JPH1079951A - Camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a video image of an object and a color bar on a display screen and akso to facilitate the operation. SOLUTION: A counter 51 is reset when a vertical synchronizing signal is supplied and when it counts CBLK signals specific times, it outputs color bar gate signals until it is reset. A counter 53 synchronizes with an oscillation frequency of an oscillator 52, outputs a color bar signal which consists of each color signal of R, G and B and supplies the color bar signal to a DSP 35 via AND gates 54 to 56. The DSP 35, whose switching circuits 35b to 35d are switched and controlled by a color bar gate signal from a color bar circuit 44, outputs color bar signals while color bars are outputted and outputs image pickup signals for the other periods.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera device capable of displaying a color bar on a monitor device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, there is provided a small-sized camera device whose imaging system is as small as a little finger. Such a small camera device captures an image of a subject by using, for example, a 1/4 inch CCD image sensor, and transfers an imaging signal obtained by the imaging to a camera control unit (CC) via a cable.
U). In small camera devices, this CCU
In, digital signal processing such as gamma correction and white balance adjustment is performed based on a sampling pulse in a digital signal processor (DSP).
The CCD image sensor is driven based on the sampling pulse. The CCU performs digital signal processing on the supplied image signal, and outputs the image signal to a monitor device or a recording system.

[0003]

By the way, the user has
There are times when it is desired to check the color of a captured object with a monitor device or the like, and to perform color adjustment or the like according to the state of the color. At this time, the user must remember the color of the subject displayed on the monitor device, display the entire screen with a color bar, and determine whether the color of the subject matches the color of the color bar. Had to be very inconvenient.

In some cases, the user places the CCU at a predetermined location, checks the subject displayed on the monitor device while moving with the camera head, and photographs the subject. At this time, when the user wants to display the color bar, the user must bother to move to the CCU and make settings for displaying the color bar, return to the original place again and photograph the subject, and perform the setting operation. Was difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera device which can display an image of a subject and a color bar on a display screen and can easily perform the operation. With the goal.

[0006]

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image pickup section for generating an image pickup signal; a color bar generation means for generating a color bar signal during a predetermined period of a horizontal scanning cycle of the image pickup signal; Signal output means for outputting the color bar signal from the color bar generation means and outputting the image pickup signal during a period when the color bar signal is not supplied.

In the camera device, a color bar signal is output during a predetermined period of the horizontal scanning cycle, and an image pickup signal is output during other periods. Therefore, the image of the subject is displayed on the monitor device together with the color bar.

The color bar generating means in the camera device according to the present invention is provided with the predetermined period by a counter based on a synchronization signal, for example. By setting the count value of the counter by the operation means, the length of the predetermined period for outputting the color bar signal is adjusted.
Further, the timing at which the output of the color bar signal is started or ended is adjusted by setting the count value of the counter by the operating means.

Further, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is, for example,
A camera head including the imaging unit; and a camera control unit including the color bar generation unit and the signal output unit. The color bar generation unit is provided for a predetermined period based on a setting operation of an operation unit provided in the camera head. A color bar signal is output, and an image pickup signal is output during other periods.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention generates and outputs a color bar signal during a predetermined period of a horizontal scanning cycle of an image signal, and outputs an image signal during a period when the color bar signal is not supplied, so that an image signal of a subject and a color bar signal are output. The present invention relates to a camera device capable of outputting a field signal consisting of:

A camera device according to the present invention comprises a camera head 10 and a camera head 1 as shown in FIG.
0 and a camera control unit (CCU) 30 connected via a cable 20
And

The camera head 10 is formed, for example, as small as a little finger. The camera head 10 includes a CCD image sensor 11 that generates an image signal, a preamplifier / buffer circuit 12 that amplifies the image signal, and an operation unit 13.

The CCD image sensor 11 is, for example, 1 /
It is 4 inches in size. This CCD image sensor 1
1 generates an imaging signal according to imaging light of a subject and supplies the imaging signal to the preamplifier / buffer circuit 12.

