JP6516034B2 - Intermediate unit and camera system - Google Patents

Description

  The present technology relates to an intermediate unit and a camera system, and more particularly to an intermediate unit and the like interposed between a camera and a camera control unit.

  For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a camera system for broadcasting is configured by a pair of a camera unit (CAM) and a camera control unit (CCU) connected by a camera cable. For example, an SD resolution camera unit (SD-Camera) is connected to a camera control unit (SD_CCU) for an SD resolution camera unit. In addition, an HD resolution camera unit (HD-Camera) is connected to a camera control unit (HD-CCU) for the HD resolution camera unit. Thus, the camera unit and the camera control unit consisted of the existence of a pair.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-293248

  Conventionally, in order to introduce a camera unit of a new format when updating a broadcast camera, it has been necessary to update the camera unit and the camera control unit in pairs. As a result, the cost is high and mutual compatibility with the conventional machine has not been obtained.

  The object of the present technology is to reduce the cost when introducing a new format camera unit.

The concept of this technology is
A first connecting unit for connecting a first resolution camera unit in the spatial direction or the temporal direction;
A second connection unit for connecting a camera control unit for a second resolution camera unit having a lower resolution than the first resolution in the spatial or temporal direction;
An intermediate unit includes an information bridge unit interposed between the first connect unit and the second connect unit and configured to bridge information transmitted and received between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

  In the present technology, the intermediate unit is provided with a first connect unit and a second connect unit. The first connect unit is a connect unit for connecting a camera unit of the first resolution in the space direction or the time direction. The second connect unit is a connect unit for connecting a camera control unit for a camera unit of a second resolution lower than the first resolution in the space direction or the time direction. For example, the first resolution may be 4K resolution and the second resolution may be HD resolution. Also, for example, the first resolution may be a high frame rate resolution and the second resolution may be a normal frame rate resolution.

  For example, the camera unit is connected to the first connecting unit of the intermediate unit through a first transmission path such as an optical transmission cable. Also, for example, the camera control unit is connected to the second connecting unit of the intermediate unit through a second transmission path such as an optical transmission cable. Thus, the first resolution camera unit is connected to the camera control unit for the second resolution camera unit via the intermediate unit.

  The intermediate unit is provided with an information bridge unit. The information bridge unit is interposed between the first connect unit and the second connect unit. The information bridge unit bridges information transmitted and received between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

  For example, the information bridge unit converts the video signal of the first resolution input from the camera unit to the first connect unit into a video signal of the second resolution and outputs the video signal to the second connect unit. It may be done. In this case, the information bridge unit converts the video signal of the first resolution input from the camera unit to the first connection unit into a video signal of the first resolution before converting the video signal into the video signal of the second resolution. Alternatively, camera signal processing may be performed.

  In this case, the information bridge unit may further include a video signal output unit for outputting the video signal of the first resolution subjected to the camera signal processing to the outside. Also, in this case, the information bridge unit outputs the color bar signal corresponding to the video signal of the first resolution in a state where the video signal of the first resolution is not supplied to the first connection unit from the camera unit. It may be done.

  Note that, in the present technology, for example, the information bridge unit may be configured to mediate communication regarding camera control between the camera unit and the camera control unit. Also, in the present technology, for example, the information bridge unit may be configured to mediate the power supply request from the camera unit to the camera control unit. Further, in the present technology, for example, the information bridge unit extracts a timing signal from the camera control signal input from the camera control unit to the second connection unit, and controls processing timing of each unit based on the timing signal. It may be done.

  Thus, in the present technology, it is possible to connect the camera unit of the first resolution to the camera control unit for the camera unit of the second resolution lower than the first resolution. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost when introducing a new format camera unit.

