafter collectively referred to as "digital cameras") are used by many people in various situations throughout the year. For example, indoors, outdoors, and outdoors, digital cameras are used not only in the mountains and the sea, but also in the rain and snow.

【0003】

However, if the digital camera body is exposed and used in rain, snow, or the sea, the digital camera may not be usable or may adversely affect the digital camera.

【0004】

Therefore, a housing for protecting a digital camera has been prepared as one of the dedicated accessories. For example, there is a housing for storing a digital camera and enabling underwater photography. This housing replaces the transparent part that allows light to pass through at least the position of the lens and viewfinder of the digital camera, the operation switches for operating the stored digital camera, and the microphone provided in the digital camera. There is a microphone that collects external sounds.

【0005】

A conventional example in which a digital camera and a housing for underwater photography are combined will be described with reference to FIG. The housing indicated by reference numeral 1 is provided with an operation switch group 11 and a microphone 12. It is an essential condition that the digital camera indicated by the reference numeral 2 is provided with at least an external microphone input terminal 21 and a control terminal 23 in the main body.

【0006】

When the digital camera 2 is housed in the housing 1, the cable connected to the microphone 12 is connected to the external microphone input terminal 21 of the digital camera 2. Further, the cable connected to the operation switch group 11 is also connected to the control terminal 23 of the digital camera 2.

【0007】

The microcomputer 26, which recognizes that the cable is connected to the external microphone input terminal 21, controls the switch circuit 27 of the audio signal switching circuit 25 so as to supply the audio signal A1 from the microphone 12 to the amplifier circuit 28. After being amplified by the amplifier circuit 28, the audio signal A1 is supplied from the A / D conversion to the previous circuit via the switch circuit 29 and the output terminal 32.

【0008】

As described above, there is a demand for further miniaturization and weight reduction of digital cameras used in various situations. As digital cameras become smaller, their volume naturally decreases. As the volume decreases, for example, the ratio of the terminal for connecting to the outside to the volume of the digital camera body increases.

【0009】

Therefore, in order to meet the demand for miniaturization and weight reduction of digital cameras, it is most effective to remove terminals (parts) provided in the digital camera. Therefore, a terminal having a low priority may be selected from the terminals provided in the conventional digital camera, and the selected terminal having a low priority may be removed to reduce the size and weight of the digital camera.

【0010】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, it has been a problem to remove even the required functions by removing the terminals (parts). For example, if the external microphone input terminal, which has a low priority among the terminals provided in the digital camera, is removed, the signal from the microphone provided in the housing cannot be supplied to the digital camera, and when the housing is used, it becomes impossible. There was a problem that I had to give up recording.

【0011】

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup device, a control method for the image pickup device, and a storage device for the image pickup device, which can form a system in combination with a housing even if the conventionally provided parts are removed. ..

【0012】

[Means for solving problems]

According to the present invention, in an imaging device that is detachably stored in a storage device, an external audio signal input terminal, a first microphone, and a second microphone provided in the storage device with respect to the external audio signal input terminal are provided. An imaging device characterized by having a control means for switching to supply an output signal of a second microphone to a desired circuit in place of the output signal of the first microphone when it is detected that the connection has been made. is there.

【0013】

The present invention is a control method for an image pickup device that is detachably stored in a storage device and has a first microphone, in which a second microphone provided in the storage device is connected to an external audio signal input terminal. This is a control method for an image pickup apparatus, characterized in that, when it is detected, the output signal of the second microphone is switched to be supplied to a desired circuit instead of the output signal of the first microphone. ..

【0014】

The present invention amplifies a microphone and a signal output from the microphone, and supplies the amplified signal to an external audio signal input terminal of the stored image pickup device in the storage device of the image pickup device that houses the image pickup device detachably. It is a storage device for an imaging device characterized by having an amplifier.

【0015】

From these things, it is possible to remove the terminals (parts) that have been required in the past, and it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the image pickup apparatus.

【0016】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the same reference numerals are given to those having the same function and signals having the same function throughout the drawings to avoid duplication of description. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an embodiment to which the present invention has been applied.

