WO2024101153A1 - Camera system and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

This camera system comprises: a main body unit which processes captured image data; a camera head unit which is detachable from the main body unit and can output, to the main body unit, the captured image data generated by an image sensor, even when the camera head unit is either in an undetached state of being mounted on the main body unit or in a detached state of being away from the main body unit; a first level provided in the main body unit; a second level provided integrally with the housing of the camera head unit; and a control unit which associates the captured image data with first level information from the first level and second level information from the second level.

Description

Camera system, processing method

This technology relates to a camera system and its processing method, and to a camera system in which the camera body and camera head can be used separately.

2. Description of the Related Art As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-233699 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-233699, camera systems are known in which an image is captured by separating a camera head unit having an image sensor from a main body unit.
Furthermore, Patent Documents 3 and 4 listed below disclose configurations equipped with a spirit level.

Republished Publication No. 2020/054266 JP 2005-236773 A JP 2016-54414 A JP 2011-199503 A

In general video cameras, the level of the image sensor and peripheral equipment such as a tripod are aligned with the bottom of the main body as a reference when shooting, so a spirit level for obtaining the level of the image sensor is built into the main body.
However, when considering a camera system in which the main body and the camera head can be used separately, the image sensor is located away from the main body and peripheral equipment when they are used separately, which means that it is not possible to obtain appropriate level gauge information that indicates the horizontality of the image sensor.

This disclosure therefore proposes technology that enables appropriate spirit level information to be obtained in a camera system in which the camera head can be operated either separately or in addition to being separated from the main body.

The camera system of the present technology includes a main body unit that processes captured image data, a camera head unit that is detachable from the main body unit and configured to output the captured image data generated by an image sensor to the main body unit whether the camera head unit is in an undetached state attached to the main body unit or in a detached state separated from the main body unit, a first level provided on the main body unit, a second level provided integrally with a housing of the camera head unit, and a control unit that performs processing to associate first level information from the first level and second level information from the second level with the captured image data.
The camera system is configured with a spirit level on both the main body side and the camera head side, and the control unit selectively associates spirit level information from both spirit levels or both of them with captured image data.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basic state of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment with a camera head removed from a main body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera head unit according to the embodiment with an adapter removed. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an interchangeable lens and a finder unit are attached to the main body of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an interchangeable lens and a finder unit are attached to the main body of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment in an extended state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an extension cable according to an embodiment. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment in a state where a second connector portion is detached from the base plate. FIG. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of terminal surfaces of a camera head unit and a base plate according to an embodiment. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of terminal surfaces of the extension cable according to the embodiment. 1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams of a connection configuration in a basic state and an extended state according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a connection configuration in a basic state according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a connection configuration in an extended state according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of another connection configuration in the basic state according to the embodiment. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another connection configuration in the extended state according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a level selection process according to the first embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of an association process according to the first and second embodiments. 13 is a flowchart of a level selection process according to the second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a process for selecting all of the spirit levels according to the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a selection process of level information to be used in the third and fourth embodiments. 13 is a flowchart of an association process according to the fourth embodiment.

The embodiments will be described below in the following order.
1. Camera system structure
<2. Extended use form >
<3. Connector connection>
4. Electrical connection configuration in each state
5. Processing Examples of the First to Fourth Embodiments
6. Summary and Modifications

In the present disclosure, the term "image" is used as a term including both moving images and still images. Although the embodiments will be described assuming mainly moving image capture, the technology of the present disclosure can be similarly applied to still image capture.
Moreover, the term "captured image data" refers to data of moving images or still images captured by an image sensor, but it also includes not only so-called RAW image data as captured, but also image data at various stages after various processes such as development, compression, encoding, etc., and image data converted into an image file, etc. Furthermore, captured image data also includes analog signals captured by an image sensor and before being converted into digital data.

1. Camera system structure
First, the structure of a camera system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the embodiment described below, the camera system 1 of the present technology is applied to a video camera.
The scope of application of the present technology is not limited to the video camera illustrated in the example, but can be widely applied to various imaging devices, such as video cameras, still cameras, cameras with special imaging functions such as infrared cameras and specific wavelength cameras, and cameras for various purposes such as commercial, general, and surveillance cameras.

In the following description, the directions of front, back, up, down, left and right are indicated as viewed from the cameraman when taking pictures with a video camera.
Therefore, the object side is the front, and the image plane side is the rear.
Note that the directions of front, back, up, down, left and right shown below are for convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

The lens group mounted on the camera system may be composed of one or more lenses, or may include one or more lenses and other optical elements such as an aperture or iris.

The camera system 1 has a main body 2 and a camera head 3, and the camera head 3 is detachable from the main body 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 5).
The main body 2 may be provided as an external device for the camera head 3. In this case, the camera head 3 is made detachable from the external device. The camera head 3 may be provided as a standalone imaging device.

The main body 2 has an outer panel 4 and an outer housing 5, and the outer housing 5 is covered by the outer panel 4 (see Figure 2).

The outer panel 4 has a base panel portion 6, an upper panel portion 7, and a rear panel portion 8. The base panel portion 6 has a bottom surface portion 9 facing in the vertical direction, and a pair of side surfaces 10, 11 that are connected to the left and right side edges of the bottom surface portion 9 and positioned at a distance from each other (see Figures 1 and 4).

Various operation sections 12, 12, ... are arranged on the side sections 10, 11. The operation sections 12, 12, ... include, for example, a power button, a shooting button, a zoom knob, a mode switching knob, and the like.
Display units 13, 13 such as liquid crystal panels are disposed on the side sections 10, 11, respectively.

Connection terminals 14, 14, ... are arranged vertically on one side of the rear panel portion 8 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Cables (not shown) for supplying power and transmitting/receiving signals are connected to the connection terminals 14, 14, ....
One of the connection terminals 14 is a video output terminal 14a that outputs a monitor image signal. The monitor image signal is a signal of an image that displays an image of a subject being imaged by the camera system 1 in real time so that the photographer can check it, and is a signal of an image called a through image. By connecting the video output terminal 14a to a monitor device via a cable (not shown), the user can view the subject image during image capture or during image capture standby.

The upper panel portion 7 is formed in a plate shape facing the up-down direction, and both left and right ends are attached to the upper ends of the side portions 10, 11, respectively (see Figs. 1 and 2).
The rear panel portion 8 is formed in a plate shape facing the front-rear direction, and its outer periphery is attached to the rear end of the base panel portion 6 and the rear end of the upper panel portion 7 .
As described above, the upper panel portion 7 is attached to the side portions 10, 11, and the rear panel portion 8 is attached to the base panel portion 6 and the upper panel portion 7, thereby forming the outer panel 4, and the outer housing 5 is covered from above, below, left, right, and rear by the outer panel 4 (see Figure 2).

An adjustment base 15 is attached to the top surface of the upper panel portion 7 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The adjustment base 15 is formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, with a central portion in the left-right direction formed as a concave groove portion 16, and the left and right portions on both sides of the groove portion 16 are provided as adjustment portions 17, 17.
A handle 80 is detachably attached to the adjustment base 15 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
In addition to the handle 80, a finder unit 85 is also detachably attached to the adjustment base 15. The finder unit 85 has a rotating arm 90 and a viewfinder main body 91.
One end of the view body 91 is provided as a finder section 91a, and the user can see a monitor image, an operation screen, and the like through the finder section 91a.

