JP2003329915A - Method for displaying distance on video screen - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a method for displaying a distance on a video screen which can measure the distance between two targets nearly accurately in a short period of time and superimpose it on a base picture video of television. <P>SOLUTION: A lens 14 fitted to a camera 12 is focused on a 1st target and focus data at this time are obtained from a lens 14. A computer 18 computes the distance between the lens 13 and 1st target. The lens 14 is focused on a 2nd target and focus data at this time are obtained from the lens 14. The computer 18 computes the distance between the lens 14 and the 2nd target. The distance between the 1st and the 2nd targets is computed from the calculated distances. A signal representing the distance between the targets is sent to a scan converter 20 and converted into a video picture signal, which is sent to a superimposing unit 22. A switcher 16 superimposed the picture video signal representing the distance on a base picture signal from the camera 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of displaying a distance on a video screen, and more particularly, to a video screen capable of superimposing the distance between marathon athletes on the marathon video screen in a TV relay screen such as a marathon. Regarding the distance display method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a television relay broadcast such as a marathon, an image of a marathon runner is transmitted as a video signal, and the image is displayed on a television receiver. Then, the distance between the player running in the lead and the player running in the second place is announced on the TV relay broadcast. The distance between such players is an approximate distance by visual observation, or the time from when the leading player passes a certain point to when the second ranked player passes, and the average running speed is calculated. I calculate the distance.

[0003]

However, in the broadcasting so far, only the announcer notifies the distance between the players, and the distance between the players cannot be visually grasped. Further, when the distance between the players is grasped by visual inspection, it is difficult to know the accurate distance. Furthermore, the method of measuring the time taken by a player to pass a certain point has a problem that the distance between the players cannot be calculated until the second ranked player passes the point, and the announcement of the distance is delayed. .

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to
Measure the distance between two targets almost accurately and in a short time,
It is intended to provide a method of displaying a distance to a video screen that can be displayed by being superimposed on a base image video of a television.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a step of focusing a lens of a camera on a first target, and a step of acquiring first focus data from the lens when the first target is focused. A step of calculating the distance between the lens and the first target from the first focus data, a step of focusing the lens on the second target, and a step of focusing on the second target. Second focus data from the lens, calculating the distance between the lens and the second target from the second focus data, the distance between the lens and the first target, and the lens. The difference between the distance to the second target and the first
Calculating a distance between the target and the second target, converting data indicating the distance between the first target and the second target into a video image signal, and a base image signal And superimposing a video image signal for displaying the distance between the first target and the second target on the image display screen. Since the distance between the lens and the target is calculated from the focus data of the lens attached to the camera, it is only necessary to focus the lens on the first target and the second target, and between the lens and these targets. You can know the distance. Therefore, by taking the difference between these distances, the distance between the first target and the second target can be known. By converting the data relating to the distance into a video image signal and superimposing it on the base image signal, an image in which the distance display is superimposed on the base image can be displayed.

In such a method of displaying the distance on the video screen, after the step of calculating the distance between the lens and the first target, the data for which the display of the distance is set to 0 is converted into a video video signal to be used as a base. It may include a step of superimposing the image signal. When the distance between the lens and the first target is calculated, a video image signal indicating that the distance is 0 is used as the base image signal in order to display, for example, a distance of 0 on the image screen. It can be superimposed. By displaying that the distance is 0 on the video screen, it expresses that the distance to the second target is not displayed yet due to the synergistic effect with the first target displayed in the base image. can do.

In addition, from the step of acquiring focus data of the lens during the movement of the focus of the lens from the first target to the second target, and from the focus data between the first target and the second target, A step of calculating a distance between the lens and the in-focus position of the lens; a step of calculating a distance between the first target and the in-focus position of the lens; Displaying the distance between the target and the in-focus position of the lens, sequentially converting the data into a video image signal, and displaying the distance between the first target and the in-focus position of the lens And sequentially superimposing the video image signal on the base image signal. First target to second
When the focus is moved to the target of the lens, focus data that changes in response to the movement of the lens is obtained from the lens. By using these focus data, the distance between the first target and the position where the lens is in focus is calculated, and by sequentially superimposing the distance on the base image signal as a video image signal for displaying, The distance displayed on the television screen can be displayed so as to increase from zero.
By making such a display, the first target can be changed to the second target.
By the synergistic effect with the base image moving toward the target, the image can give a visual effect as if the distance from the first target is measured toward the second target.

