JP2004064376A - Display and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for displaying image information that is not photographed by a photographing camera on the front of the photographing camera without using half mirrors. <P>SOLUTION: In the display having an optical conversion mens for converting the image information to an optical image and a screen that is oppositely arranged to the optical conversion means and projects the optical image projected from the optical means, the screen comprises a first shading means for controlling the passing and blocking of light in synchronization with a reference synchronization signal, and the optical means in synchronization with the period of the first shading means for projecting the optical image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display device and a camera system, and more particularly, to a technique for displaying video information including image information and text information that are not captured by a photographic camera on a screen disposed in front of the photographic camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A conventional camera system includes, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-147970 (hereinafter referred to as “Document 1”), a photographing camera for photographing a subject and a photographing lens in front of a photographing lens of the photographing camera. It has a configuration in which a semi-transparent mirror (half mirror) that is arranged in an inclined manner and a display device that displays materials such as broadcast manuscripts are provided on the performer side of the half mirror. That is, in order to display various information such as a subject and characters on the optical axis of the photographing camera and present it to the subject, the reflection by the half mirror installed on the optical axis was used. It was a notation.
[0003]
In a camera system using this half mirror, as a display device, a liquid crystal projector, a screen for converting projection light containing image information projected from the liquid crystal projector into a visible light image, and projection light projected from the liquid crystal projector And a reflection mirror for guiding the light to the screen. In particular, in the camera system of Document 1, a half mirror is arranged on the optical axis of the photographing camera, and a screen is arranged outside the field of view (angle of view) of the photographing camera. The user was observing the screen (image information displayed on the screen) that was mirrored as a mirror image on the mirror.
[0004]
As another camera system, a screen is placed instead of a half mirror, various information such as subjects and characters are displayed on this screen, and a small hole for shooting is made in a part of this screen, and it passes through this small hole There has been a camera system that captures photographed information with a photographing camera. However, in camera shooting with a small hole provided in the display screen, not all of the video information is necessarily displayed, and it is necessary to use an ultra-small camera lens. The quality was markedly degraded.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present inventor has found the following problems as a result of studying the above-mentioned conventional technology.
In a conventional camera system using a half mirror, it was necessary to install a half mirror on the optical axis of the photographing camera. Therefore, photographing information passing through the half mirror was photographed by the photographing camera. However, since the half mirror reflects part of the incident light beam and passes the rest, the amount of light incident on the camera is reduced by half, making it difficult to shoot in dark places. was there. In addition, there is a problem in that the amount of light emitted by the illumination device needs to be twice as large as that without the half mirror.
[0006]
In a camera system using a half mirror, the half mirror and the screen are arranged such that the mirror image position of the screen reflected on the half mirror is in the lens direction of the photographing camera that photographs the subject. Was. That is, the position of the half mirror and the screen has been adjusted with the time when the eye (viewpoint position) of the subject is positioned on the optical axis of the photographing camera as a reference position.
[0007]
On the other hand, the range reflected by the mirror naturally moves due to the movement of the viewpoint position. Therefore, when there are a plurality of subjects, or when the subjects move from the optical axis of the camera. In such a case, it is difficult to position the eyes of the subject on the optical axis of the photographing camera, so that there has been a problem that the entire screen cannot be reflected as a mirror image on a half mirror. In other words, there is a problem in that the subject cannot confirm all video information displayed on the screen.
[0008]
As described above, in the camera system using the half mirror, it is necessary to match the position of the subject's eye with the optical axis position of the photographing camera. Therefore, a video information display method that does not use the half mirror is desired. Was.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of displaying video information that is not photographed by a photographing camera in front of the photographing camera without using a half mirror.
[0010]
The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The following is a brief description of an outline of typical inventions disclosed in the present application.
[0012]
(1) In a display device having an optical conversion unit for converting video information into an optical image, and a screen disposed opposite to the optical conversion unit and displaying an optical image projected from the optical unit, the screen is a reference synchronization signal. The optical conversion means projects the optical image in synchronization with a shielding period of the first shielding means.
[0013]
(2) a photographing camera having a photographing lens disposed thereon for photographing a subject, an optical conversion means for converting video information into an optical image, and a light emitting means disposed in front of the photographing lens of the photographing camera and projected from the optical means; A screen for projecting an optical image, wherein the screen comprises first shielding means for controlling the passage and shielding of light in synchronization with a reference synchronization signal, wherein the first shielding means comprises Light is shielded during the non-exposure period of the camera (the period excluding the photographing period).
