JP2009010903A - Imaging device, and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a constitution for picking up an image while synchronizing with an external synchronization signal, and to solve the problem in making two or more frame periods correspond. <P>SOLUTION: When a synchronizing signal is entered from outside, a frame period set-up processing, in which a basic frame period, as a frame period of an imaging signal to be outputted with timing synchronized with the input synchronization signal, is set at either of a first frame period or a second frame period, is performed. When there is an indication of variable speed imaging, the frame period is changed within the upper limit of the number of frames, which is decided by basic frame period. When variable speed imaging is to be carried out, transformation processing for changing the imaging signal photographed by an imager into an imaging signal of basic frame period is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method applied to a video camera, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of imaging in synchronization with a synchronization signal supplied from the outside.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some video cameras can capture images by setting a frame period at a timing synchronized with an externally supplied synchronization signal. For example, in a studio in a broadcasting station, when a plurality of video cameras are used for imaging and the signals obtained by imaging are switched and recorded, the reference synchronization signal generator in the broadcasting station is supplied. A synchronization signal (reference signal) is supplied to each video camera and imaged, and the imaging timings of all video cameras are accurately matched. The exact matching here refers to a state where not only the vertical period but also the horizontal period is matched. Further, performing imaging in synchronization with such an external synchronization signal is generally referred to as applying genlock. This genlock is an abbreviation for [GENERATOR LOCK].

  On the other hand, the frame period for capturing images with a video camera is usually 30 frames or 25 frames per second, which is determined by the broadcast standard, or 60 frames or 50 frames obtained by multiplying the number of frames by an integer. . Note that the number of frames in the following description of the frame period in this specification indicates the number of frames per second.

  On the other hand, in recent years, video cameras capable of imaging at 24 frames per second (or an integer multiple of 48 frames), which is a frame period applied to movie films, have been developed. When configuring a video camera capable of both imaging at 24 frames and imaging at 30 frames, the basic imaging frame period of the video camera is configured by 30 frames, for example. If the imager provided in the video camera performs a process of thinning out 6 frames per second among images captured at a cycle of 30 frames per second, and the output image signal is 24 frames per second, An image pickup signal having a frame period adapted to the movie film standard can be easily obtained.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of an imaging apparatus that can variably set the frame frequency.
JP 2006-191307 A

  By the way, as the frame period to be imaged by the video camera, the numerical values such as 30 frames and 24 frames described above are the frame periods at the time of normal imaging, and when performing variable speed imaging, the frame period at a higher speed or lower speed is set. Imaging is performed in the set state. For example, when imaging at 30 frames per second, the frame period was reduced by half to 15 frames, so that when recording and reproducing the image signal, the effect of doubling the motion was provided. A moving image is obtained. Conversely, when capturing at 30 frames per second, by increasing the frame period from 30 frames, when recording and reproducing the image signal, a moving image having a slow motion effect with a slow motion is obtained. can get.

However, as described above, there is a problem that the configuration of the imaging apparatus becomes very complicated if it is made to correspond to a variable speed imaging after corresponding to a plurality of frame periods such as 30 frames or 24 frames. Patent Document 1 described above describes the problem about the clock frequency and how to deal with it in response to variable speed imaging while variably setting the frame frequency. This was handled within one video camera.
Therefore, as described above, in a video camera that can capture images by setting a frame period at a timing synchronized with a synchronization signal supplied from the outside, the external synchronization signal is made compatible with imaging of a plurality of frame periods. It has not been considered to perform variable speed imaging while imaging in response to the above, and it has been impossible in the past.

For example, in movie shooting, 24 frames are standard, and when a plurality of cameras are used simultaneously, shooting is performed with genlock. It is assumed that even if variable speed shooting is performed, playback is performed in 24 frames. Conventionally, when performing variable-speed shooting, it was not considered to genlock with an external sync signal (reference signal) that has a frame rate during playback. Then, it is necessary to switch the external synchronization signal, and the work is complicated.
For example, there are a plurality of playback frame rates, such as 25 frames in a country where a PAL signal is used and 30 frames in a country where an NTSC signal is used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to solve the problem in the case of corresponding to a plurality of frame periods after having a configuration capable of imaging in synchronization with an external synchronization signal.

