GB2242334A

GB2242334A - Television camera and monitoring equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2242334A
Application number: GB9100255A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Lindsay Wiltshire; Hugh Robjohns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-09
Filing date: 1991-01-07
Publication date: 1991-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-07
Also published as: GB9000398D0; GB2242334B; GB9100255D0

Abstract

A unit 33 is provided for attachment to or incorporation in a camcorder 30. The unit 33 includes a UHF transmitter which receives the sound and vision outputs of the camcorder 30 and transmits corresponding signals to a monitoring device. The unit 33 also includes a facility for switching on or off a display of "Timecode" and/or user-bit information within the displayed picture area of the monitoring device. The unit 33 is connected between the camcorder 30 and its battery pack 31. <IMAGE>

Description

CAMERA EQUIPMENT Field of the Invention This invention relates to television and video camera equipment and, in particular, to 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.

When pictures and sound are recorded onto a video tape, a digital code is also recorded onto the tape. This digital code is known as the "Timecode" and identifies each video frame. It enables a director or editor to recall any stanza for viewing, editing or for subsequent reshooting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved equipment incorporating a facility for relaying the "Timecode" to a person having a monitoring device.

Summary of the Invention According to 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, said unit also including a facility to switch a display of "Timecode" and/or user-bit information on or off within the displayed picture area of the monitoring device.

The "Timecode" and/or user-bit information can be turned on or off within the displayed picture area by either: a) a combination of switches in or on the unit, or b) an electronic circuit within the unit receiving a signal from an infra-red receiver, also built into the unit.

The latter arrangement will enable remote selection of the information to be displayed by a person using an infra-red transmitter.

This facility to switch on or switch off said display will enable a person with a monitoring device to identify and to log, by 'Industry Standard Timecode' the exact content or nature of recordings as they are shot for location of those recordings by Timecode at a later date.

The operational relationship between a camera operator, a sound recordist and the director of a camera team has been at best a rapport between three persons attuned to a system of signalling between them. With, however, the equipment of the present invention, the effectiveness of the team is increased.

A further increase in effectiveness can be achieved by the provision of 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 any person viewing the monitoring device.

The camera operator may have a transceiver which is incorporated within the vision/sound transmitter to which the operator's headset is connected by means of a releasable connector. Similar transceivers, which may be embodied within the monitoring device, contained in a separate housing worn on the body, or built into the headset itself, may be used by the production director and the sound recordist.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a unit in accordance with the invention mounted on the rear of a camcorder, and Figure 2 is a block diagram showing that part of the circuit of the unit which is concerned with the "Timecode".

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 shows a unit 33 in accordance with the invention interposed between a camcorder 30 and a battery pack 31. 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 on the camcorder thereby ensuring that the unit 33 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 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 are to be used together, the couplings between the three parts are engaged in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. 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 rectangular box within which the electronic control circuit is located. The circuit includes a UHF transmitter for the transmission of low-powered signals either on a preselected frequency or on pre-selected frequencies selected by means of a frequency selector mechanism.

Referring now to Figure 2, which illustrates that part of the control circuit which is concerned with the "Timecode", the "Timecode" signal, generated by the camcorder 30, enters a buffer 10. The buffer 10 is a self-adjusting device which accepts different signal levels and 'squares up' the signal before passing it to a microprocessor 11 which effects decoding of the received signal.

The microprocessor 11 operates at a time clock rate which is governed by its own crystal and it will decode the "Timecode" data relative to a programme which is stored in a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) 12 and will transmit the relevant "Timecode" and "user bit" values to a Random Access Memory (RAM) 13 for storage and ultimate transfer of the data to a Cathode Ray Tube Controller (CRTC) 14.

The CRTC 14, running off its own crystal, receives reference feeds of line and field synchronisation pulses which are fed to it by a synchronisation pulse separator 16 and are derived from a video signal from the camcorder 30. The CRTC 14 also receives character and timing information supplied from the microprocessor 11 and the RAM 13.

The CRTC 14 refers to its own Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) 15 for data concerning the character font and timing details whereupon it will output a signal to a Video Inserter 17 which will overlay the incoming video waveform with a masking black background upon which white characters will be superimposed in accordance with the incoming signals.

The "Timecode" and/or user bit information can be turned on or off within the displayed area by means of a combination of switches provided on or in the unit 33. Alternatively, or additionally, a further part of the control circuit includes an operating element controlled by an infra red receiver built into the unit 33. In this way, remote selection of the information to be displayed can be effected by a person using a suitable infra red transmitter.

Signals to indicate when the "Timecode" changes state from stationary to moving and vice versa are fed from the microprocessor 11 to an electronic switch circuit. This electronic switch circuit is connected to a pin in the multi way connector 41 feeding the sound operator. The remote stop/start socket of a suitable video/audio recorder can be connected via a plug to this pin enabling recordings to be made in parallel with the master recording on the camcorder itself.

The start/stop signal from the above-mentioned switch circuit can also be encoded in with the R.F. signal, the optional talk-back signal or an independent carrier for decoding by a separate wireless receiver plugged into the remote start/stop socket of a suitable video/audio recorder.

This will enable parallel wireless recordings to be made.

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, said unit also including a facility to switch a display of "Timecode" and/or user-bit information on or off within the displayed picture area of the monitoring device.

2. A unit as claimed in Claim 1, in which a combination of switches is provided in or on the unit whereby the "Timecode1, and/or user-bit information can be turned on or off.

3. A unit as claimed in Claim 1, which includes an electronic circuit for receiving a signal from an infra-red receiver, also built into the unit, whereby the "Timecode" and/or user-bit information can be turned on or off.

4. A unit as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a buffer arranged to receive an input from the camera and to transmit the received signal to a microprocessor.

5. A unit as claimed in Claim 4, in which the microprocessor is arranged to decode the "Timecode" data of the incoming signal relative to a programme stored in a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM).

6. A unit as claimed in Claim 4, in which the microprocessor is arranged to feed signals to an electronic switch circuit when the "Timecode" changes state from stationary to moving, indicating when a recording is being made.

7. A unit as claimed in Claim 6, which includes a first multi-way connector for connection to the camera and a second multi-way connector for connection to a sound recordist, and in which the electronic switch circuit is connected to a pin in the second multi-way connector.

8. The combination of a unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims together with a camera and a power source, the unit including a housing provided with brackets for attachment thereof to fittings on the camera, and the power source being provided with corresponding brackets for attachment to fittings on the unit.

9. A unit for attachment to or incorporation in a camera having sound and vision outputs, which unit includes a "Timecode" facility arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.