JPH0884286A - Camcorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an audio signal in correlation with an image photographed by the use of a camera section by providing a function automatically selecting the directivity of a stereo microphone in matching with the direction of the camera section even when the stereo microphone is arranged on the side of a VTR section. CONSTITUTION: When a lens 8 of a camera section 7 is directed in a direction F, a detection section 3 controls automatically changeover switch sections 2a, 2b so that a microphone 1A is set to a right channel and a microphone 1B is set to a left channel. When the lens 8 of the camera section 7 is directed in a direction S, the detection section 3 controls automatically the changeover switch sections 2a, 2b so that the microphone 1B is set to the right channel and the microphone 1C is set to the left channel. When the lens 8 of the camera section 7 is directed in a direction B, the detection section 3 controls automatically the changeover switch sections 2a, 2b so that the microphone 1C is set to the right channel and the microphone 1D is set to the left channel.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a VTR unit having a built-in VTR function and a liquid crystal monitor unit, in which a camera unit is rotated,
The present invention relates to a camera-integrated VTR capable of face-to-face photography with a lens of a camera section facing the photographer side, and particularly to such a camera-integrated VTR equipped with a stereo microphone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a camera-integrated VTR capable of rotating and photographing a camera unit, a magazine "Monthly VIDEOCAP"
A ”(Gakkensha; February 1993 issue), pp. 107-
On page 114, there is an article on a camera-integrated VTR that can rotate the camera unit or monitor screen unit (VTR unit having a liquid crystal monitor) and can shoot at various angles. According to this article, "The monitor screen rotates to the same direction as the camera part, and you can see the monitor screen while shooting (face-to-face) the photographer himself. At this time, the image on the monitor screen automatically moves up and down. It turns over and looks like you're looking at a mirror. "

The following two types of rotation mechanisms are conceivable for the face-to-face photographing of a camera-integrated VTR. First, as shown in FIG. 7, as in the above magazine, the liquid crystal monitor unit 16
Of a type in which the VTR unit 15 having a camera and the camera unit 17 are vertically rotated relative to each other, that is, the camera unit 17 is
6 is a type configured to be rotatable along a plane perpendicular to the display surface of 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, the other one is a type in which the camera unit 7 is rotated laterally with respect to the VTR unit 5 having the liquid crystal monitor unit 6, that is, the camera unit 7 is the liquid crystal monitor unit 6.
It is a type configured to be able to rotate along a plane that is orthogonal to the display surface of.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In the camera-integrated VTR that employs the rotation mechanism for face-to-face shooting shown in (4), the stereo microphone cannot be placed on the camera section side, and it is sometimes necessary to place it on the VTR section side.

In the vertically rotating type shown in FIG. 7,
As shown in the figure, the microphones 11A and 11B are connected to the VT.
When arranged on the R section 15 side, the microphone 11A is on the right side in the normal photographing state shown in FIG. 7A (the lens 18 of the camera section 17 faces the subject in the front direction F of the photographer). There is no problem at all for the channel (R-ch) and the microphone 11B for the left channel (L-ch).

However, even in the face-to-face shooting state shown in FIG. 7B (the state where the lens 18 of the camera section 17 faces the photographer's direction (backward direction) B), the microphone 11A is for the right channel, and the microphone is used. When 11B is used for the left channel, the left and right directivity of the microphones are reversed when reproducing on another VTR and viewed on a TV, which causes a problem that reproduced stereo sound is reversed. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, during face-to-face shooting, the M direction in the drawing is the left channel when viewed from the VTR unit 15, and the N direction in the drawing is the right channel when viewed from the VTR unit 15, so M If the microphone 11A that captures the direction functions for the right channel and the microphone 11B that captures the N direction functions for the left channel, the above-described inconvenience occurs.

Further, in the horizontally rotating type shown in FIG. 4, when two microphones for the left and right channels are mounted on the VTR 5 as in the case of FIG. 7, the normal photographing condition shown in FIG. In the case where the lens 8 of the camera unit 7 faces the subject in the front direction F of the photographer, there is no problem, but the face-to-face photographing state shown in FIG.
When the lens 8 is facing the photographer (backward) B), the same inconvenience as described with reference to FIG. 6 occurs. Further, even in the shooting state in which the optical axis of the lens 8 is parallel to the display surface of the liquid crystal monitor unit 6 (the state in which the lens 8 of the camera unit 7 faces the subject in the side direction S) shown in FIG. 4B. The two microphones for the left and right channels pick up stereo sound that does not correspond to the captured image.

As described above, according to the prior art, in a camera-integrated VTR having a rotation mechanism that allows the camera unit to rotate and perform face-to-face shooting, the stereo microphone is replaced by the VTR.
If it is placed on the side of the unit, the problem arises that, in face-to-face photography or the like, the orientation of the lens (captured image) and the directivity of the microphone cannot be obtained.

Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-mentioned technology,
The purpose is to direct the stereo microphone in accordance with the orientation of the camera unit even when the stereo microphone is arranged on the VTR unit side in a camera-integrated VTR having a rotation mechanism that allows the camera unit to rotate and also perform face-to-face shooting. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a camera-integrated VTR that can provide a sound that is correlated with the image captured by the camera unit by providing a function for automatically switching the sex.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention, for example, in a type in which the camera section rotates sideways as shown in FIG. 4, has four microphones in the VTR section and two microphones in each section. In addition to arranging them in approximately two rows, a rotation angle detecting means for detecting the rotation angle of the camera portion is provided, and two of the four microphones are selected according to the detection result of this rotation angle detecting means. Composed.

[0012]

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when four microphones 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are arranged in the VTR section 5 in a substantially square shape and the lens of the camera section faces the F direction, the microphone 1A Is for the right channel, microphone 1B is for the left channel, and with the lens of the camera section facing the S direction, microphone 1B is for the right channel, microphone 1C is for the left channel, and the lens of the camera section is facing the B direction. In this state, the microphone 1C is used for the right channel and the microphone 1D is used for the left channel, and the input of the microphone is switched by the switching circuit according to the detection result of the rotation angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the camera section.

By doing so, the orientation of the camera unit can be detected, and the directivity of the stereo microphone can be automatically switched to match the orientation, and therefore the video image captured by the camera unit can be correlated. Voice will be obtained.

[0014]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

<First Embodiment> FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a microphone input switching system in a camera-integrated VTR of this embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of microphones in the TR section, FIG. 3 is a table showing a combination of left and right channel microphone inputs according to the orientation of the camera section, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the orientation of the camera section with respect to the VTR section.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 5 denotes a VTR unit having a built-in VTR function, which is integrally provided with a relatively large liquid crystal monitor unit 6. The liquid crystal monitor unit 6 projects an image of a subject currently being photographed at the time of photographing. Functions as a large electronic viewfinder. Reference numeral 7 denotes a camera unit having a video camera function, which includes a lens 8. The camera unit 7 rotates in the lateral direction with respect to the VTR unit 5, that is, along a plane which is orthogonal to the display surface of the liquid crystal monitor unit 6 in the lateral direction. It can be rotated.

FIG. 4A shows the most normal photographing state in which the lens 8 of the camera section 7 faces the subject in the front direction F of the photographer, and FIG. 4B shows the optical axis of the lens 8. Is a shooting state in which the lens 8 of the camera unit 7 is parallel to the display surface of the liquid crystal monitor unit 6 (the lens 8 of the camera unit 7 faces the subject in the side direction S). It is in a state of facing the photographer's direction (backward direction) B, that is, a state of face-to-face photography in which the photographer himself / herself photographs the electronic viewfinder screen.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The VTR unit 5 has four microphones 1A, 1B, 1C,
1D is arranged in a substantially square shape, and two inputs of the four microphones 1A to 1D are selected according to the orientation of the camera unit 7.

The above microphones 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D
1 is connected to a microphone amplifier 4R for the right channel and a microphone amplifier 4L for the left channel via a switching circuit 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and the switching switch sections 2a and 2b of the switching circuit 2 detect It can be switched by a control signal from the unit 3. The detection unit 3 is a rotation angle detection unit that detects the rotation angle of the camera unit 7 (for example,
(E.g., a mechanical switch or an electronic switch using a photoreflector), it detects which of the F, S, and B directions in FIG. 4 the camera unit 7 faces, and the four microphones 1A to Switch the input from 1D.

That is, the detecting unit 3 selects the microphone 1A for the right channel and the microphone 1B for the left channel when the lens 8 of the camera unit 7 faces the F direction. When the lenses 8 of the camera section 7 are oriented in the S direction by controlling 2a and 2b, the changeover switch sections 2a and 2b of the changeover circuit 2 are set so that the microphone 1B is for the right channel and the microphone 1C is for the left channel. The lens 8 of the camera unit 7
In the state where B is oriented in the B direction, the changeover switch units 2a and 2b of the changeover circuit 2 are controlled so that the microphone 1C is for the right channel and the microphone 1D is for the left channel. Note that FIG. 3 shows a combination of left and right channel microphone inputs depending on the orientation of the camera unit 7 described above.

With this configuration, the camera-integrated VTR can be provided with the function of detecting the orientation of the camera section 7 and automatically switching the directivity of the stereo microphone in the orientation. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the sound correlated with the video image captured by the camera unit 7.