  The present invention is applied when imaging is performed in synchronization with a synchronization signal supplied from the outside and an imaging signal is output. As the processing configuration, when there is an input of a synchronization signal from the outside, the basic frame period which is the frame period of the imaging signal to be output at the timing synchronized with the input synchronization signal is set to the first frame period and the second frame period. The frame period setting process is set to any one of the frame periods. Then, the frame period to be imaged by the imager is set to the basic frame period, and when there is an instruction for variable speed imaging, the frame period is changed to an upper limit of the number of frames determined by the basic frame period. Further, when performing variable speed imaging, a conversion process is performed in which the imaging signal captured by the imager is converted into an imaging signal having the number of frames determined by the basic frame period.

  By performing processing in this way, output can be performed in a plurality of frame periods synchronized with a synchronization signal input from the outside. Then, imaging is performed based on the number of frames determined by each frame period, and the frame period of the output signal is also set to the basic frame period. At the time of variable speed imaging, the basic frame period can be used as the upper limit, imaging can be performed at a lower frame period, variable speed imaging can be performed to change the frame period, and variable speed imaging can be performed accurately in synchronization with the synchronization signal of any frame period. It can be done.

  According to the present invention, accurate imaging can be performed while synchronizing with an externally supplied synchronization signal of any frame period, and variable-speed imaging based on the frame period in each frame period when imaging is performed. Can be easily done with accurate timing.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example using an imaging apparatus according to an example of the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, a system that prepares three imaging devices 1, 2, 3 and performs imaging is used. That is, the first imaging device 1, the second imaging device 2, and the third imaging device 3 are prepared, and the video signals that are captured and output by the imaging devices 1, 2, and 3 are output to the switching device 4. Supply and switch appropriately. The video signal switched by the switching device 4 is recorded by the recording device 5. In such a system configuration, a synchronization generator 6 is prepared, and a synchronization signal that defines the frame period of the video signal from the synchronization generator 6 to each of the imaging devices 1, 2, 3, the switching device 4, and the recording device 5. It is set as the structure which supplies.

  In each of the imaging devices 1, 2, and 3, when a synchronization signal that defines the frame period output from the synchronization generator 6 is supplied, imaging is performed with the frame period indicated by the synchronization signal. Further, the imaging timing of each frame is also set to the timing indicated by the supplied synchronization signal, and imaging is performed at the timing synchronized with each imaging device 1, 2, 3. As for the timing of switching by the switching device 4, the timing of the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal are made to coincide with each other at the timing defined by the synchronization signal that defines the frame period output from the synchronization generator 6, and the frame phase is matched. Is done. Further, when the video signal switched by the switching device 4 is recorded by the recording device 5, the frame period is defined at the timing synchronized with the supplied synchronization signal and the recording process is performed. However, at the time of recording with the recording device 5, if the supplied video signal is a signal with an accurate timing, the synchronization signal from the synchronization generator 6 may not be supplied.

  Note that the synchronization generator 6 of this example is configured to selectively output a synchronization signal indicating a 30-frame period and a synchronization signal indicating a 24-frame period as a synchronization signal that defines a frame period. The 30 frame period is a frame period in accordance with the broadcast standard, and the 24 frames are frame periods defined by movie films.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the imaging devices 1, 2, and 3 that can capture images in synchronization with the external synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization generator 6 in the system configuration shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
The image light imaged on the imaging surface of the imager 12 via the optical system 11 such as a lens is converted into an electrical imaging signal, and the converted imaging signal is read out by the output circuit 13 connected to the imager 12. . As the imager 12, for example, various imaging devices such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) imager can be applied. In the imaging by the imager 12 and the output processing by the output circuit 13, the imaging timing and the imaging cycle are controlled by the imaging system controller 24. In the case of this example, as described later, it corresponds to a plurality of frame periods.

