JPH10164422A - Communication control system and image-pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the image-pickup device whose operability and equipment performance are improved by selecting either of both the separated functions to have a function having a communication control leadership in the case of the image-pickup device between separate functions of which 2-way communication is conducted. SOLUTION: Communication control direction changeover means 113, 216 select a means having a leadership of communication control (leadership side) between a camera means 100 and a device main body 200 to be the camera means or the device main body 200. When the device main body 200 is selected to be the leadership side by the selection of the communication control direction changeover means 113, 216, the camera means 100 acts as a slave side and the device main body 200 controls the operation of the camera means 100. When the camera means 100 is selected to be the leadership side, the device main body 200 acts as the slave side, and the camera means 100 controls the operation of the device main body 200.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication control system in which one of a receiving side and a transmitting side controls the other operation by performing bidirectional communication between a transmitting side and a receiving side. Things. Further, the present invention relates to an imaging device to which the communication control system is applied, for example,
The present invention relates to an imaging device such as a video camera in which one of the camera unit and the recording unit controls the other operation by performing two-way wireless communication between a separately provided camera unit and the recording unit. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, there is a video camera using a communication control system which enables remote control by two-way wireless communication. The video camera includes a camera unit having a lens and an image sensor, a recording unit for recording video and audio obtained by the camera unit on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape or an optical disk, or an operation unit having a monitor and operation switches. As described above, the functions in the apparatus are provided separately, and two-way wireless communication is performed between the functions, so that it is possible to record or monitor a video and an audio in a remote place, or to zoom the camera unit. It is possible to remotely control shooting conditions such as focus, shutter speed, and the like. In particular, with the progress of digital technology and communication technology in recent years, it has become possible to perform high-quality video transmission and perform complicated operations and controls from remote locations.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of the video camera 30 as described above.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 6, the video camera 30 is provided with a camera unit 300 and a recording unit 400 separated from each other, and performs bidirectional wireless communication between the camera unit 300 and the recording unit 400. It has been done.

[0005] First, in the camera section 300, a light beam from a subject (not shown) is imaged on an image pickup device 302 such as a charge coupled device (CCD) via a lens 301.

The subject image formed on the image sensor 302 is photoelectrically converted and converted into an electric signal by CDS / AGC (C
DS: Corelated Double Sampling, AGC: Automati
c Gain Control) circuit 303, and the CDS /
The signal is sampled by the AGC circuit 303 and is electrically amplified.

The output signal of the CDS / AGC circuit 303 is
A standard television which is digitized by an analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit 304, processed by a camera signal processing circuit 305 such as gamma correction, color separation, and a color difference matrix, and to which a synchronization signal is added. Generated as a video signal as a signal.

The video signal generated by the camera signal processing circuit 305 is subjected to modulation processing by a modulation circuit 320 in accordance with a radio transmission circuit 321 provided at a subsequent stage, and is transmitted from the antenna 308 to a recording unit by the radio transmission circuit 321. 400.

Next, in the recording section 400, the radio wave transmitted from the camera section 300 as described above is received by the antenna 401 and supplied to the demodulation circuit 421 via the radio reception circuit 420.

[0010] The demodulation circuit 421 demodulates a signal received from the radio reception circuit 420 into a video signal.

The video signal obtained by the demodulation circuit 421 is converted into an analog signal by a digital / analog (D / A) conversion circuit 404 and then synthesized by a mix circuit 406 with an output signal of a display circuit 405 described later. The screen is displayed on the monitor 407.

The video signal analogized by the D / A conversion circuit 404 is subjected to predetermined processing by a recorder signal processing circuit 408, and is processed by an electromagnetic conversion circuit 409.
Recorded at 10.

At this time, a VTR (Video Tape Recorder)
The mechanism 412 is a VTR mechanical microcomputer (hereinafter, the microcomputer is referred to as a microcomputer) 41.
According to the control from 1, the recording medium 410 is driven by a reel motor (not shown) so that the video signal is recorded at a predetermined position.

Here, the above-described display circuit 405 generates an information signal for displaying information on the recording section 400 side on the monitor 407. This information signal is transmitted to the remaining battery capacity information of the recording unit battery 415 and the recording medium 410.
Of the remaining recording capacity information.

Therefore, the microcomputer 413 detects the remaining capacity of the recording unit battery 415, and supplies the obtained remaining battery capacity information to the display circuit 405. VTR
The mechanical microcomputer 411 detects the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium 410 from the rotation speed of the reel motor of the VTR mechanism 412 as described above under the control of the microcomputer 413, and obtains the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium 410 as a result. The information is supplied to the display circuit 405 via the microcomputer 413.

Accordingly, the display circuit 405 performs signal processing for displaying the remaining battery capacity information, the remaining recording capacity information, and the like obtained as described above, and generates an information signal. The information signal generated by the circuit 405 and the video signal from the D / A conversion circuit 404 are combined. As a result, the monitor 407 displays on the screen a video signal obtained by shooting with the camera unit 300, and also displays remaining battery capacity information of the recording unit battery 415,
Information on the recording unit 400 side, such as information on the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium 410, is also displayed on the screen.

As described above, in the video camera 30, the video signal obtained by photographing with the camera
0, and is recorded or monitored by the recording unit 400.

At this time, photographing conditions such as zoom, focus, and shutter speed when photographing is performed by the camera unit 300 are set by operating the recording unit 400.

That is, in the recording section 400, when the user operates the recording section operation keys 412, the photographing conditions of the camera section 300 are input. Recorder operation keys 41
The operation information of No. 2 is read by the microcomputer 413 and transmitted to the camera unit 300 via the antenna 401 by the wireless transmission circuit 422.

In the camera section 300, the recording section 400
The radio wave transmitted from the microcomputer 30 is received by the antenna 308, and the received signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 30 via the radio reception circuit 322.
9. Therefore, the microcomputer 309 receives the signal from the wireless reception circuit 322,
A lens control circuit 310 for controlling the lens 301 based on the operation information for the camera 300 input to the
A control signal is supplied to the camera signal processing circuit 305. As a result, the zoom, focus, shutter speed, and the like of the lens 301 are variably operated, and the signal processing according to the operation is performed by the camera signal processing circuit 305.

As described above, this video camera 30
The photographing conditions of the camera unit 300 can be controlled by an operation from the recording unit 400.

[0022]

However, the above-mentioned video camera 30 is mainly considered to be used by installing the camera unit 300 at a remote place.
When a user takes a picture with the camera unit 300, there are the following problems.

That is, the video camera 30 includes the recording unit 4
Since only the 00 side has the initiative of communication control, operations such as recording start and stop on the recording unit 400 side cannot be performed from the camera unit 300 side. For this reason, the camera unit 300 alone could not perform the photographing intended by the user. If the user intends to take a photograph intended by the user, the user holds both the camera unit 300 and the recording unit 300 and starts and stops recording in the recording unit 300 or sets photographing conditions of the camera unit 300. It is necessary to take a picture with the camera unit 400 while performing the above operation. This is, of course, very cumbersome. Further, the operation state of the recording unit 400, such as the remaining battery capacity and the remaining recording capacity of the recording unit 400, could not be grasped from the camera unit 400. For this reason, for example, photographing may not be possible without the user's expectation due to, for example, running out of the battery of the recording unit 400.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus to which the conventional communication control system such as the video camera 30 is applied, the side (leading side) having the initiative in communication control is fixed.
The side controlled from the leading side (the subordinate side) cannot grasp the operating state of the leading side, and can operate only under the control of the leading side. For this reason, the operability was very poor, and the performance of the device was also poor.

The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages. In a communication control system for performing two-way communication between a transmitting side and a receiving side, the transmitting side having the initiative of the communication control transmits the transmitting side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication control system in which operability and system performance are improved by making it possible to switch between both sides. In addition, the present invention provides an imaging device that performs two-way communication between separately provided functions, whereby the side having the initiative of communication control can be switched to all of the separated functions, thereby improving operability and performance. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device with improved device performance.

