JPH1065941A - Lens system for television camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the lens system connecting to a television camera of different specifications by detecting a type of the connected television camera and selecting an electric circuit suitable for the signal content of the camera. SOLUTION: A discrimination signal prepared for a specific pin of a connector is used to discriminate a type of television cameras 60, 62, 64 connecting to the lens system 4 and a changeover switch 56 is switched depending on the discrimination result, and electric circuits 52, 54, 38 adapted to the signal content of the camera size are formed to the lens system 4. Thus, the content of pins of the connector is optionally changed/extended and camera through control cameras 60, 62 are used in compatibility with a general camera 64. Furthermore, the camera 60 utilizing a digital form signal for the communication between the camera and the lens and the camera 62 utilizing an analog form signal are connected to the lens system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lens device for a television camera, and more particularly, to a television device used for a studio camera for broadcasting or the like, to which a signal for controlling a lens is guided from a camera using an interface between a camera and a lens. The present invention relates to a camera lens device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an EFP lens used for a television camera for broadcasting, a controller cable is connected to a bottom surface of the lens via a connector, and a zoom, an iris and the like are controlled by the controller. .
However, since the cable routing is complicated and the work of replacing the lens is troublesome, recently, the cable of the controller is connected to the connector on the camera side, and the signal for controlling the lens is transmitted to the lens side using the camera-lens interface. And so-called camera through control, in which a camera also has a controller for controlling a lens and communicates control signals via a camera-lens interface, has increased.

[0003]

For the interface connection between the camera and the lens, for example, a connector of 36 pins or the like is used. ) Is decreasing. Therefore, there is a problem in that pins are not sufficient 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 television camera is lost, and special means such as a conversion adapter is required, which is disadvantageous in that it is complicated.

[0004] If the connectors have the same form, it is possible to connect a television camera having different pin contents to a lens device, but the setting of the correspondence between the pins and the signal contents differs between the camera and the lens. In such a case, there is a problem that the lens apparatus cannot be normally controlled, and an unexpected electric signal may be applied to the lens side or the camera side to cause a failure. In particular, in recent years, cameras and lens devices that use digital signals for camera-lens communication have been developed, and compatibility with conventional analog signal format cameras and lens devices has become a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to use television cameras having different specifications of signal contents and signal formats with a common connector, and to operate each television camera appropriately. It is an object of the present invention to provide a television camera lens device that can perform the following.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is to receive power from a television camera connected via a connector, and to connect the television camera to various types of electric power such as zoom position and iris control. In a lens device for a television camera that exchanges signals, a connection suitable for the signal content of a first television camera connectable to the lens device for a television camera can be made, and transmission and reception of electric signals with the first television camera can be performed. A first electrical circuit that can be connected to the second television camera that can be connected to the lens device for a television camera and that is compatible with the signal content of the second television camera, and is capable of transmitting and receiving an electric signal to and from the second television camera. (2) an electric circuit, a judging means for judging the type of the television camera connected via a connector, and the first circuit in accordance with the judgment result of the judging means.
And a connection switching means for switching the connection to one of the second electric circuits capable of transmitting and receiving electric signals to and from the connected television camera.

According to the present invention, the type of the television camera connected to the lens device via the connector is determined, and an electric circuit suitable for the signal content of the camera is formed on the lens according to the determination result. Therefore, it is possible to use different types of television cameras having different signal contents associated with the pins (contacts) of the connector. As a result, the signal of each contact can be arbitrarily changed and extended using a common connector.

According to the present invention, a signal for controlling operation of a lens such as zoom control and focus control is transmitted to a camera.
Applied to both a camera dedicated to camera through control that outputs to the lens side via an inter-lens interface, and a non-dedicated camera configured to guide a signal for controlling the operation of the lens from a controller directly connected to the lens A lens device for a television camera that can be realized.

