JP3457038B2 - Television camera system, television camera control method, and camera controller - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is a control method of a television camera system and a television camera used for monitoring purposes, etc., as well as about the camera controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a television camera system including a plurality of (four) conventional television cameras and a television camera controller for selecting and transmitting images from these television cameras. 1a to 1d are television cameras, 2 is a plurality of (4) video signals from the television cameras 1a to 1d, and then one of these video signals is selected and sent to the monitor 3, and the power is supplied to the television. A camera controller 3 for supplying to the cameras 1a to 1d is a monitor for receiving a video signal sent from the camera controller 2 and confirming a video.

In the conventional television camera system shown in FIG. 6, necessary power is supplied from the camera controller 2 to all the television cameras 1a to 1d, and the television cameras 1a to 1d are operated by this power source. Therefore, the television cameras 1a to 1d
The video signals are output from the respective. These video signals are input to the camera controller 2, one video signal is selected from them, and this video signal is sent to the monitor 3. An image captured by one TV camera is displayed on the monitor 3.

[0004]

In the conventional television camera system as described above, the camera controller 2 is used.
The video of one television camera (for example, 1a) is selected by and the video is sent to the monitor. However, during this time, the television cameras 1b, 1c, 1d other than the television camera 1a that are shooting images are also in the operating state, and the video signals of all the television cameras 1a to 1d are the camera controller 2.
Have been sent to. Therefore, all TV cameras 1
a to 1d are in an operating state, power consumption from the camera controller 2 to the television cameras 1a to 1d increases, and a problem of heat generation occurs due to continuous operation of the television cameras 1a to 1d. However, there has been a problem that the operating life becomes long and the life becomes short.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object thereof is to obtain a television camera system which consumes less power and generates less heat and can have a longer life period. A second object is to obtain a control method of a television camera system and a television camera that can wirelessly together with possible battery operated by low power consumption, and the camera controller.

[0006]

A television camera system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of television cameras for transmitting video signals, a transmission path for transmitting the video signals, and a video memory common to the plurality of television cameras. Built-in, the above multiple
Periodically one TV camera selected from Levi cameras
The video signal of the selected TV camera by operating for a short time.
Write to the video memory and unselected
The Levi camera is stopped and controlled, and recorded in the video memory.
The stored video signals are continuously read and displayed continuously on the monitor.
And a camera controller for controlling the display .
Further, the camera controller is characterized by instructing either operation or stop of a reference signal of the television camera or supply or stop of power supply. Further, it is characterized in that a transmission device for transmitting either electromagnetic waves or light is provided instead of the transmission path. Further, the television camera is characterized by being operated by a battery. In addition, the control method of the television camera according to the present invention is provided with
One TV camera selected from
Control to store the video signal of the selected TV camera in the video memory common to multiple TV cameras , and to stop the TV camera not selected.
Along with the continuous video signal stored in the video memory
The data is read out and is continuously displayed on the monitor . In addition, it is characterized in that control is performed by instructing the operation or stop of the reference signal of the television camera or the supply or stop of power. Further, the camera controller according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives video signals from a plurality of television cameras, and a plurality of outputs of the receiving unit.
A selection circuit for selecting one video signal, a video memory for writing the output of the selection circuit, which is common to the plurality of TV cameras, and a video signal continuously read from the video memory
A monitor output unit for continuously displayed on the monitor Te, video one television camera is selected by periodic short time operation
And a control signal generating circuit for generating a control signal for writing a signal to the video memory and stopping the television camera not selected. Further , the control signal generation circuit is characterized by generating a control signal for instructing either operation or stop of the reference signal of the television camera or supply or stop of power.
It

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[0022]

According to the present invention, a plurality of television cameras send video signals, a transmission path transmits the video signals, and a camera controller having a built-in video memory common to the plurality of television cameras is the plurality of television cameras. One TV camera selected from among the TV cameras is periodically operated for a short time to write the video signal of the selected TV camera to the video memory, and the non-selected TV cameras are stopped and stored in the video memory. The read video signal is continuously read out and continuously displayed on the monitor. In addition, the camera controller commands either the operation or stop of the reference signal of the television camera, or the supply or stop of power. Also, transmission by either transmitting device an electromagnetic wave or light. Also, the TV camera operates on a battery. Also, the control method of the television camera according to the present invention is one television camera selected from a plurality of television cameras.
Camera periodically by operating a short time to accumulate video signal of the television camera selected common image memory into a plurality of television cameras, and controls so as to stop the said television camera is not selected, the video Accumulated in memory
Continuously read out the recorded video signal and continuously display it on the monitor
Control. In addition, control is performed by instructing the operation or stop of the reference signal of the television camera or the supply or stop of power. Also, the camera controller according to the present invention, the receiving unit receives a video signal from a plurality of television cameras, the selection circuit selects one of the video signals from the output of the receiving unit, a common image on the plurality of television cameras The memory writes the output of the selection circuit, and the monitor output section continuously reads the video signal from the video memory and displays it continuously on the monitor.
The video signal is displayed by operating one TV camera whose control signal generation circuit is selected and operating periodically for a short time.
A control signal is generated which writes to memory and causes the television camera not selected to stop. Furthermore, the above system
The signal generation circuit operates the reference signal of the TV camera.
Or stop, or supply or stop of power
Generate control signals to command.

