JP4494132B2 - Television camera device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a television camera apparatus provided with a viewfinder, and more particularly to a television camera apparatus suitable for broadcasting business.

  In general, a television camera apparatus is provided with a display (image display means) for displaying an image signal in addition to an imaging means, and an image signal from a subject being imaged is displayed on the display and used as a viewfinder. It is common to become.

  At this time, for example, a consumer video camera provided with a liquid crystal (liquid crystal display) can be used not only as a viewfinder but also as a playback monitor for recorded images.

  By the way, a so-called studio television camera device used in a studio or the like for broadcasting business is generally provided with a camera control device called a CCU. In order to be compatible, it is common to be able to monitor not only the image of the own TV camera but also the image being captured by another TV camera, the image currently on air, etc. An example of such a studio television camera device will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the television camera device for studio is composed of a television camera body A and a camera controller B, which are connected by a transmission path C such as a cable. Here, the camera control unit B is the above-described CCU.

  The television camera body A includes an imaging lens 1, a color separation prism 2, a red light imaging element 3, a green light imaging element 4, a blue light imaging element 5, a video signal processing unit 6, and a display. 7, a switch 8 and a switching contact 9 are provided, and a video signal processor 10 is provided in the camera controller B.

  Therefore, when the television camera body A is operated and the image of the subject is connected by the imaging lens 1, it is converted into three types of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) by the color separation prism 2. The color separation is performed, and the light is incident on each of the red light image pickup device 3, the green light image pickup device 4, and the blue light image pickup device 5 to be converted into image signals R, G, and B. These image signals R, G, B Is supplied to the signal processing unit 6 and subjected to predetermined signal processing to generate an image signal V1.

  The image signal V1 is supplied to the camera control unit B via the transmission path C. At this time, the image signal V1 is also supplied to the display 7, and as a result, at present, The image of the subject imaged by the television camera body A is displayed on the display 7 and a viewfinder function is obtained.

  In the camera control unit B, the signal processing unit 10 performs signal processing such as video correction on the color video signal V1 supplied via the transmission path C, and outputs the processed signal to the outside. The image is displayed at the same time, and is supplied as a main video signal to an adjustment console (not shown).

  At this time, the camera control unit B is provided with an auxiliary signal input AUX, and a video signal of another television camera device or an on-air video signal is supplied to this input. When a video signal is input to the auxiliary signal input AUX, the signal is corrected by the signal processing unit 10 and supplied to the television camera main unit A via the transmission path C. Is input as a video signal V2.

  Here, the switching contact portion 9 is controlled by a switch 8 and can be arbitrarily switched between one contact and the other contact. Therefore, when the cameraman or the like operates the switch 8, the video signal V1 and the video signal V2 can be arbitrarily selected and supplied to the display 7.

  Therefore, if the switch 8 is operated to switch the input of the display 7 to the video signal V1, the image of the subject currently being picked up by the television camera main body A as described above is obtained at this time. Is displayed on the display 7, so that it can function as an original viewfinder.

  On the other hand, if the switch 8 is operated to switch the input of the display 7 to the video signal V2, an image based on the video signal supplied to the auxiliary signal input AUX of the camera control unit B is displayed on the display 7 this time. become.

Accordingly, at this time, if the video signal of the other television camera device is supplied as an auxiliary signal, the image being captured by the other television camera can be monitored by the display 7 at this time, and the on-air video signal is When it is supplied, the currently broadcast image can be monitored by the display 7 and can appropriately correspond to the desired camera work.
JP 2004-128647 A

  The above prior art cannot be said to take account of diversifying camera work, and has a problem in satisfying user needs.

  Here, since a viewfinder display is indispensable for the operation of a television camera, the use of this display can sufficiently cope with the diversification of camera work. In addition, since the viewfinder original image is limited to the display of the image being picked up by another TV camera and the currently broadcast image, it cannot respond to diversifying user demands. As a result, a problem arises in satisfying the user needs.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a television camera device that can sufficiently meet the needs of users.

