JP4196053B2 - Video switching system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video switching device used for video production such as a broadcasting station.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, it has become possible to enjoy multi-channel video programs by satellite broadcasting or the like, and the range of selection has become very wide for viewers. However, on the production side that produces such video programs (so-called content) in large quantities, improvement in production efficiency has become an issue, and among the devices used for production, a video switching device that switches between multiple shot images. There has been a lot of attention.
[0003]
Hereinafter, video switching using the conventional video switching device will be described with reference to the schematic block diagram shown in FIG.
[0004]
In FIG. 3, the video signals of the three cameras 5a to 5c in the selection candidate group 5 for photographing the performer group 6 of the performers 6a to 6c are sent to the respective camera monitors 4a to 4c to be displayed on the video. Converted. At the same time, the video signals of the cameras 5a to 5c are switched by the video switching device 1 according to the instruction of the person in charge of production, and are sent or recorded as main video from the main line output. The main video is input to the main line monitor 4x and is confirmed for viewing. As the video switching, the production person operates (presses) the selection buttons 2a to 2c on the console 2 of the video switching device 1 so that the video from the selection candidate group 5 corresponding thereto (that is, the selection button 2b is displayed). When pressed, the image of the camera 5b is selected and sent to the main line output.
[0005]
In general video production operations such as live programs, the person in charge of production confirms the monitors 4a to 4c on which the images of the selection candidate group 5 of the cameras 5a to 5c for photographing the performers 6a to 6c are displayed. However, the video processing unit 3 selects the camera video to be output to the main line output in accordance with the progress of the program or the video production scenario and presses the selection buttons 2a to 2c on the console 2. At this time, since the person in charge of production has to watch the monitor group, it is usually operated by a so-called blind touch in which the selection buttons 2a to 2c of the console 2 are not visually recognized.
[0006]
In addition, in order to make the photographer who operates each camera 5a to 5c, the performer who is the subject, and the person in charge of production know which video is switched by the video processing unit 3 and output to the main line, the video dressing device Reference numeral 1 lights the main lamps (live lamps so-called tally lamps) 4q and 5q in each camera and monitor, and the cameras and monitors whose selection buttons are pressed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the main line lamp is lit for the selected one, but it is not possible to recognize which one is switched to the main line and then output. Therefore, the cameraman does not know that the video of the camera that he / she is shooting will be selected next, and can make preparations before selecting the video (for example, setting of the field of view such as panning and zooming, preparation of composition setting). I could not judge. Conventionally, a voice instruction is given between a photographer who is in charge of photographing each camera and a production person who operates a console (using a headset in which a so-called intercom or abbreviated as an intercom microphone and headphones). However, it was a burden for the production staff who performed blind touch operation on the console, and it was a work requiring skill. Also, it was easy for mistakes to be made due to mistakes in hearing and saying mistakes.
[0008]
Moreover, no instructions can be given to performers who cannot hear the income.
[0009]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to give a notice to a photographer or a performer in advance before selecting a video with a simple operation, and to perform video switching that can realize reliable production and program operation. An object is to provide an apparatus, a system, and a method.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the video switching device according to the present invention can be operated so that the user can select from the video signal input to the video input means, and an operation means for outputting a switching signal corresponding to the user, and switching of the operating means A video switching device comprising video selection means for selecting and outputting one of the input video signals according to the signal, and notification means for inputting the switching signal of the operation means and notifying the origin of the selected video signal, The operation means has a configuration characterized in that the user can select and operate the video signal input to the video input means by the user's operation and then output the main line.
[0011]
In particular, the operation means is provided with a change-over switch for each input video signal, and the change-over switch is changed to three states by the user's operation, and only the input video signal is a main line output in the first state. In this state, only the input video signal is output to the main line next, and in the third state, the input video signal is not a main line output and outputs a switching output indicating that the main line is not output next. The notification means outputs a main line notification signal indicating main line output or a main line notice signal indicating next main line output by switching output of the operation means.
[0012]
Also, there are at least two video switching systems according to the present invention, each of which inputs a video signal output device that outputs a video signal and a video signal from the video signal output device, and a user selects from the input video signal. In response to this, one of the input video signals is selected and output as a main line output, and a video switching device for notifying the origin of the selected video signal, and each video signal output device corresponding to the video signal output device. A video switching system comprising a monitor device that inputs a video signal and visualizes it, and the video switching device uses a video signal that is input to the video input means by the user's operation and then outputs the main line. The user can select and notify the origin of the video input to be output next.
