Television – Camera – system and detail – Optics
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-30
2004-11-23
Christensen, Andrew (Department: 2615)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Optics
C348S211100, C348S207990
Reexamination Certificate
active
06822684
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communication between a television camera lens or other optical accessories for television shooting and a camera or other optical devices.
2. Related Background Art
In a conventional television broadcasting system, communication is performed with an analog signal as an camera-lens interface. For example, a lens system is controlled by designating to a lens a voltage for determining a position of focus lens or IRIS or determining a zoom lens speed. Conversely, lens information is transmitted by sending to a camera side a voltage indicating the position of focus lens, zoom lens or IRIS. On the other hand, in the lens, a feedback system using a potentiometer as a position sensor is constituted to form an analog servo control system.
In this case, in a conventional electric television lens and camera interface, one connector pin is allocated to each function. Specifically, for example, an iris control signal for controlling a television lens diaphragm from the television camera uses a fifth pin of a 12-pin connector between television lens and camera.
FIG. 35
is a block diagram of a conventional electric interface of television lens and camera.
A TV lens
5001
and TV camera
5002
are electrically connected via a connector
5003
. When the electric interface is viewed from TV camera
5002
, a switch input signal
5004
from a switch (not shown) in TV camera
5002
and an analog input signal
5005
generated by TV camera
5002
are transmitted to TV lens
5001
. The TV lens
5001
transmits an analog output signal
5006
and a switch output signal
5007
to TV camera
5002
.
An inside of TV lens
5001
will be described.
The switch input signal
5004
is connected to a signal processing circuit
5011
via a buffer
5008
in the TV lens
5001
to operate a function in the TV lens.
The analog input signal
5005
is transmitted to the signal processing circuit
5011
via an amplifier
5009
. The analog input signal operates each function of TV lens
5001
such as an iris, zoom, focus, extender and the like (not shown). A motor
5013
for each function is operated via a motor driving circuit
5012
in response to a signal from the signal processing circuit
5011
. Information indicating each function state of TV lens
5001
is obtained from a potentiometer
5014
operatively connected to the motor
5013
, and transmitted as the analog output signal
5006
to the TV camera
5002
from the signal processing circuit
5011
via an amplifier
5010
. Information of switch (SW)
5015
in the TV lens
5001
is transmitted as the switch output signal
5007
to the TV camera
5002
.
Additionally, in the recent TV broadcasting, TV images clearer than before have been demanded, and not only the conventional items of TV camera-lens interface but also, for example, detailed lens information items need to be transmitted to the TV camera.
However, since no vacant connector pin is present between TV lens and camera, the conventional electric TV camera-lens interface cannot meet these demands.
Moreover, even if TV lens and camera using a new electric interface are provided from now on, they need to be combined for use with the conventional type TV lens and camera presently owned by a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing system and an optical device. In the photographing system a serial communication of a request command and information is performed between a first device constituting the photographing system and a second device electrically connected to the first device, and the information is serially transmitted to the first device from the second device based on the request command from the first device. The second device is provided with a signal generating section for forming a signal independent of the request command, and the signal from the signal generating section is transmitted to the first device via a communication line provided independent of the serial communication. Thereby, various information items are transmitted in the serial communication without increasing the number of terminals. Additionally, when the information is transmitted at a high speed, the information is transmitted at a high speed via the communication line independent of the serial communication.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing system and an optical device. In the photographing system a serial communication of a request command and information is performed between a first device constituting the photographing system and a second device electrically connected to the first device, and the information is serially transmitted to the first device from the second device based on the request command from the first device. The second device is provided with a signal generating section for forming a signal independent of the request command, and predetermined information is transmitted to the first device by the signal from the signal generating section via the serial communication independent of the request command from the first device. Thereby, various information items are transmitted in the serial communication, and when high-speed communication is necessary, the information is transmitted to the first device from the second device in the serial communication without transmitting the request command.
Further aspect of the present invention provides a lens device provided with a plurality of terminals, and a parallel communicator for transmitting or receiving information with a photographing device via each of at least some terminals for use among the plurality of terminals. The lens device comprises a serial communicator in which a plurality of information items are transmitted to the photographing device or received from the photographing device by digital signals via at least one terminal of the plurality of terminals, so that communication of various information items is performed.
Other objects of the present invention are clarified by embodiments described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4404595 (1983-09-01), Ushiro et al.
patent: 4544959 (1985-10-01), Kozuki et al.
patent: 4908647 (1990-03-01), Ueyama
patent: 4945424 (1990-07-01), Hiroki et al.
patent: 5008756 (1991-04-01), Nakamura et al.
patent: 5075709 (1991-12-01), Ueyama
patent: 5303062 (1994-04-01), Kawarai et al.
patent: 5517266 (1996-05-01), Funaki et al.
patent: 5568192 (1996-10-01), Hannah
patent: 5826117 (1998-10-01), Kawamura et al.
patent: 6130717 (2000-10-01), Arai et al.
patent: 6172709 (2001-01-01), Yamano et al.
patent: 0 424 678 (1990-09-01), None
patent: 0 424 678 (1991-05-01), None
patent: 0 674 435 (1995-02-01), None
patent: 0 742 472 (1996-11-01), None
patent: 0 888 002 (1998-06-01), None
Senda Akira
Suzuki Noboru
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Tran Nhan
LandOfFree
Image signal recording system and optical device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image signal recording system and optical device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image signal recording system and optical device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3310400