  According to the present technology, it is possible to reduce the cost when introducing a camera unit of a new format. The effects described in the present specification are merely examples and are not limited, and additional effects may be present.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of a camera system (HD-SYSTEM) and a camera system (4K-SYSTEM). It is a figure which shows the structural example of the camera system (4K-Hybrid-SYSTEM) as embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an intermediate unit (4K-BPU). It is a figure which shows the connection example of a camera unit (Camera), a camera control unit (CCU), and a studio apparatus or relay vehicle apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the changeability of a camera system. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of an intermediate unit (4K-BPU). It is a figure which shows the structural example of a camera system (HFR-Hybrid-SYSTEM).

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described. The description will be made in the following order.
1. Embodiment 2. Modified example

<1. Embodiment>
[Configuration example of camera system]
FIG. 1A shows a configuration example of a camera system (HD-SYSTEM) 60. In this camera system 60, an HD resolution camera unit (HD_Camera) 61 and a camera control unit (HD_CCU) 62 for an HD resolution camera unit are connected via an optical camera cable 63 as an HD optical transmission path. Is configured.

  The optical camera cable 63 is a composite cable incorporating a pair of fiber cables, a power feed line, and two control lines, and supports, for example, transmission rates such as 1.5 GHz / 3 GHz / 3.7 GHz. ing. The camera control unit 62 performs video signal processing, format conversion, distribution output, and supports various miscellaneous interfaces. The camera unit 61 and the camera control unit 62 are connected by a dedicated light transmission interface (I / F).

  FIG. 1B shows a configuration example of a camera system (4K-SYSTEM) 70. In this camera system 70, a 4K resolution camera unit (4K_Camera) 71 and a camera control unit (4K_CCU) 72 for a 4K resolution camera unit are connected via an optical camera cable 73 as an optical transmission path for 4K. Is configured.

  As the light camera cable 73, the above-described light camera cable for HD can be used as it is. However, optical laser communication corresponding to large-scale data is performed, and a transmission rate of, for example, 10 GHz or more is achieved. Like the camera control unit for HD, the camera control unit 72 performs video signal processing, format conversion, distribution output, supports various miscellaneous interfaces, and further has a 4K video signal processing function. The camera unit 71 and the camera control unit 72 are connected by a dedicated light transmission interface (I / F) capable of transmitting 4K signals.

  As described above, to configure the 4K camera system (4K-SYSTEM) 70, a camera control unit having a dedicated optical transmission interface (I / F) function capable of transmitting 4K signals and a function capable of processing 4K video signals 72 is required.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a camera system (4K-Hybrid-SYSTEM) 10 according to the embodiment. This camera system 10 has a 4K resolution camera unit (4K_Camera) 11, a camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 for a HD resolution camera unit, and an intermediate unit (4K-BPU: 4k-Baseband Process Unit) 13. ing.

  The intermediate unit 13 is provided with a connect unit (first connect unit) 13 a and a connect unit (second connect unit) 13 b. The camera control unit 12 is connected to the connecting unit 13 b of the intermediate unit 13 via an optical camera cable 14 as an HD light transmission path. The optical camera cable 14 is, for example, a composite cable incorporating a pair of fiber cables, a power feed line, and two control lines, and has a transmission rate of 1.5 GHz / 3 GHz / 3.7 GHz, for example. It corresponds.

  Also, the camera unit 11 is connected to the connecting unit 13 a of the intermediate unit 13 via the optical camera cable 15 as a 4K optical transmission path. As the optical camera cable 15, the above-mentioned optical camera cable for HD can be used as it is. However, optical laser communication corresponding to large-scale data is performed, and a transmission rate of, for example, 10 GHz or more is achieved.

  In this case, the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 is an optical transmission interface between the optical transmission interface with the 4K resolution camera unit (4K_Camera) and the camera control unit (HD_CCU) for the HD resolution camera unit. And have both sides. As a result, when viewed from the camera unit (4K_Camera) 11, the connection with the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 is the connection with the camera control unit (4K-CCU) for a 4K resolution camera unit. Also, when viewed from the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 side, the connection with the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 is the connection with the HD resolution camera unit (HD_Camera).

