JPH10112816A - Video camera having infrared av transmission function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable clear image recording (photographing) even when it is dark (at the time of low illuminance) about a video camera that is provided with an infrared AV transmission function. SOLUTION: A video camera which has an infrared AV transmission function is provided with a changing means which shifts an infrared cutoff filter 2 that is a component of a camera part outside an optical path and arranges infrared transmissive material whose optical path becomes equivalent to the filter 2 on the optical path instead, a switching means 11 which switches an infrared light emitting part 8 for infrared AV transmission to its illumination in no modulation state and a sensitivity switching means 10 which interlocks and operates the changing means and the means 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera widely used for home use, and more particularly to a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function. The present invention relates to a video photographing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a video photographing apparatus having a CCD image pickup device, a so-called devio camera, has a function of recording a video signal and an audio signal on a recording medium such as a tape or a magnetic disk, and a function of reproducing these signals. It has. Recently, a video camera having such a function is used to transmit a reproduced video signal and an audio signal to a monitor device such as a television receiver installed at a position remote from the video camera. Also, some models have an infrared AV transmission function. In this video photographing apparatus, at the time of infrared AV transmission,
The video signal and the audio signal are modulated based on an infrared AV transmission format defined by EIAJ or the like. For this purpose, a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function is provided with an infrared light emitting means and a modulating means for modulating infrared light with a reproduced video signal and audio signal.

[0003]

The conventional video photographing apparatus can record a clear image when the surroundings of the subject are bright, such as in the daytime. However, when the surroundings are dark (during low illuminance), such as in the evening or at night, there is a problem that the image becomes unclear or, in some cases, cannot be recorded. Such a problem similarly occurs in a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to enable a clear image recording (photographing) of a video photographing device having an infrared AV transmission function even when it is dark.

[0004]

According to the present invention, infrared rays A
In a video photographing apparatus having a V transmission function, an infrared cut filter, which is a component of the camera unit, is moved out of the optical path, and instead, an infrared transmitting material such that the optical path is equivalent to the infrared cut filter is arranged on the optical path. There is provided switching means, switching means for switching the infrared light emitting section for infrared AV transmission to lighting in a non-modulated state, and sensitivity switching operation means for operating the switching means and the switching means in conjunction with each other (the invention of claim 1). .

Further, there is provided an optical axis correcting means for correcting the direction of the optical axis of the infrared light emitting section so as to coincide with the direction of the optical axis incident on the camera section in conjunction with the sensitivity switching operation means. Invention), a structure in which the replacement means slides the infrared cut filter and the infrared transmitting material on the same plane perpendicular to the optical path (the invention of claim 3).
Also, a structure for rotating the infrared cut filter and the infrared transmitting material on the same plane perpendicular to the optical path (the invention according to claim 4), and rotation of a rotation axis arranged perpendicular to the optical path to one of the two. Are arranged on the optical path (the invention of claim 5), or a transparent glass is used as the infrared transmitting material (the invention of claim 6).
Further, moving means for moving the infrared cut filter, which is a component of the camera section, out of the optical path, switching means for switching the infrared light emitting section for infrared AV transmission to lighting in a non-modulated state, moving means and switch means There may be provided a sensitivity switching operation means which operates in conjunction with the invention (the invention of claim 7), and in conjunction with this sensitivity switching operation means, the optical axis direction of the infrared light emitting unit is made to coincide with the optical axis direction incident on the camera unit. The optical axis correcting means for correcting the optical axis as described above is provided (the invention of claim 8).

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment The first embodiment corresponds to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention. According to the present invention, in the case of a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function, attention is paid to the fact that the infrared light emitting system is used only during reproduction and not used during photographing with a camera. The feature is that an infrared light emitting system is used for photographing. As described above, by making the infrared light emitting system available at the time of photographing, the use range of the video photographing apparatus can be remarkably expanded by adding minimum components.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a main part configuration of a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function according to the present invention. In the reference numerals in the drawing, 1 is a lens group, 2 is an infrared cut filter, 3
Is a CCD element, 4 is a video signal processing unit, 5 is a recording medium, 6 is a signal reproducing unit, 7 is an AV transmission modulation unit, 8 is an infrared light emitting unit, 9 is transparent glass, 10 is a sensitivity switching operation unit, 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a sensitivity switching interlocking switch unit.

