JP2018101930A - Universal head system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which, in a remote control universal head system in which a plurality of controllers are exclusively connected to one universal head, when a universal head is used in a studio, since it is not possible to use a preset position image of the same universal head for rehearsal, etc. in another studio, it may happen that the universal head video cannot be explained in rehearsal, etc.SOLUTION: By recording a video between preset positions of the remote control universal head system in advance, even if a situation occurs where the remote control universal head system cannot be used for rehearsal, a realistic rehearsal, etc. is enabled by using the recorded video.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pan head system capable of remote control.

  In television broadcasting, video using a pan head may be used in a program. For example, a weather forecast may use a panning video from a pan head installed at a landmark such as a high-rise building in the back video. Since the video to be used at this time is determined in advance, in order to broadcast the video with good reproducibility, the video between the two preset positions is used by utilizing the preset position function of the pan head. Also, when rehearsing or recording a program that uses the video from the pan head, the same content is repeated unless the script is passed, so the pan head video may be used many times.

  At this time, in a remote control pan head system that can be controlled exclusively by a plurality of controllers for one pan head, a live program that uses a pan head video is broadcast in a certain studio, or it is broadcast later. When a program is being recorded, the video between the preset positions of the pan head cannot be used at the same time for rehearsals in other studios.

  On the other hand, it is possible to set a schedule for each program so that the pan head video is not used at the same time, but it may happen that the same content is repeated many times during the recording and rehearsal of the program If it does not go according to the schedule, the same pan head image cannot be used. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for storing an image at a pan head preset position as a thumbnail. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for storing an image of a pan head preset position.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-164885 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-15040

  However, when a video at a preset position stored as a thumbnail is used as in Patent Document 1, when the image is displayed on a large monitor that supports high image quality such as HD in recent years, the thumbnail has a considerably small number of pixels, so the image quality is low. It will decline. In addition, when a video at a preset position is used as in Patent Document 2, the projected image quality is not deteriorated, but is displayed on the monitor as a still image. In the commentary scene, it is difficult to explain the scene because the video to be explained is not projected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in a system in which a camera platform is connected by a plurality of consoles (controllers), images between preset positions assigned to preset buttons are displayed. By recording in advance, even if you want to use the head between the preset positions in another studio for rehearsal, etc., you can use the pre-recorded video as a virtual output. By using it, you won't be able to confirm the video you want to use.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a camera platform equipped with an imaging device to which two or more controllers can be connected and can be controlled according to the operation of the controller, and panning and tilting operations can be performed by the controller. Exclusive control means for allowing the image pickup device and the camera platform to be controlled exclusively from the controller, preset setting means for storing the zoom, focus position of the image pickup device, pan and tilt positions of the camera platform, and the preset setting Means for moving the imaging device and the camera platform to the preset position stored by the device, operation time specifying device for specifying the operation time of the camera platform by the preset operation device, and the operation of the camera platform by the preset operation device. Video recording means for recording the output video of the imaging device based on the operation, A video based on the camera operating means is recorded in the video recording means in advance, and the camera platform is operated by at least one of the other controllers during the operation of the camera platform by the preset operating means. When using the video, the video from the video recording means recorded by the preset setting means is used.

  According to the present invention, even when a pan head is used in a certain studio (for example, during live broadcasting or program recording), it is possible to use a video between preset positions of the same pan head during rehearsals in another studio. It becomes like this.

Configuration block diagram Configuration block diagram Controller configuration diagram Examples of using images when moving between preset positions Preset position setting method flow Preset position video usage flow Video recording flow between preset positions Automatic video recording flow between preset positions Index for video recording

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Example 1]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of the first embodiment. The pan head 101 that can be remotely controlled can perform operations such as panning and tilting, and is equipped with a lens device 102 and a camera 107 connected to the camera 107. The lens apparatus 102 can remotely control operations such as zoom and focus. A MODEC 103 is connected to the pan head 101 so that the pan head 101 and the lens device 102 can be controlled through the public network 106.