[0014]
According to the above-described means, a photographing camera provided with a photographing lens and photographing a subject, an optical conversion means for converting image information into an optical image, and a photographing camera are disposed in front of the photographing lens of the photographing camera and projected from the optical means. A camera system is formed by the screen that projects the lighted optical image.
[0015]
In this camera system, a display device is constituted by the optical conversion means and the screen, and in particular, the screen is constituted by a first shielding means for controlling the passage and shielding of light in synchronization with the reference synchronization signal. Emits an optical image to the first shielding unit, and sets the shielding period of the first shielding unit to a non-exposure period (a period excluding a photographing period of the photographing camera), so that the half mirror is not used. It is possible to realize a video display that is not taken by the photographing camera.
[0016]
At this time, when the first shielding unit is in a light passing state, the optical conversion unit is configured to stop the irradiation of the projection light, so that the surface of the first shielding unit (liquid crystal shutter) is regarded as a transparent screen. In addition to preventing unnecessary reflection from the object, irradiation of projection light to the subject can be prevented.
[0017]
In addition, since the first shielding means serving as a screen is disposed in front of the photographing camera, it is possible to present information while keeping the eyes of the subject facing the camera.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings together with embodiments (examples) of the present invention.
In all the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention, components having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their repeated description will be omitted.
[0019]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the camera system according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating a schematic configuration of the camera system according to the first embodiment.
[0020]
However, in FIGS. 1 and 2, 101 is a first liquid crystal shutter (first shielding means), 102 is a photographing camera, 103 is a projection device (projection means), 104 is a liquid crystal shutter driving device, and 105 is a second shutter. A liquid crystal shutter (second shielding means), 106 denotes projection light (video information), 107 denotes shooting information light, and 108 denotes a subject.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the camera system according to the first embodiment includes a well-known shutter mechanism (not shown) that captures an image (photographing information light 107) of the subject 108 or the like that has passed (transmitted) through the first liquid crystal shutter. Camera 102, a projection device 103 for converting into projection light including an optical image obtained from an externally input video signal, and a second liquid crystal for controlling passage and blocking of projection light emitted from projection device 103 A shutter 105, a first liquid crystal shutter 101 for controlling the passage and blocking of the photographing information light 107, and a first liquid crystal shutter in synchronization with a photographing camera synchronization signal (reference synchronization signal) output from the photographing camera 102. 101 and a liquid crystal shutter driving device 104 for controlling the operation (operation timing) of the second liquid crystal shutter 105.
[0022]
In particular, in the camera system according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first liquid crystal shutter 101 has a configuration in which the first liquid crystal shutter 101 is disposed in front of the photographing camera 102, that is, between the photographing camera 102 and the subject 108. ing. Further, video information 106 of projection light including an optical image projected from the projection device 103 is configured to be focused by the first liquid crystal shutter 101. In addition, the second liquid crystal shutter 105 is configured to be arranged on the front side of the projection light emission port on the projection surface side of the projection device 103. Further, the first liquid crystal shutter 101 is configured to be arranged in the field of view of the photographing camera 102, and by configuring the first liquid crystal shutter 101 with a liquid crystal shutter larger than the field of view of the photographing camera 102, The configuration is such that the peripheral portion of the first liquid crystal shutter 101 can be prevented from being photographed. Further, the second liquid crystal shutter 105 is arranged outside the field of view of the photographing camera 102, and the second liquid crystal shutter 105 is not photographed as the photographing information light 107. However, if the edge of the first liquid crystal shutter 101 may be photographed, the first liquid crystal shutter 101 can be configured with a liquid crystal shutter smaller than the field of view of the photographing camera 102.
[0023]
As described above, in the camera system according to the first embodiment, the liquid crystal shutters are arranged at two positions, and the first liquid crystal shutter 101, which is one of the liquid crystal shutters, is used as a screen using a large one for use as a display. The camera 102 is installed at an appropriate position in front of the lens. A small second liquid crystal shutter 105, which is the other liquid crystal shutter, is disposed in front of a projection port of the projection device 103 to control image information 106 emitted as projection light from the projection device 103 such as a liquid crystal projector. It is configured to be. At this time, even if the projection device 103 is not directly facing the first liquid crystal shutter 101 serving as a display screen, the correct aspect and direction (the present embodiment) are set from the back side of the first liquid crystal shutter 101 (the side of the shooting camera 102). In the embodiment, the video information 106 with the mirror inverted video can be projected. Note that the conversion between the aspect and the orientation of the video information 106 is a well-known technique, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0024]
Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the camera system according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the camera system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, reference numeral 301 denotes a photographing camera synchronization signal, 302 denotes a photographing period by the photographing camera, 303 denotes a driving voltage application period to the first liquid crystal shutter, and 304 denotes a driving voltage application period to the second liquid crystal shutter. In the following description, the first and second liquid crystal shutters 101 and 105 are in a transparent passing state (open state) by application of a driving voltage, and are opaque during other periods to be in a closed state (closed state). The so-called normally black. However, the first and second liquid crystal shutters 101 and 105 become opaque due to application of a drive voltage and become a shielded state (closed state), and in other periods, they become a transparent passing state (open state). A mari-white type is also applicable, but in this case, it goes without saying that the drive voltage application period described below and the period in which the drive voltage is not applied (non-application period) are reversed.
