JPH06205272A - Television camera equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always obtain a picture with a normal up/down relation by inverting electrically a picture in upper/lower/right/left directions every time a visual field passes a just above or a just below position in the television camera with a vertical turning mechanism. CONSTITUTION:A video signal from an image pickup section 1 is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter 2 under the control of a microcomputer 6 and the digital signal is stored tentatively in a frame memory 3 and then read, converted into an analog signal at a D/A converter 7 and given to a signal processing circuit 8, from which a regular video signal is outputted. A turning mechanism 4 changes the direction of the camera according to the operation at an operation section 9. A detection circuit 5 detects the turning angle of the camera in the vertical direction and gives the result to the microcomputer 6. When the angle in the vertical direction is 90 deg. or over, the reading method of a digital video signal from the frame memory 3 is controlled to invert the signal in upper/lower/right/left directions to obtain a video output of regular upper/lower relation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television camera device used as a surveillance camera having a rotating mechanism or a teaching material presentation camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a side view showing an installation state of a conventional television camera device. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes a camera, which includes an image pickup unit, and which picks up an image with, for example, a CCD and converts it into a video signal. Reference numeral 52 denotes a vertical turntable which rotates the camera 51 in the vertical direction. 5
Reference numeral 3 denotes a horizontal turntable for rotating the camera 51 in the horizontal direction, which is attached to, for example, a ceiling surface.

Next, the operation of the above conventional example will be described. In FIG. 5, when the camera 51 is rotated by 90 ° or more in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal line, the screen is turned upside down on the monitor. To avoid this, when the vertical rotation angle becomes 90 °. It is necessary to rotate 180 ° in the horizontal direction and then perform vertical rotation again. There is also a method as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-278970, in which a prism is used to divide an optical input into two, and image pickup elements are attached to both sides so that output images are inverted upside down, and a switch is used.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional television camera device, it takes a wasteful time to rotate 180 ° in the horizontal direction. Further, the teaching material presenting camera has a problem that an originally unnecessary horizontal rotation mechanism has to be provided for photographing the teacher's face and the blackboard.

In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-278970, the cost is high because two image pickup elements are required, and it is difficult to downsize the camera because a prism and two image pickup elements are used. Since the prism is used, there is a problem that the optical signal is deteriorated.

The present invention is intended to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a television camera device which can quickly perform vertical rotation while maintaining vertical rotation of the screen normally.

[0007]

(1) To achieve the above object, the present invention stores an image pickup section for outputting a video signal, an A / D converter for digitizing the video signal, and a video signal. It is equipped with a frame memory, a D / A converter that converts the video signal to analog, a rotation mechanism that rotates the camera, a detection circuit that detects the rotation angle, and a microcomputer that controls them. Is to do.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a CCD in a camera, a CCD drive circuit, and a C
A signal processing circuit for converting an output signal from the CD into a video signal, a rotation mechanism for rotating the camera, a detection circuit for detecting a rotation angle, and a microcomputer for controlling them are provided.
The method of reading the signal from the CD is operated to perform the vertical inversion.

[0009]

With the above structure, when the camera is rotated by 90 ° or more in the vertical direction, the detection circuit detects it and
By vertically changing the method of reading the signal from the frame memory or CCD, the image is vertically inverted to obtain a normal vertical image.

[0010]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an output signal of an image pickup section 1 included in a camera is stored in a frame memory 3 via an A / D converter 2. The rotation angle of the rotation mechanism 4 is the detection circuit 5
Is detected by and input to the microcomputer 6. Frame memory 3
Is output via the D / A converter 7 and the signal processing circuit 8. The signal from the operation unit 9 is input to the microcomputer 6. The signal from the microcomputer 6 is input to the A / D converter 2, the frame memory 3, the rotating mechanism 4 and the D / A converter 7.

In the above structure, the video signal of the image pickup section 1 is digitally converted by the A / D converter 2 under the control of the microcomputer 6, written into the frame memory 3 and temporarily stored and read out, and then D / The A converter 7 converts the signal into an analog signal, and the signal processing circuit 8 converts the signal into a regular video signal and outputs it. On the other hand, the rotation mechanism 4 supports the camera and changes the direction of the camera manually or in the direction operated by the operation unit 9 by power. The detection circuit 5 detects the vertical rotation angle of the camera and sends it to the microcomputer 6. Here, when the rotation angle in the vertical direction becomes 90 ° or more (the angle at which the image is turned upside down), the method of reading the digital video signal from the frame memory 3 is changed by the control of the microcomputer 6, and the image is flipped vertically and horizontally. Such readout is performed, and a normal vertical image output is obtained even when the rotation angle in the vertical direction becomes 90 ° or more.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the vertical rotation angle is 90 ° or more, it is detected by the detection circuit 5, and the microcomputer 6 controls the reading order of the digital video signals from the frame memory 3. Can be changed and the video signal can be inverted up and down by signal processing, and 90 ° can be swiftly changed.
It is possible to carry out vertical rotation exceeding.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same names and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted. The output signal of the image pickup unit 1 is output via the A / D converter 2, the frame memory 3, the D / A converter 7, and the signal processing circuit 8. The signal of the operation unit 21 is input to the A / D converter 2, the frame memory 3 and the D / A converter 7 via the control unit 22.

