JPH09294223A - Image pickup device, video image processor, and image pickup system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To connect a plurality of kinds of camera head sections which have CCDs with different video systems and the number of pixels to a signal processing section in a head separate type camera. SOLUTION: At application of power, a camera head section 101 and VIDS processing sections 207, 110 of a signal processing section 102 are set to a prescribed communication mode where a synchronization signal and a clock, e.g. the NTSC system are sent, the camera head section 101 sends identification information denoting the number of pixels and the video system of a CCD 203 to the signal processing section 102 and the communication mode of the camera head section 101 is revised as required in matching with that of the CCD 203. The signal processing section 102 revises the communication mode in response to the received identification information and sends a synchronization signal and a clock in matching with the communication mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera head unit composed of a CCD and its control unit, and various signal processes for a CCD signal obtained from the camera head unit to generate a video signal. The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus suitable for use as the camera head section, a video processing apparatus suitable for use as the signal processing section, and an image pickup system using these in a head-separated type camera that can be separated from the other sections.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera head section composed of a CCD and its control section, and a CC obtained from this camera head section
There has been a head-separated camera in which a video camera is configured by performing various kinds of signal processing on a D signal, separating the signal processing unit for generating a video signal, and connecting them with a cable. This is advantageous in that the signal processing unit is configured separately so that the camera head unit, which is the actual imaging unit, can be made smaller and lighter. Also,
In some cases, it is possible to replace and connect a plurality of camera heads composed of a single-focus camera and a zoom camera. In such a head-separated camera, the signal processing unit is configured as a board built in the computer and an image memory is added so that the image captured by the camera head unit can be instantly captured in the computer.

Next, the structure and operation of a conventional head separated camera will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, 2
Reference numeral 01 is a camera head unit, and 202 is a signal processing unit. In the camera head unit 201, 203 is a CCD for converting an optical signal input through a lens (not shown) into an electric signal, and a color image signal is obtained by a color filter attached to the front surface. A timing generator (hereinafter referred to as TG) 204 creates various timing signals for reading a video signal from the CCD 203. 205 is a CCD
It is an AGC (Auto Gain Control) circuit for performing gain adjustment on the video signal read from 203. The AGC circuit 205 and the TG 204 are the camera control CPU 2
06, and shutter speed control and AE control can be performed.

The CPU 206 is a signal processing unit 202.
Commands and data are exchanged with the signal processing control CPU 213. This command and data are serial data such as VIDS (Vertical Interval Data S).
(ignal) input to the processing unit 207. VIDS processing unit 2
Reference numeral 07 represents the input serial data for the AGC circuit 20.
5, a function of multiplexing and outputting to the V blanking portion of the video signal, and serial data, a horizontal synchronizing signal, and a vertical synchronizing signal from the composite synchronizing signal of the serial data sent from the signal processing unit 202. And has a function of sending serial data to the camera control CPU 206 and sending each synchronization signal to the TG 204. In addition, VI
DS is a method of multiplexing digital data on a non-video portion of a V blanking portion. The camera head unit 201 multiplexes data on the V blanking portion of a video signal and the signal processing unit 202 on the entire area of a synchronization signal. It can be transferred. The communication between the camera head unit 201 and the signal processing unit 202 is performed using VIDS in order to reduce the number of connecting lines between them.

Further, each block of the camera head section 201 operates by a basic clock supplied from the signal processing section 202. CC used in CCD 203, for example
1 if D is 410,000 pixels and the video system is NTSC
The clock has a cycle of 4.31818 Mhz (4 fsc), and this clock is constantly supplied from the signal processing unit 202 in a fixed cycle.