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【Example】

Example 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a television camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals 1a to 1d denote television cameras, and the television cameras 1a to 1d each include a control circuit 11 that performs internal control, a clock generation circuit 12 that supplies an operation clock to each circuit, and a camera-side power supply that supplies power to each unit. A circuit 13 and a signal processing circuit 14 that performs signal processing of a captured video are built in. 1 shows the internal structure of only the TV camera 1a,
The structure of the television cameras 1b, 1c, 1d is also the same. Further, reference numeral 2 denotes a camera controller that receives a video signal from the television cameras 1a to 1d and then selects one of these video signals. The camera controller 2 selects or deselects the television cameras 1a to 1d. Power is supplied to the selection signal generation circuit 21 that outputs a control signal and the internal circuit of the camera controller 2, and the television camera 1
a power supply circuit 22 for supplying power to a to 1d, a receiving unit 24 for receiving the video signals of the television cameras 1a to 1d,
It has a built-in selection circuit 25 for selecting one video signal from the four video signals output by the receiving unit, and a monitor output unit 26 for outputting the selected video signal to the monitor. Reference numeral 3 is a monitor for displaying an image taken by the television camera selected by the camera controller 2. Reference numerals 41a to 41d are cables connecting the television cameras 1a to 1d and the camera controller.

Next, the operation will be described. In the television camera system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the selection signal generation circuit 21 built in the camera controller 2 generates a selection signal for instructing selection / non-selection of the television camera based on external control or the like, and the television camera 1a The selection signals are sent to the .about.1d via the cables 41a to 41d. further,
The power supply for the TV camera generated by the power supply circuit 22 is also supplied via the cables 41a to 41d to the TV cameras 1a to 1d.
Supply to.

The case where the camera controller 2 selects the television camera 1a will be described below as an example. The selection signal indicating that the television camera 1a is selected is sent from the selection signal generation circuit 21 to the television camera 1a. This selection signal is input to the control circuit 11 inside the television camera 1a via the cable 41a. The control circuit 11 includes a clock generation circuit 12 and a camera side power supply circuit 1.
A control signal for instructing the operation to the 3 is issued. Upon receiving this control signal, the clock generation circuit 12 and the power supply circuit 13 which are in the stopped state send the clock and power to the signal processing circuit 14 and other circuits (not shown) necessary for operating the camera. Therefore, the television camera 1a is in the operating state, the captured image is processed by the signal processing circuit 14, and then transmitted as the image signal 50a to the camera controller 2 via the cable 41a. Then, the receiving unit 24 of the camera controller 2 receives the video signal 50a, the selection circuit 25 selects it, and then outputs it to the monitor 3 as the monitor video signal 51 from the monitor output unit 26.

The selection signal generation circuit 21 of the camera controller 2 sends a selection signal indicating non-selection to the other unselected television cameras 1b, 1c, 1d via the cables 41b, 41c, 41d. To do. Upon receiving these selection signals, the control circuit 11 inside the television camera issues a signal for stopping the operation of part of the clock generation circuit 12 and the power supply circuit 13 to stop both circuits.
Therefore, the camera is in a standby state. In this way, the operation of the clock generation circuit 12 and the camera-side power supply circuit 13 can be stopped more easily than turning on / off the power directly from the camera controller 2 via the cable 41a.

As described above, according to the television camera system of the first embodiment, the television camera 1 not selected is selected.
Since b, 1c, and 1d are in the standby state with low power consumption, power consumption and heat generation can be suppressed, and the operating life can be extended.

In the first embodiment, the camera controller 2 sends both the selection signal instructing the operation and the selection signal instructing the standby state, but the television cameras 1a to 1d do not have the selection signal. In this case, the standby state (or the operating state) may be always set, and only the selection signal instructing the operating state (or the standby state) may be output only when the operating state (or the standby state) is set. Also, instead of the selection signal, the TV camera 1a
The operating state and the standby state may be switched by turning on / off the power supply required for 1d.

In the television camera 1a, the operating state and the standby state are switched by the clock circuit 12 and the power supply circuit 13 on the camera side, but they may be switched by either one.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the television cameras 1a to 1d are selected and controlled by the camera controller 2 which processes the video signal has been described. Alternatively, a dedicated device for this selection may be provided. Needless to say, the number of TV cameras is not limited to four.