A battery 501 is attached to the rear surface of the main body 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
The battery 501 serves as a power source for supplying a power supply voltage to each part of the main body 2 and the camera head 3 .

A camera head 3 is attached to the front side of the main body 2 (see FIG. 1). The camera head 3 is detachable and can be removed from the main body 2 (see FIG. 2).
1 and 2, the camera head unit 3 is shown with an adapter 500 attached thereto. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the adapter 500 is detachable from the camera head unit 3.

The adapter 500 is used for mounting different interchangeable lenses.
For example, an interchangeable lens 503 shown in FIG. 5 can be attached to the camera head unit 3 without the adapter 500 being attached.
On the other hand, by mounting an adapter 500 on the camera head unit 3, it is possible to mount a different type of interchangeable lens 502 shown in FIG.

The camera head unit 3 has a generally rectangular, plate-like housing 140, the front side of which serves as a mounting surface 141 that is adapted for receiving an adapter 500 and an interchangeable lens 503 (see FIG. 3).
A plurality of screw holes 142 are provided at required positions. These screw holes 142 are formed at positions corresponding to a plurality of screw holes 550 provided in the adapter 500, and the adapter 500 can be attached to the camera head unit 3 by screwing in the screw 551 as shown in FIG.

The camera head unit 3 is equipped with an image sensor 300, optical elements such as an ND (neutral density) filter and an iris mechanism (not shown), and a circuit board carrying necessary circuits (see FIG. 3).
The camera head unit 3 is also provided with an assignable button 302 .
The assignable buttons 302 are operators to which the user can assign any operation function. For example, even in the main body 2, some buttons in the operation unit 12 are set as assignable buttons 12a.
To each of the assignable buttons 12a and 302, the user can assign any operation function according to his/her convenience, such as a recording start/stop operation, a playback operation, a menu operation, etc.
Since the camera head unit 3 is also provided with an assignable button 302, even when the camera head unit 3 is used away from the main body unit 2, the user on the camera head unit 3 side can perform the necessary operations using the assignable button 302, making it convenient to use.

As described above, the camera head unit 3 is detachable from the outer casing 5 of the main body unit 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
The main body 2 is formed with a mounting portion 18, and the camera head 3 is attached to the mounting portion 18 by a predetermined mechanism (see FIG. 2).
Here, as a mechanism for attachment, corresponding screw holes may be provided in the housing 140 of the camera head unit 3 and the attachment unit 18 at the end, and the attachment unit 18 may be fastened with screws. However, for example, a locking mechanism or a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism may be provided to allow easy attachment and detachment without using screws. In particular, assuming an extended use mode described later, it is desirable to allow the camera head unit 3 and the main body unit 2 to be easily attached and detached without using screws.

FIG. 9A shows a terminal surface 3T on the rear side of the camera head unit 3 opposite the mounting surface 141, and this terminal surface 3T is provided with a connector 3a.
Correspondingly, the mounting portion 18 of the main body 2 is provided with a connector 2a.
When the camera head 3 is attached to the main body 2 , the connectors 2 a and 3 a are joined, thereby transmitting various signals between the main body 2 and the camera head 3 .

<2. Extended use form >
In the camera system 1 having the above structure, the camera head unit 3 is used in a state where it is attached to the main body unit 2 as shown in FIG. 1, but the camera head unit 3 can also be used in a state where it is mechanically separated from the main body unit 2. I also try to do that.

The following describes a structure in which the camera head unit 3 is used by extending it from the main body unit 2. The terms "basic state" and "extended state" are used.
The "basic state" refers to a non-separated state in which the camera head unit 3 is attached to the main body unit 2. That is, this is the usage state shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5.
The "extended state" refers to a state in which the camera head unit 3 is mechanically separated from the main body unit 2 and is communicatively connected to the main body unit 2 via the extension cable 20 so as to be capable of transmitting signals.

When the terms "main body 2 side" and "camera head 3 side" are used, the terms also refer to the parts that are mechanically connected to the main body 2 and camera head 3. That is, the "main body 2 side" includes the base plate 50, which will be described later, in the extended state. The "camera head 3 side" includes the first connector 21, which will be described later, in the extended state.

The extension cable 20 described below is a cable used for electrical connection. The extension cable 20 is a cable that connects between the main body 2 and the camera head 3. Any extension cable that can connect the camera head 3 and the main body 2 can be used as the extension cable 20, and it can be a relatively soft cable covered with an insulator such as vinyl, or it can be a hard tube (cylindrical pipe).

First, the configuration of the extended state will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9A, 9B, and 10. FIG.
FIG. 6 shows a state in which the camera head unit 3 is detached from the main body unit 2 and connected via an extension cable 20.
The extension cable 20 is configured to include a first connector portion 21, a cable 22, and a second connector portion 23 (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 10).
The first connector portion 21 is a connector portion on one end side of a cable 22 that is connected to the camera head portion 3 .
The second connector portion 23 is a connector portion on the other end side of the cable 22 that is connected to the main body portion 2 side.
The cable 22 transmits signals between the first connector portion 21 and the second connector portion 23, and has a required number of transmission paths for electrical signals formed therein.

In the extended state shown in FIG. 6, the camera head unit 3 can be moved, for example, forward from the main body unit 2 by the length of the cable 22 to capture images.

The first connector portion 21 is adapted to be joined to a terminal surface 3T (see FIG. 9A) on the rear side of the camera head portion 3, as shown in FIGS.
The housing 21K of the first connector unit 21 has a terminal surface 21FR (see FIG. 10) that has a contour shape of approximately the same type and size as the terminal surface 3T of the housing 140 of the camera head unit 3. As a result, when the terminal surface 3T and the terminal surface 21FR are joined in a state where they face each other, the housing 140 of the camera head unit 3 and the housing 21K of the first connector unit 21 are integrated to form a single box, as shown in FIGS.

In particular, the housing 140 of the camera head unit 3 is a relatively thin plate, making it difficult for it to stand on its own. Also, the weight of the adapter 500 makes the balance poor. By attaching the first connector unit 21 to this, the camera head unit 3 can be made to stand on its own more easily.
Furthermore, the fact that the housing 140 of the camera head unit 3 is a relatively thin plate means that it is difficult for a user to stably hold the camera head unit 3 alone and point it toward a subject. The increased thickness due to the housing of the first connector unit 21 makes the camera head unit 3 easier to hold and handle when removed from the main body unit 2.

A cable end 22E1 of the cable 22 is fixedly attached to the rear surface 21BK side of the housing 21K of the first connector portion 21 (see FIG. 7).
Cable end 22E1 is attached so as to extend downward from its fixed portion relative to housing 21K along notch 126 provided in housing 21K.
By positioning the cable end 22E1 inside the cutout portion 126, external stress is less likely to be applied to the cable end 22E1, and the cable end 22E1 is protected.
Furthermore, by making the cable 22 extend downward from the cable end 22E1, the camera head unit 3 can be easily maintained in the upright position shown in FIG.

A connector 3a is disposed on a terminal surface 3T of the camera head unit 3 (see FIG. 9A). Also, a connector 21a is disposed on a terminal surface 21FR of the first connector unit 21 (see FIG. 10).
When the camera head 3 and the first connector 21 are joined as shown in FIG. 6, the connectors 3a and 21a are joined, and signals are transmitted between the extension cable 20 and the camera head 3.
The first connector portion 21 is formed with a video output terminal 121 to which, for example, a monitor device can be connected.
The first connector portion 21 is also formed with an external power output terminal 120, which makes it possible to supply a power supply voltage to a device that requires an external power supply.