【0017】

In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing 1 and the digital camera 2 are combined to form a system. The housing 1 is provided with an operation switch group 11, a microphone 12, and a microphone amplifier section 13. It is an essential condition that the digital camera 2 is provided with at least an AV (Audio / Video) input / output terminal 22 and a control terminal 23 in the main body. This AV input / output terminal 22 is called a line input / output terminal.

【0018】

The audio signal A1 from the microphone 12 is supplied to the amplifier circuit 14 of the microphone amplifier unit 13. In the amplifier circuit 14, the supplied audio signal A1 is amplified, and the amplified audio signal A2 is supplied to the AV input / output terminal 22. At this time, the driving power of the amplifier circuit 14 is supplied from the control terminal 23 of the digital camera 2. Further, the microphone amplifier unit 13 is provided with a microcomputer (not shown), and the microcomputer communicates with the control terminal 23 of the digital camera 2. The AV input / output terminal 22 is usually an indispensable terminal for the main body of the digital camera 2.

【0019】

The audio signal A2 supplied via the AV input / output terminal 22 is supplied to the audio signal switching circuit 25. In the audio signal switching circuit 25, the switch circuits 29 and 30 are switched in order to supply the audio signal A2 supplied from the AV input / output terminal 22 to the previous circuit from the A / D conversion via the output terminal 32. In this embodiment, the switch circuit 29 selects the terminal 29b and the switch circuit 30 selects the terminal 30a. At this time, the switch circuit 27 may have any of the terminals 27a and 27b selected. The switching of the audio signal switching circuit 25 is controlled by the microprocessor 26.

【0020】

Here, an example of using the housing 1 and the digital camera 2 in combination will be described. First, the digital camera 2 is housed in the housing 1. At this time, the cable led out from the microphone amplifier unit 13 provided in the housing 1 is connected to the AV input / output terminal 22 of the digital camera 2. The microphone amplifier unit 13 is connected to the microphone 12. Further, a cable connected to the operation switch group 11 and the microphone amplifier unit 13 provided in the housing 1 is connected to the control terminal 23 of the digital camera 2.

【0021】

Here, the algorithm of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1, it is determined whether or not the jack has been inserted into the AV input / output terminal 22 (plug). When it is determined that the jack has been inserted into the AV input / output terminal 22, control shifts to step S2, and when it is determined that nothing has been inserted yet, control returns to step S1. That is, the control in step S1 is repeated until it is determined that the jack has been inserted into the AV input / output terminal 22.

【0022】

In step S2, it is confirmed whether the transmission / reception of the control signal is established by the predetermined protocol between the accessory inserted into the AV input / output terminal 22 and the digital camera 2.

【0023】

In step S3, the accessory connected to the AV input / output terminal 22 is determined. For example, an accessory connected to the AV input / output terminal 22 is determined, such as whether it is an accessory that outputs an audio signal to the digital camera 2 or an accessory that outputs an audio signal from the digital camera 2.

【0024】

Here, as an example, it is assumed that the accessory connected to the AV input / output terminal 22 is a microphone 12 provided in the housing 1 for protecting the digital camera 2.

【0025】

In step S4, it is determined whether the connected accessory is an accessory that needs to switch the audio signal switching circuit 25 to force the line input to be used. If it is determined that the accessory needs to switch the audio signal switching circuit 25, control shifts to step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that the accessory does not need to switch the audio signal switching circuit 25, this algorithm is terminated.

【0026】

That is, since the microphone 12 of the housing 1 is connected to the AV input / output terminal 22, in order to input the audio signal from the microphone 12 provided in the housing 1 to the digital camera 2, the audio signal switching circuit 25 is used. Need to switch. Therefore, control shifts to step S5.

【0027】

In step S5, the status information of the accessory, that is, the housing 1, is read via the control terminal 23.

【0028】

In step S6, the accessory connected to the AV input / output terminal 22 is determined from the status information whether or not there is a request to forcibly use the line input. If it is determined that there is a request to use the line input from the accessory connected to the AV input / output terminal 22, control shifts to step S7, and if it is determined that there is no request to use the line input, the process proceeds to step S8. Control shifts.