Next, in the signal processing unit 202, 210
Is a VIDS processing unit. This VIDS processing unit 210
Is a function of multiplexing the serial data input from the signal processing control CPU 213 with the composite sync signal generated by the sync signal generation unit 218 and outputting the multiplexed data, contrary to the VIDS processing unit 207 on the camera head unit side. It has a function of separating the serial data and the video signal from the video signal in which the serial data sent from 201 is multiplexed, and supplying the serial data to the signal processing control CPU 213 and the video signal to the signal processing circuit 211, respectively. There is.

The synchronizing signal generator 218 is a camera head unit 2.
01 and the clock generator 21.
If the video system (NTSC, PAL, etc.) of the camera head 201 is NTSC, a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal corresponding thereto are generated on the basis of the basic clock supplied from 7. In this case, the clock generator 2
From 17, the clock of 14.31818 Mhz will be supplied.

In the signal processing circuit 211, the input video signal is A / D converted into a digital signal, three lines of signals are generated using the 1H delay line, and R, G, and B color signals are generated, time-division multiplexed, white balance and gamma correction are performed, and RY, BY, and
The Y color difference signals and the luminance signal Y are generated. Further, with respect to the luminance signal Y, horizontal and vertical aperture corrections are performed. The color difference signal and the luminance signal are output as digital signals to the memory circuit 212 and are also supplied to the encoder circuit 214.
/ A conversion is performed and converted into an analog signal. Then, a synchronizing signal is added to the luminance signal Y, and a color difference signal is added to the synchronizing signal to generate a composite video signal, which is output from the output terminal 220 to the outside.

Reference numeral 215 is a bus control circuit, which is an ISA, P
A part for exchanging data with a computer bus 216, which is a standard bus for computers such as CI,
Computer bus 216 and address, data, I / O,
Write signal, read signal, interrupt, clock, power supply,
It is connected by a signal such as GND. Bus control circuit 2
15 has a unique address assigned in advance,
The address signal is decoded, and control is performed such as transmission / reception of data to / from the signal processing control CPU 213 and reading of data from the memory circuit 212 according to the value of the data signal when the addresses match. This allows the main CPU (not shown) to pass through the computer bus 216.
It can be controlled from.

[0010]

However, in the above conventional example, the camera head section and the signal processing section are simply separated, the camera head section is miniaturized, and a plurality of types of camera head sections having different functions such as zooming are provided. However, there is a restriction that the CCDs used in each camera head unit must be of the same video system with exactly the same number of pixels. This is because it is necessary to change the signal reading speed from the CCD when the number of pixels in the CCD and the video system are changed, and the processing clock rate in the signal processing unit must be changed accordingly.

Since the resolution changes when the video system changes, the period of the synchronizing signal must be changed in both the camera head section and the signal processing section, and the signal processing section is connected to the currently connected camera head. First, it is necessary to identify the number of pixels in each unit and the video system, and to operate the signal processing unit accordingly. However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, the communication between the camera head unit 201 and the signal processing unit 202 is VI.
Since the configuration is such that the DS signal is used, there is a big problem that communication cannot be performed correctly until the number of pixels of the camera head unit 201 and the video system are clearly identified and the signal processing unit 202 supports them.

The present invention solves the above problems and enables the signal processing unit to correctly cope with the camera head unit in which the number of pixels in the CCD and the video system are changed, and an image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and The purpose is to obtain an imaging system that combines these.

[0013]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and outputting a video signal, and transmitting the video signal to the video processing device and the video processing device. The communication means for communicating with the image pickup means and the communication mode of the communication means are controlled, identification information about the image pickup means is transmitted to the video processing device, and the communication mode is sent from the video processing device. And a control means for controlling each of the above means based on the drive signal.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video processing device, which receives a video signal and identification information sent from the image pickup device and communicates with the image pickup device, and a plurality of communication means for driving the image pickup device. Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal, signal processing means for processing the video signal, and control means for controlling the communication mode of the communication means and the drive signal generating means according to the identification information are provided. .

