JPH11289479A - Image pickup system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow pluralities of users to select different video signals among pluralities of video signals supplied externally respectively and to confirm each video image and further to confirm a video image by a video signal of the progressive system in addition to a video signal of the interlace system. SOLUTION: A camera control unit CCU 10 is provided with a 1st return video selection circuit 11 and a 2nd return video selection circuit 12 that select one of pluralities of return video signals (RET1-RET4) and are controlled independently. In the case that a return video signal adopts the progressive system, the 1st return video selection circuit 11 selects one of return video signals in pairs adopting the progressive system and the 2nd return video selection circuit 12 selects the other of the return video signals in pairs adopting the progressive system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup system including an image pickup section and a signal processing section, and more particularly to an image pickup system for displaying an image based on a video signal supplied from the outside on a viewfinder or the like of the image pickup section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera system comprising a camera device and a camera control unit (hereinafter, referred to as "CCU") has been provided. In such a camera system, the CCU performs predetermined signal processing on a video signal obtained by photographing with the camera device and outputs the processed signal to the outside. Also, the CCU selects a plurality of video signals input from the outside and supplies the selected video signals to the camera device, and displays the video (hereinafter, “return video”) on a viewfinder or the like of the camera device.
That. ) Is displayed.

Here, an image signal input from the outside is represented by C
A circuit configuration for displaying on the viewfinder of the camera device via the CU will be described with reference to FIG. A description of a circuit for outputting a video signal generated by the camera device to the outside via the CCU is omitted.

[0004] A camera system 50 selects a plurality of video signals (hereinafter referred to as “return video signals”) input from the outside and outputs them to a CCU 60 and a return video signal supplied via a camera cable 65. The camera device 70 includes a viewfinder 74 for displaying an image based on the image.

[0005] The CCU 60 responds to a selection command from the camera device 70 by, for example, four return video signals (R).
ET1 to RET4) and a signal demultiplexing circuit 62 for multiplexing a signal and outputting it to the camera device 70 or separating a multiplexed signal from the camera device 70. . The return video selection circuit 61 selects one of the return video signals in accordance with the selection command from the signal demultiplexing circuit 62 and supplies it to the signal demultiplexing circuit 62.

The signal demultiplexing circuit 62 includes a camera device 70
From the signal supplied through the camera cable 65 and supplied to the return video selection circuit 61. Further, the signal demultiplexing circuit 62 multiplexes the return video signal supplied from the return video selection circuit 61 with another signal, and
To supply.

On the other hand, the camera device 70 includes a signal demultiplexing circuit 71 for performing a signal demultiplexing / multiplexing process, and a viewfinder selection command generating circuit 72 for generating a selection command according to a selection setting of a return video signal by a user, for example. And a viewfinder (hereinafter, referred to as “VF”).
Viewfinder driver 73 for displaying video on 74
And a monitor driver 75 for displaying an image on a floor monitor 77 connected via a coaxial cable 76.

The signal demultiplexing circuit 71 multiplexes the selection command generated by the selection command generation circuit 72 with other signals and supplies the multiplexed signal to the CCU 60. Further, the signal demultiplexing circuit 71 separates the return video signal from the supplied multiplexed signal, and supplies the return video signal to the VF driver 73 and the monitor driver 75. Therefore, the same video is displayed on the VF 74 and the floor monitor 77 based on the selected return video signal. Thus, the cameraman can check the image of the return video signal on the VF 74, and another person, for example, the floor director can check the image on the floor monitor 77.

A switch (not shown) for selecting a return video is provided on the rear panel of the camera device 70, and the cameraman can select a return video signal by switching the switch.

[0010]

However, the floor director or the like can only see the return video selected by the cameraman, and cannot select the video he wants to watch by himself. Therefore, the floor director or the like has to instruct the photographer to switch to another image when he wants to see another image, which is extremely inconvenient.

