JP2000092351A - Multi-head camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a video signal by selecting any of plural camera heads whose imaging devices have different types that adopt different camera systems and are simultaneously connected to one camera signal processing circuit. SOLUTION: Each identification signal circuit 20 of camera heads 1, 1', 1" gives identification data for kinds of imaging devices and camera systems to a camera signal processing circuit 8. A camera head changeover circuit 22 selects a camera head and gives adjustment information such as a correction value, a drive pulse timing, a power supply voltage, setting value data set by each camera head and stored in a storage section 27 based on the identification data to a system control circuit 18. The setting and the adjustment values of a program cable compensation circuit 23, a program pulse timing generating circuit 24, a power supply voltage switching circuit 25, an analog process circuit 11 and a digital process circuit 13 or the like are changed based on the adjustment information. Thus, various setting items suitable for a camera head selected among the camera heads connecting to the camera signal processing circuit 8 are adjusted and an excellent video signal 16 is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-head camera system in which a plurality of video camera heads (hereinafter, referred to as camera heads) are controlled by one video camera signal processing circuit (hereinafter, camera signal processing circuit). is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional video camera system of this type is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, 1 is a camera head (three-panel camera system), 2 is a lens, 3 is a prism, 4 is an image sensor (CCD), 5 is a preamplifier circuit, 6 is an image sensor driving circuit, 7 is an extension cable, 8 is Camera signal processing circuit, 9 is a pulse timing generation circuit, 10 is a cable compensation circuit, 11 is an analog process circuit, 12 is an A / D converter circuit, 13 is a digital process circuit, 14 is a D / A converter circuit, and 15 is an encoder circuit , 16 are video signals, 17 is a power supply circuit, 1
8 is a system control circuit, and 19 is a synchronization signal generation circuit.

The operation of a camera head (three-panel camera system) and a camera signal processing circuit of a video camera system in the configuration of the conventional example shown in FIG. 2 will be described. First, an appropriate amount of light and light focused on a subject to be photographed by the camera head 1 are separated into red, green, and blue by a prism 3 by a lens 2 of the camera head 1. Prism 3
The light separated by is converted into an electric signal (hereinafter referred to as a video signal) by the image pickup device 4, amplified by the preamplifier circuit 5, and sent to the camera signal processing circuit 8 via the extension cable 7 of the camera head 1. Further, the imaging device driving circuit 6
A drive pulse timing suitable for the image pickup device 4 of the camera head 1 is created by a pulse timing generation circuit 9 of the camera signal processing circuit 8, and the drive pulse timing sent to the camera head 1 via the extension cable 7 is converted into a waveform. After shaping, the image sensor 4 is driven. In addition, a power supply voltage used in the camera head 1 is sent from the camera signal processing circuit 8 via the extension cable 7.

Next, the video signal sent from the camera head 1 is corrected by a cable compensating circuit 10 to compensate for the deterioration of the video signal and the time delay caused by passing through the extension cable 7.
The signal is sent to the analog process circuit 11. In the analog process circuit 11, each correction is performed in a black correction circuit, a flare correction circuit, a shading correction circuit, and the like, and a gain control circuit performs gain adjustment.
/ D converter circuit 12. After the analog video signal is converted into a digital video signal by the A / D converter circuit 12, the digital process circuit 13 uses a gamma correction circuit, contour correction circuit, color matrix circuit, black level adjustment circuit, color difference circuit, and the like. Various corrections and adjustments are made and sent to the D / A converter circuit 14.

[0005] The digital video signal is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter circuit 14 and sent to the encoder circuit 15. In the encoder circuit 15, the analog video signal is encoded in the NTSC system, the PAL system, or the like, and sent out as the video signal 16.

The power supply circuit 17 supplies power to the camera head 1 and the camera signal processing circuit 8. The system control circuit 18 includes a control microprocessor, a system control ROM, a system control RAM, a D / A converter, and controls the analog process circuit 11 and the digital process circuit 13. Finally, the synchronizing signal generation circuit 19 includes the camera signal processing circuit 8 and the camera head 1.
Generates synchronization and reference pulses that are used for all
It is supplied to each circuit.

[0007]

However, in the video camera system having such a configuration, the image pickup device used in the camera head and its system (such as a three-camera system) are used.
It has a pulse timing generation circuit that creates a dedicated drive pulse timing and a dedicated cable compensation circuit, and a camera signal processing circuit that is adjusted specifically for the camera head. A good image signal can be obtained only by one adjusted camera signal processing circuit, and a plurality of camera heads cannot be connected to one camera signal processing circuit. Type and method of image sensor (three-chip camera method, single-chip camera method, two-chip camera method,
There is also a problem that a plurality of camera heads of different types such as a four-camera system cannot be mixed and used with one camera signal processing circuit.

