Imaging apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus, a method for controlling the same, and a program that can switch a method for displaying a return video according to the necessity of return video display, and reduce inhibition on display of an original photographed video due to display of the return video.SOLUTION: A digital video camera 10 connected to a switcher 128 comprises a tally signal receiving unit 122, a return video receiving unit 124, and a system control unit 109. The system control unit 109 switches a method for displaying a return video relative to an original photographed video according to the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a control method thereof, and a program, and more particularly to an imaging device that controls the display of return video, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a filming system consisting of multiple imaging devices, there have been imaging devices that have the function of receiving and displaying not only the self-filmed footage being filmed by the device itself, but also the currently broadcast / distributed footage as return footage from a switcher.

[0003] There are various methods for displaying such return video, i.e., methods for switching between displaying the self-shot video and the return video. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology in which a user manually switches between displaying and hiding the return video on the display unit of an imaging device by operating a remote control from an external device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-223541 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology proposed in Patent Document 1, the return video is displayed on the display unit of the imaging device in response to a user's remote control operation, regardless of the degree of necessity for displaying the return video. As a result, the display of the self-shot video may be obstructed by the display of return video that is less necessary to display. For example, if the return video is displayed on the self-shot video in Picture in Picture (PinP), the self-shot video in the return video display area cannot be seen.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an imaging device, a control method thereof, and a program that can switch the display method of the return video depending on the need to display the return video, thereby reducing the interference with the display of the self-shot video caused by the display of the return video. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the imaging device of claim 1 of the present invention is an imaging device that connects to an external device, and has a first receiving means for receiving a tally signal, a second receiving means for receiving a return image, and a control means for switching the display method of the return image relative to the self-shot image, wherein the control means switches the display method of the return image depending on the state of the tally signal from the first receiving means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the display method of the return video can be switched depending on the need for displaying the return video, thereby reducing the interference with the display of the self-shot video caused by the display of the return video. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital video camera as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of switching of the display method of the return video when the return video is set to be displayed in PinP on the self-shot video. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of switching of the display method of the return video when the return video is set to be mixed with the self-shot video. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of switching the display method of the return video when the return video and the self-shot video are set to be displayed in a split screen. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a return video display switching control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each embodiment described below is merely an example of a configuration that can realize the present invention. Each of the following embodiments can be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of elements included in each of the following embodiments are necessarily essential for realizing the present invention, and some of the elements can be omitted as appropriate. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each of the following embodiments. Furthermore, configurations that combine multiple configurations described in the embodiments can also be adopted as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a digital video camera 10 as an image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the digital video camera 10 is communicably connected to an external recording medium 120, a display unit 121, and a switcher 128.

[0013] 1, the digital video camera 10 includes a housing 100 that houses a plurality of elements. The elements housed in the digital video camera 10 include a video processing unit 103, a CODEC 104, a video output unit 105, a display control unit 106, a memory control unit 107, a memory 108, an OSD drawing unit 118, and an I / F 119. The elements housed in the digital video camera 10 also include a tally signal receiving unit 122, a return video receiving unit 124, and a return video transmitting unit 126. These elements are connected to one another via a bus.

[0014] The elements stored in digital video camera 10 further include a lens barrel 101, an imaging unit 102, a system control unit 109, a mode switch 110, and an operation unit 111. The elements stored in digital video camera 10 also include a power switch 112, nonvolatile memory 113, a power control unit 114, a power supply unit 115, a system memory 116, and a system timer 117.

[0015] The system control unit 109 is connected to the lens barrel 101 , the imaging unit 102 , the mode switch 110 , the operation unit 111 , the power switch 112 , the nonvolatile memory 113 , the power control unit 114 , the system memory 116 , and the system timer 117 .

[0016] The lens barrel 101 has an imaging lens including a focus lens and an anti-vibration lens, and an aperture mechanism. The lens barrel 101 may be configured integrally with the housing 100, or may be configured to be separable from the housing 100.

[0017] The imaging unit 102 has an imaging sensor that converts an optical image focused by the imaging lens of the lens barrel 101 into an analog electrical signal, and an A / D converter that converts the analog electrical signal into a digital signal (video data).