After the step of superimposing the video image signal indicating the distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal, further focusing the lens on the new first target. And obtaining new first focus data from the lens when the first target is focused, and calculating a new distance between the lens and the first target from the first focus data. Steps,
Focusing the lens on a new second target; obtaining new second focus data from the lens when focusing on the second target;
Calculating a new distance between the lens and the second target from the focus data of the lens, a new distance between the lens and the first target, and a new distance between the lens and the second target. Calculating a new distance between the first target and the second target from the difference between the distances, and video data displaying the new distance between the first target and the second target. It may include the steps of converting to a video signal and superimposing a video image signal indicating a new distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal. After displaying the distance between the first target and the second target, further focusing on the first target and the second target, calculating a new distance between them and displaying them on the TV screen. Can be displayed. At this time, the first target and the second target may be the same as or different from the previous target. Further, the first target may be the same as the previous time, the second target may be different from the previous time and vice versa, and these targets may be arbitrarily selected.

Further, after the step of superimposing a video image signal indicating the distance between the first target and the second target on the image signal, the lens is further focused on the new second target. Obtaining new second focus data from the lens, calculating a new distance between the lens and the second target from the second focus data, and between the lens and the first target. Distance, lens and second
Calculating a new distance between the first target and the second target from the difference between the new target and the new target, and a new distance between the first target and the second target. A step of converting data indicating a different distance into a video image signal, and superimposing a video image signal indicating a new distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal. It may be one. After displaying the distance between the first target and the second target, only the focus data of the second target is changed, and the distance between the previous first target and the new second target is further changed. The distance can also be displayed on the TV screen. Even in this case, as the new second target,
The same target as the second target of the previous time may be selected, or a target different from the previous time may be used as the second target.

The method may further include the step of superimposing a video image signal displaying an image related to the distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal. In the case of a marathon relay broadcast, for example, "1
"1st place" and "2nd place" are displayed.
It is possible to show that the displayed distance is the difference between the player at the top and the player at the second place by, for example, displaying an arrow between the indications of "rank". Such display can be arbitrarily selected depending on the broadcast content. In addition, when the first target and the second target are moving targets such as marathon athletes, the average running speed is used, and then the first running athlete passes a certain point and then It is possible to calculate the time it takes for the second ranked player to pass the point. Such a display regarding time may be displayed on the television screen.

The above-mentioned objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings.

[0012]

1 is an illustrative view showing one example of a display device used in a method of displaying a distance on a video screen according to the present invention. The display device 10 includes a camera 12 for television broadcasting. The camera 12 is mounted on a mobile photography vehicle or the like, and when a marathon or the like is relayed and broadcast, the marathon athlete is photographed while the vehicle is running in front of the marathon athlete. A lens 14 is attached to the camera 12, and a subject can be clearly photographed by focusing on the subject.

Focus data relating to the lens position is output from the lens 14 of the camera 12. This focus data is usually used to display the focus value on the viewfinder of the camera. The distance between the first target and the second target is obtained using this focus data.

The base image captured by the camera 12 is
It is sent to the switcher 16 as a base image signal.
Further, the focus data output from the lens 14 is
Sent to computer 18. From this focus data, it is possible to know which position the lens 14 is focusing on. Therefore, by obtaining the focus data, the distance from the lens 14 to the target can be measured.

By using this method, for example,
The distance between the lens 14 and the leading player can be known by focusing the lens 14 on the leading player as the first target and acquiring the focus data at that time. Similarly, by focusing the lens 14 with the second player as the second target and acquiring the focus data at that time, it is possible to know the distance between the lens 14 and the second player. it can. In this way, the distance between the first player and the second player is obtained by obtaining the difference between the distance from the lens 14 to the first player and the distance from the lens 14 to the second player. You can

The computer 18 outputs an analog RGB signal indicating the distance between the first player and the second player. This signal is input to the scan converter 20 and converted into a video image signal. The video image signal is input to the super device 22 and is sent to the switcher 16
By the operation of, the video image signal for displaying the distance is superimposed on the base image signal. Therefore, switcher 1
By the operation of 6, the base image video relaying the marathon,
Display the distance between the first player and the second player,
It can be displayed or not. A video signal is sent from the mobile photographing vehicle to the broadcasting station, and is sent as a television wave from the broadcasting station.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart when the distance is displayed on the video screen of the television using the display device 10.
Here, an example applied to a relay broadcast of a marathon will be described. The camera 12 is mounted on a mobile photography vehicle and a marathon athlete is photographed. The mobile photographing vehicle is usually located in front of the player running in front, and often shoots the player running in front from the front.