[0026]

A first aspect of the present invention is a communication control system for performing two-way communication between a transmitting side and a receiving side, wherein a side having an initiative in communication control between the transmitting side and the receiving side is provided. Communication control direction switching means for switching between the transmission side and the reception side, and one of the transmission side and the reception side switched to the side having the initiative by the communication control direction switching means controls the other operation. It is characterized by. The second invention is
The first invention is characterized in that bidirectional wireless communication is performed between the transmitting side and the receiving side. In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the apparatus further comprises an instructing means for instructing a side having the initiative among the transmitting side and the receiving side, and the communication control direction switching means performs the operation according to an instruction of the instructing means. It is characterized in that the side having the initiative is switched between the transmitting side and the receiving side. In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the transmission side includes transmission side detection means for detecting an operation state of the transmission side, and transmission side display means for displaying and outputting the operation state. Based on the switching of the direction switching means,
An operation state detection result of the transmission side detection means is transmitted to the reception side, and the reception side includes reception side detection means for detecting the operation state of the reception side, and reception side display means for displaying and outputting the operation state. Based on the switching of the communication control direction switching means, transmits the operation state detection result of the reception side detection means to the transmission side, and the transmission side transmits the operation state detection result transmitted from the reception side. The transmission side display means outputs and displays, and the reception side displays and outputs the operation state detection result transmitted from the transmission side on the reception side display means. In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the transmitting side detects an operation state of the transmitting side detecting means according to the control of the receiving side when the receiving side is switched to the side having the initiative. The result is transmitted to the receiving side. When the transmitting side is switched to the side having the initiative, the receiving side transmits the operation state detection result of the receiving side detecting means under the control of the transmitting side. Transmission to the side. The sixth invention is
In the first aspect, the transmitting side includes a transmitting-side voice input unit for inputting voice, and a transmitting-side voice output unit for outputting voice, and the transmitting side is configured to transmit the voice based on switching of the communication control direction switching unit. The voice input by the side voice input means is transmitted to the receiving side, the receiving side includes a receiving side voice input means for inputting voice, and a receiving side voice output means for outputting voice, and the communication control direction Based on the switching of the switching means, the sound input by the receiving side sound input means is transmitted to the transmitting side, and the transmitting side outputs the sound transmitted from the receiving side from the transmitting side sound output means. The receiving side outputs the sound transmitted from the transmitting side from the receiving side sound output means. In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, when the transmission side is switched to the side having the initiative, the transmission side is inputted by the transmission side voice input means according to the control of the reception side. The received voice is transmitted to the receiving side, and when the transmitting side is switched to the side having the initiative, the receiving side transmits the voice input by the receiving side voice input means according to the control of the transmitting side. The transmission is performed to the transmission side. The eighth invention is separated into two means, a first means having at least an arbitrary function, and a second means having another function, and performs two-way communication between the first means and the second means. The communication control direction switching means for switching the side having the initiative of the communication control between the first means and the second means by the first means and the second means. Either the first means or the second means switched to the side having the initiative by the control direction switching means controls the other operation. Ninth
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, two-way wireless communication is performed between the first means and the second means. According to a tenth aspect, in the eighth aspect, there is provided an instructing means for instructing the side having the initiative, of the first means and the second means, wherein the communication control direction switching means comprises the instructing means. In accordance with the instruction, the side having the initiative is switched by the first means and the second means. First
According to a first aspect, in the eighth aspect, the first means includes a first detection means for detecting an operation state of the first means, and a first display means for displaying and outputting the operation state. Based on the switching of the communication control direction switching means,
An operation state detection result of the first detection means is transmitted to the second means, and the second means displays a second detection means for detecting an operation state of the second means, and displays the operation state. Second display means for outputting, based on the switching of the communication control direction switching means, an operation state detection result of the second detection means to the first means, wherein the first means Outputting the operation state detection result transmitted from the second means on the first display means, wherein the second means displays the operation state detection result transmitted from the first means as The information is displayed and output by the second display means. In a twelfth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the first means is controlled in accordance with the control of the second means when the second means is switched to the side having the initiative. The operation state detection result of the first detecting means is the second
The second means transmits the operating state of the second detecting means in accordance with the control of the first means when the first means is switched to the side having the initiative. The detection result is transmitted to the first means. In a thirteenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the first detecting means detects an operation state including information on a remaining drive power of the first means, and the second detecting means comprises:
It is characterized in that an operation state including information on the remaining drive power of the second means is detected. In a fourteenth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the first means includes first voice input means for inputting voice, and first voice output means for outputting voice, and Based on the switching of the switching means, the voice input by the first voice input means is transmitted to the second means, and the second means comprises: a second voice input means for inputting voice; And a second audio output unit for outputting the audio input from the second audio input unit to the first unit based on the switching of the communication control direction switching unit. Means outputs the sound transmitted from the second means from the first sound output means, and the second means outputs the sound transmitted from the first means to the second sound. Means is output from the audio output means. In a fifteenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, the first means is provided in the second aspect.
When the means is switched to the side having the initiative, the voice input by the first voice input means is transmitted to the second means under the control of the second means, and the second Means for, when the first means is switched to the side having the initiative, converting the voice input by the second voice input means under the control of the first means to the first means Is transmitted. In a sixteenth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the first means has a camera function of obtaining a video signal by photographing a subject, and the second means is arranged such that the second means is controlled by the initiative. The image forming apparatus further includes a photographing condition control unit that controls the photographing condition of the first unit when the photographing condition is switched to a side having the right. In a seventeenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the first means has a recording function of recording a video signal obtained by photographing a subject on a recording medium. An operation state including a remaining recording capacity of the recording medium is detected. An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is an imaging apparatus, comprising: a camera unit including at least a lens and an image sensor separated from an apparatus main body; and a communication unit for performing bidirectional wireless communication between the camera unit and the apparatus main body. A communication control direction switching means is provided which enables a side having an initiative of communication control between the camera means and the apparatus body to be switched to either the camera means or the apparatus body. In a nineteenth aspect based on the eighteenth aspect, the apparatus main body includes: means for providing a control signal for operating a photographing condition of the camera means to the camera means; means for detecting an operation state of the apparatus body; Means for transmitting the operating state that has been performed, the camera means includes means for receiving the operating state transmitted from the apparatus body, and display means for displaying the received operating state, When the apparatus main body is switched to the side having the initiative, the apparatus main body can operate the photographing conditions of the camera means from the apparatus main body side by giving the control signal to the camera means. When the camera means is switched to the side having the initiative, the camera means displays the operation state of the apparatus main body by the display means. Characterized in that it can check in. In a twentieth aspect based on the nineteenth aspect, the apparatus main body transmits means for detecting the remaining drive power remaining capacity of the apparatus main body, and the detected drive power remaining capacity as an operation state of the apparatus main body. Means, wherein the camera means includes means for receiving the remaining drive power remaining from the apparatus main body, and display means for displaying the received remaining drive power remaining. . Second
According to a first aspect, in the nineteenth aspect, the apparatus main body further comprises: a recording unit that records a signal obtained by photographing with the camera unit on a recording medium; and a unit that detects a remaining recording capacity of the recording medium. Means for transmitting the detected remaining recording capacity as an operation state of the apparatus main body, wherein the camera means receives the remaining recording capacity transmitted from the apparatus main body, and Display means for displaying the remaining recording capacity. In a twenty-second aspect based on the eighteenth aspect, the apparatus main body includes a means for providing a control signal for operating a photographing condition of the camera means to the camera means, and a means for transmitting an audio signal. The means includes a means for receiving an audio signal transmitted from the apparatus main body, and an audio monitoring means for monitoring the received audio signal, wherein the apparatus main body is switched to a side having the initiative. The apparatus body supplies the control signal to the camera means to enable the photographing conditions of the camera means to be operated from the apparatus body side, and the camera means is switched to the side having the initiative. In this case, the camera means enables the audio signal from the apparatus main body to be monitored on the camera means side by the audio monitoring means.