  Further, the FPUb 104 is connected to the pan head 101 so that the video and audio output (for example, HD-SDI) of the camera 107 can be transmitted to the FPUa 105 in the broadcasting station 160 and sent to the recording / editing room 150. The broadcast station 160 has several studios such as a studio a120 and a studio b140. Each studio has a monitor a121 and a monitor b141 that can project the video transmitted to the FPUa 105 through the recording / editing room 150, so that the video from the pan head 101 can be projected.

  Each studio has a sub-adjustment room, a studio a120 has a sub-adjustment room a110, and a studio b140 has a sub-adjustment room b130. Then, the equipment provided in each studio can be operated from each sub-adjustment room, such as the sub-adjustment room a110 to the studio a120 and the sub-adjustment room b130 to the studio b140. The sub-adjustment room a110 has a controller a112 that is connected to the MODEMc 103 from the MODEMa 111 through the public network 106, and can control the camera platform 101 and the lens device 102 and adjust the gain and white balance of the camera 107. Yes.

  Similarly, the sub-adjustment room b130 has a controller b132 which is connected from the MODEMb 131 to the MODEMc 103 through the public network 106, and can control the camera platform 101 and the lens device 102 and adjust the gain of the camera 107 and the like. Yes. Furthermore, the recording / editing room 150 includes a recording device 152 and an editing device 151, which can record and edit video and audio transmitted from the FPUa 105. There is a MODEM d 170 connected to the public line network 106, and the editing device 150 and the recording device 152 in the video editing room 150 can be controlled through the MODEM d 170.

  Here, a case where a live program or program recording is performed in the studio a120 will be described. In order to use the image of the camera 107 mounted on the camera platform 101 in the studio a120, the MODEMa 111 is controlled from the controller a112 and connected to the MODEMc 103 through the public network 106. Since MODEM 111 and MODEc 103 are connected, the controller 102 can control the lens device 102, the pan head 101, and the camera 107. At this time, the video and audio of the camera 107 are transmitted from the FPUb 104 to the FPUa 105 and are displayed on the monitor a121 of the studio a120 through the recording / editing room 152.

  In other words, in accordance with the progress of the program in the studio a120, the controller a121 controls the lens device 102, the pan head 101, and the camera 107 to display necessary video and audio on the monitor a121, thereby enabling explanation of the video.

  At this time, a case will be described in which rehearsal is performed in the studio b140 and video and audio from the camera 107 mounted on the camera platform 101 being used in the studio a120 are desired. When the modem b131 is controlled from the controller b132 in the sub-adjustment room b130 to connect to the MODEMc 103 through the public network 106, the MODEMc 103 is already connected to the MODEMa 111. Therefore, MODEMb 131 cannot return to MODEMc 103 and returns a busy state to controller b132. In such a state, it becomes difficult for the studio b140 to perform a rehearsal to explain the video from the pan head.

  On the other hand, when using an image of a camera mounted on a pan head, an image that moves between preset positions at a constant speed is generally used. This is because the screen may shake in the image while the pan head or the lens device is controlled by the controller.

  Therefore, the video between the preset positions of the video of the camera 107 mounted on the camera platform 101 to be used is recorded in the recording device 152 in advance, and when the camera platform 101 is in use, the video image used from the recording device 152 is used. Is read. By projecting the video on the monitor b141, the video between the preset positions used in the rehearsal is virtually output, so there is no problem even when the video from the pan head 101 is explained.

  Therefore, when the controller b132 receives the busy state, the controller b132 connects the MODEMb131 to the MODEMd170 through the public line network. After confirming the connection, the controller b132 can access the recording device 152 through MODEMd170. When the movement command between the preset positions is output from the controller b132, the recording device 152 displays the pre-recorded video between the preset positions on the monitor b141 in the studio b140. By performing rehearsals using this video, a realistic explanation becomes possible.

