JPH08211978A - Video camera input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve portability, handleability and operability and to easily perform application to the various kinds of information processing systems. CONSTITUTION: This video camera input device uses an image pickup optical body 1 provided with a lens and an image pickup part, a video camera main body part 2 for taking out analog video signals from images formed in the image pickup part of the image pickup optical body and outputting them and a PCMCIA base card 5 provided with a PCMCIA interface part for achieving the interface function of the various kinds of the information processing systems by mechanically and electrically providing them successively or separating a part and connecting it by wires or radio.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a PC / MC / IA (Personal C) that can be used in various information processing systems including laptop type and notebook type personal computers.
omputer Mem-ory Card Interface Association: A video camera input device conforming to the standards of the personal computer / memory card interface association.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional video camera input device for information processing, as shown in FIG. 8, is a video camera device main body 51 for picking up an image of a subject to take out an analog video signal, and a video camera device main body 51 for transmitting the analog video signal. A system-dedicated card 52 capable of converting an incoming video signal into digital video data processable by an information processing system and outputting the digital video data is connected by a video transmission cable 53.

Therefore, as the information processing video camera input device, a system-dedicated card 52 that can be used only for an individual information processing system is used. As a result, this system-dedicated card 52 has a data conversion function that can be used only in the relevant information processing system, and cannot be applied to other information processing systems.

[0004]

Therefore, since the video camera input device for information processing as described above is dedicated to each information processing system, it is not only versatile, but the system-dedicated card 52 is used as the information processing system. Requires a large-scale interface that can be sufficiently adapted to the above, and there is a problem that the size of the video camera input device is limited from the viewpoint of being dedicated to the information processing system, and the cost is also increased.

Furthermore, since the video camera device main body 51 and the system-specific card 52 are independent of each other,
There are problems such as inconvenience to carry and handle. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video camera input device that is convenient for portability and handling. Another object of the present invention is to provide a versatile and compact video camera input device that can be easily applied to various information processing systems.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 forms an image on a cylindrical image pickup optical body having a lens and an image pickup section and an image pickup section of the image pickup optical body. Of an information processing system that integrates a video camera main body that extracts and outputs an analog video signal from an image, and converts the analog video signal into digital video data and outputs the digital video data to the video camera main body. It is a video camera input device in which PCMCIA base cards having a PCMCIA interface unit serving as an interface are mechanically connected.

The invention according to claim 2 is directed to an information processing system having an image display section or an information processing system having an image display section and a data transmission section, wherein the PCMCIA of the video camera input device of the invention according to claim 1 A video camera in which a base card is removably inserted and an image of a subject captured from the imaging optical body can be displayed on an image display unit of the information processing system or can be transmitted from the information processing system to another information processing system. It is an input device.

Next, in the invention according to claim 3, an analog video signal is extracted and output from a cylindrical image pickup optical body having a lens and an image pickup section, and an image formed on the image pickup section of the image pickup optical body. And a PCMCIA base card having a PCMCIA interface section for performing an interface function of various information processing systems for converting the analog video signal from the video camera body section into digital video data and outputting the digital video data. ,
Among them, the imaging optical body and the video camera main body are integrated and fixed to an information processing system, and the video camera main body and the PCMCIA base card are connected by wire or wirelessly, and the PCMCIA base card is connected to the information. It is a video camera input device to be used by inserting it into a processing system. Furthermore, the invention corresponding to claim 4 is
The imaging optical body is configured to be swingable on the main body of the video camera.

[0009]

Therefore, in the invention according to claim 1, by taking the above means, the image pickup optical body, the video camera main body and the PCMCIA base card are mechanically connected, and various kinds of base cards are used. Since it uses a PCMCIA base card having a PCMCIA interface section that fulfills the interface function of the information processing system, it is excellent in portability, convenient to handle, and can be applied to various information processing systems, and has excellent versatility. Is.

Since the invention according to claim 2 can be incorporated in the information processing system as described in the operation of the invention according to claim 1, the image of the subject captured from the image pickup optical body can be recorded as information. The information can be displayed on the image display unit by using the display control function of the processing system, and can be transmitted to another information processing system by using the transmission unit of the information processing system. For example, when the information processing system is a laptop type or notebook type personal computer, it can be easily carried to display an image of a subject and display the image, or can be transmitted to a remote place.