The second connector portion 23 on the other end side of the cable 22 is formed of a housing 23K having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with curved top and bottom.
A recess 127 is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 23K.
A pair of handles 23H are attached to the rear surface 23BK of the housing 23K. The handles 23H and the recessed portion 127 make it easy to handle the second connector portion 23.

The other end of the cable 22 is fixed in a state in which the cable end 22E2 projects perpendicularly from the rear surface 23BK.
In particular, by fixing the cable end 22E2 substantially at the center of the back surface 23BK and positioning the pair of handles 23H on both the left and right sides of the cable end 22E2, the pair of handles 23H makes it difficult for external stress to be applied to the joint portion of the cable end 22E2. In other words, the cable end 22E2 is protected by the handles 23H.

The second connector portion 23 is detachable from the main body portion 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the second connector portion 23 is detachable with the base plate 50 attached to the main body portion 2. In other words, the base plate 50 is provided as a structure on the main body portion 2 side, and allows the extension cable 20 to be connected to the main body portion 2.
Fig. 8 shows the front side (terminal surface 50Ta) of the base plate 50. Fig. 9B shows the back side (terminal surface 50Tb) of the base plate 50.

The base plate 50 has a recess 54 in the center of the terminal surface 50Ta for mounting the second connector portion 23 therein.
The recess 54 is sized to fit the housing 23K of the second connector portion 23 therein.
6 shows a state in which the second connector portion 23 is fitted into the recess 54. As shown in the figure, the housing 23K of the second connector portion 23 is fitted into the recess 54 to the extent that it is in close contact with the side surface of the recess 54, leaving only a slight protruding portion. In the fitted state, the recessed portions 127 of the housing 23K are left as gaps between the housing 23K and the recess 54. The formation of the recessed portions 127 on the top and bottom of the housing 23K facilitates attachment and detachment without excessive friction between the housing 23K and the recess 54.
In addition, the user can easily attach and detach the second connector portion 23 to and from the base plate 50 by using the handle 23H.

Also, most of the second connector portion 23 fits into the base plate 50, so there is less protrusion due to the joining of the second connector portion 23. In other words, both the base plate 50 and the second connector portion 23 are attached to the main body portion 2, but the thickness direction size of the base plate 50 and the second connector portion 23 does not directly protrude from the main body portion 2, so the front-to-rear size of the main body portion 2 in the extended state can be reduced.

A connector 50a is disposed on the innermost surface of the recess 54 of the base plate 50 (see FIG. 8). A connector 23a is disposed on the terminal surface 23FR of the second connector portion 23 (see FIG. 10).
When the second connector portion 23 is attached to the base plate 50 as shown in FIG. 6, the connectors 50 a and 23 a are joined, and signals are transmitted between the extension cable 20 and the base plate 50 .

The surface of the base plate 50 facing the main body 2 is a terminal surface 50Tb (see FIG. 9B).
The base plate 50 is detachable from the mounting portion 18 of the main body 2. That is, the base plate 50 can be attached to the mounting portion 18 that is exposed when the camera head 3 is removed from the main body 2 (see FIG. 2).
For this reason, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the terminal surface 50Tb of the base plate 50 and the terminal surface 3T of the camera head unit 3 do not need to have exactly the same shape, but both are structured so that they can be attached to the mounting portion 18.

A connector 50b is provided on the terminal surface 50Tb of the base plate 50. This connector 50b is a connector that can be joined to the connector 2a (see FIG. 2) in the mounting portion 18, and is formed in a position where it can be joined opposite the connector 2a when the base plate 50 is attached to the mounting portion 18. Therefore, when the base plate 50 is attached to the main body portion 2, signals are transmitted between the main body portion 2 and the base plate 50 via the connectors 50b and 2a.

In addition, connector 50b is attached to one side of board 55, and the above-mentioned connector 50a is attached to the other side of board 55. Board 55 has wiring between each pin of connectors 50a and 50b, which forms a transmission path all the way to connector 50a.

6, an external power supply input terminal 51 is formed on the base plate 50. Correspondingly, an external power supply output terminal 120 is formed on the first connector portion 21 on the camera head portion 3 side.
The connectors 50a, 23a, the cable 22, and the connector 21a form a line for supplying external power.
This allows a power supply device (such as a power adapter) to be connected to the external power input terminal 51 on the main body 2 side to supply power, so that the camera head unit 3 side can obtain power supply voltage from the external power output terminal 120 and drive the necessary devices.
For example, some interchangeable lenses 502 and the like require an external power source for driving the lens, etc., and in such cases, the power supply voltage can be secured using the external power supply output terminal 120 provided in the second connector portion 23. In other words, even when separated from the main body portion 2, the external power supply voltage can be used on the camera head portion 3 side without requiring a separate power supply wiring.

In addition, a video input terminal 53 is provided on the base plate 50, and a video output terminal 121 is provided on the first connector portion 21 correspondingly.
A transmission line between the video input terminal 53 and the video output terminal 121 is formed as a path formed by the connectors 50a, 23a, the cable 22, and the connector 21a. By connecting a monitor device to the video output terminal 121, an image signal supplied from the main body 2 side can be supplied to the monitor device and displayed. For example, a user on the camera head 3 side can view a monitor image signal (through image) generated by the main body 2.

As described above, the camera head unit 3 is provided with the assignable button 302, and correspondingly, the base plate 50 is provided with the assignable button 52.
The assignable button 52 is an operator with the same function as the assignable button 302, but by being provided on the base plate 50, it becomes possible to perform the same operations on the main body 2 side as on the camera head 3 side.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6, a spirit level 30 is provided inside the main body 2. In addition, a spirit level 40 is provided on the camera head 3 side.

The spirit level 30 is disposed, for example, near the inner bottom surface of the main body 2, and serves as a spirit level that detects the horizontality of the bottom surface of the main body 2. Specifically, as spirit level information, angle information in the pitch direction and angle information in the roll direction based on a horizontal state are detected.
The level 30 need not necessarily be attached near the inner bottom surface of the main body 2, but may be attached at any location where the relative position and attitude with respect to a surface serving as a horizontal reference (for example, the bottom surface 9) does not change.

This spirit level 30 is a device for obtaining a horizontal reference for the camera system 1. For example, the level of the main body 2, the image sensor of the camera head 3 in the normal state, accessory parts attached to the main body 2, etc. are detected by the spirit level 30.

Meanwhile, a spirit level 40 is also provided on the camera head unit 3 side. The spirit level 40 may be built in the camera head unit 3 or the first connector unit 21. Alternatively, the spirit level 40 may be attached to the outside of the housing of the camera head unit 3 or the first connector unit 21. The spirit level 40 may be attached to a location where the position and attitude relative to the image sensor 300 in the camera head unit 3 do not change at least when the camera head unit 3 is in a separated state.
That is, the level 40 detects, as level information, angle information in the pitch direction and angle information in the roll direction of the image sensor 300 based on the horizontal state.

Each of these spirit levels 30, 40 may be anything capable of detecting angle information in the pitch and roll directions, and may be configured, for example, by a two-axis angular velocity sensor.