The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a plurality of camera heads can be simultaneously connected to one camera signal processing circuit.
A good video signal can be obtained even when the camera head is switched by the camera head switching signal.

Further, an excellent multi-head capable of simultaneously connecting a plurality of camera heads having different types of image sensors and different camera systems used in the camera heads and switching between them to obtain a good video signal. It is intended to provide a camera system.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, a multi-head camera system according to the present invention comprises a video camera signal processing circuit and a plurality of video cameras connected simultaneously with the video camera signal processing circuit. A plurality of video camera heads.

Also, one video camera signal processing circuit, a plurality of video camera heads connected simultaneously with the video camera signal processing circuit, and an extension cable for connecting the video camera signal processing circuit and the video camera head and transmitting / receiving signals. The video camera signal processing circuit is characterized in that a plurality of video camera heads differing in the type of the imaging device, the camera system, and the like connected at the same time are switched and used.

Further, the video camera signal processing circuit comprises:
It has a storage unit for storing adjustment information for each of a plurality of video camera heads, outputs adjustment information simultaneously with switching of the video camera head, and changes settings and adjustment values suitable for the video camera head.

The adjustment information stored in the storage section of the video camera signal processing circuit is a signal deterioration correction set value according to a distance of an extension cable connecting the video camera signal processing circuit and each video camera head. At the same time as switching the video camera head, the corresponding correction setting value is output to the cable compensation circuit, and the correction value is changed to a correction value suitable for the extension cable. A drive pulse timing set value of each system such as a system, and the corresponding set value is output to a pulse timing generation circuit simultaneously with switching of a video camera head, and the drive pulse timing is changed to a drive pulse timing suitable for the video camera head. Is the designated value of the power supply voltage of the image sensor for each of a plurality of various video camera heads. By switching the same time the corresponding value specified in de, and changing the output of the power supply voltage switching circuit to the power supply voltage of the image sensor suitable for the video camera head.

Further, the video camera head has an identification signal circuit for outputting identification data indicating the type of image sensor used for each of the plurality of video camera heads and the camera system. The adjustment information stored in the storage unit of the video camera signal processing circuit is changed by the identification data output from the identification signal circuit.

According to the above configuration, a plurality of camera heads can be connected to one camera signal processing circuit at the same time, and a plurality of camera heads having different types of image pickup devices and different camera systems are connected at the same time. The video signal can be obtained by switching the switching.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multi-head camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG.
Components having substantially the same functions as those described in the above are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG.
1, 1, 1 'and 1 "are camera heads, 2 is a lens, 3 is a prism, 4, 4' and 4" are imaging elements, 5 is a preamplifier circuit, 6, 6 'and 6 "are imaging element driving circuits, 7
Is an extension cable, 8 is a camera signal processing circuit, 11 is an analog process circuit, 12 is an A / D converter circuit, 13
Is a digital process circuit, 14 is a D / A converter circuit, 15 is an encoder circuit, 16 is a video signal, 17 is a power supply circuit, 18 is a system control circuit, 19 is a synchronization signal generation circuit, and 20 is a camera head for identification and connection. An identification signal circuit having identification data for recognizing a distance from the extension cable; 21, a power supply circuit provided in the camera head;
22 is a camera head switching circuit, 23 is a program cable compensation circuit, 24 is a program pulse timing generation circuit, 25 is a power supply voltage switching circuit, 26 is the type of image sensor and camera system used for each connected camera head, and A connected camera detection circuit for detecting identification data such as a correction set value according to the extension distance of the extension cable, a storage unit 27 for adjustment value data for each camera head, and a camera head switching signal 28.

In the multi-head camera system shown in FIG. 1, the camera head 1 (three-panel camera system) and the camera head 1 '(three-panel camera system) have different types of image pickup elements.
The camera head 1 ″ (single-chip camera system) is a camera head of a different type.
1 ', 1 "are connected to the camera signal processing circuit 8. Further, a camera head switching signal 28 for determining which of the connected camera heads is to be selected is provided.
It is input to the system control circuit 18 and the camera head switching circuit 24.

Each camera head 1, 1 ', 1 "(hereinafter simply referred to as camera head 1) and camera signal processing circuit 8
Video signal, image sensor drive pulse timing, various power supply voltages, camera identification /
A distance recognition signal (identification data) and the like are exchanged between the camera head 1 and the camera signal processing circuit 8. The transmission and reception of various signals, power supply voltage, and the like between the camera head 1 and the camera signal processing circuit 8 are performed by selecting one of the camera heads 1 to which a plurality of cameras are connected in accordance with the instruction of the camera head switching signal 28. The connection is switched by the camera head switching circuit 22. Further, signal deterioration due to the extension cable 7 connecting the camera head 1 and the camera signal processing circuit 8 is corrected by the program cable compensation circuit 23. The program cable compensation circuit 23 can control the correction value by the system control circuit 18.