The above objects are achieved by a television camera device that includes a Display b of at least the image pickup means and the view finder, a memory for storing an image signal captured by the imaging means, and an image according to the image signal in the image pickup by the image pickup means An image superimposing processing unit that superimposes an image based on an image signal read from the memory and displays the image on the display; an image signal being captured by the imaging unit; and an image signal read from the memory for each pixel unit or a plurality of pixel units Image difference coloring that detects a level difference by comparison and performs colored display on a portion of a pixel or a plurality of pixels that have a difference in level in an image displayed by being superimposed by the image superimposing processing unit Means for coloring the two types of images by coloring a portion where there is a difference between the two types of images superimposed on the display. This is achieved by allowing the angle of view to be adjusted.

  At this time, the level difference is detected by comparing the image signal being imaged by the imaging unit and the image signal read from the memory for each pixel unit or for each of a plurality of pixel units, and is superimposed and displayed by the signal processing unit. The above object can be achieved even if image difference coloring processing means for performing color display on a portion having a difference in level in a pixel unit or a plurality of pixel units in the obtained image is provided. The above object can be achieved even if image cut processing means is provided so that one of the images superimposed on the display is displayed as an image obtained by cutting a part of the frame.

  According to the present invention, since the captured image can be superimposed on the image being captured and displayed on the viewfinder display, the subject can be easily confirmed and the angle of view can be easily adjusted. Can prevent mistakes in the image.

  Hereinafter, a television camera apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a studio television camera apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a memory, and reference numeral 60 denotes a video signal processing unit. Since the basic processing function is the same as that of the video signal processing unit 6 in the prior art of FIG. 2, the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1 is also described in FIG. It is almost the same as a television camera device according to the prior art.

  Therefore, in brief, the television camera apparatus according to this embodiment also includes the television camera main body A and the camera control unit B, which are connected by a transmission path C such as a cable. This is the same as the case of the prior art.

  At this time, the television camera main body A is provided with an imaging lens 1, a color separation prism 2, a red light imaging element 3, a green light imaging element 4, and a blue light imaging element 5 as imaging means. Furthermore, a video signal processing unit 60, a display 7, and a switch 8 are provided, and a video signal processing unit 10 is provided in the camera control unit B. This point is also the same as the prior art in FIG.

  In the television camera body A, the image of the subject is connected by the imaging lens 1, and is separated into three types of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) by the color separation prism 2. It is the same as the case of FIG. 2 in that it is incident on each of the red light image pickup device 3, the green light image pickup device 4 and the blue light image pickup device 5 and is converted into image signals R, G and B.

  Further, these image signals R, G, and B are supplied to the signal processing unit 60, are subjected to predetermined signal processing, generate an image signal V1, and are supplied to the camera control unit B via the transmission path C. As in the case of FIG. 2, the image signal V1 is supplied to the display 7 at this time, and the viewfinder function is obtained.

  In the camera control unit B, the video signal V1 supplied via the transmission line C is subjected to signal processing such as video correction by the signal processing unit 10 and output to the outside, and an image is displayed on the monitor M. In addition, the main video signal is supplied to a not-shown adjustment console or the like, which is also the same as in the prior art in FIG.

  Further, when a video signal of another television camera device or an on-air video signal is supplied to the auxiliary signal input AUX of the camera control unit B, it is transmitted from the signal processing unit 10 via the transmission path C to the television camera. The point that the video signal V2 is supplied to the main unit A is the same as in FIG.

  Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the switching contact 9 provided in the prior art of FIG. 2 is omitted, and as a result, the switch 8 inputs the switching signal S to the video signal processing unit 6 so as to perform it. First, it differs from the case of the prior art of FIG.

  Next, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the video signal V2 supplied from the camera control unit B via the transmission path C is input to the video signal processing unit 60, and the display 7 receives the video signal processing unit 60 from the video signal processing unit 60. The display video signal V0 is also different from the prior art in FIG.

  Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, as described above, the memory 13 is provided, and the memory 13 stores an image signal obtained by capturing an image of a subject with the television camera device itself, and can be arbitrarily set as necessary. It is also different from the prior art in FIG. 2 in that it serves to hold it so that it can be read out.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is significantly different from the prior art shown in FIG. 2 in the configuration of the video signal processing unit 60 provided in the television camera main body A.