According to the image pickup system of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and outputting a video signal,
A first communication unit that transmits the video signal to the video processing device and communicates with the video processing device, controls the communication mode of the imaging unit and the first communication unit, and identifies information about the imaging unit. From the image pickup device, an image pickup device having first control means for controlling each of the means based on a drive signal according to the communication mode sent from the video processor to the image processor. Second communication means for receiving the transmitted video signal and the identification information and communicating with the imaging device;
Drive signal generating means for generating a plurality of drive signals, signal processing means for processing the video signal, communication mode of the second communication means and controlling the drive signal generating means according to the identification information 2 control means are provided.

[0016]

According to the image pickup device of the present invention, when the identification information regarding the image pickup means is transmitted to the image processing device side,
Since a drive signal composed of a synchronizing signal and a clock corresponding to the identification information is sent from the video processing device side, it is possible to operate regardless of the type of the image pickup means.

According to the video processing device of the present invention, since the drive signal corresponding to the identification information sent from the image pickup device can be sent to the image pickup device, a plurality of types of image pickup devices can be driven and the image pickup device can be driven. The captured video signal can be processed.

According to the imaging system of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, by sending the identification information from the imaging device to the video processing device, the video processing device can send a drive signal according to the received identification information. An image pickup device of a kind can be selectively connected to the image processing device to process the imaged image signal.

[0019]

1 is a block diagram of a head-separated camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart showing the initial communication process of the camera head unit in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the initial communication process of the signal processing unit in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. It is to be noted that the reference numerals given in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

Reference numeral 101 is a camera head section, and 102 is a signal processing section. 1 is different from the conventional example of FIG. 7 in that a video signal mute section is newly added to the camera head section 101. The video signal mute unit 108 is controlled by the camera control CPU 106 to switch between outputting the output of the AGC circuit 205 as it is to the VIDS processing unit 107 or muting the video signal portion to a pedestal level for output. it can. In the VIDS processing unit 107, the camera control CPU 106 can change the multiplexing position of serial data to be multiplexed and the number of multiplexed data per 1H signal according to the number of pixels of a plurality of types of CCDs 203 and the video system.

Similarly, in the VIDS processing unit 110 on the signal processing unit 102 side, the signal processing control CPU 113 can change the multiplexing position of serial data to be multiplexed on the synchronization signal and the number of multiplexed data per 1H signal. Reference numeral 117 denotes a clock generator, which has a plurality of crystal oscillators, and which crystal oscillator outputs a clock can be switched under the control of the signal processing control CPU 113. Similarly, the synchronization signal generator 118 is also controlled by the signal processing control CPU 113 so that a plurality of CCDs are generated.
A synchronizing signal according to the number of pixels of 203 and the video system can be generated and output.

The clock from the clock generator 117 and the sync signal generated by the sync signal generator 118 are input to the signal processing circuit 111 through a route (not shown), and a video signal is generated by a control signal from the signal processing control CPU 113. The signal processing circuit 111 can perform signal processing according to the number of pixels of the plurality of CCDs 203 and the video system by switching the delay or the filter.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, after the power is turned on (step S301 in FIGS. 2 and 3,
S401, hereinafter, step omitted), camera control CPU 10
6 and the signal processing control CPU 113 perform mode setting corresponding to the 410,000 pixel CCD and NTSC video system as the communication mode for the VIDS processing unit 107 and the VIDS processing unit 110, respectively (S302, S402). This mode setting specifically controls the number of data to be multiplexed in the 1H period, the multiplexing start position, and the polarity of the sync signal.
It is necessary to change it according to the number of pixels of 203 and the video system.

Next, the camera control CPU 106 controls the video mute unit 108 to mute the video signal (S
303), the signal processing control CPU 113 also controls the clock generator 117 and the sync signal generator 118 to set the basic clock to 14.31818 Mhz, and sets the horizontal and vertical sync signals to the NTSC video rate 63.
It is set to 5uS and 16.7mS (S403). These clocks and synchronization signals are supplied to the camera head unit 101 as drive signals.