  Here, by preparing a plurality of MODEMs that can access the editing apparatus 151 and the recording apparatus 152 through the recording / editing room 150, simultaneous access from a plurality of sub-adjustment rooms becomes possible. Further, the video between the preset positions recorded in the recording device 152 is used for confirmation and is not used in the main broadcast, so that it is not necessary to store it with high image quality such as HD. Therefore, the recording memory is made efficient by recording it as a compressed video.

  A case where the recording device 152 is in the sub adjustment room b130 will be described with reference to FIG. Since the basic configuration is the same as in FIG. 1, only the differences will be described. The video and audio transmitted through the FPUa 105 are recorded in the recording device 152 in the sub adjustment room b130. It is assumed that when the controller b132 uses MODEMb131 and connects to the MODEMc103 through the public network 106, the MODEMc103 is in use and the busy state has returned to the controller b132.

  In this case, the recording device 152 can be accessed by reconnecting to the MODEMe 201 in the sub adjustment room b130. The controller b132 controls the video between the preset positions in the recording device 152 in the same sub adjustment room b130 to be displayed on the monitor b141 in the studio b140.

  Here, since the recording device 152 is in the sub-adjustment chamber b130, even if a director or the like in the sub-adjustment chamber b130 does not use the controller b132, the preset positions recorded on the monitor (not shown) in the sub-adjustment chamber b130 are recorded. You can check the video. This makes it possible to check the content of the video displayed before using the video between the preset positions even during rehearsal. Further, when the recording device 152 is constituted by a personal computer or the like, it is not necessary to prepare a separate monitor for confirmation, and video editing and management are facilitated.

  Next, a case where the controller b132 in the sub adjustment chamber b130 controls the recording apparatus 152 without using MODEM will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to FIG. 2A, the basic configuration is the same as FIG. 1, so only the differences will be described. The controller b132 is configured to be directly controllable to the recording device 152. When the MODEM 103 is in use and the busy state is returned from the MODEM b131 to the controller b132, the controller b132 directly accesses the recording device 152 without using the MODEM.

  After the controller b132 and the recording device 152 are in the connected state, the pre-recorded video between preset positions is used as in FIG. Since the MODEM is not used, the time for connecting to the recording apparatus becomes efficient, so that it becomes easy to cope with an emergency situation in which the recorded video is suddenly used during the rehearsal.

  A configuration example of the controller will be described with reference to FIG. The camera control SWs 301 are control SWs for the camera 107 mounted on the camera platform 101. Set the white balance and select the gain. The panel 302 displays the status of the lens device 102 and the camera 107 mounted on the camera platform 101. Preset switches 303 are switches for storing and reproducing position information such as pan, tilt, zoom, and focus of the lens apparatus 102 mounted on the camera platform 101.

  In FIG. 3, six preset setting switches are shown, and a case where six preset positions can be stored is shown. Needless to say, the number of switches is not limited to six. The movement from the current position such as pan, tilt, zoom, and focus to the designated position stored by the preset switches 303 is called a shot.

  For example, when the preset position is stored in No. 1 of the preset switches 303, pressing the No. 1 switch moves from the current position to the stored position. The shot speed switch 304 designates the moving speed at this time. With this switch, movement times such as pan, tilt, zoom, and focus are designated, and each of them moves in the same time with respect to the movement distance from the current position to the designated position.

  The shot speed switch 304 also serves to adjust the playback speed of the pre-recorded video between preset positions. Since the playback speed is changed by this switch, the same operational feeling as the actual shot operation by the controller can be obtained. That is, when the controller can control the pan head 101 or the like, it is possible to specify the speed of the shot operation, and when using a pre-recorded video between preset positions, it is possible to specify the playback speed of the video. . A zoom control switch 307 performs zooming control of the lens device 101. A focus control switch 308 performs focusing control of the lens device 101.

  A pan / tilt control switch 309 performs pan / tilt control of the camera platform 101. An iris control switch 310 performs iris control of the lens device 101. The preset storage switch 305 is used when the preset switch 303 stores the preset position. For example, the pan / tilt, zoom, and focus positions are moved from the current positions to the necessary positions using the pan / tilt control switch 309 or the like. After the movement, the preset storage switch 305 is pressed, and then the preset switch of the number to be stored in the preset switches 303 is pressed. For example, if the number 2 is pressed, the current position is registered in the number 2 preset switch.