[0027]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication control direction switching means sets the side having the initiative of communication control between the transmitting side and the receiving side (hereinafter, referred to as the leading side) to the transmitting side or the receiving side. Switch. When the receiving side becomes the leading side by the switching of the communication control direction switching means, the transmitting side becomes the subordinate side,
The receiving side controls the operation of the transmitting side. When the transmitting side becomes the initiating side, the receiving side becomes the subordinate side, and the transmitting side controls the operation of the receiving side. Thus, the relationship between the leading side and the subordinate side can be freely reversed. Therefore, the operation of the receiving side can be controlled even from the transmitting side, and the operation of the transmitting side can be controlled even from the receiving side. According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the bidirectional wireless communication is performed between the transmitting side and the receiving side. Thereby, even when the slave side is installed in a remote place with respect to the leader side, the leader side can control the operation of the slave side.
According to a third aspect, in the first aspect, the instruction means instructs the communication control direction switching means to switch the initiating side to the transmitting side or the receiving side. The communication control direction switching means switches to the leading side to the side instructed by the instruction means. Thereby, the leading side can be switched to the desired side. According to a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, the operation state of the receiving side is displayed on the transmitting side display means based on the switching of the leading side by the communication control direction switching means, and the receiving side display means is displayed on the receiving side display means. Indicates the operating state of the transmitting side. Thereby, the operating state of the receiving side can be easily grasped from the transmitting side, and the operating state of the transmitting side can be easily grasped from the receiving side. According to the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, when the transmitting side becomes the initiating side, the operating state of the receiving side that is subordinate to the transmitting side display means of the transmitting side is displayed. In the case of the initiating side, the operating state of the transmitting side, which is subordinate to the receiving side display means of the receiving side, is displayed. Thereby, the initiating side can easily grasp the operation state of the subordinate side. According to a sixth aspect, in the first aspect, the voice input at the receiving side is output from the transmitting-side voice output means based on the switching of the leading side by the communication control direction switching means, and The sound output means outputs the sound input on the transmission side. Thereby, the operating state of the receiving side can be easily grasped by the voice from the transmitting side, and the operating state of the transmitting side can be easily grasped by the voice from the receiving side. According to the seventh invention, in the sixth invention, when the transmitting side becomes the initiating side, the transmitting side voice output means of the transmitting side outputs the voice input at the receiving side which has become the dependent side. When the receiving side becomes the initiating side, the receiving side voice output means of the receiving side outputs the voice input on the transmitting side which has become the dependent side. Thus, the initiating side can easily recognize the operation state of the subordinate side by voice. For example, an operation instruction by voice can be given from the dependent side to the leading side. According to the eighth aspect, the communication control direction switching means is configured to switch the side having the initiative of communication control between the first means and the second means (hereinafter, referred to as the initiative side) to the first means or Switch to the second means. When the second means becomes the leading side by the switching of the communication control direction switching means, the first means becomes the subordinate side, and the second means controls the operation of the first means. Further, when the first means is on the leading side, the second means is on the subordinate side, and the first means controls the operation of the second means. Thus, the relationship between the leading side and the subordinate side can be freely reversed. Therefore, the operation of the second means can be controlled from the first means, and the operation of the first means can be controlled from the second means. According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, two-way wireless communication is performed between the first means and the second means. Thereby, even when the slave side is installed in a remote place with respect to the leader side, the leader side can control the operation of the slave side. According to a tenth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the instruction means instructs the communication control direction switching means to switch the leading side to the first means or the second means. The communication control direction switching means switches to the leading side to the side instructed by the instruction means. Thereby, the leading side can be switched to the desired side. According to an eleventh aspect based on the eighth aspect, the operation state of the second means is displayed on the first display means based on the switching of the leading side by the communication control direction switching means, and The operation state of the first means is displayed on the display means. Thus, the operation state of the second means can be easily grasped from the first means, and the operation state of the first means can be easily grasped from the second means. According to a twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, when the first means is the leading side, the second means which is subordinate to the first display means of the first means is provided. The operation state is displayed, and when the second means is on the leading side, the operation state of the first means which is subordinate to the second display means of the second means is displayed. Thereby, the initiating side can easily grasp the operation state of the subordinate side. According to a thirteenth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the first display means displays the drive power remaining capacity information of the second means, and the second display means displays the information of the first means. Drive power remaining capacity information is displayed. Thus, the remaining drive power of the second means can be ascertained from the first means, and the remaining drive power of the first means can be ascertained from the second means. According to a fourteenth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the voice input by the second means is output from the first voice output means based on the switching of the leading side by the communication control direction switching means. ,
The sound input by the first means is output from the second sound output means. Thereby, the operation state of the second means from the first means can be easily grasped by voice,
The operation state of the first means can be easily grasped from the second means by voice. According to a fifteenth aspect, in the fourteenth aspect, when the first means is on the leading side, the second means on the dependent side is provided from the first sound output means of the first means. In the case where the voice input in step (1) is output and the second means is in the leading side, the voice input in the first means on the subordinate side is output from the second voice output means of the second means. Is output. Thus, the initiating side can easily recognize the operation state of the subordinate side by voice. For example, an operation instruction by voice can be given from the dependent side to the leading side. According to a sixteenth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the subject is photographed by the first means, and a video signal is obtained. At this time, if the second means is the initiative side, the photographing conditions of the first means are controlled by the second means. Thus, the photographing operation of the first means can be easily performed even from the second means. According to a seventeenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the first means records a video signal obtained by photographing the subject on a recording medium. The information on the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium is displayed on the second display means of the second means. Thereby, the second
The remaining recording capacity of the recording medium of the first means can be ascertained from the means. According to the eighteenth aspect, the communication control direction switching means switches the side having the initiative of communication control between the camera means and the apparatus body (hereinafter, referred to as the leading side) to the camera means or the apparatus body. When the communication control direction switching means switches the apparatus body to the leading side, the camera means becomes the subordinate side, and the apparatus body controls the operation of the camera means. When the camera means is on the leading side, the apparatus body is on the subordinate side, and the camera means controls the operation of the apparatus body. Thus, the relationship between the leading side and the subordinate side can be freely reversed. Therefore, the operation of the apparatus main body can be controlled from the camera means, and the operation of the camera means can be controlled from the apparatus main body. For example, even when the photographing operation of the camera means is performed from the apparatus main body side or when the user carries out the photographing with the camera means, it is possible to perform the control without inconvenience. According to a nineteenth aspect, in the eighteenth aspect, when the apparatus main body is on the leading side, the photographing conditions of the camera means are controlled from the apparatus main body. When the camera is on the leading side, the operating state of the apparatus main body is displayed on the display of the camera. Thus, for example, when the photographing operation of the camera means is performed from the apparatus main body side, photographing conditions such as zoom, focus, and shutter speed of the camera unit can be operated from the apparatus main body side, and the user can hold the camera means. In the case of photographing with the camera, the operation state of the apparatus main body can be confirmed from the camera means side. According to a twentieth aspect based on the nineteenth aspect, the display means of the camera means displays the remaining drive power of the apparatus main body. Thereby, for example, even when the user takes a picture with the camera means, the remaining drive power of the apparatus main body can be confirmed from the camera means side, so that the user can take a picture with ease. According to the twenty-first aspect, the nineteenth aspect
In the invention, the apparatus main body records a signal obtained by photographing with the camera means on a recording medium. The remaining recording capacity of this recording medium is displayed on the display means of the camera means. Thus, for example, even when the user takes a picture with the camera means, the user can confirm the remaining capacity of the recording medium of the apparatus main body from the camera means side, so that the user can take the picture with peace of mind. According to a twenty-second aspect, in the eighteenth aspect, when the apparatus main body is on the leading side, the photographing conditions of the camera means are controlled from the apparatus main body. Also,
When the camera means is on the leading side, sound from the apparatus main body is output from the sound monitoring means of the camera means. Thus, for example, when the photographing operation of the camera means is performed from the apparatus main body side, photographing conditions such as zoom, focus, and shutter speed of the camera unit can be operated from the apparatus main body side, and the user can hold the camera means. In the case of photographing by means of a camera, confirmation of a voice instruction from another user on the apparatus main body side and monitoring of a voice around the apparatus main body by the camera means can be performed.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described.

The communication control system according to the present invention is applied to, for example, a video camera 10 as shown in FIG.
The video camera 10 is one to which the imaging device according to the present invention is applied.

That is, the video camera 10 corresponds to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a camera unit 100 having a function of photographing a subject (not shown) and a recording unit 200 having a function of recording a video signal obtained by photographing with the camera unit 100 are provided separately. Camera unit 100 and recording unit 2
Two-way wireless communication is performed between 00 and 00.

The camera unit 100 includes an image pickup device 102 to which a light beam from a subject (not shown) is supplied via a lens 101, and a CDS / to which an output of the image pickup device 102 is supplied.
AGC circuit 103, A / D conversion circuit 104 to which the output of CDS / AGC circuit 103 is supplied, and camera signal processing circuit 105 to which the output of A / D conversion circuit 104 is supplied
A communication control circuit 106 to which an output of the camera signal processing circuit 105 is supplied; a wireless transmission / reception circuit 107 and a microcomputer 109 respectively connected to the communication control circuit 106; an antenna 108 connected to the wireless transmission / reception circuit 107; A lens control circuit 110 to which the outputs of 109 are respectively supplied
And a display 111, a communication initiative switch 113 connected to the microcomputer 109, and a camera operation key 112.
The output of the camera operation key 112 is supplied to the microcomputer 109, and the output of the microcomputer 109 is also supplied to the wireless transmission / reception circuit 107.