  The imaging signal output from the output circuit 13 is subjected to various signal processing by the imaging signal processing circuit 14. The imaging signal processing here includes analog processing such as amplification, non-linear correction processing such as gamma correction, and digital conversion processing. The imaging signal processed by the imaging signal processing circuit 14 is supplied to the frame processing circuit 15 and temporarily stored in a memory (frame memory) provided in the frame processing circuit 15. The frame processing circuit 15 performs conversion processing for changing the number of frames per unit time (that is, changing the frame period) by changing the writing period and the reading period of the signal of each frame to the memory at the time of variable speed imaging described later. Is called. Processing in the imaging signal processing circuit 14 and writing to the memory in the frame processing circuit 15 are controlled by the imaging system controller 24.

  The imaging signal stored in the frame processing circuit 15 is read out to the encoding circuit 16, and the encoding circuit 16 performs an encoding process corresponding to the format of the output video signal, and the processed video signal is Output from the output terminal 17 to the outside. Further, the imaging signal read from the frame processing circuit 15 is supplied to the display unit 18 to display the captured video. The display unit 18 is display means used as a viewfinder or the like. Reading from the memory in the frame processing circuit 15, processing in the encoding circuit 16, and display on the display unit 18 are executed under the control of the output system controller 25.

  Next, the control system of the imaging apparatus of this example will be described. The imaging apparatus of this example includes an external synchronization input terminal 21 and is supplied with a synchronization signal from the external synchronization generator 6 shown in FIG. The synchronization signal supplied to the input terminal 21 is supplied to the reference synchronization signal input processing unit 22. The reference synchronization signal input processing unit 22 generates an internal synchronization signal synchronized with the synchronization signal obtained at the input terminal 21 and supplies the internal synchronization signal to the timing generator 23. In the internal synchronization signal, the frame period and frame timing of the imaging signal are instructed.

The timing generator 23 is connected to a clock signal generating means (not shown), and a synchronization signal to be supplied to each circuit in the imaging apparatus is created, and a basic frame having a frame period of the imaging signal output from the imaging apparatus It functions as a frame period setting unit for setting the period. The timing generator 23 creates a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal of the imaging signal at the timing indicated by the supplied synchronization signal. However, the cycle of each synchronization signal generated by the timing generator 23 is determined by the setting state in the setting unit 27, and the external synchronization signal supplied from the reference synchronization signal input processing unit 22 is a vertical synchronization signal or a horizontal synchronization signal. This is for determining the timing (phase).
The vertical synchronization signal and horizontal synchronization signal created by the timing generator 23 are supplied to the imaging system controller 24 and the output system controller 25. The imaging system controller 24 drives circuits from the imager 12 to the frame processing circuit 15 so that imaging can be performed at a timing in accordance with the supplied vertical synchronization signal and horizontal synchronization signal. In the output system controller 25, the read timing from the frame processing circuit 15 and the code in the encoding circuit 16 are output so that a video signal having a timing in accordance with the supplied vertical synchronization signal and horizontal synchronization signal is output from the output terminal 17. Control timing.

  The frame period set by the setting unit 27 depends on the operation by the operation unit 26. That is, the imaging apparatus of this example includes an operation unit 26 configured by a user operable switch, a touch panel, and the like, and the frame period set by the setting unit 27 is determined by the operation of the operation unit 26. In the case of this example, a normal imaging mode with 30 frames per second (ie, 30 frame periods) and a normal imaging mode with 24 frames per second (ie, 24 frame periods) can be set.

  As described above, the synchronization signal input to the external synchronization input terminal 21 is selectively supplied with two types of signals: a synchronization signal indicating 30 frame periods and a synchronization signal indicating 24 frame periods. The configuration is as follows. The frame period of the external synchronization signal is determined by the determination unit 28 connected to the reference synchronization signal input processing unit 22. Information on the result determined by the determination unit 28 is supplied to the setting unit 27 and used when the normal imaging mode is set. However, in the case of this example, the external synchronization signal obtained at the input terminal 21 is used for setting the synchronization timing, and the normal imaging mode is not switched based on the result determined by the determination unit 28. When no synchronization signal is input to the external synchronization input terminal 21, the synchronization signal generated by the timing generator 23 is generated at a self-contained timing without being synchronized with the signal from the outside, and the imaging operation is performed. Is done.