<3. Connector connection>
The connector connection in the above-mentioned basic state and extended state will be described.
The following connectors were mentioned above:
Connector 3a of camera head unit 3
Connector 21a of the first connector portion 21 of the extension cable 20
Connector 23a of the second connector portion 23 of the extension cable 20
Connector 50a on terminal surface 50Ta of base plate 50
Connector 50b on terminal surface 50Tb of base plate 50
Connector 2a of main body 2

These connectors correspond to at least the following:
The connector 3a of the camera head unit 3 can be joined to the connectors 2a and 21a.
A connector 21a of the first connector portion 21 of the extension cable 20 can be joined to the connector 3a.
The connector 23a of the second connector portion 23 of the extension cable 20 can be joined to the connector 50a.
The connector 50a on the terminal surface 50Ta of the base plate 50 can be joined to the connector 23a.
The connector 50b on the terminal surface 50Tb of the base plate 50 can be joined to the connector 2a.
The connector 2a of the main body 2 can be joined to the connectors 3a and 50b.

The connector connections in each state are shown in Fig. 11. In the following figures, "CN" stands for connector.
FIG. 11A shows the base state.
The camera head 3 is attached to the main body 2 and connectors 2 a and 3 a are joined together to transmit signals between the main body 2 and the camera head 3 .

FIG. 11B shows the extended state.
A base plate 50 is attached to the main body 2. An extension cable 20 is attached between the camera head 3 and the base plate 50.
In this case, the connectors 2a and 50b are joined, the connectors 50a and 23a are joined, and the connectors 21a and 3a are joined. As a result, signals are transmitted between the main body 2 and the camera head 3 via the base plate 50 and the extension cable 20.

All or some of these connectors are attached to a substrate and arranged as board-to-board (BtoB) connectors.
The number of pins (terminals) of each connector is not particularly specified, but it is considered that each connector has, for example, 100 pins or more.

4. Electrical connection configuration in each state
The electrical connection configurations in the normal state and the extended state will be explained below, but first the configuration of the internal signal processing systems of each section will be explained.
12 and 13 show an example in which the spirit level 40 is mounted on the first connector portion 21, and FIGS. 14 and 15 show an example in which the spirit level 40 is mounted on the camera head portion 3.

FIG. 12 shows the electrical connection state in the basic state, and the main configuration of the main body unit 2 and the camera head unit 3 will be explained using this FIG. 12.

The main body 2 includes a control unit 200, a signal processing unit 202, a recording unit 203, a communication unit 204, a power supply circuit 205, and a spirit level 30. In addition to these, the camera body includes other components such as a display control unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, but in Figs. 12 to 15, some components are omitted from the illustration in order to clarify the correspondence between the various units and to avoid cluttering the figures.

The camera head unit 3 includes an image sensor 300, a lens system drive unit 301, an assignable button 302, and an ID generation unit 303. The camera head unit 3 also has other components, but for the same reason, some of these are not shown in the illustration.

The image sensor 300 has an imaging element formed by arranging photoelectric conversion pixels in a matrix, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type, etc. Light from a subject is collected on the image sensor 300 by an optical system (not shown).
Here, the optical system refers to lenses such as a zoom lens and a focus lens, an aperture mechanism, an optical filter, etc., and these can be provided in the camera head unit 3, the adapter 500, or the interchangeable lenses 502 and 503.

The image sensor 300 performs processes such as CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) and AGC (Automatic Gain Control) on the electrical signal obtained by photoelectric conversion in the image sensor, and then performs A/D (Analog/Digital) conversion. The captured image data is then output as digital data to the main body 2. The image sensor 300 outputs an image signal, for example, as so-called RAW image data.

The lens system driving unit 301 drives the focus lens, zoom lens, aperture mechanism, optical filter mechanism, etc. in the above optical system based on the control of the control unit 200.

The ID generating unit 303 generates identification information for the camera head unit 3. In a simplified manner, the ID generating unit 303 can be configured as a terminal voltage setting unit corresponding to one or more connector terminals. Alternatively, the ID generating unit 303 may be a memory or a processor that stores the identification information.
The identification information by the ID generating unit 303 is used, for example, by the control unit 200 of the main body unit 2 as information for distinguishing between a non-separated state and a separated state of the camera head unit 3. Alternatively, the ID generating unit 303 may be used as information for identifying the model of the camera head unit 3.

The signal processing unit 202 in the main body 2 is configured as an image processing processor, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). This signal processing unit 202 performs various signal processing on the captured image data from the image sensor 300.

For example, the signal processing unit 202 performs processes on the captured image data, such as clamping processing to clamp the R, G, and B black levels to predetermined levels, correction processing between the R, G, and B color channels, color separation processing so that the image data for each pixel has all R, G, and B color components, and processing to generate (separate) a luminance (Y) signal and a chrominance (C) signal.
Furthermore, the signal processing unit 202 performs necessary resolution conversion processing, such as resolution conversion for recording, communication output, or monitor image, on the captured image data that has been subjected to various signal processes. The signal processing unit 202 also performs compression processing, encoding processing, etc. for recording or communication on the resolution-converted captured image data.

The signal processing unit 202 also performs processing to generate a monitor image signal for the captured image monitor display (through image display) and supplies the monitor image signal to the video output terminal 14a. This makes it possible to view the monitor image by connecting an external monitor device to the video output terminal 14a.

The control unit 200 is configured by a microcomputer (arithmetic processing device) equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, and the like.
The CPU executes programs stored in the ROM, flash memory, or the like to centrally control the entire camera system 1 .
The RAM is used as a working area for the CPU to process various data, and is used for temporarily storing data, programs, etc.
ROM and flash memory (non-volatile memory) are used to store the OS (Operating System) that the CPU uses to control each part, content files such as image files, application programs for various operations, firmware, etc.

Such a control unit 200 controls the operation of each necessary unit with respect to parameter control of various signal processes in the signal processing unit 202, imaging and recording operations in response to user operations, playback of recorded image files, imaging operations of the image sensor 300, camera operations such as zoom, focus, and exposure adjustment, user interface operations, etc.

For this reason, the control unit 200 transmits control signals to the image sensor 300 and the lens system driving unit 301. For example, the control unit 200 transmits control signals such as the shutter speed and frame rate of the image sensor 300, a clock signal, or a control signal for the lens system driving unit 301 to the camera head unit 3.

The control unit 200 also generates metadata to be associated with the captured image data and performs processing for the association.
In the case of this embodiment, the control unit 200 is supplied with level information from the level 30 and the level 40. The control unit 200 performs processing to associate the level information with the captured image data as one piece of metadata.

Examples of processing to associate with captured image data include recording or transmitting metadata in correspondence with frames of captured image data, and generating and recording or transmitting a metadata file as a file associated with an image file based on captured image data.

The recording unit 203 is, for example, a non-volatile memory, and functions as a storage area for storing image files (content files) of captured image data such as still images and moving images, metadata, thumbnail images, and the like.
There are various possible actual forms of the recording unit 203. For example, the recording unit 203 may be a flash memory built into the main body 2, or may be a memory card (e.g., a portable flash memory) that can be attached to and detached from the main body 2 and a card recording and playback unit that performs recording and playback access to the memory card. Also, the recording unit 203 may be realized as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) built into the main body 2.

