WO1994026062A1 - Digital video camera - Google Patents

Digital video camera Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994026062A1
WO1994026062A1 PCT/EP1994/001311 EP9401311W WO9426062A1 WO 1994026062 A1 WO1994026062 A1 WO 1994026062A1 EP 9401311 W EP9401311 W EP 9401311W WO 9426062 A1 WO9426062 A1 WO 9426062A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
camera
computer
camera according
control unit
unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP1994/001311
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Cieslinski
Original Assignee
Cis Graphik Und Bildverarbeitung Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cis Graphik Und Bildverarbeitung Gmbh filed Critical Cis Graphik Und Bildverarbeitung Gmbh
Priority to AU66489/94A priority Critical patent/AU6648994A/en
Priority to EP94915123A priority patent/EP0696400A1/en
Priority to JP6523872A priority patent/JPH08508863A/en
Publication of WO1994026062A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994026062A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a digital video camera.
  • Previously used video cameras are designed to generate video data in the form of moving images, which are later viewed by people on a monitor or screen. Many video cameras therefore have properties that are determined by their original use. Such video cameras generate video data according to a standard, e.g. PAL, SECAM or the like. The usual video cameras therefore work freely, i.e. they continuously deliver images in a fixed time frame. In special cases, these video cameras have additional inputs, with the aid of which the cameras can be synchronized, for example, or individual lines can be skipped when reading out an image.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to create a digital video camera which, from the outset, is designed exclusively for use in the field of data processing.
  • the digital camera according to the invention Since the digital camera according to the invention has been designed and even optimized from the outset with regard to an application in the field of image processing, the image digitization takes place already in the camera.
  • an image recording unit, a signal processing unit, an A / D converter required for digitization and a control unit are provided in the camera according to the invention.
  • the digital video camera is controlled from the outside by commands or commands that are generated in an external computer and transmitted from there to the camera.
  • the commands or command words can be transmitted to the camera in serial form and the pixel data are then received by the camera in parallel form.
  • a CCD sensor unit can be used as the image recording unit.
  • a command set transmitted to the camera can have the elementary functions of the image recording unit, such as, for example, transferring the charge from a light-sensitive area into a memory area or reading out the area Image information of a line.
  • an instruction set can also contain macro errors which, for example, cause an entire image to be read out.
  • control unit In order to achieve the necessary high speed to control the image recording unit, the control unit must be designed as hardware logic, which receives and decodes the commands sent by the computer with a command interpreter and executes them by a sequence control.
  • All other functions of the camera are also completely controlled by the external computer.
  • an exposure can be started at any time be ended.
  • the computer can read the image data from the camera. Since the camera only outputs the image data upon express request, the computer can, for example, program-program such image data individually or read them in blocks and store them in its main memory so that an expensive image memory can then be dispensed with in the computer.
  • the digital video camera can have further functions which can be controlled by the external computer, for example digital or analog inputs or outputs which can be read back or set, which can be galvanically decoupled.
  • a timer controlled by the computer can be provided for controlling an exposure time or a switch-on time of external light sources.
  • volatile or non-volatile read and / or read / write memories can be provided in the camera according to the invention, in particular for recording camera or sensor parameters or also for recording configuration data, which read or be read by the computer ⁇ can be written.
  • a digital video camera designated in its entirety by 1, has an image recording unit 10, which is preferably a CCD sensor unit, a signal processing unit 11, an analog / digital converter 12 and a control unit 13 with an upstream receiver / Driver stages 15 on, which are connected to one another in the manner shown in the figure.
  • the commands coming from the computer 20 are passed via the receiver / driver stages 15 to the control unit 13, in which the commands are decoded by a command interpreter 13b and converted into control signals for the image recording by means of the CCD image sensor 10 and the A / D converter 12 are implemented.
  • the camera has a command interpreter 13b and receiver / driver stages 15 connected upstream thereof, via which commands coming from a computer 20 are issued to the control unit 13 downstream of the command interpreter 13b in the camera.
  • the commands coming from the computer are decoded in the control unit 13 and converted into control signals for image recording.
  • the entire sequence control 13a, by which the A / D converter 12 is controlled, is also accommodated in the control unit.
  • a dashed line in the drawing shows possible, and in many cases advantageous, additional image processing functions which can be carried out, for example, in a unit 16 for contour tracking or in a run length coding unit 17.
