JP3436610B2 - Camera device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses a single signal processing unit to perform each video signal from a plurality of image input cameras.
The present invention relates to a camera device that can easily select each image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional video camera system of this type, for example, a video conference system based on a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) has been widely used due to a decrease in price along with improvement of image processing technology. is there. The image input camera of this video conference system is a face camera as a camera that captures a person's face (imaging distance of about 60 cm to ∞) and documents, drawings and samples (imaging distance of about several centimeters to ∞). Two cameras, a document camera as a camera (30 cm), are required. These cameras each independently constitute a camera system consisting of an optical system section, an image pickup element section, a signal processing section, and a video output section. It will be.

Also, in the in-vehicle camera system and the surveillance camera system, when two images are to be viewed, the above-mentioned cameras are used as the respective cameras, and the optical system section and the imaging element section are independently provided. , A signal processing unit, and a video output unit.

[0004]

In the case of the camera device configured as described above, the camera system is independently configured as each camera, and a PC-based video conference system and a plurality of cameras are mounted. In the in-vehicle camera system and the surveillance camera system as the safety device based on the image, the camera becomes very expensive, and the shape of the camera becomes large, and the operation and price are restricted.

The present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems.
An object of the present invention is to provide a camera device in which the size of the camera head unit is reduced, the cost is low, the switching of the camera head unit can be easily performed, and the operating camera head unit when switching is easily and reliably recognized. It is a thing.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A camera device according to the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an optical system for picking up a predetermined first image and outputting a first output signal, an image pickup element, and a horizontal timing. A first camera head section including a section, a second camera head section including an optical system that captures a predetermined second image and outputs a second output signal, an image sensor, and a horizontal timing section, A signal input switching unit for selectively processing the output signals of the first and second camera head units;
A signal processing unit; a storage unit that stores adjustment data for each of the first and second camera head units; and the first and second
A control section for selectively selecting the operation of the camera head section of
First camera head to a display device have a video signal processing unit displays an image by the camera and a video signal output unit for alternatively outputting the video signal of the first and second camera head Section or a second camera head section is provided with a control section for selecting the camera head section selected by the control section, and the control section switches the selected camera head to the selected camera head section. In a camera device that switches a storage unit that stores adjustment data to the adjustment data of the camera head, displays the output signal of the camera head unit on the display device through the video signal output unit by performing signal processing in the common signal processing unit , The first
Attaching and detaching the camera head part or the second camera head part of
Is detected, the control unit adjusts the adjustment data of each camera head unit.
Adjustment data of the camera head
The output signal of the camera head to a common signal.
Signal processing in the signal processing section and display through the video signal output section
It is displayed on the device .

[0007]

[0008]

Further, a control unit for selecting the first camera head unit or the second camera head unit is provided in the display device for displaying the image by the camera, and the camera head unit selected by the control unit is provided with the above-mentioned The control unit switches to the selected camera head unit, switches the storage unit that stores the adjustment data of each camera head unit to the adjustment data of the camera head unit, and outputs the output signal of the camera head unit to the common signal. The signal processing is performed by the processing unit and is displayed on the display device through the video signal output unit.

[0010]

[0011]

In the camera device of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the output signal of the first camera head section and the output signal of the second camera head section are shared by the common video signal processing section, and each of the video output signals is controlled by the control section. Based on the instruction, the video output signal of the selected camera head is stored in the storage unit, and the signal processing is performed by the adjustment data corresponding to each camera head, and the video of two places is connected to the video output unit and the video output connection unit. An image can be displayed on the display device via the display device.

Further, the switching device provided in the first camera head portion and the second camera head portion can display the image of the required camera head portion on the display device, and the first camera It is possible to understand which of the camera head images is displayed by the display units provided on the head unit and the second camera head unit.