In this state, when displaying the distance between the player running in front and the player in second place on the video screen, step S
1, the port of the computer 18 is opened, and the communication between the lens 14 and the computer 18 becomes possible. Next, in step S2, the point data in the computer 18 is erased. Here, the point data is data regarding the distance between a certain target and the lens 14. Therefore, the computer 18 is in a state where there is no data regarding the distance.

Next, in step S3, the lens 14 is focused on the player running at the beginning, and the focus data at that time is acquired. At this time, the lens 14 is adjusted so that the aperture value is on the open side, and the depth of field is set to be shallow. By setting like this,
The range in which the player focuses is narrowed, and the error in the distance from the lens 14 to the player can be reduced. Lens 1
Although the focus data is always output from No. 4, when the lens 14 is focused on the player running at the front, the focus data on the player at the top is determined by pressing the key of the computer 18.

From the obtained focus data, the lens 1
The distance between 4 and the first player is calculated. Lens 14
Regarding the relationship between the focus data output from the target and the distance to the target, the calculation formula is derived from the relationship between the distance and the focus data in advance by focusing the lens 14 on the target placed at the accurately measured distance. Be done. By storing this calculation formula in the computer 18, the distance between the lens 14 and the leading player can be calculated from the confirmed focus data. And step S
In 4, the calculated distance is recorded as the first point data.

When the distance between the lens 14 and the leading player is calculated, the computer 18 is operated in step S5.
From, the analog RGB signal indicating “0 m” is sent to the scan converter 20 instead of the distance between the lens 14 and the leading player. This signal is converted into a video image signal in the scan converter 20 and input to the super device 22. Here, by operating the switcher 16, it is possible to display "0 m" on the base image video relaying the marathon. At this time, it can be expressed that the first player is displayed as the base image and the distance between the first player and the second player is not displayed.

Next, the lens 14 is focused on the second player. Here, when the focus shifts from the first player to the second player, the lens 14 moves, so focus data that changes sequentially is output. Here, in step S6, the focus data when the focus position moves is acquired and calculated by the computer 18, whereby the distance between the in-focus position of the lens 14 and the lens 14 is sequentially calculated. It Lens 1
Since the in-focus position of 4 changes sequentially, the calculated distance gradually increases. Then, the computer 18 sequentially calculates the difference between these distances and the distance to the leading player calculated by the first point data.

In step S7, the signal indicating the distance between the focused position of the lens 14 and the leading player is converted into a video image signal by the scan converter 20 and sent to the super device 22. Therefore, if the switcher 16 is set to display the distance, the distance is displayed on the television screen by sequentially increasing the numerical value from "0 m". At this time,
As the base image, an image is displayed in which the player is moving from the first player to the second player, and the distance is measured from the first player to the second player. Can obtain the desired effect.

Further, in step S8, when the lens 14 is focused on the second-place player, the key of the computer 18 is pressed to fix the focus data at that time. From this focus data, the lens 1
The distance between 4 and the 2nd ranked player is calculated, and step S
In 9, the second point data is recorded. Since the distance between the lens 14 and the first player is calculated in advance, the distance between the lens 14 and the second player can be obtained to obtain the distance between the first player and the second player in step S10. The distance to the player can be calculated.

The first player and the second player thus obtained
Data indicating the distance to the ranked player is converted into a video image signal by the scan converter 20 and input to the super device 22. At this time, on the television image screen, the numerical values displayed so as to increase sequentially stop, and the distance between the first player and the second player is displayed. At this time, it can be expressed that the second-ranked player is displayed as the base image and the distance between the leading player and the second-ranked player is displayed.

Further, in step S11, from the distance between the first player and the second player, the second difference between these players, that is, after the first player has passed a certain point, the second player is passed. The time until the vehicle passes the point is calculated. The second difference between the first player and the second player may be calculated from the average running speed of the players, or by measuring the running speed of the players in the section where the lap time and the like are measured,
It may be calculated from the obtained speed. A signal indicating the calculated second difference is sent to the scan converter 20, and as shown in FIG. 3, the switcher 16 displays the second difference together with the distance between the players on the television screen.

