JP2017183900A - Imaging control device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging control device capable of adjusting lightness of a video image to be picked up through further simplified operation, and a program.SOLUTION: Based on setting that a movable region of one volume is previously divided into multiple subregions, among the multiple subregions, at least one subregion is defined as an iris control region for controlling an iris aperture of a camera and at least the other subregion is defined as an amplification factor control region for controlling an amplification factor in video signal amplification means, positional information representing a position of the volume is inputted. When the positional information is included in the iris control region, a control part in an imaging control device performs control in such a manner that the amplification factor is fixed and that the iris aperture becomes a value to be changed in accordance with the positional information. When the positional information is included in the amplification factor control region, the control part performs control in such a manner that the iris aperture is fixed and that the amplification factor becomes a value to be changed in accordance with the positional information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing control apparatus and a program.

  When producing video content such as a TV program, a cameraman operates a TV camera, and a video engineer (hereinafter referred to as “VE”) adjusts the video level. The VE adjusts the video level by operating a camera control unit (hereinafter also referred to as “CCU”). Specifically, the VE performs iris adjustment and step gain adjustment by operating the CCU. Here, the iris is an iris of a lens for adjusting the amount of incident light. The step gain is an adjustment for increasing the sensitivity of the video signal when the amount of incident light is insufficient. The amount of signal amplification (sensitization) by the step gain is set as a stepwise value. For example, the amount of sensitization by the step gain is set to a value such as +3 dB (decibel), +6 dB, +9 dB, +12 dB, or the like. If the gain due to the step gain is increased too much, noise in the video becomes conspicuous, and usually about +6 dB is often considered as the upper limit. The VE controls the amount of light so that a high-quality image can be obtained while performing the iris adjustment and the step gain adjustment.

  In some cases, the master gain is used for adjustment instead of the step gain described above. While the step gain can only set the degree of amplification stepwise, the master gain can change the degree of amplification steplessly. When the master gain is used, the degree of sensitization is normally changed steplessly in a range between +0 dB and +6 dB. When the step gain is used, if the sensitivity is switched during shooting, a switching shock occurs in the shot video. However, by using the master gain, even when shooting a scene with a light / dark difference (for example, moving from outdoor shooting to indoor shooting), the sensitivity can be changed smoothly without causing a switching shock. It has become possible.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique for controlling the gain of a video signal. Specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a multiplier 103 that multiplies and amplifies a video signal by a gain coefficient and sends the amplified video signal to the outside of the gain setting circuit of this embodiment. The gain controller 104 sends a gain coefficient to be multiplied to the multiplier 103 in order to control the gain of the multiplier 103. Step switch 105 and fine switch 106 are used to set the gain coefficient of gain controller 104.

JP 2010-041533 A

However, in the prior art, since the master gain is adjusted using a knob different from the iris volume, there is a problem that the operation by the VE becomes complicated. In other words, as described above, since one VE is in charge of adjusting a plurality of cameras, there is a problem that a quick operation is difficult when adjusting the master gain and the iris aperture diameter using both hands. It was.
For example, in the production of video content, if there is an effect that once moves into a dark room and then goes out again to a bright outdoor, it often becomes brighter rapidly. In such a case, it is necessary to perform both the iris operation and the master gain operation quickly and simultaneously, but it is somewhat difficult to perform the correct operation quickly and simultaneously. Further, if the iris is squeezed while the master gain is raised, there is a concern that in the worst case, the iris is too squeezed and closed. In addition to the iris operation and the master gain operation, other adjustments (for example, color adjustment) must be quickly performed according to the shooting situation. Therefore, it is desirable to make the VE easier to operate.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and intends to provide a photographing control device and a program capable of adjusting the brightness of a photographed image with a simpler operation. It is.

  [1] In order to solve the above-described problem, an imaging control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides an imaging control provided in a camera system that controls image brightness from a camera control unit based on an operation of a control panel by a video engineer. An apparatus for controlling at least one partial area of the plurality of partial areas for controlling an iris opening diameter of a camera based on a setting in which a movable area of one volume is divided into a plurality of partial areas in advance. Position information indicating the position of the volume is input as an iris control area and at least one other partial area as an amplification factor control area for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means. When the iris is within the iris control region, the amplification factor is fixed and the iris opening diameter is determined according to the position information. When the position information is within the gain control region, the iris opening diameter is fixed and the gain is controlled to change according to the position information. And a control unit.