First, a description will be given of blocks common to the related art. The camera section of the photographing system includes a lens group 1, an infrared cut filter 2, and a CCD element 3. The infrared cut filter 2 is provided with a CCD, particularly, an infrared component among the light components incident from the lens group 1.
It works to prevent the output of the element 3 from being saturated. At the time of normal photographing, unnecessary infrared rays are removed from the light passing through the lens group 1 by the infrared ray cut filter 2, and an image of a subject is formed on the CCD element 3. In this way, the image formed on the CCD element 3 is converted into an electric signal, processed in the video signal processing unit 4, and recorded on a recording medium 5 such as an 8 mm magnetic tape or a floppy disk. . Although an audio signal system is not shown in FIG. 1 for ease of understanding, an audio signal from a sound input unit such as a microphone attached to a camera unit is also simultaneously recorded on the recording medium 5. Will be recorded. Similarly, a viewfinder system for a photographer to confirm a photographing range is omitted.

As a reproducing system, a signal reproducing unit 6, an AV transmission modulating unit 7, and an infrared light emitting unit 8 are provided for infrared AV transmission. The infrared light emitting unit 8 includes a light emitting unit such as an infrared LED, and has a function of emitting infrared light. The AV transmission modulation section 7 converts the video signal or audio signal reproduced by the signal reproduction section 6 into an EIAJ signal.
And the like. Therefore, the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting unit 8 is modulated into an infrared AV transmission format and transmitted to a monitor device (not shown) such as a television receiver.
The visual display of the video signal and the reproduction of the audio signal are performed. The above is an outline of the configuration and operation common to the related art that is involved in normal shooting and playback.

In the video photographing apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, when the surroundings of the subject are dark (at low illuminance), the sensitivity switching operation section 10 and the sensitivity switching interlocking switch section are provided to increase the sensitivity of the camera section. 11 are added. The sensitivity switching operation unit 10 has a function of moving the infrared cut filter 2 out of the optical path of the camera unit and replacing the infrared cut filter 2 with an infrared transmitting material such as a transparent glass 9 having an optical path equivalent to the infrared cut filter 2. have. The sensitivity switch interlocking switch unit 11 operates in synchronization with the operation of the sensitivity switch operation unit 10 to operate the infrared light emitting unit 8.
It has a function of switching circuits so that infrared rays radiated from are not modulated by the AV transmission modulation unit 7. With the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, if the sensitivity switching operation unit 10 is set to, for example, the high sensitivity side (from the normal sensitivity side) in the dark shooting, the infrared light emitting unit 8 does not emit light in the shooting state. The modulated infrared rays are applied to the subject, and the transparent glass 9 is arranged in the camera section instead of the infrared cut filter 2.
When the sensitivity switching operation unit 10 is operated, the infrared light emitting unit 8
The sensitivity switching operation unit 10 is configured such that the direction of the optical axis of the infrared light emitted from the camera coincides with the direction of the optical axis incident on the camera unit. Therefore, similarly to a so-called night vision camera device, even in a relatively dark state, a clear image can be recorded by the infrared rays reflected from the subject. Next, the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9
The exchange mechanism with the above will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of a method of exchanging the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 shown in FIG. 1, and (1) shows an arrangement state of the infrared cut filter 2. (2) is a perspective view showing a method of sliding the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9, and (3) is a front view showing a method of rotating the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 on the same plane. FIG. 4D is a side view showing a method of rotating the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 substantially at right angles to the optical path. 1A is the last lens of the lens group 1, 21 is the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 arranged adjacent to the same plane, 21a is the sliding direction, and 22 is the sliding direction. The infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9, 22a which have a rotation center outside the optical path and are arranged in a fan shape on the same plane are the position of the rotation center, 22b is the rotation range, and 23 is the optical path outside the optical path. Infrared cut filter 2 and transparent glass 9, 23a having a rotation center in the transverse direction and arranged at a substantially right angle
Indicates the position of the rotation axis, and 23b indicates the moving range of the transparent glass 9.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state in which an infrared cut filter 2 is arranged between the last lens 1a of the lens group 1 and the CCD element 3 in the conventional video photographing apparatus. Is shown. Even in the case of the normal sensitivity, the video photographing apparatus of the present invention is used in a state where the infrared cut filter 2 is arranged on the optical path, as in FIG. However, when switching to the high sensitivity side, the operation of the sensitivity switching operation unit 10 in FIG. 1 switches the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9. For example, as shown by 21 in FIG. 2 (2), the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 are arranged on the same plane perpendicular to the optical path, and as shown by an arrow 21a, Slide vertically. If this slide method is adopted, the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 can be exchanged in a relatively small space.