  The frame period information set by the setting unit 27 is supplied to the timing generator 23 to set the frequency of the vertical synchronization signal and horizontal synchronization signal generated by the timing generator 23. In addition, information on the frame period set by the setting unit 27 is also supplied to the controllers 24 and 25 to set a period for performing the imaging process and the output process.

  Further, the imaging apparatus of this example is configured to be capable of variable speed imaging. That is, by operating the operation unit 26, a process for setting a frame period to be imaged by the imager 12 is performed to change the frame period. However, the frame period after the frame processing circuit 15 remains unchanged from the set basic frame period. Details of the shift process will be described later.

Next, processing in which imaging is performed by setting a frame period in the imaging apparatus of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is a control process determined by the setting in the setting unit 27, and is executed by, for example, each of the controllers 24 and 25 and its peripheral circuits.
First, when imaging with this imaging apparatus, it is determined whether the external synchronization mode is a mode in which a synchronization signal is obtained at the external synchronization input terminal 21 or a mode in which a synchronization signal is not obtained at the external synchronization input terminal 21. (Step S11). If it is determined by this determination that the synchronization signal is not input, imaging is performed with the frame period set by the operation unit 26 (step S12). At this time, each synchronization signal generated by the timing generator 23 is determined by self-timing generated in the imaging apparatus.

  When it is determined that the external synchronization mode is obtained in which the synchronization signal is obtained at the external synchronization input terminal 21, the current setting set by the operation of the operation unit 26 is 24 frame cycles (24P in FIG. 3). Or 30 frame period (30P in FIG. 3) (step S13). If it is determined that the current setting is a 24 frame period, it is determined whether the frame period determined by the frequency of the synchronization signal input to the external synchronization input terminal 21 is a 24 frame period (step S14). . When the input external synchronization signal indicates that the frame period is 24 frames, the setting value in the operation unit 26 matches the frame period indicated by the external synchronization signal, so that imaging in the 24 frame period is performed. It is executed (step S15). At this time, imaging is performed at the timing indicated by the external synchronization signal.

  After the imaging is started in this way, it is determined whether or not the variable speed imaging mode is set (step S16). If the variable speed imaging mode is not set, the imaging in the 24-frame cycle in step S15 is continued. Done. If it is determined in step S16 that the variable speed imaging mode has been set, the frame period for imaging by the imager 12 is changed with the number of frames determined by the 24 frame period as an upper limit (step S17). If the number of frames exceeding 24 frames is set, the number of frames in the basic frame period, which is the number of frames that can be transmitted, will be exceeded, and there will be a frame that has been imaged but cannot be transmitted to the outside. Therefore, a limit is set so that the number of frames exceeding the number of frames in a 24-frame cycle is not set. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not imaging in the variable speed imaging mode is finished (step S18). When the variable speed imaging mode is continued, the variable speed imaging in step S17 is continued, and when the variable speed imaging mode is ended, Returning to the imaging in the 24-frame cycle of step S15. Based on such processing results, direct control of the frame period for imaging by the imager 12 is performed by the imaging system controller 24.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the current setting is 30 frame periods, it is determined whether the frame period determined by the frequency of the synchronization signal input to the external synchronization input terminal 21 is 30 frame periods ( Step S21). When the input external synchronization signal indicates that the frame period is 30 frames, the setting value in the operation unit 26 matches the frame period indicated by the external synchronization signal, so that imaging in the 30 frame period is performed. It is executed (step S22). At this time, imaging is performed at the timing indicated by the external synchronization signal.