  [2] In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the imaging control apparatus further includes a setting storage unit that stores setting information, and the movable area of the volume includes the iris control area and the gain control area. The setting storage unit stores information on a position of a boundary between the iris control region and the amplification factor control region as a part of the setting information.

  [3] Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described imaging control device, at least one of the plurality of partial areas is based on a setting in which a movable area of one volume is divided into a plurality of partial areas in advance. Volume integrated with one partial region as an iris control region for controlling the iris aperture diameter of the camera and at least one other partial region as an amplification factor control region for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means The volume integrated control is turned off, either in the control-on mode, or the entire movable area of the volume is set as the area for controlling the iris opening diameter or the area for controlling the gain. A mode switching unit for switching between the mode and the mode switching unit from the volume integrated control off mode to the volume system. When switching to the on mode, or when switching from the volume integrated control on mode to the volume integrated control off mode, the control unit changes the iris opening diameter from the iris opening diameter before the mode switching to the iris opening diameter after the mode switching. Is controlled so as to change smoothly, and the gain in the video signal amplifying means is controlled to change smoothly from the gain before mode switching to the gain after mode switching.

  [4] Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the above-described imaging control device, at least one of the plurality of partial areas is based on a setting in which a movable area of one volume is divided in advance into a plurality of partial areas. Volume integrated with one partial region as an iris control region for controlling the iris aperture diameter of the camera and at least one other partial region as an amplification factor control region for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means An auto iris mode switching unit that switches between a control on mode and an auto iris mode that automatically controls the iris aperture diameter based on a measurement result of the amount of light incident on the camera; A mode switching unit switches from the volume integrated control on mode to the auto iris mode, or When switching from the iris mode to the volume integrated control on mode, the control unit controls the iris opening diameter to smoothly change from the iris opening diameter before the mode switching to the iris opening diameter after the mode switching. At the same time, control is performed such that the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means smoothly changes from the amplification factor before the mode switching to the amplification factor after the mode switching.

  [5] One embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the imaging control device according to any one of [1] to [4].

  According to the present invention, the iris operation and the master gain operation that have been performed with two hands can be performed with one hand. This makes it possible to smoothly adjust the video level even when the brightness changes suddenly in a shooting situation. This also allows a single operator to quickly adjust the video levels of multiple cameras. Further, since the iris operation and the master gain operation can be performed with one hand, other adjustments (such as color adjustment) can be performed more smoothly than before with the free hand.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of a photographing control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of a system including a photographing control apparatus according to the embodiment. It is the top view which planarly viewed the example of the control panel for operating a camera control unit by the embodiment. It is the schematic explaining the movable range of a volume by the same embodiment, and how to use a volume. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the imaging | photography control apparatus by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the imaging | photography control apparatus by 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of the imaging control apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the imaging control device 1 includes a control unit 11 and a setting storage unit 12.

  In the figure, a volume 81 outputs a value corresponding to an operation performed by a video engineer (VE). The volume 81 usually includes a circular knob. The knob included in the volume 81 is configured to be rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the circle. Then, the volume 81 outputs a signal (position information) representing a value corresponding to the position of the knob. The volume 81 outputs position information as a digital signal or an analog signal using, for example, a variable resistor or an encoder. The volume 81 itself is realized by existing technology.

  Then, the photographing control apparatus 1 receives a value x (0 ≦ x ≦ 1) that is position information of the volume from the volume 81, and based on the set information, a value f for controlling the iris 82, a signal A gain value g for controlling the amplifying means 83 is output. In the form shown in the figure, the volume 81 is provided outside the imaging control device 1, but the volume 81 may be included inside the imaging control device 1.

The iris 82 is an aperture mechanism for adjusting the amount of light incident on a camera (television camera) for taking images. The iris 82 is normally provided between the photographing optical system (lens group) and the image sensor in the camera, and changes the aperture diameter by a mechanism combining a plurality of blades. It should be noted that the iris 82 may be provided at another appropriate position on the optical path for taking a video. By changing the aperture diameter, the iris 82 blocks part of the light passing through the imaging optical system, and acts so that only the other part of the light reaches the image sensor. When the opening by the iris 82 is circular, or when it can be considered to be pseudo-circular, the iris 82 passes light of a light amount proportional to the square of the opening diameter.
The value f input to the iris 82 is represented by (lens focal length) / (lens effective aperture). Here, “/” is a division operator. That is, the iris 82 changes the effective aperture of the lens according to the input value f.