Example 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the television camera system of the second embodiment. TV camera 1
a to 1d, control circuit 11, clock generation circuit 1
2, the camera side power supply circuit 13, the signal processing circuit 14, the camera controller 2, the selection signal generating circuit 21, the receiving unit 24,
The selection circuit 25, the monitor output unit 26, and the monitor 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. A video memory 23 temporarily stores a video signal.

In the television camera system shown in FIG. 2, as in the case of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, the selection signal generating circuit 21 built in the camera controller 2 causes the television cameras 1a to 1d via the cables 41a to 41d. On the other hand, the control signal for selection and non-selection is sent out, and the power supply for the camera is sent out from the power supply circuit 22. On the other hand, the selected TV camera 1a sends out the video signal 50a. This is received by the receiving unit 24 of the camera controller 2, selected by the selection circuit 25, temporarily stored in the built-in video memory 23, continuously read by the monitor output unit 26, and sent to the monitor 3. Therefore, although the television camera 1a periodically operates for a short period of time and is stopped for the rest of the time, the images captured during the operation are stored in the image memory 23, and are continuously read and output. Therefore, the monitor 3 continuously displays images during the operation.

Then, as in the case of the first embodiment, the control signal is sent from the camera controller 2, or the control circuit 11, the clock generation circuit 12, and the camera side power supply circuit incorporated in the selected television camera 1a. Under the control of 13, the signal processing circuit 14 and other necessary circuits are operated only for a short time.

According to the second embodiment, the television camera 1a
Although it operates only for a short time, its video signal is continuously displayed on the monitor 3 because it is stored in the video memory 23 and continuously read. Also in the second embodiment, since the television cameras 1b, 1c, 1d other than the television camera 1a that have received the non-selection control signal are in the non-operating state, the power consumption is reduced and the heat is generated as in the first embodiment. It can be suppressed and the life can be extended. Further, according to the second embodiment, the television camera 1a operates for a shorter time than that of the first embodiment, so that the power consumption can be further reduced, the heat generation can be suppressed, and the life can be extended. .

Example 3. Although the video memory 23 is built in the camera controller 2 in the second embodiment, it may be provided on the television camera side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment. The television camera 1, the camera controller 2, and the monitor 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. 5a ~
5d is a video memory in which the video data of the television cameras 1a to 1d is periodically written in a short time, and 6a to 6d read the video data from the video memories 5a to 5d at a lower speed than during recording and send it to the camera controller 2. And a first transmission device for receiving the selection signal, 7a to 7d are the first
Is a second transmission device that receives the video data from the transmission devices 6a to 6d and sends it to the camera controller 2 and sends the selection signal from the camera controller 2.

In the third embodiment, the selected camera 1a periodically operates for a short time, stores the video data in the video memory 5a, reads the video data at a speed lower than that at the time of recording, and 1 transmission device 6a
Send to. Then, the image of the camera 1a is transmitted from the first transmission device 6a to the second transmission device 7a via the transmission line 4a, and the image is received by the camera controller 2. The camera controller 2 selects this video and then sends it to the monitor 3. The other TV cameras 1b, 1
c and 1d are in the non-selected state and do not operate.

As described above, since the video data of the television camera 1a is stored in the video memory 5a and is read out at a low speed and sent to the camera controller, the operating time of the television camera 1a can be short, and power consumption, heat generation, and life can be reduced. In addition, the transmission speed of the cable 41a is low, which is economical. That is, when the cables 41a to 41d have a small transmission capacity, or when a communication line is used instead of the cables, a line having a small transmission capacity can be used.

Further, even when the selection signal is not sent from the camera controller 2, or even when the camera controller 2 is not provided, the operation can be limited to a short time for the television camera itself to write in the video memory 5, and the power consumption can be reduced. Can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the television camera of the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce power consumption and heat generation even if there is only one television camera, and it is possible to extend the life.

Example 4. Although the image is transmitted using the cables 41a to 41d in the third embodiment, the image may be transmitted using electromagnetic waves or light instead. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the television camera system according to the fourth embodiment. Reference numeral 61 denotes the video data read from the video memory 5 at a lower speed than that at the time of recording, to the camera controller 2,
A first transmission device 71 for transmitting by electromagnetic waves or light and receiving a selection signal, a first transmission device 71 for receiving image data by radio waves or light from the first transmission device 61 and sending it to the camera controller 2 and transmitting a selection signal. Two
Is a transmission device.

In the television camera system of the fourth embodiment configured as shown in FIG. 4, the same operation as in the third embodiment is performed, but the first transmission device 61 and the second transmission device 71 are used.
Since the data transmission between and is performed by using electromagnetic waves or light, the cables 41a to 41d for video transmission are unnecessary.