When the distance and the second difference between the leading player and the second player are displayed, the display of the distance and the second difference disappears from the TV screen by operating the switcher 16. Then, in step S12, by closing the port of the computer 18, the distance display on the video screen ends.

In this way, when displaying the distance and the second difference between the leading player and the second-place player, the lens 14 is focused on the second-place player as the first target and the second target is displayed. The lens 14 may be focused on the leading player as a target. Even in this case, the distance from the lens 14 to the second player and the distance from the lens 14 to the first player are calculated, and the difference is calculated to obtain the second player and the second player.
The distance between the top ranked players can be displayed. In this case, by displaying the distance as an absolute value, it is possible to display the distance display between the players without giving an unnatural impression.

Incidentally, from step S11 to step S12
You may return to step S2 before moving to. in this case,
The acquired first point data and second acquired point data are deleted. Therefore, the display of the distance and the second difference disappears from the TV screen. Then, the processing of each step is sequentially performed from step S3, and the distance between players and the second difference are displayed on the television screen as described above. In this case, the distance between the lens 14 and the second player is adopted as the first point data, and the distance between the lens 14 and the third player is used as the second point data. If adopted, the distance between the second-ranked player and the third-ranked player can be displayed. Of course, the distance between the first player and the third player may be calculated and the distance may be displayed on the television screen.

Further, steps S11 to S3
You can go back. In this case, the lens 14
Is focused, and the distance calculated by the focus data at that time is recorded as new first point data. At this time, new point data is overwritten on the first point data recorded last time.
Further, the second point data recorded last time is erased.

The subsequent steps are as described above, and the distance calculated from the focus data when focusing on the second-place player is recorded as new second point data, and The new distance between the player and the second ranked player can be displayed. In this case, when the distance from the lens 14 to the head player is calculated, the display on the television screen is switched from the distance display between the players calculated in the first step to the display of "0 m". Then, while the focus shifts from the first player to the second player, the value on the TV screen increases, and when the second player comes into focus, the first player and the second player The distance between the players is displayed. Even in this case, 1
As the second point data and the second point data, the distance to the second player and the distance to the third player may be selected, or the distance to the first player and the third player may be selected. You may choose the distance to the athlete.

Further, steps S11 to S8
You can go back. In this case, the first point data recorded in the previous distance display remains saved,
The focus is on the second place player. Then, the distance calculated from the focus data at that time is recorded as new second point data. At this time, the new second point data is overwritten on the second point data recorded in the previous distance display.

From the first point data recorded last time and the new second point data, a new distance between the first player and the second player is calculated. Therefore, on the television screen, the distance display between the players calculated in the previous step is switched to the newly calculated distance display between the players. The distance between the lens 14 and the third ranked player may be used as the new second point data. In this case, the distance between the first player and the third ranked player may be used. Is displayed on the TV screen.

Further, in addition to the display of the distance, the second difference, etc., it is possible to perform a display related to these on the television screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, “1st place” and “2nd place” can be displayed on the distance display, and an arrow can be displayed between them. In this case, it can be seen that the distance displayed on the television screen indicates the distance between the first player and the second player. Further, after displaying "0 m" by focusing on the first player, the arrow may be moved until the second player is focused. At this time, the numerical value indicating the distance is displayed so as to be sequentially increased, and an image as if going from the first player to the second player is displayed as the base image, and due to the synergistic effect with these images, , It is possible to obtain the visual effect of measuring the distance from the first player to the second player. When such a display is performed, when the second player is focused as the first target and the first player is focused as the second target, "1
The positions of the display of "rank" and "second" are opposite, and the display of the arrow is also displayed from "second" to "first".

The method of displaying the distance on the video screen is as follows:
It can also be applied to broadcasts other than marathons.
For example, in the case of golf relay, the golf ball should be the first
Focusing on the target as a target, the focus data is acquired, and the flag set on the hole is used as the second target to acquire the focus data, thereby displaying the distance from the current golf ball position to the hole on the TV screen. can do. As described above, when the objects to be photographed are two objects located at distant positions, the distance display method on the video screen according to the present invention can be used to quickly display an almost accurate distance. It should be noted that the display such as "1st place" or "2nd place" displayed in the marathon relay can be arbitrarily changed according to the broadcast content. Also,
In FIG. 3, the display of the distance and the second difference is displayed at the upper left of the television screen, but these display positions can be arbitrarily changed. Further, the color of such a display can be arbitrarily selected.

