WO2011012628A1

WO2011012628A1 - Audiovisual device for cameras

Info

Publication number: WO2011012628A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/060908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hervé DESPLANCHES
Original assignee: Desplanches Herve
Priority date: 2009-07-27
Filing date: 2010-07-27
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Also published as: FR2948524B1; FR2948524A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an audiovisual device for cameras, comprising at least two bases (2, 3) each having a top plate (7) suitable for supporting and attaching a camera, characterised in that the two bases (2, 3) are mounted on a single mounting (1), and in that each one of the bases (2 or 3) has a tilting means (30, 31, 32, 33) for tilting the aforementioned top plate (7) according to a tilting plane perpendicular to the plane of the mounting (1) about a first axis of rotation YY, in order to record two simultaneous images, respectively a long-shot and a close-up. The invention also relates to an audiovisual assembly including at least two cameras, each mounted on such an audiovisual device.

Description

Audiovisual device for cameras

The present invention relates to an audiovisual device. More particularly, the invention relates to the production of a device or apparatus having at least two cameras perfectly synchronized with the same optical axis arranged on the same plane support.

In our high-profile society, camera-taped video-recordings have become more and more important. This concerns professionals in the audiovisual media, such as presenters and television journalists, and also any person who expresses himself for a company, an institutional, political, cultural, associative, etc ... These words require, in addition to one or more cameras, one or more teleprompters in most cases. To make this type of video recording, two techniques are currently known.

The first technique is to use only one camera and to make two shots, that is to say that the person or persons making a speech produce twice their texts. In this way, one can alternate the tight shots, at the level of the face of a person, and broad shots generally comprising the person in foot and part of its environment. The main problem of this technique, in addition to the double time spent (assuming no fault is committed by the person in his two speeches), relates to the connection of tight shots and wide shots because it is necessary that the movements, the gesture and physiognomy of this person appear on the screen in a continuous manner, the wide and tight shots succeeding one another. This is particularly difficult to achieve, especially when the people filmed are not professional actors.

The second technique is to use two cameras, one close-up and one close-up, for the wide shots, but this solution is not satisfactory because you can not get the filmed person to look at both of them. front-facing cameras, except to provide that this person passes his eyes from one to the other cameras at predefined times. This requires a staging with a pre-cut text for the passage of the gaze from one camera to another. This requires the filmed person to focus not only on their text to say but also to think about turning their eyes on one or the other of the cameras at the right moment. As many constraints that increase the possibilities of failed shots, and the duration of filming and editing, that is to say a poor performance that can lead to additional production costs.

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of prior art systems by providing a simple audiovisual device to solve these disadvantages and eliminate these constraints while gaining productivity. For this purpose, the present invention relates to an audiovisual device for cameras, comprising

at least two pedestals each having an upper plate capable of receiving and fixing a camera,

characterized in that the two bases are mounted on the same support, in that each of the bases has tilting means for tilting the aforesaid upper plate in a plane of inclination perpendicular to the plane of the support, that is to say along a first axis of rotation YY, in order to make a simultaneous recording of two images respectively in a wide plane and in a tight plane.

Thanks to this invention, we can now realize a single shoot with a person with a camera face and the same level of the line of sight, simultaneously on a wide shot and a tight shot in the same time "t" recording. In this way, the alternation of the wide and tight shots guarantees a perfect synchronization and homogeneity of the image and the sound at the different editing points. The speech gain then in continuity and fluidity to offer more authenticity during the broadcast. In addition, the editing time is greatly reduced, because there is no need to reconstruct a sequence from a puzzle of scattered planes which must be checked to fit one behind the other.

