JP4298532B2 - Shooting system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely controlling a photographing device such as a television lens and other devices.

  A television lens mounted on a so-called shoulder-carrying type television camera has a drive unit for holding the lens with a right hand in the vicinity of a lens body that performs zooming and focusing. A motor for electrically driving zoom and focus is housed inside the drive unit, and a VTR switch for instructing ON / OFF of recording of the TV camera and an ON / OFF operation of the switch are provided on the exterior surface of the drive unit. A return switch is provided to send back to the device.

  There are various ways to use the return switch. For example, when you are shooting a subject with multiple cameras, the video displayed on the viewfinder of the TV camera used by the cameraman can be changed from your video to another cameraman. In many cases, the function for switching to is assigned to this return switch. In this case, it is convenient when photographing taking into account the cooperation of a plurality of photographers.

  By the way, when shooting with such a shoulder-held TV lens fixed to a tripod, the distance between the drive unit and the photographer is greater than when carrying the shoulder, so it is difficult for the photographer to easily operate the switch of the drive unit. Become. For this reason, a remote switch unit for remotely operating a VTR switch or a return switch may be used.

  The remote switch unit includes a switch unit body provided with a VTR switch and a return switch, and a cable connector. The switch unit main body is fixed to a three-leg panning operation rod with tape or the like so that the cameraman can easily operate it at hand. On the other hand, the cable connector is connected to the connector of the drive unit. By using this remote switch unit, the VTR switch and the return switch can be easily operated by the photographer without reaching for the drive unit even during tripod operation.

  There are a variety of shooting modes at the shooting site, such as a case of shooting with a TV camera on your shoulder, a case of fixing to a tripod, or a camera fixed to a tripod while shooting. In some cases, the camera is taken off the tripod and taken on the shoulder. In such a case, when the remote switch unit described above is used, the remote switch unit main body is fixed to the tripod panning rod. Therefore, when removing the camera from the tripod, the work of removing the connector cable of the remote switch unit from the drive unit is not necessary. Necessary. For this reason, there is a drawback in that it lacks mobility during shooting when the camera and tripod are frequently attached and detached.

  Also, when moving from tripod shooting to shoulder-shoulder shooting instantaneously, forgetting to remove the connector cable of the remote switch unit from the drive unit, there is a possibility that the cable may be disconnected.

Therefore, it is conceivable to perform wireless communication between the remote switch unit and the drive unit that are connected by a cable (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-038797 (paragraphs 0010 to 0015, FIGS. 1 to 3 etc.)

However, the tripod panning rod to which the remote switch unit is fixed is fixed at various angles depending on the shooting situation. Therefore, depending on the fixed angle of the panning rod, the direction of the light emitting unit of the remote switch unit and the direction of the light receiving unit of the drive unit do not always match, and it may be difficult to perform stable communication between the two.

An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system that can perform communication for performing remote operation with high reliability.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging system according to the present invention includes a lens device including a lens body, and a drive unit that is attached to the lens body and houses a control circuit for electrically driving zoom and focus. An imaging system comprising a receiving unit that is detachable from a connector for connecting a cable, and a remote switch unit that transmits a radio signal toward the receiving unit, wherein the remote switch unit includes a device body and a lens device . An output means for outputting a radio signal for remote operation, an operation means operated for causing the output means to output a radio signal, and an emission direction of the radio signal with respect to the apparatus body can be directed in an arbitrary direction. Possible flexible members .

  According to the present invention, since the emission direction of the radio signal can be arbitrarily changed, regardless of the positional relationship between the remote operation device and the reception device (for example, this device is fixed to the movable member, Even when the positional relationship between the apparatus and the receiving apparatus changes, the stability of communication of the radio signal can be ensured.

  Then, by applying the remote control device of the present invention to the remote operation of the photographing device, the reliability of the remote control of the photographing device can be enhanced regardless of the positional relationship between the remote control device and the photographing device. .

  In addition, by using a deformable flexible member or a movable deflecting member capable of deflecting a radio signal, the above effect can be obtained with a simple configuration.

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

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows an example of an imaging system using a remote switch unit (remote operation device) and a receiving unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 in the drawing denotes a lens device (photographing device), and details thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an external view (plan view) of the handy lens device 1 attached to a shoulder-held camera. The lens device 1 includes a lens body 2 that performs zooming and focusing, and a drive unit 3 that is attached to a side surface of the lens body 2.

  Inside the drive unit 3, a motor and a control circuit for electrically driving zoom and focus are stored. The exterior surface of the drive unit 3 is provided with switches such as a VTR switch 4 for instructing start / stop of TV video recording, a return switch 5 for returning a switch operation to the camera, and a zoom switch 25 for zooming. ing.

