JP2005159885A - Camera platform system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera platform system for simplifying interfacing between a camera platform and a camera and capable of being used for many kinds of cameras without the need for change of hardware and software. <P>SOLUTION: A camera adjustment signal transmitted from a camera platform controller 14 to a camera main body 40 of a television camera 12 supported by the camera platform 10 is transmitted to the camera platform 10 and thereafter transmitted to the camera main body 40 via a lens 42. Thus, it is not required to directly connecting the camera platform 10 and the camera main body 40 by using a cable or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a pan head system, and more particularly to a pan head system capable of remote control such as pan / tilt for a television camera or the like.

Conventionally, a pan head system is used for remotely operating a television camera. The pan head system includes a television camera arranged at a shooting location, a pan head supporting the camera, a pan head, a pan head controller for remotely operating the camera supported by the pan head, and the like. The pan head controller is connected to the pan head via a cable or a communication line (such as a telephone line), and a control signal (command) for controlling the pan head or the camera is transmitted from the pan head controller to the pan head. It has become. The control items that can be controlled by the operation of the pan head controller vary depending on the functions of the pan head and the camera. For example, as the pan head control items, the camera is panned or tilted on the pan head with a pan / tilt function. There are pan / tilt control and control of the windshield wiper and washer facing the camera in a pan head equipped with a housing for housing the camera. The TV camera for broadcasting is composed of a camera body with interchangeable lenses and a lens attached to the camera body. Power on / off switching and auto black on / off switching are control items of the camera body. , Auto white on / off switching, auto iris on / off switching, master pedestal control, etc. In addition, there are zoom and focus controls as lens control items (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-104738

  Conventionally, the camera body and the lens are directly connected to the camera platform via separate cables, and the control signals for the camera body and the lens sent from the camera platform controller are transmitted to the camera platform, The camera is transmitted from the camera platform to the camera body or the lens via the cable. FIG. 3 illustrates the types of signals transmitted between the pan head 50, the camera body 52, and the lens 54. Although the description of the contents of each signal is omitted, a camera adjustment signal, a genlock signal, a power supply, a video signal, and the like are transmitted between the camera platform 50 and the camera body 52, and focus control is performed between the camera platform 50 and the lens 54. A signal, a zoom control signal, and the like are transmitted, and lens information, an iris control signal, a power source, and the like are transmitted between the camera body 52 and the lens 54.

  However, there is a problem in that wiring becomes complicated when cables are connected between the camera platform and the camera body and between the camera platform and the lens, as in the prior art. In addition, since the interface and command are different for each type of camera body, there is a problem that a dedicated cable or software for connecting the camera platform to the camera body is required for each type of camera body.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to simplify the interface between the camera platform and the camera (camera body and lens), and to use various cameras without changing the interface and software. An object is to provide a pan head system that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, a pan head system according to claim 1, wherein a camera comprising a camera body capable of exchanging lenses and a lens attached to the camera body, a pan head supporting the camera, In a pan head system including a pan head controller that transmits a control signal for controlling a camera main body to the camera main body via the pan head, the camera main body transmitted from the pan head controller to the pan head is controlled. A control signal is transmitted to the camera body through the lens.

  According to the present invention, since a cable or a connector for connecting the camera platform and the camera body is not required, the interface between the camera platform and the camera is simplified. Further, various cameras can be used in the pan head system without changing the interface and software for exchanging signals between the pan head and the camera.

  The pan head system according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the control signal for controlling the camera body is a command for adjusting the camera in the camera body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pan head system according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that power of the camera body is supplied from the pan head to the camera body through the lens.

  According to the present invention, the interface between the camera platform and the camera is simplified, and various cameras can be used in the camera platform system without changing the interface and software.

  A preferred embodiment of a pan head system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pan head system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the pan head system includes a pan head (head device) 10, a TV camera 12, a pan head controller 14, and the like. The pan head 10 includes a pan head body 16, a camera base 18, and a fixed base. It consists of a base part 20 and the like.

  A pan shaft 22 protrudes from a lower portion of the pan head main body 16, and the pan head main body 12 is supported by the fixed base portion 20 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction. A pan motor is built in the pan head main body 16. The pan motor is fixed to the inner periphery of the pan head main body 16, and a worm gear attached to the output shaft is fixed to the pan shaft 22. Engaged with the worm wheel. Thus, when the pan motor is driven, the worm gear rotates around the worm wheel, so that the pan head body 16 rotates around the pan shaft 22 together with the worm gear.

