JPH07199281A - Camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To photograph an object caught in the visual field of an independent finder with a camera with a simple constitution by making a photographer free from holding the camera, bringing it close to his face and locking through a finder. CONSTITUTION:A signal for letting the direction of the camera 1 follow the direction of the independent finder 10 is generated from the relation of a reference signal transfer time with a signal transfer time obtained when the direction of the independent finder 10 is changed and motor-driven universal heads 24, 29, 30 and 47 are driven with the signal, to always make the direction of the independent finder 10 coincident with that of the camera 1 as in a three- dimensional linkage mechanism. Moreover, a signal for correcting the parallax of the visual field of the independent finder 10 and the photographic visual field of the camera 1 is generated from reference object distance information and object distance information obtained at the time of photographing and the motor-driven universal heads 24, 29, 30 and 47 are driven with this signal, to always make these visual fields coincident.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system having an independent finder separated from a camera and an electric pan head for changing the direction of the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The following is a list of cameras and related art that may be used for controlling the cameras in connection with the present invention.

1) The viewfinder of a camera is generally provided integrally with the camera body.

2) In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 289893/1989, the camera is supported by a camera rotation driving section that rotates left and right so that the camera faces the direction of the photographer's head. There is disclosed a technique in which the camera rotation driving unit is mounted on the head by means such as the above, and the camera rotation driving unit is driven so that the camera rotates a predetermined angle (angle of difference between the head direction and the line of sight) by the output from the constant head angle detection switch.

3) In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-24386, a planar antenna whose radio wave reception output changes according to the movement of the helmet is provided above an oscillator mounted on a helmet worn by an operator, and There is disclosed a technique of detecting a head movement of an operator from a reception output of the antenna and transmitting a control command signal for controlling the orientation of the visual sensor according to the detection output.

4) In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-271691, the gyro on the helmet worn by the operator detects the angular velocity when the helmet moves, and the detected angular velocity signal is used to determine the attitude of the helmet. A technique is disclosed in which the TV camera control device controls the attitude of the TV camera from the calculated attitude signal of the helmet, which changes from moment to moment, and changes the screen of the monitor TV according to the movement of the head of the operator.

5) In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-86906, output signals of eye movements in the vertical and horizontal directions of an eye movement detector are introduced into a control device, a control amount for a TV camera is calculated, and the calculated result is wirelessly calculated. A technique is disclosed in which a signal is generated, the unmanned vehicle side receives the signal, and controls the orientation of a TV camera mounted on the unmanned vehicle.

[0008]

However, each of the above 1) to 5) has the following problems.

In the conventional example of the above 1), it is necessary to hold the camera in hand, bring it near the face, and look through the viewfinder provided integrally with the camera to take a picture. was there.

A) If a video camera or the like takes a long time to shoot, the above-mentioned shooting posture must be maintained all the while, and it becomes tired.

B) When encountering a scene to be photographed, it takes time to set up the camera and miss a photo opportunity.

C) In the still camera, the photographing posture is
It gives a feeling of tension to the person who is the subject, "I will shoot from now on", making it difficult to make a natural expression,
I can't take good pictures.

D) When the hands are closed due to sports or carrying luggage, the camera cannot be held and the photograph cannot be taken. Also, when fixing the camera to the helmet in sports etc., the optical axis of the shooting lens is adjusted to the direction where the face is roughly facing, but it is not possible to look into the viewfinder, so it is not possible to know the exact shooting range, so aim Since it is not possible to capture the subject, the probability of shooting failure is extremely high.

In the conventional example of the above 2), the camera must be attached to the head so that it faces the direction of the head of the photographer, and there are the following problems.

A) The degree of freedom of the mounting place is small.

B) Since a large part of the system is attached to the head, the fatigue due to the weight is great and it is not suitable for long-time photographing.

The conventional example of 3) above has the following problems.

A) Since a planar antenna must be provided on a helmet or overhead, the device is large and not portable, and is not suitable for outdoor shooting.

The conventional example of 4) above has the following problems.

A) It is necessary to wear a helmet equipped with a gyro, and it is necessary to confirm the field of view of the camera on the monitor TV. Therefore, the size and complexity of the device and power consumption cannot be denied. Especially not suitable for still cameras.

The conventional example of 4) above has the following problems.

A) An eye movement detector must be equipped, which makes the device large and complicated.

(Purpose of the Invention) The purpose of the present invention is that the camera is held near the face with the hand in hand, and the viewfinder of the independent viewfinder is opened, and the viewfinder of the independent viewfinder is used. It is intended to provide a camera system capable of shooting the same subject with a camera.