  After the imaging is started in this way, it is determined whether or not the variable speed imaging mode is set (step S23). If the variable speed imaging mode is not set, the imaging at the cycle of 30 frames in step S22 is continued. Done. If it is determined in step S23 that the variable speed imaging mode has been set, the frame period for imaging by the imager 12 is changed with the number of frames determined by the 30 frame period as an upper limit (step S24). If the number of frames exceeding 30 frames is set, the number of frames that can be transmitted exceeds the number of frames of the basic frame period, and a frame that has been captured but cannot be transmitted to the outside is generated. Therefore, a limit is set so that the number of frames exceeding the number of frames of 30 frame periods is not set. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not imaging in the variable speed imaging mode is finished (step S25). If the variable speed imaging mode is continued, the variable speed imaging in step S24 is continued, and if the variable speed imaging mode is ended, Returning to the imaging in the 30-frame cycle in step S22. Based on such processing results, direct control of the frame period for imaging by the imager 12 is performed by the imaging system controller 24.

  Furthermore, when the frame period indicated by the input external synchronization signal is not 24 frame periods at step S14 and when the frame period indicated by the input external synchronization signal is not 30 frame periods at step S21, the operation unit 26 The frame period set by the above operation and the frame period set by the synchronization signal input from the outside become inconsistent, the timing setter 23 cannot synchronize, and imaging cannot be performed (step S26). The state in which the image cannot be captured is, for example, a state in which the captured image is not correctly displayed on the display unit 18 and the synchronization is disturbed. For the operator who is monitoring the display image on the display unit 18, imaging due to the mismatch is immediately performed. I understand that I can't. Therefore, the operator is warned that synchronization is disturbed from the display state on the display unit 18.

Next, an example of variable speed imaging performed in steps S17 and S24 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.
FIG. 4A shows the timing of each frame when imaging is performed at a cycle of 30 frames. The first frame F1, the second frame F2, the third frame F4,... And the cycle of 30 frames per second. Thus, imaging is performed frame by frame. When the imaging at this time is a timing synchronized with the external synchronization signal, the timing of each frame is a timing determined by the external synchronization signal. FIG. 4B shows an example in which the variable-speed imaging mode is set while the imaging mode is performed in this frame period.

FIG. 4B is an example of variable speed imaging in the case where the frame period captured by the imager is set to 15 frame periods that are ½ of the period. In one frame period, the frame period is twice that of 30 frame periods. It has become. The first frame F1, the second frame F2,. This imaging timing is set under the control of the imaging system controller 24 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4C shows the frame period of the video signal output from the output terminal 17 when imaging is performed at the imaging timing of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4C, the video signal output from the output terminal 17 is interpolated so that the imaging signal of each frame is output twice. That is, in the next frame period when the video signal of the first frame F1 is output, the video signal of the frame F1 ′ having the same content is output, and the video of the captured frame and the interpolated video are repeated thereafter. It comes to be. The frame period of the output video signal is also determined by the external synchronization signal. Frame interpolation processing is executed by repeatedly reading out signals written in the memory in the frame processing circuit 15 for two frame periods.

  FIG. 4D shows the timing of each frame when imaging is performed at a cycle of 24 frames. The first frame F1, the second frame F2, the third frame F4,..., And the cycle of 24 frames per second. Thus, imaging is performed frame by frame. When the imaging at this time is a timing synchronized with the external synchronization signal, the timing of each frame is a timing determined by the external synchronization signal. FIG. 4E shows an example in which the variable speed imaging mode is set while the imaging mode in the frame period is being performed.

FIG. 4 (e) is an example of variable speed imaging in the case of imaging with a frame period captured by the imager as a 12-frame period of ½ period, and in a period twice as long as one frame period is 24 frame periods. It has become. The first frame F1, the second frame F2,. This imaging timing is set under the control of the imaging system controller 24 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4F shows the frame period of the video signal output from the output terminal 17 when imaging is performed at the imaging timing of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4F, the video signal output from the output terminal 17 is interpolated so that the imaging signal of each frame is output twice. That is, in the next frame period when the video signal of the first frame F1 is output, the video signal of the frame F1 ′ having the same content is output, and the video of the captured frame and the interpolated video are repeated thereafter. It comes to be. The frame period of the output video signal is also determined by the external synchronization signal. Frame interpolation processing is executed by repeatedly reading out signals written in the memory in the frame processing circuit 15 for two frame periods.