[0013]
With this configuration, a production person who is a user or an operator completely presses the switch of the console corresponding to the video input to be output to the main line to be in the first state, so that the video input is output to the main line, and In addition to the conventional action of turning on the lights of the camera that is the source of the video input and the monitor that visualizes the video input so that it can be seen that the video input is being output to the main line, in charge of production The source of the video input indicates that it is predicted that the video input will be output to the main line next time by setting the video input switch for the next main line output halfway to the second state. A video switching device that provides notification by turning on the lights of a camera and a monitor that visualizes the video input can be obtained.
[0014]
This makes it possible to notify the notice to the source of the next video to be output to the main line with a simple operation that can be done with a blind touch, and to notify the photographer and the performer who is the subject to prepare for the notice. .
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an operation console, and selection buttons 2a to 2c are pushed in two steps, and one circuit is closed deeply by being lightly pressed. The other circuit is configured to be closed by pushing (described later in detail with reference to FIG. 2). Reference numeral 3 denotes a video processing unit. When the selection buttons 2a to 2c of the console 2 are lightly pressed, one video output of the cameras 5a to 5c in the selection candidate group 5 corresponding thereto is connected to the notice output, and the monitor It is output to the notice monitor 4y in the group 4. Similarly, when the selection buttons 2a to 2c of the console 2 are pushed in deeply, the video output of one of the cameras 5a to 5c in the selection candidate group 5 corresponding to the selection buttons 2a to 2c is equivalent to that described in the prior art. It is connected to the main line output (the video of the main line output is transmitted or recorded as it is, as in the prior art), and is output to the main line monitor 4x in the monitor group 4.
[0017]
In addition, as in the prior art, the photographer who operates each camera 5a to 5c, the performer who is the subject, and the person in charge of production knows which video is switched and output by the video processing unit. Therefore, the video switching device 1 lights up the cameras and monitors whose main buttons are deeply pressed among the main lamps (so-called tally lamps) 5q and 4q in the cameras and monitors, The monitor is provided with the warning lamps 5p and 4p, and it is possible to recognize which one of the selection buttons is pressed lightly and selected as the warning output by turning on the warning lamps 5p and 4p.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a changeover switch used for the selection buttons 2 a to 2 c of the console 2. The changeover switch 10 is a so-called momentary switch (bounce switch). In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10e denotes a knob, which is moved by a pushing operation of the operator together with the sliding electrons 10d that are always in conduction with the common terminal 10a. Reference numeral 10b denotes a leading terminal, and reference numeral 10c denotes a rear terminal, which is brought into contact with the common terminal 10a when the sliding electrons 10d move. In a state where the operator is not pushing ((a) in the figure), the knob 10e is urged upward by a spring (not shown) or the like, and the common terminal 10a and other front terminals, rear terminals 10b and 10c. Is not conducting. When the user lightly pushes the knob 10e, the common terminal 10a and the leading terminal 10b become conductive ((b) in the figure), and the rear terminal 10c and the common terminal 10a become conductive unless pressed deeply as shown in (c) in the same figure. do not do. As described above, the operator of the selection button of the console pushes the selection button by blind touch while gazing at the screen of the monitor group 4, so that the pressing amount (so-called “so-called”) A switch with a large stroke) is used, and a switch that does not switch when touched just like a so-called touch switch is used.
[0019]
That is, this embodiment uses a selection button that outputs another signal when pressed down shallowly on the console 2 as compared with that described in the prior art, and the video processing unit 3 uses the signal to output the main line. A notice output different from the output is output and the image is displayed on the notice monitor 4y provided in the monitor group 4, and the camera 5a and the like constituting the selection candidate group 5 and the respective cameras are similarly used by using the signal. The difference is that the notice lamps 5p and 4p provided on the camera monitors 4a and others arranged in the monitor group 4 on which the video is displayed are turned on.
[0020]
The operation of the video switching device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The operator of the console 2 can select the video selection buttons 2a to 2c to be selected next and lightly press them to confirm the video in advance by the warning monitor 4y on which the warning output is displayed. The camera to be selected can also be confirmed by lighting of the warning lamps 5p and 4p arranged for each of the camera monitors 4a and others on which the images of the cameras 5a and others in the selection candidate group 5 are displayed.