[0036]

[Examples] In a women's marathon, an experiment was conducted in which a player was photographed with a television camera and the distance between the leading player and the second ranked player was displayed using the distance display method on the video screen of the present invention. It was The mobile broadcast vehicle was equipped with a camera and a computer. The camera was equipped with a DIGIPOWER series lens manufactured by Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. This lens outputs 16-bit focus data. As the computer, a notebook personal computer was used because of the space condition that it is used in a moving photography vehicle. The lens and the computer were connected by the RS-232C standard, and the focus data was acquired from the lens.

In order to use the distance display method of the present invention,
The lens was focused on a target at a distance that was accurately measured in advance, and focus data at that time was acquired. At this time, the focus was focused on the front side of the target, the focus of the lens was moved from the front side toward the target, and the focus data obtained when the focus was on the target was recorded. Also,
Focus at a distance farther than the target at the same distance and move the lens focus from a distance to the target,
The focus data obtained when the focus was on the target was recorded. Such measurement was performed with and without the extender, and the average value of the obtained focus data was used as the focus data at that distance. Such measurement was performed every 5 m from the lens, and the result was recorded. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0038]

[Table 1]

Since 16-bit focus data is output from the lens used here, the numerical value of the obtained focus data is a numerical value within the range of 0 to 65535. The focus data when the lens is focused at infinity is 65535. The obtained focus data was converted into a numerical value of 0 to 100 and set as an X value. The X value is
It can be obtained by the following formula. Then, the X value at each of these distances was stored in the computer.

[0040] [Equation 1]     X = {(data−65535) × (−1)} / 655.35

As can be seen from Equation 1, the obtained X value becomes 0 when the focal point of the lens is at infinity and approaches 100 when the target to be measured is closer to the lens.
When the focus moves by the same distance, the change in X value is small for a target far from the camera, and the change in X value is large for a target close to the camera. this is,
This is due to the characteristics of the lens.

The relationship between the X value and the distance to the target is shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 4, when the X value is small, that is, when the distant target is in focus, the change in the focal length is large even if the change in the X value is small. That is, it can be seen that the amount of movement of the lens when changing the focal length is small. When the X value is large, that is, when the target at a short distance is in focus, the change in the focal length is small even if the X value greatly changes. That is, it is understood that the amount of movement of the lens when changing the focal length is large.

From the characteristics of such a lens, as shown in FIG. 4, when the X value is the x-axis and the distance from the lens to the target is the y-axis, y = a / (x-b) + c. A characteristic curve that can be approximated by the general formula is obtained. However, this curve does not determine a, b, and c as one in the above general formula, and a, b, and c depend on the distance to the target.
The values of are different. That is, the relationship between the amount of movement of the lens and the distance to the target is such that a plurality of curves with different a, b, and c have a continuous characteristic.

In photographing a marathon with a camera using such a lens, the X value stored in the computer is used to measure the distance between the lens and the athlete. First, the lens is focused on the player, and the focus data at that time is acquired. The X value is calculated from the acquired focus data, and three numerical values close to the X value are selected from the X values stored in the computer. Then, from these three X values, a, b, and c in the above general formula are obtained.

For example, if the focus data obtained when focusing on a player is "55300",
This focus data is converted into the X value "15.618". Then, from the X values stored in the computer, three numerical values “15.618” and “1” that are close to the X value are stored.
"2.71" and "11.051" are selected. By substituting these X values into the general formula, the following three-dimensional simultaneous equations are obtained.

[Equation 2] 20 = a / (15.618-b) + c

[Equation 3] 25 = a / (12.71-b) + c

[Equation 4] 30 = a / (11.051-b) + c

By solving this simultaneous equation of three elements, a
= 141.2, b = 4.9853, c = 6.7206 are obtained. Therefore, these a, b, c
Can be used to obtain the following mathematical formula.

[Equation 5] y = 141.2 / (x-4.9853) +6.7206

By substituting x = 15.618 into this equation 5, y = 20 (m) can be obtained. If the X value converted from the focus data obtained by focusing on the player is a numerical value such as "13.0" which is not stored in the computer, "12.71" close to the numerical value. "11.051""9.562"
Three X values of "8" are selected. Then, a three-dimensional simultaneous equation is created in the same manner, and a, b, and c are obtained by solving it.