[0018] The video processing unit 103 performs predetermined image processing such as resizing, cropping, color conversion, and distortion correction on video data from the imaging unit 102 or memory control unit 107, and generates VRAM in memory 108 via the memory control unit 107. The video processing unit 103 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing on the video data and supplies the arithmetic results to the system control unit 109. The arithmetic results are used for various control processes such as exposure control, distance measurement control, and vibration reduction control. For example, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, and vibration reduction processing are performed based on the results of subject detection calculated by the video processing unit 103. In addition, the video processing unit 103 can perform AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the calculations on the video data.

[0019] The CODEC 104 encodes the VRAM generated by the video processing unit 103 in accordance with a predetermined video compression method (MPEG-2, H.264, etc.). The CODEC 104 also decodes the encoded video data supplied from the memory control unit 107 to generate new VRAM. The new VRAM undergoes predetermined image processing by the video processing unit 103 and is then supplied to the memory control unit 107.

[0020] The video output unit 105 generates a video signal by superimposing multiple VRAMs read from the memory 108 via the memory control unit 107. The video output unit 105 can add metadata specified by the system control unit 109 to the video signal. The video output unit 105 can independently generate and output individual video signals for each of the multiple display units 121.

[0021] Display unit 121 is a display device connected to digital video camera 10 and displays the input video signal. Alternatively, display unit 121 may be provided in digital video camera 10. Display unit 121 may have multiple display devices. Display unit 121 may be configured with a display member such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. Alternatively, display unit 121 may be an external recording device for recording the video signal outside of this digital video camera.

[0022] The display control unit 106 establishes a connection to the display unit 121 and outputs the video signal output by the video output unit 105 to the display unit 121. That is, the self-shot video being captured by the digital video camera 10 (live video being captured by the imaging unit 102 and image processed by the video processing unit 103) is output from the video output unit 105 and displayed on the display unit 121. The digital video camera 10 and the display unit 121 can be connected according to, for example, the SDI (Serial Digital Interface) standard. The digital video camera 10 and the display unit 121 may also be connected by wire or wirelessly using other methods. For example, the digital video camera 10 and the display unit 121 may be connected to each other via an HDMI (registered trademark) cable, and the video signal and signal standard information may be transmitted and received between them. The digital video camera 10 and the display unit 121 may also be connected via a wireless LAN.

[0023] The memory control unit 107 arbitrates access requests to the memory 108 from each unit.

[0024] The memory 108 stores VRAMs handled by the video processing unit 103, the CODEC 104, the video output unit 105, and the OSD drawing unit 118. The memory 108 can also temporarily store encoded video data output from the CODEC 104 and encoded video data read from the recording medium 120. The memory 108 has a storage capacity sufficient to store moving images and audio for a predetermined period of time.

[0025] The system control unit 109 is a control means that comprehensively controls the entire digital video camera 10, and is configured, for example, by an arithmetic processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The system control unit 109 may also have multiple CPU cores. The multiple CPU cores can share and process tasks written in a program, which will be described later.

[0026] The nonvolatile memory 113 is a recording medium that can be electrically recorded and erased. The nonvolatile memory 113 records control information such as programs and parameters used by the system control unit 109. The above programs include programs for executing the processes shown in the flowcharts described below.

[0027] System memory 116 is a volatile recording medium, and is configured by, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). Note that system memory 116 may be common to memory 108. In the above case, since memory control unit 107 arbitrates access to memory 108 as system memory 116, a small-capacity memory (such as a cache memory) that can be accessed at high speed may be provided directly connected to system control unit 109.

[0028] The system control unit 109 (control means) controls each unit of the digital video camera 10 by loading programs and operational variables and constants recorded in the nonvolatile memory 113 into the system memory 116 and executing them. In this way, the system control unit 109 realizes each operation of this embodiment, such as the return video display switching control process described later in FIG. 5. The system control unit 109 can control the display operations of the memory 108, the OSD drawing unit 118, and the video output unit 105.

[0029] The mode switch 110 is a switch used to select an operation mode of the digital video camera 10. The operation mode (camera mode, playback mode, etc.) specified by the position of the switch is notified to the system control unit 109.

