JPH1117994A - Image pickup unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm change in setting of a wireless receiver while shouldering a TV camera and to monitor a video under recording without connecting a cable by a person except a photographer. SOLUTION: When the wireless receiver 3 is attached in a slot (recessed part) 2 formed at a rear part of a case 1 of the camera, the receiver 3 is connected with a camera circuit 8 with connectors 5, 6. Since a transmitting function of a video signal is added to the receiver 3, the video signal from the camera circuit 8 is transmitted to a repeater, etc., by radio. When a connector 11 of a remote panel (control panel) 10 is attached to a connector 12 at the side in front of the camera case 1, the remote panel 10 is electrically connected with the receiver 3. A display unit to display a state of the receiver 3, etc., and an operation switch to operate the receiver 3, etc., are arranged on the remote panel 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus which mounts an image on a shoulder of a photographer, and more particularly to a VTR-integrated T which is used in a news gathering site, a drama location, and the like.
The present invention relates to mounting of a remote panel and a communication device on an imaging device such as a V-camera (also referred to as a camera-integrated video tape recorder).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a VTR-integrated TV camera for mounting an image on a shoulder of a cameraman has been used while being carried at a drama location or the like at a news gathering site. For this reason, various equipment can be mounted and used as needed.

For example, in a news gathering site, it is necessary to secure a communication line for an intercom and a relay car for a VTR-integrated TV camera. In this case, a wireless microphone tuner is mounted. This wireless microphone tuner transmits an audio signal of a cameraman or the like input from a VTR-integrated TV camera to a relay van or the like at a specified frequency, receives an audio signal wirelessly transmitted from the relay van or the like, and The sound is output to the photographer via the earphone of the body type TV camera.

Conventionally, generally, a projection (hook) of a connection fitting of a wireless microphone tuner is hooked on a mounting fitting protruding from the back of a VTR-integrated TV camera, and then a connector for supplying power to the wireless microphone tuner is provided. By connecting an audio signal input connector to a connector of the VTR-integrated TV camera via a cable, the wireless microphone tuner is mounted on the back of the VTR-integrated TV camera. When a battery is also connected as an external device, a battery and a wireless microphone tuner are stacked and mounted on the back of a VTR-integrated TV camera via a metal fitting.

[0005] However, since the metal fittings for mounting the equipment are exposed on the back of the VTR-integrated TV camera, when the equipment is not mounted, there is a possibility that the exposed metal fittings may be caught by the metal fittings. In addition, since the wireless microphone tuner is mounted on the rear surface of the VTR-integrated TV camera while being exposed, it is necessary to ensure sufficient reliability, and it has been difficult to reduce the size and weight. As a result, when a wireless microphone tuner is attached to a VTR-integrated TV camera, the overall shape becomes larger and the weight increases further. And the need for complicated mounting work on site.

[0006] In order to solve these problems, an image pickup apparatus is formed so that a wireless communication apparatus for transmitting a voice signal of a cameraman and receiving a wirelessly transmitted voice signal and sending the signal to the cameraman can be mounted. At
A concave portion extending from the substantially rectangular opening to the inside of the housing is formed in the imaging device, the wireless communication device inserted from the opening is held in the concave portion, and the concave portion has a connector. There has been proposed an apparatus configured to transmit and receive an audio signal to and from a communication apparatus and to supply power to the wireless communication apparatus via this connector (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-20).
No. 5008).

[0007] The proposed imaging device (VTR integrated T
The V-camera) uses a slot-in structure to change the wireless communication device from external to internal and eliminates the need for a cable, so that the wireless device can be easily mounted, and the camera can be reduced in size and weight. Also, there is an advantage that an object is not caught on the metal fitting.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned proposed conventional VTR-integrated TV camera, the wireless device to be mounted has a function of only receiving or transmitting an audio signal and not transmitting an image. Was. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of VTR-integrated TV cameras are used at the same time in news gathering or the like, a director selects an appropriate shooting screen for each photographer individually while checking the video being shot by each TV camera in a broadcast truck or the like. I couldn't give directions.