  A tilt shaft 24 protrudes from the side of the pan head body 16 so as to be rotatable, and an L-shaped camera base 18 is connected to the tilt shaft 24. A tilt motor is built in the camera platform body 16, and the output shaft of the tilt motor is connected to the tilt shaft 24. As a result, when the tilt motor is driven, the tilt shaft 24 rotates, so that the camera base 18 swings around the tilt shaft 24.

  Accordingly, the TV camera 12 installed on the camera base 18 performs pan / tilt operation by driving the pan motor and tilt motor.

  Further, the fixed base part 20 is provided with a connector 30 to which the pan head controller 14 and the power source 26 are connected via a relay box 28. The connector 30 is wired through the inside of the fixed base part 20 and the like. It is electrically connected to a circuit in the pan head main body 16 by a transmission cable or the like. As a result, transmission / reception of various signals between the pan head controller 14 and the pan head main body 16, power supply from the power source 26 to the pan head main body 16 (internal circuit and motor), and the like are performed via the relay box 28. ing. The pan head controller 14 and the relay box 28 can be connected through a telephone line using a modem, or can be directly connected by a cable. Further, the pan head controller 14 and the power source 26 can be connected to the pan head 10 without using the relay box 28, and the method of connecting the pan head 10 and the pan head controller 14 and the like is not limited to the case shown in FIG.

  In addition, the camera platform 16 and the TV camera 12 installed on the camera platform 18 are connected by a transmission cable through a hollow portion of the tilt shaft 24 and the like, and a signal between the camera platform controller 14 and the platform body 16 is transmitted. In addition to these exchanges, signals can be exchanged between the camera platform body 16 and the television camera 12 or between the camera platform controller 14 and the television camera 12 via the camera platform body 16. Similarly, power from the power source 26 is supplied to the TV camera 12 via the pan head body 16.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical interface among the pan head 10, the television camera 12, and the pan head controller 14. As shown in the figure, the camera platform 10 (camera platform body 16), the camera platform controller 14, the camera platform 10 and the power supply 26 are connected to each other via signal lines via a relay box 28. As described above, the pan head controller 14 and the power source 26 are connected to the pan head 10 according to another embodiment, such as when the pan head controller 14 and the power source 26 are directly connected to the pan head 10 without using the relay box 28. Such a case may be used.

  On the other hand, the TV camera 12 includes a camera body 40 with interchangeable lenses and a lens (lens device) 42 attached to the camera body 40, and the camera platform 10 and the lens 42 are connected by signal lines. Then, the lens 42 and the camera body 40 are connected by each signal line. Each signal line between the camera platform 10 and the lens 42 is bundled in, for example, a single cable so that it can be easily connected. Each signal line between the lens 42 and the camera body is connected without using a cable by attaching the lens 42 to the camera body 40, for example.

  Control items that can control the camera platform 10 and the television camera 12 (camera body 40 and lens 42) by the operation of the camera platform controller 14 include, for example, pan / tilt control for the camera platform 10, zoom for the lens 42, Focus, extender control, power on / off switching for camera body 40, auto black on / off switching, auto white on / off switching, color bar display on / off switching, gain switching, auto iris on / off switching Switching off (switching between iris auto and manual), manual iris control, master pedestal control, etc.

  Between the camera platform 10 and the camera platform controller 14, various signals are exchanged through each signal line by communication means such as serial communication, and the camera platform 10 that can be controlled by the operation of the camera platform controller 14 as described above. A control signal (command) for controlling control items for the camera body 40 and the lens 42 is transmitted from the camera platform controller 14 to the camera platform 10. For example, as shown in the figure, a pan control signal and a tilt control signal for controlling pan / tilt of the camera platform 10, a zoom control signal for controlling the zoom and focus of the lens 42, and a focus control signal for controlling the camera body 40 can be controlled. A control signal (camera adjustment signal) related to each control item is transmitted from the pan head controller 14 to the pan head 10 through each signal line. Further, as shown in the figure, power from the power source 26 is supplied from the power source 26 to the pan head 10 through a signal line (power line). The camera adjustment signal is a signal indicating a command for performing camera adjustment mainly in the camera body 40.

  The camera platform 10 (the control unit of the camera platform 10 (not shown)) executes processing based on control signals related to the control items of the camera platform 10 such as a pan control signal and a tilt signal transmitted from the camera platform controller 14. Further, it is operated by electric power supplied from the power source 26.