In this way, the distance between the lens and the player can be calculated from the focus data obtained when the lens is focused on the player. Using this method, the distance between the athletes was measured in the marathon shooting according to the flow chart shown in FIG.

First, in step S20, a computer port is opened in order to obtain focus data from the lens. This initiates communication between the lens and the computer. Then, step S21
At, the data indicating the focus position of the lens when the head player is focused is requested, and the focus data is acquired. The request for data indicating the focus position of the lens was made by pressing a key on the computer.

Next, in step S22, using the X value stored in the computer, the focus data obtained from the lens is used to express a,
b and c are calculated. Also, in step S23,
The X value is obtained from the focus data obtained from the lens. Then, in step S24, the general formula y
= A / (x-b) + c is substituted for the calculated values a, b, and c, and the X value obtained from the focus data is substituted for x to obtain the distance y between the lens and the player. Further, in step S25, the difference in the value of y is displayed. Therefore, when there is only one focus data, that is, when the focus data is acquired when the lens is focused on the leading player, the display on the television screen is “0 m”.

Furthermore, in order to measure the distance between the camera and the second ranked player, steps S25 to S25 are performed.
Returning to step 21, the distance is measured in the same step. In this case, in step S25, the difference from the y value when the leading player is focused, that is, the leading player and the second player
The distance between the top ranked players is displayed on the TV screen.
Then, when the distance display on the television screen is finished, the port of the computer is closed in step S26.

In order to display the distance between the players on the television screen in this way, the lens of the leading player was focused first. Then, as shown in step S21,
The focus data at that time was acquired, the distance from the lens to the leading player was calculated, and recorded as the first point data. Then, as shown in step S5 of FIG. 2, an analog RGB signal indicating the distance display "0 m" was sent to the scan converter and converted into a video image signal so that it could be superimposed on the base image of the marathon. By inputting this video image signal into the super device and operating the switcher, the distance display of "0 m" was superimposed on the base image image showing the marathon. As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the distance display, "1" is displayed on the TV screen.
The letters "second" and "second" and the arrows connecting these letters are displayed.

In addition, the lens was adjusted in order to focus on the second ranked player. At this time, focus data that changes sequentially according to the movement of the lens is input to the computer. For these focus data,
The y value is sequentially calculated according to the steps shown in FIG. Then, the difference between the y value that sequentially changes and the y value when the leading player is focused is output as a signal for distance display. Therefore, as shown in step S7 of FIG. 2, the numerical values are changed and displayed on the television screen such that the distance display sequentially increases from "0 m". At this time, the arrow between the display of "1st place" and "2nd place" was moved to express the effect of measuring the distance from the first player to the second player.

Next, the lens was focused on the second player, and the focus data at that time was acquired. Using this focus data, the distance y from the lens to the second ranked player was calculated by the steps shown in FIG. 5, and recorded as the second point data. Then, as shown in step S10 of FIG. 2, the distance between the first player and the second player was calculated and displayed on the television screen. Thereby,
On the TV screen, the movement of the numerical values that had been displayed to increase in sequence stopped, and the distance between the leading player and the 2nd place player was displayed. At this time, the movement of the arrow was stopped to express that the distance between the leading player and the second-place player is displayed.

Further, as the average running speed of the women's marathon, the value of 20 seconds per 100 m was used to calculate the difference in seconds from the distance between the athletes. Then, as shown in step S11 of FIG. 2, the obtained second difference is displayed on the television screen. In addition, in this experiment, if the value of the distance between the players is less than 10 m, the decimal point is displayed with 1 digit
If the length is 150 m or more and 150 m or less, it is displayed as an integer and
When it exceeds, it is displayed as 150 m or more.

Further, in the flow chart shown in FIG. 2, when the distance between the first player and the second player is displayed again by returning from step S11 to step S2, the distance on the television screen is displayed. The display disappeared and the above-mentioned display was performed again.

Further, in the flow chart shown in FIG. 2, when the distance between the first player and the second player is displayed again by returning from step S11 to step S3, the distance on the television screen is displayed. The display once became "0 m", and the value changed so as to increase, and finally the distance between the first player and the second player was displayed.