On the other hand, the recording unit 200 includes a radio transmission / reception circuit 202 connected to the antenna 201 and a radio transmission / reception circuit 2
02, a D / A conversion circuit 204 to which the output of the communication control circuit 202 is supplied, a display circuit 205, a display circuit 205 and the D / A conversion circuit 2
04, a monitor 207 to which the output of the mix circuit 106 is supplied,
Recorder signal processing circuit 208 to which the output of / A conversion circuit 204 is supplied, electromagnetic conversion circuit 209 to which the output of recorder signal processing circuit 208 is supplied, and electromagnetic conversion circuit 209
And a recording medium 210 to which the output is supplied. The recording unit 200 includes a microcomputer 213 connected to the communication control circuit 202, and a VTR connected to the microcomputer 213.
The microcomputer includes a mechanical microcomputer 211, a VTR mechanism 212 connected to the VTR mechanical microcomputer 211, a communication initiative switch 216 connected to the microcomputer 213, a recording unit operation key 214, and a recording unit battery 215. The outputs of the unit operation keys 214 and the recording unit battery 215 are output to the microcomputer 213, and the output of the microcomputer 213 is output to the display circuit 2.
At 05, the output of the VTR mechanism 212 is supplied to the recording medium 210.

First, a series of operations of the above-described video camera 10 will be described.

For example, a case where the camera unit 100 is installed at a remote place with respect to the recording unit 200, and the photographing operation of the camera unit 100 is performed from the recording unit 200 will be described.

Here, the communication initiative switch 113 of the camera unit 100 and the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200 are used to indicate which side of the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 has the communication control initiative. belongs to.
These communication initiative changeover switches 113 and 216 are
For example, the switches are automatically switched, and when one switch is switched, the other switch is switched according to the switching state of the one switch under the control of the microcomputer. .

Therefore, for example, by switching the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200, the recording unit 200 is switched.
Is set to the side (leading side) that has the initiative of the communication control between the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200, the information on the switching state of the communication initiative switch 216 is controlled by the microcomputer 213. Sent to. Camera unit 10
0, the communication initiative switch 11 is controlled by the microcomputer 109 in accordance with the switch state information from the recording unit 200.
3 is switched, and the camera unit 100 is set to be a side (subordinate side) whose operation is controlled by the recording unit 200 which is the leading side.

The communication initiative switch 113 of the camera unit 100 and the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200 are, for example, slide switches, and can be switched manually.

As described above, when the camera unit 100 is set to the subordinate side and the recording unit 200 is set to the leading side, first, in the camera unit 100, a light beam from a subject (not shown) passes through the lens 101. Are emitted to the image sensor 102.

The image pickup device 102 is composed of, for example, a CCD, and the light emitted from the lens 101 is imaged on the image pickup device 102, photoelectrically converted, and converted into an electric signal as CDS / A.
It is supplied to the GC circuit 103.

The CDS / AGC circuit 103 includes the image sensor 1
Sampling is performed on the electric signal from the circuit 02, and the signal is electrically amplified and output.

The A / D conversion circuit 104 has a CDS / AGC
The output signal of the circuit 103 is digitized and supplied to the camera signal processing circuit 105.

The camera signal processing circuit 105 performs processing such as gamma correction, color separation, and a color difference matrix on the signal from the A / D conversion circuit 304, and converts a video signal as a standard television signal to which a synchronization signal is added. It is generated and supplied to the communication control circuit 106.

The communication control circuit 106 includes, in addition to the video signal from the camera signal processing circuit 105, an audio signal obtained by collecting sound by a microphone (microphone) not shown, and a camera A status signal within unit 100 is also provided.

The communication control circuit 106 arranges the supplied video signal, audio signal and state signal in time order according to a predetermined digital signal processing system, and simultaneously arranges the arranged signals within a predetermined time. Next, a temporal compression process is performed to generate a transmission signal for wireless transmission to the recording unit 200.

The wireless transmission / reception circuit 107 includes the communication control circuit 1
The transmission signal generated in step 06 is converted into a so-called radio wave, which is a high-frequency signal capable of spatial propagation, and the radio wave is radiated into space by the antenna 108.

Next, in the recording unit 200, the camera unit 1
The radio wave radiated from 00 is received by the antenna 201.

The radio transmitting / receiving circuit 202 includes an antenna 201
Converts the radio wave received by the communication device into a reception signal and performs communication control circuit 2
03.

The communication control circuit 203 includes a radio transmission / reception circuit 2
02 is separated into a video signal, an audio signal and a status signal. Then, the communication control circuit 203 subjects the video signal and the audio signal to temporal expansion processing, supplies the processed signal to the D / A conversion circuit 204, and outputs the state signal to the microcomputer 213.
To supply.

The D / A conversion circuit 204 includes the communication control circuit 2
The video signal and the audio signal from the signal generator 03 are converted into an analog signal, and the analog video signal is supplied to the mix circuit 206. For example, the analog audio signal is also supplied to a speaker (not shown). The D / A conversion circuit 20
4 supplies the analogized video signal and audio signal to the recorder signal processing circuit 208.

In addition to the video signal from the D / A conversion circuit 204, the mixing circuit 206 has a display circuit 205 to be described later.
Is also supplied to the mixing circuit 206.
Synthesizes the supplied signals and supplies them to the monitor 207.

Therefore, on the monitor 207, the video signal converted into analog by the D / A conversion circuit 204, that is, the video signal obtained by photographing with the camera unit 100 and the output signal of the display circuit 205 are synthesized. The signal is displayed on the screen. In addition, for example, the monitor 2
A sound corresponding to the screen display 07 is output.

On the other hand, the recorder signal processing circuit 208
The video signal and the audio signal from the / A conversion circuit 204 are subjected to predetermined processing and supplied to the electromagnetic conversion circuit 209.

At this time, the VTR mechanism 212 drives the recording medium 210 under the control of the VTR mechanism microcomputer 211, for example, by a reel motor (not shown) so that the video signal and the audio signal are recorded at predetermined positions. .

Therefore, the video signal and the audio signal which have been subjected to the predetermined processing by the recorder signal processing circuit 208 are recorded at predetermined positions on the recording medium 210 by the electromagnetic conversion circuit 209.

Here, the above-described display circuit 205 displays each information of the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 on the monitor 20.
7 to generate an information signal to be displayed. This information signal is the remaining battery capacity information of the recording unit battery 215, the remaining recording capacity information of the recording medium 210, and the like, and is also part of the status signal obtained by the communication control circuit 203.

The microcomputer 213 detects, for example, the remaining capacity of the storage battery 215, supplies the obtained remaining battery information to the display circuit 205, and separates the information by the communication control circuit 203. Status signal,
That is, any information to be displayed among the information indicating the state of each circuit of the camera unit 100 (hereinafter, referred to as camera unit state information) is supplied to the display circuit 205. In addition, the VTR mechanical microcomputer 211 operates according to the control from the microcomputer 213.
For example, the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium 210 is detected from the rotation speed of the reel motor of the VTR mechanism 212 as described above, and the remaining recording capacity information of the recording medium 210 obtained as a result is displayed via the microcomputer 213 on the display circuit 205. To supply.

The display circuit 205 is connected to the microcomputer 21
3 and the remaining recording capacity information (hereinafter referred to as
Signal processing for displaying the recording section state information) and the camera section state information to generate a state display signal.

The status display signal obtained by the display circuit 205 is combined with the video signal by the mix circuit 206,
The synthesized signal is displayed on the screen of the monitor 207.

Accordingly, on the monitor 207, a video signal obtained by photographing with the camera unit 100 is displayed on a screen, and is combined with the screen to display respective states of the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200. It will be.

As described above, by displaying the status of both the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 on the screen of the monitor 207, the user of the recording unit 200 can easily grasp the status of the recording unit 200. Also, the state of the camera unit 100 installed in a remote place can be easily grasped.

Next, in the recording section 200, the camera section 1
When controlling photographing conditions such as zoom, focus, and shutter speed of 00, first, the user
By operating, shooting conditions of the camera unit 100 and the like are input. The operation information of the recording section operation keys 214 is
The communication control circuit 203 is read by the microcomputer 213 and
Supplied to

The communication control circuit 203 generates a command signal from operation information from the microcomputer 213. This command signal includes various kinds of communication information necessary for communication, such as connection start command information indicating start of communication with the camera unit 100 and communication disconnection command information indicating disconnection of communication with the camera unit 100, in addition to the information on the imaging conditions. This is a signal consisting of Such a command signal is supplied to the wireless transmission / reception circuit 202.

The wireless transmission / reception circuit 202 includes the communication control circuit 2
03 is converted into a so-called radio wave, which is a high-frequency signal capable of spatial propagation, and the radio wave is transmitted to the antenna 20.
1 radiates into space.