[0030] The operation unit 111 is an operation means used to input various instructions to the system control unit 109. The operation unit 111 includes, for example, the following elements: A menu button for displaying a menu screen for various settings on the display unit 121 -Cancel button -D-pad (up arrow key, down arrow key, left arrow key, right arrow key) -SET button -Function switching button (AF / MF switching button, etc.) -REC button to start and stop video recording -Assignable buttons that can be assigned any function via menu settings

[0031] The user can intuitively give various setting instructions using the menu screen, cross key, and set button displayed on the display unit 121. Note that the user may also give instructions to start and stop recording in order to record a video signal on the display unit 121 (external recording device) by operating the REC button.

[0032] Power switch 112 is a push button used to switch between a power on state and a power off state.

[0033] The power supply control unit 114 has a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, and a switch circuit that switches between blocks to be energized, and detects whether a battery is installed, the type of installed battery, and the remaining battery power. The power supply control unit 114 controls the DC-DC converter based on the above detection results and instructions from the system control unit 109, and supplies the voltage required for operation to each unit (recording medium 120, etc.) for the required period of time.

[0034] The power supply unit 115 is configured by at least one of a primary battery (alkaline battery, lithium battery, etc.), a secondary battery (NiCd battery, NiMH battery, Li battery, etc.), and an AC adapter.

[0035] The system timer 117 is a timing generator used for various controls and also a timekeeper that measures the time of an internal clock (not shown). The system control unit 109 controls the operation of each unit based on the timing generated by the system timer 117.

[0036] The OSD drawing unit 118 provides an on-screen display (OSD) function that superimposes setting information on video data. That is, the OSD drawing unit 118 renders character strings and icons that represent the status and settings of the digital video camera 10, as well as various display frames and markers (i.e., OSD), in the VRAM stored in the memory 108. The display information such as character strings and icons used in the above on-screen display function is stored in the non-volatile memory 113 and is read out by the OSD drawing unit 118 as needed.

[0037] The I / F 119 is a connection interface with a recording medium 120 (external recording device) that can be connected to the digital video camera 10.

[0038] The recording medium 120 is a recording medium that records encoded video data and data accompanying the video data as an image file. The encoded video data stored in the memory 108 is supplied to the recording medium 120 via the I / F 119 and recorded thereon. The encoded video data and accompanying data recorded on the recording medium 120 are read by the I / F 119 and transferred to the memory 108. The recording medium 120 may be a medium (such as a memory card, HDD, or other disk) that is detachably attached to the digital video camera 10, or may be a medium (such as a flash memory or HDD) that is built into the digital video camera 10.

[0039] The switcher 128 (external device) is a device connected to the digital video camera 10, and includes a tally signal output unit 123 that transmits a tally signal, a return video output unit 125 that transmits return video, and a return video input unit 127 that receives the return video.

[0040] Tally signal receiving unit 122 (first receiving means) receives a tally signal from tally signal output unit 123 of external switcher 128. The signal received here is notified to system control unit 109, and system control unit 109 causes OSD drawing unit 118 to draw an image in accordance with the content of the received signal. As a result, for example, an icon indicating that a tally signal has been received or a frame (image frame) with a different color around the periphery of the image displayed on display unit 121 is drawn by OSD drawing unit 118.

[0041] A return video receiving unit 124 (second receiving means) receives return video from a return video output unit 125 of an external switcher 128. The video data received here is stored in memory 108, processed by video output unit 105 under the control of system control unit 109, and displayed on display unit 121.

[0042] The return video transmission unit 126 transmits the return video to a return video input unit 127 of an external switcher 128 .

[0043] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of switching of the display method of the return video when the setting (first setting) is such that the return video is displayed in PinP (Picture in Picture) on the self-shot video.

[0044] Hereinafter, the "tally signal: none" state (second state) indicates that the tally signal receiving unit 122 is not receiving a tally signal. Furthermore, the "tally signal: PROGRAM" state (first state) indicates that the tally signal receiving unit 122 is receiving a PROGRAM tally signal. Here, the PROGRAM tally signal is a tally signal indicating that the operator of the switcher 128 has selected the self-shot video of the digital video camera 10 as the video currently being broadcast (return video). Furthermore, the "tally signal: PREVIEW" state (third state) indicates that the tally signal receiving unit 122 is receiving a PREVIEW tally signal. Here, the PREVIEW tally signal is a tally signal indicating that the operator of the switcher 128 has selected the self-shot video of the digital video camera 10 as the video to be next broadcast / distributed.