When a plurality of wireless microphones are used at the same time, a cameraman may need to individually switch the frequency of the TV camera during coverage in order to avoid interference of the wireless microphones. This frequency switching requires switch operations such as an up / down button and a rotary switch for frequency switching. However, since these operation switches are provided behind (or on the back of) the TV camera, the cameraman once switches the TV camera. There was an inconvenience that the operation could not be performed unless the user dropped his / her shoulder.

A first object of the present invention is to dispose a remote panel (operation panel) of a wireless device (wireless receiver) at a position on a front side surface of a camera. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus in which a cameraman can operate an operation switch with one hand while carrying the camera to easily switch the frequency of the camera.

A second object of the present invention is to add a video transmission function to a wireless communication device inserted into a recess having a slot-in structure so that a video signal output from a camera circuit or a recording device is output together with an audio signal to a director. To provide an imaging device capable of transmitting data to a relay device or the like.

[0012]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus for photographing a photographer mounted on a shoulder of a photographer, the communication apparatus being mounted on a rear upper portion of the imaging apparatus. , A panel mounting space formed on a front side surface of the imaging device, a first connector provided inside the concave portion, and a second connector provided in the space. The first connector and the second connector are connected to each other via a first line, and the first connector and the circuit of the imaging device are connected via a second line. It is characterized by being.

Here, the space may be located on the speaker mounting surface side and between the viewfinder and the photographing lens.

Further, the space may be located on the speaker mounting surface side and between the speaker and the photographing lens.

Further, the panel mounted in the space includes a connector connected to the second connector, a display for displaying a state of the communication device mounted in the recess, and an operation of the communication device. And an operation switch for performing the operation.

[0016] Further, there may be provided a circuit for supplying a composite video signal output from the camera circuit or the recording device to a communication device mounted in the concave portion through the first connector of the concave portion. it can.

Further, the communication device mounted in the recess has a connector connected to the first connector, a transmission circuit for transmitting a composite video signal supplied from the imaging device, and an antenna. it can.

Further, the transmission of the composite video signal may be performed by radio or infrared.

Further, the imaging device, the communication device, and the panel are connected to each other by serial data or parallel data, and the set state of the imaging device and the communication device are displayed and the set state is changed through the panel. Can be done.

[0020]

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

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a VTR-integrated TV camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, 1 is a camera housing (body), 2 is a wireless receiver mounting slot (recess) formed in the rear part of the camera housing 1 and extended inside the housing 1, and 3 is a substantially rectangular shape of the slot 2 Opening 4
5 is a connector (male connector) attached to the lower surface of the receiver 3 and 6 is a connector (female connector) disposed on the bottom surface of the slot 2. It is.
When the wireless receiver 3 is inserted through the opening 4 of the slot 2 and pressed down to the bottom of the slot 2, both connectors 5,
6 are connected to each other, thereby providing a wireless receiver 3
Is connected to an internal camera circuit 8 through a line 7. In the present invention, in particular, a video transmission function is added to the wireless receiver 3 so that a video signal output from a camera circuit or a recording device can be transmitted together with an audio signal to a remote relay device or the like.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a remote panel (operation panel) that can be mounted on the front side surface of the camera housing 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a connector (male connector) mounted on the remote panel 10.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a connector (female connector) arranged in a space for mounting a remote panel provided on a side surface of a front portion of the camera. The electrical connection between the remote panel 10 and the wireless receiver 3 is made by the connector 1 on the remote panel 10.
1 is performed by inserting a connector 12 wired from the interface connector 6 of the wireless receiver 3. Reference numeral 14 denotes a photographing lens of the TV camera.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the actual appearance of the VTR-integrated TV camera of this embodiment, in which (A) is a side view,
(B) is a rear view. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Here, 15 shown by cross hatching
Indicates a space for attaching the remote panel 10 so that the remote panel 10 can be freely attached and detached. As shown in FIG. 2, the right or left side of the front side of the camera, in particular, the cameraman operates the remote panel 10. The connector 12 is provided by selecting an easy position. 16 is a microphone (sound collector), 17 is a viewfinder (electronic viewfinder), 18 is a hand grip, 38 is a speaker, and 19 is a shoulder pad.

