GB2238624A

GB2238624A - Camera equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2238624A
Application number: GB9023399A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Lindsay Wiltshire; Hugh Robjohns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-10-28
Filing date: 1990-10-26
Publication date: 1991-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-26
Also published as: GB2238624B; GB9023399D0; GB8924308D0

Abstract

A unit 33 is provided for attachment to or incorporation in a camera 30 having sound and vision outputs. The unit is connected to a power source 31, preferably by being interposed between the camera and a battery pack. The unit includes a UHF transmitter which receives the sound and vision outputs from the camera and transmits corresponding signals to a monitoring device. <IMAGE>

Description

CAMERA EQUIPMENT Field of the Invention This invention relates to television and video camera equipment and is concerned with the provision of means whereby a person other than the camera operator and the sound engineer can view and listen to the scene being photographed and recorded thereby enabling that other person to monitor the action and to direct proceedings accordingly.

Previous monitoring devices have been connected by cables to the television or video cameras with the result that any physical movement of the camera by the operator during recording and portraying of the action being filmed could easily result in disconnection or damage of any cables interconnecting the camera and the monitoring device.

The filming of scenes, incidents and actions depends for its effectiveness on the skill and expertise of the camera operator. If, for example, a TV programme is being recorded, the camera operator will have been briefed on what is required by the director of the programme and will endeavour to comply with his instructions. Particularly in impromptu situations, an instantaneous change in camera action can become necessary and it is accordingly desirable to provide means whereby the action can be viewed quite independently of the camera operator and the camera.

The invention is of particular application to outside broadcast events where it is desired that TV cameras should be installed relatively quickly with a minimum amount of cable being utilised.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a unit for attachment to or incorporation in a camera having sound and vision outputs, said unit comprising electrical connector means for connection to a power source and to the sound and vision outputs of the camera, and a UHF transmitter which receives said outputs and transmits corresponding signals to a monitoring device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided the combination of a camera having sound and vision outputs, a power source and a unit attached to or incorporated in the camera, the unit comprising a UHF transmitter and electrical connector means for connection to the power source and to the sound and vision outputs of the camera whereby said UHF transmitter receives said outputs and transmits corresponding signals to a monitoring device.

In a preferred construction, the unit is in the form of a transmitting device which includes a housing provided with mounting brackets for attachment thereof to fittings on the camera, and the power source is provided with corresponding brackets for attachment to fittings on the unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a television camera/ recorder fitted with a transmitting device or unit, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second form of unit showing the method of mounting the unit on the rear of a camcorder.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a generally rectangular case or housing 10 which is mounted on top of a generally conventional television camera recorder. An electronic circuit, carried by a plurality of printed circuit boards, is located within the case or housing 10 and includes a UHF transmitter for the transmission of low-powered signals either on a single pre-selected frequency or on pre-selected frequencies selected by means of a frequency selector mechanism.

A helical aerial or antenna 11 extends upwardly from the top of the housing 10 and is relatively flexible so that it is unlikely to cause any damage or physical injury. On one side of the housing 10 there are two multi-pin sockets 12 and 13.

Socket 12 provides a releasable connection for a terminal plug from and to the sound recordist, while socket 13 will releasably accept a terminal plug linking the camera/recorder video/sound/power facilities to the device.

The case or housing 10 has a base 14 which is shown in Figure 2 separated from the remainder of the housing 10 to illustrate one method of attachment of the housing 10 to the camera/recorder. As various models of sound recorders may be allied with the camera apparatus, different methods of attachment may be required. The housing 10 can accordingly be provided with different configurations of base 14 to match the different mounting requirements.

In each case, the electrical connections to the device or unit are readily effected by means of the multi-pin sockets 12 and 13 and the mechanical attachment of the device or unit to the camera/recorder is effected by means of releasable fasteners. Thus, if the unit is not required, it can very readily be detached from the camera whereas, when the unit is required, it can be attached to the camera in a matter of moments.

The camera and unit are used in conjunction with a portable hand-held television monitor. The monitor may have a built-in loudspeaker or may be used in combination with headphones for the reception of the sound recording. Monitors of suitable size are now readily available and enable the director of the TV production to maintain continuous information as to what is being filmed. He is accordingly in a position to give any required instructions to the camera operator or sound engineer while filming is taking place.

Although the invention is illustrated in the drawings in the form of a device which is separate from, and is attached to, the camera/recorder, the invention can also be in the form of a unit which is incorporated in the camera/recorder.

Turning next to Figure 3, which shows the preferred form of the unit interposed between a camcorder 30 and a battery pack 31. As can be seen, the camcorder 30 has a series of power connectors 32 to which mating connectors (not shown) on the unit 33 are coupled. The unit 33 is also provided with four spaced angle-shaped mounting brackets 34 which fit within correspondingly spaced fittings 35 on the camcorder 30 thereby ensuring that the unit is positively, though releasably, mounted on the rear of the camcorder 30.

The unit 33 is provided with a series of power connectors 36 (in the same positions as the power connectors 32 of the camcorder 30) and these are coupled to mating connectors (not shown) on the battery pack 31. The battery pack 31 has four spaced brackets 37 (corresponding to the brackets 34 of the unit 33) which interlock with correspondingly spaced fittings 38 on the unit 33. THe battery pack 31 can thus be positively, and again releasably, mounted on the rear of the unit 33.

When, therefore, the camcorder 30, unit 33 and battery pack 31 are to be used together, the couplings between the three parts are engaged in the manner illustrated in Figure 3.

When, however, the unit 33 is not required, it is a very simple matter to uncouple the three parts and then connect the battery pack 31 directly to the rear of the camcorder 30.

The unit 33 has an aerial 39, a multi-way connector 40 for connection to the camcorder 30 and a multi-way connector 41 for connection to the sound recordist. The unit 33 is in the form of a generally rectangular box within which is located the required electronic circuitry for performing the functions described in more detail above in relation to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The unit also optionally includes. a talk-back facility which will provide for single or two-way wireless communication by means of headsets worn by the camera operator, sound recordist and production director. The camera operator's transceiver may be incorporated within the vision/sound transmitter to which his headset is connected by a releasable connector. Similar transceivers, which may be embodied within the monitor, contained in a separate housing worn on the body, or built into the headset itself, may be used by the director and sound recordist.

Claims

Claims:

1. A unit for attachment to or incorporation in a camera having sound and vision outputs, said unit comprising electrical connector means for connection to a power source and to the sound and vision outputs of the camera, and a UHF transmitter which receives said outputs and transmits corresponding signals to a monitoring device.

2. A unit according to Claim 1, which includes a generally rectangular housing containing printed circuit boards and having means for releasable connection to the camera.

3. A unit according to Claim 1 constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3, of the accompanying drawings.

4. The combination of a camera having sound and vision outputs, a power source and a unit attached to or incorporated in the camera, the unit comprising a UHF transmitter and electrical connector means for connection to the power source and to the sound and vision outputs of the camera whereby said UHF transmitter receives said outputs and transmits corresponding signals to a monitoring device.

5. The combination of Claim 4, in which the unit is in the form of a transmitting device which includes a housing provided with mounting brackets for attachment thereof to fittings on the camera, and the power source is provided with corresponding brackets for attachment to fittings on the unit.

6. The combination of Claim 4 or Claim 5 constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or as shown in Figure 3, of the accompanying drawings.