[0045] A screen 200a in FIG. 2 is a screen that is displayed on the display unit 121 when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 is the "tally signal: no" state, and a return image 201 is displayed in PinP format simultaneously with the self-shot image.

[0046] Screen 200b in Fig. 2 is a screen that is displayed on display unit 121 when the state of tally signal receiving unit 122 switches to the "tally signal: PROGRAM" state while screen 200a is being displayed. In this case, return video 201 that was being displayed in PinP mode in the self-shot video is switched to not being displayed. Although not shown in Fig. 2, when the state of tally signal receiving unit 122 is the "tally signal: PROGRAM" state, a red frame may be displayed on screen 200b.

[0047] Furthermore, when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 returns from "tally signal: PROGRAM" to "tally signal: none," the screen 200b returns to the screen 200a where the return video 201 is displayed in PinP.

[0048] This is because when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 is "tally signal: PROGRAM", the return image is an image based on the self-shot image, and therefore there is generally little need to display the return image on the display unit 121.

[0049] Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 switches to the "tally signal: PREVIEW" state, the return image 201 is switched to screen 200c so that the visibility of the self-portrait image is improved compared to screen 200b. Examples of methods for improving the visibility of the self-portrait image include reducing the display size (PinP display size) of return image 201 or increasing the PinP display transmittance. Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 is the "tally signal: PREVIEW" state, a green frame may be displayed on screen 200c.

[0050] In addition, the reduction ratio of the PinP display size and the PinP display transmittance may be set as the initial setting of the digital video camera 10 depending on the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122, or may be set to be changeable by user operation on the operation unit 111.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of switching of the display method of the return video when the setting (second setting) is set to mix (transparently combine) the return video with the self-shot video.

[0052] Screen 300a in FIG. 3 is a screen displayed on display unit 121 when tally signal receiving unit 122 is in the "tally signal: absent" state, and return video 202 is displayed in a mixed manner simultaneously with the self-shot video.

[0053] 3 is a screen that is displayed on the display unit 121 when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 switches to the "tally signal: PROGRAM" state while the screen 300a is being displayed. In this case, the return video 202 that was being mixed with the self-shot video is switched to not being displayed.

[0054] Furthermore, when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 returns from "tally signal: PROGRAM" to "tally signal: none," the screen 300b returns to the screen 300a where the return video 202 is mixed and displayed.

[0055] This is because when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 is "tally signal: PROGRAM", the return image is an image based on the self-shot image, and therefore there is generally little need to display the return image on the display unit 121.

[0056] 3, when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 switches to the "tally signal: PREVIEW" state, the return video 202 is switched to screen 300c so that the visibility of the self-shot video is improved compared to screen 300b. One example of a method for improving the visibility of the self-shot video is to increase the Mix display transmittance of the return video 202.

[0057] In addition, the Mix display transmittance of each return video may be set as an initial setting of the digital video camera 10 depending on the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122, or may be set to be changeable by user operation on the operation unit 111.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of switching of the display method of the return video when the setting is such that the return video and the self-shot video are displayed on the split screen (third setting).

[0059] Screen 400a in Figure 4 is a screen that is displayed on display unit 121 when the state of tally signal receiving unit 122 is "tally signal: none", and returns video 203 and self-shot video 401 are displayed simultaneously on a split screen.

[0060] 4 is a screen that is displayed on the display unit 121 when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 switches to the "tally signal: PROGRAM" state while screen 400a is being displayed. In this case, the return video 203 that was previously displayed in a split screen is switched to non-display, and the self-shot video 401 that was previously displayed in a split screen is displayed in full screen.

[0061] Furthermore, when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 returns from "tally signal: PROGRAM" to "tally signal: none," the screen 400b returns to the screen 400a where the return video 203 is displayed on the split screen.

[0062] This is because when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 is "tally signal: PROGRAM", the return image is an image based on the self-shot image, and therefore there is generally little need to display the return image on the display unit 121.

[0063] 4, when the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 switches to the "tally signal: PREVIEW" state, the screen switches to screen 400c in which return video 203 is switched so that the visibility of the self-portrait video is improved compared to screen 400b. One example of a method for improving the visibility of the self-portrait video is to reduce the display size of return video 201 and increase the display size of the self-portrait video when using split screen display.