Further, when a television camera for transmitting and receiving signals between the camera and the lens by digital signals is connected, a digital circuit is formed on the lens side, and the camera is connected to the camera.
When a TV camera that performs transmission and reception of signals between lenses using analog signals is connected, a common connector is formed by switching circuits in the lens device so that an analog circuit is formed on the lens side. This allows both types of TV cameras to be used.

[0010]

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 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire configuration of a television camera device to which a television camera lens device according to the present invention is applied. The television camera device shown in the figure mainly includes a television camera 2 main body, a television camera lens device 4 and a lens controller 6, and is fixed via a tripod head (not shown). Reference numeral 8 is a view finder of the camera.

A connecting claw 12 for assisting connection with the television camera 2 is formed on the rear end surface of the lens device 4, and a hook member into which the connecting claw 12 is fitted is formed on the camera body side. . The connector 14 provided on the lens device 4 and the connector 16 provided on the television camera 2 are easily connected by fitting the connecting claw 12 to the hook member on the camera side.

For the connectors 14 and 16, for example, a conventionally used 36-pin one-touch connector is used, so that different types (specifications) of TV cameras having the same connector can be connected. Lens device 4
Receives power from the camera side connected via the connector 14 via an interface (camera-lens interface) and exchanges various signals with the television camera 2. Signals transmitted and received via the interface differ depending on the type of camera connected. For example, a zoom position, a position signal indicating a focus position, a control signal for driving and controlling a zoom, a focus, an iris, a command / response signal for an extender, There are a return switch, an income switch, and the like.

The lens controller 6 is, for example, a shot box in which iris and zoom and focus positions are stored in advance and instantly reproduced by button operation. Is linked to The lens control signal output from the lens controller 6 is guided to the lens device 4 via a camera-lens interface. As described above, the control method for guiding the signal for controlling the operation of the lens device 4 to the lens side via the camera-lens interface and guiding the response signal from the lens device 4 to the camera side via the camera-lens interface Is called a camera through control, and a camera corresponding to the camera through control is called a dedicated camera. Some cameras that support the camera through control also have a controller that controls the lens device in the camera itself.

On the other hand, a television camera constructed so that the lens controller 6 is connected to the bottom surface of the lens device 4 via the connector 26 and the lens control signal output from the controller is directly guided to the lens device. (Non-dedicated camera). In general, a general camera transmits and receives a signal to and from the lens device 4 in an analog format, but a dedicated camera may transmit and receive a signal to and from the lens device 4 in a digital format.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a circuit diagram which enables compatibility between television camera models having different signal contents associated with each pin of the connector 16. In the figure, the left side of the connector 16 indicates the camera side, and the right side indicates the lens side. Note that only a specific contact among a plurality of pins (contacts) of the connector 16 is illustrated and described.

Although the dedicated connector and the general camera use a common connector 16, different signal contents are associated with each contact. For example, for a certain contact, the output signal output from the camera side to the lens side is associated with a dedicated camera, while the contact at the same position is introduced with an input signal input from the lens side to the camera side in a general camera. May be associated as a line.

For this purpose, the camera is provided with a discriminating signal generating means (not shown) for generating a discriminating signal indicating whether the camera is a dedicated camera or a general camera. The discriminating signal generating means outputs the discriminating signal. A discrimination signal is applied to the lens side through a predetermined contact 32 of the connector 16. For example, when a dedicated camera is connected, a low-level electric signal is added as a discrimination signal, and when a general camera is connected, a high-level signal is added.

On the other hand, on the lens side, a dedicated camera compatible circuit 36 suitable for connection with a dedicated camera and a general camera compatible circuit 38 suitable for connection with a general camera are provided. A changeover switch 40 for switching a contact is provided. According to the lens device for a television camera configured as described above, when a dedicated camera is connected to the lens device 4, a low-level determination signal is applied to the lens side via the contacts 32 of the connectors 16 and 14. The contact piece 42 of the changeover switch 40 contacts the contact point 44 in accordance with the low level determination signal, and the lens side is set to the dedicated camera corresponding circuit 36. Therefore, a control signal input from the camera (dedicated camera) via the contact 34 is guided to the dedicated camera corresponding circuit 36, and an operation corresponding to the control signal is performed.

On the other hand, when a general camera is connected to the lens device 4, a high-level discrimination signal is applied to the lens via the contact 32. In accordance with the high-level discrimination signal, the contact piece 42 of the changeover switch 40 contacts the contact point 46, and the lens side is set to the general camera corresponding circuit 38.
Therefore, the control signal output from the general camera corresponding circuit 38 is guided to the camera (general camera) via the contact 34, and the operation according to the control signal is performed. In this case, operation of the lens device 4 can be controlled by a lens control signal from a lens controller connected to the bottom surface of the lens device 4.

As described above, the type of the connected television camera 2 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 television camera side is formed. As a result, malfunctions and failures due to the connection of different types of TV cameras can be prevented, and compatible TV cameras with different specifications can be used. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the case where the dedicated camera corresponding circuit 36 and the general camera corresponding circuit 38 are switched by the discrimination signal has been described. However, as shown in FIG. The present invention can also be applied to the compatibility between different associated signal contents.

Hereinafter, a case will be described in which a camera for camera through control is applied to the interchangeability between a camera that transmits and receives signals to and from the lens device 4 in a digital format and a camera that transmits and receives a signal in an analog format. In this case, a discrimination signal generating means (not shown) for generating a discrimination signal indicating whether the television camera is of an analog format or a digital format is provided, and the lens side is provided with a digital format control signal. And a digital circuit 52 that operates in response to a control signal in an analog format. An analog circuit 54 that operates in response to an analog control signal is provided. Switch to a suitable circuit connection.

With this configuration, it is possible to interchangeably use the television camera 60 that transmits and receives signals to and from the lens device 4 in a digital format and the television camera 62 that transmits and receives signals to and from the lens device 4 in an analog format. Instead of using the determination signal, it may be determined whether the control signal itself is in a digital format or an analog format, and the receiving destination of the signal may be switched.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration that allows the digital TV camera 60 and the analog TV camera 62 to be compatible by determining the format of the control signal. On the lens device 4 side, an electric signal applied to a predetermined contact is converted to a digital circuit voltage level (0 to 5).
V), a digital discriminating circuit 72 for checking whether or not the digital circuit operates based on the signal converted by the level converting circuit 70, and outputting a discrimination signal according to the discrimination result; A switching circuit 74 for guiding a control signal applied to the predetermined contact in accordance with the determination signal to one of the analog circuit 54 and the digital circuit 52;

With this configuration, the electric signal output from the television camera 60 or 62 shown in FIG. 3 is guided to the lens device 4 via the interface 78, and is applied to the level conversion circuit 70 and the switching circuit 74. . Then, the electric signal whose level has been converted by the level conversion circuit 70 is guided to the digital determination circuit 72. Digital discriminating circuit 7
If the digital circuit in 2 operates, it means that the control signal output from the camera side is a digital signal,
In this case, the digital determination circuit 72 outputs a determination signal indicating that the control signal is a digital control signal. The discrimination signal is applied to the switching circuit 74, and the switching circuit 74 guides a control signal from the camera to the digital circuit 52 based on the discrimination signal.

On the other hand, if the digital circuit in the digital discriminating circuit 72 does not operate, it means that the control signal output from the camera is an analog type signal.
The digital discriminating circuit 72 outputs a discrimination signal indicating that the control signal is an analog control signal. The discrimination signal is applied to the switching circuit 74. The switching circuit 74 converts a control signal from the camera into an analog circuit 54 based on the discrimination signal.
Lead to. If it takes time to determine the signal by the digital determination circuit 72, a delay circuit may be provided immediately before the switching circuit 74, or an analog signal may be output before the TV camera 60 or 62 outputs the control signal. Alternatively, an identification signal (prefix signal) indicating a format of digital or digital may be output.