  The signal amplifying unit 83 (video signal amplifying unit) has a function of amplifying a video signal taken by the television camera. With this signal amplifying means 83, the brightness of the video taken by the television camera can be changed. The signal amplifying means 83 itself can be realized by applying a conventional master gain technique. The unit of the value g input to the signal amplifying unit 83 is decibel (dB). That is, the value g is a logarithm of the amplification factor of the video signal by the signal amplification unit 83. The signal amplifying unit 83 itself is realized by an existing technique. The signal amplifying unit 83 amplifies the video signal according to the input value g. The value g input to the signal amplifying unit 83 may be positive, zero, or negative. When g> 0, the signal amplifying unit 83 sensitizes and outputs the video signal. When g <0, the signal amplifying means 83 desensitizes and outputs the video signal. When g = 0, the signal amplifier 83 does not change the brightness of the video signal.

Next, each function with which the imaging | photography control apparatus 1 is provided is demonstrated.
The control unit 11 controls the iris 82 and the signal amplifying unit 83 based on the information on the value x acquired from the volume 81 and the information stored in the setting storage unit 12. Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs a value f for controlling the iris 82 and a gain value g for controlling the signal amplification unit 83.
The setting storage unit 12 stores setting information necessary for the control unit 11 to control the iris 82 and the signal amplifying unit 83. Specifically, the setting storage unit 12 stores the following setting information (1) to (5).
(1) Information of control switching position in the volume 81. The value of _xp described later.
(2) The maximum value f _max of the value f for controlling the iris 82, or the value of d _max described later in connection with f _max .
(3) The minimum value f _min of the value f for controlling the iris 82, or the value of d _min which will be described later in relation to f _min .
(4) The minimum value g _min of the gain value g for controlling the signal amplification means 83.
(5) The maximum value g _max of the gain value g for controlling the signal amplification means 83.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of a system including the imaging control apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the video production system 8 includes camera control units 6-1 to 6-8 and a video processing device 7.
The video production system 8 may be referred to as a “camera system”. The entire system including the video production system 8 and the plurality of cameras 5 may be referred to as a “camera system”. A plurality of cameras 5-1 to 5-8 can be connected to the video production system 8. Hereinafter, the camera control units 6-1 to 6-8 may be simply referred to as “camera control unit 6”. The cameras 5-1 to 5-8 may be simply referred to as “camera 5”. The camera control unit may be called “CCU”.

The camera 5-1 is a television camera for shooting video. The camera 5-1 outputs a captured video signal via a cable or by radio waves.
The camera control unit 6-1 is connected to the camera 5-1. The camera control unit 6-1 controls the camera 5-1, acquires a video signal shot by the camera 5-1, and passes it to the video processing device 7.
Although the combination of the camera 5-1 and the camera control unit 6-1 has been described here, the cameras 5-2 to 5-8 are also connected to the camera control units 6-2 to 6-8, respectively. Shoot video.
In the drawing, a system including eight cameras 5 and eight camera control units 6 is shown as an example. However, the number of cameras 5 is arbitrary, and a camera corresponding to each camera 5 is provided. The control unit 6 may be connected to configure the system.

  The video processing device 7 receives video signals output from the camera control units 6-1 to 6-8, and is used for production of video using these videos. Specifically, the video processing device 7 can switch (switch) videos captured by the plurality of cameras 5 and synthesize a plurality of videos.

  For example, when producing a television program for a relay such as an event, the video production system 8 is provided in a relay vehicle (a vehicle equipped with a device necessary for the relay). Then, a plurality of cameras 5 are operated by the respective photographers to shoot images. Each camera 5 and the corresponding camera control unit 6 are connected by a cable of about several tens of meters to several hundreds of meters. Or you may make it the camera 5 and the camera control unit 6 corresponding to it send a signal bidirectionally by a radio signal (radio wave). In addition to the relay program, the system configuration shown in FIG. 2 may be used when video is shot in a broadcasting station.