Example 5. It should be noted that the television camera 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments may be operated by a battery instead of the power source from the camera controller 2. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the fifth embodiment. Reference numeral 8 is a battery for supplying power to the television camera 1, the video memory 5, and the first transmission device 61.

In the television camera system of the fifth embodiment, the same operation as in the fourth embodiment is performed, but the television camera 1, the video memory 2, and the first transmission device 61 are operated by the power source from the battery 8. different. Since the television camera 1 only operates periodically for a short time, it consumes less power and can operate for a long time even when using a battery.

Example 6. In the third to fifth embodiments, the video memory 5 and the first transmission device 6 are connected to the television camera 1.
However, the video memory 5 and the first transmission device 6 may be built in the television camera 1. Further, the second transmission device 7 may be built in the camera controller 2. As a result, the entire TV camera system can be downsized.

Although the number of the television cameras 1 is one in FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the configurations of the fourth to fifth embodiments,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied even when using a plurality of TV cameras.

[0060]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the present invention, the television camera or the camera controller is provided with the video memory, and the control is performed so that the operation of the television camera not selected is stopped, so that the television cameras other than the selected television camera are in the non-operating state. At the same time, the selected TV camera operates for as long as it is written to the video memory common to multiple TV cameras, the operating time becomes shorter, the power consumption decreases, and the heat generation of the TV cameras can be suppressed. The TV camera can be used for a long time. Also, since the operation of the reference signal or the supply of power is instructed to stop the operation of the TV camera that is not selected, it is possible to easily make the non-selected TV cameras inactive and suppress the heat generation of the TV cameras. In addition, the TV camera can be used for a long period of time. Well
In addition , the camera controller controls to stop the operation of the TV cameras that are not selected, and the transmission method using electromagnetic waves or light is used to transmit the video signals, so all the TV cameras other than the selected TV camera are in the non-operation state. ,
The power consumption is reduced, the heat generation of the TV camera can be suppressed, and the cable for transmitting the video signal is not required, which facilitates the installation. Further, since the camera controller controls the operation of the TV camera not selected to be operated and the TV camera is operated by the battery, the power supply line of the TV camera is not required and the degree of freedom of installation is increased.

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[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a television camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a television camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a television camera system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a television camera system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a television camera system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional television camera system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 TV camera 11 Control circuit 12 clock generation circuit 13 Camera side power supply circuit 14 Signal processing circuit 2 camera controller 21 Selection signal generation circuit 22 Power circuit 23 Video memory 24 Receiver 25 selection circuit 26 Monitor output section 3 monitors 5 video memory 6 First transmission device 7 Second transmission device 8 battery 41 cable

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP 62-265880 (JP, A) JP 63-269884 (JP, A) JP 63-258172 (JP, A) JP 4- 72964 (JP, A) JP 52-51895 (JP, A) JP 53-139917 (JP, A) Actual opening 64-40970 (JP, U) Actual opening 61-140674 (JP, U) Furukaihei 2-55775 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5 / 225,5 / 232

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of television cameras for sending 1. A video signal, a transmission path for transmitting the video signal, a built-in common image memory to the plurality of television cameras, said plurality of tele
One TV camera selected from B-camera periodically
The video signal of the selected TV camera
It is written to the video memory and the unselected
Stop and control the bicamera and store it in the video memory
Continuously read out the recorded video signal and continuously display it on the monitor
A television camera system including a camera controller for controlling. 2. The television camera system according to claim 1, wherein the camera controller issues an instruction to either operate or stop a reference signal of the television camera or supply or stop power. 3. The television camera system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission device that transmits either electromagnetic waves or light instead of the transmission path. 4. The television camera system according to claim 1, wherein the television camera is operated by a battery. 5. One selected from a plurality of TV cameras
The above TV cameras are periodically operated for a short period of time so that the video signals of the selected TV cameras are accumulated in the video memory common to the plurality of TV cameras, and the TV cameras not selected are stopped. and controls, the video menu
Continuously read and monitor video signals stored in memory
TV camera control method for continuous display control . 6. The method of controlling a television camera according to claim 5, wherein the control is performed by instructing the operation or stop of the reference signal of the television camera or the supply or stop of power. 7. A receiving section for receiving video signals from a plurality of television cameras, a selection circuit for selecting one video signal from a plurality of outputs of the receiving section, and a plurality of the television cameras for writing the outputs of the selection circuits. Common video memory and monitor the video signal continuously read from the video memory
Upper and monitor output unit for continuous display, a video signal periodic short operating the one <br/> television camera that has been selected
Camera controller with a control signal generating circuit whose serial write to the video memory, and generates a control signal for stopping to the television camera is not selected. 8. The control signal generating circuit generates a control signal for instructing either operation or stop of a reference signal of the television camera or supply or stop of power. Camera controller.