JPH09238277A - Camera controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control plural cameras with one controller and to reduce cost for constructing a camera control system by providing a transmission/reception part and a picture processing part which can execute switching and a synthesized picture processing on the video signals of the plural cameras, which are received in the transmission/reception part. SOLUTION: Transmission system interface circuits 2 as the plural transmission/reception parts, a main video processing/switcher circuit 3 as a picture processing part and a synthesis circuit 4 as a synthesis part are provided in a casing 10. When the plural cameras are connected to the plural transmission/reception parts 2 through camera cables, the video signals transmitted from the cameras through the camera cables are received in the transmission/ reception parts 2. In the picture processing part 3, the switching processing for the video signals of the plural cameras and the synthesized picture processing of wiping, mixing and chromakey are executed on the video signals of the plural cameras. Thus, the plural cameras can be controlled with one camera controller.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera control device for remotely controlling a plurality of cameras.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a camera control system using a conventional camera control device. This camera control system is used in a television station studio or the like, and includes a plurality of camera control units (hereinafter referred to as “CCU”) 100 as camera control devices and a plurality of CCUs 100 connected to each CCU 100 via a camera cable 101. Camera head unit (hereinafter referred to as “CHU”) 102, a camera control panel 103 for remotely operating each CHU 102, and a video switcher 104 for transmitting and receiving signals such as a video signal and a return video signal to and from the CCU 100. And a switcher control panel 1 for giving control commands such as camera switching and wipe to the video switcher 104.
It is the structure provided with 05. As a result, the CHU 102 and CCU 100 can be controlled using the camera control panel 103 and the switcher control panel 105.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional CCU 100, one CCU 100 has one CH.
Since U102 must be connected, multiple CHUs
When 102 is used, the same number of CCUs 100 as the CHUs 102 must be prepared, which causes the following problems. That is, as many video signal cables 106 as the number of CCUs 100 are required between the CCU 100 and the video switcher 104. In addition, the tally signal indicating that the specific CHU 102 is selected by the video switcher 104 is also sent to the video switcher 10
4 and CCU 100 must be individually wired. Further, when using the three-color chroma key of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), it is necessary to arrange wiring three times as many as the number of CCU 100. From the system side, CCU10
Since the video signals supplied to 0 include a return video signal, a prompter video signal, and a synchronization signal, wirings for passing these signals are required for the number of CCUs 100. Moreover, the tally signal is generally of the two-line system of the main line (red) and the lining (blue), but there are also three systems. Also, CHU102
For the microphone audio signal,
It is necessary to individually wire from U100 to a voice switcher or the like not shown, and it is also necessary to individually wire an intercom line (communication line). As described above, in the camera control system using the conventional camera control device, the CC
Many wirings are required in proportion to the number of U100s, and the cost for constructing the system becomes enormous. Further, since each CCU 100 and the video switcher 104 which is a separate body from this CCU 100 are connected by the video signal cable 106, the signals passed from all the CCUs 100 to the system are sent to the video switcher 104 at the VBS (video) level. Burst sync) signal, SD
In the form of I (serial digital interface) signals, it is necessary to properly meet the signal standards. Therefore, the circuit configuration of the CCU 100 is not free. Further, it is common to supply power from the CCU 100 to the CHU 102. In such a case, each CCU 100
Therefore, it is necessary to have a power supply device for the CHU 102 that is connected to itself, which also leads to a high cost.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a camera control device for reducing the cost of constructing a camera control system by configuring a plurality of cameras by one unit. It is intended to be provided.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a camera control device according to the invention of claim 1 receives a video signal transmitted from a camera through a connected camera cable and controls various controls. A plurality of transmission / reception units capable of transmitting signals to the camera cable, and an image processing unit capable of switching and combining image processing such as wipe, mix, and chroma key with respect to the video signals of the plurality of cameras received by the transmission / reception unit. It is configured to be equipped.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera control device according to the first aspect, a combined video signal for displaying images of at least two or more cameras among the plurality of cameras in a divided manner is combined from the received video signal. The configuration is such that a combining unit is provided.

The inventions of claims 3 and 4 are defined by claim 1.
In the camera control device according to claim 2, the transmitting / receiving unit is configured to be able to transmit a return video signal as well.