The preamplifier / buffer circuit 12 amplifies the image signal supplied from the CCD image sensor 11 to reduce the S / N in order to cope with the case where the cable 20 is extended by replacing the cable 20 as described later. The enhanced and amplified image signal is transmitted to the CCU via the cable 20.
30.

The operation unit 13 can set the size of a color bar area displayed on a screen of a monitor device or the like.
A color bar area can be set for the color bar circuit 44 by performing a setting operation to a predetermined preset value. Therefore, the operation unit 13
When a predetermined operation is performed, an operation signal is supplied to a microcomputer (microcomputer) 48 in the CCU 30 via the cable 20. Therefore, the microcomputer 48 can control the output period of the color bar signal output from the color bar circuit 44, which will be described later in detail, based on the operation signal. The operation unit 13 may be provided in the CCU 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, one of cable connectors 21 provided at both ends of a cable 20 is fitted to the camera connector 14 of the camera head 10. The cable 2 is connected to the CCU connector 31 of the CCU 30.
No. 0 cable connector 21 is fitted. That is, the cable connectors 21 provided at both ends of the cable 20 are formed in the same shape, respectively, and have resistors (not shown) for detecting cable length. Therefore, no matter which cable connector 21 is fitted to the CCU 30, the microcomputer 48 can recognize the length of the cable 20.

The CCU 30 is supplied with an imaging signal obtained by the camera head 10 via a cable 20. A CCU connector 31 to which the imaging signal from the camera head 10 is supplied, and a CCD image sensor. A CCD driver 32 for driving the sensor 11 and a correlated double sampling / automatic gain control (CDS / AGC: Correlated Doublesam).
pling / Automatic Gain Control) circuit 33, an analog / digital (A / D) converter 34, a digital signal processing circuit (DSP: Digital Signal Processor) 35,
An electronic zoom circuit 36 for enlarging a specific portion of an image by signal processing, and a video signal output circuit 37 as an encoder
And an input / output connector 38 connected to a cable from a monitor device or a personal computer.

An image signal supplied to the CCU 30 via the cable 20 is transmitted to the CDS /
It is supplied to the AGC circuit 33. Also, CCD driver 3
The drive pulse from the device 2 drives the CCD image sensor 11 via the CCU connector 31.

The CCD driver 32 generates a driving pulse such as a horizontal / vertical transfer pulse and a signal charge reset pulse based on the synchronization signal from the DSP 35, and transmits the driving pulse to the CCU connector 31 and the preamplifier / buffer circuit 12. Supplied to the CCD image sensor 11 through the
The CD image sensor 11 is driven.

The camera head 10 is not provided with an optical auto iris mechanism and is downsized.
Therefore, the CCD driver 32 can control the charge accumulation period of the CCD image sensor 11 based on the synchronization signal from the DSP 35 and adjust the exposure.

The CDS / AGC circuit 33 outputs a SHD pulse (Sample Hold of Data Pulse) and SH from the DSP 35.
A P-pulse (Sample Hold of Pre-charge Pulse) is supplied, and a pre-charge level and a data level of an imaging signal supplied via the CCU connector 31 are sampled and held, and a difference between them is detected. An accurate signal level is detected, random noise is removed, and a CDS / AGC circuit 33 is provided according to the strength of an image signal.
It automatically controls its own gain and always outputs an image signal with a stable signal level.

The A / D converter 34 is driven based on a sampling pulse from the DSP 35, digitizes an image signal from the CDS / AGC circuit 33, and supplies image data to the DSP 35.

In the DSP 35, a synchronizing signal generator 35a inside generates a synchronizing signal and a sampling pulse, and also generates an SHD pulse and an SHP pulse. In the DSP 35, digital signal processing such as color matrix adjustment, backlight correction, gamma correction, and negative / positive conversion is performed in synchronization with the sampling pulse. For example, the DSP 35 can adjust the hue without changing the reference white color by adjusting the color matrix, or can detect the saturated area and the insufficient light quantity area by the backlight correction, and shift the photometry position to the optimum part. ing.