Further, in the flow chart shown in FIG. 2, when the distance between the first player and the second player is displayed again by returning from step S11 to step S8, the distance on the television screen is displayed. The display was switched from displaying the distance between the athletes by the first measurement to displaying the distance between the athletes by the second measurement.

It should be noted that when the focus data of the first player and the focus data of the second player are acquired, or when the focus data of FIG.
When returning from step S11 to the preceding step in the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, each step is selected by pressing a key on the computer. in this case,
The assignment of which key of the computer is pressed when selecting which step can be arbitrarily set to facilitate the actual operation.

In this embodiment, the case of using the lens that outputs the 16-bit focus data has been described. However, even if the lens that outputs the focus data of another format is used, the focus data The only difference is the method of converting from to X value. Therefore,
Even when a lens that outputs focus data in another format is used, the distance between two points can be displayed on the base image of the television in the same manner as in this embodiment.

[0065]

According to the present invention, the distance between athletes can be displayed on the video screen in a relay broadcast such as a marathon. Moreover, since the distance is measured by focusing the lens on the target of interest, the distance can be measured in a short time and can be quickly displayed on the video screen. Moreover, by measuring the characteristics of the lens in advance and calculating the distance from the characteristics, it is possible to obtain an almost accurate distance. Furthermore, the effect of distance display can be further enhanced by using the display of characters and arrows together.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing one example of a display device used in a method of displaying a distance on a video screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying the distance between athletes on a marathon relay broadcast screen using the display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of distance display on a television screen.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing characteristics of a lens.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for obtaining a distance between athletes from lens focus data.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Display 12 cameras 14 lenses 16 switchers 18 Computer 20 scan converter 22 Super equipment

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Focusing a lens of a camera on a first target, obtaining first focus data from the lens when focusing on the first target, the first focus data From the lens and the first
Calculating a distance to the target of the lens, focusing the lens on a second target, obtaining second focus data from the lens when focusing on the second target, From the second focus data, the lens and the second
Calculating a distance between the lens and the first target and a difference between a distance between the lens and the second target and the distance between the lens and the second target.
Calculating a distance between the first target and the second target, converting data indicating a distance between the first target and the second target into a video image signal, and a base image A method of displaying a distance on a video screen, comprising the step of superimposing a video video signal displaying a distance between the first target and the second target on the video signal. 2. The step of calculating the distance between the lens and the first target, after the step of converting the data for indicating the distance to 0 into a video image signal and superimposing it on the base image signal. The method of displaying a distance to a video screen according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. Obtaining focus data of the lens during the focus of the lens from the first target to the second target; between the first target and the second target. Calculating the distance between the lens and the in-focus position of the lens from the focus data; calculating the distance between the first target and the in-focus position of the lens Converting the data indicating the distance between the first target and the in-focus position of the lens into a video image signal, and the first target and the lens are in focus Including sequentially superimposing a video image signal indicating a distance between the position and the image signal on the image signal.
The distance display method on the video screen according to claim 2. 4. After the step of superimposing a video image signal indicating a distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal, the focus of the lens is further adjusted to a new first point. Targeting the first target, obtaining new first focus data from the lens when focusing on the first target, the lens and the first from the first focus data
Calculating a new distance between the target and the second target, focusing the lens on a new second target, and setting new second focus data when focusing on the second target. Obtaining from the lens, the lens and the second from the second focus data
A new distance between the lens and the first target, the difference between the new distance between the lens and the first target and the new distance between the lens and the second target A step of calculating a new distance between the first target and the second target, a video signal representing data indicating the new distance between the first target and the second target. Step to convert to,
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: superimposing a video image signal indicating a new distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal. How to display the distance to the video screen. 5. After the step of superimposing a video image signal indicating the distance between the first target and the second target on the image signal, the focus of the lens is further adjusted to a new second point. Obtaining new second focus data from the lens in accordance with a target, the lens and the second from the second focus data
Calculating a new distance between the lens and the first target, the difference between the distance between the lens and the first target and the new distance between the lens and the second target, Calculating a new distance between the first target and the second target; converting data indicative of the new distance between the first target and the second target into a video image signal Steps to
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: superimposing a video image signal indicating a new distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal. How to display the distance to the video screen. 6. The method further includes the step of superimposing a video image signal displaying an image related to a distance between the first target and the second target on the base image signal.
A method of displaying a distance to a video screen according to any one of claims 1 to 5.