[0025]
First, as shown in (1) of FIG. 3, a photographing camera synchronization signal 301 is generated, and when the photographing camera synchronization signal 301 is input to the liquid crystal shutter driving device 104, the liquid crystal shutter driving device 104 As shown in 4), a driving voltage is applied to the second liquid crystal shutter 105 during the application period 304. By the application of the drive voltage to the second liquid crystal shutter 105, the second liquid crystal shutter 105 changes from cloudy to transparent. As a result, the projection information projected from the projection device 103 arranged on the side of the photographing camera 102 passes through the second liquid crystal shutter 105 and is projected on the first liquid crystal shutter 101.
[0026]
At this time, in the application period 304, as shown in (2) of FIG. 3, the photographing by the photographing camera 102 is not performed, and as shown in (3) of FIG. 3, the driving voltage to the first liquid crystal shutter 101 is increased. Is not applied. As a result, while the camera shutter of the photographing camera 102 is closed, that is, during the last exposure period of the photographing camera 102, the first liquid crystal shutter 101, which looks like a screen, is in a clouded and shielded state, and the video information 106 projected as projection light is projected. Will function as a screen for displaying. That is, when the second liquid crystal shutter 105 disposed at the projection port of the projection device 103 enters a transparent passing state, the video information 106 projected from the projection device 103 is radiated to the first liquid crystal shutter 101, It will be displayed as an image. However, the first liquid crystal shutter 101 according to the first embodiment has a configuration in which the video information 106 projected from the photographing camera 102 is confirmed from the side opposite to the projection side. Needless to say, the shielding by 101 needs to sufficiently transmit the video information 106 to the opposite side (back side).
[0027]
Next, when a period T indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3 has elapsed from the generation of the photographing camera synchronization signal 301, the liquid crystal shutter driving device 104 performs the first period during the application period 303 as shown in (3) of FIG. A drive voltage is applied to the liquid crystal shutter 101 of FIG. By applying the driving voltage to the first liquid crystal shutter 101, the first liquid crystal shutter 101 changes from cloudy to transparent. At this time, as shown in (2) of FIG. 3, the photographing camera 102 enters a photographing period 302, and photographing is performed. However, during this period, as shown in FIG. 3D, no drive voltage is applied to the second liquid crystal shutter 105. As a result, during a period in which the camera shutter of the photographing camera 102 is open, that is, in a photographing period 302 of the photographing camera 102, the first liquid crystal shutter 101, which looks like a screen, is opened, that is, in a transparent passing state. On the other hand, the second liquid crystal shutter 105 provided at the projection port of the projection device 103 is closed, that is, is in a cloudy and shielded state, so that the projection light is diffused. Therefore, the projection of the video information 106 onto the first liquid crystal shutter 101 is not performed.
[0028]
At this time, since the first liquid crystal shutter 101, which looks like a screen, becomes transparent during the shooting period 302 of the shooting camera 102, even if the first liquid crystal shutter 101, which looks like a screen, is set on the optical axis of the shooting camera 102, This has no effect on the photographed video. During the photographing period 302, the second liquid crystal shutter 105 installed at the projection port of the projection device 103 is closed and in a shielded state, so that the surface of the first liquid crystal shutter 101 is regarded as a transparent screen. Can be prevented, so that unnecessary reflection on the surface of the first liquid crystal shutter 101 can be prevented, and irradiation of the subject 108 with the projection light can be prevented. Further, since the first liquid crystal shutter 101 serving as a screen is disposed in front of the photographing camera 102, it is possible to present the video information 106 while keeping the line of sight of the subject 108 at the photographing camera 102. Become.