  That is, the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 performs connection with the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 using the protocol interface of the HD resolution camera unit (HD_Camera). The intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 connects with the camera unit (4K_Camera) 11 by the protocol interface of the camera control unit (4K-CCU) for the 4K resolution camera unit.

  As the interface function of various miscellaneous signals not dependent on the format of the camera unit, the function of the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 for the camera unit of HD resolution is used. That is, in the camera system 10, the combination of the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 and the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 realizes a configuration equivalent to a camera control unit (4K-CCU) for a 4K resolution camera unit. Ru.

  In the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13, an information bridge unit 13c is interposed between the connect unit 13a and the connect unit 13b. The information bridge unit 13 c bridges information transmitted and received between the camera unit (4K_Camera) 11 and the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12.

  In this case, the information bridge unit 13c has a video signal converter for converting a video signal of 4K resolution into a video signal of HD resolution, has a function capable of configuring an optical transmission interface for HD, and has an HD resolution camera unit (HD_Camera Can act as Therefore, the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 can be connected to the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 for the HD resolution camera unit.

[Configuration Example of Intermediate Unit (4K-BPU)]
FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13. The intermediate unit 13 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a timing generator (Timing-Generator) 102, and a communication controller (Communication-Controller) 103. Further, the intermediate unit 13 includes an optical transceiver (Optical-Transceiver) 104, a 4K transmission decoder (4K-Transmission-Decoder) 105, and a 4K video processor (4K-Video-Processor) 106. There is.

  Further, the intermediate unit 13 has a 4K / HD converter (4K to HD-Converter) 107, an HD transmission encoder (HD-Transmission-Encoder) 108, and an optical transceiver (Optical-Transceiver) 109. There is. Further, the intermediate unit 13 includes an HD transmission decoder (HD-Transmission-Decoder) 110 and a 4K transmission encoder (4K-Transmission-Encoder) 111. The above-described units in the intermediate unit 13 constitute an information bridge unit 13c.

  The CPU 101 controls each part of the intermediate unit 13. The timing generator 102 generates various timing signals based on the timing signals extracted from the signals transmitted by light transmission from the camera control unit 12 and sends them to each part of the intermediate unit 13 to control the processing timing of each part. Do. That is, the intermediate unit 13 operates based on the timing by the timing signal extracted from the signal sent from the camera control unit 12 by optical transmission.

  Further, the timing generator 102 regenerates the timing signal to be optically transmitted to the camera unit 11 based on the timing signal extracted from the signal transmitted from the camera control unit 12 by optical transmission. In this case, the delay necessary for processing the 4K resolution video signal in the 4K video processor 106 is taken into consideration, and the timing signal is reproduced so that the phase of the camera unit 11 becomes optimal.

  The communication controller 103 controls light communication between the camera unit 11 and the camera control unit 12 and power feeding from the camera control unit 12 to the camera unit 11 using control lines.

  Even when the optical camera cable 15 on the camera unit 11 side is not connected, the intermediate unit 13 outputs a 4K resolution video signal such as a color bar (CB). Therefore, it is necessary to perform optical communication with the camera control unit 12 without supplying power since reference locking to the camera control unit 12 is required.

  The communication controller 103 mediates the power supply request from the camera unit 11 to the camera control unit 12 when the optical camera cable 15 on the camera unit 11 side is connected. That is, in response to the feed request from the camera unit 11 through the control line, the communication controller 103 transmits the feed request to the camera control unit 12 through the control line of the optical camera cable 14 on the camera control unit 12 side.

  In the configuration of the intermediate unit 13 shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate unit 13 is configured to feed the power supplied from the camera control unit 12 directly to the camera unit 11. However, a configuration is also conceivable in which a power supply for a 4K resolution camera unit (4K-Camera) is built in the intermediate unit 13 and power is supplied to the camera unit 11 from this power supply.

