GB2176311A

GB2176311A - Operating system for television equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2176311A
Application number: GB08612688A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernhard Kreling
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 1985-06-05
Filing date: 1986-05-23
Publication date: 1986-12-17
Also published as: JPS61280176A; GB8612688D0; DE3520164A1; NL8601340A

Abstract

An operating system for television equipment comprises an operating means (1) having a keyboard (3) and a microcomputer (5) arranged between the operating means and the television equipment (6). The different function control elements of the television equipment (6) can be digitally controlled by the microcomputer (5) in accordance with a given programme. Different operating functions can be associated with each key (2) of the operating means (1) by a change in the programme. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Operating system for television equipment The present invention relates to an operating system for television equipment.

For the direct or remote operation of television equipment, it has hitherto been standard practice to use operating means with several different operating elements such as keys, sensors, switches and control elements for controlling, switching on and switching over equipment functions by means of correspondingly programmed micro-computers. It was, e.g., possible with such operating means to rapidly and simply perform in the case of television cameras numerous different automatic compensating functions and/or control functions with respect to camera settings, such as changes to the lens setting (e.g. zoom, focus, diaphragm). As a result of the recently everincreasing automation, keyboards comprising several keys have been increasingly used as operating means in connection with the operation of television equipment.A particular operating or control function is associated with each key and this is possible through programming the micro-computer used. This programming has hitherto been carried out by the television equipment manufacturer, so that a particular equipment function is therefore always associated with a particular key. The equipment user was not in a position to carry out a local change to the operation or control of specific equipment functions or replace programmed equipment functions by previously unprogrammed equipment functions.

The object of the present invention is to provide an operating system for television equipment which enables such operating function changes to be made by the user.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an operating system for television equipment comprising an operating means having a keyboard for operating or controlling different television equipment functions via a programmed microcomputer arranged between the operating means and the television equipment and which is responsive to control signals generated by the operating means to effect digital control of the different equipment functions, wherein different operating or control functions can be associated with each key of the operating means by a change to the programme of the microprocessor.

The invention has the advantage that existing operating and control functions can be locally modified in an arbitrary manner. It is also possible to associate with the individual keys operating or control functions not yet provided by the keyboard, and to interlink operating or control functions.

It is particularly advantageous that the association of equipment functions with the corresponding keys takes place with the aid of a data display device bringing about the programme change and controlling the microcomputer and that this takes place with a special programming language.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying block schematic drawing.

The operating system shown in the drawing comprises an operating means 1 with a keyboard 3 comprising a plurality of keys 2, a microcomputer 5 connected via a data line 4 to the keyboard, and television equipment, e.g. a television camera 6, to be controlled. In this case, the microcomputer 5 is arranged in the camera control unit 6. Each key 2 has a particular operating function for controlling the control elements arranged in the television camera 6. The digital control signals or instructions produced on depressing a key 2 in operating means 1 are transferred to the microcomputer 5 and then, according to the programming of the microcomputer 5 with the data in the memories (RAM and ROM), specific control elements are controlled by means of the data transmission line 8, so that a desired change to the camera variables takes place.This can, e.g. be a change to the lens setting data, the compensating functions necessary before taking each. shot, or the activation or switching over of oscilloscopes and monitors.

It is possible to interchange, modify or replace the operating or control functions associated with the keys 2 by changing the programme data stored in the random access memory (RAM) of the microcomputer 5. The data change can be carried out with a data display device 11 connected by a data line 9 to the microcomputer 5 and which has a screen 12 and a keyboard 13. For this purpose, the changes intended for a particular key 2 are fed in using the keyboard 13 of the display device 11 and are represented on the screen 12. These data are transferred via line 9 into the microcomputer 5, so that a programme change, particularly of the data stored in the random access memory (RAM), is possible. This programme change to the microcomputer 5 obviously comprises not only the change to the key function but also the logic connection of the keys, such as, e.g., the reciprocal locking of the keys, as well as the change to the associated light displays, which in each case light up on depressing the keys.

The functions of the keys are defined by means of a special programming language.

