JPH07322102A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image pickup device having plural image pickup parts which can switch and multiplex the video signals with no disturbance of images and in a simple constitution. CONSTITUTION:An image pickup device is provided with a pair of image pickup parts 100 and 200 having image pickup elements 105 and 205 respectively, a video signal synthesizing part 300 which synthesizes the video signals received from both parts 100 and 200, and a signal processing part 400 which converts the synthesized video signal into a video signal of a prescribed system. The part 400 supplies the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals VD and HD and the clock signals CLK to the timing signal generating circuits 106 and 206 of both parts 100 and 200 respectively from a signal processing circuit 402 via a changeover switch 303 and the connectors 301, 111, 302 and 211 to drive the elements 105 and 205. Therefore plural image pickup parts and video signals are processed by the common signal processing part 400. At the same time, both parts 100 and 200 are actuated by the same reference signal. Thus it is possible to simplify the constitution of the image pickup device and to prevent the disturbance of images that are caused by the switching of video signals.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera, and more particularly to a system having a plurality of image pickup units such as a surveillance camera system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a system having a plurality of image pickup units such as a surveillance camera system, an image pickup signal picked up by each image pickup unit is a video signal of a predetermined format (for example, NTSC system) in advance in each image pickup unit. Then, the image signal is transmitted from each image pickup unit to a switching device or a video signal multiplexing device for selectively switching the video signal via a coaxial cable or the like. That is,
Signal processing such as focus control, white balance, gamma processing, and color signal processing is performed by a signal processing unit provided for each image pickup unit, and then processing such as multiplexing or transmission is performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the video signals from a plurality of image pickup units are selectively switched to perform signal processing, the signal processing units in the image pickup units not selected are in the idle period. Inside is redundant,
There was much waste in cost or power consumption. Further, in order to prevent the output video signal from being disturbed when switching the image pickup units, each image pickup unit needs an additional circuit for synchronizing with an external signal such as a GEN LOCK circuit.

Further, even when the video signals are multiplexed, the video signals once converted into a predetermined format (for example, NTSC modulation) are reconverted into a format suitable for the multiplexed signal processing (for example, R, G, B), A / D converter converts the signal into a digital signal, which is once stored in the image memory and then multiplexed, and then converted by the D / A converter into an analog signal, which has a predetermined signal format. Since processing such as conversion back to (for example, NTSC modulation) is performed, there are many overlapping points on the circuit, not only is waste in cost or power consumption increased, but it is also a factor of image quality deterioration.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the invention of claim 1 can achieve cost reduction and low power consumption by eliminating redundant circuit blocks. An object is to obtain an imaging device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of switching the video signals of a plurality of image pickup sections without disturbing without adding a special circuit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup device which can easily multiplex video signals without using a special external device for video signal multiplexing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of optimally controlling a plurality of image pickup units and preventing image quality deterioration.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image pickup units each having an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject into a video signal, and an image obtained from the plurality of image pickup units. A video synthesizing unit that selectively switches and selects signals, and a signal processing unit that generates a video signal of a predetermined system by performing predetermined signal processing on the video signals obtained from the video signal synthesizing unit. It is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image pickup units and the image synthesizing unit are provided, and the image signal obtained from the image synthesizing unit is subjected to the predetermined signal processing to obtain the image of the predetermined system. A signal processing unit is provided which generates a signal and generates the same reference signal for driving each image pickup device of the plurality of image pickup units and supplies the same reference signal to each image pickup unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image pickup units and the image signal combining unit are provided, and the image signal obtained from the image combining unit is subjected to a predetermined signal processing to obtain an image of a predetermined system. A signal processing unit is provided for generating a signal and supplying both or one of the horizontal synchronizing signal and the vertical synchronizing signal to the video synthesizing unit as a signal for performing the switching selection operation of the video synthesizing unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image pickup units and the image signal combining unit are provided, and a predetermined signal processing is performed on the image signal obtained from the image combining unit to obtain an image of a predetermined system. A signal processing unit is provided for generating a signal and generating control information for controlling each image pickup unit based on a signal in a predetermined area of each video signal obtained from the plurality of image pickup units and supplying the control information to each image pickup unit. .