The inventions of claims 5 and 6 are claimed in claim 3
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the camera control device according to the fourth aspect, there is provided a switching unit capable of outputting, to the transmission / reception unit, a return video signal among a plurality of the return video signals indicated by a switching command from the camera.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of cameras are respectively connected to the plurality of transmitting / receiving units via the camera cable, the video signal transmitted from the cameras via the camera cable is received by the transmitting / receiving unit. It And
In the image processing unit, switching processing for video signals of a plurality of cameras and composite image processing such as wipe, mix, and chroma key are performed. Also, various control signals are transmitted to the camera side via the camera cable by the transmitting / receiving unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the synthesizing section synthesizes the synthesized video signal from the received video signal, and the images of at least two or more cameras among the plurality of cameras can be displayed in a divided manner. Become.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the transmitting / receiving section transmits the return video signal to the camera side via the camera cable.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the switching unit outputs the return video signal among the plurality of return video signals indicated by the switching command from the camera to the transmission / reception unit.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example in which a camera control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a camera control system, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the camera control device of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a multi-camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as "MC" as a camera control device.
CU ”), and as shown in the figure, this MCCU
1, a plurality of CHUs 102 can be connected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a transmission system interface circuit 2 (referred to as “transmission system I / F” in the figure) serving as a plurality of transmission / reception units and a main unit serving as an image processing unit are provided in a housing 10. Video processing and switcher circuit 3
, A combination circuit 4 as a combination unit, a signal generator circuit 5 (denoted as "SG" in the figure), and an input amplifier 6-
1, 6-2, 7, a switching circuit 67 as a switching unit, and a control data processing circuit 8.

Each transmission system interface circuit 2 has a connector 20 to which a camera cable 101 (see FIG. 1) formed of an optical fiber can be connected, an optical demodulation section 21, and an optical modulation section 22. The optical demodulation unit 21 demodulates the optical serial digital signal input from the connector 20 side into a parallel digital electrical signal, and outputs the required signal S1.
Is the part to take out. Here, the optical digital serial signal is a signal in which a main video signal and camera data are multiplexed. As the main video signal, for example, a SDI signal or RG with a luminance and color difference band of 4: 2: 2
There is a B signal, and as camera data, control data such as return switching from the CHU 102, camera status data, audio signals such as MIC / INCOM,
In the case of a camera used for a synchronization signal, a chroma key, a chroma key signal, and an error signal due to detection of an error correction signal are included. In addition, the light modulator 22 is connected to each C from the MCCU 1.
The signal S2 to be transmitted to the HU 102 is multiplexed to several hundreds M
This is a part for converting into a serial digital signal of about 2 Gb / s, performing optical modulation, and sending out to the connector 20 side. The signals multiplexed by the optical modulator 22 are a return video signal, a viewfinder video signal viewed by a cameraman in the CHU 102, a sync signal for synchronizing the CHU 102 and the MCCU 1, control data, and a camera control panel 90 ( This is a control signal for controlling the CHU 102 from the control data processing circuit 8 according to the command (see FIG. 1). In addition, the CHU 10 is configured such that non-signal data is set in areas other than necessary areas such as wipe.
In the system in which preprocessing is performed by the MCU 2 on the 2 side, the control data is used. Further, intercom / PGM voice, tally signals and the like, error correction signals and the like are also multiplexed. The CCU 102 has an MCCU1
There is a receiving unit similar to the optical demodulation unit 21 of No. 1, and each signal from the MCCU 1 can be extracted. Such a plurality of transmission system interface circuits 2 are connected to the main video processing and switcher circuit 3.

Main video processing and switcher circuit 3
Has a main video processing unit 30 and a switcher unit 31 as functional blocks. The main video processing unit 30 performs image processing such as color correction of the input video signal S1 and outputs the processed signal to the switcher unit 31.
And the output to the synthesizing circuit 4. The switcher unit 31 is a portion corresponding to the video switcher 104 in FIG. 5, and performs switching processing of each CHU 102, wipe, and mix (Mix) on the signal from the main video processing unit 30.
It has a function of performing a composite image process such as a chroma key or chroma key and outputting the processed signal S3 to the digital encoder 32. The control of this switcher section 31 is
The control signal C1 from the control data processing circuit 8 is used. The tally signal is created inside the switcher unit 31 based on the control signal C1 and is used as data for each CHU1.
02. The tally signal required for the system side is output from the MCCU 1 to the system side. The digital encoder 32 and the synthesizing circuit 4 are connected to the output side of the main video processing and switcher circuit 3.