1. Operating system for television equipment comprising an operating means having a keyboard for operating or controlling different television equipment functions via a programmed microcomputer arranged between the operating means and the television equip

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Operating system for television equipment The present invention relates to an operating system for television equipment. For the direct or remote operation of television equipment, it has hitherto been standard practice to use operating means with several different operating elements such as keys, sensors, switches and control elements for controlling, switching on and switching over equipment functions by means of correspondingly programmed micro-computers. It was, e.g., possible with such operating means to rapidly and simply perform in the case of television cameras numerous different automatic compensating functions and/or control functions with respect to camera settings, such as changes to the lens setting (e.g. zoom, focus, diaphragm). As a result of the recently everincreasing automation, keyboards comprising several keys have been increasingly used as operating means in connection with the operation of television equipment.A particular operating or control function is associated with each key and this is possible through programming the micro-computer used. This programming has hitherto been carried out by the television equipment manufacturer, so that a particular equipment function is therefore always associated with a particular key. The equipment user was not in a position to carry out a local change to the operation or control of specific equipment functions or replace programmed equipment functions by previously unprogrammed equipment functions. The object of the present invention is to provide an operating system for television equipment which enables such operating function changes to be made by the user. Accordingly, the present invention provides an operating system for television equipment comprising an operating means having a keyboard for operating or controlling different television equipment functions via a programmed microcomputer arranged between the operating means and the television equipment and which is responsive to control signals generated by the operating means to effect digital control of the different equipment functions, wherein different operating or control functions can be associated with each key of the operating means by a change to the programme of the microprocessor. The invention has the advantage that existing operating and control functions can be locally modified in an arbitrary manner. It is also possible to associate with the individual keys operating or control functions not yet provided by the keyboard, and to interlink operating or control functions. It is particularly advantageous that the association of equipment functions with the corresponding keys takes place with the aid of a data display device bringing about the programme change and controlling the microcomputer and that this takes place with a special programming language. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying block schematic drawing. The operating system shown in the drawing comprises an operating means 1 with a keyboard 3 comprising a plurality of keys 2, a microcomputer 5 connected via a data line 4 to the keyboard, and television equipment, e.g. a television camera 6, to be controlled. In this case, the microcomputer 5 is arranged in the camera control unit 6. Each key 2 has a particular operating function for controlling the control elements arranged in the television camera 6. The digital control signals or instructions produced on depressing a key 2 in operating means 1 are transferred to the microcomputer 5 and then, according to the programming of the microcomputer 5 with the data in the memories (RAM and ROM), specific control elements are controlled by means of the data transmission line 8, so that a desired change to the camera variables takes place.This can, e.g. be a change to the lens setting data, the compensating functions necessary before taking each. shot, or the activation or switching over of oscilloscopes and monitors. It is possible to interchange, modify or replace the operating or control functions associated with the keys 2 by changing the programme data stored in the random access memory (RAM) of the microcomputer 5. The data change can be carried out with a data display device 11 connected by a data line 9 to the microcomputer 5 and which has a screen 12 and a keyboard 13. For this purpose, the changes intended for a particular key 2 are fed in using the keyboard 13 of the display device 11 and are represented on the screen 12. These data are transferred via line 9 into the microcomputer 5, so that a programme change, particularly of the data stored in the random access memory (RAM), is possible.This programme change to the microcomputer 5 obviously comprises not only the change to the key function but also the logic connection of the keys, such as, e.g., the reciprocal locking of the keys, as well as the change to the associated light displays, which in each case light up on depressing the keys. The functions of the keys are defined by means of a special programming language. CLAIMS

1. Operating system for television equipment comprising an operating means having a keyboard for operating or controlling different television equipment functions via a programmed microcomputer arranged between the operating means and the television equip ment and which is responsive to control signals generated by the operating means to effect digital control of the different equipment functions, wherein different operating or control functions can be associated with each key of the operating means by a change to the programme of the microprocessor.

2. Operating system according to claim 1, wherein the functions associated with the individual keys can be interchanged, replaced or modified by a programme change.

3. Operating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functions associated with the keys can be changed to perform operating or control functions not yet provided by the operating means by a programme change.

4. Operating system according to claim 2, or 3, wherein the ligic connection of the keys can also be changed through the programme change.

5. Operating system according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein an associated light display of the keys can also be changed through the programme change.

6. Operating system according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a data display device for controlling the microcomputer to effect the programme change.

7. Operating system according to claim 6, characterized in that the control of microcom puter for changing the programme takes place with a special programming language defining the key functions.

8. Operating system as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.