JPH1056585A - Lens device for telecamera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens device for a telecamera which can use a controller that has a different specification by detecting the category of a connected controller and leading a control signal to a circuit which is adapted to the content of a signal of the controller. SOLUTION: A controller side outputs a discriminating signal showing whether this controller is a digital type or an analog type, and a lens side switches the contact of a changeover switch 46 based on the discriminating signal which is inputted through the contact 25 of a connector 24 and leads a control signal to circuits 42 and 44 which is adapted to the signal content of each line on the controller side. Instead of using a discriminating signal, whether a control signal is analog or digital is decided, and then the destination for the control signal can be switched.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a lens device for a television camera, and more particularly to a lens device for a television camera used for a broadcasting television camera such as a field camera or a studio camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A controller for controlling zoom, iris and the like is detachably connected to a zoom lens used in a broadcast television camera via a connector to supply power and exchange signals. This connector generally uses a 12-pin or 10-pin one-touch connector, but at present it differs depending on the specifications of the zoom lens and the controller.

[0003]

However, there is a problem in that the pins become insufficient even if another function is added to the conventional connector, for example, when a signal is added by changing or expanding the function of the controller. At this time, if the connector is changed to a connector having a large number of pins, compatibility with the conventional controller is lost, and special means such as a conversion adapter is required, which is disadvantageous in that it is complicated.

[0004] Further, if the connectors have the same form, it is possible to connect to the lens even if the controllers have different specifications, but if the correspondence between the pins and the signal contents is different from the setting on the lens side. In this case, the lens cannot be normally controlled, and an unexpected electric signal is applied to the lens side, so that an electric circuit inside the lens may be damaged. In particular, in recent years, controllers and lenses that communicate using digital control signals have been developed, and compatibility with conventional analog signal controllers and the like has become a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to use controllers having different specifications of signal content and signal form with a common connector, and to perform appropriate control with each controller. An object of the present invention is to provide a lens device for a television camera that can be used.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a controller for outputting a command signal according to an operation of an external operation member is connected via a connector, and an operation is performed according to the command signal. In a controlled lens device for a television camera, detecting means for detecting the type of the controller based on an electric signal applied from the controller via the connector, and a connector on the controller side for each type of at least two types of controllers. An electric circuit that operates in accordance with the signal content associated with each of the contacts, and a connection switching unit that guides the command signal to an electric circuit that matches the signal content on the controller side according to the detection result of the detection unit. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, the type of the controller connected to the lens via the connector is detected, and the control signal is led to an electric circuit suitable for the signal content of the controller. It is possible to use different types of controllers having different specifications. As a result, it is possible to change and expand the signal content associated with each contact using a common connector.

In particular, the controller detects whether the command signal output from the controller is an analog signal or a digital signal, and matches the signal format of the controller of the analog control circuit and the digital control circuit according to the detection result. By guiding the command signal to one of the control circuits, there is an advantage that the analog controller and the digital controller can be used interchangeably with a common connector.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a lens device for a television camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a lens device for a television camera according to the present invention is applied to a television camera for broadcasting. A zoom lens 10 is connected to the television camera 4 supported by the camera platform 2, and an operation rod 1 for performing a focus operation and a zoom operation is provided on a back surface of the television camera 4.
2 are provided. A finger hook 13 is provided at the tip of the operating rod 12.
The photographer performs a zoom operation by pushing and pulling the operation stick 12 with the right hand while looking at the photographed image reflected on the viewfinder 16, and performs the finger holding unit 13.
By rotating the, the axis of the operation rod 12 is rotated to perform a focus operation.

The head 2 has two operating rods 18A, 18
B is provided, and an operation rod 18A on the left hand side of the photographer is provided.
The controller 20 is attached near the grip of the controller. The controller 20 is, for example, a shot box in which iris and zoom and focus positions are stored in advance and instantaneously reproduced by button operation. The controller 20 is connected to the zoom lens 10 via a cable 22 and supplies power to the potentiometer. Supply and exchange of control signals.

The shot box is mainly of an analog type which outputs a control signal in an analog format, but a digital type which outputs a control signal in a digital format is also conceivable. Further, a multifunctional controller having an extender changeover switch, a return switch, an income switch, and the like in addition to the iris, zoom, and focus control functions is also conceivable.