Next, the signal processing control CPU 113 transfers a CCD information read request command to the camera head unit 101 during the V period (S404). Then, in the next V period after the command is transferred, the response from the camera head unit 101 is read (S405), and if this is not the CCD information which is the response to the request command (S406), the CCD information read request command is transferred again. (S4
04). After that, S404 to S406 are repeated until the camera head unit 101 returns CCD information as identification information which is a response to the request command.

During this period, the video signal output from the camera head unit 101 is muted, and the VIDS processing units 107 and 110 of the camera head unit 101 and the signal processing unit 102 are both set as a communication mode of 410,000 pixel CCD and NTSC video system. Further, since each operates with the same clock and synchronization signal, communication between both VIDS processing units is normally performed, and the CCD information read request command sent from the signal processing control CPU 113 will eventually be sent to the camera head. It will be received by the unit 101.

After the image is muted, the camera head unit 101
It monitors the CCD information read request command from the signal processing unit 102 (S304, S305). When the request command is received, the CCD information including the number of pixels regarding the own CCD, the color filter arrangement, and the video system is returned to the signal processing control CPU 113 (S306). Then, the communication mode of the VIDS processing unit 107 is reset as necessary according to the number of CCD pixels according to the CCD information and the video system (S307). Next, the mute of the video signal is released (S308), and then normal communication processing is performed (S3).
09).

Further, when the signal processing control CPU 113 returns CCD information which is a response to the CCD information read request command from the camera head section 101, the clock generation section 117 and the synchronization signal generation section 1 are matched with the returned CCD information.
Control 18 to reset the clock and synchronization signal as needed, reset the communication mode of the VIDS processing unit 110, control the signal processing circuit 111 (S407), and then perform normal communication processing (S408). ). By the above initial communication operation, the camera head unit 101 is operated after the initial communication is completed.
The communication between the signal processing unit 102 and the signal processing unit 102 and the video signal processing operate properly.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an initial communication process of a camera head portion in the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is the same. 6 is a flowchart showing an initial communication process of a signal processing unit according to the second embodiment. This will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. It is to be noted that the reference numerals given in FIG. 4 denote the same functions as those in the conventional example of FIG. 7 and the first embodiment of FIG. Omit it.

Reference numeral 501 is a camera head section, and 502 is a signal processing section. In this embodiment, the configuration of the camera head unit 501 is the same as that of the conventional example of FIG. 7, and only the processing in the camera control CPU 506 is different. The configuration of the signal processing unit 502 is also the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and only the processing of the signal processing control CPU 513 is different.

In the above configuration, first, after the power is turned on (S
601, S701), the camera control CPU 506 sets the communication mode of the VIDS processing unit 207 according to the number of pixels of its own CCD and the video system (S602), and the signal processing control CPU 513 causes the clock generation unit 117 and the synchronization signal generation unit. The communication mode is set to 118 and the VIDS processing unit 110 similarly to the state when the power was previously turned off (S702). The state when the power is turned off before is that when the data written in the EEPROM (inside the signal processing control CPU 513) not shown is read.

Next, the signal processing control CPU 513 transfers the communication initialization request command to the camera head section 501 during the V period (S703). This communication initialization request command is a command for device identification sent before starting normal communication, and is a command for reading identification information. Next, the response from the camera head unit 501 is read in the next V period after the command is transferred (S704), and if this response is not identification information as a response to the request command (S705), the clock generation unit 117 and the synchronization signal. The generation unit 118 is controlled to change the clock and the synchronization signal, and the VIDS processing unit 110 is controlled so that the communication mode corresponding to the clock and the synchronization signal is set (S706). Then, the communication initialization request command is transferred again (S703). After that, S703 to S706 are repeated until the camera head unit returns the identification information which is a response to the request command.