Further, it is also possible to select a required camera head portion by a selection device for selecting a camera head portion provided on the display device. In addition, if one of the camera head portions is disconnected from the connection, The connection detection unit can automatically switch to an image of another connected camera head unit.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the camera device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a camera device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the camera device includes a first camera head section (first camera head section) 1 and a second camera head section (first camera head section). 2 camera head)
2, a video signal processing unit 3, a display device 4, a first camera head unit 1 and a second camera head unit 2, and a connection unit 5 for connecting the display device 4 and the video signal processing unit 3 to input / output various signals,
6, 7, a control signal input / output unit 8 and a power supply unit 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first camera head unit 1 has an optical system 11 including a lens and an optical low-pass filter, for example, a photographing element 12 including a CCD (CHARGE COUPLED DEVICE) and a CDS (CONPRIMENTARY DOUBLE).
SAMPLING) section 13 and horizontal timing section 14, but these functions are well known in the art and will not be described.
Then, the subject input to the optical system 11 is focused on the image sensor 12, and is electrically converted by the image sensor 12 as a video signal.

The CDS unit 13 performs a preprocessing of the video signal output from the image pickup device 12 so that noise can be removed and the signal processing in the video signal processing unit 3 can be easily performed on the signal in the subsequent stage. The horizontal timing unit 14 controls the operation timing of the image sensor 12. Then, the video signal is sent to the video signal processing unit 3 via the connection unit 5. 1
7 is a display unit, and its display unit 17 is the first camera head unit 1.
Is configured to include a lamp or the like for notifying that it is operating, and, for example, displays the operation when lit.
Reference numeral 18 denotes a switching unit, and the switching unit 18 includes a switch for switching between the first camera head unit 1 and the second camera head unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second camera head unit 2 has an optical system 21 including a lens and an optical low-pass filter, for example, a photographing element 22 composed of a CCD (CHARGE COUPLED DEVICE) and a CDS (CONPRIMENTARY DOUBLE SOUBLE).
AMPLING) section 23 and horizontal timing section 24, but these functions are well known in the art and will not be described.
Then, the subject input to the optical system 11 is focused on the image sensor 12, and is electrically converted by the image sensor 12 as a video signal.

The CDS unit 23 performs a preprocessing of the video signal output from the image pickup device 22 so that noise can be removed and the signal processing in the video signal processing unit 3 can be easily performed on the signal in the subsequent stage. The horizontal timing unit 24 controls the operation timing of the image sensor 22. Then, the video signal is sent to the video signal processing unit 3 via the connection unit 6. Two
7 is a display unit, and its display unit 27 is a second camera head unit 2.
Is configured to include a lamp or the like for notifying that it is operating, and, for example, displays the operation when lit.
Reference numeral 28 denotes a switching unit, and the switching unit 28 includes a switch for switching between the first camera head unit 1 and the second camera head unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the video signal processing section 3 includes a signal input switching section 31 and a sync signal generating section (SS).
G (including a SYNCHRO SIGNAL GENERETOR) and a vertical timing unit) 32, a signal processing unit 33, an encoder 34, a video output unit 35, a storage unit 36, a control unit 37, a video output connection unit 7, a control signal input / output unit 8, The power supply unit 9 and the connection switching unit 10 that can automatically switch to the image of another connected camera head unit. The display device 4 is a monitor that displays an image having a selection device 41 that selects a camera head unit provided on the display device 4.

The video signal of the first camera head unit 1 or the second camera head unit 2 is sent to the signal processing unit 33 via the signal input switching unit 31 to perform signal processing, and the encoder 34 and the video output unit 35. , Video output connection 7
It is sent to the display device 4 through and displayed as an image.
The synchronization signal generation unit 32 is a synchronization signal generation unit for synchronizing the vertical timing signals of the image pickup devices 12 and 22 with the operations of the horizontal timing units 14 and 24 and the signal processing unit 33.

The signal processing unit 33 processes and converts the output signal of the image pickup device 12 or the image pickup device 22 sent from the first camera head unit 1 or the second camera head unit 2 into a luminance signal and a color difference signal, The encoder 34 functions to process the video signal. At this time, if the control unit 37 is the output signal from the first camera head unit 1, the control unit 3 outputs the adjustment data A of the image pickup device 12 stored in the storage unit 36.
7, the signal processing unit 33 processes and converts the output signal of the image pickup device 12 into a luminance signal and a color difference signal based on this data, and is processed into a video signal by the function of the encoder 34.