<Second Embodiment> FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microphone input switching system in a camera-integrated VTR according to the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a microphone arrangement according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a VT.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the direction of the camera part with respect to R part.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 15 denotes a VTR unit having a built-in VTR function, which is integrally provided with a relatively large liquid crystal monitor unit 16. The liquid crystal monitor unit 16 projects an image of a subject currently being photographed at the time of photographing. Functions as a large electronic viewfinder. Reference numeral 17 denotes a camera unit having a video camera function including a lens 18, and the camera unit 17 is a VT.
It can be rotated in the vertical direction with respect to the R portion 15, that is, can be rotated along a surface vertically orthogonal to the display surface of the liquid crystal monitor portion 16.

FIG. 7A shows the lens 1 of the camera section 17.
8 is the most normal shooting state in which the photographer faces the subject in the front direction F, and FIG. 7B shows a state in which the lens 18 of the camera unit 17 faces the photographer direction (back direction) B. That is, it is a face-to-face shooting state in which the photographer himself / herself takes a picture while looking at the electronic viewfinder screen.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the VTR section 15 has two microphones 11A and 11A.
B are arranged side by side so that the inputs from the left and right microphones 11A and 11B can be switched depending on the orientation of the camera unit 17.

The microphones 11A and 11B shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the switch circuit 12 is connected to the right-channel microphone amplifier 14R and the left-channel microphone amplifier 14L, and the switch switches 12a and 12b of the switch circuit 12 are connected to the detector 13 from the detector 13. It can be switched by a control signal. The detection unit 13
Has a rotation angle detecting means (for example, an electronic switch using a mechanical switch or a photo reflector) for detecting the rotation angle of the camera unit 17, and the camera unit 17 has a structure shown in FIG.
It is detected which of the B directions it is facing, and the inputs from the left and right microphones 11A and 11B are switched according to this direction.

That is, the detecting unit 13 detects that the microphone 1 is in the state where the lens 18 of the camera unit 17 faces the F direction.
The changeover switch unit 1 of the changeover circuit 12 so that 1A is for the right channel and the microphone 11B is for the left channel.
2a and 12b are controlled, and the lens 18 of the camera unit 17 is set to B
When facing the direction, the changeover switch sections 12a and 12b of the changeover circuit 12 are controlled so that the microphone 11B is for the right channel and the microphone 11A is for the left channel.

With this configuration, the camera unit 17
The VTR with a built-in camera can be provided with a function of detecting the orientation of the stereo microphone and automatically switching the directivity of the stereo microphone according to the orientation. Therefore, the image captured by the camera unit 17 can be correlated. It is possible to obtain a good voice.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a camera-integrated VTR having a rotation mechanism that allows the camera unit to rotate and perform face-to-face shooting, even when the stereo microphone is arranged on the VTR unit side, By providing the function of automatically switching the directivity of the stereo microphone according to the direction, it is possible to provide a camera-integrated VTR that can obtain a sound that is correlated with the image taken by the camera unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a camera-integrated VTR according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microphone input switching system in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a camera-integrated VTR according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of microphones in the VTR section in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a camera-integrated VTR according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a table of combinations of left and right channel microphone inputs according to the orientation of the camera unit.

FIG. 4 is a camera-integrated VTR according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing the orientation of the camera unit with respect to the VTR unit in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a camera-integrated VTR according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microphone input switching system in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a camera-integrated VTR according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of microphones in the VTR section in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a camera-integrated VTR according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing the orientation of the camera unit with respect to the VTR unit in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Microphone 2 Switching circuit 3 Detection section 4R, 4L Microphone amplifier 5 VTR section 6 Liquid crystal monitor section 7 Camera section 8 Lens 11A, 11B Microphone 12 Switching circuit 13 Detection section 14R, 14L Microphone amplifier 15 VTR section 16 LCD monitor 17 Camera 18 Lens

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A camera-integrated VTR having a function of enabling a photographing according to a photographing style by rotating the camera with respect to a VTR having a liquid crystal monitor and having a built-in VTR function, and detecting a rotation angle of the camera. Is provided with a rotation angle detecting means, and in accordance with the detection result of this rotation angle detecting means,
A camera-integrated VTR, characterized in that inputs from at least two microphones arranged in the VTR section are switched or switched. 2. The camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit is configured to be rotatable along a plane that is laterally orthogonal to a display surface of the liquid crystal monitor unit, and the VTR unit has four units. A camera-integrated VT, wherein the two microphones are arranged in two rows each.
R. 3. The camera-integrated VTR according to claim 2, wherein two inputs of the four microphones are selected according to a rotation angle of the camera unit. 4. The camera unit according to claim 4, wherein the camera unit is configured to be rotatable along a plane perpendicular to a display surface of the liquid crystal monitor unit, and the VTR unit has one left and right unit. A VTR with a built-in camera, wherein the microphones are arranged one by one. 5. The camera-integrated VTR according to claim 1, wherein inputs from the left and right microphones are switched according to a rotation angle of the camera unit.