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the invention, each video signal obtained from the plurality of image pickup sections from which the signal processing section is deleted is selectively selected by the video signal synthesizing section, and each selected video signal is shared. Since signal processing is exclusively performed by the signal processing unit, it is possible to reduce the number of redundant signal processing units that conventionally do not function when each imaging unit is not selected.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the reference signal of the video signal is supplied from the signal processing unit to each image pickup unit, it is possible to perform phase synchronization with the reference signal without providing a conventional additional circuit. Therefore, the cost can be reduced, and the disturbance of the video signal at the time of switching the video signal can be suppressed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the video signals from the respective image pickup units are the reference signals HD (horizontal synchronization signal) and VD (vertical synchronization signal) of the video signals supplied from the signal processing unit to the respective image pickup units. By switching to either one or both of them in synchronization, the multiplexing of the video signal, which has been conventionally realized by using an external device such as an image memory, can be realized only by the imaging device according to the present invention.

According to the invention of claim 4, from the signals of a plurality of predetermined regions of the video signal processed by the signal processing unit,
For example, since information such as high-frequency components, RGB values, average signal level, etc. is obtained and control information for the image pickup unit is generated based on this information, a plurality of image pickup units operating in different environments can be optimally operated. Control can be realized, and deterioration of image quality can be prevented.

[0017]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a drawing best showing the features of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 100 is a first imaging unit, 200
Is the second imaging unit, 300 is the first and second imaging units 100,
A video signal synthesizing unit for synthesizing the video signals from 200, 40
Reference numeral 0 is a signal processing unit that processes the combined video signal.

In the first and second image pickup units 100 and 200, 101 and 201 are lenses for optically forming a subject image, 102 and 202 are motor drivers for driving the lenses 101 and 201, and AF ( Auto Foc
us), zoom, etc. are controllable. Reference numerals 103 and 203 denote apertures (shutters), and 104 and 20.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a driver circuit for driving the diaphragms (shutters) 103 and 203. The motor drivers 102 and 202 and the driver circuits 104 and 204 are the image pickup control unit 110,
It is designed to operate under the control of 210.

CCDs 105 and 205 are image pickup elements.
And the lenses 101 and 201 and the diaphragm (shutter)
Through 103 and 203, the subject image is CCD 105 and 20
5 is formed so as to form an image on the light receiving surface. CCD1
The video signal charges accumulated in 05 and 205 are read by the timing signals supplied from the timing generators (TG) 106 and 206. 107 and 207 are C
This is a sample and hold circuit for stabilizing the video signals read from the CDs 105 and 205.

The sample and hold circuits 107 and 20
The output video signal of 7 is an AGC circuit (Auto Gain).
Control I) 108, 208, and adjusts the video signal level so that it falls within a certain range. 1
Reference numerals 09 and 209 denote buffers, and the AGC circuits 108 and 2
The video signal supplied from the connector 08 is supplied to the connectors 111 and 211.
Through the video signal synthesizing unit 300 in the subsequent stage.

A timing grenator (TG) 106,
Reference numeral 206 denotes a timing signal generating and driving circuit for reading the video signals of the CCDs 105 and 205, which is a signal HD (horizontal synchronization signal) supplied from the signal processing unit 400 via the video signal combining unit 300 and the connectors 111 and 211. ), VD (vertical synchronization signal), and CLK (clock) signal to generate various timing signals.

Further, the image pickup control section 110 includes a connector 111,
The signal processing unit 40 receives the transmission signal (TX) and the reception signal (RX) via the 211 and the video signal synthesis unit 300.
0, data is transmitted and received, and the entire image pickup unit 100, 200 such as zoom and iris (shutter speed) is controlled according to control data from the signal processing unit 400.
The connectors 111 and 211 are connected to the connectors 301 and 302 of the video signal composition unit 300 by cables SL1 and SL2. It includes video signals, various timing signals, communication control signals, and power supply and ground signals.

Both the image pickup section 100 and the image pickup section 200 receive the signals HD (horizontal synchronizing signal), VD (vertical synchronizing signal), CLK signal, etc. supplied from the signal processing section 400 via the connectors 111 and 211, respectively. Since it operates as a reference signal, it operates in perfect synchronization.

Next, in the video signal synthesizing section 300, 30
Reference numerals 1 and 302 denote the image capturing unit 100 and the image capturing unit 200, respectively.
It is a connector for connecting with. The connector 301 is connected to the connector 111 of the imaging unit 100 by the cable SL1, and the connector 302 is connected to the connector 211 of the imaging unit 200 by the cable SL2. Reference numeral 303 denotes a changeover switch, which controls a video signal of the image pickup unit 100 connected via the connector 301, various timing signals, a signal for communication control, a power supply and a ground, etc. by a control signal SEL supplied from the signal processing unit 400. Either one of the signals or a video signal of the image pickup unit 200 connected via the connector 302, various timing signals, a communication control signal, and each signal such as a power supply and a ground is selected.

In the signal processing unit 400, 401 is A /
D converter, 402 is a signal processing circuit, 414 is a timing signal generation circuit, 412 is a system control unit, 413 is a communication unit, 403 and 404 are switch circuits, 405 is an encoder, 409 and 415 are D / A converters, and 408 is A memory, 407 is a memory controller, and 406, 410 and 411 are video signal output terminals to the outside.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire system including a monitor, in which image pickup units 100 and 200, a video signal synthesis unit 300, and a signal processing unit 400 are shown. Reference numeral 500 denotes a monitor that displays the video signal processed by the signal processing unit 400, and reference numerals 600 and 700 denote subjects A and B of the image capturing units 100 and 200.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The video signal of the image capturing unit 100 or the image capturing unit 200 selected or synthesized by the video signal synthesizing unit 300 is converted into a digital signal in the A / D converter 401 by the CLK signal supplied from the timing signal generating circuit 414. It is supplied to the signal processing circuit 402. In the signal processing circuit 402, the CC is controlled by the control signal supplied from the timing signal generation circuit 414 and the system control unit 412.
A luminance signal Y and a color difference point sequential signal R-Y / B-Y are generated from a video signal obtained according to a color filter attached to the D 105 or the CCD 205.

In the signal processing circuit 402, first, the CCD
The video signal obtained according to the color filter 105 or the color filter attached to the CCD 205 is synchronously detected by the color separation unit, and matrix operation is performed to separate the primary color signals R, G, and B. Next, after white balance and gamma correction are performed, the luminance signal Y is generated from the matrix, and further, the subtraction circuit generates the respective color difference signals of RY and BY.
The color difference signals are time-division multiplexed to generate color difference point sequential signals R-Y / B-Y.

The luminance signal Y and the color difference point sequential signal R-Y / B-Y generated by the signal processing circuit 402 are converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 409, and the luminance signal Y is not shown. A synchronizing signal is added by the synchronizing signal adding circuit, output from the terminals 410 and 411 to the outside, respectively, and can be taken into the memory 408 under the control of the memory controller 407.

The luminance signal Y and the color difference point sequential signal R-Y / B-Y which are temporarily stored in the memory 408 are the luminance signal Y and the color difference point sequential signal R-Y / B-Y output from the signal processing circuit 402. And switches 403 and 404, respectively.
Either one is selected and sent to the encoder 405. In the encoder 405, the luminance signal Y and the color difference point sequential signal RY / B- are generated by a known encoder circuit.
A composite video signal is generated from Y.

The composite video signal generated by the encoder 405 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 415 and output from the connector 406 to the outside. The switches 403 and 404 perform the switching operation as described above according to the control signal supplied from the system control unit 412.

The system control unit 412 supplies a control signal to each unit in the signal processing unit 400 according to a preset operation mode or switch operation on an operation panel (not shown). The timing signal generation circuit 414 is
By the control signal supplied from the system control unit 412,
Each unit in the signal processing unit 400 and the video signal synthesizing unit 300
Supply various control signals to. Under the control of the system control unit 412, the communication unit 413 communicates various control information with the image pickup unit 100 and the image pickup unit 200 via the video signal synthesis unit 300.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart when switching the control signal SEL of the changeover switch of the video signal synthesizing section 300 at a timing synchronized with VD (vertical synchronization signal). In FIG. 3, while the control signal SEL of the changeover switch 303 is L, the image pickup unit 100 displays the video signal synthesizing unit 3
00 and the control signal SEL of the changeover switch 303 is H, the image pickup unit 200 displays the image signal combining unit 3
Selected by 00. Switching signal SEL is from L to H
Is the Vk-th line in the vertical direction. V
k is a constant preset in the control register in the timing signal generation circuit 414 by the system control unit 412, and represents the number of lines.

The switching signal SEL is generated in the timing signal generating circuit 414 by comparing the value of the counter for counting HD (horizontal synchronizing signal) in the timing signal generating circuit 414 with the value of the control register.

FIG. 4 shows an output video signal of the monitor 500 when operated at the timing shown in FIG. Here, the case where Vk is set to approximately ½ of the total number of lines is shown, and the upper half A1, A2 of the subject A and the lower half B of the subject B are displayed on the monitor screen.
Images of 3 and B4 are displayed.

FIG. 5 is a tine MIG chart when switching the control signal SEL of the replacement switch of the video signal synthesizing section 300 at a timing synchronized with HD (horizontal synchronizing signal). In FIG. 5, while the control signal SEL of the changeover switch 303 is L, the image pickup unit 100 displays the video signal synthesis unit 30.
0 and the control signal SEL of the changeover switch 303 is H, the image pickup unit 200 displays the video signal synthesis unit 30.
Selected by 0. The switching signal SEL changes from L to H at the Hk-th pixel position. Hk is generated by the system control unit 412 by the timing signal generation circuit 414.
Is a constant set in advance in the control register inside and represents the pixel position in the line.

The switching signal SEL is generated in the timing signal generation circuit 414 by comparing the value of the counter for counting the CLK signal in the timing signal generation circuit 414 with the value of the control register.

FIG. 6 shows an output video signal of the monitor 500 when operating at the timing shown in FIG. Here, the case where Hk is set to approximately 1/2 of the total number of pixels on the line is shown, and the images of the left halves A1 and A3 of the subject A and the right halves B2 and B4 of the subject B are displayed on the monitor screen. .

(Second Embodiment) Next, the configuration and operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The reference numerals given in FIG. 7 correspond to those in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 300 is a video signal synthesizing unit. Reference numerals 301 and 302 denote connectors for connecting to the image pickup unit 100 and the image pickup unit 200, respectively. A signal HD (horizontal synchronization signal) supplied from the timing signal generation circuit 424 in the signal processing unit 400 is connected to the connector 301.
The VD (vertical synchronization signal), the CLK signal, the transmission signal (TX1) and the reception signal (RX1) supplied from the communication unit 420 are connected, and are connected to the connector 111 of the imaging unit 100 by the cable SL1.

The connector 302 receives the signal HD supplied from the timing signal generation circuit 424 in the signal processing section 400.
(Horizontal sync signal), VD (vertical sync signal) and CL
The K signal, the transmission signal (TX2) and the reception signal (RX2) supplied from the communication unit 420 are connected, and are connected to the connector 211 of the imaging unit 200 by the cable SL2.

Reference numeral 320 denotes a changeover switch, which is connected to the video signal (CCD Out) of the image pickup unit 100 connected via the connector 301 or the connector 302 according to the control signal SEL supplied from the signal processing unit 400. The picked-up image pickup unit 200 is changed to a video signal (CCD ou
Either one of the signals of t) is selected and sent to the signal processing unit 400 at the subsequent stage.

In the signal processing unit 400, 401 is A /
D converter, 423 is a signal processing circuit, 424 is a timing signal generation circuit, 425 is a system control unit, 420 is a communication unit, 421 is a memory, 422 is a DSP, (digital signal processing circuit), 403 and 404 are switch circuits, 405
Is an encoder, 409 and 415 are D / A converters, 4
08 is a memory, 407 is a memory controller, 406,
410 and 411 are video signal output terminals to the outside.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The imaging unit 10 selected by the video signal synthesis unit 300
0 or the video signal of the image pickup unit 200 is A / A according to the CLK signal supplied from the timing signal generation circuit 424.
The signal is converted into a digital signal in the D converter 401 and supplied to the signal processing circuit 423. The signal processing circuit 423 uses a control signal supplied from the timing signal generation circuit 424 and the system control unit 425 to generate a luminance signal Y and a color difference point sequential signal from a video signal obtained according to a color filter attached to the CCD 105 or the CCD 205. RY / BY and three primary color signals R, G, B are generated. In the signal processing circuit 423, a video signal obtained in accordance with a color filter attached to the CCD 105 or the CCD 205 is synchronously detected by a color separation unit, and matrix calculation is performed to separate it into three primary color signals R, G, and B. After performing white balance and gamma correction, a luminance signal Y is generated by the matrix. Furthermore, R-
Color difference signals of Y and BY are generated, and the color difference signals are time-division multiplexed to obtain color difference point sequential signals RY / B-.
Y is generated.

The three primary color signals R, G, B generated by the signal processing circuit 423 are written in the memory 421 by the control signal supplied from the timing signal generating circuit 424. The memory 421 is also connected to the DSP 422,
The DSP 422 can read and write any area of the video signal in the memory 421. The DSP 422 is also connected to the system control unit 425, and the system control unit 425 calculates a high frequency component in an arbitrary region of the video signal in the memory 421, calculates an average level of each color signal R, G, B, or highlights. While receiving and executing a command such as detection of a part, the execution result of the calculation performed on the video signal in the memory 421 is sent to the system control unit 425.

On the other hand, the luminance signal Y generated by the signal processing circuit 423 and the color difference point sequential signal RY / BY are D / A.
The converter 409 converts the analog signal, and the brightness signal Y is added with a sync signal by a sync signal adding circuit (not shown) and output to the outside from the terminals 410 and 411, respectively.
It is also configured so that it can be stored in the memory 408 under the control of 7.

The luminance signal Y and the color difference point sequential signal R-Y / B-Y once stored in the memory 408 are the luminance signal Y and the color difference point sequential signal R-Y / B-Y output from the signal processing circuit 423. And switches 403 and 404, respectively.
Either one is selected and sent to the encoder 405. In the encoder 405, the luminance signal Y and the color difference point sequential signal RY / B- are generated by a known encoder circuit.
A composite video signal is generated from Y. The composite video signal generated by the encoder 405 is
It is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 415 and output from the connector 406 to the outside.

The switches 403 and 404 perform the switching operation as described above according to the control signal supplied from the system controller 425. The system control unit 425 controls the signal processing unit 40 according to a preset operation mode or switch operation on an operation panel (not shown).
A control signal is supplied to each unit within 0.

The timing signal generation circuit 424 supplies various control signals to each unit in the signal processing unit 400 and the video signal synthesis unit 300 according to the control signal supplied from the system control unit 425. Under the control of the system control unit 425, the communication unit 420 communicates various control information with the image capturing unit 100 and the image capturing unit 200 via the video signal combining unit 300.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart when the control signal SEL of the changeover switch of the video signal synthesizing section 300 is changed over at the timing synchronized with VD (vertical synchronizing signal). In FIG. 8, while the control signal SEL of the changeover switch 320 is L, the image signal (CCD
Out) is selected by the video signal composition unit 300, and the video signal (CCD Out) of the imaging unit 200 is selected by the video signal composition unit 300 while the control signal SEL of the changeover switch 320 is H.

It is the Vk-th line that the switching signal SEL changes from L to H. Vk is a constant preset in the control register in the timing signal generation circuit 424 by the system control unit 425, and represents the number of lines. The switching signal SEL is generated in the timing signal generation circuit 424 by comparing the value of the counter for counting HD (horizontal synchronizing signal) in the timing signal generation circuit 424 with the value of the control register. FIG. 9 shows an output video signal of the video signal synthesizing unit 300 at this time.

The video signal selected at the above timing is stored in the memory 42 in the signal processing unit 400 as described above.
Written to 1. In the image data in the memory 421, the video signal information acquisition area 1 and the video signal information acquisition area 2 shown in FIGS.
Area that is set in the DSP 422 in advance by the area extraction signal WV1. EN, WV2. In addition to being extracted by EN, the DSP 422 calculates a high frequency component in each area, calculates an average level of each color signal, or detects a highlight portion and three primary color signals in the highlight portion in response to a command from the system control unit 425. The calculation etc. which calculate the value of R, G, B are performed.

Here, since there is a relationship of V0 <V1 <Vk <V2 <V3 (1) H0 <H1 <H2 <H3 (2), it is shown in FIG. 8 (A). As described above, the video signal information acquisition area 1 and the video signal information acquisition area 2 are areas within the video signal imaged by the imaging unit 100 and the imaging unit 200, respectively. The system control unit 425 obtains each calculation result of the DSP 422 in the video signal information acquisition area 1 and the video signal information acquisition area 2, and according to the result, each imaging unit for each area receives the imaging unit via the communication unit 420. Send control information for control.

That is, the control information for the calculation result obtained from the image data in the video signal information acquisition area 1 is
It is sent to the imaging unit 100 via the transmission line TX1 and the reception line RX1 of the communication unit 420. Similarly, the control information for the calculation result obtained from the image data in the video signal information acquisition area 2 is sent to the imaging unit 200 via the transmission line TX2 and the reception line RX2 of the communication unit 420.

For example, when the average level of each color signal of R, G, B obtained by the calculation of the DSP 422 is small, the system control unit 425 generates control information for opening the diaphragm in the corresponding image pickup unit. Transmitted. Similarly, from the value of the high-frequency component obtained by the calculation of the DSP 422, focus motor control information is generated by an algorithm such as so-called hill climbing control, and is transmitted to the corresponding imaging unit.

On the other hand, the information for white balance control is generated from the values of the three primary color signals R, G and B in the highlight portion obtained by the calculation of the DSP 422. The white balance is performed by the system control unit 425 by setting an appropriate value in a control register set for adjusting the gain of each of the three primary color signals R, G, and B in the signal processing circuit 423. In the signal processing circuit 423, there are a plurality of sets of control register sets for adjusting the gains of the three primary color signals R, G, and B, respectively, from the respective regions of the video signal information acquisition region 1 and the video signal information acquisition region 2. The obtained information for white balance control is individually set.

The control register set is switched in synchronization with the control signal SEL of the changeover switch 320 supplied from the timing signal processing circuit 424, and the control signal SEL is set.
The control register set corresponding to each imaging unit selected by is used.

(Other Embodiments) The above description is for the image pickup unit 10.
It was done for the case of 2 sets of 0 and 200, but the imaging unit
There may be more than one group. The image pickup devices 105 and 205 are also CCDs
However, other devices such as a MOS type or an image pickup tube may be used. The communication system between the signal processing unit and the imaging unit may be a serial system or a parallel system. The switching of the image pickup unit in the selection circuit does not have to be performed once in one screen, and may be performed at any place and any number of times.

The signal processing unit does not have to be of the digital signal processing system either, and may be of the analog signal processing system. The detection of the video signal information is not limited to the method shown in the embodiment, and other methods may be used. The number of video signal information acquisition regions for controlling the image pickup units does not have to be one for each image pickup unit, and AF (Auto Focus), A
E (Auto Exposure), AWB (Aut
There may be an independent region corresponding to each control target such as o White Balance), or there may be a plurality of regions for each control target. The video signal synthesizing unit may also be realized by arithmetic processing such as an addition circuit instead of the changeover switch.

[0060]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, a plurality of image pickup units are selectively switched and selected, and the video signals obtained from the respective image pickup units are processed by the common signal processing unit. By configuring to perform processing, it is possible to reduce redundant circuits that do not function in each image pickup unit when not selected, and this makes it possible to realize a significant cost reduction compared to the conventional one. Further, there is an effect that the running cost can be reduced and the reliability can be improved by reducing the power consumption.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the plurality of image pickup units are configured to operate in synchronization with the same reference signal supplied from the common signal processing unit, respectively.
There is an effect that a system having a plurality of image pickup units can be easily realized without providing a complicated circuit for controlling switching timing signals in the signal processing unit or providing a special circuit for external synchronization in each image pickup unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the switching of the image pickup signals of the plurality of image pickup units is performed by either or both of the horizontal synchronizing signal and the vertical synchronizing signal of the video signal supplied from the common signal processing. By configuring so as to operate in synchronization with, there is an effect that video signal multiplexing can be realized with a very simple circuit.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of video signal information acquisition areas provided in the common signal processing section are used to determine, for example, the magnitude of the high frequency component of the video signal corresponding to each image pickup section or By transmitting control information from the signal processing unit to each image pickup unit based on the video signal information such as the three primary color signals in the highlight portion of the video signal, the respective sizes of R, G and B, and the average brightness level, AF
(Auto Focus), AE (Auto Expo)
The effect of being able to independently control the control of the image pickup unit such as (Sure) to each optimum value is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall view of the system.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an operation for vertically multiplexing video signals.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a monitor image when video signals are multiplexed in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an operation for horizontally multiplexing video signals.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a monitor image when video signals are multiplexed in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart regarding a video signal information acquisition region.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a setting example of a video signal information acquisition region for controlling an imaging unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100, 200 Image pickup unit 105, 205 CCD 110, 210 Image pickup control unit 300 Video signal synthesizing unit 303 Changeover switch 400 Signal processing unit 402 Signal processing circuit 405 Encoder 412 System control unit 414 Timing signal generation circuit 422 DSP 423 Signal processing circuit 424 Timing Signal generation circuit 425 System control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image pickup units each having an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject to form a video signal, and a video signal combination for selectively switching and selecting the video signals obtained from the plurality of image pickup units. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a video processing unit, and a signal processing unit that generates a video signal of a predetermined system by performing predetermined signal processing on the video signal obtained from the video signal combining unit. 2. A plurality of image pickup units each having an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting an optical image of a subject to form a video signal, and a video signal combination for selectively switching and selecting the video signals obtained from the plurality of image pickup units. And a video signal obtained from the video signal combining unit to generate a video signal of a predetermined system by driving the image signals of the plurality of imaging units. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit that generates the same reference signal and supplies the same to each image pickup unit. 3. A plurality of image pickup units each having an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting an optical image of a subject to form a video signal, and a video signal combination for selectively switching and selecting the video signals obtained from the plurality of image pickup units. Section and a video signal obtained from the above video signal combining section to perform a predetermined signal processing to generate a video signal of a predetermined system, and at least one of a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit that supplies the video signal synthesizing unit as a signal for performing the switching selection operation of the synthesizing unit. 4. A plurality of image pickup units each having an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting an optical image of an object to form a video signal, and a video signal combination for selectively switching and selecting the video signals obtained from the plurality of image pickup units. Section and the video signal obtained from the video signal synthesizing section to perform a predetermined signal processing to generate a video signal of a predetermined system, and to obtain a predetermined video signal of each video signal obtained from the plurality of imaging sections. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit that generates control information for controlling each image pickup unit based on a signal of a region and supplies the control information to each image pickup unit.