  That is, as described above, the basic function of the video signal processing unit 60 is the same as that of the video signal processing unit 6 in the prior art of FIG. Furthermore, it is greatly different from the video signal processing unit 6 in the prior art in that some functions shown below are provided.

  First, the video signal processing unit 60 generates the image signal V3 necessary for superimposing the image based on the image signal being captured by the above-described image capturing unit and the image based on the image signal read out from the memory 13 to be displayed on the display 7. It is configured to have a function as image superimposing processing means.

  Next, the video signal processing unit 60 detects the level difference by comparing the image signal being imaged by the imaging unit and the image signal read from the memory 13 for each pixel unit or for each of the plurality of pixel units. Image signals necessary for displaying on the display 7 an image in which colored display is performed on a portion having a level difference in a pixel unit or a plurality of pixel units in the image superimposed and displayed by the image superimposing processing unit. It is also configured to have a function as image difference coloring processing means for generating V4.

  At this time, an arbitrary color can be selected by the switch 8 or various input means for the color applied to the difference portion. The color type at this time includes, for example, blue used in the chroma key technique, but is not limited thereto, and may of course be simply black.

  Furthermore, the video signal processing unit 60 displays an image necessary for displaying one of the images superimposed and displayed on the display 7 by the image signal V3 or the image signal V4 described above as a part of the frame. It is also configured to have a function as image cut processing means for generating the signal V5.

  For this reason, the video signal processing unit 60 includes a microcomputer having predetermined software installed therein as a program, and takes in instructions from the switch 8 and various input means (not shown), and is necessary for performing the various functions described above. Can be executed.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The studio television camera apparatus according to this embodiment has a plurality of display modes shown below as the display modes of images displayed on the display 7, and the plurality of these display modes. A display mode arbitrarily selected from the display modes by the switch 8 or various input means can be set.

<Viewfinder display mode>
In this mode, the video signal processing unit 60 uses the above-described imaging means, that is, the imaging lens 1 and the color separation prism 2, the red light imaging device 3, and the green light imaging device as the video signal V0 to be supplied to the display 7. 4. Select the video signal V1 from the blue light imaging device 5.

  Therefore, in this mode, the image of the subject currently being picked up by the television camera body A is displayed on the display 7, so that the display 7 functions as an original viewfinder and includes a normal viewfinder. Can be used as a television camera. This is why this mode is called a “viewfinder display mode”.

<Monitor display mode>
In this mode, the video signal processing unit 60 supplies the video signal supplied from the camera control unit B via the transmission path C as the video signal V0 to be supplied to the display 7 and as the video signal V0 to be supplied to the display 7. Select V2.

  Therefore, in this mode, an image based on the video signal supplied to the auxiliary signal input AUX of the camera control unit B is displayed on the display 7.

  Therefore, at this time, an image being picked up by another television camera or an image currently being broadcast can be monitored by the display 7, and for example, it is possible to appropriately cope with camera work in a studio. This is why this mode is called “monitor display mode”.

<Angle alignment display mode (1)>
In this mode, the video signal processing section 60 selects the video signal V3 generated by the image superimposing processing means provided therein as the video signal V0 to be supplied to the display 7.

  Therefore, in this mode, the image based on the image signal being captured by the above-described image capturing means and the image based on the image signal at the previous capturing time read out from the memory 13 are superimposed and displayed on the display 7. If there is a difference between the two types of images, it can be easily recognized, and the angle-of-view matching in the technical field can be performed accurately.

  Here, “angle of view” mainly means that the size of the subject on the image plane is matched, and specifically, the size of a specific subject in the previously captured image, for example, a character This means that the size of the same person being imaged is matched with the size of the same person.

  At this time, the previous imaging is, for example, in the case of rehearsal in the case of a studio camera, and in this case, the current imaging is in production, and the camera work required for this is the current imaging In this operation, the focal length of the imaging lens and the distance to the subject are the same as those in the previous imaging.

  Therefore, if two types of images are displayed in a superimposed manner at this time, “view angle adjustment” can be obtained easily and accurately. Therefore, this mode is called “view angle adjustment display mode”. No explanation is necessary for the reason for calling. Here, (Part 1) is because there are (Part 2) and (Part 3).

  By the way, in this mode, it is necessary to read a previously captured image from the memory 13. For this purpose, data such as an address indicating the storage position of the image is stored in advance during rehearsal. do it. Further, the image read from the memory 13 at this time is not limited to a moving image but may be a still image.

<Angle alignment display mode (2)>
In this mode, the video signal processing unit 60 selects the video signal V4 generated by the image difference coloring processing means provided therein as the video signal V0 to be supplied to the display 7.

  Therefore, in this mode, the image based on the image signal currently being captured and the image based on the previous image signal read from the memory 13 are not only superimposed and displayed on the display 7, but also there is a difference between the two types of images. Since the difference is colored, the difference between the images can be recognized more easily, and the angle of view can be adjusted more easily and accurately.

  Further, since the color to be colored at this time can be arbitrarily selected as described above, the efficiency of the camera work can be improved by arbitrarily changing the color depending on the preference and the image content.

<Angle alignment display mode (Part 3)>
In this mode, the video signal processing unit 60 selects the video signal V5 generated by the image cut-out processing means provided therein as the video signal V0 to be supplied to the display 7.

  Therefore, in this mode, one of the images superimposed on the display 7 by the image signal V3 or the image signal V4 described above is displayed in the frame of the other image as a sub-screen with a part of the frame cut out. Will be.

  Therefore, in this mode, the portion that is superimposed and displayed for angle-of-view adjustment is limited to the sub screen, but the entire image necessary for the original framework is not doubled and displayed. Therefore, the selection range according to preference can be expanded.

  Any image may be cut out at this time, but it can be said that it is general to select an image based on the previous image signal read from the memory 13 from the viewpoint of angle adjustment. However, it is not limited to this.

  On the other hand, the shape and size of the sub screen and the display position within the screen frame of the display 7 can be arbitrarily determined. The shape is, for example, a rectangle similar to the frame, and the size is, for example, the frame. In general, the display position is, for example, the lower right part of the frame at about one-fourth to one-eighth. However, these are merely examples.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the function of the original viewfinder can be obtained by the display of the display 7 provided in the television camera body A, and the angle of view can be easily and accurately adjusted. It can be performed and can fully meet the user's needs.

  By the way, the above is an embodiment in the case where the present invention is applied to a television camera device for a studio provided with a television camera body and a camera control unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is a consumer television. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be implemented as a John camera device, a so-called video camera.

  Since this video camera includes image signal recording means using various recording media such as a magnetic tape, it can be used as the memory 13 in the above-described embodiment. As a result, the above-described “viewfinder display mode” is used. It is possible to easily correspond to “view angle alignment display mode (part 1)”, “view angle alignment display mode (part 2)”, and “view angle adjustment display mode (part 3)”.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the television camera apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the television camera apparatus by a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

A: Television camera body B: Camera control unit 1: Imaging lens 2: Color separation prism 3: Red light imaging device 4: Green light imaging device 5: Blue light imaging device 6: Video signal processing unit 7: Display 8: Switch 10: Video signal processor

Claims (1)

In a television camera device having at least an imaging means and a viewfinder display,
A memory for storing an image signal imaged by the imaging means;
Image superimposing processing means for superimposing an image based on an image signal being captured by the image capturing means and an image based on an image signal read from the memory, and displaying the image on the display;
The image signal being imaged by the imaging means and the image signal read from the memory are compared for each pixel unit or for each of a plurality of pixel units to detect a level difference, and the image displayed by being superimposed by the image superimposing processing means Among them, an image difference coloring means for performing color display on a portion having a level difference in a pixel unit or a plurality of pixel units,
A television camera apparatus, characterized in that angle-of-view adjustment for the two types of images can be performed by coloring a portion where there is a difference between the two types of images superimposed on the display.

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