In the camera head section 501, the signal processing section 5
The clock and synchronization signal from the camera head 02
The communication initialization request command can be received when the number of pixels of the CCD of 1 and the video system match, and the VIDS processing unit 110 is set accordingly. Therefore, if the signal processing control CPU 513 switches the communication mode in S706 and continues to send the communication initialization request command, the camera control CPU 506 always receives the communication initialization request command in any communication mode.

After setting the communication mode, the camera control CPU 506 constantly monitors the reception of this communication initialization request command (S603, S604), and receives the communication initialization request command when the signal processing unit 502 and the communication mode match. ,
Identification information as a response thereto is performed 1 V after the reception of the communication initialization request command (S605), and thereafter, normal communication processing is performed (S606).

When the camera head section 501 returns identification information, which is a response to the communication initialization request command, the signal processing control CPU 513 stops the control of the clock generation section 117 and the synchronization signal generation section 118, and the clock at that time is stopped. , Fix to sync signal. Also, the current communication mode is fixed to the VIDS processing unit 110, and the signal processing circuit 111 is set according to the currently set CCD pixel number and video system.
Is controlled (S707). And the current communication mode,
Information about the clock and the sync signal is stored in the EEPROM (S708), and then normal communication processing is performed (S70).
9). As a result, after the initial communication is completed, the communication between the camera head unit 501 and the signal processing unit 502 and the video signal processing are properly operated.

[0036]

As described above, according to the image pickup device of the first aspect of the present invention, since the identification information regarding the image pickup means including the CCD and the like is transmitted to the image processing device, it is appropriate from the image processing device. Since such a drive signal can be received, it can operate regardless of the type of the image pickup means, and the picked-up video signal can be sent to the video processing device for processing.

Further, according to the image processing device of the present invention, since a drive signal corresponding to the identification information sent from the image pickup device can be sent to the image pickup device, a plurality of types of image pickup devices can be driven. At the same time, the captured video signal can be processed.

According to the imaging system of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, by sending the identification information from the imaging device to the video processing device, the video processing device can send a drive signal according to the received identification information. It is possible to selectively connect a plurality of types of imaging devices to the video processing device and process the captured video signals.

According to the third, tenth and seventeenth aspects of the present invention, the identification information is transmitted and received and the drive signal is promptly selected by setting the image pickup apparatus and the image processing apparatus in a predetermined communication mode in the initial state. It can be performed, and normal communication operation can be promptly entered.

According to the invention of claims 4, 11 and 18, the image pickup device side is set to a predetermined communication mode in the initial state, and the image processing device side is driven differently while sequentially changing the communication mode from the previous mode. By transmitting signals sequentially and request signals each time, the imaging device can receive the request signal when it matches its communication mode, so if the identification information is sent back in response, the image processing On the device side, by fixing the communication mode at that time and continuously transmitting the drive signal at that time, the type of the image pickup means can be surely identified and dealt with.

Further, according to the present invention, it can be realized without adding a new communication line or a signal line for identification information.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an initial communication operation of a camera head unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an initial communication operation of a signal processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an initial communication operation of the camera head unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an initial communication operation of a signal processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional head separated camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 501 head camera unit 102, 502 signal processing unit 106, 506 camera control CPU 107, 207 VIDS processing unit 110 VIDS processing unit 111 signal processing circuit 113, 513 signal processing control CPU 117 clock generation unit 118 synchronization signal generation unit 203 CCD 204 timing generator