At this time, the communication control circuit 203 controls the camera unit 100
Is also in the transmission state as described above, the signal transmitted from the camera unit 100, that is, the reception signal from the camera unit 100 received by the antenna 201,
As described above, the transmission / reception signal in the recording unit 200 is controlled so that the transmission signal such as the command signal transmitted from the antenna 201 does not collide with time and is lost. With such control, the recording unit 200 reliably receives a signal transmitted from the camera unit 100 and also reliably transmits a signal to be transmitted to the camera unit 100.

Next, in the camera section 100, the recording section 2
The radio wave from 00 is received by the antenna 108 and supplied to the communication control circuit 106 via the wireless transmission / reception circuit 107.

The communication control circuit 106 includes the radio transmission / reception circuit 1
07 is supplied to the microcomputer 109 as a command signal.

The microcomputer 109 controls the operation information included in the command signal from the communication control circuit 106,
A control signal is supplied to the lens control circuit 110 and the camera signal processing circuit 105 based on the information on the photographing conditions input by the recording unit operation key 214 of “0”. Also, the microcomputer 109
Controls the operation of the entire camera unit 100 according to various types of communication information included in the command signal from the communication control circuit 106. For example, the microcomputer 109 controls the communication control circuit 106
The communication control circuit 106 and the like are controlled so as to transmit a response signal based on various information included in the command signal from the recording unit 200 to the recording unit 200.

The communication operation such as the transmission / reception timing of the command signal and the response signal will be described later.

The lens control circuit 110 includes a microcomputer 109
The lens 101 is controlled according to the control signal from the microcomputer 109, and the camera signal processing circuit 105 also performs signal processing according to the control signal from the microcomputer 109. Thereby, the lens 101
Zoom, focus, shutter speed, etc.
Optimal signal processing according to the operation is performed by the camera signal processing circuit 105.

As described above, when the recording operation of the camera unit 100 is performed from the recording unit 200 side, the recording unit 200 switches the communication control initiative by switching the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200. Holding the camera unit 100
Is automatically set to be the slave side, and by transmitting the above-described command signal from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100, it is possible to control the photographing conditions and the like of the camera unit 100 by operation from the recording unit 200 side. It has such a configuration. Further, the recording unit 200 and the camera unit 100
Reception and transmission are time-divided and performed while switching instantaneously, so that the reception signal and the transmission signal are prevented from colliding with each other over time and being lost.

Further, for example, a case where a user takes a picture by holding the camera unit 100 will be described.

In this case, it is necessary to reverse the relationship between the leading side and the dependent side as described above.
By switching the communication initiative switch 113 of the recording device 200 and the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200, the camera unit 100 is set to the initiating side and the recording unit 200 is set to the subordinate side.

Even when the relationship between the initiating side and the subordinate side is reversed, the video signal, the audio signal, Is transmitted to the recording unit 200 and recording and screen display are performed. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted in the following description.

Therefore, when the communication is started by reversing the relationship between the leading side and the subordinate side as described above, first, the camera unit 100 controls the recording unit 2 under the control of the microcomputer 109.
And a connection start command signal indicating the start of communication with
Send to 0. Upon receiving the connection start command signal, the recording unit 200 transmits a response signal to the connection start command signal to the camera unit 100 under the control of the microcomputer 213.

When the communication is started, the video signal, the audio signal, and the like obtained by photographing with the camera unit 100 are stored in the recording unit 200 in the same manner as when the above-described photographing operation is performed from the recording unit 200 side. Sent to.

At this time, in the camera section 100, when the user presses a recording button (not shown) provided on the camera section operation keys 112 to start recording, the operation information is transmitted to the microcomputer 109. And is supplied to the communication control circuit 106.

The communication control circuit 106 generates a command signal from the supplied operation information, and executes the above-described photographing operation on the recording unit 2.
As in the case of the operation from the 00 side, in accordance with a predetermined digital signal processing method, the generated command signals are arranged in time order together with the video signal and the audio signal, and each of the arranged signals is settled within a predetermined time. As described above, a temporal compression process is performed to generate a transmission signal for wireless transmission to the recording unit 200.

The transmission signal generated by the communication control circuit 106 is converted into a radio wave by the radio
08 to the space.

Next, in the recording unit 200, the radio wave radiated from the camera unit 100 is received by the antenna 201, and the communication control circuit 203
Supplied to

The communication control circuit 203
02 is supplied to the microcomputer 213 after being separated from the command signal included in the received signal from the microcomputer 02.

The microcomputer 213 supplies a control signal to the VTR mechanical microcomputer 211 and the like in accordance with a command signal from the communication control circuit 203, and the VTR mechanical microcomputer 211 responds to the control signal from the microcomputer 213.
Control.

As a result, the recording medium 210 is driven by the VTR mechanism 212, and the recording section 200 starts a recording operation for recording a video signal and an audio signal on the recording medium 210.

In the recording unit 200, the remaining battery capacity information of the recording unit battery 215 and the recording medium 210
The remaining recording capacity and the like are detected by the microcomputer 213 and the VTR mechanical microcomputer 211 and supplied to the communication control circuit 203 as state information of the recording unit 200.

The communication control circuit 203 supplies the supplied state information to the radio transmission / reception circuit 202 and performs predetermined processing so that the signal transmitted from the camera unit 100 may not be lost due to a temporal collision. The transmission order is controlled in the recording unit 200 by determining the temporal transmission order according to the method.

The wireless transmission / reception circuit 202 includes the communication control circuit 2
03 is converted into radio waves and radiated from the antenna 201 into space.

In the camera section 100, the radio wave transmitted from the recording section 200 is received by the antenna 108 and transmitted to the communication control circuit 1 via the radio transmission / reception circuit 107.
06.

The communication control circuit 106 includes the radio transmission / reception circuit 1
The status information included in the received signal from the microcomputer 07 is supplied to the microcomputer 109 after being separated.

The microcomputer 109 causes the display 111 to display the status information from the communication control circuit 106, that is, the status information of the recording unit 200, on the screen.

Thus, the display unit 111 has the recording unit 2
The status information such as the remaining battery capacity and the remaining recording capacity of 00 is displayed on the screen.

When the communication between the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 is disconnected, the camera unit 100
A connection disconnection command signal indicating disconnection of communication with the communication unit 200 is transmitted to the recording unit 200. The recording unit 200 that has received the connection disconnection command signal transmits a response signal to the connection disconnection command signal to the camera unit 100 under the control of the microcomputer 213.

As described above, when the user takes a picture while holding the camera unit 100, the user switches the communication initiative switch 113 of the camera unit 100 and the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200. , The camera unit 100 has the initiative of the communication control, and the recording unit 200 is set to be the slave side.
By sending the command signal as described above to 00,
The operation of the recording unit 200 such as starting and stopping recording can be controlled by an operation from the camera unit 100 side. The display unit 111 of the camera unit 100 displays the recording unit 2.
The status of the recording unit 200 is displayed on the screen by displaying status information such as the remaining battery capacity and the remaining recording capacity of the camera unit 1.
The configuration is such that it can be easily grasped from 00. Therefore, for example, when the battery of the recording unit 200 runs out, etc.
The photographing cannot be disabled without the user's expectation.

As described above, the video camera 100 performs control without any inconvenience whether the photographing operation is performed from the recording unit 200 side or the user holds the camera unit 100 for photographing. It is possible.

Next, the communication operation of the video camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be specifically described.

Here, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication operation when the recording unit 200 is the leading side, such as when the recording unit 200 is the leading side, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows. Hereinafter, the video camera 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described.

First, when the recording section 200 is on the leading side, first, as shown in FIG.
0 are turned on (steps S10, S20),
By the communication initiative switch 113 of the camera unit 100 and the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200,
The recording unit 200 is set to the leading side, and the camera unit 100 is set to the subordinate side.

The camera section 100 judges the state of the communication initiative switch 113 to recognize that the communication side is on the subordinate side (step S21).
Waits for a signal transmitted from step 0 (step S2).
2).

At this time, the recording unit 200 determines the state of the communication initiative switch 216 to recognize that it is the initiating side (step S11). Then, the recording unit 200
Waits for a communication start operation until a communication connection operation is performed by operating a standby switch (not shown) provided on the recording unit operation key 214 (step S1).
2).

In step S21, it is determined that the camera unit 100 is on the leading side ((c) in FIG.
The case where it is determined that the recording unit 200 is the slave side ((d) in the figure) will be described later.

When a communication connection operation is performed in the recording unit 200, the recording unit 200 transmits a connection start command to the camera unit 100 (step S13).