  The camera control unit 6 has a function of controlling the camera 5 as described above. Therefore, each camera control unit 6 is provided with a control panel so that a video engineer can perform an operation using the control panel. The control panel is arranged on the control table and can control each camera 5 independently. Usually, one video engineer is in charge of a plurality of camera control units 6 and operates each control panel. A knob for operating the volume 81 is provided on the control panel. The operation of the volume 81 will be described in detail later.

  Here, the imaging control device 1 may be provided inside the camera control unit 6, for example. Further, the photographing control device 1 may be provided inside the camera 5. When the photographing control apparatus 1 is realized as a function of a computer program, the program may be executed on a computer provided in the camera control unit 6 or on a computer provided in the camera 5. Further, the photographing control device 1 may be provided between the camera control unit 6 and the camera 5. In any of these cases, the imaging control device 1 acquires a value x signal indicated by the volume 81 provided on the control panel, and a value f signal for controlling the iris 82 according to the value x. And a signal having a value g for controlling the signal amplifying means 83.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of an example of a control panel for operating the camera control unit. In the figure, the control panel 30 has a number of push button switches and knobs. Some of these push button switches and knobs are used for operations for controlling the camera 5. This control panel 30 is used for operating one camera control unit 6. In order to operate a plurality of camera control units 6, a plurality of control panels 30 are arranged side by side on the control table. The control panel 30 includes a circular volume 81. The volume 81 can be operated to rotate around an axis passing through the center of the circle perpendicular to the panel surface. The volume 81 will be described in more detail with reference to the subsequent drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movable range of the volume and how to use the volume in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the movable range of the volume and its output value. This figure is a plan view of the knob of the volume 81 from above (from the side of the video engineer who performs the operation). An indicator line is attached to the knob of the volume 81. The video engineer can visually recognize the approximate position of the volume 81 by this indication line. The knob of the volume 81 can be rotated within a range indicated by a dashed arrow. For convenience, the position of the left end of the broken line arrow is 0%, and the position of the right end of the broken line arrow is 100%. Further, the volume 81 is provided with a physical stopper mechanism at the 0% position and the 100% position so that the position of the volume 81 does not go out of the range indicated by the broken arrow. The position of the volume corresponds to a value within this range. That is, the volume 81 outputs a value x (0 ≦ x ≦ 1) according to the position.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a point P set within the movable range of the volume and a control method in each region having the point P as a boundary. Here, for convenience, the 0% position (x = 0) of the volume 81 is referred to as a point A, and the 100% position (x = 1) is referred to as a point B. Point P is a position determined by setting. Position of the point P is determined by the set value x _p. However, 0 <x _p <1.
In the present embodiment, two different types of control can be performed according to the position of the volume 81. Specifically, in the illustrated example, in the region between the points A and P (0 ≦ x ≦ x _p ), the control unit 11 keeps the value g for controlling the gain of the master gain fixed. The value f for controlling the iris is smoothly changed according to the value of x. A region for controlling the iris between the points A and P is referred to as an “iris control region”. In the region between point P and point A (x _p ≦ x ≦ 1), the control unit 11 keeps the value f for controlling the iris fixed, and changes the master gain (signal amplification) according to the value of x. The value g for controlling the amplification factor is smoothly changed. A region between the points P and B for controlling the amplification factor in the signal amplification means is referred to as an “amplification factor control region”. That is, the point P is the position of the boundary between the iris control region and the amplification factor control region. Then, the value of x _p is information indicating the position of the point P which is a boundary. Thereby, the video engineer can change both the iris and the gain of the master gain by operating only the volume 81.

  Specifically, the control unit 11 having received the volume position x obtains and outputs a value f for controlling the iris 82 by the method described below. Similarly, the control unit 11 obtains and outputs a value g for controlling the signal amplification means 83 by the method described below.

Control unit 11, the value f in the 0 ≦ _x ≦ x _p, determined by Equation (1).

Here, a value set as the maximum value of the f value is defined as f _max . A value set as the minimum value of the f value is defined as f _min . According to the definition of the f value described above, the larger the f value, the smaller the aperture diameter of the imaging optical system of the camera 5, and the smaller the f value, the larger the aperture diameter of the imaging optical system of the camera 5. In other words, the larger the f value, the more the camera 5 performs the shooting with the amount of incident light limited. The smaller the f value, the more the camera 5 performs the shooting with the limited amount of incident light. The definitions of d _max and d _min in the above equation (1) are as represented by the equations (2) and (3), respectively.

