JP2011130324A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow imaging with a sensation which is similar to that in directly operating an imaging device, even when performing remote imaging. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging device includes an imaging lens including a plurality of optical element groups for imaging an object, and an operation unit, including a first operation part for changing the attitude of the imaging lens, and a second operation part for driving the plurality of optical element groups. The operation unit is attachable/removable to/from an imaging device body, including the imaging lens, and the relative position between the first operation part and the second operation part is also in a state which is identical, where the operation unit is detached from the imaging device body and in a state where the operation unit is attached to the imaging device body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus used for television photographing.

  When shooting TV at a stadium, etc., the shooting equipment is installed on three legs, and shooting is done from outside the field so that shooting does not interfere with the competition. The photographer operates the zoom and focus of the lens with the demand attached to the tripod, and also operates the pan stick attached to the tripod to adjust the shooting posture (pan, tilt). In field photography, in order to take a powerful image from a position away from the subject, the athlete is often close-up. In order to accurately follow the agile movement of the subject in such a state, advanced camera work using a pan bar is required.

  In addition to such a photographing apparatus, a method of remotely controlling a camera wirelessly using a pan head apparatus is also used (see Patent Document 1). When controlling the camera wirelessly, the camera and the pan head device can be arranged inside the field or at a high place, so that it is possible to shoot a realistic competition video or a powerful video.

JP-A-6-38079

  However, it is not efficient to prepare both field-use photographic equipment and radio-controlled photographic equipment according to the purpose of photography in terms of equipment cost and installation effort.

  In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to photograph a desired video well because the operability is greatly different between the case where the photographing is performed by directly operating the photographing equipment and the case where the photographing is performed wirelessly.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus with excellent operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, a photographing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of optical element groups, a photographing lens for photographing a subject, a first operation unit for changing the posture of the photographing lens, and a plurality of optical elements. An operation unit including a second operation unit for driving the group, wherein the operation unit is detachable from the image pickup apparatus body including the image pickup lens, and the operation unit is attached to the image pickup apparatus. It is characterized in that the relative positions of the first operation unit and the second operation unit are the same both when the operation unit is detached from the main body and when the operation unit is attached to the photographing apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device having excellent operability so that it can be operated while maintaining the same operational feeling regardless of whether a single imaging device is operated directly or remotely. be able to.

Configuration diagram of photographing apparatus according to the present invention External view of the main body of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention External view of the main body of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention Configuration diagram of photographing apparatus according to the present invention External view of remote control device according to the present invention Flowchart of photographing apparatus according to the present invention Flowchart of photographing apparatus according to the present invention

  The imaging apparatus (lens apparatus) of the present embodiment provides an imaging apparatus in which a normal photographer can be directly operated by a cameraman, and the imaging apparatus can be remotely (wirelessly) controlled according to an imaging application. The purpose is to do. It is another object of the present invention to provide an imaging device with excellent operability that can operate the imaging device wirelessly while maintaining the operational feeling of directly operating the imaging device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The television lens of this embodiment is demonstrated in detail based on FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging apparatus main body M used for television shooting in the field. 1 includes a lens unit (photographing lens) L for photographing a subject, and a camera unit C that converts light collected by the lens unit L into an electronic image. The main body base unit (tripod or tripod support) P has a structure that supports the lens unit L and the camera unit C and simultaneously changes the shooting direction (pan and tilt directions). The operation unit H is a unit in which the operation units of the photographing apparatus are integrated. In response to the operation of the cameraman, the command from the operation unit H is transmitted by the signal control unit U to the control unit of the camera unit C and the lens unit L. is doing. The photographing apparatus main body M includes such a unit.

  The photographing apparatus main body M, which is directly operated by the photographer, photographs in a state where it is usually installed outside the field so as not to hinder the competition of the athlete who is the subject. 2 and 3 show the appearance of the photographing apparatus main body M. FIG. 1 to 3, the same numbers in the drawings represent the same parts.