The digital encoder 32 is a portion for encoding the signal S3 from the switcher section 31 into a signal required for a 4: 2: 2 SDI signal, an analog VBS signal, or the like. Here, if the system is configured to process with a digital signal, this digital encoder 32 is not necessary. However, in the case of an analog system such as NTSC, it is necessary to convert it into a composite signal such as NTSC. Therefore, on the output side of the digital encoder 32,
A digital-analog conversion circuit 33 (denoted as “D / A” in the figure) and an output amplifier 34 are provided. The digital-analog conversion circuit 33 converts the digital signal S4 encoded by the digital encoder 32 to generate an analog VBS signal.
The output amplifier 34 is a circuit for outputting a signal and is a circuit for amplifying the analog VBS signal and outputting it as the main line VBS signal S5 to the connector 36. Further, an SDI interface 35 (denoted as “SDI I / F” in the figure) is connected to the output side of the digital encoder 32. The SDI interface 35 is a parallel 4: 2: 2 SDI signal S from the digital encoder 32.
4 is converted to serial and then output to the connector 37 as the main line SDI signal S6.

On the other hand, the synthesizing circuit 4 is a circuit for synthesizing images of a plurality of CHUs 102 by inputting signals from the main video processing and switcher circuit 3 under the control of the control signal C2 from the control data processing circuit 8. A digital-analog conversion circuit 40 and an output amplifier 41 are connected to the output side thereof. As a result, the VBS signals of the screen imaged by the plurality of CHUs 102 are converted into analog signals by the digital-analog conversion circuit 40, and then output from the output amplifier 41 to the connector 42 side as the image signal S7. . Therefore, on the screen of the monitor (not shown) connected to the connector 42, as shown in FIGS.
The image of the HU 102 is displayed after being divided into four or nine. In order to perform the combining processing by the combining circuit 4 as described above, each CH in the main video processing and switcher circuit 3 is processed.
It is necessary to synchronize the signal from the U102, but this is performed by genlock by the signal generator circuit 5 of each CHU102 and MCCU1.

The signal generator circuit 5 is a circuit for generating a timing pulse for synchronization and performing a synchronization process with each CHU or system side. Specifically, the horizontal sync and the vertical sync in the camera data from the main video processing and switcher circuit 3 are separated and compared with the reference horizontal sync signal and the vertical sync signal. Then, these difference data are sent to the CHU 102 to control the signal generator on the CHU 102 side. Further, the signal generator circuit 5 has a built-in circuit for generating pulse signals and gate signals necessary for the digital encoder 32 and the like. These gate signals and the like are processed by the control data processing unit 8 under the control of main video processing and It is adapted to be output to the switcher circuit 3 and the digital encoder 32. Such a signal generator circuit 5
A genlock interface 50 (referred to as "Gl-I / F" in the figure) connected to the connector 51 is connected to the connector 51. An external reference synchronization signal S8 such as a black burst signal from the system side is connected to the genlock interface. The signal is input to the signal generator circuit 5 via 50. As a result, the signal generator circuit 5 synchronizes the synchronization of the MCCU 1 with the synchronization of the system.

The control data processing circuit 8 operates in accordance with the operation of the external control panel 9 shown in FIG.
It is a central circuit that controls the U102, the main video processing, the switcher circuit 3, and the like. Specifically, the control data processing circuit 8 is connected to a connector 81 via a control panel interface 80 (referred to as “control panel I / F” in FIG. 2), and an external control connected to this connector 81. Various controls inside the CHU 102 and the MCCU 1 are performed according to commands from the panel 9. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of camera control panels 90, a switcher control panel 91, and a composite control panel 92 are attached to the external control panel 9. The camera control panel 90 changes the iris of the lens of each CHU 102,
It is a panel for remote operation of white balance adjustment, γ correction, details, etc. By operating the camera control panel 90, the control signal C3 is output from the control data processing circuit 8 to the optical modulation section 22 of the transmission system interface circuit 2. The switcher control panel 91 is a panel for giving commands to the main video processing and the switcher unit 31 of the switcher circuit 3 for camera switching processing and processing such as wipe, mix, and chroma key. By operating the switcher control panel 91, the control signal C1 is output from the control data processing circuit 8 to the main video processing / switcher circuit 3. The synthesizing control panel 92 is a panel which gives a synthesizing command to the synthesizing circuit 4 and gives an instruction to generate a synthesizing signal for a 4-split or 9-split screen. By operating the synthesis control panel 92, the control signal C2 is output from the control data processing circuit 8 to the synthesis circuit 4.

The input amplifiers 6-1 and 6-2 are amplifiers for inputting and amplifying return video signals (return video signals) S9 and S10, which are VBS signals or SDI signals from the system side, from the connectors 61 and 62. The input amplifier 7 is an amplifier for inputting and amplifying the prompter video signal S11 which is a VBS signal or an SDI signal from the connector 70. Then, those input amplifiers 6-1,
The return video signal from 6-2 and 7 and the prompter video signal can be switched by the switching circuit 67. The switching circuit 67 is a circuit for switching the return video signals from the input amplifiers 6-1 and 6-2 and outputting them to the transmission system interface circuit 2 according to a switching command in the signal S1 sent from each CHU 102 side. Further, the prompter signal of the input amplifier 7 is
The same signal is sent to 102.