The communication unit 204 performs data communication and network communication with external devices via wired or wireless means.
For example, captured image data (still image files and video files), metadata, and the like are communicated between external display devices, recording devices, playback devices, and the like.
Furthermore, the communication unit 204 may serve as a network communication unit, performing communication via various networks such as the Internet, a home network, and a LAN (Local Area Network), and may transmit and receive various data between servers, terminals, etc. on the network.

The power supply circuit 205 uses, for example, a battery 501 as a power source, generates the necessary power supply voltage V0, and supplies it to each unit within the main body 2.
The power supply circuit 205 also generates a power supply voltage V 1 to be supplied to the camera head unit 3 , and supplies it to the camera head unit 3 .
The power supply circuit 205 is controlled to turn on/off the power supply voltage by the control unit 200 .

Operation information of an assignable button 302 provided on the camera head unit 3 is detected by the control unit 200 via connectors 3a and 2a.
In response to detecting the operation of the assignable button 302, the control unit 200 controls the operation assigned to the assignable button 302. For example, the control unit 200 controls the start of recording.

In the basic state shown in FIG. 12, the above-mentioned components in the main body 2 and camera head 3 work together to capture, record, and communicate moving and still images.

Next, the configuration of the extension cable 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 shows the extended state in which the main body 2, the base plate 50, the extension cable 20, and the camera head 3 are connected.

Here, lines LN (LN1 to LN8) are provided as transmission paths for signal transmission between the main body 2 side and the camera head 3 side.
Although not shown in FIG. 12, the following lines LN (excluding the monitor image line LN2) are formed even in the basic state of FIG.
Each of these lines LN1 to LN8 is not necessarily a single transmission line, but is shown functionally together and only representative transmission lines are shown. In reality, a larger number of lines LN are formed.
The lines LN are as follows:

LN1: Image Data Line The image data line LN1 is a line that transmits captured image data from the image sensor 300 to the main body 2.

LN2: Monitor Image Line The monitor image line LN2 is a line that connects the video input terminal 53 of the base plate 50 and the video output terminal 121 of the first connector portion 21, and is a line that transmits, for example, a monitor image signal.
12, this monitor image line LN2 is not formed. For this reason, for example, wiring is performed using pins (terminals) in connectors 50a, 23a that correspond to the free pins of connectors 2a, 3a, so that monitor image line LN2 is formed within extension cable 20. Of course, the number of pins in connectors 50a, 23a may be greater than the number of pins in connectors 2a, 3a, in which case additional pins may be used.

LN3: Control Line The control line LN3 indicates a plurality of signal lines used for transmitting control signals and clock signals from the control unit 200 to the camera head unit 3.

LN4: Control Line The control line LN4 indicates a plurality of signal lines used for transmitting signals from the camera head unit 3 to the control unit 200. For example, the control line LN4 is used for transmitting a state detection signal of the camera head unit 3, a response signal to a control signal, and the like.
Furthermore, level information detected by the level 40 is also transmitted to the control unit 200 via a control line LN4.

LN5: ID Line This is a line for allowing the control unit 200 to detect the identification information generated by the ID generating unit 303.

LN6: Power Supply Line The power supply line LN6 is a line that supplies the power supply voltage V1 from the power supply circuit 205 of the main body 2 to the camera head 3 side.

LN7: Assignable Button Line The assignable button line LN7 is a line that connects the assignable buttons 302 and 52 by wired-OR, enabling the control unit 200 to detect the operations of these buttons.

LN8: External power supply line The external power supply line LN8 is a line that connects the external power supply input terminal 51 of the base plate 50 and the external power supply output terminal 120 of the first connector portion 21.

Although not shown to avoid complicating the diagram, a ground line is also provided. This forms a common ground for the main body 2, base plate 50, extension cable 20, and camera head 3.

In the extension cable 20 in which the above-mentioned line LN is formed, a pre-processing unit 24, a buffer amplifier 26, a DC/DC converter 28, and a level 40 are provided within the first connector unit 21.
In addition, in the second connector section 23, a post-processing section 25, a buffer amplifier 27, a DC/DC converter 29, and an ID generating section 400 are provided.

The pre-processing unit 24 is provided corresponding to the image data line LN1, and performs amplification processing (pre-emphasis processing) on the captured image data output from the image sensor 300. This pre-emphasis processing is a process that takes into account signal attenuation during transmission through the extension cable 20 and boosts the attenuation in advance.
The post/pre-processing unit 25 is also provided corresponding to the image data line LN1. The post/pre-processing unit 25 is capable of signal compensation processing as waveform shaping and amplification processing (pre-emphasis processing) similar to that of the pre-processing unit 24.
The waveform shaping (signal compensation) referred to here is an equalizing process for compensating for the frequency characteristics that have changed (deteriorated) due to transmission through the extension cable 20 .

The buffer amplifier 27 is provided corresponding to the control line LN3, and performs amplification processing on necessary signals among various control signals and clock signals transmitted from the control unit 200.
The buffer amplifier 26 is provided corresponding to the control line LN 4 , and performs amplification processing on necessary signals among various signals transmitted from the camera head unit 3 .
The amplification processing by these buffer amplifiers 26 and 27 also corresponds to the attenuation that occurs during cable transmission through the extension cable 20 .

Level information from the level 40 is also transmitted to the control unit 200 from the control line LN3 via the buffer amplifier 26. This allows the control unit 200 to input level information from the level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side at least when in the extended state.
In the normal state, since the level 40 does not exist, the control unit 200 may recognize the terminal information to which the level information is input as invalid information.

The DC/DC converter 28 receives the DC power supply voltage V1 from the power supply circuit 205 supplied to the power supply line LN6, performs voltage conversion, and generates the required power supply voltage Vc within the first connector portion 21, which is supplied to the pre-processing portion 24 and the buffer amplifier 26.
The DC/DC converter 29 also receives the DC power supply voltage V1 from the power supply circuit 205 supplied to the power supply line LN6, performs voltage conversion, and generates the required power supply voltage Vc within the second connector portion 23, which is supplied to the post/pre-processing portion 25 and the buffer amplifier 27.

The ID generating unit 400 generates identification information for the extension cable 20. In a simpler form, the ID generating unit 400 can be configured as a terminal voltage setting unit corresponding to one or more connector terminals. Alternatively, the ID generating unit 400 may be a memory or a processor that stores the identification information.

The identification information generated by the ID generating unit 400 is recognized by the control unit 200, for example, via the ID line LN5. The identification information generated by the ID generating unit 400 is then used by the control unit 200 of the main body unit 2, for example, as information for distinguishing between an undetached state and a detached state of the camera head unit 3. Alternatively, the ID generating unit 400 may be used as information for identifying the model of the extension cable 20.

The identification information of this ID generating unit 400 and the ID generating unit 303 of the camera head unit 3 described above may be input to the control unit 200 in a configuration in which only one of them is input, or in which both are input.
In a normal state where the extension cable 20 is not used, only the identification information of the ID generating unit 303 is input to the control unit 200, but in an extended state, the identification information of the ID generating unit 303 is not transmitted through the extension cable 20, and only the ID generating unit 400 is input to the control unit 200. In this manner, the control unit 200 can determine whether the camera head unit 3 is in a non-separated state or a separated state from the identification information.
Alternatively, in the extended state, the identification information of both the ID generating unit 303 and the ID generating unit 400 may be input to the control unit 200, in which case the control unit 200 can determine whether the camera head unit 3 is in a non-separated state or a separated state depending on whether the identification information of the extension cable 20 is input. Furthermore, in this case, the control unit 200 can determine the model of the camera head unit 3 regardless of whether it is in the extended state or the normal state.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an example of the configuration when the spirit level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side is directed toward the camera head unit 3. The configuration other than the spirit level 40 is the same as in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, so a duplicated explanation will be avoided.