  The internal configuration of the photographing apparatus main body M will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The operation unit H displays a lens operation unit H1 that instructs to electrically drive the optical member group L1, a detection unit H2 that detects operation of the operation member, a camera operation unit H3 that instructs operation of the camera, and a captured image. Display unit H4. Furthermore, a pan / tilt operation unit (direction operation unit) H5 for operating the direction (direction, pan, tilt) of the photographing apparatus main body M is provided. The operation unit H also includes a wireless transmission / reception unit (second wireless transmission / reception unit) H6. Between the wireless transmission / reception unit H6 and the wireless transmission / reception unit (first wireless transmission / reception unit) U1 of the photographing apparatus main body M. You can send and receive signals. An operation signal (operation instruction signal) is transmitted wirelessly from the operation unit H to the photographing apparatus body M, a photographed image is transmitted from the photographing apparatus body M to the operation unit H, or a position signal of the optical element group is transmitted. It is possible. When the operation unit H is attached to the photographing apparatus main body M, an operation signal from the operation unit H is photographed from a contact point (contact point for transmitting / receiving a signal) between the operation unit H and the photographing apparatus main body M. It transmits to the apparatus main body M. Both the operation unit and the imaging device main body are equipped with such contacts (first transmission / reception unit, second transmission / reception unit), and supply of power to the wireless transmission / reception unit is interrupted when these contact points come into contact with each other. It doesn't matter. 2 and 3, H1a is a zoom demand instructing to drive zoom in the lens operation unit H1, and H1b is a focus demand instructing to drive focus. Of course, you may have another operation part.

  The operation unit H is a part of the photographing apparatus main body M, but is detachable from the photographing apparatus main body M, and is removed from the photographing apparatus main body M even when attached to the photographing apparatus main body M. However, the relative positional relationship between the operation units is the same. That is, when the operation unit H includes the first operation unit, the second operation unit, the third operation unit, and the like, the relative positional relationship of these operation units is not changed (the same remains). It can be removed from the photographing apparatus main body M integrally. Further, the operation unit H can be attached to a base unit different from the main body base unit P that supports the photographing apparatus main body M and can change its posture. That is, the cameraman (photographer) operates the operation unit H in the same manner as when the operation unit H is attached to the photographing apparatus main body M even when the operation unit H is detached from the photographing apparatus main body M. The M lens unit L can be controlled.

  Next, the lens unit L includes an optical member group (imaging optical system) L1 therein. Among them, the focus F, the zoom Z, and the iris I are optical members that are controlled based on instructions from the cameraman. The lens control unit L2 operates at least one of the optical member group L1 based on the operation (instruction) of the lens operation unit H1 described above (controls a driving unit that drives the optical member group). The position detection unit L3 detects the position of the optical member group L1, that is, the position of the focus (the lens group that moves for focusing), the zoom (the lens group that moves for zooming), and the iris (aperture). It is a detection unit.

  The camera unit C converts an image captured by the optical member group L1 into an electronic image (receives a light beam from a subject) C1 (image sensor, photoelectric conversion element) C1, and images captured by the camera unit C1. A camera control unit C2 for processing is provided. An image photographed by the camera unit C is displayed on the display unit H4.

  The main body base unit (first base unit) P includes a pan / tilt unit (posture changing means, photographing direction changing means, and a mechanism that rotates the entire photographing apparatus in the horizontal direction (pan direction) and the vertical direction (tilt direction). (Photographing direction control means) P1. Here, the main body base unit P also includes a pan / tilt control unit P2 that electrically drives the photographing apparatus in the pan / tilt direction, and an angle detection unit P3 that detects the rotation angles of the pan and tilt.

  Thus, the main body base unit P in the present embodiment can be panned and tilted manually and electrically. At the time of manual operation, the cameraman holds the zoom demand H1a and the focus demand H1b shown in FIG. 3 with his / her hand, and manually tilts the attitude of the photographing apparatus in the pan and tilt directions while operating the zoom and focus. In the pan / tilt operation unit H5 shown in FIG. 1, the zoom demand H1a and the focus demand H1b play the roles in FIG. In FIG. 3, the zoom demand H1a and the focus demand H1b also serve as a pan / tilt operation unit. However, as another example (not shown), there may be a case where a pan bar for operating the photographing posture is provided in the photographing apparatus.

  In addition, the posture control of the photographing apparatus can be driven not only manually but also electrically by a motor included in the pan / tilt control unit P2 so that it can be driven electrically. When the photographer directly operates the photographing apparatus, pan and tilt operations are performed manually. In recent years, there has been an increase in the opportunity to produce virtual images that synthesize live-action images and CG in field shooting, and it is necessary to detect zoom and focus, iris position information, and pan and tilt angle information indicating the shooting posture with high accuracy. There is. Therefore, in this embodiment, an encoder is used for angle detection of the lens position detection unit L3 and the pan / tilt angle detection unit P3.

  The operation unit H is a unit in which a cameraman collects man-machine interfaces related to the operation of the photographing apparatus main body M. A lens operation unit H1 that operates zoom and focus, a camera operation unit H3 that performs various settings of the camera, a pan / tilt operation unit H5 that changes a shooting posture, and a display unit H4 that displays a captured image. Command signals from the respective operation units are collected in a signal control unit H7 constituted by a CPU or the like. U2 is also a signal control unit composed of a CPU or the like, and performs two-way data communication with the above-described signal control unit H7 via a detachable connector CN1. The signal control unit U2 distributes data necessary for controlling the lens unit L and the camera unit C. Using such a photographing apparatus, a cameraman directly manipulates the posture of the camera, lens, and photographing apparatus.

  Further, in this embodiment, apart from the photographing method in which the photographer directly operates the photographing apparatus, the operation unit H which is a man-machine interface of the photographing apparatus is disconnected from the photographing apparatus main body M, and the photographing apparatus main body is remotely controlled using the operation unit H as a controller. Can be controlled. CN1 in FIG. 1 uses a detachable connector so that the circuit can be disconnected or connected when the operation unit H is detached from the photographing apparatus main body M.

  FIG. 4 shows a block diagram when the operation unit H is separated from the photographing apparatus main body M. An imaging system including a base unit (second base unit) different from the main body base unit (first base unit) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is also one form of this embodiment. 4 and 5, the same numbers as those in FIGS. The operation unit H to be operated remotely is fixed to the base unit (second base unit) B through the connecting part CN3. The base unit B and the operation unit H fixed to the base unit B are collectively referred to as a remote control device R. The base unit B includes a tripod B3 that supports the operation unit H, a pan / tilt unit B1 having a mechanism for manually panning and tilting to instruct a shooting posture, and an angle detection unit B2 that detects a rotation angle of panning and tilting. have. By fixing the operation unit H to the base unit B, the cameraman can operate the operation unit H while confirming the captured image in an upright shooting posture similar to that when directly operating the shooting lens. In order to manually remotely control the pan / tilt photographing angle of the photographing apparatus main body M, the angle of the pan / tilt unit B1 is detected by the angle detection unit B2, and transmitted to the signal control unit H7 via the connector unit CN2. Remote pan / tilt shooting angles, lens operation, and camera operation instructions are wirelessly communicated from the wireless transmission / reception unit H6 to the wireless transmission / reception unit U1 of the imaging apparatus body M after the data is integrated by the signal control unit H7. . The signal control unit U2 of the photographing apparatus main body M distributes the command signal to the lens control unit L2, the camera control unit C2, and the pan / tilt control unit P2. In addition, the image captured by the camera unit C2 of the photographing apparatus main body M, the lens position information of the photographing apparatus main body M, and the pan / tilt angle are obtained from the wireless transmission / reception unit U1 of the photographing apparatus main body M and the wireless transmission / reception unit H6 in the operation unit H. It can be confirmed on the display unit H4 through two-way wireless communication. The wireless transmission / reception unit U1 of the photographing apparatus body M and the wireless transmission / reception part H6 of the operation unit H function for the first time when the operation unit H is separated from the photographing apparatus body M as shown in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 1, it does not function when the operation unit H is mounted on the photographing apparatus main body M, and communication is performed between the signal control unit U2 of the photographing apparatus main body M and the signal control unit H7 of the operation unit H. . FIG. 5 shows the appearance of a remote control device R composed of an operation unit H and a base unit B. The operation unit H in FIG. 5 is obtained by removing the operation unit H shown in FIG. 2 and placing it on a tripod.

  As illustrated in the present embodiment, the operation unit H of the photographing apparatus is configured to be detachable from the photographing apparatus main body, and the remote control apparatus R and the photographing apparatus main body M are remotely communicated with each other wirelessly by the following advantages. can get. First, one photographing device can be used as a normal field camera directly operated by a cameraman, and remote operation can be performed by separating an operation unit like a pan head device according to a photographing application. It is not necessary to prepare a plurality of photographing devices, and the total equipment cost can be kept low. Secondly, since the photographing apparatus main body and the remote control unit communicate with each other wirelessly, it is not necessary to route the cable as is done in the conventional pan head apparatus. Installation is easy, and the shooting position can be changed quickly and flexibly according to the competition event to be shot, so it is highly convenient for operation. Thirdly, the operation unit that is operated remotely can be connected to a tripod capable of panning and tilting, and the zoom demand and the focus demand have the same operability as ordinary camera photography. The camera body installed inside the field can be remotely controlled while maintaining the operational feeling of directly operating a conventional field camera, so it is possible to shoot while accurately reflecting the operational feeling that the field cameraman remembers with the body. Operability is realized.

  In the photographing apparatus exemplified in this embodiment, immediately after the photographing apparatus main body and the remote control device are installed, the position and posture of the operation unit on the remote control side and the outer side of the photographing apparatus main body are not the same. For this reason, it is necessary to match the positions and orientations of the photographing apparatus main body and the remote control device at the stage before photographing is started. FIG. 6 shows an initialization procedure for alignment between the photographing apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the main body) and the remote control apparatus side (hereinafter referred to as the remote control) at the stage before starting the remote photographing.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for initializing the main body and the remote controller after the remote controller is turned on. The left side in the figure shows the flow on the main body side, and the right side in the figure is a flowchart on the remote control side. The initialization flow is composed of two flows, a flow A for origin search and a flow D for positioning the main body and the remote control. First, the flow A for origin search will be described.

  In this embodiment, in order to obtain a high-resolution lens position and pan / tilt angle data required for virtual images at the same time as high-precision control, the lens focus / zoom and iris / pan / tilt detection systems are used. An incremental encoder is used. An encoder is also used for a focus demand and pan / tilt detection system which is a lens operation instruction member on the remote control side. Since an encoder that detects a relative position rather than an absolute position is used, both the main body side and the remote control side need to determine the absolute position by performing an origin search for determining the origin position when the power is turned on. When the power source of the remote control is turned on in R101, an instruction to turn on the main body and return the origin of the main body drive unit is issued to the main body side in R102. In R103 and R104, the operator of the remote controller manually moves the focus demand and pan / tilt to find the origin of the encoder which is the detection system. In the origin search, there is one place where a photo interrupter is detected in the detection range, and the absolute position is grasped with that place as a reference point. On the main body side, the power of the main body is turned on in M101. In M103 to M105, the origin of zoom, focus, iris, pan and tilt on the main body side is electrically driven. Similar to the remote control side, there is a place where a photo interrupter is detected at one place in the detection range, and the origin position is grasped when passing through that place. M104 receives an inquiry about the end of origin search from the main body side in R105, returns the presence / absence of end of origin search to the main body side, and repeats M103 to M105 until the end of origin search on the main body side is completed. When the origin search on the main body side is completed in M105, the camera, lens, pan / tilt position and state stored on the main body side when the power was previously turned off in M106 are restored, and the flow of origin search on the main body side ends in M107. . After the remote control side confirms the end of the origin search on the main body side in R106, the remote control side displays on the display unit of the remote control that the home position search on both the main body and the remote control side has been completed. At this time, the encoders provided on the main body side and the remote control side grasp the absolute position necessary for the control. The reason why the main body is returned to the previous power-off state in M106 is that it is preferable to maintain the previous photographing conditions when the power is repeatedly turned on and off during the photographing operation after the installation of the apparatus.