Although not shown, a simple circuit that can be switched or combined is also provided for the voice circuit transmitted from each CHU 102, and the power from the power supply unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied to each CHU 102. A simple circuit is also provided.

Next, the operation of the camera control device of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, MCCU1
2 of each transmission system interface circuit 2 in
0 (see FIG. 2) to the camera cable 1 of each CHU 102.
01 is connected. That is, a plurality of CHUs 102 are connected to one MCCU 1. Then, the connector 36 and the like are connected to the system side via a cable (not shown), the external control panel 9 is connected to the connector 81, and the power supply unit 11 is connected to the MCCU 1.
When an image of a subject is picked up by each CHU 102, as shown in FIG.
02 to the plurality of transmission system interface circuits 2 of the MCCU 1 via the camera cable 101. Then, in the optical demodulation unit 21 of each transmission system interface circuit 2, the optical serial digital signal is demodulated into a digital electric signal, and the necessary signal S1 is taken out. The signal S1 extracted by each transmission system interface circuit 2 is
All are input to the main video processing and switcher circuit 3, and after the main video processing unit 30 performs image processing such as color correction, the signal S3 is output to the switcher unit 3.
It is output to the digital encoder 32 via 1.

The signal S3 input to the digital encoder 32 is encoded into a signal S4 required for a 4: 2: 2 SDI signal or an analog VBS signal, and output to the digital-analog conversion circuit 33 and the SDI signal interface 35. The digital VBS signal S4 input to the digital-analog conversion circuit 33 is converted into a D / analog VBS signal, amplified by the output amplifier 34, and then output from the connector 36 to the system side as the main line VBS signal S5.
On the other hand, SD input to the SDI signal interface 35
The I signal S4 is converted into the serial signal, and then the main line SDI
The signal S6 is output from the connector 37 to the system side. As a result, the image captured by each CHU 102 is displayed on a plurality of monitors (not shown) on the system side.

When the return video signals S9, S10 and the prompter video signal S11 from the system side are input to the input amplifiers 6-1, 6-2 and the input amplifier 7, each signal is amplified by each amplifier and then switched. It is output to the circuit 67. Then, the signal is switched by the switching command from the CHU 102, is output to the transmission system interface circuit 2, is converted into a serial digital signal in the optical modulator 22, and is then transferred to each C via the camera cable 101.
It is transmitted to the HU 102. Then, each signal is extracted at the receiving unit of each CHU 102.

In this way, the video signals are exchanged between the plurality of CHUs 102 and the system side through one MCCU 1. However, the video signals from the CHU 102 are processed such as wiped to the system side. When transmitting, the switcher control panel 91 of the external control panel 9 shown in FIG. 1 is operated. That is,
In the switcher control panel 91, if a processing command such as wipe, mix, or chroma key is given,
As shown in FIG. 2, the control signal C1 is output from the control data processing circuit 8 to the main video processing and switcher circuit 3 based on the command. Then, in the switcher section 31, the video signal S1 from the transmission system interface circuit 2 is subjected to processing such as wipe, mix and chroma key, and the signal S3 is output to the digital encoder 32. This allows
On the system side, the wiped image is displayed. Also, in order to display which CHU 102 image is being broadcast, etc., the switcher control panel 91 is operated to send the control signal C1 from the control data processing circuit 8 to the main video processing and switcher circuit 3. Then, based on the control signal C1, the tally signal is transmitted to the switcher unit 31.
Is created inside and sent to each CHU 102 as data and also to the system side. As a result, the lamp attached to the CHU 102 transmitting the broadcast image and the lamp attached to the monitor displaying the image are turned on, and the camera operator and the system side can know which CHU 102 is being used. . Further, when switching the CHU 102, the switcher control panel 91 is operated. As a result, the control signal C1 is output from the control data processing circuit 8 to the main video processing and switcher circuit 3, and the switcher unit 31 switches the CHU 102.

Iris change of the lens of each CHU 102,
When remotely controlling white balance adjustment, γ correction, detail, etc., the camera control panel 90 is operated, and the control signal C3 is transmitted from the control data processing circuit 8 to the optical modulator 22 of the transmission system interface circuit 2.
To the CHU 102 side. As a result, the image can be adjusted to the optimum state while looking at the monitor.