The camera section 100 determines whether or not the signal transmitted from the recording section 200 is a connection start command (step S23). If the determination result indicates that the signal is a connection start command, the camera section 100 outputs a response signal. The data is transmitted to the recording unit 200 (step S24), and if it is not a connection start command, the process returns to the reception standby state of step S22.

The recording section 200 receives the response signal transmitted from the camera section 100 (step S14), and enters a receiving state of a video signal, an audio signal, a status signal, and the like.

After transmitting the response signal in step S24, the camera unit 100 transmits the video signal, the audio signal, the status signal of the camera unit 100, and the like obtained by shooting to the recording unit 200 (step S25).

The recording unit 200 receives the video signal, the audio signal, the state signal, and the like transmitted from the camera unit 100 (step S15), and according to the operation information of the recording unit operation key 214, the photographing condition of the camera unit 100 is obtained. Then, various command signals for controlling operations and the like are transmitted to the camera unit 100 (step S16).

The camera section 100 receives the command signal from the recording section 200 (step S26), and determines whether or not the received command signal is a disconnection command signal (step S2).
7). If the result of the determination in step S27 is that the command signal is other than the disconnection command signal, the camera unit 100 returns to the processing in step S25, and transmits the video signal, the audio signal, and the state signal in accordance with the command signal. Processing such as processing is performed, and processing from step S25 is continued.

After the command signal transmission processing in step S16, the recording section 200 determines whether or not the communication disconnection operation has been performed using the recording section operation keys 214 (step S1).
7). As a result of the determination, when the communication disconnection operation is not performed, the recording unit 200 returns to the receiving process of step S15, receives the video signal, the audio signal, the state signal, and the like transmitted from the camera unit 100, The processing after step S15 is continued.

Step S1 of the recording unit 200 as described above
5 to S17, steps S25 to S27 of the camera unit 100
Are performed by the recording unit operation keys 2 in the recording unit 200.
This operation is repeatedly performed until the communication disconnection operation is performed in 14.

When the communication disconnection operation is performed using the recording section operation key 214, the recording section 200 proceeds to step S17.
Recognizes that the communication disconnection operation has been performed, and transmits a disconnection command signal to the camera unit 100 (step S18).

In step S26, the camera unit 100 receives the disconnection command signal from the recording unit 200, and in the next step S26.
It recognizes that the command signal received at 27 is a disconnection command signal, and transmits a response signal to the recording unit 200 (step S2).
8).

Then, the recording unit 200 is connected to the camera unit 100.
Is received (step S1).
9). Thus, a series of operations of the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 ends, and the camera unit 100 proceeds to step S
22, the recording unit 200 returns to step S12, and waits for a communication start operation.

Next, the case where the camera unit 100 is on the leading side will be described.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the power of both the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 is turned on (steps S30 and S40), and the communication initiative switch 113 of the camera unit 100 and By the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200, the recording unit 200 is set to the subordinate side, and the camera unit 100 is set to the initiative side.

At this time, the recording section 200 determines the state of the communication initiative switch 216 to recognize that the communication side is the slave side (step S41), enters a reception standby state, and receives a signal transmitted from the camera section 100. Is waited for (step S42).

The camera section 100 determines the state of the communication initiative switch 113 and recognizes that it is the initiating side (step S31). The camera unit 100 waits for a communication start operation until a communication connection operation is performed by operating a standby switch (not shown) provided on the camera unit operation key 112 (step S32).

In step S31, it is determined that the camera unit 100 is on the subordinate side ((a) in FIG.
When it is determined that the recording unit 200 is the leading side ((b) in the figure), the arrows (a) and (b) in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the camera unit 100
The recording unit 200 performs the processes of steps S12 to S19 described above. Further, in FIG. 2 described above, the camera unit 10
If 0 is determined to be the leading side ((c) in the figure), and if the recording unit 200 is determined to be the subordinate side in step S11 ((d) in the figure), the arrow in FIG. As shown in (c) and (d), the camera unit 100 performs step S3.
2, the recording unit 200 performs the processing of step S42, and sequentially performs the processing of each step described below.

When a communication connection operation is performed by the camera unit 100, the camera unit 100 transmits a connection start command to the recording unit 200 (step S33).

The recording section 200 determines whether or not the signal transmitted from the camera section 100 is a connection start command (step S43). As a result of the determination, if the signal is a connection start command, a response signal is output. The command is transmitted to the camera unit 100 (step S44). If the command is not a connection start command, the process returns to the reception standby state in step S42.

The camera section 100 receives the response signal transmitted from the recording section 200 (step S34), and transmits a command signal to the recording section 200 together with a video signal and an audio signal obtained by photographing (step S34). Step S35), recording unit 2
The state signal reception state starts from 00.

The recording section 200 receives the video signal, the audio signal, the command signal and the like transmitted from the camera section 100 (step S45), and in accordance with the received command signal, stores the received video signal and the audio signal in the recording medium 210. Recorded in
A state signal indicating the state of the remaining battery capacity, the remaining recording capacity, and the like is transmitted to the camera unit 100 (step S46). Also,
The recording unit 200 determines whether or not the received command signal is a disconnection command signal (step S47). If the result of the determination is that the received command signal is a command signal other than the disconnection command signal, the recording unit 200 proceeds to step S45. Then, the process of receiving the video signal, the audio signal, the command signal, and the like from the camera unit 100 is performed, and the process from step S45 is continued.

The camera section 100 receives the status signal from the recording section 200 (Step S36). Then, the camera unit 100 determines whether or not the communication disconnection operation has been performed with the camera unit operation key 112 (step S37). As a result of the determination, if the communication disconnection operation has not been performed,
The camera unit 100 returns to the transmission processing of step S35,
The command signal is transmitted to the recording unit 200 together with the video signal, the audio signal, and the like obtained by shooting, and the processing from step S35 is continued.

Step S4 of the recording unit 200 as described above
5 to S47, steps S35 to S37 of the camera unit 100
Are repeated until the camera unit operation key 112 is used to disconnect the communication in the camera unit 100.

Then, when the communication disconnection operation is performed by the camera unit operation key 112, the camera unit 100 proceeds to step S.
At 37, it recognizes that the communication disconnection operation has been performed, and transmits a disconnection command signal to the recording unit 200 (step S38).

The recording section 200 receives the disconnection command signal from the camera section 100 in step S45, and in step S47.
Is recognized as a disconnection command signal, and a response signal is transmitted to the camera unit 100 (step S4).
8).

Then, the camera section 100 is connected to the recording section 200.
Is received (step S3).
9). Thus, a series of operations of the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 ends, and the camera unit 100 proceeds to step S
32, and enters a communication start operation waiting state.
Returns to step S42 and enters the reception standby state.

Next, the temporal state of the communication operation according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows how the video camera 10 of FIG. 1 exchanges signals between the communication control circuit 106 of the camera unit 100 and the communication control circuit 203 of the recording unit 200 by using video signals, audio signals, command signals, and the like. 3 is a timing chart in which signals are arranged on a time axis according to the types of signals. In FIG. 4, the signal A indicated by vertical stripes is
Shows a signal transmitted from the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 200, and a signal B indicated by oblique lines shows a signal transmitted from the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 200. Also, the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 20
Regarding the video signal transmitted to 0, the period of one screen of a video that is a moving image, for example, 1/60 second in the NTSC system is indicated as “1V”. Hereinafter, the temporal state of the communication operation will be described with reference to FIG.

In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that, for example, the recording unit 200 is set to the leading side, and the photographing operation of the camera unit 100 is performed from the recording unit 200.

First, at the first 1 V, the recording unit 2 on the leading side
When the connection start command signal A1 is transmitted from 00 to the camera unit 100 on the slave side, the camera unit 1
From 00, a response signal B1 is returned to the recording unit 200.

Then, in the next 1V (one screen), the video signal B2, the audio signal B3 and the status signal B4 transmitted from the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 200, and the command transmitted from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100 The signal A2 and the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 within 1V form a set.
Transmission and reception are switched.

That is, within 1 V, first, the camera unit 10
From 0, the video signal B2, the audio signal B3, and the status signal B4 are transmitted to the recording unit 200. Thereafter, the command signal A2 is transmitted from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100. Transmits a video signal B2, an audio signal B3, and a state signal B4 to the recording unit 200,
After that, the command signal A is sent from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100.
2 is transmitted.

The switching operation between transmission and reception within 1V is performed repeatedly and continuously for a number of V, so that a moving image composed of a plurality of screens is transmitted from the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 200.
Will be transmitted.