In the present invention, the remote panel 10 of the wireless receiver 3 is arranged at the front position 15 of the camera as shown in FIG. 2, so that the cameraman can carry the camera with one hand while watching the display on the display 21. The operation frequency of the camera can be switched by operating the operation switch 20.

In recent years, the balance of the camera tends to be heavier as a result of the increase in weight due to the enlargement of the taking lens 14 and the weight reduction due to the lithium ionization of the battery. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the slot 2 as the wireless receiver insertion portion is formed by extending the rear portion of the camera. Even when a battery is used, the balance between the front and rear of the camera can be appropriately maintained by the wireless receiver 3.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the remote panel 10. On the remote panel 10, a display (a liquid crystal panel or a character display using a light emitting diode) 21 for displaying the state of the receiver 3 or the like (mainly, the frequency of transmission / reception or the strength of the received radio wave) is provided. And an operation switch 20 for operating the receiver 3 and the like. The remote panel 10 is attached to, for example, a side plate of the camera from the inside. There are four bosses on the back side of the side plate, and the remote panel 10 is screwed there. In addition, 9 is a substrate of the remote panel 10.

FIG. 4 shows a specific example of the wireless receiver 3, in which (A) is a top view (plan view), (B) is a side view, and (C) is a bottom view. An operation switch 22, an LCD (liquid crystal) or LED (light emitting diode) indicator 23, an antenna 24, and an earphone jack 25 are provided on the upper surface of the head of the wireless receiver 3. On the lower surface of the wireless receiver 3, (C) of FIG.
The connector 5 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the connectors 5, 11 (6, 12).
The following shows a specific example. The connector (interface connector) of this example has a 25-pin configuration, and a composite signal (image signal including audio) can be transmitted through these pins. In addition, the number of pins of these interface connectors is greatly increased as compared with conventional devices (generally, 15 pins), so that functions can be easily added. For example, an interface for audio 2 ch (balanced output) can be provided.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration example of an electric circuit in the VTR-integrated TV camera of the present embodiment. The camera body has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 and a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) 31 that control the entire arithmetic operation in addition to the camera circuit 8 inside the housing 1. The remote panel 10 has a CPU 32 therein, and inputs of the operation switches 20 and data display on the display (display) 21 are performed via the CPU 32. The wireless receiver 3 has a receiving circuit (RX) 33, a transmitting circuit (TX) 34, and a CPU 35 therein. The camera circuit 8, the wireless receiver 3, and the remote panel 10 are connected by serial or parallel data, and are mutually controlled via respective CPUs 30, 32, and 35, and display of a state (used frequency, reception state, and the like) is performed. I can do it.

Numeral 40 denotes a transmitting / receiving device operated by a director or the like at a location remote from the cameraman.
It has a receiving circuit 42, a transmitting circuit 43, a monitor 45, and a microphone 46.

The audio signal input from the microphone 46 of the transmitting / receiving device 40 on the director side is propagated in the air by the transmitting circuit 43 and the antenna 41, and the antenna 2 of the wireless receiver 3 mounted in the slot 2 of the camera body.
4, the signal is received by the receiving circuit 33, sent to the cameraman's earphone through the earphone jack 25, and recorded on the VTR 31 through the connectors 5, 6. In this way, the sound from the microphone 46 on the director side is used for VTR recording or as an instruction (intercom) to the cameraman. This point is almost the same as the above-mentioned conventional example.