The electronic zoom circuit 36 enlarges a predetermined area based on the image data from the DSP 35 by 1 to 3 times, and converts the image data obtained by enlarging the predetermined area into a DS again.
Supply to P35.

The video signal output circuit 37 converts the imaging data from the DSP 35 into an NTSC (National Television System).
em Committee) or PAL (Phase Alternation by
Line) video signal is transmitted to the monitor device via the input / output connector 38.

The CCU 30 includes an A / D converter 39, an electronic volume circuit 40 for adjusting an external synchronization signal, an external synchronization circuit 41 for performing signal processing with external synchronization, a flash memory 42, For example, on / off to output color signals such as characters and symbols for menu display
A screen display (OSD) circuit 43, a color bar circuit 44 for generating a color bar, an RS232C drive 45 for interfacing with a personal computer, and a write enable (WEN) output for outputting a timing signal in a long exposure mode A circuit 46, a DC / DC converter 47 for supplying power to each circuit, and a microcomputer 48 for controlling the entire apparatus are provided.

The A / D converter 39 converts a voltage value applied to a cable length detecting resistor provided inside the cable 20 into a digital signal, and supplies the digital signal to the microcomputer 48. Microcomputer 48
Recognizes the length of the cable 20 based on the voltage detected by the A / D converter 39, and controls the drive timing of the synchronization signal generator 35a and the like according to the cable length.

The electronic volume circuit 40 controls the microcomputer 4 to increase the signal level of, for example, a signal having a small signal level among the synchronization signals separated by the external synchronization circuit 41.
8 to be adjusted.

The external synchronization circuit 41 includes an input / output connector 38
For example, a signal is supplied from an external camera (not shown) via the controller, and a synchronization signal, a subcarrier, and the like are separated from the signal, and the phase of the synchronization signal in the DSP 35 is compared. The external synchronizing circuit 41 controls the driving of the synchronizing signal generator 35a based on the result of the phase comparison so that the synchronizing signal in the DSP 35 synchronizes with an external synchronizing signal or the like.

The flash memory 42 is connected to an external personal computer via an RS232C drive 45 and a microcomputer 48.
The program can be rewritten from the computer 100. The microcomputer 48 enters an external memory control mode for controlling the entire apparatus based on the program in the flash memory 42, or enters an internal memory mode for writing a program in the flash memory 42. Therefore, the microcomputer 48 controls the flash memory 4
Even if the second program is destroyed, the program can be written to the flash memory 42 by the external personal computer 100 or the like.

The OSD circuit 43 generates red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color signals representing a character for displaying a menu under the control of the microcomputer 48, and converts these color signals into a color bar. The signal is supplied to a circuit 44.

The color bar circuit 44 generates a color bar signal representing, for example, seven color bars by outputting a predetermined color signal every vertical scanning period under the control of the microcomputer 48. OSD circuit 43 for signal
Are superimposed and supplied to the DSP 35.

More specifically, the color bar circuit 44 is provided by the color bar circuit 44 shown in FIG.
, A counter 51 that outputs a color bar gate signal based on a vertical synchronization signal and a composite blanking (CBLK) signal from the DSP 35, and an oscillator 5
A counter 53 for combining and outputting R, G, and B color signals based on the master clock of the second type; and AND gates 54, 55, and 56 for outputting the color signals while the color bar gate signal is supplied. , The OSD
OR gates 57 and 5 for synthesizing color signals from circuit 43
8, 59. The CBLK signal includes a horizontal synchronization signal.

The counter 51 is reset when the vertical synchronizing signal is supplied, and after counting a predetermined number of CBLK signals in the horizontal scanning period, outputs a color bar gate signal until reset again as shown in FIG. It has become. Further, the counter 51 can change the number of counting the CBLK signal before outputting the color bar gate signal. For example, any one of the presets A to E shown in FIG. Then, the count value is set to the preset value.

The counter 53 outputs a color bar signal composed of R, G, and B color signals in synchronization with the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 52, and outputs the color bar signal to the AND gate 54,
55 and 56.

More specifically, the counter 53 outputs, for example, gray (R + G + B) and yellow (R
+ G), Syrian (G + B), green (G), magenta (R + B), red (R), and blue (B) in this order.