2 (3), the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 are arranged in a fan shape on the same plane perpendicular to the optical path, and the operation of the sensitivity switching operation unit 10 is performed. By this, it is supported at the position 22a.
It is also possible to configure so as to be rotatable around a. In this case, the rotation may be performed in the rotation range 22b. Further, as shown by 23 in FIG. 2D, the surface of the infrared cut filter 2 and the surface of the transparent glass 9 are arranged at a substantially right angle, and are rotated outside the optical path in a direction crossing the optical path (perpendicular to the optical path). It is also possible to provide a shaft 23a. The same effect can be obtained even if the positions of the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 are exchanged. In this case, the rotating shaft 23a
The position to attach the camera can be above or below the camera,
It may be left or right. The sliding mechanism as shown in FIG. 2 (2) and the rotating mechanism as shown in FIGS. 2 (3) and 2 (4) can be easily realized by well-known mechanical means. A mechanism for matching the direction of the optical axis of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 8 with the direction of the optical axis incident on the camera unit can also be easily realized in the same manner, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, in conjunction with the operation of the sensitivity switching operation unit 10, the circuit connection between the AV transmission modulation unit 7 and the infrared light emitting unit 8 is cut off, and the sensitivity switching interlocking switch unit 11 for lighting the infrared light emitting unit 8 in a non-modulated state. Can also be realized by known means.

Second Embodiment The second embodiment corresponds to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention. The second embodiment is also similar to the first embodiment in that an infrared light emitting system is used for photographing when the image is dark (at low illuminance), but it is a component of the camera unit. It is characterized in that it only moves a certain infrared cut filter out of the optical path and does not use an infrared transmitting material.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of a main part of a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function according to the present invention. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG.
Indicates a sensitivity switching interlocking switch unit.

In the video photographing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, when the surroundings of the subject are dark (at low illuminance), the infrared cut filter 2 is simply moved out of the optical path of the camera to increase the sensitivity of the camera. It is a structure of. That is,
As shown in FIG. 1, instead of the infrared cut filter 2, an infrared transmitting material such as a transparent glass 9 is not arranged on the optical path. Therefore, the sensitivity switching operation unit 3
The basic configuration and operation of the sensitivity switching interlocking switch unit 31 are also the same as those of the sensitivity switching operation unit 10 and the sensitivity switching interlocking switch unit 11 of FIG. More specifically, the sensitivity switching operation unit 30 has a function of moving the infrared cut filter 2 out of the optical path of the camera unit.

The sensitivity switch interlocking switch unit 31 is
In conjunction with the operation of the sensitivity switching operation section 30, the circuit has a function of switching circuits so that infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting section 8 are not modulated by the AV transmission modulation section 7. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in FIG.
With the configuration as shown in FIG. 3, if the sensitivity switching operation unit 30 is set to, for example, the high sensitivity side (from the normal sensitivity side) when shooting in a dark state, the infrared light emitting unit 8 does not operate in the shooting state. The subject is irradiated with the modulated infrared light, and the infrared cut filter 2 is removed from the optical path in the camera section.

When the sensitivity switching operation unit 30 is operated, the direction of the optical axis of the infrared light radiated from the infrared light emitting unit 8 is matched with the direction of the optical axis incident on the camera unit. 30. In the video photographing device shown in FIG. 3, when the sensitivity is switched to the high sensitivity side, the operation of the sensitivity switching operation unit 30 moves the infrared cut filter 2 out of the optical path. In this case, focus control is performed in conjunction with this movement, so that no image blur occurs. Note that AF
(Autofocus) control can be realized by known means. The use of the video camera of FIG. 3 reduces the number of parts, saves space and lowers costs, and, like the video camera of FIG. However, a clear image can be recorded by infrared rays reflected from the subject.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function, the infrared cut filter, which is a component of the camera unit, is moved out of the optical path. The switching means for arranging an infrared transmitting material on the optical path such that the light transmitting means is equivalent to the switching means, the switching means for switching the infrared light emitting portion for infrared AV transmission to lighting in a non-modulated state, and the switching means and the switching means in conjunction with each other A sensitivity switching operation means for operating is provided. Therefore, when dark (low light)
In addition, if the sensitivity switching operation means is switched to the high sensitivity side, the subject is irradiated with infrared rays from the infrared light emitting section, and
Since the sensitivity of the camera unit is also improved, it is possible to shoot with lower illuminance than in the past. In addition, since the number of added parts is small, it is advantageous in terms of cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video photographing apparatus.
In the video photographing apparatus of (1), the optical axis correcting means for correcting the optical axis direction of the infrared light emitting unit to match the optical axis direction incident on the camera unit is operated in conjunction with the sensitivity switching operation means. Make up. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the video photographing device of the first aspect, it is possible to irradiate the subject with infrared rays effectively, and it is possible to photograph with a smaller light emission power.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video photographing apparatus.
In the video photographing device of (1), the replacement means has a structure in which the infrared cut filter and the infrared transmitting material slide on the same plane perpendicular to the optical path. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the video photographing device of the first aspect, it is possible to make the camera unit compact.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video photographing apparatus.
In the video photographing device of (1), the replacement means has a structure in which the infrared cut filter and the infrared transmitting material are rotated on the same plane perpendicular to the optical path. Therefore, the same effect as that of the video photographing apparatus of the third aspect can be obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video photographing apparatus.
In the video photographing device of (1), the switching means has a structure in which one of the infrared cut filter and the infrared transmitting material is arranged on the optical path by rotation of a rotating shaft arranged in a direction perpendicular to the optical path. Therefore, claim 3
The same effect as that of the video photographing device of the above is obtained.