  When one of the preset switches 303 is pressed, the preset position is moved to the stored preset position. That is, even when a preset switch is pressed and the shot operation starts and does not end, when another preset switch is pressed, it moves to the preset position pressed later. In addition, when the preset switch is continuously pressed within a certain time (for example, 1 second), it is configured to move in order instead of giving priority to the back push.

  For example, when the second preset switch is pressed within a predetermined time after the first preset switch is pressed, the preset position stored in the first position is moved to the preset position stored in the second position. An inter-preset video recording button 306 is used when recording a moving image between preset positions in the recording device 152. The still image at the preset position is also recorded in the recording device 152 at the same time. This video is an effective image when it is desired to use a still image at a preset position without using a moving image when a shot operation is performed.

  With reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of an example of the use of video in movement between preset positions. FIG. 4A shows an example in which a certain scene is moved between preset positions only by panning. It is an image when panning from the preset position a and moving to the preset position b. FIG. 4B shows an example in which all or part of the moving image between the preset positions by panning is explained as a background of the weather forecast and displayed on the monitor. This is an example of panning the background while forecasting tomorrow's weather in Utsunomiya.

  A preset position setting method will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a description will be given of the case where the controller a112 in the sub adjustment chamber a110 is used. The same applies to the controllers of other sub-adjustment rooms. Setting is started at step 501 and the process goes to step 502.

  In step 502, the pan / tilt position of the camera platform 101 is controlled using the pan / tilt control switch 309 of the controller a112 to determine the position. Then go to step 503. In step 503, the angle of view is determined using the zoom control switch 307 of the controller a112. Next, the focus position is determined using the focus control switch 308. Then go to step 504. In step 504, the preset number of the controller a112 is designated and the preset position is stored. The storage method is the same as that described for the preset storage switch 305 in FIG. Then go to step 505 and finish.

  An example of using recorded images will be described with reference to FIG. The case where it is desired to use the pan head 101, the lens device 102, the camera 107, etc. using the controller b132 in the sub adjustment chamber b130 will be described as an example.

  Begin at step 601 and go to step 602. In step 602, MODEM connection is performed. The controller b132 connects to the MODEMc 103 through the public network 106 from the MODEb 131. Then, the process goes to step 602 for connection confirmation. In step 602, the controller b132 confirms the busy state from the MODEMb 131. When the MODEMb 131 and the MODEMc 103 are connected, the pan head 101, the lens device 102, the camera 107, and the like can be controlled from the controller b132.

  In step 609, since the video of the camera 107 mounted on the pan head 101 can be used, the video between the preset positions and the preset position image are used based on the control of the controller b132. Then go to step 610 and finish. If the busy state returns from MODEMb 131 to the controller b132 in step 603, for example, the pan head 101 or the like is controlled using the MODEMc 103 from the sub-adjustment chamber a110, and the image of the camera 107 is used. Go to.

  In step 604, in order to use the pre-recorded video between preset positions and the preset position image, the controller b132 connects to the MODEd 170 through the public network 106 using the MODEb 131. Then go to step 605.

  In step 605, the control waits until the preset switches 303 of the controller b132 are operated. When the preset switch is operated, the current position of pan, tilt, zoom, and focus is moved to the preset position. As described in the controller of FIG. 3, it is possible to move directly to a preset position or move to a preset position and then move to another preset position. If it is recognized that the preset switch has been operated, the process goes to step 606.

  In step 606, it is determined whether a preset position image or a preset position image is required. When moving directly from the current position to the preset position, it is determined that a preset position image is necessary, and the process goes to step 608. If the preset position is moved from the current position to another preset position, it is determined that an image between the preset positions is necessary, and the process goes to step 607.