In this case, a spirit level 40 is provided on the camera head unit 3 as shown in FIG. 14, and spirit level information from the spirit level 40 is input to the control unit 200.
In the extended state as shown in FIG. 15, level information from the level 40 in the camera head unit 3 is transmitted to the control unit 200 via the buffer amplifier 26 and the control line LN3.
Therefore, the control unit 200 can input level information from the level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side whether in the normal state or the extended state.

5. Processing Examples of the First to Fourth Embodiments
The process of the control unit 200 will be described as an example of the process of the embodiment. The process of the control unit 200 will be described as an example of the process related to the level information obtained from the levels 30 and 40.

FIG. 16 shows an example of processing in the first embodiment.
When the control unit 200 performs power-on processing in step S101 in response to a user operation or the like, it determines in step S102 whether to separate or not separate the camera head unit 3. For example, the control unit 200 can determine whether to separate or not separate the camera head unit 3 based on the identification information of the ID generating units 303 and 400. Note that the determination whether to separate or not separate the camera head unit 3 can also be made by a mechanical switch or the like.

If the control unit 200 determines that the camera head unit 3 is in a normal non-detached state, the process proceeds to step S103, where the level 30 on the main body side is set to active.
If the control unit 200 determines that the camera head unit 3 is in a separated extended state, the process proceeds to step S104, where the level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side is set to active.
The term "active setting" as used herein means a setting in which the level information input from the level is processed as valid information.

For example, after making the above settings when the power is turned on, the control unit 200 performs the process in FIG. 17 during the imaging period. Note that imaging hereinafter refers to the processing operation of recording or transmitting the imaging video signal obtained by the image sensor 300 as frames that make up still images or videos. For example, imaging by the image sensor 300 is still performed for the purpose of displaying a through image even during recording standby for still images or videos, but this does not include such cases.

When image capture is started by a user operation, for example an operation to start video recording, the control unit 200 proceeds from step S201 to S202, and thereafter repeats the processing of steps S202 and S203 until it is determined in step S204 that image capture has ended due to a user operation or some other trigger.

In step S202, the control unit 200 acquires level information of the level that is set as active.
In step S203, the control unit 200 performs processing to associate the acquired spirit level information as metadata corresponding to the current frame of the captured image data. For example, the control unit 200 causes the recording unit 203 to record the metadata corresponding to the frame on a recording medium. Alternatively, the control unit 200 causes the communication unit 204 to transmit the metadata corresponding to the frame to an external device.
The control unit 200 performs the processes of steps S202 and S203 for each frame timing.

Therefore, if the level 30 is set to active in step S103 in Fig. 16, during image capture, the level information from the level 30 is made into metadata corresponding to each frame of the moving image to be recorded in steps S202 and S203 in Fig. 17. This is the case when image capture is performed in a normal state.
Also, if the level 40 is set to active in step S103 in Fig. 16, during image capture, level information from the level 40 is made into metadata corresponding to each frame of the moving image to be recorded in steps S202 and S203 in Fig. 17. This is the case when image capture is performed in the extended state.

16 and 17, when an image is captured in the normal state, the level information of the level 30 is associated with the captured image data. When an image is captured in the extended state, the level information of the level 40 is associated with the captured image data.
Therefore, the level information associated with the captured image data is information on the angles in the roll and pitch directions based on the horizontal state of the image sensor 300 .

A processing example of the second embodiment will be described using FIG. 18 and the above-mentioned FIG. 17. Note that from here on, the same processing as in the previously described example will be assigned the same step number.

FIG. 18 shows the processing of the control unit 200 when the power is turned on, and in step S110, the control unit 200 monitors user operations related to the spirit levels 30, 40. In the camera system 1, the user can selectively set the spirit levels 30, 40 to active by, for example, operating a menu. If no such operation is detected, the control unit 200 exits from the processing of FIG. 18.

If such an operation is detected, the control unit 200 proceeds from step S110 to step S111, and checks the selection state by a menu operation or the like.
If the control unit 200 confirms that the level 30 on the main body 2 side has been selected by a user operation, the control unit 200 proceeds from step S112 to step S103, and sets the level 30 to active.
Furthermore, when the control unit 200 confirms that the level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side has been selected by a user operation, the control unit 200 proceeds from step S112 to step S104, and sets the level 40 to active.

As described above, the active setting can be switched by the user's operation.
The control unit 200 then performs the above-described processing in Fig. 17 during the image capture period. Therefore, if the user has selected the level 30, during image capture, in steps S202 and S203 in Fig. 17, the level information from the level 30 is made into metadata corresponding to each frame of the moving image to be recorded.
Furthermore, if the user has selected the level 40, during image capture, in steps S202 and S203 of FIG. 17, level information from the level 40 is made into metadata corresponding to each frame of the moving image to be recorded.

In this way, the level information of the level 30 or level 40 is associated with the captured image data in accordance with the user operation performed prior to capturing an image.

The user can select level 30 or level 40 depending on whether it is in the normal state or the extended state, for example, and associate the level information with the captured image data as metadata.

In addition, there are cases where the camera head unit 3 and the main body unit 2 are fixed in the extended state and imaging is performed. For example, there are also cases where the main body unit 2 and the camera head unit 3 are mounted on a common base after being temporarily extended and imaging is performed. In such cases, it is troublesome to go to the trouble of returning to the normal state.
In such a case, it would be convenient if the user could select which level information is to be valid by operation.

The process in FIG. 16 and the process in FIG. 18 can be combined.
For example, when the power is turned on, the control unit 200 automatically sets one of the spirit levels to active depending on whether the camera head unit 3 is separated or not at that time. After that, when a user operation is detected, the control unit 200 switches the spirit level to be set to active depending on the operation.
By doing this, the processing in Figure 17 basically automatically associates one of the level information depending on whether the camera head unit 3 is separated or not, and the user can associate either level information at will depending on the trial situation.

An example of processing in the third embodiment will be explained using Figures 19 and 20, and the above-mentioned Figure 17.

FIG. 19 shows the processing of the control unit 200 when the power is turned on. When the control unit 200 performs power-on processing in step S101 in response to a user operation or the like, it sets all of the spirit levels (spirit level 30 and spirit level 40) to active in step S120.

Thereafter, the control unit 200 performs the process of FIG. 17 during the imaging period.
In this case, since the spirit levels 30, 40 are set to active, the spirit level information obtained by each of the spirit levels 30, 40 during image capture in steps S202, S203 of FIG. 17 is used as metadata corresponding to each frame of the video to be recorded.
For example, in either the normal state of FIG. 14 or the extended state of FIG. 15, both of the level information obtained by the levels 30 and 40 are used as metadata corresponding to each frame of the captured image data.

By doing so, for example, during later playback or editing, the user can select any level information and perform processing.
For example, in an apparatus for reproducing and editing an image file based on captured image data, the process shown in FIG. 20 is carried out.

In step S301, the device selects and sets the level information. For example, the user determines whether to use the level information from level 30 or level 40.