  There are various ways to use this return switch. For example, when you are shooting a subject with multiple cameras, you can use the camera to display the video displayed on the viewfinder of the TV camera used by the cameraman. A function for switching to video may be assigned to this switch.

  In many photographing systems in which a handy lens is attached to a camera, the cameraman carries the shoulder with his shoulder. Therefore, various switches are arranged on the exterior surface of the drive unit 3 held by the photographer with his right hand.

  FIG. 1 shows an operation mode when the lens apparatus 1 is attached to a tripod 7 for shooting. The television camera 6 to which the lens device 1 is attached is detachably fixed to the tripod 7 via an adapter 19.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a panning rod provided on the tripod 7. The cameraman 8 controls the shooting direction of the camera 6 supported by the tripod 7 by operating the panning rod 9 up and down and left and right in accordance with the movement of the subject. it can. In addition, the camera 6 is provided with a viewfinder 20 that displays captured images. The photographer 8 operates the panning rod 9 while confirming the video displayed on the viewfinder 20. As will be described later, the panning rod 9 can be fixed at an arbitrary position with respect to the tripod 7 in the vertical swinging direction.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a remote switch unit (remote operation device), which is fixed to the panning rod 9 using tape or the like. The remote switch unit 10 performs wireless communication with an optical signal such as infrared rays in the direction indicated by A in the figure toward the receiving unit 11 connected to the drive unit 3. Note that the signals (wireless signals) communicated here are not limited to optical signals such as infrared rays, but may be signals that can be wirelessly transmitted without using cable transmission, such as ultrasonic signals.

Next, details of the remote switch unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a unit main body (apparatus main body) , and reference numerals 15 and 12 denote a VTR switch and a return switch provided in the unit main body 21, respectively. The functions of these switches are the same as those provided in the drive unit 3.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an infrared light emitting element (output means) . 21 a is a light emission control circuit provided in the unit main body 21, and the infrared light emitting element 13 emits light (transmits an optical signal) in response to the operation of the VTR switch (operation means) 15 and the return switch (operation means) 12. Control.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a flexible cable (a flexible member as a changing means) that connects the infrared light emitting element 13 and the unit main body 21. The flexible cable 14 has a base end fixed to the unit main body 21, and is flexible (flexible) to bend so that the infrared light emitting element 13 held at the tip is directed in an arbitrary direction. It is a member that combines rigidity to maintain the shape. The infrared light emitting element 13 and the control circuit 21a are electrically connected via wiring.

  Details of the reception unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The receiving unit 11 includes a connector 11a and an infrared light receiving element 11b. The receiving unit 11 is attached to the drive unit 3 with the infrared light receiving element 11b facing the camera so that the infrared signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 13 of the remote switch unit 10 can be received (received). The connector 11a can be detachably connected to the connector 16 provided on the bottom surface of the drive unit 3.

  The receiving unit 11 stores a conversion circuit 11c that converts an infrared signal received by the infrared light receiving element 11b into an electric signal. An electrical signal from the conversion circuit 11c is transmitted to the drive unit 3 via the connectors 11a and 16.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a control circuit 23 is stored in the drive unit 3. The control circuit 23 controls the lens device 1 and the camera 6 based on the electrical signal input through the connector 16.

  The connector 16 of the drive unit 3 is originally a connector for cable-connecting a zoom demand and a focus demand (not shown) for remotely controlling the zoom and focus of the lens device 1. However, in this embodiment, this connector is used as a signal receiving port for the drive unit 3.

  By making the receiving unit 11 detachable from the connector 16 of the drive unit 3, it is possible to realize the convenience of being easily attachable to the existing lens device 1 as required. In the case of a shooting mode that does not require a remote switch unit, it is possible to operate as usual with an emphasis on miniaturization and weight reduction. Also, normally, the vicinity of the connector 16 located on the bottom surface of the drive unit 3 has a certain space around it, so that there is an advantage in arrangement that there are few obstacles to receiving infrared rays.

By performing wireless communication between the remote switch unit 10 and the receiving unit 11 in this way, a cameraman can be used even when using a tripod without directly reaching for the VTR switch 4 and the return switch 5 provided on the exterior surface of the drive unit 3. A comfortable switch operation is possible at hand. Also, imaging and fixing the camera tripod, in the case of a taking situation repeated frequently the shooting shoulder to shoulder also is possible to eliminate the trouble of repeated attachment and detachment relative to conventional cable drive unit extending from the remote switch unit as it can.