The invention according to claim 3 has the same operation as the invention according to claim 2. Further, in the invention according to claim 4, since the imaging optical body is attached to the video camera main body so as to be swingable, the handling becomes more convenient, and it is suitable regardless of the range of use and the situation of various subjects. The image of the subject can be extracted.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a video camera input device. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an image pickup optical system having a standard mini camera lens and an image pickup unit such as a CCD for forming an image of a subject obtained through the camera lens. The image pickup optical system 1 is formed in a tubular body having a circular cross section or other shape, and a predetermined camera lens, an image pickup element including an image pickup tube, and other necessary devices are arranged inside the tubular body. Has been done. The imaging optical system 1 has a different structure depending on whether a color signal or a monochrome signal is taken out, but the structure is not particularly limited.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a video camera main body for producing a video signal from an image formed on an image pickup unit, which has a robust appearance such as a kamaboko type, and has an inside thereof as shown in FIG. An image reading control unit 3 for extracting an analog video signal of a standard television system while scanning the image pickup unit, and a base interface unit 4 for converting the analog video signal of the image reading control unit 3 into a predetermined signal and outputting the signal. Has been done.

The image pickup optical system 1 is fixed to the video camera main body 2, and the fixing method is as shown in FIG. 1 so that it is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the camcorder-shaped video camera main body 2. The image pickup optical system 1 is attached, or as shown in FIG. 3, a concave portion 2a is formed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the video camera body 2, and the image pickup optical system 1 is attached to the concave portion 2a. May be further, Figure 4
As shown in (a), the image pickup optical system 1 may be attached so as to protrude from the surface portion 2b of the video camera body portion 2 having a wide area.

5 is a PCMCIA base card,
A camera interface unit 6 that takes in an analog video signal and converts it into digital video data, and a PCMC that has a function applicable to various types of information processing systems
It comprises an IA interface section 7 and a data conversion section 8 having a logic circuit configuration for converting the digital video data from the camera interface section 6 into data applicable to the interface section 7. This PCM
The CIA base card 5 may be a card based on any storage method, such as an IC card, an optical card or a magnetic card,
Further, as an example of the external shape, it is assumed that it is larger than, for example, a credit card and that the thickness thereof is, for example, about 10 mm.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, when the image of the subject is projected through the lens onto the image pickup section, the subject image is formed on this image pickup section. At this time, the image reading control unit 3 of the video camera body 2 scans the image pickup unit in a predetermined order to take out an analog video signal of the standard television system. In the video camera body 2, the analog video signal taken out by the image reading controller 3 is passed through the base interface 4 to the PCMCIA base card 5
Send to.

Here, the PCMCIA base card 5 is
In order to adapt the camera interface unit 6 and the PCMCIA interface unit 7 which performs a function applicable to various types of information processing systems after the analog video signal is captured by the camera interface unit 6 and converted into digital video data. Then, by performing data conversion by the data conversion unit 8 having a logic circuit configuration, P
The CMCIA interface unit 7 can output digital video data.

Moreover, since the image pickup optical system 1, the video camera main body 2, and the PCMCIA base card 5 are integrated, portability and handling are very convenient, and various information as a base card is provided. Since the PCMCIA base card 5 having the PCMCIA interface section that fulfills the interface function of the processing system is used, it can be used in various information processing systems and is excellent in versatility.

In the above embodiment, the video camera main body 2 and the PCMCIA base card 5 may be mechanically integrated.
The MCIA base card 5 may be configured to be detachable electrically and mechanically.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the image pickup optical system 1 is fixed to the video camera main body 2 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 4B, the image pickup optical system 1 is provided so as to be swingable. Good. FIG. 4 (b) is a mechanism diagram in which the swing can be performed, and 11 is a small step motor for swinging left and right.
2 is a pair of gears, 13 is a small stepping motor for vertical swinging, and the imaging optical system 1 is attached to the rotation shaft of this small stepping motor 13.

Therefore, in this swing mechanism, when the required power is supplied to the small left and right swing small step motors 11 by turning on the first switch (not shown), the small step motors 11 rotate in steps, Since the small step motor 11 as a whole rotates stepwise via the gear 12 of FIG. 1, the imaging optical system 1 rotates in the left-right direction, and the second switch (not shown) is turned on to swing the required electric power up and down. If it is supplied to the small stepping motor 13 for use, the rotary shaft of the small stepping motor 13 rotates stepwise,
The imaging optical system 1 can be swung in the vertical direction.

Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 are views showing an example in which the main body of the video camera input device is incorporated into an information processing system for use. FIG. 5 shows an example of application of a video camera input device main body part to an information processing system such as a notebook computer. A display part 22 is provided inside the opening / closing lid of the system main body 21, while it is on the base side. In addition to the input device 23 such as a keyboard, the portion has a built-in arithmetic processing function and image display function (not shown). A card insertion slot 2 is provided on one side of the base side portion.
4 are formed.

Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the image pickup optical system 1, the video camera main body 2 and the PCM are provided in the card insertion slot 24 of the system main body 21.
If you insert the PCMCIA base card 5 in the main body of the video camera input device that is composed of the CIA base card 5, you can project the desired subject, such as a document, when you need it while carrying it around. If the transmission unit is provided in the part, the subject image can be easily transmitted to another information processing system through the transmission line.

In the drawing, the system main body 21 is placed on the floor or the like.
When the camera is placed, the image pickup optical system 1 faces upward, which is inconvenient for image pickup of a subject image. Therefore, the image pickup optical system 1 should be rotatable in advance and the direction should be changed as necessary. Then, the inconvenient problem disappears.

FIG. 6 (a) shows the image pickup optical system 1, the video camera body 2 and the PCMCIA base card 5.
The imaging optical system 1 and the video camera main body 2 are integrally fixed to the opening / closing lid side of the system main body 21, and the video camera main body 2 and the PCMCIA base card 5 to be inserted into the card insertion slot 24 are connected. The signal cable 25 is used for connection.

In FIG. 6B, similarly, the image pickup optical system 1 and the video camera main body 2 are integrally fixed to the opening / closing lid side of the system main body 21, and the video camera main body 2 and the card insertion slot 24 are attached. The PCMCIA base card 5 to be inserted is wirelessly connected. In the case of this wireless system, the video camera main body 2 including the imaging optical system 1 can be mounted more flexibly on the system main body 21, and the signal cable 25 can be used without being bothered.
It is also advantageous in terms of handling and workability.

Next, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the system main body 21 is provided with the angle adjusting type display section 22 and the data input device 23 and the system main body 21 are connected by a signal cable. In this embodiment, a card insertion slot 24 is formed on the upper surface of the system main body 21, and the card insertion slot 2
4, an image pickup optical system 1, a video camera body 2 and a PC
This is an example of inserting and using the PCMCIA base card 5 of the main body part of the video camera input device that is composed of the MCIA base card 5 (see FIG. 7B).

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the image pickup optical system, the video camera main body and the PCMCIA base card are integrated, it is excellent in portability.
It is also possible to provide a video camera input device which is effective in handling and operability.

Further, since the PCMCIA base card is used, it can be easily applied to various information processing systems, and a compact video camera input device with high versatility can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a video camera input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical functional block diagram of the inside of the video camera input device.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the video camera input device.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the video camera input device and a diagram showing an example of a mechanism that allows the imaging optical system to swing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which a part of the main body of the video camera input device is inserted into the information processing system for use.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of connecting the card part and the camera body part by wire when the card part of the video camera input device body part and the camera body part are separately applied to an information processing system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the card portion and the camera body portion are wirelessly connected to each other when the card portion of the video camera input device body portion and the camera body portion are separately applied to the information processing system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional video camera input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging optical system, 2 ... Video camera main body part, 3 ... Image reading control part, 4 ... Base interface part, 5 ... PCMCI
A base card, 6 ... Camera interface section, 7 ... P
CMCIA interface section, 21 ... system body, 2
2 ... Display section.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A tubular image pickup optical body having a lens and an image pickup section and a video camera main body section for extracting and outputting an analog video signal from an image formed on the image pickup section of the image pickup optical body are integrated. A PCMCIA base card having a PCMCIA interface section which serves as an interface of various information processing systems for converting the analog video signal into digital video data and outputting the digital video data is mechanically connected to the main body of the video camera. Video camera input device. 2. The PCMCIA base card of the video camera input device according to claim 1, which is removably inserted into an information processing system having an image display unit or an information processing system having an image display unit and a data transmission unit. A video camera input device, wherein an image of a subject captured from the imaging optical body can be displayed on an image display unit of the information processing system or can be transmitted from the information processing system to another information processing system. 3. A tubular image pickup optical body having a lens and an image pickup section, a video camera body section for extracting and outputting an analog video signal from an image formed on the image pickup section of the image pickup optical body, and this video camera. A PCMCIA base card having a PCMCIA interface section for performing an interface function of various information processing systems for converting the analog video signal from the main body section to digital video data and outputting the digital video data, of which the imaging optical body and the video camera The main body is integrated and fixed to the information processing system, and the main body of the video camera and the PCMCIA
Connect to the base card by wire or wirelessly,
A video camera input device comprising a CIA base card inserted into the information processing system for use. 4. The video camera input device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optical body is provided on a main body of the video camera so as to be swingable.