After the moving image is transmitted from the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 200 as described above, when the communication disconnection operation is performed in the recording unit 200 on the leading side, in the last 1V, the recording unit 100 The command signal A3 transmitted to the camera unit 200 indicates the communication disconnection command, and the camera unit 100 that has received the command signal A3 (= communication disconnection command)
Then, a response signal B5 to the command signal A3 is transmitted to the recording unit 200. Thereby, both the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 end the communication operation.

As described above, the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 perform communication while switching between transmission and reception instantaneously in units of 1 V so that the transmission signal and the reception signal do not collide with time. Has been made.

As described above, this video camera 10
By configuring the side having the initiative of communication control between the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 to be switchable to both the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200, the camera unit 1
00 can be performed from the recording unit 200 and the camera unit 100 can also perform the shooting operation. Accordingly, even when the user takes a picture with the camera unit 100, the user holds the camera unit 100 alone and performs operations for taking a picture intended by the user, such as start and stop of the picture, photographing conditions, and the like. Can be easily performed. Also,
The state of the camera unit 100 is displayed on the screen by the recording unit 200, and the state of the recording unit 200 is also displayed on the screen by the camera unit 100, so that the state of the camera unit 100 can be easily grasped from the recording unit 200 side. In addition to this, the state of the recording unit 200 side from the camera unit 100 side can be easily grasped. Thereby, the recording unit 200
It is possible to prevent a situation in which photographing becomes impossible without the user's unexpectedness due to the battery exhaustion or the like, so that the user can photograph with confidence.

Therefore, the video camera 10 can improve the operability and the performance of the apparatus.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

The communication control system according to the present invention is applied to, for example, a video camera 20 as shown in FIG.
The video camera 20 is one to which the imaging device according to the present invention is applied.

[0138] That is, the video camera 20 corresponds to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the video camera 10 shown in FIG.
D / A conversion circuit 114 and speaker 11
5, a microphone 217 and an A / D conversion circuit 218 are added to the recording unit 200.

In the video camera 20 shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to the portions that operate in the same manner as the video camera 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the operation when the camera unit 100 is installed at a remote place with respect to the recording unit 200 and the shooting operation of the camera unit 100 is performed from the recording unit 200 side is the same as in the first embodiment described above. The detailed description is omitted, and only the case where the user holds the camera unit 100 to take an image, that is, the case where the camera unit 100 is the leading side, will be described.

First, by operating the communication initiative switch 113 of the camera unit 100 and the communication initiative switch 216 of the recording unit 200, the camera unit 100 is set to the initiating side and the recording unit 200 is set to the subordinate side. I do.

Then, in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, communication between the camera unit 100 and the recording unit 200 is started, and video signals, audio signals, and the like obtained by photographing with the camera unit 100 are recorded. The operation of the recording unit 200 such as start and stop of recording is transmitted to the unit 200 according to an operation from the camera unit 100.

Here, in the video camera 20, the status signal transmitted from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100 is, for example, an audio signal, and the camera unit 100 monitors the audio of the recording unit 200. .

That is, in the above-described first embodiment, the remaining battery capacity information, the remaining battery capacity information, and the like are transmitted from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100 as status signals. Instead of the remaining recording capacity information or the like, the sound input to the recording unit 200 is transmitted as a status signal.

Therefore, first, in the recording section 200, the sound around the recording section 200 and the recording section 2 are stored in the microphone 217.
A voice of the user on the 00 side, for example, a voice for instructing a user on the camera unit 100 side to operate is input.

The sound input to the microphone 217 is supplied as an electric signal to the A / D conversion circuit 218, digitized by the A / D conversion circuit 218, and supplied to the communication control circuit 203.

The communication control circuit 203 includes an A / D conversion circuit 2
18 is supplied to the wireless transmission / reception circuit 202 as a status signal, and is temporally transmitted according to a predetermined processing method so as not to be temporally lost by colliding with the signal transmitted from the camera unit 100. The transmission and reception signals in the recording unit 200 are controlled by determining the order.

The wireless transmission / reception circuit 202 includes the communication control circuit 2
03 is converted into radio waves and radiated from the antenna 201 into space.

In the camera section 100, the radio wave transmitted from the recording section 200 is received by the antenna 108 and transmitted to the communication control circuit 1 via the radio transmission / reception circuit 107.
06.

The communication control circuit 106 is a
The state signal included in the received signal from the control unit 07 is separated as an audio signal, and the audio signal is supplied to the D / A conversion circuit 114.

The D / A conversion circuit 114 is a communication control circuit 1
The sound signal from the signal 06 is converted into an analog signal and output from the speaker 115.

Therefore, the sound around the recording unit 200 and the voices of other users at the recording unit 200 are output from the speaker 115 and transmitted to the user having the camera unit 100.

The communication operation of the video camera 20 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this case, the status signal B4 transmitted from the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 200
Is a command signal transmitted from the camera unit 100 to the recording unit 200, and a command signal A2 transmitted from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100 is
Is the status signal transmitted to Then, the recording unit 20
The state signal transmitted from 0 to the camera unit 100 includes the sound input to the recording unit 200. As described above, by switching the signal type according to the situation, the period given to the signal transmitted from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100 as shown in FIG. 4 can be effectively set according to the situation. It can be used and can communicate efficiently.

As described above, this video camera 20
The first configuration described above is realized by enabling the camera unit 100 to confirm an instruction by voice from another user on the recording unit 200 side and monitor by voice around the recording unit 200 side. In addition to the effects obtained in the embodiment, for example, when the user takes a picture by holding the camera unit 100, the user can more easily change the state of the recording unit 200 only by listening to the sound emitted from the speaker 115. It is also possible to take a picture according to an instruction of another user at the recording section 200 side. Therefore, the video camera 20 can further improve the operability and the performance of the device.

Incidentally, in the second embodiment described above,
The state signal transmitted from the recording unit 200 to the camera unit 100 may include the remaining battery capacity information and the remaining recording capacity information of the recording unit 200 together with the audio signal input to the recording unit 200. Thereby, the user of the camera unit 100 can easily grasp the state of the recording unit 200 even from the screen of the display unit 111, and easily recognize the state of the recording unit 200 also from the sound output from the speaker 115. You can figure out.

For example, the microphone 217 provided in the recording unit 200 may be provided in the camera unit 100, and the speaker 115 provided in the camera unit 100 may be provided in the recording unit 200. Accordingly, the user of the recording unit 200 can easily grasp the state of the camera unit 100 from the sound of the camera unit 100 output from the speaker.
For example, when the recording unit 200 is on the leading side, the camera unit 100
The recording operation can be performed according to the instruction of the user on the side.

[0156]

As described above, according to the communication control system of the present invention, the side having the initiative of the communication control between the transmitting side and the receiving side can be switched to either the transmitting side or the receiving side. With such a configuration, the operation of the receiving side can be controlled even from the transmitting side, and the operation of the transmitting side can be controlled even from the receiving side. In addition, by being configured to be able to grasp the operating state of the receiving side from the transmitting side and the operating state of the transmitting side from the receiving side, it is possible to perform an optimal operation according to the operating state of the communication partner. . Therefore, the operability can be improved and the performance of the system can be improved. Also,
According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the side having the initiative of the communication control between the first means and the second means is defined by the first means and the second means.
By being configured to be switchable to either of the means, the operation of the second means can be controlled even from the first means, and the operation of the first means can be controlled even from the second means. can do. In addition, the first means
Is configured such that the operating state of the first means can be ascertained from the second means, so that an optimal photographing operation can be performed in accordance with the operating state of the communication partner. . For example, even when the photographing operation is performed from the side having the recording function, or when the user performs photographing with the side having the camera function, it is possible to perform control without any inconvenience. Therefore, the operability can be improved and the performance of the device can be improved. According to the imaging device of the present invention, the camera having the initiative of communication control between the camera means and the apparatus main body can be switched to either the camera means or the apparatus main body. The operation of the apparatus body can be controlled from the means, and the operation of the camera means can also be controlled from the apparatus body. In addition, the configuration is such that the operation state of the apparatus main body can be grasped from the camera means and the operation state of the camera means from the apparatus main body, so that an optimal photographing operation according to the operation state of the communication partner can be performed. it can. For example, even when the photographing operation of the camera means is performed from the apparatus main body having the recording function or when the user carries out the photographing while holding the camera means side, it is possible to perform the control without inconvenience. Focusing on the effectiveness of the display on the camera means such as the remaining power supply capacity of the apparatus main body and the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium, etc., the above-mentioned driving power remaining capacity and the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium are displayed on the camera means side. With the configuration for outputting, for example, even when the user takes a picture while holding the camera means side, the user can take a picture with peace of mind. Therefore, the operability can be improved and the performance of the device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video camera to which a communication control system according to the present invention is applied in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the video camera when a recording unit is a leader.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the video camera when the camera side is the leading side.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a communication operation of the video camera.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video camera to which a communication control system according to the present invention is applied in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional video camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Video camera 100 Camera part 101 Lens 102 Image sensor 103 CDS / AGC circuit 104 A / D conversion circuit 105 Camera signal processing circuit 106 Communication control circuit 107 Wireless transmission / reception circuit 108 Antenna 109 Microcomputer 110 Lens control circuit 111 Display 112 Camera part operation Key 113 Communication initiative switch 200 Recording unit 201 Antenna 202 Wireless transmission / reception circuit 203 Communication control circuit 204 D / A conversion circuit 205 Display unit 206 Mix circuit 207 Monitor 208 Recorder signal processing circuit 209 Electromagnetic conversion circuit 210 Recording medium 211 VTR mechanical microcomputer 212 VTR mechanism 213 Microcomputer 214 Recording unit operation key 215 Recording unit battery 216 Communication initiative switch