The control unit _11, the value f in _x p _<x ≦ 1, determined by equation (4).

The control unit 11, a value g in the 0 ≦ _x ≦ x _p, determined by equation (5).

The control unit _11, the value g in _x p _<x ≦ 1, determined by equation (6).

In Equations (5) and (6), g _min and g _max are values set as the minimum value and the maximum value, respectively, of the control value g for the signal amplifying means 83.

Note that the values of x _p , f _max (or d _max ), f _min (or d _min ), g _min , and g _{max in} the equations (1) to (6) are set as described above. The value is stored in the setting storage unit 12 as a value. And the control part 11 reads these setting information from the setting memory | storage part 12, when performing the calculation using Formula (1) to Formula (6).

That is, in this embodiment, the movable region of the volume is divided, and a part of them is used as a region for controlling the iris opening diameter, and the other portion is used as a region for controlling the gain of the video signal amplification means. .
In other words, the control unit 11 controls the iris opening diameter of the camera for at least one of the plurality of partial areas based on a setting obtained by dividing the movable area of one volume into a plurality of partial areas in advance. Position information indicating the position of the volume is input as an iris control area for the image signal and at least another partial area as an amplification factor control area for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means. Is fixed in the iris control region, and the iris opening diameter is controlled to be a value that changes according to the position information, and the position information is in the gain control region. In some cases, the iris opening diameter is fixed and the amplification factor is controlled to be a value that changes according to the position information.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform an operation for adjusting both the iris opening diameter and the amplification factor of the video signal amplification means with one volume.

In the present embodiment, the volume whose position is variable by rotating the knob is used. However, the position information may be output using a volume of another form. The other form of volume is, for example, a volume of a type in which a knob is slid.
Further, in this embodiment, the movable region of the volume is divided into two, and the iris opening diameter control and the amplification factor control are performed in each partial region. Instead, the number of partial regions is set to three or more. Also good. Also in this case, each partial region is assigned to either iris aperture diameter control or amplification factor control in each partial region.
In the present embodiment, the position of the boundary of the partial region (point P in FIG. 4B) can be changed by setting. Thereby, the operability can be finely adjusted.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the description is focused on matters specific to the present embodiment, and description of matters already described in the previous embodiment may be omitted.
In this embodiment, the mode is switched between a mode in which the iris and master gain are controlled by an integral volume (the control method described in the first embodiment) and a mode in which the iris and master gain are controlled by means of separate volumes. To be able to.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of the imaging control apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the imaging control device 2 includes a control unit 11, a setting storage unit 12, and a mode switching unit 21. A feature of the functional configuration of the imaging control device 2 is that it includes a mode switching unit 21.

The mode switching unit 21 separately controls an operation mode in which the iris and master gain are controlled by an integral volume (this is referred to as “mode A” or “volume integral control on mode” for convenience), and the iris and master gain. The operation mode controlled by means such as a volume (referred to as “mode B” or “volume integrated control off mode” for convenience) is switched. The mode switching unit 21 switches between mode A and mode B, for example, when a video engineer operates a switch on the control panel shown in FIG. 3 (first embodiment).
In mode A, at least one of the plurality of partial areas is used for controlling the iris opening diameter of the camera based on a setting in which the movable area of one volume is divided into a plurality of partial areas in advance. As an iris control region, at least one other partial region is set as an amplification factor control region for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means. On the other hand, in mode B, the entire movable region of the volume is set as either the region for controlling the iris opening diameter or the region for controlling the amplification factor in the signal amplification means.