[0064] In addition, the display sizes of the return video 201 and the self-shot video may be set as initial settings of the digital video camera 10 depending on the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122, or may be set to be changeable by user operation of the operation unit 111.

[0065] 2 to 4 may be used as long as the method is one for simultaneously displaying the self-shot video and the return video on display unit 121, and is not limited to these methods. One of the methods for simultaneously displaying the self-shot video and the return video on display unit 121 may be set as an initial setting of digital video camera 10, or may be set to be changeable in response to a user operation on operation unit 111.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the return video display switching control process.

[0067] In step S500, system control unit 109 determines whether or not return video is being received by return video receiving unit 124. If it is being received (YES in step S500), the process proceeds to step S501, and if it is not being received (NO in step S500), the process proceeds to step S507.

[0068] In step S501, system control unit 109 determines whether display unit 121 is set to display the return video. If it is set (YES in step S501), the process proceeds to step S502, and if it is not set (NO in step S501), the process proceeds to step S507.

[0069] In step S502, the system control unit 109 determines whether the tally signal receiving unit 122 is receiving a tally signal of PROGRAM (whether the state is "tally signal: PROGRAM"). If it is received (YES in step S502), the system control unit 109 proceeds to step S506, and if it is not received (NO in step S502), the system control unit 109 proceeds to step S503.

[0070] In step S503, the system control unit 109 determines whether the tally signal receiving unit 122 is receiving a PREVIEW tally signal (whether the state is "Tally signal: PREVIEW"). If the signal has been received (YES in step S503), the system control unit 109 proceeds to step S505, and if the signal has not been received (NO in step S503), the system control unit 109 proceeds to step S504.

[0071] In step S504, system control unit 109 determines that the state of tally signal receiving unit 122 is the "tally signal: absent" state, and performs control so that the self-shot video and return video are simultaneously displayed on display unit 121. Then, the process returns to step S500.

[0072] In step S505, the system control unit 109 determines that the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 is the "tally signal: PREVIEW" state, and performs control so that the self-shot video and the return video are displayed on the display unit. At this time, the system control unit 109 performs control so that the return video is displayed so that the visibility of the self-shot video is higher than in step S504. Then, the process returns to step S500.

[0073] In step S506, the system control unit 109 determines that the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 is the "tally signal: PROGRAM" state, and performs control so that the return video is not displayed, but the self-shot video is displayed on the display unit 121. Then, the process returns to step S500.

[0074] In step S507, system control unit 109 controls display of the self-shot video on display unit 121. Thereafter, the process returns to step S500.

[0075] 5, the system control unit 109 switches the display method of the return video in accordance with the need for return video display based on the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122. This has the effect of reducing the interference caused by the display of the return video with respect to the display of the self-shot video on the display unit 121.

[0076] In this embodiment, the display size, display / non-display, and transmittance of the return video are changed according to the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the same effect as that described above can be obtained, the display method of the self-shot video may be switched according to the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122.

[0077] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case has been described where the output destination of information regarding the display method of the return video is the display unit 121, but the output destination may be at least one of a plurality of display units and an external recording device. Furthermore, the method of switching the display of the return video according to the state of the tally signal receiving unit 122 may be set to be changeable for each output destination by a user operation on the operation unit 111.

[0078] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the present embodiment to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and run the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0079] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention.