The image formed on the CCD image sensor (not shown) in the camera circuit 8 through the camera taking lens 14 is converted into a video signal of a predetermined system by the camera circuit 8 and then recorded on the VTR 31. The audio signal collected from the microphone 16 on the side and converted into an electric signal is also recorded on the VTR 31 at the same time. At this time, a video signal for VF is also transmitted from the camera circuit 8 to the viewfinder 17, and the same video as the video being captured is displayed on the viewfinder 17 through the photographing lens 14.

At the same time, the video signal from the camera circuit 8 (or the reproduced video signal from the VTR 31) and the microphone 1
The audio signal from 6 (or the reproduced audio signal from the VTR 31) is sent to the transmission circuit 34 of the wireless receiver 3 through the connectors 6 and 5, and can be propagated in the air from the antenna 24 as a composite signal. The composite signal is received by the receiving circuit 42 through the antenna 41 of the transmitter / receiver 40 on the director side, and the video signal component is sent to the monitor 45 to display the video being captured by the camera, and the audio signal component is output from the director. The sound that is sent to the earphone or the built-in speaker (not shown) and collected during shooting is output.

As described above, according to the present invention, an image transmission function is newly added to the wireless receiver 3 on the camera side. Therefore, the video being captured by each camera or the reproduced image of the VTR 31 is displayed on the monitor 45 of the transmission / reception device 40 on the director side. Can be displayed and at the same time the audio or VTR being recorded on the VTR 31
The playback sound of 31 can be heard with the earphone or the like on the director side. Reference numeral 39 in FIG. 6 denotes a switch for selecting whether to supply a video signal to be supplied to the communication device from the camera circuit 8 or a recording device (VTR) 31.

Further, the frequencies of the audio signal and the video signal can be appropriately set by the remote panel 10 so that no interference occurs between the cameras. This setting operation is performed by an operation switch (wireless receiver operation switch) 20, and data such as the reception channel or frequency of the wireless receiver 3 is displayed as a character on the display 21. As described above, since the remote panel 10 is mounted on the front side surface of the camera body, the cameraman can easily check the set of the receiver 3 and change the above frequency switching even when the camera is carried on the shoulder. Can be performed.

In order to display images simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of cameras, it is preferable that the monitor 45 of the transmitter / receiver 40 on the director side can simultaneously display a plurality of screens. Further, in this case, it is also preferable to be configured so that a divided display of a plurality of images and a switching display of a single image can be freely selected and operated. It is also preferable that when the video is switched, the sound from the camera is automatically switched and output in synchronization with the switching of the display.

The viewfinder 17 of the camera not only displays the image of the camera and information necessary for operating the camera (mainly character display), but also receives data from the wireless receiver 3 through the CPU 30 and the camera circuit 8. Thereby, the reception state of the wireless receiver 3 and the like can be displayed. In this case, the wireless receiver 3 can be adjusted from an operation switch (not shown) of the camera.

FIG. 7 shows an example of use where a wireless receiver 3A having only a sound receiving function is mounted in the slot 2 of the VTR-integrated TV camera according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In this case, the audio signal from the wireless microphone 50 of the newscaster or the actor is received by the receiving circuit 33 of the wireless receiver 3A, and is recorded on the VTR 31 together with the video signal from the camera circuit 8. As described above, it is preferable that various types of receivers can be mounted in the slot 6 according to the purpose of use of the camera.

(Other Embodiments) The slot 2 and the remote panel connector 12 can be used for adding or changing the functions of a camera in addition to the above-mentioned applications. Although the function of transmitting a video is added, a function of receiving a video may be added thereto. In this case, when photographing with a plurality of cameras, the photographer can wirelessly receive the image photographed by another camera and check it.

In the above-described camera, transmission of video signals and audio signals is not limited to radio waves, and infrared rays and the like can be used.

The present invention provided with a slot having a video output is not limited to an image pickup apparatus such as the above-mentioned TV camera, but also includes a mixer (sound mixing console) and an FPU.
It can be applied to a wide range of devices such as (wireless relay device).