As described above, it is determined whether the camera is a television camera for camera-through control or a general camera, and the control signal of the camera of camera-through control is furthermore analog or digital. By judging whether the camera is connected or not, and forming a circuit corresponding to the type of the connected TV camera, the interchangeable use of different types of TV cameras becomes possible.

When it is difficult to support all of the various types of television cameras, it is desirable to at least lead each line signal to a safe circuit so as not to fail. As described above, even if different signal contents are associated with each contact of each connector between TV cameras with different specifications, the type of TV camera is detected and the signal contents of each line on the camera side are detected. By adopting an appropriate circuit connection, the pin contents can be freely arranged while maintaining compatibility using a common connector.

Other means for detecting the type of the TV camera include a method of detecting an abnormal current led from a specific contact, and a method of providing a micro switch or the like at a portion connected to a lens to discriminate each camera model. There is also a method of turning on / off the micro switch by a simplified mechanical connection. Further, the voltage level of the electric signal of a predetermined line output from the TV camera may be previously associated with the type of the TV camera, and the voltage level of the line may be determined to detect the type of the TV camera, An identification signal indicating a code indicating the type (specification) of the television camera may be output prior to the control signal, and a circuit suitable for the line on the camera side may be formed on the lens side according to the code. Furthermore,
A unique identification code may be given to the television camera 2 or the lens device 4 in advance, and the type may be recognized at the time of connection using a ROM or the like.

[0029]

As described above, according to the lens apparatus for a television camera according to the present invention, the type of the connected television camera is detected, and an electric circuit suitable for the signal content of the camera is formed on the lens. With this configuration, the content of each contact of the camera-side connector can be arbitrarily arranged, and a common connector can be used to change and expand the signal content associated with each contact. As a result, it is possible to use different types of television cameras having different specifications such as signal content and signal form without using a conversion connector or the like.

Another advantage is that it is possible to prevent an unexpected electric signal from being input to the lens side from the camera side to prevent the electric circuit from breaking down. In particular, when the present invention is applied, there is an advantage that a camera using a digital signal for communication between a camera and a lens can be compatible with a conventional analog signal camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a television camera device to which a television camera lens device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a main part circuit diagram of the television camera device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection relationship between different types of television cameras and a lens device.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

2 TV camera 4 Lens device (lens device for TV camera) 6 Lens controller 14, 16, 24, 26 Connector 32, 34 Pin (contact) 36 Dedicated camera compatible circuit 38 General camera compatible circuit 40 56: changeover switch 52: digital circuit 54: analog circuit 60, 62: TV camera compatible with camera through control 64: general camera 78: interface

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A lens device for a television camera which receives power from a television camera connected via a connector and transmits and receives various electric signals such as zoom position and iris control to and from the television camera. A first electric circuit that can be connected to a signal content of a first television camera connectable to the lens device for use and can transmit and receive an electric signal to and from the first television camera; and the lens device for a television camera. A second electric circuit capable of transmitting and receiving an electric signal to and from the second television camera, which can be connected to a signal content of a second television camera connectable to the television camera, and a television camera coupled via a connector Discriminating means for discriminating the type of, and according to the discrimination result of the discriminating means, of the first and second electric circuits, Lens apparatus for a television camera characterized by comprising a connection switching means for receiving switching the connection to one of the electrical circuit capable of the. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the first television camera is a camera dedicated to camera through control that outputs a control signal for controlling operation of the lens such as zoom control and focus control to the lens via a camera-lens interface. The second television camera is a non-dedicated camera configured to guide a control signal for controlling operations of a lens such as zoom control and focus control from a controller directly connected to the lens device. Claim 1
The lens device for a television camera described in the above. 3. The first electric circuit is constituted by an analog circuit corresponding to a command signal in an analog signal format, and the second electric circuit is a digital circuit corresponding to a command signal in a digital signal format. The lens device for a television camera according to claim 1, wherein the lens device is configured.