Also, in the program pulse timing generation circuit 24 for generating the drive pulse timings to be sent to the various camera heads 1, the drive pulse timings to be sent to the camera head 1 are controlled by the system control circuit 1
8, the set value of the drive pulse timing can be controlled. Similarly, the power supply voltage switching circuit 25 which sends the power supply voltage indicated by the specified value to the various camera heads 1 also has its various power supply voltages controlled by the system control circuit 18. The specified value of the voltage can be controlled.

The connected camera detecting circuit 26 identifies the camera head 1 selected by the camera head switching signal 28 from the camera heads 1 connected to the camera signal processing circuit 8 and switched and connected by the camera head switching circuit 22. The identification data, which is information on the type of the imaging device made by the signal circuit 20 and the camera system, is detected, and the various identification data are sent to the system control circuit 18 and the storage unit 27. Further, information of a correction set value corresponding to the distance of the extension cable 7 sent from the camera head 1 which is selectively connected is also detected, and the information can be sent to the system control circuit 18 and the storage unit 27.

The storage unit 27 includes a drive pulse timing set value, which is various adjustment information for each camera head connectable to the camera signal processing circuit 8, a correction set value for signal deterioration due to the distance of the extension cable 7, Analog process circuit 1
1 and setting data suitable for each camera head used in the digital process circuit 13 can be stored in advance, and when various kinds of adjustment information are requested from the system control circuit 18 by the camera head switching signal 28, the adjustment is performed. Information can be sent to the system control circuit 18. The system control circuit 18 receives the camera head switching signal 28, calls up various kinds of adjustment information of the selected camera head 1 from the storage unit 27, and switches each circuit in the camera signal processing circuit 8 to the image of the selected camera head. Can be controlled to improve the

Next, a specific operation of the camera head according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. An appropriate amount of light by the lens 2 and light focused on the subject to be photographed by the camera heads 1 and 1 'are separated into red, green and blue by the prism 3 and converted into a video signal by the image sensor 4 or the image sensor 4'. In the camera head 1 ", the image data is separated into red, green, and blue by a color filter attached on the image sensor 4", and is converted into a video signal. This video signal is amplified by the preamplifier circuit 5 and sent to the camera signal processing circuit 8 through the extension cable 7.

The identification signal circuit 20 is a signal for detecting by the connected camera detection circuit 26 of the camera signal processing circuit 8 the identification data of the type of the image sensor, the camera system identification data, and the correction set value according to the distance of the extension cable 7. Is sent.

The image pickup device driving circuit 6 sends the type of the image pickup device used for each camera head sent from the program pulse timing generation circuit 24 of the camera signal processing circuit 8 through the camera head switching circuit 22. A drive pulse timing suitable for a camera system is shaped into a waveform to drive an image sensor.

The power supply circuit 21 converts the power supply voltage sent from the power supply voltage switching circuit 25 of the camera signal processing circuit 8 via the camera head switching circuit 22 to the type of the imaging device used in the camera head and the camera system. The power supply voltage is supplied to the camera head after being converted to an appropriate voltage and stabilized.

One of the camera heads connected to the camera signal processing circuit 8 is selected by the camera head switching signal 28. The identification data sent from the identification signal circuit 20 of the selected camera head is identified by the connected camera detection circuit 26, and the identification data is sent to the system control circuit 18 and the storage unit 27.

Based on the identification data, the system control circuit 18 sends the set value of the drive pulse timing of the adjustment information from the storage unit 27 to the program pulse timing generation circuit 24 to generate a drive pulse timing suitable for the connected camera head. , Camera head switching circuit 22
Through the camera head.

Similarly, based on the identification data, the system control circuit 18 sends the specified value of the power supply voltage of the adjustment information from the storage unit 27 to the power supply voltage switching circuit 25 to generate a power supply voltage suitable for the selected camera head. The data is transmitted to the camera head via the head switching circuit 22.

Similarly, based on the identification data, the system control circuit 18 sends the set value data of the adjustment information from the storage unit 27 to the analog process circuit 11, the digital process circuit 13, and the like, so that the optimum value suitable for the selected camera head can be obtained. Change to the set value. Further, a correction set value corresponding to the distance of the extension cable 7 is transmitted from the connected camera detection circuit 26 to the system control circuit 18 and the storage unit 27 based on the identification data.

The system control circuit 18 and the storage unit 27 receive a correction set value corresponding to the distance of the extension cable 7 of the camera head, and the program cable compensation circuit 23
, An optimum correction value for correcting the signal degradation due to the extension distance of the extension cable 7 is sent to correct the video signal sent from the selected camera head.