Further, the camera system 50 can transmit only one system of video, and cannot support a so-called progressive return video signal. That is, since the progressive system requires the ability to transmit twice as much information as usual, the conventional camera system lacks the capacity of the line used for the return video signal, and the video based on the progressive return video signal cannot be transmitted. It could not be confirmed with a viewfinder or the like.

The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances. In an imaging system including an imaging unit and a signal processing unit, a plurality of users are different from a plurality of externally supplied video signals. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging system capable of selecting video signals and confirming those videos, and confirming not only an image based on a progressive video signal but also an interlaced video signal.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image pickup system comprising an image pickup section and a signal processing section, wherein the signal processing section comprises a plurality of video signals input from the outside. First selecting means for selecting a first video signal, second selecting means for selecting a second video signal from a plurality of video signals, and first and second signals selected by the first and second selecting means. Multiplexing means for multiplexing the second video signal and outputting a multiplexed signal, wherein the imaging unit controls the selection of the first and second selection means, and the signal processing unit outputs Separating means for separating the first and second video signals from the multiplexed signal, first display means for displaying a video based on the first video signal, and output means for outputting a second video signal. It is characterized by having.

In the above imaging system, the control means controls the first and second selection means independently of each other,
It is possible to display an image based on different image signals selected by the first and second selection means.

Further, according to the present invention, in an imaging system comprising an imaging section and a signal processing section, the signal processing section includes a first selection means for selecting a first video signal from a plurality of externally input video signals. A second selector for selecting a second video signal from the plurality of video signals; and multiplexing the first and second video signals selected by the first and second selectors to form a multiplexed signal. Multiplexing means for outputting, the imaging unit controls the selection of the first and second selection means, respectively, and the first and second video signals from the multiplexed signal output by the signal processing unit And display means for displaying an image based on the image signal.

In the imaging system, when a plurality of interlaced video signals are input, the display unit of the imaging unit displays an image based on the first or second video signal separated by the separation unit, When a plurality of progressive video signals are input as a pair, the control unit of the imaging unit selects one video signal to be paired with the progressive system by the first selecting unit of the signal processing unit. In addition, the second selection means of the signal processing unit controls so as to select another video signal to be paired with the progressive system, and displays an image based on the paired progressive video signal.

[0017]

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

The present invention is applied to, for example, a camera system 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. First, a first embodiment will be described.

The camera system 1 has a camera control unit (hereinafter, referred to as "CCU") 10 for selecting and outputting a plurality of video signals (hereinafter, referred to as "return video signals") input from outside. And CCU1
Camera device 2 including a viewfinder (hereinafter, referred to as “VF”) 27 for displaying an image based on a return video signal supplied from 0 through the camera cable 15.
0.

Note that the camera cable 15 for connecting the CCU 10 and the camera device 20 needs to have a larger line capacity than the conventional one by using an optical fiber or the like.

In this embodiment, the return video signal is assumed to be of an interlaced type having 525 horizontal scanning lines or 625 horizontal scanning lines.
As a standard of the book, there is RS170A of EIA, and as a digitalized standard, there is SMPTE125M or the like. Further, it is assumed that the CCU 10 is not supplied with the progressive selection signal indicating that the return video signal is in the progressive system, in response to the return video signal being in the interlace system.

The CCU 10 performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal obtained by the camera device 20 and outputs the processed signal to the outside. In addition, the CCU 10 selects a plurality of return video signals input from the outside according to a selection command from the camera device 20. And supplies it to the camera device 20. In addition, CCU10
The operation mode changes when a progressive selection command is supplied from the outside. This will be described in a second embodiment. Here, the progressive selection command is a command indicating that the return video signal is in a progressive system. Conversely, when no progressive selection command is supplied, it indicates that the return video signal is of the interlaced type.

In FIG. 1, description of a circuit configuration for outputting a video signal generated by the camera device to the outside via the CCU is omitted.