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A communication control system for performing two-way communication between a transmission side and a reception side, wherein a communication control direction for switching a side having an initiative of communication control between the transmission side and the reception side between the transmission side and the reception side. A communication control system comprising switching means, wherein one of the transmitting side and the receiving side switched to the side having the initiative by the communication control direction switching means controls the other operation. 2. The communication control system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting side and the receiving side perform two-way wireless communication. 3. An instructing means for instructing the side having the initiative among the transmitting side and the receiving side, wherein the communication control direction switching means transmits the side having the initiative in accordance with an instruction of the instructing means on the transmitting side. 2. The communication control system according to claim 1, wherein the switching is performed on the receiving side. 4. The transmission side includes transmission side detection means for detecting an operation state of the transmission side, and transmission side display means for displaying and outputting the operation state, and based on switching of the communication control direction switching means. Transmitting the operation state detection result of the transmission side detection means to the reception side, the reception side receiving side detection means for detecting the operation state of the reception side, and reception side display means for displaying and outputting the operation state. And based on the switching of the communication control direction switching means, transmitting an operation state detection result of the reception side detection means to the transmission side, wherein the transmission side receives the operation state detection result transmitted from the reception side. 2. The communication control according to claim 1, wherein the transmission side display means outputs and displays the operation state detection result transmitted from the transmission side on the reception side display means. System M 5. The transmitting side, when the receiving side is switched to the side having the initiative, transmits the operation state detection result of the transmitting side detecting means to the receiving side according to the control of the receiving side. The receiving side transmits the operation state detection result of the receiving side detecting means to the transmitting side according to the control of the transmitting side, when the transmitting side is switched to the side having the initiative. The communication control system according to claim 4, wherein 6. The transmitting side includes transmitting side voice input means for inputting voice and transmitting side voice output means for outputting voice, and based on switching of the communication control direction switching means, the transmitting side voice. Transmitting the voice input by the input means to the receiving side, the receiving side receiving side voice input means for inputting voice,
Receiving side voice output means for outputting voice, and based on switching of the communication control direction switching means, transmits the voice input by the receiving side voice input means to the transmitting side, and the transmitting side includes: The sound transmitted from the receiving side is outputted from the transmitting side sound output means, and the receiving side outputs the sound transmitted from the transmitting side from the receiving side sound output means. 2. The communication control system according to 1. 7. The transmitting side, when the receiving side is switched to the side having the initiative, transmits the voice input by the transmitting side voice input means to the receiving side under the control of the receiving side. The receiving side transmits the voice input by the receiving side voice input means to the transmitting side according to the control of the transmitting side, when the transmitting side is switched to the side having the initiative. 7. The communication control system according to claim 6, wherein: 8. A first means having at least an arbitrary function and a second means having another function are separated into two means, and two-way communication is performed between the first means and the second means. A communication control direction switching means for switching the side having the initiative of communication control between the first means and the second means by the first means and the second means. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that one of the first means and the second means switched to the side having the initiative by the direction switching means controls the other operation. 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein two-way wireless communication is performed between said first means and said second means. 10. An instructing means for instructing a side having the initiative of the first means and the second means, wherein the communication control direction switching means has the initiative according to an instruction of the instructing means. 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the side is switched by a first means and a second means. 11. The communication control direction switching device according to claim 1, wherein the first means includes first detection means for detecting an operation state of the first means, and first display means for displaying and outputting the operation state. Based on the switching of the means, the operation state detection result of the first detection means is transmitted to the second means, and the second means detects the operation state of the second means. Means for displaying and outputting the operation state, and transmitting the operation state detection result of the second detection means to the first means based on the switching of the communication control direction switching means. The first means displays the operation state detection result transmitted from the second means on the first display means, and the second means transmits the operation state detection result from the first means. The operation state detection result is displayed and output on the second display means. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein: 12. The first means for detecting an operation state of the first detecting means in accordance with the control of the second means, when the second means is switched to the side having the initiative. Transmitting the result to the second means, wherein the second means, when the first means has been switched to the side having the initiative, the second means in accordance with the control of the first means; 12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation state detection result of the detection unit is transmitted to the first unit. 13. The first detecting means detects an operation state including information on the remaining drive power of the first means, and the second detecting means detects the remaining drive power of the second means. 12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an operation state including capacity information is detected. 14. The first means includes first sound input means for inputting sound, and first sound output means for outputting sound, and based on switching of the communication control direction switching means, Transmitting the voice input by the first voice input means to the second means, the second means comprising: a second voice input means for inputting voice; and a second voice output for outputting voice. And the second control means based on the switching of the communication control direction switching means.
Transmitting the voice input by the voice input means to the first means, the first means outputting the voice transmitted from the second means from the first voice output means, 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second means outputs the sound transmitted from the first means from the second sound output means. 15. The first means, when the second means is switched to the side having the initiative, is input by the first voice input means under the control of the second means. The second means transmits the voice to the second means, and the second means controls the second means in accordance with the control of the first means when the first means is switched to the side having the initiative. 15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the voice input by the voice input unit is transmitted to the first unit. 16. The first means has a camera function for obtaining a video signal by photographing a subject, and the second means is switched to a side in which the second means has the initiative. 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a photographing condition control unit that controls a photographing condition of the first unit when the photographing condition is present. 17. The first means has a recording function of recording a video signal obtained by photographing a subject on a recording medium, and the first detecting means determines a remaining recording capacity of the recording medium. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an operation state including the operation state is detected. 18. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a camera unit including at least a lens and an image pickup device provided separately from an apparatus main body; and communication means for performing bidirectional wireless communication between the camera unit and the apparatus main body. An imaging apparatus comprising: communication control direction switching means for switching the side having control of communication between the means and the apparatus main body to either the camera means or the apparatus main body. 19. The apparatus body sends a control signal for operating a photographing condition of the camera means to the camera means, detects an operation state of the apparatus body, and transmits the detected operation state. Means, the camera means includes means for receiving the operation state transmitted from the apparatus main body, and display means for displaying the received operation state, wherein the apparatus main body controls the initiative. If the camera unit is switched to the holding side, the apparatus main unit provides the control signal to the camera unit to enable the photographing condition of the camera unit to be operated from the apparatus main unit side, and the camera unit controls the camera unit. When the camera unit is switched to the side having the right, the camera unit enables the operation state of the apparatus main body to be confirmed on the camera unit side by the display unit. 19. The imaging device according to claim 18, wherein: 20. The camera device, comprising: means for detecting the remaining drive power of the device body; and means for transmitting the detected remaining drive power as an operation state of the device body. 20. The imaging apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: means for receiving the remaining drive power remaining from the apparatus body; and display means for displaying the received remaining drive power. 21. A recording device for recording, on a recording medium, a signal obtained by photographing with the camera device,
Means for detecting the remaining recording capacity of the recording medium, and means for transmitting the detected remaining recording capacity as an operating state of the apparatus main body, wherein the camera means is configured to transmit the remaining recording capacity transmitted from the apparatus main body. 20. The imaging apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: means for receiving a recording capacity; and display means for displaying the received remaining recording capacity. 22. The apparatus main body includes: means for providing a control signal for operating a photographing condition of the camera means to the camera means; and means for transmitting an audio signal, wherein the camera means transmits from the apparatus main body. Means for receiving the received audio signal, and audio monitoring means for monitoring the received audio signal, wherein when the apparatus main body is switched to the side having the initiative, the apparatus main body includes: By providing the control signal to the camera means, the photographing condition of the camera means can be operated from the apparatus main body side. When the camera means is switched to the side having the initiative, the camera means 19. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the audio monitor means enables an audio signal from the apparatus main body to be monitored on the camera means side.