EP1084570A1

EP1084570A1 - Television camera

Info

Publication number: EP1084570A1
Application number: EP00912586A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hendrik Griffioen
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV; BTS Holding International BV
Current assignee: BTS Holding International BV
Priority date: 1999-03-31
Filing date: 2000-03-09
Publication date: 2001-03-21
Also published as: KR20010071361A; JP2002541739A; WO2000060850A1

Abstract

The setting of a television camera can take a lot of time, which is annoying for the operator of the camera. By storing predefined settings in a library the operator can choose one of the predefined settings and is able to react much quicker on changing conditions. It is further possible to give the operator the opportunity to fine-tune the settings after have chosen one of the settings.

Description

Television camera.

The invention relates to a television camera as described in the preamble of Claim 1.

The invention further relates to a method for generating an image signal as described in the preamble of Claim 4.

A television camera and a method for generating an image signal are for example known from US-A-4,723,162 (Applicant's reference PHN 11.507). Herein is described that a display screen of an electronic viewfinder displays camera setting information components outside the screen image so that a camera operator can check the camera settings and possibly modify them to desired values without having to look away from the scene image. Further the sound recording level is displayed in the viewfinder as a bar whose length various logarithmically.

A disadvantage of prior art cameras is that the camera settings have to be amended manually. A further disadvantage of the prior art camera is that the setting of the camera to a specific scene takes a lot of time, which can result in missing a quick changing scene.

It is ter alia an object of the invention to provide a television camera, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art camera. To this end a television camera according to the invention comprises the features as claimed in claim 1. In this way it is possible to store different settings of the camera in a library of carefully chosen and optimized settings. This makes it possible for the operator to handle the fast moving demands that are today placed upon him, whether they be from shot to shot, rapid changes of lights or the freelance operators need to accommodate widely varying assignments.

Embodiments of the invention are described in the depending Claims.

The invention and additional features, which may optimally be used to advantageous, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to examples described below hereinafter and shown in the Figures. Herein shows: Figure 1 a block schematic example of a television camera according to the invention, and

Figure 2 a simplified structure of operation of the setting of the library.

Figure 1 shows schematically an example of a camera CAM comprising an image sensor IS for generating an image signal si corresponding to a view of a scene received via an image input II. The image sensor is coupled to processing means PM for processing the image signal si and supplying the processed signal sp to a viewfinder NF for displaying the generated image signal on a display D. The processing means are further coupled to recording means RM for recording the processed image signal (it is also possible that the recording means are not incorporated in the camera but for example in a (separate) recording room coupled via an cable to the camera).

The camera CAM further comprises a control input CI for controlling the operation of the camera by for example an operator, which is handling the camera (or via a cable from a recording room). The control input CI is coupled to control means CM. The control means are coupled to setting means SM which setting means supply setting signals to the image sensor IS and to processing means PM, in this example. The setting means are further coupled to memory means MM for storing the settings. The settings are via the memory means MM also supplied to the viewfinder NF for displaying the settings. In this way the operation is always well aware of the settings of the camera, that are used at the moment.

In the memory means the settings are for example pre-stored in a library for different operations, which will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows schematically in a simplified structure the operation of the setting of the camera CAM (figure 1) via a library. The operator of the camera presses the file button FB that will bring up the viewfinder a menu of library settings that are available (LS). In the menu of library settings the operator can choose which setting corresponds mostly with the operation to be performed at the moment. Then the operator chooses a camera setting (SS). The library can give the operator direct access to any of (for example) fourteen setups which comprehensively cover the majority of "shooting" situations that are likely to be encountered. In this way the operator will not waist time to manually adjust the camera parameters and the best images can be obtained even when there is no time to manually optimize. After the operator has chosen one of the settings the operator can additionally use these predefined characteristics as a starting point (when he has more time) for any further "fine tuning" to create that very special shot again with considerable time saving. These user-enhanced parameters can be saved to so called "smart card" in the camera. Normally the original library remains unmodified so rapid returned to any of the preset or standard conditions is possible.

The operation of the choosing of the settings can be installed as a software option in the camera and can be used for both new and existing cameras. The whole operation of selecting of settings will normally not take more than three seconds to exactly accommodate the scene conditions or to achieve the right artistic result.