【0029】

In step S7, a switch circuit is used to supply the signal input via the AV input / output terminal 22, that is, the audio signal A2 from the microphone 12, to the circuit ahead from the A / D conversion via the output terminal 32. 29 and 30 are switched. That is, as described above, the switch circuit 29 selects the terminal 29b, and the switch circuit 30 selects the terminal 30a. At this time, in the switch circuit 27, any of the terminals 27a and 27b may be selected. Then, this algorithm is terminated.

【0030】

In step S8, the switch circuit 27 is used to supply the signal input via the AV input / output terminal 22, that is, the audio signal from the microphone 24, from the A / D conversion to the previous circuit via the output terminal 32. And 29 are switched. Therefore, the terminal 27a is selected in the switch circuit 27, and the terminal 29a is selected in the switch circuit 29. At this time, in the switch circuit 30, any of the terminals 30a and 30b may be selected. Then, this algorithm is terminated.

【0031】

In this way, in the state of shooting with the digital camera 2, the so-called camera mode, when a control signal meaning that an audio signal is input from the AV input / output terminal 22 is supplied from the housing 1 to the digital camera 2 by communication. , Even in the camera mode, the input of the audio signal is not the audio signal supplied from the microphone 24 provided in the digital camera 2, but the audio signal supplied from the AV input / output terminal 22 is shooting. Used as an audio signal. Therefore, in the audio signal switching circuit 25, as described above by the microcomputer 26, the terminal 29b is selected in the switch circuit 29, and the terminal 30a is selected in the switch circuit 30.

【0032】

Here, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A first example of another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3A. The microphone amplifier unit 13a has a built-in wireless microphone reception function. In this first example, the audio signal of the wireless microphone 41 is supplied to the microphone amplifier unit 13a. The audio signal A2 amplified by the microphone amplifier unit 13a is supplied to the digital camera 2.

【0033】

A second example of another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3B. The microphone amplifier section 13b has a built-in mixing function between the microphone 12 provided in the housing 1 and the microphone 42 connected to the outside. In this second example, the audio signals supplied from the microphones 12 and 42 are supplied to the microphone amplifier section 13b and mixed. The audio signal A2 amplified by the microphone amplifier section 13b is supplied to the digital camera 2. The proportion of signals from the microphones 12 and 42 is controlled according to the control signal supplied from the control terminal 23 of the digital camera 2.

【0034】

A third example of another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3C. The microphone amplifier unit 13c has a built-in wireless microphone reception function shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B described above, and a mixing function of the microphone 12 and the wireless microphone 41 provided in the housing 1. In this third example, the audio signals supplied from the microphone 12 and the wireless microphone 41 are supplied to the microphone amplifier unit 13c. The audio signal A2 amplified by the microphone amplifier unit 13c is supplied to the digital camera 2. The ratio of the signals from the microphone 12 and the wireless microphone 41 is controlled according to the control signal supplied from the control terminal 23 of the digital camera 2.

【0035】

In this embodiment, the audio signal switching circuit 25 is provided with the switch circuit 27, but the switch circuit 27 may not be provided.

【0036】

In this embodiment, the audio signal A2 is supplied to the AV input / output terminal 22 from the microphone 12 provided in the housing 1 for protecting the digital camera 2, but the housing 1 is not essential. That is, any accessory that supplies the audio signal A2 to the AV input / output terminal 22 and can transmit and receive the power supply and the control signal via the control terminal 23 may be used, and is limited to the presence or absence of the housing. It's not a thing.

【0037】

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

【0038】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, the audio signal from the microphone of the housing can be taken into the digital camera by using the conventional AV input / output terminal and control terminal, so that the external microphone input terminal which has been conventionally required is used. Can be removed, and the size and weight of the digital camera can be reduced.

【0039】

According to the present invention, even a digital camera that originally does not have an external microphone input terminal can be combined with a housing to form a system.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the overall structure of one Embodiment of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation algorithm of one Embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 3]

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating another embodiment to which this invention is applied.

[Fig. 4]

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the conventional digital camera and a housing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Housing, 2 ... Digital camera, 11 ... Operation switch group, 12, 24 ... Microphone, 13 ... Microphone amplifier, 14, 28 ... Amplifier circuit, 21 ... External microphone input terminal, 22 ... AV input / output terminal, 23 ... control terminal, 25 ... audio signal switching circuit, 26 ... microcomputer, 27, 29, 30 ... switch circuit