JP2000341576A - Turning type image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a turning type image pickup device which improves reliability related to signal transmission between a turning part and a non-turning part and also reduces its device scale. SOLUTION: A turning part 1 and a non-turning part 2 are connected with an optical rotary joint 3 having optical transmission paths 31 and 32. In the part 1, data such as the state of an image pickup device are superimposed upon a digital image output of the image pickup device 11, and in such a case, a packaging buffer 13 synchronizes the data with a frame synchronizing signal and blocks the data in an image 1 frame unit. This superimposed signal is transmitted as a serial optical signal to the part 2 via the path 31. In the part 2, the blocked data are subjected to light to electricity conversion, and subsequently image processing is performed in the image 1 frame unit. Also, superimposed data are extracted from the blocked data, a control signal to the device 11 are generated based on it, and the control signal is transmitted as a serial optical signal to the part 1 via the path 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary unit having a rotating unit that rotates around an axis and a non-rotating unit that supports the rotating unit, and transmitting an image captured by the rotating unit to the non-rotating unit. The present invention relates to a type imaging device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, some search cameras and surveillance cameras rotate a television camera part around an axis, thereby causing a 360-degree camera to rotate.
° Some are capable of shooting surrounding images. In this type of rotary imaging device, image signals, various control signals, and the like are transmitted between a rotating unit to which a television camera is attached and a non-rotating unit (such as a base) that supports the rotating unit. It is necessary to provide a signal transmission path that performs

[0003] In a conventional rotary image pickup apparatus, an electric rotary coupler (slip ring) in which electrical connectors are combined in multiple stages is used as a signal transmission path. However, in order to transmit an image signal, a slip ring having a large number of stages is required due to its large data size, and the device scale tends to be large.

Further, in order to transmit information such as an operation control signal of a television camera, a directivity direction and an angle, it is necessary to further increase the number of slip ring stages. The effects of interference can no longer be ignored. Since this directly affects the performance and reliability of the device, it is desirable to take some measures.

[0005]

As described above, the conventional rotary type image pickup apparatus uses an electric rotary coupler for connecting a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion. For this reason, the apparatus scale tends to be large. In addition, it was weak against interference between signals and electromagnetic interference and had poor reliability.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary imaging device that improves reliability related to signal transmission between a rotating unit and a non-rotating unit and reduces the size of the device.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating part which is driven to rotate around an axis, a non-rotating part which supports the rotating part, and an image pickup mounted on the rotating part. A first electrical / electrical device that is provided in the rotating unit and converts a video signal output from the imaging device into a first optical signal.
An optical converter; and the first electric / electrical device provided in the non-rotating portion.
A first optical / electrical converter that photoelectrically converts the first optical signal provided via an optical converter and outputs the video signal, and the first optical / electrical provided in the non-rotating section A signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the video signal output from the converter; a control unit that is provided in the non-rotating unit and generates and outputs a control signal related to operation control of the imaging device; and the non-rotating unit. A second electrical / optical converter that converts the control signal into a second optical signal, and a second electrical / optical converter that is provided in the rotating unit and photoelectrically converts the second optical signal provided from the non-rotating unit; Providing a second control signal to the imaging device;
And the first electric / optical converter and the first optical / electrical converter, while connecting the rotating part to the non-rotating part so as to be rotatable around the axis. And an optical rotary joint that optically couples the second electrical / optical converter and the second optical / electrical converter.

By doing so, the transmission and reception of signals between the rotating part and the non-rotating part (non-rotating part) are performed in the form of optical signals. This makes it possible to eliminate the effects of electromagnetic interference.

In the present invention, a state signal of the image pickup device is superimposed on a digital image output from the image pickup device, and the superimposed signal is divided into blocks for each image frame according to a frame synchronization signal of the image pickup device. I have. This allows
The operation clocks of the imaging device and the signal processing unit can be made independent of each other.