The CCU 10 includes, for example, a first return video selection circuit 11 for selecting any one of the four return video signals (RET1 to RET4) and a first return video selection circuit 11 for selecting any one of the four return video signals. 2, a return video selection circuit 12, a signal demultiplexing circuit 13 for performing signal multiplexing / demultiplexing processing, and a switching circuit 14 which is switched depending on the presence or absence of a progressive selection command.

The signal demultiplexing circuit 13 includes a camera device 20
From the signal supplied from the camera cable 15 via the camera cable 15. As the selection command, the first return video selection circuit 11
And a second VF selection command corresponding to the second return video selection circuit 12. The signal demultiplexing circuit 13 converts the first VF selection command from the separated commands into the first return video selection circuit 11
And a second VF selection command is supplied to a terminal a of the switching circuit 14.

The switching circuit 14 outputs the selection command supplied to the terminal a or the terminal b to the second return video selection circuit 1.
Feed to 2. The switching circuit 14 is set to the terminal b when a progressive selection command is supplied from the outside, but is usually set to the terminal a. That is, normally, the switching circuit 14 supplies the second VF selection command separated by the signal demultiplexing circuit 13 to the second return video selection circuit 12. Therefore, the signal demultiplexing circuit 1
The first VF selection command separated at step 3 is supplied to the first return video selection circuit 11, and the second VF selection command is supplied to the second return video selection circuit 12.

First and second return video selection circuits 1
1 and 12 select one of the return video signals RET1 to RET4 based on the selection command supplied from the signal demultiplexing circuit 13 and
To supply. As a result, the first return video selection circuit 11 and the second return video selection circuit 12 are independently controlled to select a return video signal.

The signal demultiplexing circuit 13 multiplexes the return video signals supplied from the first and second return video selection circuits 11 and 12 with other signals, and connects the camera cable 15. Camera device 2 through
Supply 0.

On the other hand, the camera device 20 multiplexes /
The signal multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 21 that performs the demultiplexing process, and a first switch that is provided on a rear panel (not shown)
A first VF selection command generation circuit 22 for generating a VF selection command of the second type and a second VF selection command for generating a second VF selection command in response to a switch operation of the switch box 23
Selection command generating circuit 24, switching circuit 25, VF2
7, a VF driver 26 for driving the drive 7 and a coaxial cable 29
And a monitor driver 28 for driving a floor monitor 30 connected thereto via the monitor.

The first VF selection command circuit 22 operates based on the switch operation of the switch on the rear panel described above.
A first VF selection command for controlling the selection of any one of the return video signals RET1 to RET4 is generated and supplied to the signal demultiplexing circuit 21. The switches on the rear panel are usually operated by a photographer.

The second VF selection command generation circuit 24
Based on the switch operation of the switch box 23, the RE
Generating a second VF selection command for controlling the selection of one of the return video signals from T1 to RET4,
This is supplied to the signal demultiplexing circuit 21. The switches in the switch box 23 are usually operated by a person other than the cameraman, for example, a floor director.

The signal demultiplexing circuit 21 separates the first VF selection command generated by the first VF selection command generation circuit 22 and the second VF selection command generated by the second VF selection command generation circuit 24 from each other. Of the CCU 10 via the camera cable 15.
To supply. As a result, the above-mentioned selection command
The video signal is supplied to U10, and the CCU 10 selects a return video signal.

On the other hand, the signal demultiplexing circuit 21 also performs a demultiplexing process on signals supplied via the camera cable 15.
Then, the signal demultiplexing circuit 21 supplies the return video signal (hereinafter, referred to as “return video signal a”) selected by the first return video selection circuit 11 to the switching circuit 25 and the VF driver 26, for example. The return video signal (hereinafter, referred to as “return video signal b”) selected by the second return video selection circuit 12 is supplied to the switching circuit 25 and the monitor driver 28.

The switching circuit 25 has a first switch 25a and a second switch 25b, and these switches are turned on / off in conjunction with each other. That is, the first switch 25
a (or the second switch 25b) is turned on, the second
Switch 25b (or first switch 25a) is also turned on. When the first switch 25a is turned on, the return video signal a from the signal demultiplexing circuit 21
Is supplied to the monitor driver 28, and the second switch 25b
Supplies the return video signal b from the signal demultiplexing circuit 21 to the VF driver 26 when turned on.
In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the first and second switches 25a and 25b are off.