  The optical transceiver 104 performs optical communication with the camera unit 11 connected via the optical camera cable 15. By this optical communication, a signal of 4K transmission format including a video signal, a camera control signal and the like is transmitted to and received from the camera unit 11.

  The 4K transmission decoder 105 decodes the 4K transmission format signal received by the optical transceiver 104, and acquires the signal (4K-Video, Control, Intercom, etc.) sent from the camera unit 11. Do. The 4K transmission encoder 111 encodes the signal (Return, Intercom, Control, etc.) received from the camera control unit 12 to generate a 4K transmission format signal to be transmitted.

  The optical transceiver 109 performs optical communication with the camera control unit 12 connected through the optical camera cable 14. By this optical communication, a signal of an HD transmission format including a video signal, a camera control signal and the like is transmitted to and received from the camera control unit 12.

  The HD transmission decoder 110 decodes the signal of the HD transmission format received by the optical transceiver 109 and acquires the signal (Return, Intercom, Control, etc.) sent from the camera control unit 12 . The HD transmission encoder 108 performs encoding processing on a signal (Intercom, Control, etc.) received from the camera unit 11 and an HD resolution video signal generated by the 4K / HD converter 107, and transmits the encoded signal. Generate a signal of the HD transmission format to be.

  The 4K video processor 106 performs necessary processing, such as gain-up processing, gamma correction processing, etc., on the 4K resolution video signal (4K-Video) received from the camera unit 11. Although not described above, the intermediate unit 13 includes a video signal output unit 13 d that outputs the processed 4K resolution video signal to the outside of the device. When the optical camera cable 15 on the camera unit 11 side is not connected, the 4K video processor 106 outputs a 4K resolution video signal such as a color bar. The 4K / HD converter 107 converts the 4K resolution video signal into an HD resolution video signal.

  The CPU 101 mediates communication regarding camera control between the camera unit 11 and the camera control unit 12. In this case, the CPU 101 receives a camera control signal (command) from the camera control unit 12 once. Then, the CPU 101 substitutes a control signal for the camera unit 11 as necessary, and sends it to the camera unit 11. As a specific example, the commands necessary to be performed in the intermediate unit 13, for example, the 4K video processor 106, and the commands required to be performed on the camera unit 11 side are organized.

  The operation of the intermediate unit 13 shown in FIG. 3 will be briefly described. When connected to the camera control unit 12 through the optical camera cable 14, the HD transmission decoder 110 extracts the timing signal embedded in the light transmission signal from the camera control unit 12 and supplies it to the timing generator 102. Ru.

  In the timing generator 102, various timing signals are generated based on this timing signal and sent to each part of the intermediate unit 13, and the processing timing of each part is controlled. As a result, the intermediate unit 13 operates in reference to the timing by the timing signal sent from the camera control unit 12 by optical transmission. In this case, for example, the output phase of the 4K resolution video signal such as a color bar (CB) output from the 4K video processor 106 is also locked to the timing signal sent by optical transmission from the camera control unit 12 It becomes.

  Next, when connected to the camera unit 12 through the optical camera cable 15, a feed request is sent from the camera unit 11 to the communication controller 103 through the control line in the optical camera cable 15. The communication controller 103 transmits the power supply request to the camera control unit 12 through the control line of the optical camera cable 14. As a result, power is supplied from the camera control unit 12 to the camera unit 11 through the power feeders of the optical camera cables 14 and 15.

  Next, an information transmission operation from the camera control unit 12 to the camera unit 11 will be described. The optical transceiver 109 receives an HD transmission format signal light transmitted from the camera control unit 12 through the optical camera cable 14. The signal of this HD transmission format is supplied to the HD transmission decoder 110, and the signal (Return, Intercom, Control, etc.) sent from the camera control unit 12 is acquired. Here, the return signal is a video signal of HD resolution.

  Among the signals acquired by the HD transmission decoder 110, a camera control (Camera-Control) signal is supplied to the CPU 101, and other signals are supplied to the 4K transmission encoder 111. The CPU 101 divides the command that needs to be performed in the intermediate unit 13 and the command that needs to be performed on the camera unit 11 side.

  Then, a command (camera control signal) that needs to be performed on the camera unit 11 side is supplied to the 4K transmission encoder 111. Further, based on a command that needs to be performed in the intermediate unit 13, the CPU 101 controls corresponding processing, for example, processing such as gain-up processing and gamma correction processing in the 4K video processor 106.

  The 4K transmission encoder 111 performs encoding processing on the signals (Return, Intercom, Control, etc.) supplied from the HD transmission decoder 110 and the CPU 101 to generate a 4K transmission format signal to be transmitted. . In this case, a timing signal regenerated by the timing generator 102 is embedded in the 4K transmission format signal. The timing generator 102 takes into consideration the processing delay in the 4K video processor 106 and reproduces the timing signal so that the phase of the camera unit 11 is optimal.

  The 4K transmission format signal generated by the 4K transmission encoder 111 is supplied to the 4K optical transceiver 104. The optical transceiver 104 optically transmits the 4K transmission format signal to the camera unit 11 via the optical camera cable 15.

  Next, an information transmission operation from the camera unit 11 to the camera control unit 12 will be described. The optical transceiver 104 receives a 4K transmission format signal optically transmitted from the camera unit 11 by the optical camera cable 15. The signal of this 4K transmission format is supplied to the 4K transmission decoder 105, and the signal (4K-Video, Intercom, Control, etc.) sent from the camera unit 11 is acquired.

  Among the signals acquired by the 4K transmission decoder 105, the 4K video signal (4K-Video) of 4K resolution is supplied to the 4K video processor 106, and the camera control (Camera-Control) signal (command response) is the CPU 101. , And other signals are supplied to the HD transmission encoder 108. The CPU 101 adds another command response to the command response from the camera unit 11 as necessary, and supplies it to the HD transmission encoder 108.

  The 4K video processor 106 performs necessary processing such as gain-up processing and gamma correction processing on the 4K-resolution video signal (4K-Video). Then, the processed 4K resolution video signal is output to the video signal output unit 13 d and supplied to the 4K / HD converter 107. The 4K / HD converter 107 converts the 4K resolution video signal into an HD resolution video signal (HD-Video). The HD resolution video signal is supplied to the HD transmission encoder 108.

  The HD transmission encoder 108 performs encoding processing on the signals (HD-Video, Intercom, Control, etc.) supplied from the 4K transmission decoder 105, the CPU 101 and the 4K / HD converter 107, and should be transmitted. A signal of HD transmission format is generated. The signal of this HD transmission format is supplied to the optical transceiver 109. The optical transceiver 109 optically transmits the signal of the HD transmission format to the camera control unit 12 via the optical camera cable 14.

  In the camera system 10 described above, an intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 is provided between the 4K resolution camera unit (4K-Camera) 11 and the camera control unit (HD-CCU) 12 for the HD resolution camera unit. Be intervened. Therefore, the 4K resolution camera unit 11 can be used by connecting to the camera control unit 12 for the HD resolution camera unit.

  Therefore, for example, it is possible to reduce the cost when introducing the 4K resolution camera unit 11. That is, when the 4K resolution camera unit 11 is introduced, it is possible to utilize the studio equipment or relay vehicle equipment to which the camera control unit 12 for the HD resolution camera unit is connected as it is.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of connection between a camera unit (Camera), a camera control unit (CCU), and a studio device or relay vehicle device. This connection example is an example in which two camera units are used. The camera units are connected to and operated by studio equipment or relay vehicle equipment through corresponding camera control units.

  The operation of the camera unit requires various interfaces, all of which are connected to the camera control unit. A camera control unit is incorporated into the system to simplify the handling of the camera unit. Therefore, when introducing 4K resolution camera unit 11, it is not easy to change the camera control unit to one for 4K resolution camera unit, and it is necessary to reconstruct the entire system including studio equipment or relay car equipment It becomes.

Although only the main flow of the main video signal and the monitor video signal is shown in the connection example of FIG. 4, system wiring of the following signal types exists in actual wiring.
-Reference signal system-Return video system, prompter video system-Intercom system-MIC audio, program audio system-Camera control system-TALLY system-Other, AUX-Data system

  Further, in the camera system 10 described above, the camera control unit 12 is for a HD resolution camera unit. Therefore, for example, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5, simply changing the connection of the optical camera cable to the HD resolution camera unit (HD-Camera) 16 allows the camera system as an HD-SYSTEM (see FIG. 1A). Operation of) is possible.

  Further, in the camera system 10 described above, the intermediate unit 13 is provided with a 4K video processor 106 that processes the 4K resolution video signal sent from the camera unit 11. Therefore, for example, the processing load of the video signal in the camera unit 11 can be reduced, and the configuration of the processing system can be simplified.

  Further, in the camera system 10 described above, a video signal output unit 13 d for outputting a 4K resolution video signal generated by the 4K video processor 106 is provided. Therefore, as with the camera system 70 (see FIG. 1 (b)) using a camera control unit (4K-CCU) for a 4K resolution camera unit, 4K resolution video signals (4K video) and HD resolution video A signal (HD-Video) can be obtained.

  Further, in the camera system 10 described above, the CPU 101 in the intermediate unit 13 is configured to mediate a camera control signal communicated between the camera unit 11 and the camera control unit 12. Therefore, for example, it is possible to select only the necessary command among commands sent from the camera control unit and send it to the camera unit 11, and the CPU 101 controls the camera function unit existing in the intermediate unit 13, For example, processing control of the 4K video processor 106 can be accurately performed.

  Further, in the camera system 10 described above, the communication controller 103 in the intermediate unit 13 mediates the power supply request from the camera unit 11 to the camera control unit 12. Therefore, for example, in a state where the optical camera cable 15 on the camera unit 11 side is not connected, high voltage power supply is not performed from the camera control unit 12 side through the power supply line, and an unexpected situation such as electric shock occurs. It can be avoided.

<2. Modified example>
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the return signal that the intermediate unit 13 sends to the camera unit 11 is a video signal of HD resolution. However, if it is necessary to return a 4K resolution video signal to the camera unit 11, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 6, an HD / 4K converter (HD → 4K Converter) 121 is built in, and if necessary It is possible to provide a video signal input unit 13e for inputting a return video signal of 4K resolution. As a result, it is possible to send a 4K resolution return video signal to the camera unit 11. Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 6, it is possible to provide the intermediate unit 13 with a video signal output unit 13f for outputting a video signal (HD-Video) of HD resolution as needed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the camera system 10 in which the 4K resolution camera unit (4K-Camera) 11 is connected to the HD resolution camera control unit (HD-CCU) 12 via the intermediate unit 13 is shown. . However, the present technology can also be applied to a high-frame-rate (HFR) camera system.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a camera system (HFR-Hybrid-SYSTEM) 20. This camera system 20 includes an HFR camera unit (HFR_Camera) 21, a camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 for a NFR (normal frame rate) camera unit such as 60 Hz and 50 Hz, and an intermediate unit (HFR-BPU: HFR). Baseband Process Unit) 23 is included.

  The intermediate unit 23 is provided with a connect unit (first connect unit) 23 a and a connect unit (second connect unit) 23 b. The camera control unit 22 is connected to the connecting unit 23 b of the intermediate unit 23 via an optical camera cable 24 as an NFR light transmission path. Further, the camera unit 21 is connected to the connecting unit 23 a of the intermediate unit 23 via an optical camera cable 25 as an HFR light transmission path.