Further, in the present invention, data transmission between the rotating part and the non-rotating part is performed in the form of serial data. For this reason, the number of optical transmission lines involved in data transmission can be reduced, so that the configuration of the device can be simplified and downsized, and the price can be reduced. The reduction in speed due to serial transmission of parallel data not only allows for sufficient correction from the broadband characteristics of optical signals, but also reduces the time required for data transfer (compared to conventional electric signals). ) Can be shortened.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a rotary imaging device according to the present embodiment. That is, in this rotary imaging apparatus, the rotating unit 1 on which the imaging device 11 is mounted and the non-rotating unit 2 that performs various controls and image processing on the imaging device 11 are rotatably connected via the optical rotary joint 3. It has become. The rotating unit 1 is driven to rotate about a predetermined axis (the rotation axis of the optical rotary joint 3) with respect to the non-rotating unit 2 by, for example, a drive motor (not shown). Here, the optical rotary joint 3
Is provided with two different optical transmission lines 31 and 32. The information transfer from the rotating unit 1 to the non-rotating unit 2 is performed by the optical signal of the wavelength λ1 via the optical transmission line 31 and the rotation from the non-rotating unit 2 is performed. Information transfer to the unit 1 is performed by an optical signal of wavelength λ2 via the optical transmission line 32.

The rotating unit 1 includes, in addition to the image pickup device 11, a high / low angle drive control circuit 12 for controlling the elevation angle of the image pickup device 11, a packaging buffer 13 (such as a semiconductor memory), and a parallel / serial conversion circuit. 14 and an electric / optical conversion circuit (E / O conversion circuit: light emitting diode, etc.) 15
, An optical / electrical conversion circuit (O / E conversion circuit: photodiode, etc.) 16, and a serial / parallel conversion circuit 17.

That is, a digital image signal and an image pickup device status signal (for example, visual axis angle information,
Monitoring diagnostic information and the like: digital signal) and an output signal from the elevation angle drive control circuit 12 (drive elevation angle and the like: digital signal) are supplied to a packaging buffer 13 and are supplied with a frame synchronization signal and write control supplied from an image pickup device 11. It is written to a predetermined address according to the signal. A read control signal synchronized with the frame synchronization signal is given to the packaging buffer 13 by the parallel / serial conversion circuit 14, and the written data is read out serially. As a result, block data (serial) in which visual axis angle information, monitoring diagnostic information, driving elevation angle information, and the like are superimposed on the digital image signal is generated. This block data is converted into an optical signal of wavelength λ1 by the E / O conversion circuit 15 and transmitted to the non-rotating unit 2 via the optical transmission line 31.

On the other hand, the optical signal of wavelength λ2 transmitted from the non-rotating section 2 via the optical transmission line 32 is
The signal is converted into an electric signal and supplied to the serial / parallel conversion circuit 17. Serial / parallel conversion circuit 17
Then, the high / low drive control signal and the image pickup device control signal are separated and extracted, and given as parallel data to the high / low angle drive control circuit 12 and the image pickup device 11, respectively.

The non-rotating section 2 includes an optical / electrical conversion circuit (O
/ E conversion circuit) 21 and serial / parallel conversion circuit 2
2, the packaging buffer 23, and the signal processing unit 24
, An imager control unit 25, a drive control unit 26, a parallel / serial conversion circuit 27, and an electric / optical conversion circuit (E / O
(A conversion circuit) 28 and an azimuth angle drive control circuit 29.

That is, an optical signal of wavelength λ1 provided from the rotating unit 1 via the optical transmission line 31 is first input to the O / E conversion circuit 21 and converted into an electric signal, and then converted to a serial / parallel conversion circuit. 22 and is converted into parallel data. This serial / parallel conversion circuit 2
In 2, the frame synchronization signal is reproduced.

The output signal of the serial / parallel conversion circuit 22 is buffered by a packaging buffer 23, and is synchronized with a frame synchronization signal and a read control signal supplied from a signal processing unit 24 to generate a digital image signal, an image pickup device status signal, and a drive signal. A signal including elevation angle data is read.
The read signal is input to the signal processing unit 24.
The signal processing unit 24 is supplied with a data signal indicating the driving direction of the image pickup device 11 from the azimuth driving control circuit 29. The signal processing unit 24 performs image processing on the given image signal, and displays an image captured by the imaging device 11 on, for example, a monitor (not shown).

From the signal processing unit 24, an image pickup device state signal is input to the image pickup control unit 25, and a data signal including the drive elevation angle is input to the drive control unit 26. The drive control unit 26 is supplied with a data signal indicating the drive direction of the image pickup device 11 from the azimuth drive control circuit 29. The imager control unit 25 generates an imager control signal for controlling the state of the imager 11 according to the imager state signal, and inputs the signal to the parallel / serial conversion circuit 27. The drive control unit 26 outputs a high / low drive control signal for controlling the high / low angle of the image pickup device 11 and an azimuth drive control signal for controlling the azimuth angle of the image pickup device 11 in accordance with a data signal including a drive high / low angle, a drive azimuth angle, etc. Generate
The signals are input to the parallel / serial conversion circuit 27 and the azimuth drive control circuit 29, respectively.