For further flexibility when the camera is functioning via so-called a TRIAX cable to a base station the vision engineer (in the operation/recording room) can also perform the same selections from the so-called master control panel (MCP).

The manual of library settings offers a powerful range of conditions and artistic effect choices.

To further speed up and improve further clarity in operation these choices can be grouped together within three categories in the addition to standard setting. A first group: lighting conditions

- NIGHT: this option optimize the transfer characteristic to enhance the visibility of detail, in particularly dark scenes, without the undesirable consequence of excessive noise associated with the simple (prior art) solution of increasing a gain.

- FLUORESCENT: this option instantly establishes matrix and colorimetrix parameters to deliver a more acceptable picture than the so-called "greenish" tinge usually associated with scenes lit with an corrected fluorescent lighting. This feature alone extends the versatility in all applications by allowing acceptable and natural skin tones to be portrayed without the need to bring in additional lighting.

- EXTREME CONTRAST: this option encounters the traditional problem of the stadium in the shade, the field in brilliant sunlight and the producer wants to see everything. The camera according to the invention uses the full dynamic range of the sensor (for example FT CCD-sensor) and delivers a stunning picture within the contrast range of the television system. Better handling of highlights, more detail in the shadows and less juggling of the iris is necessary. A second group comprises the creative settings for offering dramatic an/or artistic creative effects of immediate value in the creation of sports, drama, sitcoms and "soap"productions.

- SPORTSWARM COLOR: this option delivers to the viewer warm and rich contrast, bring out the team and player colors.

- SPORTS + INTERVIEW: this option is similar with the sport setting but which skin tone contour control. Ideal for track-side, or indeed anywhere interviews and presentations where a more flattering rendering of facial features is achieved by color selective control of the contour enhancement. - HI-FILM: this option ensures fast setting of the camera to achieve a high contrast look with film like colors. To achieve the film like quality only minimal contour enhancement is added. This setting is particularly appropriate to outdoor location production.

- LO-FILM: again a very film like look but with the lower contrast associated with studio production. - HI-FILM + SKIN and LO-FILM + SKIN: these two further selections enhance the film like settings with the addition of the skin tone selective contour control, where the naturally flattering effects that this provides makes these selections ideal for close-ups.

SEPIA-FILM: this option creates instantly the evocative atmosphere and epoch associated with this increasingly used "sepia toning" of the produced image.

A third group is a camera-matching group.

A camera to camera matching is normally in the prior art a problem where equipment of differing manufacturers or even from earlier series of production are to be found on the same production. Not only can this take a long time but also the other camera is not available having recorded its piece at a different time and location. The camera according to the invention provides an instant color matching to a selection of widely employed cameras. The match is based upon the "standard"setting characteristics of the camera to be matched, and is an operation, which also will cost no more than for example three seconds. If the "other" camera has been adjusted away from its standard settings the camera according to the invention will provide a close starting point from which fine adjustment may be made and if required again stored on the so-called smart card in the camera. The different selections, which are available, can for example be:

- different cameras of the same manufacturer matching cameras of different manufacturers etc. The settings of the different cameras are stored in the library settings and can be obtained by the operator of the camera.

It is to be noticed that above a camera and a method according to the invention has been described on the basis of an example. A man skilled in the art will be well aware of a lot of changes falling within the scope of the invention.

The number of settings for example can be chosen as required for each specific implementation. The core of the invention is to provide a camera/method making it possible to quickly amend the settings. This is achieved by the library with the predefined settings.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Television camera comprising an image sensor for generating an image signal corresponding to a view of a scene, setting means for setting the operation of the camera, an electronic viewfinder for displaying an image corresponding to the view of the scene and further displaying the setting of the camera, characterized in that the camera comprises control means for controlling a setting of the camera, means for amending the setting of the camera and memory means for storing in a library at least two predefined settings of the camera, and means to choose a stored setting.

2. Television camera according to Claim 1, characterized in that the camera comprises a control input coupled to the control means for fine tuning the camera setting after choosing the required stored setting.

3. Method for generating an image signal having an image sensing step for sensing an image, a processing step for processing a received image signal, and a viewing step for viewing the image, characterized in that the method further has a storing step for storing in a library at least two predefined camera settings, and a choosing step for choosing one of the stored settings.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the method further has a fine tuning step after choosing a stored setting.