As shown in FIG. 2, on an upper surface of the controller 20, various operations such as a knob 201 for setting an iris, a zoom, and a focus position, an extender changeover switch 202, and a return switch 203 are provided. Operation button (corresponding to an external operation member) is provided. And the controller 2
Numeral 0 is detachably connected to the bottom surface of the zoom lens 10 via a connector 24. In the drawing, reference numeral 32 denotes a hood, reference numeral 33 denotes a tally lamp window, reference numeral 34 denotes a handle for carrying a lens, reference numeral 35 denotes a fixing screw for fixing the cover 11, and reference numeral 36 denotes a flange back adjustment knob for tracking adjustment. .

As the connector 24, for example, a 12-pin one-touch connector, which has been widely used, is used, and different types (specifications) of controllers having the same connector can be connected. The electric signal output from the controller 20 is transmitted to the cable 22 and the connector 24.
Through the zoom lens 10, and necessary signals are transmitted to the television camera 4 through an interface (not shown).
Side.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a circuit diagram of a lens device for a television camera which enables compatibility between an analog controller and a digital controller.
In the figure, the left side of the connector 24 indicates the controller side, and the right side indicates the lens side. It should be noted that only specific contacts among a plurality of pins (contacts) of the connector 24 are illustrated and described.

The analog type controller and the digital type controller use a common connector 24, but each contact is associated with a different signal content. For this purpose, the controller 20 is provided with a discriminating signal generating means (not shown) for generating a discriminating signal indicating whether the controller is in an analog format or a digital format, and the discriminating signal output from the discriminating signal generating means is provided. Is applied to the lens side via a predetermined contact 25 of the connector 24.

For example, when an analog-type controller is connected, a low-level electric signal is added as a discrimination signal, and when a digital-type controller is connected, a high-level signal is added. On the other hand, on the lens side, an analog circuit 42 that operates in response to an analog control signal and a digital circuit 44 that operates in response to a digital control signal are provided. Changeover switch 46 for switching contacts
Is provided.

According to the lens apparatus for a television camera configured as described above, when the analog controller 20 is connected to the zoom lens 10, a low-level discrimination signal is sent to the lens side via the contact 25 of the connector 24. Join. The contact 47 of the changeover switch 46 contacts the contact 48 in accordance with the low level determination signal, and the lens side is set to the analog circuit 42. Therefore, a control signal (analog signal) input from the controller 20 via the contact 26 is guided to the analog circuit 42, and an operation according to the control signal is performed.

On the other hand, when the digital controller 20 is connected, a high-level discrimination signal is applied to the lens side via the contact 25 of the connector 24. In accordance with the high-level discrimination signal, the contact piece 47 of the changeover switch 46 contacts the contact point 49, and the lens
4 is set. Therefore, a control signal (digital signal) input from the controller 20 via the contact 26 is guided to the digital circuit 44, and an operation according to the control signal is performed. As described above, the type of the connected controller is detected, the circuit on the lens side is switched according to the type, and a circuit suitable for the signal content of each line on the controller side is formed. As a result, malfunction or failure due to connection of different types of controllers can be prevented, and controllers having different specifications can be used interchangeably.

The present invention can be applied not only to the compatibility between analog / digital types but also to the compatibility between controllers of the same analog format (or digital format). For example, when instructing a specific operation, one controller outputs a high-level control signal, and another controller outputs a low-level control signal. An analog circuit that operates when a low level control signal is input and an analog circuit that operates when a low level control signal is input can be used to detect the type of controller and switch to a circuit connection suitable for the signal content. It is possible.

When it is difficult to deal with all kinds of controllers, it is desirable to at least lead each line signal to a safe circuit so as not to cause a failure. As described above, even if different signal contents are associated with each contact of each connector between controllers having different specifications, the type of the controller is detected and adapted to the signal contents of each line on the controller side. The circuit connection makes it possible to change and expand the function of the controller while maintaining compatibility using a common connector.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a case has been described where an analog circuit and a digital circuit are switched by a discrimination signal. However, without using a discrimination signal, whether the control signal itself is in a digital format or an analog format is determined. The determination may be made to switch the receiving destination of the signal. FIG. 4 shows a configuration that enables compatibility between an analog controller and a digital controller by determining the format of a control signal. A level conversion circuit 5 for converting an electric signal applied to a predetermined contact into a voltage level (0 to 5 V) for a digital circuit is provided on the lens side.
A digital discriminating circuit 52 for checking whether or not the digital circuit operates based on 0 and the signal converted by the level converting circuit 50, and outputting a discrimination signal according to the discrimination result.
And a control signal to be applied to the predetermined contact in accordance with the determination signal.
And a switching circuit 54 for guiding to any one of the four.