When the color bar gate signal from the counter 51 is supplied, the AND gates 54, 55 and 56 convert the color bar signal from the counter 53 into OR gates 57 and 5 respectively.
8, 59. OR gates 57, 58, 59
The color bar signals from the AND gates 54, 55 and 56 are combined with the respective color signals from the OSD circuit 43, and the combined color signals are supplied to the DSP 35. Therefore, the period during which the CBLK signal is output for the vertical scanning cycle is
It corresponds to the height of the color bar with respect to the vertical direction of the screen. In other words, the color bar circuit 44 can adjust the display area of the color bar with respect to the screen by adjusting the period during which the color bar gate signal is output.

Note that the OR gates 57, 58, 59
Even when the color bar signals are not supplied from the ND gates 54, 55, 56, when the color signals for displaying the character are supplied from the OSD circuit 43, these color signals are supplied to the DSP 35 as they are. DSP35
Synthesizes a video signal with a color signal indicating a character, and supplies the synthesized signal to a video output circuit 37.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the DSP 35 switches the switching circuits 35b to 35d to switch the digital signal processed image data or the color bar circuit 44.
Can be selectively output. Specifically, the DSP 35 outputs a logical sum of a color bar gate signal from the color bar circuit 44 and an OSD gate signal output during a period when a color signal for displaying a character is output from the OSD circuit 43. A switching control signal is supplied to the switching circuits 35b to 35d via the OR gate 60. When the color bar gate signal or the OSD gate signal is supplied, the switching circuits 35b to 35d are set to the color bar side. To output a color bar signal or a color signal for displaying a character. When the color bar gate signal and the OSD gate signal gate signal are not supplied, the switching circuits 35b to 35b are output.
The image pickup signal is output by setting 35d to the RGB video signal side.

The RS232C drive 45 is supplied with a control signal from, for example, a personal computer via the input / output connector 38, converts this control signal into a predetermined signal, and supplies it to the microcomputer 48. In other words, the user
Image quality, color tone, and the like can be controlled by a personal computer or the like.

The WEN output circuit 46 includes, for example, the microcomputer 4
When the DSP 35 is set to the long-time exposure mode via 8, that is, when the charge accumulation period of the CCD image sensor 11 is set to several fields, the output timing at the time of the long-time exposure is output. This is supplied to, for example, a video capture board and used for capturing the output of a video signal that has been exposed for a long time.

The DC / DC converter 47 includes a DSP 35
In order to supply various kinds of low voltage with little voltage fluctuation to an LSI or an IC such as the electronic zoom circuit 36 or the like, the voltage is converted into a predetermined voltage and supplied.

In the camera device configured as described above, when the cable 20 is attached to the camera head 10 and the CCU connector 31, the microcomputer 48 detects the length of the cable 20 via the A / D converter 39. . The microcomputer 48 controls the external synchronization circuit 41 based on the detection result of the A / D converter 39, and
, The generation timing of the synchronizing signal, sampling pulse, SHD pulse and SHP pulse is adjusted. The CCD driver 32, based on a synchronization signal from the DSP 35,
The driving pulse is supplied to the camera head 10. CDS / A
The GC circuit 33 receives the SHD pulse from the DSP 35 and S
Based on the HP pulse, the image pickup signal from the CCD image sensor 11 can be subjected to correlated double sampling processing. Further, the A / D converter 34 and the DSP 35 are driven based on a sampling pulse. That is, the microcomputer 48 detects the shift of the synchronization system that occurs until the image pickup signal obtained by driving the CCD image sensor 11 is supplied to the CCU 30, that is, the CCD image sensor 11, the CDS / AGC circuit 33, and the A / D converter. 34 can be adjusted.

Then, the CCD image sensor 11 generates an imaging signal corresponding to the subject, and supplies the imaging signal to the CDS / AGC circuit 33 and the A / D converter 34 via the imaging signal cable 20 and the like. The DSP 35 performs so-called digital signal processing on the image data supplied from the A / D converter 34, and supplies this image data to, for example, an external device of a monitor device via the video output circuit 37 or the like. The monitor device displays an image of the subject captured by the camera device.