  In addition, when a button having a number for which a shot operation is to be performed is pressed with the preset switches 303, it is possible to distinguish between single click and double click. For example, in the case of a single click, the preset position image is selected from the recording device 152 by moving from the current position to the preset position. In the case of double-clicking, it may be determined whether or not the current position is an existing preset position, and if it is near the preset position, the image between the preset positions is used, and if it is not near, the preset position image may be used. This is an effective means for avoiding troublesome operation of the switch when it is in the vicinity of the preset position in advance.

  In step 607, the video between the preset positions is taken out from the recording device 152 and displayed on the monitor b141 of the studio b140. Then go to step 610 and finish. In step 608, the preset position image is taken out of the recording device 152 and displayed on the monitor b141 of the studio b140. Then go to step 610 and finish.

  An example of a method for recording images between preset positions will be described with reference to FIG. Begin at step 701 and go to step 702. In step 702, a MODEM connection from the controller to the camera platform 101 is performed. Here, it is assumed that the pan head 101 is not used and a MODEM connection is possible. When the MODEM connection is completed, go to step 703.

  In step 703, the preset button for the recording start position is turned on to drive the pan head 101, the lens device 102, the camera 107, and the like. Then go to step 704. In step 704, the process waits until the movement is completed. When the movement is completed, go to Step 705. In step 705, in order to start recording, the inter-preset video recording button 306 in the controller is turned on, and recording of the video of the camera 107 mounted on the camera platform 101 is started in the recording device 152. Then go to step 706.

  In step 706, the preset button for the recording end position is turned on to drive the pan head 101, the lens device 102, the camera 107, and the like. Then go to step 707. Step 707 waits for the movement to complete. When the movement is completed, go to Step 708. In step 708, the video recording button between presets 306 is turned off to stop recording between preset positions. The recording device 152 records a still image at the preset position. And it goes to step 709 and ends. Here, the still image at the preset position is recorded in step 708. However, the preset position image may be automatically recorded when the preset position is stored.

  The index between preset position images and preset position images will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A shows an index for recognizing the video between the preset positions. The pan-head ID, controller ID, start position preset button ID, and end position preset button ID used for video recording are associated with each preset position video. By referring to this index, it is possible to designate a recorded video to be used from the controller and display it on the monitor.

  FIG. 9B shows an index for recognizing the preset position image. The pan head ID, controller ID, and preset button ID used for image recording are associated with each preset position image. By referring to this index, it is possible to designate a recorded image to be used from the controller and display it on the monitor. Here, the pan head ID may be a mounted lens device ID or a camera ID. It is only necessary that the distribution source of the recorded video can be distinguished.

[Example 2]
A method for recording video between preset positions will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a description will be given in the case of using the controller a112 in the sub adjustment chamber a110. The same applies to the controllers of other sub-adjustment rooms. Begin at step 801 and go to step 802.

  In step 802, the controller b <b> 132 connects to the MODEC c 103 for the pan head 101 using the MODEM 131. Then go to step 803. In step 803, it is determined whether or not the MODEM 103 can be connected. If the busy state is returned from the MODEM b 131 to the controller b 132, the MODE connection cannot be made, so the process goes to Step 802 to try the MODE connection again. If the busy state does not return from the MODEM 131 to the controller b 132 at Step 803, the MODEM connection is possible, and the process goes to Step 804.

  In step 804, the controller b132 waits to start control of the pan head 101, the lens device 102, and the like. If the start of control is confirmed, go to step 805. In step 805, it is confirmed whether or not the current position of the pan head 101, the lens apparatus 102, the camera 107, etc. is registered in any of the preset switches 303. If not registered, the process goes to step 807. If registered, go to step 806.

  Here, when checking whether or not the current position is a registered preset position, there is a case where they do not always match due to a control error or the like. Therefore, it may be determined as a registered preset position if it is a nearby position due to a control error. In step 806, the video recording device 152 starts video temporary recording. Then go to step 807.