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The remote panel (operation panel) of the wireless device (wireless receiver) is located at the front side of the camera, so that the cameraman can check the wireless device set while holding the camera and operate the operation switch with one hand. The set can be changed by operating the camera, such as switching the frequency of the camera.

Further, according to the present invention, the video can be output simultaneously with the audio to the concave portion having the slot-in structure, and the video communication function is added to the wireless communication device inserted into the concave portion. Alternatively, the video signal of the reproduced image can be transmitted together with the audio signal to, for example, a relay device of a director other than the cameraman, so that the video or the reproduced image being recorded can be monitored without the cable being connected by a person other than the cameraman.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a VTR-integrated TV camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the actual appearance of a VTR-integrated TV camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a side view,
(B) is a rear view.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a specific example of the remote panel 10 of FIG.

4 shows a specific example of the wireless receiver 3 of FIG. 2, (A) is a top view (plan view), (B) is a side view,
(C) is a bottom view.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a specific example of the connectors 5, 11 (6, 12) of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an electric circuit in the VTR integrated TV camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram showing a usage example when a wireless receiver 3A having only a sound receiving function is mounted in a slot 2 of the VTR-integrated TV camera according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 housing of VTR integrated TV camera 2 slot for mounting wireless receiver (recess) 3, 3A wireless receiver (wireless communication device) 4 opening 5, 6, 11, 12 connector 7, 13 line 8 camera circuit 10 remote panel (operation 14) Camera lens for TV camera 15 Space for mounting remote panel 16, 46, 50 Microphone 17 Viewfinder 20, 22 Operation switch 21, 23 Display 24, 41 Antenna 25 Earphone jack 30, 32, 35 CPU 31 VTR 33, 42 receiving circuit 34, 43 transmitting circuit 38 speaker 39 switch 40 transmitting / receiving device 45 monitor

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 8, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When a plurality of wireless microphones are used at the same time, a cameraman may need to individually switch the frequency of a wireless receiver during coverage in order to avoid interference of the wireless microphones. This frequency switching requires switch operations such as an up / down button and a rotary switch for frequency switching. However, since these operation switches are provided behind (or on the back of) the TV camera, the cameraman once switches the TV camera. There was an inconvenience that the operation could not be performed unless the user dropped his / her shoulder.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

A first object of the present invention is to dispose a remote panel (operation panel) of a wireless device (wireless receiver) at a position on a front side surface of a camera. by, wireless cameraman operates the operation switch with one hand while he plays a camera
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of easily switching a frequency of a receiver .

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An imaging device for photographing on a shoulder of a photographer, wherein a concave portion for mounting a communication device is formed in an upper rear portion of the imaging device, and a panel is formed on a front side surface of the imaging device for mounting a panel. A space, a first connector provided inside the recess, and a second connector provided in the space, wherein the first connector and the second connector are a first connector. An imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus is connected to each other via a line, and wherein the first connector and a circuit of the imaging apparatus are connected via a second line. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the space is located on a speaker mounting surface side and between a viewfinder and a photographing lens. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the space is located on a speaker mounting surface side and between the speaker and a photographing lens. 4. A panel mounted in the space includes a connector connected to the second connector, a display for displaying a state of the communication device mounted in the recess, and an operation of the communication device. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation switch for performing the operation. 5. A circuit for supplying a composite video signal output from a camera circuit or a recording device to a communication device mounted in the concave portion via the first connector of the concave portion. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. The communication device mounted on the recess,
The imaging device according to claim 5, further comprising a connector connected to the first connector, a transmission circuit for transmitting a composite video signal supplied from the imaging device, and an antenna. 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transmission of the composite video signal is performed using wireless or infrared rays. 8. The imaging device, the communication device, and the panel are connected to each other by serial data or parallel data, and a set state display and a setting state change operation of the imaging device and the communication device are performed through the panel. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein