WO1994012000A1 - Appareil photographique electronique et systeme photographique utilisant celui-ci - Google Patents

Appareil photographique electronique et systeme photographique utilisant celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994012000A1
WO1994012000A1 PCT/US1993/010469 US9310469W WO9412000A1 WO 1994012000 A1 WO1994012000 A1 WO 1994012000A1 US 9310469 W US9310469 W US 9310469W WO 9412000 A1 WO9412000 A1 WO 9412000A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
camera
identification number
electronic
command signal
tagged
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1993/010469
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Seishi Ohmori
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Priority to EP94901231A priority Critical patent/EP0620961A1/fr
Publication of WO1994012000A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994012000A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
    • H04N23/66—Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
    • H04N23/661—Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a camera apparatus that includes multiple electronic cameras and control apparatus, and to an electronic camera that can be connected to the control apparatus via a communication path.
  • FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of a camera apparatus that uses a conventional electronic camera.
  • an electronic camera 100 and a computer 101 are connected by a computer interface 102, and the electronic camera 100 is activated by command signals transmitted from the computer 101 via the computer interface 102, and the computer interface 102 is also used to send image data back to the computer 101.
  • While the computer interface 102 is used for data communication between the electronic camera 100 and the computer 101, communication signals are not differentiated by the interface itself.
  • This arrangement has drawbacks when it is necessary for multiple electronic cameras to be controlled by one computer.
  • electronic cameras are installed on roads so that cars exceeding the speed limit can be photographed for identification purposes, it is necessary to photograph the driver's face and the number plate as well as the shape of the car. Because a single camera is not able to photograph all these items, it is necessary to use multiple electronic cameras activated according to a set sequence.
  • a computer is used to control these multiple cameras, but as in the conventional arrangement the electronic cameras are not able to determine whether or not a particular command signal is intended for that camera or another camera, all of the cameras are operated by one command signal, making it impossible to activate the cameras according to a set sequence. Thus, it has not been possible to realize a camera apparatus whereby multiple electronic cameras are controlled by a computer.
  • multiple electronic cameras are installed on a production line which is controlled by a single computer that also monitors the quality of the products being manufactured. Monitoring of product quality is done by activating the multiple electronic cameras in a desired order, and these cameras have to be controlled by a single computer. In this case too, the electronic cameras are not able to determine whether a command signal issued by the computer is intended for a particular camera, so one command signal activates all of the cameras, making it impossible to activate the cameras in a desired sequence.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a camera apparatus that has multiple electronic cameras and enables the cameras to be controlled in a desired sequence by a computer or other such means, and to an electronic camera that has identification means for identifying control command signals transmitted by the computer or other such means.
  • an electronic-camera camera apparatus that includes multiple electronic cameras and a control apparatus that connects the multiple electronic cameras via a wired or wireless communication path and has command means that activates the multiple electronic cameras by the transmission via the communication path of command signals tagged with an identification number of an electronic camera to be activated, wherein each electronic camera has its own identification number and thereby only executes a command contained in a transmitted command signal which is tagged with an identification number that is recognized as being its own identification number by identification means that determines whether or not an identification number contained in a transmitted command signal is the identification number of that camera.
  • the object is also attained by an electronic camera that executes a command contained in a command signal transmitted from a control apparatus that is tagged with an identification number, the electronic camera having its own identification number and including identification means that determines whether or not an identification number contained in a transmitted command signal is the identification number of that camera, and camera control means which executes a command contained in a transmitted command signal that is tagged with an identification number that the identification means has recognized as being its own identification number.
  • the object is also attained by an electronic camera that executes a command contained in a command signal transmitted from a control apparatus that is tagged with an identification number, the electronic camera having an electronic camera unit that generates image data and includes a camera mechanism that has camera functions, and a coupling unit that connects to the electronic camera unit, has its own identification number and includes identification means that determines whether or not an identification number contained in a command signal is its own identification number, and means for transmitting to the electronic camera a command signal tagged with an identification number that is recognized as being its own identification number, whereby the electronic camera executes a command contained in a command signal received from the coupling unit that has been recognized by the coupling unit as being tagged with its own identification number.
  • the electronic camera according to the present invention can transmit image data tagged with its own identification number to the control apparatus.
  • a command signal transmitted to the electronic cameras by the control apparatus is tagged with the identification ⁇
  • control apparatus can therefore provide independently control of multiple cameras.
  • the identification means that each camera is provided with can distinguish whether or not a command signal sent by the control apparatus is intended for that camera.
  • the identification means that each coupling unit is provided with also can distinguish whether a command signal sent by the control apparatus is for that camera or not.
  • image data tagged with individual camera identification numbers is sent by the cameras to the control apparatus, so the control apparatus can also differentiate the image data from the different cameras.
  • Figure 1 shows the system configuration of a camera apparatus that uses an electronic camera according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a system configuration in which the bus used in the arrangement of Figure 1 has been replaced by a transceiver to provide wireless communication;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 shows the arrangement of a camera apparatus that uses a conventional electronic camera.
  • FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of an electronic camera apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • three electronic cameras 10, 11 and 12 and three computers 13, 14 and 15 are linked by a bus 16.
  • Each electronic camera is assigned an exclusive identification number (ID) , which are 01, 02 and 03, respectively, in the case of the electronic cameras 10, 11 and 12.
  • ID exclusive identification number
  • the electronic cameras only execute command signal commands tagged with these IDs.