  • the digital camera 1 Since the digital camera 1 is controlled by the computer 20 via appropriate commands or commands, it is thus possible for it to send data only when the computer is ready to receive data, which then necessitates an additional image memory card or digitizing card not applicable.
  • the camera according to the invention can only be provided with a simple interface, which enables the reception of individual data blocks. In this way, solutions which meet industrial requirements can also be carried out at low cost.
  • the image repetition frequency can also be significantly higher than in the FIGS conventional video cameras; For example, at a full resolution 125 Blder per second, and accordingly reduced at a entspre ⁇ resolution considerably higher image sequences, for example up näm ⁇ Lich added to 200 frames per second and processed.
  • the digital video camera according to the invention also enables secure transmission of the image data over long distances.
  • the selected transmission method allows distances between the camera 1 and the computer 20 of up to 1000 m, without any loss of image quality being feared and without the need for an intermediate amplifier. On top of that, a high level of interference immunity is also guaranteed for transmission via appropriate interfaces.
  • the internal gain and the basic brightness can be set from the computer 20 in the camera according to the invention.
  • the automatic gain control usually provided in conventional cameras interferes with some of the applications in the field of image processing and must therefore be switched off.
  • flexible adaptation to changing lighting conditions is often absolutely necessary. Due to the possibility of setting the gain and basic brightness digitally, both requirements can be met.
  • the integration duration can also be set by the latter.
  • the computer-controlled setting of the internal amplification it can also be used in cases where otherwise complex control of the camera aperture is necessary.
  • the time for starting an image acquisition can also be freely selected.
  • the image recording can be started at any time in the camera according to the invention by a command issued by the computer 20.
  • this property together with the adjustable integration time, gives a considerable time advantage compared to conventional video cameras, which is easily in the order of a factor 10 and higher.
  • the digitization of the image data in the camera ensures the assignment to light-sensitive elements (pixels) of the image recording sensor from the outset.
  • the exact assignment is not possible since only the sensor design, but not the clock signal with which the image sensor is read out, is transmitted.
  • the exact 1: 1 assignment is of crucial importance, since an assignment error would otherwise be included in the result as a position error.
  • the computer 20 used as an evaluation computer is substantially relieved, particularly in the case of high image sequences. If the digital video camera 1 according to the invention is equipped, for example, with the unit 17, a data reduction is already carried out in the camera by means of the run length coding carried out in the unit 17. **** *

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Television Signal Processing For Recording (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)

Abstract

In a digital video camera having an imaging unit (10), a signal conditioning unit (11), an A/D converter (12) and a control unit (13), the internal functions of the camera can be controlled from outside via commands which are generated by a computer in digital form, transmitted to the control unit (11) and evaluated by a command interpreter (13b) and performed by a cycle control (13a). In addition the camera may be fitted with galvanically decoupled, digital or analog inputs and/or outputs which can be controlled or read out by the computer. Furthermore, there may be a timer, preferably adjustable by the computer, to control the exposure time and/or the switch-on time of external light sources.

Description

Beschreibung description
Digitale VideokameraDigital video camera
Technisches GebietTechnical field
Die Erfindung betrifft eine digitale Videokamera.The invention relates to a digital video camera.
Stand der TechnikState of the art
Bisher gebräuchliche Videokameras sind zur Erzeugung von Video¬ daten in Form von bewegten Bildern ausgelegt, welche später von Menschen auf einem Monitor oder Bildschirm betrachtet werden. Viele Videokameras weisen daher Eigenschaften auf, die durch diesen ursprünglichen Einsatz zweckbedingt sind. Solche Video¬ kameras erzeugen Videodaten nach einer Norm, z.B. PAL, SECAM o.a.. Die gebräuchlichen Videokameras arbeiten daher freilau¬ fend, d.h. sie liefern laufend Bilder in einem festen Zeitrah¬ men. In speziellen Fällen haben diese Videokameras zusätzliche Eingänge, mit deren Hilfe sich die Kameras beispielsweise fremdsynchronisieren lassen oder beim Auslesen eines Bildes einzelne Zeilen übersprungen werden können.Previously used video cameras are designed to generate video data in the form of moving images, which are later viewed by people on a monitor or screen. Many video cameras therefore have properties that are determined by their original use. Such video cameras generate video data according to a standard, e.g. PAL, SECAM or the like. The usual video cameras therefore work freely, i.e. they continuously deliver images in a fixed time frame. In special cases, these video cameras have additional inputs, with the aid of which the cameras can be synchronized, for example, or individual lines can be skipped when reading out an image.