[0029]
As described above, at the opening and closing timings of the first and second liquid crystal shutters 101 and 105, the first liquid crystal shutter 101 opens the liquid crystal shutter only during the non-exposure period of the photographing camera 102, and the second liquid crystal shutter 105 opens the non-exposure period. By opening only the liquid crystal shutter, it is possible to display the video information 106 that is not photographed by the photographing camera 102 on the first liquid crystal shutter 101. At this time, in the camera system according to the first embodiment, since the video information 106 is directly projected from the projection device 103 to the first liquid crystal shutter 101, the camera system is obliquely viewed with respect to the first liquid crystal shutter 101. However, the video information 106 formed on the first liquid crystal shutter 101 can be easily confirmed. It is needless to say that the operation timings of the first liquid crystal shutter 101 and the second liquid crystal shutter 105 are simultaneously obtained from the photographing camera synchronization signal 301. When one liquid crystal shutter is closed, the other liquid crystal shutter is opened. In the opposite case, that is, while one liquid crystal shutter is open, the other liquid crystal shutter is closed. Then, the person to be photographed 108 can see the video information 106 including characters, symbols, and the like from the projection device 103 projected on the first liquid crystal shutter 101 likened to a screen.
[0030]
In the camera system according to the first embodiment, the second liquid crystal shutter 105 that blocks the projection light from the projection device 103 is arranged. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is needless to say that the configuration may be such that the projection light including the video information 106 is irradiated to one liquid crystal shutter 101. However, even in this case, the display of the video information 106 that is not photographed by the photographing camera 102 can be displayed by controlling the passage and blocking of the projection light by the first liquid crystal shutter 101 in synchronization with the photographing camera 102. Needless to say, it becomes possible.
[0031]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the application of the camera system described above. In FIG. 4, the subjects 108a and 108b are used as the video information 106 displayed on the first liquid crystal shutter 101 which looks like a screen. By looking at the character information, the displayed character can be confirmed not only from the front but also from an oblique direction with respect to the photographing camera 102 in a natural posture that does not require an operation such as looking into the half mirror. , Etc. of a plurality of photographed persons 108 (a) and 108 (b) can be displayed simultaneously.
[0032]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is an external view for explaining a schematic configuration of a camera system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, where 501 is a first display device, 502 is a first subject, and 503 is a second display device. , 504 indicate a second subject. In the second embodiment, a case of displaying one-to-one video information 106 using two display devices will be described. However, it goes without saying that three or more display devices may be used. In the case of three or more, for example, the video signal input to the projection device 103 built in the display device is set as a video signal for split screen display according to the number of display devices, thereby all the subjects Images can be displayed. In this case, it goes without saying that the image of the user may be displayed together on the display device arranged at the user.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the camera system according to the second embodiment, the imaging camera 102, the projection device 103, the liquid crystal shutter driving device 104, and the second liquid crystal shutter 105 described in the first embodiment are stored in a housing. It has a configuration. In addition, a screen including the first liquid crystal shutter 101 is arranged on at least one surface of the housing, and the first liquid crystal shutter 101 is configured to display the video information 106. The display devices 501 and 503 are formed respectively. Therefore, even in the camera system according to the second embodiment, each of the display devices 501 and 503 captures the image by the photographing camera 102 and the first and second liquid crystal shutters 101 and 105 at the timing of the first embodiment. It is configured to perform driving.
[0034]
In the camera system according to the second embodiment, the video signal of the photographing camera 102 included in the first display device 501, which is one of the display devices, is transmitted via a well-known transmission path such as a communication line or a broadcast line (not shown). It is configured to be supplied to the projection device 103 included in the second display device 503 which is the other display device. Similarly, the video signal of the photographing camera 102 included in the second display device 503 that is the other display device is supplied to the projection device 103 included in the first display device 501 that is one display device via a transmission path. It is configured to be.
[0035]
As a result, the second subject 504 is displayed on the first display device 501, and the first subject 502 is displayed on the second display device 503. Can be realized. At this time, in the second embodiment, since the photographing camera 102 is configured to be stored in the housings of the display devices 501 and 503, the first and second subjects 502 and 504 It is possible to have a conversation while asking the other person's face displayed on the first liquid crystal shutter 101 functioning as a screen without being aware of the existence of 102.
[0036]
6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a conventional method for realizing the above-described videophone function.
[0037]
FIG. 6 shows a communication state of a videophone or the like in a case where the photographing camera 102 is installed above conventional monitors (display devices) 601 and 602. In this display device, the line of sight of the second subject 504 appears to match the first subject 502 displayed on the second monitor 602. However, on the side of the first person 502, the second person 504 is looking at the second monitor 602 arranged in front as shown by the dotted line. At this time, an image of the second subject 504 is captured by the capturing camera 102 on the second monitor, so that the first monitor 601 viewed by the first subject 502 , The second person 504 appears to be facing down.