The VF driver 26 normally displays an image on the VF 27 in an interlaced manner based on the return video signal a supplied from the signal demultiplexing circuit 21.

The monitor driver 28 normally displays an image on the floor monitor 30 in an interlaced manner based on the return video signal b supplied from the signal demultiplexing circuit 21.

Therefore, in the camera system 1 configured as described above, when the photographer operates the switch on the rear panel, the desired return video is displayed on the VF 27, and the floor director operates the switch on the switch box 23. When the floor monitor 30
Displays the desired return video.

For example, when a cameraman operates a switch on the rear panel and a floor director operates a switch on the switch box 23, first and second VF selection commands corresponding to the respective operations are transmitted via the camera cable 15. It is supplied to the CCU 10.

In the CCU 10, one return video signal a is selected in accordance with the first VF selection command, and the second
One return video signal b is selected according to the VF selection command. These return video signals a, b
Are multiplexed by the signal demultiplexing circuit 13 and supplied to the camera device 20.

In the camera device 20, the return video signal a is separated by the signal demultiplexing circuit 21 and supplied to the VF 27 via the VF driver 26, and the return video signal b is supplied to the floor monitor 30 via the monitor driver 28. Supplied to

As described above, the camera system 1 includes two return video selection circuits for independently selecting one return video signal from among a plurality of return video signals in the CCU 10, and the two return video selection circuits are independently provided in the CCU 10. By controlling, independent images can be displayed on the VF 27 and the floor monitor 30, respectively.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using the camera system 1 shown in FIG.

In the second embodiment, the CCU 10 includes:
A return video signal of a progressive system instead of an interlace system is supplied, and the above-described progressive selection signal is also supplied.

In the case of the progressive system, the inter-device transmission system conforms to the above-described SMPTE294, and in the standard system of the dual link interface, which uses one coaxial cable, transmission is performed using two coaxial cables. Transmits progressive signals. The camera system 1 follows the dual link interface method. Therefore, when a progressive return video signal is input to the CCU 10, for example, RET1 and RET3 are paired, and RET2 and RET4 are paired, and the respective return video signals are input to the CCU 10.

When the progressive selection signal is supplied to the CCU 10, the switching circuit 14 is set to the terminal b. Further, the signal demultiplexing circuit 13 performs a multiplexing process on the progressive selection command and other signals, and transmits the multiplexed signal to the camera device 20 via the camera cable 15.

In the camera device 20, the signal demultiplexing circuit 21 separates the progressive selection command from the multiplexed signal and supplies it to the switching circuit 25, the VF driver 26, and the monitor driver 28. In the switching circuit 25, the first and second switches 25a and 25b are turned on, and the VF driver 26 and the monitor driver 28 are each set to a mode for displaying an image in a progressive system. This allows
The CCU 10 and the camera device 20 shift to a mode corresponding to the progressive mode.

When the cameraman operates a switch on the rear panel so as to select, for example, RET1 (and RET3), the first VF selection command generated by the first VF selection command generation circuit 22 is transmitted to the camera cable 15.
Is supplied to the CCU 10 via the.

In the CCU 10, the signal demultiplexing circuit 1
3 separates the first VF selection command from the multiplexed signal and supplies it to the first return video selection circuit 11, and also supplies the same to the second return video selection circuit 12 via the upper switching circuit 14. Provide a first VF selection command. The first return video selection circuit 11 outputs the first VF
RET1 return video signal a according to the selection command
, And the second return video selection circuit 12
Select the return video signal b of RET3 in accordance with the VF selection command. Thereby, the first and second return video selection circuits 11 and 12 select a pair of return video signals a and b, that is, return video signals a and b of the dual link interface system, according to the first VF selection command. Output. The pair of return video signals a and b are multiplexed by the signal multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 13 and then multiplexed through the camera cable 15 to the camera device 20.
Supplied to