Jedoch können die von herkömmlichen Videokameras gelieferten Videodaten in Form von Bildern ohne eine spezielle Aufbereitung nicht ohne weiteres zur Bildverarbeitung verwendet werden.However, the video data supplied by conventional video cameras in the form of images cannot be used for image processing without special preparation.
Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher, eine digitale Videokamera zu schaffen, die von vornherein ausschließlich für eine Anwen¬ dung auf dem Gebiet der Datenverarbeitung konzipiert ist.The object of the invention is therefore to create a digital video camera which, from the outset, is designed exclusively for use in the field of data processing.
Gemäß der Erfindung ist dies bei einer digitalen Videokamera durch die Merkmale im kennzeichnenden Teil des Anspruchs 1 er¬ reicht. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sind Gegenstand der auf den Anspruch 1 unmittelbar oder mittelbar rückbezogenen Ansprü- ehe .According to the invention, this is achieved in a digital video camera by the features in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the claims directly or indirectly related to claim 1. marriage .
Da die digitale Kamera gemäß der Erfindung von vornherein be¬ züglich einer Anwendung auf dem Gebiet der Bildverarbeitung konzipiert und sogar optimiert ist, erfolgt die Bilddigitali- sierung bereits in der Kamera. Hierzu sind in der erfindungsge¬ mäßen Kamera eine Bildaufnahmeeinheit, eine Signalaufberei¬ tungseinheit, ein zur Digitalisierung erforderlicher A/D-Wand- ler sowie eine Steuereinheit vorgesehen. Gemäß der Erfindung wird die digitale Videokamera von außen durch Befehle oder Kom¬ mandos gesteuert, die in einem externen Rechner erzeugt und von diesem aus an die Kamera übertragen werden. Gemäß einer bevor¬ zugten Ausführungs or können die Befehle bzw. Befehlsworte in serieller Form an die Kamera übertragen werden und die Pixelda- ten werden dann von der Kamera in paralleler Form empfangen. Ferner kann bei einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführung als Bild¬ aufnahmeeinheit eine CCD-Sensoreinheit verwendet werden.Since the digital camera according to the invention has been designed and even optimized from the outset with regard to an application in the field of image processing, the image digitization takes place already in the camera. For this purpose, an image recording unit, a signal processing unit, an A / D converter required for digitization and a control unit are provided in the camera according to the invention. According to the invention, the digital video camera is controlled from the outside by commands or commands that are generated in an external computer and transmitted from there to the camera. According to a preferred embodiment, the commands or command words can be transmitted to the camera in serial form and the pixel data are then received by the camera in parallel form. Furthermore, in a further preferred embodiment, a CCD sensor unit can be used as the image recording unit.
Da die erfindungsgemäße Kamera durch digital übertragene Be- fehlsworte von dem externen Rechner aus gesteuert wird, kann ein an die Kamera übertragener Befehlssatz die elementaren Funktionen der Bildaufnahmeeinheit aufweisen, wie beispielswei¬ se ein Übertragen der Ladung aus einem lichtempfindlichen in einen Speicherbereich oder ein Auslesen der Bildinformation einer Zeile. Ein solcher Befehlssatz kann jedoch auch Makrobe¬ fehle enthalten, durch welche beispielsweise das Auslesen eines ganzen Bildes bewirkt wird.Since the camera according to the invention is controlled by digitally transmitted command words from the external computer, a command set transmitted to the camera can have the elementary functions of the image recording unit, such as, for example, transferring the charge from a light-sensitive area into a memory area or reading out the area Image information of a line. However, such an instruction set can also contain macro errors which, for example, cause an entire image to be read out.
Um die notwendige hohe Geschwindigkeit zur Ansteuerung der Bildaufnahmeeinheit zu erreichen, muß die Steuereinheit als Hardware-Logik ausgeführt sein, die die vom Rechner gesendeten Befehle mit einem Kommando-Interpreter aufnimmt und decodiert und durch eine Ablaufsteuerung ausführt.In order to achieve the necessary high speed to control the image recording unit, the control unit must be designed as hardware logic, which receives and decodes the commands sent by the computer with a command interpreter and executes them by a sequence control.
Durch den externen Rechner werden auch alle sonstigen Funktio¬ nen der Kamera vollständig kontrolliert. Somit kann beispiels¬ weise eine Belichtung zu beliebigen Zeitpunkten begonnen und beendet werden. Nach einer Belichtung kann der Rechner die Bilddaten von der Kamera auslesen. Da dabei die Kamera die Bilddaten nur auf ausdrückliche Anforderung abgibt, kann der Rechner solche Bilddaten beispielsweise programmgesteuert ein- zeln oder in Blöcken einlesen und in seinem Hauptspeicher able¬ gen, so daß dann im Rechner auf einen teuren Bildspeicher ver¬ zichtet werden kann.All other functions of the camera are also completely controlled by the external computer. Thus, for example, an exposure can be started at any time be ended. After exposure, the computer can read the image data from the camera. Since the camera only outputs the image data upon express request, the computer can, for example, program-program such image data individually or read them in blocks and store them in its main memory so that an expensive image memory can then be dispensed with in the computer.
Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform kann die digitale Vi- deokamera weitere durch den externen Rechner steuerbare Funk¬ tionen aufweisen, so beispielsweise rücklesbare bzw. -setzbare digitale oder analoge Ein- oder Ausgänge, welche galvanisch entkoppelt sein können. Ferner kann gemäß einer weiteren bevor¬ zugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ein vom Rechner gesteuer- ter Zeitgeber zur Steuerung einer Belichtungszeit oder einer Einschaltzeit externer Lichtquellen vorgesehen sein. Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform können in der erfin¬ dungsgemäßen Kamera insbesondere zur Aufnahme von Kamera- oder Sensorparametern oder auch zur Aufnahme von Konfigurationsdaten flüchtige oder nicht-fluchtige Lese- und/oder Schreib/Lese- Speicher vorgesehen sein, welche vom Rechner gelesen oder be¬ schrieben werden können.According to a preferred embodiment, the digital video camera can have further functions which can be controlled by the external computer, for example digital or analog inputs or outputs which can be read back or set, which can be galvanically decoupled. Furthermore, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a timer controlled by the computer can be provided for controlling an exposure time or a switch-on time of external light sources. According to a further preferred embodiment, volatile or non-volatile read and / or read / write memories can be provided in the camera according to the invention, in particular for recording camera or sensor parameters or also for recording configuration data, which read or be read by the computer ¬ can be written.
Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungBrief description of the drawing
Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung anhand eines bevorzugten Ausfüh¬ rungsbeispiels in Form eines Blockschaltbilds einer digitalen Videokamera gemäß der Erfindung insbesondere im Hinblick auf die mit der erfindungsgemäßen Kamera erzielbaren weiteren Vor- teile im einzelnen beschrieben.The invention is described in detail below with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment in the form of a block diagram of a digital video camera according to the invention, in particular with regard to the further advantages which can be achieved with the camera according to the invention.
Bester Weg zur Ausführung der ErfindungBest way to carry out the invention
Eine in ihrer Gesamtheit mit 1 bezeichnete digitale Videokamera gemäß der Erfindung weist eine Bildaufnahmeeinheit 10, die vor- zugsweise eine CCD-Sensoreinheit ist, eine Signalaufbereitungs- einheit 11, einen Analog/Digital-Wandler 12 und eine Steuerein¬ heit 13 mit vorgeschalteten Empfänger/Treiberstufen 15 auf, welche in der aus der Figur entnehmbaren Weise miteinander ver¬ bunden sind. Die vom Rechner 20 kommenden Befehle werden über die Empfänger/Treiberstufen 15 zu der Steuereinheit 13 gelei¬ tet, in welcher die Befehle von einem Kommando-Interpreter 13b decodiert und von einer Ablaufsteuerung 13a in Steuersignale für die Bildaufnahme mittels des CCD-Bildaufnehmers 10 und dem A/D-Wandler 12 umgesetzt werden. Ferner weist die Kamera einen Kommando-Interpreter 13b sowie diesem vorgeschaltete Empfän¬ ger/Treiberstufen 15 auf, über welche von einem Rechner 20 kom- mende Kommandos an die dem Kommando-Interpreter 13b in der Ka¬ mera nachgeschaltete Steuereinheit 13 abgegeben werden. In der Steuereinheit 13 werden die vom Rechner kommenden Kommandos de¬ codiert und in Steuersignale für die Bildaufnahme umgesetzt. Ferner ist in der Steuereinheit auch die gesamte Ablaufsteue- rung 13a untergebracht, durch welche der A/D-Wandler 12 ange¬ steuert wird.A digital video camera according to the invention, designated in its entirety by 1, has an image recording unit 10, which is preferably a CCD sensor unit, a signal processing unit 11, an analog / digital converter 12 and a control unit 13 with an upstream receiver / Driver stages 15 on, which are connected to one another in the manner shown in the figure. The commands coming from the computer 20 are passed via the receiver / driver stages 15 to the control unit 13, in which the commands are decoded by a command interpreter 13b and converted into control signals for the image recording by means of the CCD image sensor 10 and the A / D converter 12 are implemented. Furthermore, the camera has a command interpreter 13b and receiver / driver stages 15 connected upstream thereof, via which commands coming from a computer 20 are issued to the control unit 13 downstream of the command interpreter 13b in the camera. The commands coming from the computer are decoded in the control unit 13 and converted into control signals for image recording. Furthermore, the entire sequence control 13a, by which the A / D converter 12 is controlled, is also accommodated in the control unit.