[0038]
The first subject 502 appears to face the screen on the second monitor 602 on the side of the second subject 504, but actually, the first monitor 601 does not. Rather, the first subject 502 cannot see the screen of the first monitor 601 because the user is looking at the photographing camera 102 disposed above the first monitor 601 as shown by a dotted line. There has been a problem in that it is not possible to know changes in the facial expression of the second photographed person 504 or the like. As described above, in the videophone using the photographing camera 102 mounted on the upper part of the monitor, a state where the eyes are not engaged with each other occurs.
[0039]
FIG. 7 shows a display device in which a small photographing camera 102 is installed at the center of the screen of the first monitor 601. However, since the photographing camera 102 serving as a foreign object is disposed at the center of the face which is often located at the center of the display screen, there is a problem that the expression of the other party cannot be confirmed.
[0040]
As described above, the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the present invention, and does not depart from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that various changes can be made in.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
The following is a brief description of an effect obtained by a representative one of the inventions disclosed in the present application.
[0042]
(1) It is possible to display video information that is not photographed by the photographing camera before the photographing camera without using a half mirror.
[0043]
(2) Various information can be presented with the line of sight of the subject facing the camera.
[0044]
(3) Since the image can be displayed on the screen by projecting onto the liquid crystal shutter instead of reflecting from the mirror, the displayed image information can be easily confirmed from various angles and from a plurality of subjects. Streamline video production.
[0045]
(4) Since the video display device can be installed in the same direction as the camera, the size can be reduced as compared with a device using a half mirror, and the conditions under which photography can be performed can be improved.
[0046]
(5) Since the attenuation of the incident light amount can be suppressed as compared with the half mirror, the decrease in the incident light amount to the photographing device is suppressed, and the limitation and burden on the light amount of the illumination at the time of photographing and the sensitivity of the photographing device or the photographing medium are reduced. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a camera system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the camera system according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of application of the camera system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an external view illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a conventional method for realizing a videophone function.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a conventional method for realizing a videophone function.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 101: first liquid crystal shutter 102: photographing camera 103: projection device 104: liquid crystal shutter drive device 105: second liquid crystal shutter 106: video information 107: photographing information light 108: photographed person 501: first display device 502 .., A first subject 503, a second display device 504, a second subject 601, a first monitor 602, a second monitor

Claims (7)

In a display device having optical conversion means for converting video information into an optical image, and a screen which is arranged opposite to the optical conversion means and projects an optical image projected from the optical means, the screen is synchronized with a reference synchronization signal. A display device comprising: first shielding means for controlling the passage and shielding of light through the light source, wherein the optical conversion means projects the optical image in synchronization with a shielding period of the first shielding means. . 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said optical conversion means is arranged on a projection surface side of said projection means for converting and projecting image information into an optical image, and said projection is performed in synchronization with said reference synchronization signal. A second shielding means for intermittently controlling the passage and shielding of the projection light including the optical image from the means, and wherein the second shielding means performs the projection during the shielding period of the first shielding means. A display device, which transmits light. 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the first shielding means and the second shielding means comprise a liquid crystal shutter for controlling passage and shielding of light by a voltage signal applied to a control electrode. Display device. A photographic camera having a photographic lens disposed thereon for photographing a subject, optical conversion means for converting video information into an optical image, and an optical image disposed in front of the photographic lens of the photographic camera and projected from the optical means And a screen for projecting light, wherein the screen comprises first shielding means for controlling the passage and shielding of light in synchronization with a reference synchronization signal, wherein the first shielding means is provided on the camera. A camera system for shielding light during an exposure period. A photographic camera having a photographic lens disposed thereon for photographing a subject, optical conversion means for converting video information into an optical image, and an optical image disposed in front of the photographic lens of the photographic camera and projected from the optical means And a screen for projecting light, wherein the screen comprises first shielding means for controlling passage and shielding of light in synchronization with a reference synchronization signal, wherein the first shielding means is provided for the photographing camera. A camera system, wherein light is blocked during a non-exposure period, and the optical conversion unit projects the optical image by a second blocking unit during the non-exposure period. 6. The camera system according to claim 4, wherein the optical conversion unit is arranged on a projection surface side of the projection unit for converting the image information into an optical image and projecting the image information, and synchronized with the reference synchronization signal. The second shielding means for intermittently controlling the passage and shielding of the projection light including the optical image from the projection means and intermittently controlling the projection light. A camera system characterized by passing through. 7. The camera system according to claim 6, wherein said first shielding means and said second shielding means comprise a liquid crystal shutter for controlling passage and shielding of light by a voltage signal applied to a control electrode. Camera system.

Images