  Various signals are exchanged between the camera platform 10 and the lens 42 by communication means such as serial communication. Of the control signals transmitted from the camera platform controller 14 to the camera platform 10, the lens 42 and the camera body 40. A control signal related to the control item is transmitted from the camera platform 10 to the lens 42. For example, as shown in the figure, the zoom control signal, the focus control signal, and the camera adjustment signal are transmitted from the camera platform 10 to the lens 42 through each signal line. The power supplied from the power source 26 to the camera platform 10 is also supplied from the camera platform 10 to the lens 42 through a signal line (power supply line). The power to the lens 42 (and the camera body 40) may be supplied via the camera platform 10 from a power source different from the power source 26 of the camera platform 10.

  Also, as shown in the figure, a genlock signal or the like is transmitted from the camera platform 10 to the lens 42, and a video signal or the like output from the camera body 40 is also transmitted from the lens 42 to the camera platform 10. Yes. The genlock signal is generated by a generator (not shown) and is transmitted to the lens 42 via the relay box 28 and the pan head 10, for example. In addition, the video signal is transmitted to an FPU (ground radio relay apparatus) (not shown) or the like via the relay box 28, for example.

  The lens 42 (the control unit for the lens 42 (not shown)) performs processing based on control signals related to control items for the lens 42 such as a zoom control signal and a focus control signal transmitted from the camera platform 10. Further, the power supply 26 is operated by electric power supplied via the camera platform 10.

  Various signals are exchanged between the lens 42 and the camera body 40 by communication means such as serial communication. Among the control signals transmitted from the camera platform 10 to the lens 42, control signals related to the control items of the camera body 40. Is transmitted from the lens 42 to the camera body 40. For example, as shown in the figure, the camera adjustment signal is transmitted from the lens 42 to the camera body 40 through a signal line. In addition, information (lens information) of the lens 42 itself is also transmitted through a signal line through which the camera adjustment signal is transmitted.

  Further, as shown in the figure, the genlock signal is also transmitted from the lens 42 to the camera body 40, and the power supplied from the power source 26 is also supplied from the lens 42 to the camera body 40 through a signal line (power line). The video signal is transmitted from the camera body 40 to the lens 42, and an iris control signal for controlling the iris is also transmitted.

  The camera body 40 (a control unit of the camera body 40 (not shown)) executes processing based on the camera adjustment signal transmitted from the lens 42. Further, it is operated by electric power supplied from the power source 26 via the camera platform 10 and the lens 42.

  As described above, the control signal related to the control item of the camera body 40 transmitted from the camera platform controller 14 to the camera platform 10, that is, the control signal for controlling the camera body 40 is transmitted from the camera platform 10 to the camera body as in the conventional case. Since it transmits to the camera main body 40 via the lens 42 instead of transmitting directly to 40, the cable between the pan head 10 and the camera main body 40 becomes unnecessary, and wiring is prepared. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated cable or software for exchanging signals between the camera platform 10 and the camera body 40 for each model of the camera body 40, and many camera models are used in the head system. Will be able to. Further, as described above, the camera body 40 can be controlled by the control signal (camera adjustment command) transmitted from the lens 42 to the camera body 40, and the camera adjustment command is standardized in the lens 42. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare dedicated software for each model of the camera body 40.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pan head system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical interface among the pan head, the TV camera, and the pan head controller. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical interface among the conventional pan head, TV camera, and pan head controller.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pan head, 12 ... Television camera, 14 ... Pan head controller, 16 ... Pan head main body, 18 ... Camera stand, 20 ... Fixed stand part, 22 ... Pan axis, 24 ... Tilt axis, 26 ... Power supply, 28 ... Relay Box, 40 ... Camera body, 42 ... Lens

Claims (3)

A camera comprising a camera body with interchangeable lenses and a lens attached to the camera body, a camera platform that supports the camera, and a control signal that controls the camera body is transmitted to the camera body via the camera platform. In a pan head system equipped with a pan head controller,
A pan head system, wherein a control signal for controlling the camera body transmitted from the pan head controller to the pan head is transmitted to the camera body through the lens.   2. The pan head system according to claim 1, wherein the control signal for controlling the camera body is a command for adjusting a camera in the camera body.   2. The pan head system according to claim 1, wherein power of the camera body is supplied from the pan head via the lens.

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