[0024]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an electric pan head for supporting a camera and changing its direction and a signal emitted from a plurality of transmitters provided in the camera or an independent viewfinder are provided. Correspondingly, an independent finder, or measuring means for measuring a signal passing time until reaching a plurality of receiving parts provided in the camera, and a storing means for storing the signal passing time measured by the measuring means. With reference to the signal delivery time stored in the storage means, the orientation of the camera is determined from the relationship between the signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder changes. And a signal generating means for outputting this signal to the electric pan head,
Further, according to the present invention, the image projected by the field-of-view illumination for projecting the image corresponding to the shooting field of view of the camera in front of the camera and the substantially rectangular field frame representing the screen frame are stored, and stored. When the operation switch that determines the timing for storing the signal delivery time in the means is turned on, the signal delivery time stored in the storage means is used as a reference,
From the relationship between this signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent viewfinder changes, a signal that causes the camera direction to follow the orientation of the independent viewfinder is generated, and this signal is sent to the electric platform. According to the present invention, the operation switch is turned on in a state in which the image projected by the visual field indicator illumination and the visual field frame are matched with each other. The signal delivery time and the subject distance information are stored in the storage means, respectively, and the signal delivery time at this time is used as a reference, and this signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder changes. Signal is generated to cause the direction of the camera to follow the direction of the independent viewfinder, and the independent distance information is obtained from the subject distance information at this time and the subject distance information obtained at the time of shooting. Equipped with a signal generator that generates a signal that performs parallax correction between the field of view of the inder and the field of view of the camera and outputs it to the electric platform, and the signal transfer obtained when the reference signal transfer time and the direction of the independent viewfinder are changed. From the relationship with the time, a signal is generated that causes the camera direction to follow the direction of the independent viewfinder, and the direction of the independent viewfinder and the camera direction are always matched, as if it were a three-dimensional link mechanism. A signal for performing parallax correction between the field of view of the independent viewfinder and the field of view of the camera is generated from the information and the subject distance information obtained at the time of shooting, and these fields of view are always matched.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

1 to 21 are views relating to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera system having an independent finder, and FIG. 2 is a state in which a person wears the camera system of FIG. FIG. Further, FIG. 3 is a view of a person wearing the independent finder of FIG. 1 viewed from the upper side, and is illustrated so that the internal structure of the independent finder can be understood.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body, 2
Is a photographing lens of the camera, 3 is a light projecting system of the automatic focusing device of the camera, 4 is a light receiving system of the automatic focusing device of the camera, 5
Is a remote control receiver of the camera. Numeral 6 is a camera visual field index illumination which is evenly arranged around the photographing lens and projects four corner positions corresponding to the photographing visual field of the camera on a surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing lens, as will be described later. Is. 7,
Reference numerals 8 and 9 are receivers corresponding to the transmitting sounding bodies 17, 18, and 19 provided in the independent finder 10 described later.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an independent finder, which is in the form of the right half of spectacles so that it can be worn by the right eye, as shown in FIGS. Reference numeral 11 is a finder illumination such as an LED for making the image of the field frame 13 look bright, 12 is a diffusion plate for uniformly diffusing the light from the finder illumination 11, and 14 is a field lens using an aspherical decentered optical system. . 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a meniscus half mirror lens provided immediately in front of the eyes, which is generated by the half mirror by vapor-depositing a reflecting material to be a half mirror on the inner surface near the eyes and making this half mirror surface an aspherical decentered optical system. Suppresses eccentric aberration.

The meniscus half mirror lens 15 is a lens having the same outer and inner radii of curvature, and since the transmission system has no power, the light from the subject side is darkened by 50%, but there is no performance deterioration. As a reflection optical system for guiding the image of the field frame 13 to the eyes, the combined focal length of the half mirror surface (inner surface) of the field lens 14 and the meniscus half mirror lens 15 is waited. Further, by combining the parallel decentering of the meniscus half mirror lens 15, the parallel decentering of the field lens 14, the tilt decentering, and the aspherical surface, and correcting the decentering distortion in the field frame 13, a normal field frame virtual image can be obtained.

Reference numeral 16 is a camera body 1 and an independent finder 1.
It is a signal and power supply line for transmitting and receiving signals to and from 0, and for supplying power (not shown) on the camera body 1 side to the independent finder 10. Reference numerals 17, 18, and 19 denote transmitting sounding bodies arranged in a line along the temple 10a for hanging the independent finder 10 on the ear, and the receivers 7 arranged in a line on the upper surface of the corresponding camera body 1 respectively. , 8, 9
As described later, the sound waves can be sent to the camera to function as if it were a three-dimensional link mechanism (the direction of the camera can be made to follow the direction of the photographer's face).