Durch eine gestrichelte Linie sind in der Zeichnung mögliche, und in vielen Fällen vorteilhafte zusätzliche Bildverarbei- tungεfunktionen dargestellt, die beispielsweise in einer Ein¬ heit 16 für eine Konturverfolgung bzw. in einer Lauflängen-Co¬ diereinheit 17 durchgeführt werden können.A dashed line in the drawing shows possible, and in many cases advantageous, additional image processing functions which can be carried out, for example, in a unit 16 for contour tracking or in a run length coding unit 17.
Da die digitale Kamera 1 von dem Rechner 20 über entsprechende Befehle oder Kommandos angesteuert wird, ist es somit möglich, daß diese nur Daten sendet, wenn der Rechner zum Empfang von Daten bereit ist, wodurch dann die Notwendigkeit einer zusätz¬ lichen Bildspeicherkarte bzw. Digitalisierungskarte entfällt. Die erfindungsgemäße Kamera kann beispielsweise nur mit einem einfachen Interface versehen werden, welches das Empfangen ein¬ zelner Datenblöcke ermöglicht. Auf diese Weise können dann ko¬ stengünstig auch industriellen Ansprüchen gerecht werdende Lö¬ sungen durchgeführt werden.Since the digital camera 1 is controlled by the computer 20 via appropriate commands or commands, it is thus possible for it to send data only when the computer is ready to receive data, which then necessitates an additional image memory card or digitizing card not applicable. For example, the camera according to the invention can only be provided with a simple interface, which enables the reception of individual data blocks. In this way, solutions which meet industrial requirements can also be carried out at low cost.
In der erfindungsgemäßen digitalen Kamera 1 kann ferner die Bildfolgefrequenz in Abhängigkeit von der gewählten bzw. ver¬ wendeten Bildaufnahmeeinheit wesentlich höher sein als in den herkömmlichen Videokameras; so können beispielsweise bei einer vollen Auflösung 125 Blder pro Sekunde und bei einer entspre¬ chend reduzierten Auflösung erheblich höhere Bildfolgen, näm¬ lich beispielsweise bis zu 200 Bildern pro Sekunde aufgenommen und verarbeitet werden.In the digital camera 1 according to the invention, depending on the selected or used image recording unit, the image repetition frequency can also be significantly higher than in the FIGS conventional video cameras; For example, at a full resolution 125 Blder per second, and accordingly reduced at a entspre ¬ resolution considerably higher image sequences, for example up näm¬ Lich added to 200 frames per second and processed.
Die erfindungsgemäße digitale Videokamera ermöglicht auch eine sichere Übertragung der Bilddaten über große Entfernungen. Ge¬ mäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform gestattet das gewählte Übertragungsverfahren Entfernungen zwischen der Kamera 1 und dem Rechner 20 von bis zu 1000 m, ohne daß bezüglich der Bild¬ qualität irgendwelche Einbußen befürchtet werden müssen, und ohne daß ein Zwischenverstärker erforderlich ist. Obendrein ist bei einer Übertragung über entsprechende Schnittstellen auch eine hohe Störsicherheit gewährleistet.The digital video camera according to the invention also enables secure transmission of the image data over long distances. According to a preferred embodiment, the selected transmission method allows distances between the camera 1 and the computer 20 of up to 1000 m, without any loss of image quality being feared and without the need for an intermediate amplifier. On top of that, a high level of interference immunity is also guaranteed for transmission via appropriate interfaces.