In mode B, different volumes are used for iris control and master gain control. For example, when the volume 81 is used for the iris control in the mode B, the entire region of 0 ≦ x ≦ 1 (as in the previous embodiment, x is a value representing the position of the volume 81) is a value for controlling the iris. Used to change f. That is, even if the position of the volume 81 is the same, the value f for controlling the iris differs between the mode A and the mode B. Therefore, when the mode switching unit 21 switches from mode A to mode B or from mode B to mode A, the value of f may change discontinuously. If this discontinuous change in the value of f is applied to the control of the iris 82 as it is, the brightness of the screen changes abruptly and a switching shock occurs in the video.
The same applies when the volume 81 is used for controlling the signal amplification means 83 in mode B. That is, when the mode switching unit 21 switches from mode A to mode B or from mode B to mode A, the value of g may change discontinuously and a switching shock in the video may occur.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the mode is switched by the mode switching unit 21, the control unit 11 smoothly changes from the control value before switching to the control value after switching based on a predetermined time constant. Control the transition to occur. Specifically, for example, with respect to the control value f for controlling the iris 82, in the transition process from f _s which is the f value at the time of switching to f _t which is the f value as the target value after switching. The control unit 11 performs control so that the values are continuous. Further, in the transition process, the control unit 11 performs control so that the value of (df / dt), which is the time derivative of the f value, continues. Furthermore, with regard the control value g for controlling the signal amplification means 83, the g-value is a g _s at the time switching, g and _t a g value as the target value after switching, the g-value in the transition process The control unit 11 performs control so as to be continuous. Further, in the transition process, the control unit 11 performs control so that the value of (dg / dt), which is a time derivative of the g value, continues.

  For example, T (unit is second) is used as the time constant. The value of T is also stored in advance in the setting storage unit 12 as one of the setting values. This T is the time required for the control value to reach the target value after mode switching. The control unit 11 changes the control value more rapidly as the value of T is smaller, and the control unit 11 changes the control value more gradually as the value of T is larger. Although the setting value regarding T is arbitrary, it sets so that the length of T may be about several seconds, for example.

  After the mode switching by the mode switching unit 21, the values of f and g output from the control unit 11 are as follows. Note that t is the elapsed time when the mode switching time is set to zero.

  The control unit 11 outputs the value of f obtained by Expression (7) when 0 ≦ t ≦ (T / 2).

  Moreover, the control part 11 outputs the value of f calculated | required by Formula (8) in (T / 2) <t <= T.

And the control part 11 outputs _ft which is f value after switching in T <t.

In the equations (7) and (8), the value d _s is the logarithm of the value f _s when the base is 2. The value d _t is a logarithm of the value f _t when the base is 2. That is, it is as Formula (9) and Formula (10), respectively.

  The control unit 11 outputs the value of g obtained by Expression (11) when 0 ≦ t ≦ (T / 2).

  Moreover, the control part 11 outputs the value of g calculated | required by Formula (12) in (T / 2) <t <= T.

Then, the control unit 11, the T <t, and outputs a _{g t} a g value after switching.

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 11 controls the iris opening diameter to smoothly change from the iris opening diameter before the mode switching to the iris opening diameter after the mode switching. Control is performed so that the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means changes smoothly from the amplification factor before switching to the amplification factor after mode switching. Here, controlling the iris opening diameter or the gain to change “smoothly” means that the value of the iris opening diameter or the value of the gain is continuous over time, and the iris opening diameter Control is made so that the value of the time derivative or the value of the time derivative of the amplification factor is continuous over time. In other words, the control unit 11 controls the iris opening diameter value or the gain value so as not to cause a sudden and discontinuous change. The mathematical expressions shown in the description of the present embodiment are examples for the control unit 11 to change these values smoothly. Thereby, even when the mode is switched between the mode A and the mode B, the switching shock in the video can be avoided. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to give a large degree of freedom to the operation by the video engineer.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the description is focused on matters specific to the present embodiment, and description of matters already described in the previous embodiment may be omitted.
In this embodiment, it is possible to switch between a mode in which the iris and master gain are controlled by an integral volume (the control method described in the first embodiment) and an auto iris mode in which the iris opening diameter is automatically controlled. .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of the imaging control apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the imaging control device 3 includes a control unit 11, a setting storage unit 12, and a mode switching unit 22. The mode switching unit 22 is also referred to as an “auto iris mode switching unit”.
The mode switching unit 22 is an operation mode for controlling the iris and the master gain with an integral volume (this is referred to as “mode A” for convenience) and a mode for automatically controlling the iris opening diameter (auto iris mode). This is called “mode C” or “auto iris mode” for convenience). For example, the mode switching unit 22 performs switching between the mode A and the mode C with a video engineer operating a switch on the control panel shown in FIG. 3 (first embodiment).