  In this case, the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 has both an optical transmission interface with the HFR camera unit (HFR_Camera) and an optical transmission interface with the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) for the NFR camera unit. have. Thereby, when viewed from the camera unit (HFR_Camera) 21 side, the connection with the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 is the connection with the camera control unit (HFR-CCU) for the HFR camera unit. Further, when viewed from the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 side, the connection with the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 is the connection with the NFR camera unit (NFR_Camera).

  That is, the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 performs connection with the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 using the protocol interface of the NFR camera unit (NFR_Camera). Further, the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 performs connection with the camera unit (HFR_Camera) 21 by the protocol interface of the camera control unit (HFR-CCU) for the HFR camera unit.

  As an interface function of various miscellaneous signals not dependent on the format of the camera unit, the function of the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 for the NFR camera unit is used. That is, in the camera system 20, the combination of the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 and the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 realizes a configuration equivalent to a camera control unit (HFR-CCU) for the HFR camera unit.

  The intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 is provided with an information bridge unit 23c between the connect unit 23a and the connect unit 23b. The information bridge unit 23 c bridges information transmitted and received between the camera unit (HFR_Camera) 21 and the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22.

  In this case, the information bridge unit 23c has a video signal converter that converts an HFR video signal into an NFR video signal, has a function that can configure an optical transmission interface for NFR, and can behave as an NFR camera unit (NFR_Camera). . To that end, the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 can be connected to the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 for the NFR camera unit.

  Also in the camera system 20 shown in FIG. 7, effects similar to those of the camera system 10 shown in FIG. 2 described above can be obtained. Note that the present technology is not limited to the configuration of the camera system 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the configuration of the camera system 20 in FIG. 7 and, generally, a camera unit of the first resolution in the space direction or the time direction It can be applied when connecting to a camera control unit for a camera unit of a second resolution lower than the first resolution in the direction or time direction.

Furthermore, the present technology can also be configured as follows.
(1) a first connecting unit for connecting a camera unit of the first resolution in the space direction or the time direction;
A second connection unit for connecting a camera control unit for a second resolution camera unit having a lower resolution than the first resolution in the spatial or temporal direction;
An intermediate unit comprising: an information bridge unit interposed between the first connect unit and the second connect unit and bridging information transmitted and received between the camera unit and the camera control unit.
(2) The information bridge unit
The video signal of the first resolution input from the camera unit to the first connection unit is converted into the video signal of the second resolution, and is output to the second connection unit. (1) Intermediate unit described in.
(3) The information bridge unit
Before converting the video signal of the first resolution input from the camera unit to the first connection unit into a video signal of the second resolution, a camera signal for the video signal of the first resolution is used. The intermediate unit according to (2), which performs processing.
(4) The intermediate unit according to (3), further including a video signal output unit that outputs the video signal of the first resolution subjected to the camera signal processing in the information bridge unit to the outside.
(5) The information bridge unit
The color bar signal corresponding to the video signal of the first resolution is output while the video signal of the first resolution is not supplied from the camera unit to the first connection unit. (1) to (4) An intermediate unit according to any of the above.
(6) The information bridge unit
The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (5), which mediates communication regarding camera control between the camera unit and the camera control unit.
(7) The information bridge unit
The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the power supply request from the camera unit is relayed to the camera control unit.
(8) The information bridge unit
The timing signal is extracted from the camera control signal input from the camera control unit to the second connection unit, and the processing timing of each unit is controlled based on the timing signal. Any one of (1) to (7) Intermediate unit described.
(9) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the first resolution is 4K resolution and the second resolution is HD resolution.
(10) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the first resolution is a high frame rate resolution, and the second resolution is a normal frame rate resolution.
(11) A camera unit of a first resolution in the spatial or temporal direction,
A camera control unit for a second resolution camera unit having a lower spatial resolution or temporal resolution than said first resolution;
An intermediate unit interposed between the camera unit and the camera control unit;
The above intermediate unit
A first connection unit for connecting the camera unit via a first transmission path;
A second connection unit for connecting the camera control unit via a second transmission line;
A camera system comprising: an information bridge unit interposed between the first connect unit and the second connect unit, for bridging information transmitted and received between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