Ebenso kann bei der erfindungsgemäßen Kamera die interne Ver¬ stärkung sowie die Grundhelligkeit vom Rechner 20 aus einge¬ stellt werden. Die in herkömmlichen Kameras üblicherweise vor- gesehene, automatische Verstärkungsregelung stört bei einem Teil der Anwendungen auf dem Gebiet der Bildverarbeitung und muß daher abgeschaltet werden. Andererseits ist häufig eine flexible Anpassung an wechselnde Lichtverhältnisse unbedingt erforderlich. Aufgrund der Möglichkeit der Verstärkungs- und Grundhelligkeitseinstellung auf digitalem Weg kann beiden An¬ forderungen gerecht werden.Likewise, the internal gain and the basic brightness can be set from the computer 20 in the camera according to the invention. The automatic gain control usually provided in conventional cameras interferes with some of the applications in the field of image processing and must therefore be switched off. On the other hand, flexible adaptation to changing lighting conditions is often absolutely necessary. Due to the possibility of setting the gain and basic brightness digitally, both requirements can be met.
Da die Kamera durch den Rechner 20 gesteuert wird, kann von diesem auch die Integrationsdauer eingestellt werden. In Ver- bindung mit der rechnergesteuerten Einstellung der internen Verstärkung wird somit auch der Einsatz in Fällen möglich, in denen sonst eine aufwendige Regelung der Kamerablende notwendig ist.Since the camera is controlled by the computer 20, the integration duration can also be set by the latter. In conjunction with the computer-controlled setting of the internal amplification, it can also be used in cases where otherwise complex control of the camera aperture is necessary.
Wie vorstehend bereits ausgeführt, ist bei der erfindungsgemä¬ ßen digitalen Videokamera auch der Zeitpunkt für den Start einer Bildaufnahme frei wählbar. Im Gegensatz zu den herkömmli- chen Videokameras, bei welchen der Start einer Bildaufnahme in einem festen Raster von beispielsweise 40 ms erfolgt, kann bei der erfindungsgemäßen Kamera zu jedem beliebigen Zeitpunkt durch ein vom Rechner 20 abgegebenes Kommando die Bildaufnahme gestartet werden. Insbesondere bei einem Einsatz der Kamera l in Verbindung mit Kurzzeit-Beleuchtungen wird durch diese Eigenschaft zusammen mit der einstellbaren Integrationsdauer gerade gegenüber konventionellen Videokameras ein erheblicher Zeitvorteil erreicht, welcher ohne weiteres in der Größenor - nung eines Faktors 10 und höher liegt.As already stated above, in the digital video camera according to the invention the time for starting an image acquisition can also be freely selected. In contrast to the conventional Chen video cameras, in which the start of an image recording takes place in a fixed grid of, for example, 40 ms, the image recording can be started at any time in the camera according to the invention by a command issued by the computer 20. Particularly when the camera 1 is used in conjunction with short-term illuminations, this property, together with the adjustable integration time, gives a considerable time advantage compared to conventional video cameras, which is easily in the order of a factor 10 and higher.
Durch die Digitalisierung der Bilddaten in der Kamera ist die Zuordnung zu lichtempfindlichen Elementen (Pixeln) des Bildauf¬ nahmesensors von vornherein gewährleistet. Bei üblichen Video- kameras ist die genaue Zuordnung nicht möglich, da nur das Sen¬ designal, nicht aber das Taktsignal übertragen wird, mit wel¬ chem der Bildsensor ausgelesen wird. Beim Einsatz einer Kamera für Vermessungsaufgaben ist jedoch die exakte 1 : 1-Zuordnung von entscheidender Bedeutung, da ein Zuordnungsfehler sonst als Positionsfehler in das Ergebnis eingeht.The digitization of the image data in the camera ensures the assignment to light-sensitive elements (pixels) of the image recording sensor from the outset. In conventional video cameras, the exact assignment is not possible since only the sensor design, but not the clock signal with which the image sensor is read out, is transmitted. When using a camera for measurement tasks, however, the exact 1: 1 assignment is of crucial importance, since an assignment error would otherwise be included in the result as a position error.