In the camera device 20, the signal demultiplexing circuit 21 performs a demultiplexing process on the multiplexed signal and supplies the pair of return video signals a and b to the VF driver 26 and also supplies the pair of return video signals to the monitor driver 28, respectively. I do. Then, the VF driver 26 displays an image on the VF 27 in a progressive manner based on the return video signals a and b, and the monitor driver 28 also displays an image on the floor monitor 30 in a progressive manner based on the return video signals a and b. Is displayed.

As described above, when the return video signal of the dual link interface is supplied as the return video signal of the progressive system, the camera system 1 converts the pair of return video signals into the two return video selection circuits 11. , And 12 are supplied to the camera device 20. As a result, not only an image based on a normal interlace-type return video signal but also an image based on a progressive-type return video signal can be displayed on the VF 27 or the like provided in the camera device 20. That is, the user has C
There is no need to increase the line capacity of the return video signal supplied to the CU 10;
7, and the return video image can be viewed on the floor monitor 30.

In the second embodiment, a return video signal in which RET1 and RET3 and RET2 and RET4 are paired has been described as an example.
It may be like T1 and RET2, RET1 and RET4.

[0052]

As described above in detail, according to the imaging system of the present invention, the first and second video signals which select the first and second video signals from a plurality of video signals inputted from the outside are respectively provided. , And control means for controlling the selection of the first and second selection means, respectively, so that the user can check the video based on the first video signal and the video based on the second video signal. .

According to the imaging system of the present invention, when a plurality of interlaced video signals are input, the display means of the imaging unit is based on the first or second video signal separated by the separation means. In the case where a video is displayed and a plurality of progressive video signals are input as a pair, the control unit of the imaging unit determines that the first selecting unit of the signal processing unit is a pair of the progressive system. By selecting a video signal and controlling the second selection means of the signal processing unit to select another video signal to be paired with the progressive system, and displaying a video based on the paired progressive video signal, Video can be displayed corresponding to each of the interlace system and the progressive system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a camera system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional camera system.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 camera system, 10 CCU, 11 first return video selection circuit, 12 second return video selection circuit, 13 signal demultiplexing circuit, 20 camera device, 2
1 signal demultiplexing circuit, 22 first VF selection command generation circuit, 24 second VF selection command generation circuit, 27
VF

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An imaging system comprising an imaging unit and a signal processing unit, wherein the signal processing unit selects a first video signal from a plurality of externally input video signals; Second selecting means for selecting a second video signal from the plurality of video signals, and multiplexing the first and second video signals selected by the first and second selecting means to output a multiplexed signal Multiplexing means for controlling the selection of the first and second selection means, and the first and second multiplexing signals output from the signal processing section. An image pickup system comprising: a separating unit that separates the first video signal; a first display unit that displays a video based on the first video signal; and an output unit that outputs the second video signal. . 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising a second display unit for displaying an image based on the image signal output from said output unit. 3. An imaging system comprising an imaging unit and a signal processing unit, wherein the signal processing unit selects first video signals from a plurality of externally input video signals, Second selecting means for selecting a second video signal from the plurality of video signals, and multiplexing the first and second video signals selected by the first and second selecting means to output a multiplexed signal Multiplexing means for controlling the selection of the first and second selection means, and the first and second multiplexing signals output from the signal processing section. Separating means for separating the video signal of the image signal, and display means for displaying a video based on the video signal, wherein when a plurality of interlaced video signals are input as the plurality of video signals input from the outside, the display is performed. Means are the above separated hands Displaying a video based on the first or second video signal separated by the stage, and when a plurality of progressive video signals are input in pairs as the plurality of externally input video signals, The control means controls the first selection means to select one video signal to be paired with the progressive system, and controls the second selection means to select another video signal to be paired with the progressive system, The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an image based on the pair of progressive video signals separated by the separation unit.