Other features will appear in the description of an embodiment of the invention:

each of said bases has orientation means allowing rotation of the base around an axis XX perpendicular to the plane of the support;

- At least one base further comprises tilting means adapted to rotate the upper plate according to a second axis of rotation ZZ perpendicular to the first axis of rotation YY. - Said at least one base has displacement means allowing a displacement of the base on the support;

the two bases have tilting means, orientation means and moving means;

- Each base comprises respective locking means for locking in a desired position of the inclination of the upper plate, the rotation according to the first YY and / or the second ZZ axis, and the movement of the base;

- The inclination means and / or the orientation means and / or the displacement means and / or the locking means are mechanical means so that the base is manipulated manually;

- The inclination means and / or the orientation means and / or the displacement means and / or the locking means are motorized and controlled by an operator via at least one interface;

the audiovisual device comprises a prompter located in front of the support or the aforesaid foot;

- The inclination means comprise a rack and a worm cooperating with each other for the inclination of the upper plate.

The present invention also relates to an audiovisual assembly, comprising at least two cameras, characterized in that each of the cameras is mounted on a base of an audiovisual device according to one or more of the features set out above.

The invention is described below in more detail using non-limiting figures representing only a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates in perspective an audiovisual device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a base of the audiovisual device according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating a locking position prohibiting the movement of the base on the support;

- Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating a release position in which the base can be moved on the support; FIG. 5 schematically illustrates in perspective an audiovisual device according to the invention in which the two upper plates of each of the pedestals are oriented with different angles; - Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a base of the audiovisual device according to the invention.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the audiovisual device of the invention comprises a support 1 extending in a single plane to form a substantially rectangular tray. On this support 1 are fixed two bases 2 and 3, arranged here substantially at a distance from one another. The support 1 is fixed to a foot or the like, preferably adjustable in height, so as to arrange the support at the desired level. This foot is a conventional support foot and is not shown in the accompanying figures; it does not fall within the scope of the invention.

Each base 2, 3 comprises a lower plate 4, 5 resting on the support 1, on which is mounted a middle portion 6 extending vertically or perpendicularly with respect to the lower part 4, 5 and the plane of the support 1. The part upper 7 of these bases 2, 3, fixed on the middle part 6, here consists of a plate having notches or guides for securing a rail 8 of complementary shapes which schematically shows a camera (conventionally mounted on the rail 8) fixed on said bases 2, 3.

In the example chosen to represent the invention, the pedestals 2, 3 are composed of a plurality of elements, but it is understood that all other embodiments making it possible to fix the pedestal 2 or 3 on the flat support 1, and allowing them to translate in a common direction while at least one of its pedestals 2 or 3, or rather its top plate 7 for fixing a camera, can be oriented with at least one variable inclination (with respect to an initial position parallel to the plane of the support 1), are within the scope of the invention.

The lower plate 4, 5 of the bases 2, 3 is traversed by a rod or a cylindrical axis 10 which opens into a linear slot 1 1, 1 1 'of the support 1. The rod 10 extends along an axis XX perpendicular to the plane of support 1.

Furthermore the or each slot 1 1, 1 1 'is provided for the displacement in translation of a base 2 or 3. Thus, the plane support 1 comprises two slots 1 1, 1 1' extending in the same direction, preferably perpendicular to the axis longitudinal of the upper plates 7 of the bases 2, 3 so that a displacement of the bases 2, 3 in these slots 1 1, 1 1 'causes a lateral displacement of the cameras present on the bases 2, 3. The guide of the displacement of the bases 2, 3 in the slot 1 1, 1 1 'is ensured by nuts type "bacon" 12 present at the end of the rod or the cylindrical axis 10. A crank 13, connected to the rod or l cylindrical axis 10, allows when turned in a specific direction (locking / locking direction) to raise the nut type "bacon" 12 and thus produce a tightening of the latter 12 against the support 1 so that the base 2 or 3 is immobilized (see position of Figure 3). When the crank 13 is turned in the opposite direction to the blocking / locking direction, the "bacon" type nut 12 moves away from the support 1 (see position of FIG. 4) so that the base 2 or 3 can be moved along the axis of the slot 1 1, 1 1 ', by the cooperation of the rod 10 and the slot 1 1 or 1 1'. The support 1 here has two slots 1 1, 1 1 'in which each of the two bases 2, 3 can be moved. The slot 1 1, 1 1 ', the rod / cylindrical axis 10, the nut type "bacon" 12 and the crank 13 here constitute the example given means for moving a base 2, 3 and the means blocking the movement of said base 2, 3. The base 2, 3 is also rotatable about its vertical axis XX, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the support 1 and the lower plate 4, 5, of so that the middle part 6 and the upper part 7 of the base 2, 3 are likely to rotate about this vertical axis XX. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 2, 3 has a crank 20, placed on the median part 6, in interaction with a pin 21 whose lower part is introduced into a hole 22, of complementary shape, of the lower plate 4, 5 of base 2,