Furthermore, in step S302, the device executes a process using the selected level information, such as a playback process or an image editing process.
For example, when performing a playback process, the device plays back images while performing horizontal correction using the selected and set level information.
Also, for example, the device can use the selected and set spirit level information to perform editing processing to add horizontal correction to the image, or to perform processing to cut out horizontally corrected images from each frame.

An example of processing in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 21 and the above-mentioned FIG.
As shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 200 performs power-on processing in step S101, and then sets all of the spirit levels (the spirit level 30 and the spirit level 40) to active in step S120.

Thereafter, the control unit 200 performs the process of FIG. 21 during the imaging period.
In response to the start of imaging, the control unit 200 proceeds from step S201 to step S210 to determine whether the camera head unit 3 is separated. That is, it is confirmed whether the camera head unit 3 is in a separated state or a non-separated state.

Then, the control unit 200 repeats the processes of steps S202, S203, and S211 until it is determined in step S204 that imaging has ended due to a user operation or some other trigger.

In step S202, the control unit 200 acquires level information for the level that is set as active, that is, for both of the level gauges 30 and 40 in this case.
In step S203, the control unit 200 performs processing to associate the acquired level information of each of the level gauges 30 and 40 as metadata corresponding to the current frame of the captured image data. For example, the recording unit 203 records the metadata corresponding to the frame on a recording medium. Alternatively, the communication unit 204 transmits the metadata corresponding to the frame to an external device.

Furthermore, in step S211, the control unit 200 associates information on the result of the separation determination executed in step S210 with the captured image data.
The information on the separation determination result may be metadata corresponding to each frame together with the spirit level information, or may be metadata corresponding to the entire image file.

As shown in FIG. 21 above, the level information obtained by each of the levels 30 and 40 during image capture is treated as metadata corresponding to each frame of the video being recorded, and is also associated with information on the separation determination results.

By doing this, for example, during later playback or editing, the user can select the level information according to the information on the separation judgment result and perform processing. Alternatively, the editing device or playback device can automatically select one of the level information using the information on the separation judgment result and use it to perform playback processing or editing processing. For example, the playback device or editing device can play back a horizontally corrected image or perform horizontal correction editing of an image.

17 and 21, the level information is treated as metadata corresponding to each frame of the video, but the timing of acquiring the level information does not necessarily have to be synchronized with the frames. In other words, it does not have to be aligned with the frame rate or frame phase. Therefore, acquiring level information at the timing of each frame as described above and using it as metadata for that frame is just one example.
The level information may be associated with the captured image data asynchronously with the frames, or may be associated with, for example, intermittent frames, because during playback or image editing, such metadata can be used to perform interpolation along the time axis to obtain level information synchronized with the frame timing.

Furthermore, if the spirit level information cannot be obtained in synchronization with the frame timing, in step S203, spirit level information at a synchronized timing may be obtained by an interpolation process, and this may be used as metadata associated with the frame.

6. Summary and Modifications
According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The camera system 1 of the embodiment includes a main body section 2 that processes captured image data, and a camera head section 3 that is detachable from the main body section 2 and can output captured image data generated by an image sensor 300 to the main body section 2, whether the camera head section 3 is in an undetached state attached to the main body section 2 or in a detached state separated from the main body section 2. The camera system 1 also includes a first spirit level 30 provided on the main body section 2 side, a second spirit level 40 provided on the camera head section 3 side, and a control section 200 that performs processing to associate spirit level information from the spirit level 30 and the spirit level information from the spirit level 40 with the captured image data.
This allows appropriate level information to be associated with the captured image data depending on the actual situation during image capture. For example, in the basic state, at least the level information (roll angle, pitch angle) from the level 30 on the main body 2 side can be associated with the captured image data, and in the extended state, at least the level information of the camera head 3 from the level 40 on the camera head 3 side can be associated with the captured image data. In other words, appropriate level information depending on the posture at the time of image capture that affects the image can be associated with the captured image data.

As the first and second embodiments, examples have been given in which the control unit 200 performs an association process in which it automatically selects one of the level information of the level 30 and the level information of the level 40 and associates it with the captured image data (see Figures 16 and 17).
For example, by selecting the appropriate level information for a captured image and associating it with the captured image data, it is possible to save appropriate level information according to the situation at the time of capturing the image.

In the first embodiment, an example was given of the control unit 200 performing the association process by selecting the spirit level information of the spirit level 30 when the camera head unit 3 is in a non-detached state, and selecting the spirit level information of the spirit level 40 when the camera head unit 3 is in a detached state, and performing the process of associating the information with the captured image data (see Figures 16 and 17).
When the camera head unit 3 is operated in a non-detached state, i.e., in a normal state, the level information provided by the level 30 on the main body side can be associated with the captured image data, thereby saving the level information that serves as the reference in the camera system 1.
When the camera head unit 3 is operated in a detached state, i.e., an extended state, the level information from the level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side can be associated with the captured image data, so that the level information according to the attitude of the camera head unit 3, i.e., the level information that affects the captured image data, can be saved.

In the second embodiment, an example of the association process is shown in which the control unit 200 selects level information from either the level 30 or 40 in response to user operation input and associates it with the captured image data (see Figures 18 and 17).
Depending on the user's operation, the level 30 on the main body side and the level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side are selected and the level information is associated with the captured image data. This allows either level information to be saved depending on the circumstances and situation at the time of shooting.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the control unit 200 performs the association process of associating the level information of both the levels 30, 40 with the captured image data (see FIGS. 19, 17, 20, and 21).
By associating both sets of spirit level information with the captured image data, it becomes possible to carry out processing using either of the spirit level information at a later time, for example, during image playback or image editing.

In the fourth embodiment, an example of the association process is given in which the control unit 200 performs a process of associating the information on the determination result of whether the state is non-separated or separated, together with the level information of both the levels 30, 40, with the captured image data (see Figures 19 and 21).
As described above, by associating both sets of spirit level information with the captured image data, it is possible to carry out processing using either of the spirit level information at a later point in time. In this case, by associating with information that can determine whether the camera head unit 3 is in a non-separated state (normal state) or a separated state (extended state), it is possible to determine which spirit level information is appropriate to use.

In the embodiment, in the separated state, the camera head unit 3 and the main body unit 2 are connected by the extension cable 20, and captured image data is transmitted from the camera head unit 3 to the main body unit 2. By using the extension cable 20, flexible shooting using the camera head unit 3 becomes possible.
Note that signal transmission between the camera head unit 3 and the main body unit 2 may be performed by wireless communication, rather than a wired connection using the extension cable 20 or the like.
In addition, when a signal is transmitted from the camera head unit 3 to the main body unit 2 via wireless communication, the control unit 200 of the main body unit 2 can set the spirit level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side to active and perform a process of relating the spirit level information to the captured image data.

In the embodiment, the level 40 is provided on a mounting body that is attached to the camera head unit 3 in a separate state.
13, for example, a spirit level 40 on the camera head 3 side is provided on the first connector 21. Since the first connector 21 is attached to the camera head 3 in an extended state, the spirit level 40 can output spirit level information according to the attitude of the camera head 3. In other words, the information correctly indicates whether the captured image is in a horizontal or non-horizontal state.
Furthermore, by equipping the first connector unit 21 with the spirit level 40, it becomes possible to output spirit level information according to the attitude of the camera head unit 3, regardless of the presence or absence of a spirit level in the camera head unit 3. In other words, even when using a camera head unit 3 that does not have a spirit level, it becomes possible to provide a spirit level on the camera head unit 3 side in the extended state.