  • Command signals sent to the electronic cameras by the computers 13, 14 and 15 can be tagged with these camera IDs by a command means.
  • the computer 13 when it is necessary for the computer 13 to activate the electronic camera 10 to obtain the image data of that camera, this can be accomplished by sending a command signal tagged with the ID 01 across the bus 16. As ID 01 is the identification number of electronic camera 10, the command signal thus tagged will activate electronic camera 10 without tagging electronic cameras 11 and 12.
  • the three computers send command signals tagged with the respective IDs over the bus 16, the prescribed commands will be executed by the corresponding camera. If each of the computers is provided with an identification circuit for identifying the electronic camera IDs, even if data is sent by the three cameras simultaneously, the prescribed computer can obtain the correct data.
  • Data can be sent by wireless means rather than over a bus.
  • Such an arrangement is illustrated Figure 2, in which the bus is replaced by providing one transceiver 8 on the camera side and a corresponding transceiver 9 on the computer side, whereby data can be communicated in both directions.
  • the number of electronic cameras and computers used in the invention is arbitrary and not limited to the number described with reference to the above embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of a first embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.
  • the camera of this first embodiment includes a computer interface 18 via which signals are exchanged with a control computer (not shown) , and a camera control circuit 19 which controls the activation of the electronic camera in accordance with command signals received via the computer interface 18 from the computer.
  • the camera control circuit 19 constitutes the camera control means of this invention.
  • Stored in the camera control circuit 19 is one of the exclusive identification numbers assigned to each of the electronic cameras.
  • Each command signal issued by the computer is tagged with the identification number of the camera for which the command signal is intended.
  • the camera control circuit 19 has an identification circuit 20 that determines whether the identification number included in the command signal is the identification number assigned to that camera.
  • the identification circuit 20 constitutes the identification means of this invention.
  • the camera control circuit 19 only executes commands included in command signals that the identification circuit 20 has determined are tagged with the identification number assigned to that camera. It is therefore possible for the camera to be activated only when a command signal assigned there
  • a timing circuit 21 generates timing pulses under the control of the camera control circuit 19. Timing pulses generated by the timing circuit 21 are supplied to a driver 22 that drives a charge-coupled device (CCD) 23.
  • An analog image processor 24 processes the analog image signal output of the CCD 23 for input to the A/D converter 25. In accordance with the output of the CCD 23 and timing pulses, the analog image processor 24 also controls the aperture and shutter drive of the electronic camera by means of shutter drive signals 29. Analog signals output by the analog image processor 24 are digitized by the A/D converter 25. Digitized image signal data output by the A/D converter 25 are stored in an image memory 26.
  • the analog image processor 24, A/D converter 25 and image memory 26 are each supplied with timing pulses from the timing circuit 21. Thus, the timing of the activation of the driver 22, CCD 23, analog image processor 24, A/D converter 25 and image memory 26 is synchronized by the timing pulses generated by the timing circuit 21.
  • the digitized image signal data stored in the image memory 26 is compressed by an image compression circuit 27, and the compressed image data is stored in an image data memory 28.
  • the image data memory 28 is also able to transfer stored image data to the computer, via the computer interface 18.
  • the image data memory 28 is. controlled by the camera control circuit 19, so storage and transfer of image data are therefore carried out under the control of the camera control circuit 19.
  • FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of a second embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.
  • the difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that this embodiment is arranged so that a coupling unit 31 can be coupled to and decoupled from an electronic camera unit 30 that is provided with image data generation capability.
  • the coupling unit 31 includes a computer interface 32 via which signals are exchanged with a control computer (not shown) , and a control circuit 33 which receives command signals via the computer interface 32 and transmits the command signals to the camera via a command signal line 39.
  • Stored in the control circuit 33 is one of the exclusive identification numbers assigned to each of the coupling units 31.
  • each command signal issued by the computer is tagged with the identification number of the camera for which the command signal is intended, and the control circuit 33 is provided with an identification circuit 40 that determines whether the identification number included in the command signal is the identification number assigned to that camera. Only command signals tagged with the identification number assigned to that camera are sent over the command signal line 39 to the electronic camera unit 30.
  • the electronic camera unit 30 is provided with a coupling unit interface 34 for exchanging signals with the coupling unit 31, a camera control circuit 35 that controls the activation of the electronic camera unit 30 in accordance with command signals received via the coupling unit interface 34, and a camera mechanism 36 that is controlled by the camera control circuit 35.
  • the camera control circuit 35 executes commands included in command signals received from the computer via the coupling unit interface 34 and does not. As the task of identifying whether or not those command signals are directed at that camera is performed by the control circuit 33 of the coupling unit 31, the camera control circuit 35 itself does not need an identification circuit. Thus, in this embodiment the execution of commands assigned to that camera is achieved by coupling together the electronic camera unit 30 and the coupling unit 31.
  • the camera mechanism 36 may be constituted by, for example, a timing circuit, CCD, analog image processing circuit and the like, as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, under the control of the camera control circuit 35 image data can also be sent to the computer via the coupling unit interface 34, image data signal line 38, the control circuit 33 and the computer interface 32. A video signal line 37 can be used to send a video signal from the camera mechanism 36 to an external display.
  • the coupling unit 31 can be coupled to another system mechanism, such as another coupling unit equipped with an interface with a still photography development means, for example.
  • another system mechanism such as another coupling unit equipped with an interface with a still photography development means, for example.
  • the video signal line 37, image data signal line 38 and command signal line 39 can be used to exchange signals with the other coupling unit.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)
  • Transforming Light Signals Into Electric Signals (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système photographique qui commande de multiples appareils photographiques électroniques raccordés à un ordinateur et destinés à être utilisés selon une séquence voulue, ainsi qu'un appareil photographique utilisé par ledit système.
PCT/US1993/010469 1992-11-10 1993-11-01 Appareil photographique electronique et systeme photographique utilisant celui-ci Ceased WO1994012000A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94901231A EP0620961A1 (fr) 1992-11-10 1993-11-01 Appareil photographique electronique et systeme photographique utilisant celui-ci