The parallel / serial conversion circuit 27 superimposes the image pickup device control signal and the height drive control signal, converts these signals into serial data, and inputs the serial data to the E / O conversion circuit 28. The E / O conversion circuit 28 converts the input serial data into an optical signal having the wavelength λ2 and transmits the optical signal to the rotating unit 1 via the optical transmission line 32.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In FIG.
(A) shows the timing of the frame synchronization signal in the imaging device 11. In synchronization with the frame synchronizing signal, a captured image of one frame is superimposed on data such as the state of the image pickup device and the high and low drive angles in the packaging buffer 13 and is blocked (FIG. 2B). In FIG. 2, the imaging unit (1
A description will be given with the numbers # 1, # 2, # 3,.

The blocked data is transferred to the packaging buffer 23 of the non-rotating section 2 in synchronization with the next frame synchronization signal pulse (FIG. 3C). The signal processing unit 24 further synchronizes with the next frame synchronization signal pulse.
(FIG. 3D). Finally, the signal processing unit 24
The signal processing (including the image processing) is performed on the data divided into blocks (FIG. 2E).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotating part 1 and the non-rotating part 2 are connected by the optical rotary joint 3 having the optical transmission lines 31 and 32. Then, the rotation unit 1 superimposes data such as the state of the imaging device on the digital image output of the imaging device 11. At this time, the image data is blocked by the packaging buffer 13 in units of one image frame in synchronization with the frame synchronization signal. This superimposed signal is converted into a parallel / serial converter 1
After conversion into serial data at 4, it is converted into an optical signal at the electric / optical conversion circuit 15 and transmitted to the non-rotating unit 2 via the optical transmission line 31. The non-rotating unit 2 converts the block data into an electric signal by the optical / electrical conversion circuit 21 and then performs image processing in units of one image frame. The superimposed data is extracted from the block data, and a control signal to the image pickup device 11 is generated based on the extracted data. Then, the control signal is transmitted to the rotating unit 1 via the optical transmission path 32 as an optical signal in the form of serial data.

As described above, the rotating section 1 and the non-rotating section 2 are connected by the optical rotary joint 3, and the rotating section 1 and the non-rotating section 2 are connected.
Since the transmission and reception of the signal between the two are performed in the form of an optical signal, it is possible to eliminate the influence of electromagnetic interference, and thus to improve the reliability of signal transmission.

Further, since the data transmission is performed in the form of serial data by making use of the wide band characteristic of the optical signal, the number of optical transmission lines can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the device. Also, when the number of bits of the digital image signal is increased (when transmitting a high-quality image), it is necessary to increase the bit rate instead of increasing the number of signal transmission paths (as in the case of parallel). it can. This is easy because the information transfer is performed by the optical signal, and the size of the device can be kept small.

Further, various data are superimposed on the digital image signal, and the data is divided into blocks for each image frame and transmitted. Therefore, the operation clocks of the image pickup device 11 and the signal processing unit 24 can be made independent of each other. This also means that it is not necessary to transmit the frame synchronization signal in the image pickup device 11 to the non-rotating unit 2, thereby making it possible to reduce the load on signal processing and reduce transmission data. .

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the transmission wavelengths of the two optical transmission lines 31 and 32 are different from each other (λ1,
λ2), these wavelengths may be the same because the transmission paths are different.

On the contrary, if the wavelengths are different,
Optical signals of wavelengths λ1 and λ2 may be multiplexed and transmitted in mutually opposite directions via a common optical transmission line. FIGS. 3 and 4 show configuration examples in such a case.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the rotating unit 1 and the non-rotating unit 2 are each provided with an optical coupler 4, and these optical couplers 4 multiplex and demultiplex wavelengths. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the rotating section 1 and the non-rotating section 2 are provided with optical circulators 5 respectively, and these optical circulators 5 multiplex and demultiplex wavelengths.
By doing so, the configuration of the optical rotary joint (the reference numeral is 30 for distinction) can be made simpler, which can further contribute to downsizing of the device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the rotational connection with respect to only one axis has been described. However, the rotational connection can be similarly performed with respect to two or more rotary axes via the optical rotary joint.