When a predetermined operation of the color bar display is performed by the operation unit 13 and an operation signal is supplied, the microcomputer 48 sets the number at which the counter 51 counts the CBLK signal to a preset value, and sets the preset value on the screen. Determine the display area of the color bar.

When the vertical synchronizing signal is supplied from the DSP 35, the counter 51 resets the counted number, and
The counting of the LK signal is started. The counter 51 has a CB
When the count of the LK signal reaches the value set by the preset value, the color bar gate signal is continuously output until the count is reset. In other words, the counter 51
Cannot output a color bar gate signal during a period in which a predetermined number of CBLK signals are counted after reset. At this time, since the color bar gate signal is not supplied from the counter 51, the AND gates 54, 55, 56 do not output the color bar signal from the counter 53.

When the counter 51 counts the CBLK signal for the predetermined number, the counter 51 outputs a color bar gate signal. The AND gates 54, 55, 56
While the color bar gate signal is supplied from 1, the color bar signal from the counter 53 is converted into OR gates 57, 58,
9. OR gates 57, 58 and 59 are OSD
Each color signal from the circuit 43 and AND gates 54, 55, 5
6 and supplies the signal to the DSP 35. Therefore, the DSP 35 does not need to separately provide an input terminal for a color bar signal and an input terminal for a color signal for displaying a character, and a color for displaying a color bar signal and a character via a common input terminal. A signal is input.

The DSP 35 outputs a switching control signal supplied from the OR gate 60, that is, a period during which a color bar gate signal from the color bar circuit 44 and a color signal for displaying a character from the OSD circuit 43 are output. The switching circuits 35b to 35d are controlled by the logical sum output with the output OSD gate signal, so that the output period of the color bar given by the color bar gate signal and the period other than the output period of the character given by the OSD gate signal In the middle, the switching circuits 35b to 35d are RGB
The video signal is supplied to the video output circuit 37. During the output period of the color bar given by the color bar gate signal, the DSP 35 switches the switching circuit 35.
b to 35d are switched to the color bar output side, and the color bar signal from the color bar circuit 44 is output to the video output circuit 3.
7 Further, during the output period of the character given by the OSD gate signal, the DSP 35 switches the switching circuits 35b to 35d to the color bar output side.
The color signal for displaying the character from the OSD circuit 43 combined with the color bar signal from the color bar circuit 44 is supplied to the video output circuit 37.

The video output circuit 37 converts a composite signal of a video signal, a color bar signal, and a color signal for displaying a character supplied from the DSP 35 into, for example, a television signal of the NTSC system, and outputs the signal through an input / output connector 38. To the monitor device.

Since the video signal of the subject is supplied to the monitor device in the first half of the vertical scanning period and the color bar signal is supplied in the second half of the period, for example, as shown in FIG. Is displayed, and a color bar is displayed in the lower half of the screen. Further, a character is displayed at an arbitrary position on the screen according to the output timing of the OSD gate signal. By setting the output period of the color bar given by the color bar gate signal from the counter 51 to the first half of the vertical scanning period, the color bar can be displayed in the upper half of the screen.

That is, the above-mentioned monitor device is, for example, shown in FIG.
In the vertical scanning period, the image of the subject is displayed during a period in which the counter 51 does not output the color bar gate signal, and gray, yellow, and cyan are displayed during the period in which the counter 51 outputs the color bar gate signal. , Green, magenta, red, and blue color bars can be displayed.

The counter 51 of the color bar circuit 44
As described above, CBLK is operated by the operation unit 13 in accordance with the operation.
The number of signal counts can be changed. Therefore, when the count number is set to a small value, the color bar circuit 44 outputs a color bar signal immediately after detecting the vertical synchronization signal, thereby displaying a larger color bar on the screen of the monitor device. Can be.

As described above, the camera device can display the color bar together with the image of the subject on the screen of the monitor device. Therefore, the user can display the color bar on the entire monitor screen and adjust the monitor device without switching the color bar as in the conventional method. Further, the color of the subject can be compared with seven color bars of gray, yellow, cyan, green, magenta, red, and blue.