[0080] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0081] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) An imaging device that connects to an external device, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a tally signal; a second receiving means for receiving a return image; and a control means for switching the display method of the return image relative to a self-shot image, wherein the control means switches the display method of the return image depending on the state of the tally signal from the first receiving means. (Configuration 2) The imaging device described in Configuration 1, characterized in that even when the setting is such that the return video is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot video being captured by the imaging device, if the state of the first receiving means is a first state in which a PROGRAM tally signal is received as the tally signal, the control means switches the display method of the return video to a method in which the return video is not displayed and only the self-shot video is displayed. (Configuration 3) The imaging device described in Configuration 2, characterized in that the control means is set to display the return image simultaneously with the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is a second state in which the tally signal is not received, the display method of the return image is switched to a method in which the return image is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot image. (Configuration 4) The imaging device described in Configuration 3, wherein the control means is set to display the return image simultaneously with the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is a third state in which a PREVIEW tally signal is received as the tally signal, the control means switches the display method of the return image so that the return image is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot image, but the visibility of the self-shot image is higher than in the first state. (Configuration 5) The imaging device described in Configuration 2, characterized in that even if the setting is such that the return video is displayed in PinP format against the self-shot video, when the state of the first receiving means is the first state, the control means switches the display method of the return video to a method that hides the return video and displays only the self-shot video. (Configuration 6) The imaging device described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the control means is set to display the return image in PinP format relative to the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the second state, the display method of the return image is switched to the PinP display method. (Configuration 7) The imaging device described in Configuration 4, characterized in that the control means is set to display the return image in PinP format relative to the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return image is switched to a method of reducing the PinP display size of the return image. (Configuration 8) The imaging device described in Configuration 4, characterized in that the control means is set to display the return image in PinP format on the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return image is switched to a method that increases the PinP display transmittance of the return image. (Configuration 9) The imaging device described in Configuration 2, characterized in that the control means switches the display method of the return video to a method of not displaying the return video and displaying only the self-shot video when the state of the first receiving means is the first state, even if the setting is to mix the return video with the self-shot video. (Configuration 10) The imaging device described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the control means is set to mix the return video with the self-shot video, and when the state of the first receiving means is the second state, the display method of the return video is switched to the mix display method. (Configuration 11) The imaging device described in Configuration 4, characterized in that the control means is set to mix the return image with the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return image is switched to a method that increases the mix display transmittance of the return image. (Configuration 12) The imaging device described in Configuration 2, characterized in that the control means switches the display method of the return video to a method that hides the return video and displays only the self-shot video when the state of the first receiving means is the first state, even if the setting is to display the return video on a split screen relative to the self-shot video. (Configuration 13) The imaging device described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the control means is set to display the return video on a split screen relative to the self-shot video, and when the state of the first receiving means is the second state, the display method of the return video is switched to the split screen display method. (Configuration 14) The imaging device described in Configuration 4, characterized in that the control means is set to display the return video in a split screen relative to the self-shot video, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return video is switched to a method in which, during the split screen display, the display size of the return video is reduced and the display size of the self-shot video is enlarged. (Configuration 15) An imaging device described in any one of configurations 2 to 14, characterized in that the setting for displaying the return video simultaneously with the self-shot video can be changed in response to user operation to one of a first setting for displaying the return video in PinP mode relative to the self-shot video, a second setting for displaying the return video in Mix mode relative to the self-shot video, and a third setting for displaying the return video in a split screen relative to the self-shot video. (Configuration 16) The imaging device according to configuration 7, wherein the PinP display size of the return video in the second state and the third state is set to be changeable by a user operation. (Configuration 17) The imaging device according to configuration 8, wherein the PinP display transmittance of the return image in the second state and the third state is set to be changeable in response to a user operation. (Configuration 18) The imaging device according to configuration 11, wherein the Mix display transmittance of the return video in the second state and the third state is set to be changeable in response to a user operation. (Configuration 19) The imaging device according to configuration 14, characterized in that the display sizes of the return image and the self-shot image in the second state and the third state are set to be changeable by user operation. (Configuration 20) An imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 19, characterized in that the control means sets the output destination of information regarding the display method of the return video in accordance with the state of the first receiving means to be changeable by user operation. (Configuration 21) The imaging device according to configuration 20, wherein the output destination is at least one of a display unit and an external recording device. (Method 1) A control method for an imaging device connected to an external device, comprising a first receiving step of receiving a tally signal, a second receiving step of receiving return video, and a control step of switching the display method of the return video relative to the self-shot video, wherein the control step switches the display method of the return video depending on the state of the tally signal in the first receiving step. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the imaging device described in Configuration 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10. Digital video camera 109 System Control Unit 121 Display section 122 Tally signal receiver 123 Tally signal output section 124 Return video receiving unit 125 Return video output section 126 Return video transmission unit 127 Return video input section 128 Switcher

Claims

1. An imaging device that connects to an external device, a first receiving means for receiving a tally signal; a second receiving means for receiving the return video; a control means for switching a display method of the return video; and The imaging device is characterized in that the control means switches the display method of the return video depending on the state of the tally signal from the first receiving means.