3. When the crank 20 is rotated in a specific direction, a pin, not visible in the figures, is plugged or introduced into the stud 21 to block the rotation of the middle portion 6 around the latter 21. A as the displacement of the base 2, 3 on the support 1, when the crank 20 is turned in the opposite direction, the pin no longer cooperates with the pin 21 so that the middle portion 6 is allowed to rotate freely around the l vertical axis of the post 21 (axis perpendicular to the plane of the support 1 and the lower plate

4, 5). The crank 20 and the pin 21 constitute the means for orienting and blocking the orientation of a base 2, 3.

The bases 2, 3 also comprise means for inclining the angle of the upper part 7 on which a camera is fixed. In the example chosen to illustrate the invention, these means consist of a rack system. Thus, a worm 30 is fixed to a protruding handle 31 out of the middle portion 6 so that by turning the handle 31 in a direction of rotation, the worm 30 also rotates in the same direction of rotation. This worm 30 is in contact with a rack 32, that is to say here a half spherical toothed plate, fixed protruding at the center of a half-disc 33. The rack assembly 32 and half-disc 33 is fixed to the middle portion 6 of the base 2, 3 by means of a pin 34 perpendicularly crossing the half-disc 33 / rack 32 and which constitutes the axis of rotation or first axis of rotation YY of this assembly 32/33. The upper plate 7 of the base 2, 3 is fixed on the half-disc 33 by conventional mechanical means, such as a screw 35 or the like. Thus, when the handle 31 is rotated in one direction or the other, rotating the worm 30, the rack 32 and the half-disc 33 rotate, under the action of the worm 30, around the YY axis formed by the pin 34 so that the upper surface 7 of the base 2, 3, and therefore the camera (here only the rail 8 of the cameras is shown), is inclined from one side or the other. The handle 31, connected to the worm 30 and the half-disc 33 / rack assembly 32 constitute the tilting means. In the example chosen to illustrate the invention, once the rotation of the handle 31 is completed, the upper plate 7 is locked in its tilting position because the rack 32 alone is not able to actuate, in one direction or the other, the worm 30 and therefore the handle 31.