The corrected video signal is processed by the analog process circuit 11 as described in the conventional example, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter circuit 12, and further processed by the digital process circuit 13 again. After the processing is performed and the analog signal is returned to the analog signal by the D / A converter circuit 14, the encoder circuit 15 performs the NTSC or PSC.
The signal is encoded by the AL method or the like and transmitted as a video signal 16 such as NTSC / PAL.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A plurality of camera heads can be connected to one camera signal processing circuit, and the camera heads are switched by a camera head switching signal. At the same time, identification data such as the type of image sensor used for the selected camera head and the camera system is transmitted. The camera signal processing circuit receives the signal from the camera head. The system control circuit sends adjustment information suitable for the selected camera head to each circuit from the drive pulse timing setting value, power supply voltage designation value, and various adjustment setting data that are transmitted to each camera head and stored in advance. The ability to change the adjustment settings allows a single camera signal processing circuit to switch between multiple camera heads to provide a good NTSC
/ PAL or the like.

Further, a correction set value of signal deterioration according to the distance of the extension cable connecting the camera head and the camera signal processing circuit is also sent from the identification signal circuit to the camera signal processing circuit. Detects the correction set value according to the extension cable distance, and controls the program cable compensation circuit from the system control circuit to correct the signal degradation according to the extension cable distance with the correction setting value stored in the storage unit in advance. This makes it possible to obtain an excellent video signal such as NTSC / PAL even if the extension cable of each camera head is freely extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multi-head camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional video camera system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1 ', 1 "camera head 2 lens 3 prism 4, 4', 4" imaging device (CCD) 5 preamplifier circuit 6, 6 ', 6 "imaging device driving circuit 7 extension cable 8 camera signal processing circuit 9 pulse timing Generation circuit 10 Cable compensation circuit 11 Analog processing circuit 12 A / D converter circuit 13 Digital processing circuit 14 D / A converter circuit 15 Encoder circuit 16 Video signal 17, 21 Power supply circuit 18 System control circuit 19 Synchronization signal generation circuit 20 Identification signal circuit 22 Camera Head Switching Circuit 23 Program Cable Compensation Circuit 24 Program Pulse Timing Generation Circuit 25 Power Supply Voltage Switching Circuit 26 Connected Camera Detection Circuit 27 Storage Unit 28 Camera Head Switching Signal

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ichiro Tomita 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. No.3-1, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5C022 AB40 AB61 AB64 AC41 AC69 AC75

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A video camera signal processing circuit, and a plurality of video camera heads connected simultaneously with the video camera signal processing circuit, wherein a plurality of the video camera heads are switched and used. Multi-head camera system. 2. A video camera signal processing circuit, a plurality of video camera heads connected simultaneously with the video camera signal processing circuit, and a connection between the video camera signal processing circuit and the video camera head to transmit and receive signals. The video camera signal processing circuit,
A multi-head camera system wherein a plurality of video camera heads differing in the type of image sensor, camera system, etc. connected simultaneously are switched and used. 3. The video camera head according to claim 1, wherein the video camera signal processing circuit has a storage unit for storing adjustment information for each of the plurality of video camera heads, and outputs the adjustment information simultaneously with switching of the video camera head. The multi-head camera system according to claim 1, wherein the setting or the adjustment value is changed to a value suitable for the camera. 4. The adjustment information stored in the storage unit of the video camera signal processing circuit is a correction setting value of signal deterioration according to a distance of an extension cable connecting the video camera signal processing circuit and each video camera head. 4. The multi-head camera system according to claim 3, wherein a corresponding correction set value is output to a cable compensation circuit at the same time as switching of the video camera head, and is changed to a correction value suitable for the extension cable. 5. The adjustment information stored in the storage section of the video camera signal processing circuit is a set value of a drive pulse timing of each of a plurality of video camera heads such as a three-camera system and a single-chip camera system. 4. The multi-head camera according to claim 3, wherein a corresponding set value is output to a pulse timing generation circuit at the same time as switching of the video camera head, and the driving pulse timing is changed to a drive pulse timing suitable for the video camera head. system. 6. The adjustment information stored in the storage unit of the video camera signal processing circuit is a designated value of a power supply voltage of an image sensor for each of a plurality of various video camera heads, and corresponds to the specified value at the same time as the switching of the video camera head. 4. The multi-head camera system according to claim 3, wherein the output of the power supply voltage switching circuit is changed to a power supply voltage of an image sensor suitable for the video camera head according to the designated value of. 7. The video camera head includes an identification signal circuit that outputs identification data indicating a type of an image sensor used for each of the plurality of video camera heads and a camera system. 7. The multi-head camera system according to claim 3, wherein the adjustment information stored in the storage unit of the connected video camera signal processing circuit is changed by the identification data output from the identification signal circuit. .