In addition, the camera device includes a camera head 1
Since the ratio of the color bar displayed on the screen of the monitor device can be adjusted by the operation unit 13 of the “0”, the display area of the color bar is set according to the size of the subject, and the use of the color bar is set. A flight can be planned.

Further, the camera device can display an image of a subject on the screen of the monitor device, display the subject and a color bar at the same time, and perform an operation of selecting these displays with the camera head. , CCU does not need to perform these selection operations, and operability can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment unless otherwise specified. For example, the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the length of the cable 20 can be specified. It is a matter of course that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0057]

As described above in detail, according to the camera apparatus of the present invention, a color bar signal is generated and output during a predetermined period of a horizontal scanning cycle of an image pickup signal, and a color bar signal is generated and output during a period when no color bar signal is supplied. By outputting the imaging signal,
For example, an image of a subject and a color bar can be simultaneously displayed on the screen of the monitor device. Therefore, the user can compare and observe the color of the subject and the color of the color bar, and can easily adjust the hue, hue, and the like.

According to the camera device, the color bar signal is output for a predetermined period based on the setting operation of the operation means, so that the display area of the color bar displayed on the monitor device can be set. That is, the color bar generation unit in the camera device according to the present invention includes, for example,
The predetermined period is given by the counter based on the synchronization signal. By setting the count value of the counter by operating means from the camera head, the length of the predetermined period for outputting the color bar signal is adjusted. Further, by setting the count value of the counter by operating means from the camera head, the timing of starting or ending the output of the color bar signal is adjusted.

Therefore, the user can set the display area of the color bar according to the size of the subject. For example, when the important part of the subject is hidden by the color bar display, the display area of the color bar is reduced. Therefore, visual convenience can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a camera device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the camera device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a color bar circuit of the camera device.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the color bar circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state of a screen displayed on the monitor device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 operation unit, 35 DSP, 44 color bar circuit

Claims (12)

[Claims] An imaging unit that generates an imaging signal; a color bar generation unit that generates a color bar signal during a predetermined period of a horizontal scanning cycle of the imaging signal; and a color bar signal output from the color bar generation unit. And a signal output means for outputting the imaging signal during a period when the color bar signal is not supplied. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for setting and operating the predetermined period, wherein the color bar generating unit outputs a color bar signal during a predetermined period based on the setting operation of the operation unit. The camera device as described in the above. 3. The color bar generating unit according to claim 2, wherein the color bar generating unit includes a counter that gives the predetermined period based on a synchronization signal, and a count value of the counter is set by the operating unit. Camera device. 4. The camera device according to claim 3, wherein the length of a predetermined period during which the color bar generating means outputs a color bar signal is adjustable by setting the count value of the counter. 5. The camera device according to claim 4, wherein the timing at which the color bar generating means starts outputting the color bar signal is adjustable by setting the count value of the counter. 6. The camera device according to claim 4, wherein the timing at which the color bar generation means ends the output of the color bar signal can be adjusted by setting the count value of the counter. 7. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising: a camera head including the image pickup unit; and a camera control unit including the color bar generation unit and the signal output unit. 8. The camera head includes operating means for setting and operating the predetermined period, and the color bar generating means provided in the camera control unit performs setting operation of the operating means provided in the camera head. 8. The camera device according to claim 7, wherein a color bar signal is output in a predetermined period based on the color bar signal. 9. The color bar generating means includes a counter for providing the predetermined period based on a synchronization signal, and a count value of the counter is set by the operating means provided on the camera head. The camera device according to claim 8, wherein 10. The camera apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the length of a predetermined period during which the color bar generating means outputs a color bar signal is adjustable by setting the count value of the counter. 11. The camera device according to claim 10, wherein the timing at which the color bar generating means starts outputting a color bar signal is adjustable by setting the count value of the counter. 12. The camera device according to claim 10, wherein the timing at which the color bar generating means ends the output of the color bar signal can be adjusted by setting the count value of the counter.