Thus, the audiovisual device provides, in this embodiment, tilting means 30, 31, 32, 33 of the upper plate 7 on which is fixed a camera, orientation means 20, 21 for rotating the base 2, 3 about its vertical axis (perpendicular to the plane of the support 1) and displacement means 10, 1 1, 1 1 ', 12, 13 for moving the base 2, 3 on the support 1. According to another embodiment of FIG. the invention, at least one of said bases 2, 3 can be equipped with orientation means allowing it to rotate about a second axis ZZ perpendicular to the first axis YY. It is therefore a question of making a so-called horizontal tilt of at least one of the cameras mounted on one of the rails 8. Suitable locking means are provided to block this rotation in any desired position.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a system for mounting and fixing two cameras side by side (close to one another) on the same plane support 1 so that the person filmed by these two cameras presents his look at the same level, or height, and in the same optical axis for the two cameras. As illustrated in FIG. 5, one of the pedestals 2 may have an upper plate 7 without inclination, either horizontally (parallel to the plane of the support 1), the camera mounted on this plate 7 being for example suitable for filming a tight shot of the person, while the other base 3 may have an upper plate 7 with a certain inclination, for example between 1 ° and 10 °, intended to present the camera for a wide shot. It should be noted that when a person is filmed, the subject's line of sight should be filmed at the same level for the wide shot and the tight shot. By aesthetic convention, the line of sight (formed by a straight line connecting the two eyes of the person) must be located at the present time at the upper third of the frame, that is to say that the line of sight is substantially at the level of two-thirds (2/3) of the height of the frame or slightly above. By tilting one of the cameras, the one used to make the wide shot, we keep the placement of the different references and therefore the line of sight at the level of the upper third, as prescribed by use. Advantageously, a Teflon plate or sheet may be arranged between the various moving parts relative to each other in the audiovisual device so as to reduce the friction and mechanical wear of these parts. The audiovisual device on which at least two cameras (one camera per base) are mounted also makes it possible to arrange a teleprompter, not shown in the appended figures, between the two cameras / bases 2, 3 or positioned slightly below the support 1, so that the interviewee can read this prompter by looking at both cameras.

The invention has been described with mechanical means for tilting means, orientation, movement and blocking pedestals of the audiovisual device but it is understood that these means may be motorized means, include electric actuators or any other known automatic systems allowing an operator to make the various adjustments, including inclination, via a single preference interface, for example with a handle and / or push buttons.

Claims

claims

1. Audiovisual device for cameras, comprising

at least two pedestals (2, 3) each having an upper plate (7) adapted to receive and fix a camera,

characterized in that the two bases (2, 3) are mounted on the same support (1), and in that each of the bases (2 or 3) has tilting means (30, 31, 32, 33) for tilting the aforesaid upper plate (7) along a plane of inclination perpendicular to the plane of the support (1), according to a first axis of rotation YY to simultaneously record two images on a wide plane and a tight plane.

2. Audiovisual device according to claim 1,

characterized in that each of said bases (2, 3) has orientation means (20, 21) allowing a rotation of the base (2, 3) about an axis XX perpendicular to the plane of the support (1).

Audiovisual device according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that at least one of said bases further comprises tilting means adapted to rotate said upper plate (7) along a second axis of rotation ZZ perpendicular to the first axis of rotation YY.

4. Audiovisual device according to claim 1 to 3,

characterized in that said at least one base (2, 3) has displacement means (10, 1 1, 1 1 ', 12, 13) allowing a displacement of the base (2, 3) on the support (1).

5. Audiovisual device according to the preceding claims,

characterized in that the two bases (2, 3) have tilting means (30, 31, 32, 33), orientation means (20, 21) and moving means (10, 1, 1, 1). 1, 12, 13).

6. Audiovisual device according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that each base (2, 3) comprises respective blocking means for locking in a desired position the inclination of the upper plate (7), the rotation according to the first YY and / or the second ZZ axis, and moving the base (2, 3).

7. Audiovisual device according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the inclination means (30, 31, 32, 33) and / or the orientation means (20, 21) and / or the displacement means (10, 1 1, 1 1 ', 12, 13) and / or the locking means are mechanical means so that the base (2, 3) is manipulated manually.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that the inclination means (30, 31, 32, 33) and / or the orientation means (20, 21) and / or the displacement means (10, 1 1, 1 1 ', 12, 13) and / or the locking means are motorized and controlled by an operator via at least one interface.

9. Audiovisual device according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that it comprises a prompter located in front of the support or the aforesaid foot.

10. Audiovisual device according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the inclining means (30, 31, 32, 33) comprise a rack (32) and a worm (30) cooperating with each other for the inclination of the upper plate (7) .

1 1. Audiovisual ensemble, including at least two cameras,

characterized in that each of the cameras is mounted on a base (2, 3) of a device according to any one of the preceding claims.