[0021]
It can also be seen that the cameraman or performer 6 who operates each camera 5a of the selection candidate group 5 is going to be selected next by the notice lamp 5p arranged for each camera.
[0022]
In the above-described embodiment, the command signals for turning on the warning lamps 4p and 5p and the main line lamps 4q and 5q provided in each monitor 4a of the monitor group 4 and each camera 5a of the selection candidate group 5 are shown in FIG. Although not shown, this may be supplied from the video switching device 1 to each camera and monitor, or a digital video signal is transmitted by so-called digital bidirectional signal transmission and added to the digital video signal. The bit of the notice selection or the main line selection may be set by a bit signal (for example, user's bit).
[0023]
Also, in the above description, an example in which performers are assigned to each camera has been described, but each performer can also produce an effect such as aligning his or her eyes with the lighting of a notice lamp of any camera Therefore, regardless of the condition of which camera shoots which performer, there is also a case where one performer is photographed by changing the angle with a plurality of cameras, and in any case, the present invention is very effective. It is.
[0024]
In addition, although the video selection candidate is a camera, in a video device other than the camera, such as a VTR (or an optical disc device), the video device is started to play (or paused) before the video of the video device is selected. By canceling), there is an advantage that a problem such as starting from a stopped image or image disturbance due to a reproduction delay does not occur on the main line.
[0025]
Furthermore, in the description of the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the two warning lamps are provided and the warning lamp is set separately from the main lamp is described. However, the main lamp is configured only by one main lamp and is in a shallowly pushed warning state. Even if is turned on, it is sufficient if the notice is important. In addition, the case where only one lamp is provided may be blinked as a notice lamp in the notice state and lit in the same manner as a conventional main lamp in the main line state. In addition, the lamp is not a red lamp like a conventional main line lamp but can change the color (for example, an array of two-color light emitting diodes or a liquid crystal display panel with a fluorescent backlight (LCD). In the main line state, it may be red, and in the notice state, it is possible to give a notice such as a buzzer sound to the cameraman's income.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the production of a program such as a live program that is not allowed to fail, the selection candidate to be selected before being output to the main line output to be transmitted or recorded is selected as a selection candidate photographer, operator, or performer. In addition, it is possible to notify the production person who operates the video switching device in advance, and it is possible to save labor for reliable program / production operation and confirmation instruction, and an excellent effect of improving production efficiency can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a selection button. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional video switching device.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image | video switching apparatus 2 Console 2a, 2b, 2c selection button 3 Image | video processing part 4 Monitor group 4a, 4b, 4c Monitor 4p Warning lamp (P lamp)
4q main line lamp (L lamp)
4x Main line monitor 4y Notice monitor 5 Selection candidate group 5a, 5b, 5c Camera 5p Notice lamp (P lamp)
5q main line lamp (L lamp)
6 Performers

Claims (4)

At least two or more video signal output devices that output a video signal and have a first warning lamp and a video signal from the video signal output device are input, and one of the input video signals is selected and output to the main line And a video switching device for notifying the origin of the selected video signal, and a monitor device for inputting each video signal into a video corresponding to the video signal output device, and having a second warning lamp A video switching system consisting of
The video switching device comprises: video input means for inputting at least two video signals from the video signal output device; operating means for outputting a switching signal selected from the video signals input to the video input means; Video output means for selecting and outputting one of the input video signals according to the switching signal of the operation means, and notification means for inputting the switching signal of the operation means and notifying the origin of the selected video signal. Preparation
The operating means is provided with a changeover switch for each of the inputted video signals, the changeover switch has three states, and the input video signal is a main line output in the first state, and in the second state. In the third state, the input video signal is output to the main line, and in the third state, the input video signal is not a main line output and outputs a switching signal indicating that the main line is not output next,
A video switching system characterized in that the first warning lamp and the second warning lamp are turned on based on a switching signal when the changeover switch is in the second state. 2. The video according to claim 1 , wherein the notification means outputs a main line notification signal indicating main line output or a main line notice signal indicating next main line output depending on a state of the changeover switch. Switching system . The video switching system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a rebound switch. 4. The rebound switch according to claim 1, wherein the monitor device includes a main line monitor that displays a main line output and a notice monitor that displays a next notice output that becomes a main line output. 5. The video switching system described in 1.

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