In the embodiment, the attachment part that is attached to the camera head unit 3 in a separated state is the first connector unit 21 of the extension cable 20 .
The first connector portion 21 is a connector for the extension cable 20. Therefore, the first connector portion 21 is a member that is always attached to the camera head portion 3 in an extended state, and is therefore suitable as a location for providing a spirit level 40 that detects the attitude of the camera head portion 3.

In the embodiment, an example in which the spirit level 40 is provided in the camera head unit 3 has been given.
15 , for example, a level 40 on the camera head unit 3 side is provided on the camera head unit 3. This allows the level 40 to output level information according to the attitude of the camera head unit 3.

In the embodiment, the control unit 200 performs the association process by associating the level information of the level 30 or the level 40 with each frame of the captured image data.
For example, by associating level information with each frame of captured image data, when the images are later played back or edited, processing can be performed using information on the roll angle and pitch angle with respect to the horizontal for each frame.

In the embodiment, the control unit 200 performs, as the association process, a process of recording the level information of the level 30 or the level 40 on the recording medium as metadata associated with the captured image data.
This makes it possible to record metadata including level information in association with captured image data.
The spirit level information may be included as metadata in the image file of the captured image data, but the spirit level information may be recorded as a file separate from the image file so that the files are associated with each other.

In the embodiment, the control unit 200 performs the association process by transmitting the level information of the level 30 or the level 40 to an external device as information associated with the captured image data.
This makes it possible to provide the level information corresponding to the captured image data to an external device, and to use the level information for recording, playback, and editing in the external device.

Note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

The present technology can also be configured as follows.
(1)
a main body section for performing processing on captured image data;
a camera head unit that is detachable from the main body unit and configured to output the captured image data generated by an image sensor to the main body unit in either a non-detached state in which the camera head is attached to the main body unit or a detached state in which the camera head is separated from the main body unit;
A first level provided on the main body portion side;
A second level provided on the camera head unit side;
a control unit that performs processing to associate first level information from the first level and second level information from the second level with the captured image data.
(2)
The camera system according to (1) above, wherein the control unit performs the association process by automatically selecting one of the first level information and the second level information and associating it with the captured image data.
(3)
The control unit performs the association process by
The camera system described in (2) above, wherein when the camera head unit is in the non-separated state, the first level information is selected, and when the camera head unit is in the separated state, the second level information is selected, and processing is performed to associate the information with the captured image data.
(4)
The control unit performs the association process by
The camera system according to (1) above, further comprising: a process of selecting one of the first level information and the second level information in response to a user operation input, and associating the selected one with the captured image data.
(5)
The camera system according to (1) above, wherein the control unit performs a process of associating both the first spirit level information and the second spirit level information with the captured image data as the association process.
(6)
The control unit performs a process of associating, as the association process, both the first level information and the second level information, as well as information indicating whether the state is non-separated or separated, to the captured image data. The camera system described in (1) above.
(7)
In the separated state, the camera head and the main body are connected by a cable, and the captured image data is transmitted from the camera head to the main body via the cable.A camera system described in any one of (1) to (6) above.
(8)
The camera system according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the second level is provided on a mounting body that is mounted on the camera head in the separated state.
(9)
The camera system described in (8) above, wherein the attachment body is a connector at the end of a cable that transmits the captured image data to the main body when the camera head is in the separated state.
(10)
The camera system according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the second spirit level is provided in the camera head portion.
(11)
The control unit performs the association process by
The camera system according to any one of (1) to (10) above, further comprising a process for associating the first spirit level information or the second spirit level information with each frame of the captured image data.
(12)
The control unit performs the association process by
The camera system according to any one of (1) to (11) above, further comprising a process for recording the first level information or the second level information on a recording medium as information associated with the captured image data.
(13)
The control unit performs the association process by
The camera system according to any one of (1) to (12) above, further comprising a process for transmitting the first level information or the second level information to an external device as information associated with the captured image data.
(14)
a main body section for performing processing on captured image data;
a camera head unit that is detachable from the main body unit and capable of outputting the captured image data generated by an image sensor to the main body unit in either a non-detached state in which the camera head is attached to the main body unit or a detached state in which the camera head is separated from the main body unit;
A first level provided on the main body portion;
a second level provided integrally with a housing of the camera head;
As a processing method for a camera system having
a processing method for performing processing for associating first level information obtained by the first level and second level information obtained by the second level with the captured image data;

Reference Signs List 1 Camera system 2 Main body 3 Camera head 9 Bottom 20 Extension cable 21 First connector 30 Main body level 40 Head level 200 Control unit 202 Signal processing unit 203 Recording unit 204 Communication unit 300 Image sensor

Claims (14)

1. a main body section for performing processing on captured image data;
   a camera head unit that is detachable from the main body unit and configured to output the captured image data generated by an image sensor to the main body unit in either a non-detached state in which the camera head is attached to the main body unit or a detached state in which the camera head is separated from the main body unit;
   A first level provided on the main body portion side;
   A second level provided on the camera head unit side;
   a control unit that performs processing to associate first level information from the first level and second level information from the second level with the captured image data.
2. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the association process by automatically selecting one of the first level information and the second level information and associating the selected one with the captured image data.
3. The control unit performs the association process by
   The camera system according to claim 2 , wherein the first level information is selected when the camera head unit is in the non-separated state, and the second level information is selected when the camera head unit is in the separated state, and a process of associating the first level information with the captured image data is performed.
4. The control unit performs the association process by
   The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first level information and the second level information is selected in response to a user operation input, and a process of associating the selected one with the captured image data is performed.
5. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the associating process by associating both the first spirit level information and the second spirit level information with the captured image data.
6. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the association process by associating information indicating whether the state is non-separated or separated, together with both the first level information and the second level information, to the captured image data.
7. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein in the separated state, the camera head and the main body are connected by a cable, and the captured image data is transmitted from the camera head to the main body via the cable.
8. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein the second level is provided on a mounting body that is mounted on the camera head in the separated state.
9. The camera system according to claim 8 , wherein the attachment is a connector at an end of a cable on the camera head side that transmits the captured image data to the main body when the camera head is in the separated state.
10. The camera system according to claim 1 , wherein the second level is provided in the camera head.
11. The control unit performs the association process by
    The camera system according to claim 1 , further comprising a process for associating the first spirit level information or the second spirit level information with each frame of the captured image data.
12. The control unit performs the association process by
    The camera system according to claim 1 , further comprising a process for recording the first level information or the second level information in a recording medium as information associated with the captured image data.
13. The control unit performs the association process by
    The camera system according to claim 1 , further comprising a process for transmitting the first level information or the second level information to an external device as information associated with the captured image data.
14. a main body section for performing processing on captured image data;
    a camera head unit that is detachable from the main body unit and capable of outputting the captured image data generated by an image sensor to the main body unit in either a non-detached state in which the camera head is attached to the main body unit or a detached state in which the camera head is separated from the main body unit;
    A first level provided on the main body portion;
    a second level provided integrally with a housing of the camera head;
    As a processing method for a camera system having
    a processing method for performing processing for associating first level information obtained by the first level and second level information obtained by the second level with the captured image data;

Images