10: Camera system 11: Camera unit (4K-Camera)
12: Camera control unit (HD-CCU)
13 ・ ・ ・ Intermediate unit (4K-BPU)
13a ··· Connect part (first connect part)
13b ··· Connect part (second connect part)
13c: Information bridge unit 13d: Video signal output unit 13e: Video signal input unit 13f: Video signal output unit 14, 15: Optical camera cable 16: Camera unit (HD-Camera) )
20: Camera system 21: Camera unit (HFR-Camera)
22 ・ ・ ・ Camera control unit (NFR-CCU)
23 ・ ・ ・ Intermediate unit (HFR-BPU)
101 ... CPU
102: Timing generator 103: Communication controller 104: Optical transceiver 105: 4K transmission decoder 106: 4K video processor 107: 4K / HD converter 108 · · HD transmission encoder 109 · · · optical transceiver 110 · · · HD transmission decoder 111 · · · 4K · transmission encoder 121 · · · HD / 4 K · converter

Claims (15)

A first connecting unit for connecting a camera unit that outputs a video signal having a first resolution in a space direction or a time direction;
A second connecting unit for connecting a control unit that processes a video signal having a second resolution lower than the first resolution in the spatial direction or the temporal direction;
An information bridge unit that generates a video signal having the second resolution by performing signal processing on the video signal having the first resolution input from the camera unit via the first connection unit. Equipped with
The information bridge unit is
An intermediate unit interposed between the first connect unit and the second connect unit, and receiving a camera control signal sent from the control unit via the second connect unit. The intermediate unit according to claim 1, wherein the first connection unit is connected to the camera unit via an optical transmission cable. The intermediate unit according to claim 2, wherein the optical transmission cable transmits the video signal having the first resolution at a transmission rate of 10 GHz or more. The information bridge unit performs camera signal processing on the video signal having the first resolution, and
The intermediate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a video signal output unit that outputs the video signal having the first resolution subjected to the camera signal processing to the outside. The intermediate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information bridge unit receives a return signal sent from the control unit via the second connection unit. The intermediate unit according to claim 5, wherein the information bridge unit transmits the return signal to the first connection unit, and the return signal is an HD resolution video signal. The intermediate unit according to claim 5, wherein the information bridge unit transmits the return signal to the first connection unit, and the return signal is a 4K resolution video signal. The intermediate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information bridge unit extracts a timing signal from the camera control signal, and controls processing timing of each unit based on the timing signal. The information bridge unit is
Before the video signal of the second resolution is generated from the video signal of the first resolution input from the camera unit to the first connection unit, the camera signal of the video signal of the first resolution is generated The intermediate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which performs processing. The intermediate unit according to claim 9, wherein the information bridge unit performs a decoding process on the video signal of the first resolution. The information bridge unit is
11. The color bar signal corresponding to the video signal of the first resolution is output while the video signal of the first resolution is not supplied from the camera unit to the first connection unit. Intermediate unit described in. The information bridge unit is
The intermediate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which mediates a power supply request from the camera unit to the control unit. The intermediate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first resolution is 4K resolution and the second resolution is HD resolution. The intermediate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first resolution is a high frame rate resolution and the second resolution is a normal frame rate resolution. A camera unit for outputting a video signal having a first resolution in a space direction or a time direction;
A control unit for processing a video signal having a second resolution lower than the first resolution in the spatial direction or the temporal direction;
An intermediate unit interposed between the camera unit and the control unit;
The intermediate unit is
A first connect unit for connecting the camera unit;
A second connect unit for connecting the control unit;
An information bridge unit that generates a video signal having the second resolution by performing signal processing on the video signal having the first resolution input from the camera unit via the first connection unit. Have and
The information bridge unit is
A camera system interposed between the first connect unit and the second connect unit and receiving a camera control signal sent from the control unit via the second connect unit.