When the composite control panel 92 commands a screen of 4 or 9 divisions, the control signal C2 is output from the control data processing circuit 8 to the composite circuit 4, and the signal S1 is output from the main video processing and switcher circuit 3. It is input to the synthesis circuit 4. Then, the synthesizing circuit 4 synthesizes the image, the digital-analog converting circuit 40 converts the image into an analog signal, and then the image signal S7 is output from the connector 42 to the system side via the output amplifier 41. As a result, on one monitor (not shown) connected to the connector 42, a 4-split screen as shown in FIG. 3 or a 9-split screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

As described above, according to the MCCU 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of CHUs 102 can be controlled by a single device, so that the wiring control can be performed as compared with a conventional camera control system using a camera control device. Can be greatly reduced, and as a result, the cost for system construction can be greatly reduced. Further, it is possible to realize downsizing and low power consumption of the entire camera control system. Further, since the switcher unit 31 corresponding to the video switcher is housed in the MCCU 1, it suffices that the signal standard is satisfied only for the signals input / output from the connector 36 on the system side.
The internal circuit of No. 1 can have a simple structure, and the cost can be reduced also from this aspect. Also, CHU1
Since only one power supply unit 11 is required to supply power to 02, the power supply unit 11 is efficient and economical. Also, since the synthesis circuit 4 is provided, 4 or 9 CHs
U102 can be monitored by one output / one monitor, and as a result, the number of output amplifiers 41 can be minimized. Furthermore, since the digital signal synthesis processing is performed, compression and synthesis can be performed relatively easily.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, the camera cable 101, which is an optical fiber cable, can be connected, but the camera cable such as TRIAX can also be used to connect the CHU 102 and the MCCU 1. Further, although the output of the synthesizing circuit 4 is the VBS signal, it is obvious that the structure can also output the analog luminance signal, the green signal and the SDI signal. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the circuit scale and output connectors, and
The CCU 1 can be downsized. When outputting the SDI signal, the SDI signal interface is used instead of the digital-analog conversion circuit 40 and the output amplifier 41. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the return video signals S9 and S10 are returned to the CHU 102.
For example, in so-called robotics where there is no cameraman operating the CHU 102 in the studio, when the camera control device of the present invention is applied, the return video signal may not be returned to the CHU 102.

[0031]

As described in detail above, according to the camera control device of the present invention, a plurality of cameras can be controlled by one camera control device. Therefore, the camera using the conventional camera control device is controlled. Compared with the control system, the number of wirings can be greatly reduced, and as a result, the cost for system construction can be significantly reduced, which is an excellent effect. Further, it is possible to realize downsizing and low power consumption of the entire camera control system. Also,
Since the image processing unit corresponding to the video switcher is housed inside the device, like the conventional camera control device,
It is not necessary to consider the problem of the signal standard of the signal to the video switcher, and as a result, the circuit inside the device can have a simple structure, and the cost can be reduced in this respect as well. In particular, by providing the synthesizing unit, it is possible to monitor images from a plurality of cameras on a single monitor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example in which a camera control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a camera control system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a camera control device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a 4-split screen.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a 9-split screen.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a camera control system using a conventional camera control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... MCCU, 2 ... Transmission system interface circuit, 3 ... Main video processing and switcher circuit, 4 ... Combining circuit, 5 ... Signal generator circuit, 6-1, 6-2, 7 ... Input amplifier, 8 ...
Control data processing circuit, 21 ... Optical demodulation unit, 2
2 ... Optical modulator, 30 ... Main video processor, 3
1 ... Switcher section, 67 ... Switching circuit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of transmission / reception units capable of receiving a video signal transmitted from the camera via a connected camera cable and transmitting various control signals to the camera cable, and a plurality of cameras received by the transmission / reception unit. An image processing unit capable of performing a combined image processing such as switching, wipe, mix, and chroma key on the video signal of, and a camera control device. 2. The camera control device according to claim 1, further comprising a synthesizing unit for synthesizing a synthesized video signal for displaying images of at least two or more cameras among the plurality of cameras from a received video signal. A camera control device characterized by the above. 3. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception unit can also transmit a return video signal. 4. The camera control device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission / reception unit is also capable of transmitting a return video signal. 5. The camera control device according to claim 3, further comprising a switching unit capable of outputting, to the transmitting / receiving unit, a return video signal indicated by a switching command from the camera among the plurality of return video signals. A camera control device characterized by the above. 6. The camera control device according to claim 4, further comprising a switching unit capable of outputting a return video signal, which is indicated by a switching command from the camera, among the plurality of return video signals to the transmission / reception unit. A camera control device characterized by the above.