  FIG. 5 shows a photographing situation when the panning rod 9 fixed to the tripod 7 is moved (stored) upward from the state shown in FIG. By moving the panning rod 9 upward, the direction of the remote switch unit 10 fixed to the panning rod 9 is downward, but by bending the flexible cable 14 forward and directing the infrared light emitting element 13 to the receiving unit 11. As shown by B in the figure, the emission direction of infrared rays can be made closer to the direction of the infrared light receiving element 11b of the receiving unit 11. Thereby, even if the photographing form changes from the form shown in FIG. 1 to the form shown in FIG. 5 (that is, even if the positional relationship between the remote switch unit 10 and the receiving unit 11 changes), the remote switch unit 10 And the reliability of wireless communication between the receiving unit 11 and the receiving unit 11 is not impaired. Therefore, the functions corresponding to the VTR switch and the return switch from the remote switch unit 10 can be controlled.

  When the flexible cable 14 is used as in the present embodiment, it can be easily visually confirmed that the infrared light emitting element 13 of the remote switch unit 10 faces the light receiving element 11b of the receiving unit 11. For this reason, there is a merit that gives the photographer a sense of security.

  As described above, in this embodiment, functions corresponding to the VTR switch and the return switch of the drive unit 3 can be remotely operated by causing the remote switch unit 10 and the receiving unit 11 to perform infrared communication. It is possible to solve the problem of poor mobility at the time of photographing and cable disconnection, which have been regarded as problems in the conventional cable connection method. Moreover, since the emission (transmission) direction of the infrared signal from the remote switch unit 10 (infrared light emitting element 13) can be adjusted using the flexible cable 14, the positional relationship between the remote switch unit 10 and the reception unit 11 changes. The reliability of the communication can be ensured even in various shooting situations.

  In this embodiment, the case where the functions corresponding to the VTR switch 4 and the return switch 5 of the drive unit 3 are remotely operated via the remote switch unit 10 has been described. However, the remote switch unit relates to the lens device and the camera. Various functions (for example, zoom, focus, iris, macro function) can be used for remote control.

(Example 2)
FIG. 6 shows a remote switch unit that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 3) are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

  Reference numeral 17 in the drawing denotes a rotation adjusting member that rotates around the central axis E at the tip of the unit main body 21. Reference numeral 18 denotes a mirror member (deflection member) attached to the rotation adjusting member 17.

  A part of the infrared signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 13 held at the tip of the unit body 21 is emitted in the direction C in the figure, and the other part is deflected and reflected by the reflecting surface of the mirror member 18 in the figure. Head in the direction of D. Therefore, as a result, the infrared signal is emitted in an angle range from arrows C to D.

7 and 8 show the remote switch unit 10 viewed from the direction F in the figure. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the rotation adjusting member 17 is positioned below the remote switch unit 10 and the mirror member 18 faces upward. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the rotation adjusting member 17 is rotated counterclockwise from the position of FIG . 7 and the mirror member 18 is directed obliquely upward.

Thus the rotational position of the rotary adjusting member 17, i.e., by changing the orientation of the mirror member 18, as the emission direction of the infrared signal emitted from the infrared ray emitting element 13 (region) faces in the direction of the receiving unit 11 Can be adjusted.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the remote switch unit 10 is provided with the rotation adjusting member 17 and the mirror member 18 for adjusting the reflection direction of the infrared signal instead of the flexible cable 14 shown in the first embodiment. Yes. According to this configuration, compared to the remote switch unit 10 of the first embodiment, the entire length of the unit can be shortened, and a remote switch unit that is small and easy to handle can be realized.

  In this embodiment, the case where the mirror member is used as a deflecting member for deflecting an infrared signal has been described. However, the deflecting member may be a member that bends the traveling direction of infrared light, and an optical member having a lens action or the like may be used. It is possible to use.

(Example 3)
FIG. 9 shows a lens apparatus 1 ′ that includes a drive unit 3 ′ that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The drive unit 3 ′ of the present embodiment incorporates an infrared signal receiving unit. In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a receiving unit, which has an infrared light receiving element 22a exposed from the exterior surface of the drive unit 3 'and a conversion circuit (not shown) for converting the infrared signal received by the light receiving element 22a into an electric signal.

  The infrared light receiving element 22a is a surface on the camera side of the drive unit 3 ′ so that it can receive the infrared signal from the remote switch unit 10 described in the first or second embodiment in the photographing mode shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. Is arranged. In addition, various functions (functions corresponding to infrared signals) are controlled by inputting an electric signal output from the conversion circuit to a control circuit (not shown) in the drive unit 3 ′.

  According to the present embodiment, by incorporating the light receiving unit 22 in the drive unit 3 ′, the troublesomeness of attaching and detaching the receiving unit to and from the drive unit as in the case of the first embodiment can be eliminated.