According to the video photographing device of the sixth aspect, the first aspect
Uses a transparent glass as the infrared transmitting material. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the video photographing device of the first aspect, it is possible to configure at low cost.

In the video photographing apparatus according to claim 7, the infrared ray A
In a video photographing apparatus having a V transmission function, moving means for moving an infrared cut filter, which is a component of the camera section, out of the optical path, and switch means for switching an infrared light emitting section for infrared AV transmission to lighting in a non-modulated state. And a sensitivity switching operation means for operating the switching means and the switch means in conjunction with each other. Therefore, a configuration is realized in which the infrared transmitting material is not arranged on the optical path instead of the infrared cut filter as in the video photographing device of claim 1,
The same effects as those of the video photographing apparatus according to claim 1 can be obtained at a lower cost with a reduction in the number of parts and space saving.

In the video photographing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the seventh aspect is provided.
In the video photographing apparatus, the optical axis correcting means for correcting the optical axis direction of the infrared light emitting unit so as to match the optical axis direction incident on the camera unit is operated in conjunction with the sensitivity switching operation means. Make up. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the video photographing device of claim 7, it is possible to irradiate the subject with infrared rays effectively, and it is possible to photograph with a smaller light emission power.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a main part configuration of a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of a method of exchanging the infrared cut filter 2 and the transparent glass 9 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of a main part configuration of a video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... lens group, 2 ... infrared cut filter, 3 ...
... CCD element, 4 ... Video signal processing section, 5 ... Recording medium, 6 ... Signal reproduction section, 7 ... AV transmission modulation section, 8
...... Infrared light emitting section, 9 ... Transparent glass, 10 ... Sensitivity switching operation section, 11 ... Sensitivity switching interlocking switch section, 30
... Sensitivity switching operation unit, 31 ... Sensitivity switching interlocking switch unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/33 H04N 5/33

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function, wherein an infrared cut filter, which is a component of a camera section, is moved out of an optical path, and instead, an infrared transmitting material such that the infrared cut filter and the optical path are equivalent. Switching means for arranging on the optical path, switching means for switching the infrared light emitting portion for infrared AV transmission to lighting in an unmodulated state, and sensitivity switching operation means for operating the switching means and the switch means in conjunction with each other. A video photographing device comprising: 2. An optical axis correcting unit for correcting an optical axis direction of the infrared light emitting unit so as to match an optical axis direction incident on the camera unit, wherein the optical axis correcting unit performs the sensitivity switching operation. 2. The video photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be operated in conjunction with the means. 3. The video photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switching means has a structure in which said infrared cut filter and said infrared transmitting material slide on the same plane perpendicular to an optical path. 4. The video photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said replacement means has a structure for rotating said infrared cut filter and said infrared transmitting material on the same plane perpendicular to an optical path. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching means has a structure in which one of the infrared cut filter and the infrared transmitting material is arranged on the optical path by rotation of a rotation axis arranged perpendicular to the optical path. The video photographing device according to claim 1, wherein 6. The video photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the infrared transmitting material is a transparent glass. 7. A video photographing apparatus having an infrared AV transmission function, comprising: a moving means for moving an infrared cut filter, which is a component of a camera section, out of an optical path; and an infrared light emitting section for infrared AV transmission in an unmodulated state. A video photographing apparatus comprising: switch means for switching to lighting; and sensitivity switching operation means for operating the moving means and the switch means in conjunction with each other. 8. An optical axis correcting unit that corrects an optical axis direction of the infrared light emitting unit so as to match an optical axis direction incident on the camera unit, wherein the optical axis correcting unit includes a moving unit and a moving unit. The video photographing device according to claim 7, wherein the video photographing device is configured to be operated in conjunction with the video photographing device.