  In order to simplify the description, FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the frame period is halved. However, in practice, the number of frames to be captured is changed in units of one frame from the number of frames determined by the basic frame period. It is possible to reduce. That is, when the 30 frame period is the basic frame period, it is possible to perform variable speed imaging with a reduced number of frames such as 29 frame periods, 28 frame periods, and so on. When the 24 frame period is the basic frame period, it is possible to perform variable speed imaging with a reduced number of frames such as 23 frame periods, 22 frame periods, and so on.

  In this way, by changing the frame period that is actually captured by the imager with the upper limit of the number of frames determined by the basic frame period that is set at the time of variable speed imaging, it is appropriate for any frame period that is set. In addition, variable speed imaging can be performed with good timing. That is, regardless of which frame period is set, the frame period is increased or decreased by variable speed imaging from that state based on the state that is completely synchronized with the external synchronization signal in each frame period. In addition, the imager captures images at regular intervals. Therefore, the imaging signal output from the imaging apparatus both during the variable speed imaging at the time of imaging in the 30 frame period according to the broadcast standard and at the time of the variable speed imaging at the time of imaging in the 24 frame period according to the movie film standard. This is a synchronization signal for obtaining the correct frame period (processed within) of 30 frames or 24 frames, and shift imaging with a maximum number of frames determined by the basic period (shift from Therefore, there is no problem that the imaging interval is disturbed or the captured frame signal is not transmitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the external synchronization signal input to the imaging apparatus is used only for setting the timing of imaging, and the frame period itself captured by the imaging apparatus is the operation unit of the imaging apparatus. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the frame period of the image captured by the imaging apparatus and the frame period of the output video signal are automatically set by an external synchronization signal input to the imaging apparatus. In this case, for example, the frame period may be set by the setting unit 27 in accordance with the determination result by the determination unit 28 shown in FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the frame period indicated by the external synchronization signal input to the imaging apparatus and the frame period set by the operation on the operation unit 26 do not match, the display unit 18 displays the frame period. The captured image is not displayed correctly when the synchronization is disturbed, so that the operator of the imaging device can understand. However, the frame period of the external synchronization signal and the frame period set on the display panel etc. do not match. It is good also as a structure which announces by a character, a figure, etc.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of an imaging device capable of imaging processing of 30 frames per second and imaging processing of 24 frames per second as a frame period has been described. However, in synchronization with a synchronization signal supplied from the outside, The present invention can also be applied to an imaging apparatus capable of imaging in a plurality of frame periods. For example, it may be configured as an imaging device capable of imaging processing of 60 frames per second and imaging processing of 48 frames per second, which is twice the frame period of the above-described example. Alternatively, an imaging apparatus capable of imaging processing at 25 frames per second and imaging processing at 24 frames per second, or two types of 24 frames, 25 frames, 30 frames, 50 frames, 60 frames, or the like, or You may apply to the imaging device in which the imaging process in the number of frames of three or more types is possible. Strictly speaking, values such as 24 frames and 30 frames may be values such as 23.98 frames and 29.97 frames.

Next, an example of an imaging system when using a plurality of the imaging devices and performing variable speed imaging in movie shooting will be described with reference to FIG. In recent movie shooting, shooting using a plurality of cameras is increasing.
A synchronization signal having a period of 24 frames is supplied from the synchronization generator 6 to the first imaging device 1, the second imaging device 2, the third imaging device 3, the switching device 4, and the recording device 5. The first imaging device 1, the second imaging device 2, and the third imaging device 3 all output an imaging signal in synchronization with a synchronization signal having a 24-frame period from the synchronization generator 6.

  Here, each imaging apparatus performs variable speed imaging with the upper limit of the number of frames determined by a 24-frame cycle. Normally, all imaging devices have the same frame period, for example, a 12 frame period, but the first imaging device 1 has a 12 frame period, the second imaging device 2 has a 16 frame period, and the third imaging device 3 has a A different frame period of 20 frame periods may be set. In action-related movie shooting, there are many cases where the number of frames is slightly changed depending on the scene.

  The image pickup signal from each image pickup apparatus has a partially overlapping frame, but even if speed-change image pickup is performed at any speed, it has a cycle of 24 frames and the timing is synchronized. The imaging signal can be switched smoothly in units of frames.

By the way, in the case of movie shooting, the normal imaging uses a synchronization signal having a cycle of 24 frames. Conventionally, in the entire system, a synchronization signal having a 24-frame synchronization is used only for normal movie shooting, and a synchronization signal having a cycle of 30 frames is used in the NTSC area.
In this imaging system, in the case of movie shooting, the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization generator 6 may remain as a synchronization signal with a 24-frame period even when switching from normal imaging to variable speed imaging and from variable speed imaging to normal imaging. There is no need to switch. If the synchronization signal is constant in both normal imaging and variable speed imaging, there is no need to change the synchronization signal system in the entire system, and the processing associated with switching as the entire system including the switching device 4 and VTR 5 Inconveniences such as time loss are eliminated. In this way, seamless operation can be realized in the case of movie shooting.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of the whole system by one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the imaging device by one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of an imaging operation by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the frame period at the time of the imaging by one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st imaging device, 2 ... 2nd imaging device, 3 ... 3rd imaging device, 4 ... Switching device, 5 ... Recording device, 6 ... Synchronization generator, 11 ... Optical system, 12 ... Imager, 13 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Output circuit, 14 ... Imaging signal processing circuit, 15 ... Frame processing circuit, 16 ... Coding circuit, 17 ... Output terminal, 18 ... Display unit, 21 ... External synchronization input terminal, 22 ... Reference synchronization signal input processing unit, 23 ... Timing generator, 24 ... Imaging system controller, 25 ... Output system controller, 26 ... Operation unit, 27 ... Setting unit, 28 ... Discrimination unit

Claims (5)

In an imaging device including an input unit for a synchronization signal supplied from the outside and capable of imaging in synchronization with the synchronization signal input to the input unit,
When a synchronization signal is input to the input unit, a basic frame period, which is a frame period of an imaging signal output by the imaging device, is a first frame period at a timing synchronized with the synchronization signal input to the input unit. A frame period setting unit for setting to any one of the second frame periods;
An imager for obtaining an imaging signal corresponding to the incident image light;
An imaging control unit that controls a frame period captured by the imager at the basic frame period and changes the frame period to an upper limit of a frame number determined by the basic frame period when there is an instruction for variable speed imaging; ,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a frame processing unit that converts an image pickup signal picked up by the imager into an image pickup signal having a number of frames determined by the basic frame period during the variable speed image pickup. The imaging device according to claim 1,
A selection unit that selects either the first frame period or the second frame period as a frame period of the imaging signal to be output;
When the frame cycle based on the frequency of the synchronization signal input to the input unit and the frame cycle selected by the selection unit match, the frame cycle setting unit and the imaging control unit perform processing with the matched frame cycle. An imaging device characterized in that it performs. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
When the frame period based on the frequency of the synchronization signal input to the input unit and the frame period selected by the selection unit do not match, the display unit displays a display that indicates that the imaging is not normal due to the mismatch. A characteristic imaging device. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first frame period is a frame period conforming to a broadcast video signal standard, and the second frame period is a frame period conforming to a movie film standard. In an imaging method of performing imaging in synchronization with a synchronization signal supplied from the outside and outputting an imaging signal,
When there is an input of the synchronization signal, the basic frame period, which is the frame period of the imaging signal to be output, is set to one of the first frame period and the second frame period at a timing synchronized with the input synchronization signal. Frame period setting process to be set;
An imaging process for setting a frame period to be imaged by an imager to the basic frame period and changing to a frame period having an upper limit on the number of frames determined by the basic frame period when there is an instruction for variable speed imaging;
An imaging method comprising: performing conversion processing for converting an imaging signal captured by the imager into an imaging signal having a number of frames determined by the basic frame period when performing the variable speed imaging.

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