  In step 807, the controller b132 waits for the operation to end. If completion is confirmed, go to Step 808. In step 808, it is confirmed whether recording is in progress. If recording is in progress, recording is stopped. Then go to step 809. In step 809, it is checked whether registration to the preset switches 303 has been performed. If it is confirmed that registration has been performed, the process goes to step 810. If the registration to the preset switch 303 is not confirmed in step 809, the process goes to step 811.

  In step 810, the temporarily recorded video is recorded as a video between formal preset positions. Then go to step 813. In step 813, the video at the current position such as the pan head 101 or the lens apparatus 102 is recorded as a preset position image. Then go to step 814 and finish. In step 811, it is confirmed whether or not the operation of the controller b132 has been performed again. If the operation is not confirmed, go to Step 809. If the operation is confirmed, go to Step 812.

  In step 812, since the operation of the controller b132 is performed again, the temporarily recorded video is deleted without being officially saved as the video between the preset positions. Then go to step 805. If you want to register the preset position in this way, the control start position by the controller starts from the preset position, and when moving to the control end position, it automatically records to record the video between the preset positions again. There is no need to perform a shot operation. In addition, since the pan head is not used all day, the controller has a clock, sets the unused time zone in the controller, and reproduces the movement between the preset positions by the combination of the preset switches 303. It is also possible to record automatically.

  Although the case where a single pan head is controlled from a plurality of controllers has been described so far, a plurality of pan heads exist and the target pan head can be exclusively controlled from a plurality of controllers.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

101 pan head 102 lens device 103 MODEMc
104 FPUb
106 Public network 107 Camera 110 Sub-adjustment room a
111 MODEMa
112 Controller a
120 Monitor a
152 Recording device

Claims (9)

An image pickup apparatus that can be connected to two or more controllers and that can be controlled according to the operation of the controller is equipped with a pan head that can be panned and tilted by the controller, and the image sensor and the pan head are excluded from the controller. Exclusive control means for enabling automatic control, zoom setting, focusing position of the imaging apparatus, pan setting and panning position of the pan head, and presetting means for storing the imaging apparatus at the preset position stored by the preset setting means. Preset operating means for moving the pan head, operating time specifying means for specifying the operating time of the pan head by the preset operating means, and recording the output image of the imaging device based on the operation of the pan head by the preset operating means Video recording means for performing video recording based on the preset operating means. When the pan head image by the preset actuating means is used by at least one of the other controllers during the operation of the pan head by one controller, the preset setting means records it. A pan head system using an image from the image recording means. 2. The pan head system according to claim 1, wherein the video recording means records a video between the preset positions and a video at the preset positions. 3. The pan head system according to claim 1, wherein when the video recorded by the video recording unit is used, a reproduction speed can be adjusted by the operation time designating unit. 4. When using the recorded video by the recording means by the preset actuating means, the video between the preset positions and the video at the preset position are selectively used depending on the operation of the preset means. The pan head system according to any one of the above. 5. The pan head system according to claim 1, further comprising a video recording start unit configured to operate the video recording unit, wherein the video recording start unit is mounted on the controller. When the current position starts to move from the position set by the preset setting means, the video recording means to record the video up to the still position without the recording start instruction from the video recording start means. The pan head system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When the current position starts to move from the position set by the preset setting means, the video recorded by the video recording means up to a still position is not recorded even if there is no recording start instruction by the video recording start means. 7. The pan head system according to claim 6, wherein when the movement is started before the preset position is set by the means, the recorded video is deleted. 8. The pan head system according to claim 1, wherein the video recorded by the video recording unit is recorded together with the pan head and an ID of the controller. 9. A pan head recognizing unit for distinguishing between the individual pan heads, a controller recognizing unit for distinguishing between the individual controllers, and a preset recognizing unit for distinguishing between the individual preset setting units. Is the image between the preset positions and the image at the preset position are the image between the preset positions and the image at the preset position, respectively, the head recognizer by the head recognizer, the controller recognizer by the controller recognizer, the preset 3. The pan / tilt head system according to claim 2, further comprising a start preset recognizer and an end preset recognizer.