Ferner ist aufgrund einer Vorverarbeitung der aufgenommenen Bilddaten in der erfindungsgemäßen Kamera eine wesentliche Ent¬ lastung des als Auswerterechner verwendeten Rechners 20, und zwar insbesondere bei hohen Bildfolgen, erreicht. Wenn die er¬ findungsgemäße digitale Videokamera 1 beispielsweise mit der Einheit 17 ausgestattet wird, wird eine Datenreduktion durch die in der Einheit 17 erfolgende Lauflängencodierung bereits in der Kamera durchgeführt. ***** Furthermore, due to preprocessing of the recorded image data in the camera according to the invention, the computer 20 used as an evaluation computer is substantially relieved, particularly in the case of high image sequences. If the digital video camera 1 according to the invention is equipped, for example, with the unit 17, a data reduction is already carried out in the camera by means of the run length coding carried out in the unit 17. **** *

Claims

Ansprüche Expectations
1. Digitale Videokamera bestehend aus einer Aufnahmeeinheit (10) , Signalaufbereitungen (11) , A/D-Wandler (12) und Steue¬ reinheit (13) , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die internen Funk¬ tionen der Kamera von außen durch Befehle (Kommandos) steuer¬ bar sind, die von einem Rechner in digitaler Form erzeugt, an die Steuereinheit (13) übertragen und dort durch einen Komman¬ do-Interpreter (13b) ausgewertet und von einer Ablaufsteuerung (13a) ausgeführt werden.1. Digital video camera consisting of a recording unit (10), signal processing (11), A / D converter (12) and control unit (13), characterized in that the internal functions of the camera from the outside by commands (commands ) are controllable, which are generated by a computer in digital form, transmitted to the control unit (13) and evaluated there by a command interpreter (13b) and executed by a sequence control (13a).
2. Kamera nach Anspruch l, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuereinheit (13) als Hardware-Logik so ausgeführt ist, daß die Befehle direkt abgearbeitet werden können.2. Camera according to claim l, characterized in that the control unit (13) is designed as hardware logic so that the commands can be processed directly.
3. Kamera nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bildaufnahmeeinheit eine CCD-Sensoreinheit (10) ist.3. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the image recording unit is a CCD sensor unit (10).
4. Kamera nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ka¬ mera (1) zusätzlich galvanisch entkoppelte, digitale oder ana¬ loge Eingänge und/oder Ausgänge aufweist, die vom Rechner (20) aus ansteuerbar oder auslesbar sind.4. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera (1) additionally has galvanically decoupled, digital or analog inputs and / or outputs which can be controlled or read out from the computer (20).
5. Kamera nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein vorzugsweise vom Rechner einstellbarer Zeitgeber zur Steuerung einer Belichtungszeit und/oder einer Einschaltzeit externer Lichtquellen vorgesehen ist.5. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that a preferably adjustable by the computer timer for controlling an exposure time and / or a switch-on time of external light sources is provided.
6. Kamera nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ka¬ mera insbesondere zur Aufnahme von Kamera- oder Sensorparame¬ tern oder Konfigurationsdaten einen flüchtigen oder nicht- flüchtigen Lese- und/oder Schreib/Lese-Speicher aufweist, der vom Rechner (20) auslesbar bzw. einschreibbar ist. 6. Camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera, in particular for recording camera or sensor parameters or configuration data, has a volatile or non-volatile read and / or read / write memory which is stored by the computer (20th ) can be read out or registered.
PCT/EP1994/001311 1993-04-26 1994-04-26 Digital video camera WO1994026062A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU66489/94A AU6648994A (en) 1993-04-26 1994-04-26 Digital video camera
EP94915123A EP0696400A1 (en) 1993-04-26 1994-04-26 Digital video camera
JP6523872A JPH08508863A (en) 1993-04-26 1994-04-26 Digital video camera

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4313621A DE4313621C2 (en) 1993-04-26 1993-04-26 Method for controlling a digital video camera and arrangement for carrying out the method
DEP4313621.4 1993-04-26

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Publication Number Publication Date
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EP (1) EP0696400A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH08508863A (en)
CN (1) CN1101776A (en)
AU (1) AU6648994A (en)
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WO (1) WO1994026062A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1101776A (en) 1995-04-19
DE4313621C2 (en) 1995-09-21
EP0696400A1 (en) 1996-02-14
DE4313621A1 (en) 1994-10-27
JPH08508863A (en) 1996-09-17
AU6648994A (en) 1994-11-21

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