  Next, the flow D for positioning between the remote control side and the main body will be described. When the camera is installed for the first time, or when the remote control side operation unit is moved while the power is turned off during operation, the lens indicated by the remote control side operation member, the pan / tilt position, and the lens on the main unit side The pan / tilt position is shifted. In this embodiment, after the origin of the main body and the remote control is finished, the main body is driven to a position designated by the remote control to eliminate the deviation between the main body side drive unit and the remote control side operation unit. An operation signal instructed by the remote control unit is detected in R201, and a command signal is transmitted to the main body in R202. In the main body, the signal control unit distributes the command signal received by M201 to the control unit of each unit, and the control unit of each unit electrically drives each unit in M202. In M203, information such as the position and angle of each unit is transmitted to the remote controller. In R203, the position and angle information of each unit is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller, and in R204, the alignment flow is terminated. In this way, after detecting the origin of the detection system in flow A, initialization is completed by matching the main body with the command of the operation member of the remote control in flow D, and thereafter, imaging is performed as instructed by the operation unit of the remote control. The device body can be operated.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow when the remote control power supply is turned off. When the remote controller is instructed to turn off the power in R301, the power off instruction is transmitted to the main body in R302. On the main body side, in response to a power-off instruction, the current lens position, pan / tilt angle, and camera information are stored in M201. These pieces of information are used in FIG. The power source on the main body side is turned off at M202, and the power source is also turned off at R303 on the remote control side.

  In this way, the procedure for initializing the photographing apparatus main body and the remote control apparatus carries out two flows, ie, origin detection of the detection system and alignment of the two apparatuses. When an analog potentiometer is used instead of an encoder for the position and angle detection system in both the main body and the remote controller, the flow of origin A in FIG. 6 can be omitted.

  Although the embodiment is limited to pan, tilt, focus, and iris, zoom may be added to the same initialization procedure when the position of zoom is controlled.

L Optical means unit C Camera unit P Main body base unit M Imaging device main body H Operation unit B Base unit U1 Wireless transmission / reception unit H6 Wireless transmission / reception unit CN3 Connection unit

Claims (5)

A photographic lens that includes a plurality of optical element groups and shoots a subject;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an operation unit including a first operation unit for changing an attitude of the imaging lens; and a second operation unit for driving the plurality of optical element groups,
The operation unit is detachable with respect to a photographing apparatus main body including the photographing lens,
The relative position between the first operation unit and the second operation unit is the same even when the operation unit is detached from the imaging apparatus body and when the operation unit is attached to the imaging apparatus body. An imaging device characterized by being the same. The imaging device body is
An image sensor for receiving a light beam from the photographing lens;
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first base unit capable of changing a posture of the photographing lens. The imaging device body has a first wireless transmission / reception unit;
The operation unit has a second wireless transceiver;
When the operation unit is detached from the photographing apparatus body, an operation signal based on the operation of the operation unit is transmitted from the second wireless transmission / reception unit to the first wireless transmission / reception unit. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2. The imaging device main body has a first transmission / reception unit,
The operation unit has a second transmission / reception unit in contact with the first transmission / reception unit in a state where the operation unit is attached to the imaging apparatus main body.
The operation signal based on the operation of the operation unit is transmitted from the second transmission / reception unit to the first transmission / reception unit in a state where the operation unit is attached to the imaging apparatus main body. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 3. An imaging system comprising the imaging device according to claim 1,
An imaging system comprising a second base unit to which the operation unit can be attached.

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