Although the above embodiment does not refer to a protocol related to an optical communication system between the rotating unit 1 and the non-rotating unit 2, any protocol may be used to realize the idea of the present invention. It goes without saying that it may be applied.

In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0032]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a rotating part and a non-rotating part are connected by an optical rotary joint and optically connected. In addition, the apparatus includes first and second electrical / optical converters and first and second optical / electrical converters, and exchanges signals between the rotating unit and the non-rotating unit in the form of optical signals. I have to. Further, in the present invention, data transmission is performed in the form of serial data. From these facts, it is possible to improve the reliability of signal transmission between the rotating part and the non-rotating part, and to provide a rotary imaging device with a reduced device scale.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rotary imaging device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining an operation in the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing another configuration of the rotary imaging device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing another configuration of the rotary imaging device according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotating part 11 ... Image pick-up device 12 ... Elevation angle drive control circuit 13, 23 ... Packaging buffer 14, 27 ... Parallel / serial conversion circuit 15, 28 ... Electric / optical conversion circuit (E / O conversion circuit) 16, 21 ... Optical / electrical conversion circuit (O / E conversion circuit) 17, 22 ... Serial / parallel conversion circuit 2 ... Non-rotating part 24 ... Signal processing part 25 ... Imaging device control part 26 ... Drive control part 29 ... Azimuth angle drive control circuit 3, 30: optical rotary joint 4: optical coupler 5: optical circulator

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Hayashi 1, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kochi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Toshiba Komukai Plant Co., Ltd. F-term in Toshiba Komukai Plant (reference) 5C022 AA01 AB62 AB65 AC27 AC69 AC74 AC75 CA00

Claims (6)

[Claims] A rotating unit that is driven to rotate around an axis; a non-rotating unit that supports the rotating unit; an imaging device mounted on the rotating unit; and an imaging device provided in the rotating unit and output from the imaging device. A first electrical / optical converter that converts a video signal to be converted into a first optical signal; and a first electrical / optical converter that is provided in the non-rotating unit and that is provided through the first electrical / optical converter. A first optical / electrical converter that photoelectrically converts an optical signal and outputs the video signal; and a signal processing for the video signal output from the first optical / electrical converter that is provided in the non-rotating unit. A signal processing unit that performs the following: a control unit that is provided in the non-rotating unit, and that generates and outputs a control signal related to operation control of the imaging device; A second electric / optical converter that converts the light into an optical signal; A second optical / electrical converter that photoelectrically converts the second optical signal given from the non-rotating unit and provides the control signal to the imaging device; The first electric / optical converter and the first electric / optical converter while being rotatably connected about the axis;
And a light rotary joint for optically coupling the second light / electricity converter with the second light / electricity converter. Imaging device. 2. The optical rotary joint comprises: a first optical waveguide that optically couples the first electric / optical converter and the first optical / electric converter; and the second electric / optical converter. The rotary imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second optical waveguide that optically couples the optical converter and the second optical / electrical converter. 3. The first and second electric / optical converters respectively generate the first and second optical signals at different wavelengths, and the optical rotary joint includes at least one optical waveguide. A first optical signal provided from the first electric / optical converter, the first optical signal being output from the first electric / optical converter, being transmitted to the one optical waveguide; First wavelength multiplexing / demultiplexing means for guiding the second optical signal transmitted via a wave path to the second optical / electrical converter; and the second electrical / optical means provided in the non-rotating section. The second optical signal output from the converter is sent to the one optical waveguide, and the first optical signal transmitted via the one optical waveguide is converted to the first optical / electrical converter. Wavelength multiplexing / demultiplexing means for leading to The rotary imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The rotator further includes a superimposing unit that superimposes a state signal indicating a state of the imaging device on the video signal, wherein the control unit is configured to output the state signal from an output of the first optical / electrical converter. 4. The rotary imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a state signal is extracted, and a control signal relating to operation control of the imaging apparatus is generated based on the state signal. 5. The video signal and the status signal are digital data, and the superimposing means blocks the video signal and the status signal for each frame of an image according to a frame synchronization signal of the imaging device. And a first parallel / serial converter for converting output data of the blocker into serial data and outputting the serial data to the first electric / optical converter. 5. The rotary imaging device according to 4. 6. The second parallel / serial converter for converting the control signal into serial data and outputting the serial signal to the second electric / optical converter, wherein the control signal is digital data. 6. The rotary imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a unit.