Similarly, if it is an output signal from the second camera head section, the control section 37 reads the adjustment data B of the image pickup device 22 stored in the storage section 36, and the signal processing section 33 uses this data. The output signal of the image sensor 22 is processed and converted into a luminance signal and a color difference signal based on the
Is processed into a video signal. The signal processing unit 3
3. The function of the encoder 34 is a well-known technique, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control section 37 selects either the output signal of the first camera head section 1 or the second camera head section 2 in response to a command from the selection apparatus 41 for selecting the camera head section provided on the display device 4. , The connection switching unit 10 selects the first camera head unit 1 or the second camera head unit 2 selected.
Of the first camera head unit 1 or the second camera head unit 2 connected so as to select either output signal of
Either the display unit 17 or the display unit 27 is turned on to clearly indicate by display whether either the camera head unit 1 or the camera head unit 2 is operating.

Subsequently, the control unit 37 stores the adjustment data A of the image pickup device 12 of the first camera head unit 1 stored in the storage unit 36 or the adjustment data of the image pickup device 22 of the second camera head unit 2. The control unit 36 reads B, the control unit 37 sends the adjustment data A or B adjustment data to the signal processing unit 33, and the signal processing unit 33 based on this sends the signal processing.

Further, the control section 37 is instructed by the switching section 18 provided in the first camera head section 1 or the switching section 28 provided in the second camera head section 2 to instruct the first camera head section 1 or 2 The camera head unit 2 is switched, the adjustment data A and B corresponding to the respective camera head units 1 and 2 are sent as described above, and the signal processing unit 33 based on this is sent.
Performs signal processing.

In addition, the control section 37 controls the display section 1 of either the first camera head section 1 or the second camera head section 2.
7 and 27 are turned on to clearly indicate by display whether either the camera head unit 1 or 2 is operating. The storage unit 36 includes the image pickup device 12 and the second image sensor 12 of the first camera head unit 1.
The variations and characteristics of the image pickup elements of the image pickup elements 22 of the camera head unit 2 (for example, characteristic variations of lenses,
The correction value of the signal processing differs depending on the difference in the sensitivity and characteristics of the CCD, the variation of the color filter attached to the CCD surface, etc., and this difference is stored as adjustment data A and B. This data is stored in the storage unit 36 as an adjustment value in the process of manufacturing the camera head unit. If a writable / erasable memory is used for this storage unit 36, it can be changed by the user.

The video output connection unit 7 includes a signal processing unit 33.
The video signal subjected to the signal processing by is output to the display device 4. The control signal input / output unit 8 is an interface that transmits and receives a command signal of the selection device 41 that selects the camera head unit provided in the display device 4. The power supply unit 9 supplies power to the first camera head unit 1 or the second camera head unit 2 and the video signal processing unit 3.

The selection device 41 for selecting the camera head section provided on the display device 4 selects the first camera head section 1 and sends a command signal to the control signal input / output section 8. Then, the control unit 37 receives the signal and sends the adjustment data A of the storage unit 36 to the signal processing unit 33. At the same time, the signal input switching unit 31 is switched to the first camera head unit 1,
The display unit 17 is turned on.

The first camera head unit 1 includes an optical system 1
1, the camera head unit composed of the image pickup device 12, the CDS 13, and the horizontal timing 14 is operated, and the input subject is focused on the image pickup device 12, and the image pickup device 12
Is electrically converted into a video signal. The above CDS
Reference numeral 15 serves to perform preprocessing of the video signal output from the image pickup device 12 so that noise can be removed and a signal in the subsequent stage can be easily processed by the video signal processing unit 3.