(Example 4)
FIG. 10 shows an imaging system using a receiving unit that is Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the receiving unit shown in the first embodiment is attached to the camera instead of the drive unit 3.

  Reference numeral 24 in the figure denotes a receiving unit connected to a connector 23 provided in the camera 6. The receiving unit 24 is disposed on the back surface (cameraman side) of the camera 6 in order to receive an infrared signal from the remote switch unit 10.

When the switch provided in the remote switch unit 10 is a switch related to the operation of the camera 6 such as a VTR switch or a return switch, the receiving unit is connected to the drive unit on the lens device side as shown in the first embodiment. Compared with the case where it is provided, the received signal is directly transmitted to the camera 6 without passing through the lens device 1, so that the responsiveness of the camera operation to the signal reception from the remote switch unit 10 is improved (the response speed is increased).

(Example 5)
FIG. 11 shows a drive unit that is Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The drive unit 30 of the present embodiment includes a drive unit main body 30a and a remote control unit (remote operation device) 30b that can be attached to and detached from the main body 30a.

  The remote control unit 30b is provided with a VTR switch 4 and a return switch 5. By attaching the remote control unit 30b to the main body 30a, a drive unit having the same shape as the conventional one is configured.

  Further, the infrared light emitting element 13 is attached to the remote control unit 30b, and a light guide member 34 for guiding an infrared signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 13 is detachably attached. Similar to the flexible cable 14 described in the first embodiment, the light guide member 34 is a member having both flexibility (flexibility) to bend in an arbitrary direction and rigidity to maintain the shape after bending. A light guide member that guides the infrared ray signal to the exit exit surface while reflecting the infrared signal is incorporated.

  The light emission control circuit 30 c built in the remote control unit 30 b controls the light emission of the infrared light emitting element 13 in accordance with the operation of the VTR switch 4 and the return switch 5.

  On the other hand, the drive unit main body 30a includes a receiving unit 22 for receiving an infrared signal. The infrared light receiving element (not shown) provided in the receiving unit 22 is in a state where the remote control unit 30b is mounted on the drive unit main body 30a (in this state, the light guide member 34 is removed from the remote control unit 30b). It is provided at a position facing the infrared light emitting element 13. For this reason, if the VTR switch 4 or the return switch 5 is operated in this state, an infrared signal is emitted from the infrared light emitting element 13 and received by the infrared light receiving element, so that it corresponds to the VTR switch 4 or the return switch 5. Function can be controlled.

  On the other hand, when remote control is performed, the remote control unit 30b is removed from the drive unit main body 30a, and the remote control unit 30b is fixed to the panning rod as in the first embodiment and the light guide member 34 is attached to the remote control unit 30b. The exit surface of the member 34 is directed to the light receiving element. When the VTR switch 4 or the return switch 5 is operated, it is stable regardless of the position of the panning rod (positional relationship between the drive unit main body 30a and the remote control unit 30b) as in the remote switch unit 10 of the first embodiment. Functions corresponding to the VTR switch 4 or the return switch 5 can be controlled under wireless communication.

  According to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to prepare a remote switch unit separately from the drive unit, the portability and mobility of the photographing system can be further improved compared to the first embodiment.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an imaging system that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is an external plan view of the lens device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an external view of a remote switch unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external view of a receiving unit according to the first embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a photographing system that is Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an external view of a remote switch unit that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The front view of the remote switch unit in Example 2. FIG. The front view of the remote switch unit in Example 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is an external view of a lens apparatus that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Schematic of the imaging system which is Example 4 of this invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a drive unit that is Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lens apparatus 2 Lens main body 3,30 Drive unit 6 Camera 7 Tripod 8 Photographer 9 Panning stick 10 Remote switch unit 11, 22 Receiver unit 11a, 16, 23 Connector 11b, 22a Light receiving element 12, 15, 4, 5, 25 Switch 13 Light emitting element 14 Flexible cable 17 Rotation adjusting member 18 Mirror member 30a Drive unit main body 30b Remote control unit 34 Light guide member

Claims (3)

A lens device including a lens body and a drive unit that is attached to the lens body and houses a control circuit for electrically driving zoom and focus;
A receiving unit detachably attached to a connector for connecting the cable of the drive unit;
A photographing system comprising a remote switch unit that transmits a wireless signal toward the receiving unit;
The remote switch unit is
The device body;
Output means for outputting a radio signal for remotely operating the lens device ;
Operating means operated to cause the output means to output the wireless signal;
Imaging system characterized by having said wireless signal flexible member of the emission direction can be directed in any direction relative to the apparatus main body. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible member has a proximal end attached to the apparatus main body and the output means attached to a distal end. The radio signal is imaging system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an optical signal.

Images