  In the auto iris mode (mode C), the iris aperture diameter is automatically controlled based on the measurement result of the amount of light entering the camera. Specifically, in the auto iris mode (mode C), the light amount is measured by a light receiving unit provided in the vicinity of the image sensor of the camera 5, and the aperture diameter of the iris 82 is automatically controlled according to the measured light amount. To do. With this automatic control, the camera 5 captures an image with a standard amount of light. The auto iris mode is also called “automatic exposure control”. Control in the auto iris mode itself can be realized by existing technology.

  When the mode switching unit 22 switches from mode A to mode C or from mode C to mode A, the value of f for controlling the iris 82 may change discontinuously. If this discontinuous change in the value of f is applied to the control of the iris 82 as it is, the brightness of the screen changes abruptly and a switching shock occurs in the video. Similarly, when the mode switching unit 22 performs switching from mode A to mode C or from mode C to mode A, the value of g for controlling the signal amplifying means 83 changes discontinuously. Sometimes. If this discontinuous change in the value of g is applied to the control of the signal amplifying means 83 as it is, the brightness of the screen may change drastically and a switching shock may occur in the video.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the mode switching unit 22 performs the mode switching, the control unit 11 smoothly changes from the control value before switching to the control value after switching based on a predetermined time constant. Control the transition to occur. Specifically, for example, with respect to the control value f for controlling the iris 82, in the transition process from f _s which is the f value at the time of switching to f _t which is the f value as the target value after switching. The control unit 11 performs control so that the values are continuous. Further, in the transition process, the control unit 11 performs control so that the value of (df / dt), which is the time derivative of the f value, continues. Furthermore, with regard the control value g for controlling the signal amplification means 83, the g-value is a g _s at the time switching, g and _t a g value as the target value after switching, the g-value in the transition process The control unit 11 performs control so as to be continuous. Further, in the transition process, the control unit 11 performs control so that the value of (dg / dt), which is a time derivative of the g value, continues.

  For example, T (unit is second) is used as the time constant. The value of T is also stored in advance in the setting storage unit 12 as one of the setting values. This T is the time required for the control value to reach the target value after mode switching. The control unit 11 changes the control value more rapidly as the value of T is smaller, and the control unit 11 changes the control value more gradually as the value of T is larger. Although the setting value regarding T is arbitrary, it sets so that the length of T may be about several seconds, for example.

  After the mode switching by the mode switching unit 22, the values of f and g output by the control unit 11 are the same as the values described in the second embodiment. That is, assuming that the time of mode switching is t = 0, the control unit 11 outputs the values of f and g described using the equations (7) to (12) according to the value of the elapsed time t.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, when the mode switching unit 22 switches from the volume integrated control on mode to the auto iris mode, or from the auto iris mode to the volume integrated control on mode, the control unit 11 Is controlled so that the iris opening diameter smoothly changes from the iris opening diameter before the mode switching to the iris opening diameter after the mode switching, and the video signal is changed from the amplification factor before the mode switching to the amplification factor after the mode switching. Control is performed so that the amplification factor in the amplification means changes smoothly. Here, controlling the iris opening diameter or the gain to change “smoothly” means that the value of the iris opening diameter or the value of the gain is continuous over time, and the iris opening diameter Control is made so that the value of the time derivative or the value of the time derivative of the amplification factor is continuous over time. In other words, the control unit 11 controls the iris opening diameter value or the gain value so as not to cause a sudden and discontinuous change. The mathematical expressions shown in the description of the present embodiment are examples for the control unit 11 to change these values smoothly.
Thereby, even when the mode is switched between the mode A and the mode C, the switching shock in the video can be avoided. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to give a large degree of freedom to the operation by the video engineer.