With this configuration, the electric signal output from the controller 20 is guided to the lens side via the connector 24, and is applied to the level conversion circuit 50 and the switching circuit 54. Then, the electric signal whose level has been converted by the level conversion circuit 50 is guided to the digital discrimination circuit 52. If the digital circuit in the digital discriminating circuit 52 operates, it means that the control signal output from the controller 20 is a digital signal, and in this case, the digital discriminating circuit 52
Outputs a determination signal indicating that the control signal is a digital control signal. This determination signal is applied to the switching circuit 54, and the switching circuit 54 guides a control signal from the controller 20 to the digital circuit 44 based on the determination signal.

On the other hand, if the digital circuit in the digital discriminating circuit 52 does not operate, it means that the control signal output from the controller 20 is a signal in an analog format. A determination signal indicating that the signal is a control signal is output. This determination signal is applied to the switching circuit 54, and the switching circuit 54 guides a control signal from the controller 20 to the analog circuit 42 based on the determination signal. If it takes a long time to determine the signal by the digital determination circuit 52, a delay circuit may be provided immediately before the switching circuit 54, or an analog or digital signal may be output before the controller 20 outputs a control signal. May be output.

In this manner, the circuit determines whether the control signal is in analog form or digital form, detects the type of the connected controller, and guides the control signal to a circuit corresponding to the type. May be switched.
This enables compatible use of different types of controllers. In addition to the above embodiment, the voltage level of the electric signal of a predetermined line output from the controller may be associated with the type of the controller in advance, and the voltage level of the line may be determined to detect the type of the controller. .

An identification signal indicating a code indicating the type (specification) of the controller may be output prior to the control signal, and a circuit suitable for the line on the controller side may be formed on the lens side according to the code.

[0026]

As described above, according to the lens apparatus for a television camera of the present invention, the type of the connected controller is detected, and the control signal is guided to a circuit suitable for the signal content of the controller. Accordingly, it is possible to use different types of controllers having different specifications such as signal content and signal form, and it is possible to change and expand the signal content associated with the connector contacts. Further, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent an unexpected electric signal from being input from the controller side to the lens side, thereby preventing the electric circuit from breaking down.

In particular, whether the command signal output from the controller is an analog signal or a digital signal is detected, and one of the analog control circuit and the digital control circuit that matches the controller type is selected in accordance with the detection result. By introducing a command signal to the control circuit of the analog controller without using a conversion connector,
There is an advantage that a common controller can be used interchangeably with a digital controller.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an application mode of a lens device for a television camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side external view of a lens device for a television camera.

FIG. 3 is a main part circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a lens device for a television camera.

FIG. 4 is a main part block diagram showing another configuration example of the lens device for a television camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... TV camera 10 ... Zoom lens 20 ... Controller 24 ... Connector 42 ... Analog circuit 44 ... Digital circuit 46 ... Changeover switch 50 ... Level conversion circuit 52 ... Digital discrimination circuit 54 ... Switching circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A lens device for a television camera, wherein a controller for outputting a command signal according to an operation of an external operation member is connected via a connector, and the operation is controlled according to the command signal. Detecting means for detecting the type of the controller based on an electric signal applied via the controller; and operating in accordance with the signal content associated with each contact of the connector on the controller side for each type of at least two types of controllers. A lens device for a television camera, comprising: an electric circuit; and a connection switching unit that guides the command signal to an electric circuit that matches a signal content of the controller according to a detection result of the detection unit. 2. The detecting means for detecting whether a command signal output from the controller is an analog signal or a digital signal, an analog control circuit corresponding to a command signal in an analog signal format, and a digital signal format A digital control circuit corresponding to the command signal; and, of the analog control circuit and the digital control circuit, guiding the command signal to one control circuit that matches a signal format of the controller according to a detection result of the detection unit. The lens device for a television camera according to claim 1, further comprising: connection switching means. 3. A determination signal indicating whether the command signal output from the controller is an analog signal or a digital signal is output from the controller, and connection of the analog control circuit or the digital control circuit is performed according to the determination signal. 3. The lens device for a television camera according to claim 2, wherein said lens device is switched.