In this structure, the operation unit 21 is provided with "normal / reverse" switching of the upper and lower sides of the image and "normal / reverse" of the left and right sides.
A switching operation unit is provided, and the control unit 22 is operated by the operation.
Controls the reading method of the frame memory 3 and can immediately change the vertical inversion or the horizontal inversion.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, for example, when it is desired to correct the image once reflected by the mirror, or when the camera is used as a rearview mirror of a vehicle or the like, it is possible to immediately obtain the objective. Can be reached. Further, even when it is attached to the vertical rotation mechanism and the angle is changed, the vertical and horizontal inversion can be immediately performed by a simple operation as needed.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same names and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted. A CCD (solid-state image sensor) 30 is input from a CCD drive circuit 31, and its output is output via a signal processing circuit 32. The rotation angle of the rotation mechanism 4 is detected by the detection circuit 5 and input to the microcomputer 33. The output signal of the operation unit 9 is input to the microcomputer 33. The output signal of the microcomputer 33 is input to the CCD drive circuit 31 and the rotation mechanism 4.

In this structure, the CCD 30 is driven by the drive pulse of the CCD drive circuit 31, and the signal processing circuit 3 is driven.
The signal is output to 2. Then, after being sample-held and converted into an analog signal, it becomes a normal video signal and is output. On the other hand, the rotation mechanism 4 supports the camera and changes the direction of the camera manually or by a power in a direction operated by the operation unit 9. The detection circuit 5 detects the vertical rotation angle of the camera and sends it to the microcomputer 33. Here, when the vertical rotation angle becomes 90 ° or more (the angle at which the image is turned upside down), the microcomputer 33 controls the CCD driving circuit 31 to operate the method of reading the output signal from the CCD 30 to operate the vertical and horizontal directions of the imaging screen. Both are reversed and the vertical rotation angle is 9
Even when the angle exceeds 0 °, a normal vertical image output is obtained.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the vertical rotation angle is 90 ° or more, it is detected by the detection circuit 5, and the microcomputer 33 controls the method of reading the signal from the CCD 30. The video signal can be vertically inverted by electronic means, and vertical rotation exceeding 90 ° can be swiftly performed.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 have the same names and functions, and a description thereof will be omitted. A CCD (solid-state image sensor) 30 is input from a CCD drive circuit 31, and its output is output via a signal processing circuit 32. The output signal of the operation unit 21 is input to the control unit 40. The output signal of the control unit 40 is input to the CCD drive circuit 31.

In this structure, the operation unit 21 has a "normal / inverted" switching between the upper and lower sides of the image and a "normal / reversed" right and left of the image.
It has a switching operation unit, and the control unit 40 is operated by the operation.
The CCD driving circuit 31 is controlled so that the reading order of the CCD 30 is changed, and the vertical inversion or the horizontal inversion can be immediately changed.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the same application as that of the second embodiment is possible.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above embodiment, the present invention is as follows.
An imaging unit in the camera that outputs a video signal, an A / D converter that digitizes the video signal, a frame memory that stores the video signal, and a D / A that DA converts the video signal
A converter, a rotation mechanism for rotating the camera vertically, a detection means for detecting the rotation angle, and a control means for controlling them are provided, and a reading method from the frame memory is provided every time the direction of the camera exceeds a designated direction. By changing both the top and bottom and the left and right of the image instead, it is possible to realize an excellent television camera device in which the top and bottom of the image are not reversed even when the camera passes directly above or below.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television camera device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television camera device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television camera device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television camera device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an installation state of a conventional TV camera device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Imaging Unit 2 A / D Converter 3 Frame Memory 4 Rotation Mechanism 5 Detection Circuit (Detection Means) 6 Microcomputer (Control Means) 7 D / A Converter 8 Signal Processing Circuit 9 Operation Unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup unit for outputting a video signal in a camera, an A / D converter for digitizing the video signal, a frame memory for storing the video signal, and a D / D for converting the video signal by DA. An A converter, a rotation mechanism for vertically rotating the camera, a detection means for detecting a rotation angle, and a control means for controlling them, and a method of reading from the frame memory each time the direction of the camera exceeds a designated azimuth. A TV camera device that flips the image vertically and horizontally by changing the. 2. An image pickup section for outputting a video signal, an A / D converter for digitizing the video signal, a frame memory for storing the video signal, a D / A converter for DA converting the video signal, and the like. A television camera device comprising: a control unit for controlling the control unit and an operation unit, wherein the operation of the operation unit changes the method of reading from the frame memory to invert the image vertically or horizontally. 3. A CCD in a camera, a CCD drive circuit, a signal processing circuit for converting an output signal from the CCD into a video signal, a rotation mechanism for vertically rotating the camera, and a detection for detecting a rotation angle. A circuit and a control means for controlling them are provided, and C is set every time the direction of the camera exceeds a designated direction.
A television camera device that flips the image vertically and horizontally by changing the method of reading from a CD. 4. A CCD, a CCD drive circuit, a signal processing circuit for converting an output signal from the CCD into a video signal, a control means for controlling them, and an operating section, and the CCD is operated by operating the operating section. A TV camera device that flips the image vertically or horizontally by changing the reading method.