2. The control means The imaging device of claim 1, characterized in that even when the setting is such that the return video is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot video being shot by the imaging device, if the state of the first receiving means is a first state in which a PROGRAM tally signal is received as the tally signal, the display method of the return video is switched to a method in which the return video is not displayed and only the self-shot video is displayed.

3. The control means 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the setting is such that the return image is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is a second state in which the tally signal is not received, the display method of the return image is switched to a method in which the return image is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot image.

4. The control means 4. The imaging device of claim 3, wherein when the setting is such that the return image is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot image and the state of the first receiving means is a third state in which a PREVIEW tally signal is received as the tally signal, the display method of the return image is switched so that the return image is displayed simultaneously with the self-shot image, but the visibility of the self-shot image is higher than in the first state.

5. The control means The imaging device described in claim 2, characterized in that even when the setting is to display the return image in PinP format on the self-shot image, if the state of the first receiving means is the first state, the display method of the return image is switched to a method in which the return image is not displayed and only the self-shot image is displayed.

6. The control means The imaging device of claim 3, characterized in that the return image is set to be displayed in PinP format on the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the second state, the display method of the return image is switched to the PinP display method.

7. The control means The imaging device of claim 4, characterized in that the setting is to display the return image in PinP format on the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return image is switched to a method of reducing the PinP display size of the return image.

8. The control means The imaging device described in claim 4, characterized in that the setting is to display the return image in PinP format on the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return image is switched to a method that increases the PinP display transmittance of the return image.

9. The control means 3. The imaging device of claim 2, characterized in that even when the setting is to mix the return video with the self-shot video, if the state of the first receiving means is the first state, the display method of the return video is switched to a method in which the return video is not displayed and only the self-shot video is displayed.

10. The control means 4. The imaging device of claim 3, wherein the setting is to mix the return video with the self-shot video, and when the state of the first receiving means is the second state, the display method of the return video is switched to the mix display method.

11. The control means The imaging device described in claim 4, characterized in that the setting is to mix display the return image with the self-shot image, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return image is switched to a method that increases the mix display transmittance of the return image.

12. The control means 3. The imaging device of claim 2, characterized in that even when the setting is such that the return video is displayed on a split screen relative to the self-shot video, if the state of the first receiving means is the first state, the display method of the return video is switched to a method in which the return video is not displayed and only the self-shot video is displayed.

13. The control means The imaging device of claim 3, characterized in that the return video is set to be displayed on a split screen relative to the self-shot video, and when the state of the first receiving means is the second state, the display method of the return video is switched to the split screen display method.

14. The control means 5. The imaging device of claim 4, wherein the setting is such that the return video is displayed on a split screen relative to the self-shot video, and when the state of the first receiving means is the third state, the display method of the return video is switched to a method in which the display size of the return video is reduced and the display size of the self-shot video is enlarged during the split screen display.

15. The imaging device of claim 2, characterized in that the setting for displaying the return video simultaneously with the self-shot video can be changed in response to user operation to one of a first setting for displaying the return video in PinP format relative to the self-shot video, a second setting for displaying the return video in Mix format relative to the self-shot video, and a third setting for displaying the return video in a split screen relative to the self-shot video.

16. 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the PinP display size of the return video in the second state and the third state is set to be changeable by a user operation.

17. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein a PinP display transmittance of the return image in the second state and the third state is set to be changeable in response to a user operation.

18. 12. The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein a Mix display transmittance of the return video in the second state and the third state is set to be changeable in response to a user operation.

19. 15. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein the display sizes of the return video and the self-shot video in the second state and the third state are set to be changeable by a user operation.

20. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means sets the information on the display method of the return video according to the state of the first receiving means so as to be changeable by a user operation for each output destination.

21. 21. The imaging device according to claim 20, wherein the output destination is at least one of a display unit and an external recording device.

22. A control method for an imaging device connected to an external device, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving a tally signal; a second receiving step of receiving return video; a control step of switching a display method of the return video relative to the self-shot video; and A control method characterized in that the control step switches a display method of the return video depending on the state of the tally signal in the first receiving step.

23. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the imaging device according to claim 1.

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