In this embodiment, in both cases of switching from the volume integrated control on mode to the auto iris mode or switching from the auto iris mode to the volume integrated control on mode, the control unit 11 performs the mode from the iris opening diameter before the mode switching. The iris opening diameter is controlled so as to smoothly change to the iris opening diameter after switching, and the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means smoothly changes from the amplification factor before mode switching to the amplification factor after mode switching. I decided to control it. You may make it implement this in the following modifications. That is, only when switching from the volume integrated control on mode to the auto iris mode, the control unit 11 may perform control so as to make the above-mentioned smooth change. Further, only when switching from the auto iris mode to the volume integrated control on mode, the control unit 11 may perform control so as to make the above-mentioned smooth change. Moreover, when these switching is performed, you may make it the control part 11 control so that only an iris opening diameter changes smoothly. In addition, when these switching operations are performed, the control unit 11 may perform control so that only the amplification factor in the video signal amplification unit changes smoothly.
Moreover, you may combine the structure of 2nd Embodiment and the structure of 3rd Embodiment. That is, in this case, the value f and the value g are smoothly changed based on the time constant T both when the mode is switched between the mode A and the mode B and when the mode is switched between the mode A and the mode C. I will let you.

  Note that the functions of the imaging control device in each of the above-described embodiments may be realized by a computer. In that case, it is realized by recording a program for realizing the functions of the above-described photographing control device on a computer-readable recording medium, causing the computer system to read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. You may do it. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, a “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time, like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case may be included, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-described functions, or may be a program that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used in a business for producing video content. The present invention can also be used in businesses that design and manufacture equipment for video content production.

1, 2, 3 Shooting control device (video signal amplification means)
5-1 to 5-8 Cameras 6-1 to 6-8 Camera control unit 7 Video processing device 8 Video production system (camera system)
11 Control Unit 12 Setting Storage Unit 21 Mode Switching Unit 22 Mode Switching Unit (Auto Iris Mode Switching Unit)
81 Volume 82 Iris 83 Signal amplification means

Claims (5)

An imaging control device provided in a camera system that controls the brightness of an image from a camera control unit based on operation of a control panel by a video engineer,
Based on a setting in which a movable area of one volume is divided into a plurality of partial areas in advance, at least one of the plurality of partial areas is used as an iris control area for controlling the iris opening diameter of the camera. In addition, position information indicating the position of the volume is input as an amplification factor control region for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means, and at least one other partial region is input into the iris control region. In some cases, the amplification factor is fixed and the iris opening diameter is controlled so as to change according to the position information. When the position information is within the amplification factor control region, the iris opening diameter is fixed. And a control unit for controlling the amplification factor to be a value that changes according to the position information,
An imaging control apparatus comprising: A setting storage unit for storing setting information;
Further comprising
The movable region of the volume consists only of the iris control region and the amplification factor control region,
The setting storage unit stores information on a position of a boundary between the iris control region and the amplification factor control region as a part of the setting information.
The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Based on a setting in which a movable area of one volume is divided into a plurality of partial areas in advance, at least one of the plurality of partial areas is used as an iris control area for controlling the iris opening diameter of the camera. In addition, a volume integrated control on mode is used in which at least one other partial region is an amplification factor control region for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means, or the entire movable region of the volume is set to the iris opening diameter. A mode switching unit that switches between a volume-integrated control off mode that is an area for controlling the gain or an area for controlling the amplification factor, or only one of them.
Further comprising
When the mode switching unit switches from the volume integrated control off mode to the volume integrated control on mode, or from the volume integrated control on mode to the volume integrated control off mode, the control unit The iris opening diameter is controlled so as to change smoothly from the iris opening diameter before the mode switching to the iris opening diameter after the mode switching, and from the amplification factor before the mode switching to the amplification factor after the mode switching. Control to change smoothly,
The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging control apparatus is characterized. Based on a setting in which a movable area of one volume is divided into a plurality of partial areas in advance, at least one of the plurality of partial areas is used as an iris control area for controlling the iris opening diameter of the camera. In addition, a volume integrated control on mode in which at least one other partial region is an amplification factor control region for controlling the amplification factor in the video signal amplification means is set, or the measurement result of the amount of light entering the camera is used. An auto iris mode switching unit that switches between auto iris mode for automatically controlling the iris opening diameter based on
Further comprising
When the auto iris mode switching unit switches from the volume integrated control on mode to the auto iris mode or switches from the auto iris mode to the volume integrated control on mode, the control unit opens the iris before the mode switching. Control is performed so that the iris opening diameter changes smoothly from the aperture to the iris opening diameter after the mode switching, and the amplification factor in the video signal amplifying means changes smoothly from the amplification factor before the mode switching to the amplification factor after the mode switching. To control,
The imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The program for functioning a computer as an imaging | photography control apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 4.

Images