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4/299587 1992-11-10
JP4299587A JPH06153204A (ja) 1992-11-10 1992-11-10 電子カメラ及び電子カメラを使用した撮影装置

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994012000A1 true WO1994012000A1 (fr) 1994-05-26

Family

ID=17874566

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1993/010469 Ceased WO1994012000A1 (fr) 1992-11-10 1993-11-01 Appareil photographique electronique et systeme photographique utilisant celui-ci

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0620961A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH06153204A (fr)
WO (1) WO1994012000A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2752982A1 (fr) * 1996-09-03 1998-03-06 Mu 13 Ingenierie Sarl Procede et dispositif de commande a distance d'une ou plusieurs cameras
EP1430708A4 (fr) * 2001-08-08 2006-11-02 Sensormatic Electronics Corp Dispositif a faisceaux de cables pour ensemble de cameras video multinoeuds

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3423620B2 (ja) 1998-07-30 2003-07-07 キヤノン株式会社 撮像装置及び制御装置及び撮像装置制御システム及びその制御方法及び記憶媒体
WO2025048467A1 (fr) * 2023-08-29 2025-03-06 디엘이앤씨 주식회사 Jauge de fissure du type internet des objets liée à un téléphone intelligent et système de mesure de fissure pour installation
KR102635926B1 (ko) * 2023-08-29 2024-02-13 디엘이앤씨 주식회사 시설물의 균열 계측 시스템

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4326221A (en) * 1980-09-30 1982-04-20 Mallos Gene G Central/remote television monitoring system
JPH01166025A (ja) * 1987-12-22 1989-06-29 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 電子カメラ
EP0348726A2 (fr) * 1988-06-25 1990-01-03 Nokia (Deutschland) GmbH Dispositif de commande à distance

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4326221A (en) * 1980-09-30 1982-04-20 Mallos Gene G Central/remote television monitoring system
JPH01166025A (ja) * 1987-12-22 1989-06-29 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 電子カメラ
EP0348726A2 (fr) * 1988-06-25 1990-01-03 Nokia (Deutschland) GmbH Dispositif de commande à distance

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 13, no. 436 (P - 938) 29 September 1989 (1989-09-29) *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2752982A1 (fr) * 1996-09-03 1998-03-06 Mu 13 Ingenierie Sarl Procede et dispositif de commande a distance d'une ou plusieurs cameras
EP1430708A4 (fr) * 2001-08-08 2006-11-02 Sensormatic Electronics Corp Dispositif a faisceaux de cables pour ensemble de cameras video multinoeuds

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH06153204A (ja) 1994-05-31
EP0620961A1 (fr) 1994-10-26

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