The horizontal timing 14 corresponds to the image pickup device 12
Control the operation timing of. The video signal is sent to the video signal processing unit 3 via the connection unit 5. The display unit 17 lights up to notify that the first camera head unit 1 is operating. For the video signal sent to the video signal processing unit 3, the signal processing unit 3 reads the adjustment data A stored in the storage unit 36, performs signal processing of the first camera head unit 1, and captures an image based on this data. The output signal of the element 12 is processed and converted into a luminance signal and a color difference signal, and processed by the encoder 34 into a video signal. The video output connection unit 7 outputs the video signal signal-processed by the signal processing unit 33 to the display device 4, and displays the video image of the first camera head unit 1 on the display device 4.

In response to a command from the switching unit 18 provided in the first camera head unit 1 or the switching unit 28 provided in the second camera head unit 2, the first camera head unit 1
Also when switching between the second camera head unit 2 and the second camera head unit 2, the adjustment data A and B corresponding to the respective camera head units 1 and 2 are sent as described above, and the signal processing unit 33 performs signal processing based on this. The display unit 17 or 18 provided on the corresponding first camera head unit 1 or second camera head unit 2 is turned on.

The operation of the video signal processing section 3 is substantially the same as the operation of the selection device 41 of the display device 4. The operation of the switching unit 28 of the second camera head unit 2 is also substantially the same as the operation of the switching unit 17 of the first camera head unit 1 described above, and thus the details thereof will be omitted.

If either one of the connection portions 5 of the first camera head portion 1 or the second camera head portion 2 is disconnected,
By the connection detection unit 10, the control unit 37 sends adjustment data A or adjustment data B of the corresponding camera head unit of the connected camera head unit 1 or camera head unit 2 to the signal processing unit 33 for signal processing. The video signal to be displayed is sent to the display device 4 to display the video.

[0034]

Since the camera device of the present invention is configured as described above, the signal processing units of the first camera head unit and the second camera head unit can be used as a common video signal processing unit,
The camera head can be downsized and the cost can be reduced. In addition, recently, a method of confirming the safety of a car with an in-vehicle camera by video information processing has been adopted, and the number of cases in which a plurality of cameras are mounted is increasing. Since it is compact and can be used as a common video signal processing unit, it has great cost merit, and can be widely applied to this kind of surveillance camera system and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a camera device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of a first camera head unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of a second camera head unit in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing details of a video signal processing unit of FIG. 1.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 First camera head 2 Second camera head 3 Video signal processor 4 display device 10 Connection detector 17 Display 18 Switching unit 27 Display 28 Switching unit 33 Signal processing unit 36 Memory 37 Control unit 41 Selector

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first camera head unit including an optical system for capturing a predetermined first image and outputting a first output signal, an image sensor, and a horizontal timing unit, and a predetermined second image. A second camera head unit including an optical system for capturing an image and outputting a second output signal, an image sensor, and a horizontal timing unit; and selectively processing output signals of the first and second camera head units. A signal input switching unit, a signal processing unit, a storage unit that stores adjustment data of each of the first and second camera head units, and an operation of the first and second camera head units. a control unit for selectively alternatively, the have a video signal processing unit and a video signal output unit that outputs alternatively a first video signal of the second camera head unit, an image by the camera The first camera head section or the second camera is displayed on the display device. A memory for storing the adjustment data of each of the camera head units, while providing a control unit for selecting the head unit, and for the camera head unit selected by the control unit, the control unit switches to the selected camera head and stores the adjustment data of each of the camera head units. switch the parts to adjustment data of the camera head, the camera device to be displayed on the display device via the video signal output unit performs the signal processing output signals of the camera head unit in the common signal processing unit, the first camera head Part or second camera head
When the control unit detects the attachment / detachment of the camera head unit,
The storage unit that stores the adjustment data of the
The output signal of the camera head section
Signal processing is performed by the common signal processing unit and the video signal output unit
A camera device characterized by displaying on a display device. 2. The first and second camera head units are provided with a display unit for displaying that the camera head unit selected by the control unit is performing an image capturing operation. Camera device.