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and outputting a video signal, a communication means for transmitting the video signal to a video processing device and communicating with the video processing device, and a communication mode of the image pickup means and the communication means. And control means for controlling the respective means based on a drive signal according to the communication mode sent from the video processing device, the identification information relating to the imaging means being transmitted to the video processing device. Imager equipped. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least one of the number of pixels of the image pickup means and a video system. 3. The control means sets the communication means in a predetermined communication mode in an initial state, transmits the identification information in this state, and changes the communication mode as necessary, and then the predetermined mode. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image pickup means is controlled based on the drive signal sent from the video processing apparatus according to a communication mode. 4. The control means sets the communication means in a communication mode corresponding to the type of the image pickup means in an initial state, and in this state, outputs a signal responding to a request signal sent from the video processing device. The control is performed based on the drive signal according to the communication mode transmitted at this time while transmitting the identification information.
An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication means performs communication according to the VIDS system. 6. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal comprises a synchronization signal and a clock signal. 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a position and an information amount of other information multiplexed on the video signal changes according to the communication mode. 8. A communication means for receiving a video signal and identification information sent from an image pickup device and communicating with the image pickup device; and a drive signal generation means for generating a plurality of drive signals for driving the image pickup device. A video processing device comprising: a signal processing means for processing the video signal; and a control means for controlling the communication mode of the communication means and the drive signal generating means according to the identification information. 9. The video processing device according to claim 8, wherein the identification information includes at least one of a pixel number and a video system relating to the imaging device. 10. The control means sets the communication means in a predetermined communication mode in an initial state, changes the communication mode as necessary in accordance with the identification information received in this state, and sets the plurality of communication modes. 10. The video processing device according to claim 8, wherein the video processing device is controlled to select and transmit one of the drive signals. 11. The control means sequentially changes the communication mode of the communication means from the previous mode in the initial state, transmits a request signal each time while sequentially transmitting a plurality of drive signals, and the request signal is transmitted. 9. The video processing device according to claim 8, wherein when the identification information is sent in response to the control information, the communication mode and the drive signal are fixed and transmitted. 12. The video processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the communication means performs communication according to the VIDS system. 13. The video processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the drive signal comprises a synchronization signal and a clock signal. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one of a position and an information amount of information multiplexed in the drive signal is changed according to the communication mode. 15. An imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting a video signal, a first communication means for transmitting the video signal to a video processing device and communicating with the video processing device, the imaging means and the first Controlling the communication mode of the communication means, transmitting identification information about the image pickup means to the video processing device, and further controlling the means based on a drive signal according to the communication mode sent from the video processing device. An image pickup apparatus having a first control unit for controlling; a second communication unit for receiving the video signal and the identification information sent from the image pickup apparatus and communicating with the image pickup apparatus; Drive signal generating means for generating a signal, signal processing means for processing the video signal, communication mode of the second communication means according to the identification information, and the drive signal generation Imaging system including a video processing apparatus and a second control means for controlling the stage. 16. The image pickup system according to claim 15, wherein the identification information includes at least one of a pixel number and a video system relating to the image pickup apparatus. 17. The first and second control means set the first and second communication means in a predetermined communication mode in an initial state, and in this state, the first control means is While transmitting the identification information, the communication mode of the first communication unit is changed as necessary, and the second control unit sets the communication mode of the second communication unit according to the identification information as necessary. 17. The imaging system according to claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of drive signals is selected and transmitted while being changed. 18. The first control means sets the first communication means in a communication mode according to the type of the image pickup means in an initial state, and in this state, the second control means sets the second control means to the second mode.
The communication mode of the communication means is sequentially changed from the previous mode, and the plurality of drive signals are sequentially transmitted while transmitting the request signal each time, and the first control means responds to the request signal when the request signal is received. 16. The imaging system according to claim 15, wherein the identification information is transmitted as, and in response to this, the second control means fixes the communication mode and drive signal at that time and transmits. 19. The first and second communication means are VIDs.
The imaging system according to claim 15, wherein communication is performed by the S method. 20. The driving signal comprises a synchronization signal and a clock signal.
The imaging system according to claim 1. 21. The first communication means comprises a position of other information multiplexed on the video signal according to the communication mode,
The imaging system according to claim 15, wherein the amount of information is changed. 22. The image pickup system according to claim 15, wherein the second communication unit changes the position and the amount of information multiplexed in the drive signal according to the communication mode.