Reference numeral 117 is an inclinometer provided in the independent finder 10 and has the form of a potentiometer. 11
Reference numeral 7a denotes a movable contactor, which has a pendulum shape having a weight 117c at its tip, makes sliding contact with the semicircular resistance substrate 117b, and tilts the front and rear of the independent finder 10 (the photographer faces upward or downward). It is possible to detect the current state) by the voltage change.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a remote controller, a set signal for causing the camera visual field of the camera body 1 and the visual field of the independent finder 10 to coincide with each other, and storing this state in the camera (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as visual field calibration) and the camera. Distance measurement to 1,
It has a function of transmitting the SW1 signal for performing photometry and the SW2 signal for performing the exposure operation to the camera body 1 by turning on the following switches. Reference numeral 21 is a release switch which is provided on the remote controller 20 and includes a first stroke switch and a second stroke switch. The SW1 signal is generated by the first stroke and the SW2 signal is generated by the second stroke. A field-of-view calibration switch 22 is also provided on the remote controller 20, and when it is turned on, a set signal for the field-of-view calibration is generated. An iRED 23 is also provided on the remote controller 20, and transmits the above-mentioned signals to the camera body 1 as remote controller signals.

Reference numeral 24 is an upper unit of the electric platform, which is provided with constituent members (motor, gear train, etc.) for swinging the camera body 1 vertically and horizontally. Reference numeral 25 is a rotary shaft for horizontal swing of the camera body 1, and 26 is a support member for vertical swing of the camera body 1. Reference numeral 27 is a vertical swing shaft. Reference numeral 28 denotes a camera fixing base support shaft. Reference numeral 29 denotes a camera fixing base, which is screwed with a tripod female screw (not shown) provided on the camera body 1 with a tripod male screw (not shown) to fix the camera body 1.

The left and right swinging rotary shaft 25 has a vertical swinging supporting member 26 fixed thereto, and the vertical swinging supporting member 26 and the vertical swinging shaft 27 are rotatably fitted together to support the camera fixing base. The shaft 28 has a vertical swing shaft 27 and a camera fixing base 29 fixed to each other. Further, the power of a later-described left / right swing motor 76 is transmitted to the left / right swing shaft 25 by a gear train (not shown),
The left / right swing shaft 25 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the electric pan upper unit 24. In addition, the vertical swing shaft 2
The upper and lower swinging motors 7 described later are provided by a gear train (not shown).
The power of 7 is transmitted, and the vertical pivoting rotary shaft 27 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the support member 26.

Reference numeral 78 is a left / right swing encoder that is interlocked with the rotation of the left / right swing shaft 25. When the camera body 1 is in the neutral position, the movable contact piece 78a has a left / right swing shaft 25. When the ground pattern 78b and the terminal pattern 78d provided around the base of the
When the ground pattern 78b and the terminal pattern 78c are positioned to the right, the ground pattern 78b and the terminal pattern 78e are brought into conduction with each other. Reference numeral 79 denotes a vertical swing encoder that is interlocked with the rotation of the vertical swing rotary shaft 27. When the camera body 1 is in the neutral position, the movable contact piece 79a is located on the side surface of the vertical swing instruction member 26. Ground pattern 79b and terminal pattern 79d provided
When in the upward position, the ground pattern 79b and the terminal pattern 79c are in the conductive state, and in the downward position, the ground pattern 79b and the terminal pattern 79e are in the conductive state.

Reference numeral 30 is a bottom plate of the electric platform. Reference numeral 31 denotes a joint hemisphere fixed to the lower platform 30 of the electric platform, which is coupled with a joint hemisphere receiving portion (not shown) provided on the upper unit 24 of the electrical platform to freely move the upper unit 24 on a spherical surface. Support to move to.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a motor fixed to the bottom plate 30 of the electric platform, which is used as a power source for changing the posture of the upper unit 24 of the platform. 33 is a worm gear fixed to the rotary shaft of the motor, 34 is a worm gear 3
It is a two-stage gear consisting of a helical gear and a spur gear that mesh with 3 and is rotatably fitted and supported by a shaft (not shown) vertically provided on the lower base plate 30 of the electric platform. Reference numeral 35 is a jack gear that meshes with the spur gear of the two-stage gear 34, and its movement in the thrust direction is restricted, and the jack gear 35 is rotatably fitted and supported by a shaft (not shown) vertically provided on the lower base plate 30 of the electric platform. There is. Further, on the inner wall of the upper cylinder 35 a of the jack gear 35, a female screw portion is formed coaxially with the rotation shaft of the gear 35 and screwed with a feed screw shaft 36 described later. Reference numeral 36 denotes a feed screw shaft, whose upper end is fixed to the electric pan head upper unit 24 by hanging like a pendulum while being restricted from rotating in the axial direction, and screwed with a female screw portion of the inner wall of the upper cylinder 35a of the jack gear 35. A male screw portion is formed. In order to level the electric platform upper unit 24, the jack gear 35 driven by the motor 32 independently feeds or pulls it in.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a motor fixed to the lower base plate 30 of the electric platform, which is used as a power source for changing the posture of the upper unit 24 of the electrical platform, like the motor 32. Numeral 38 is a worm gear fixed to the rotary shaft of the motor 4, 39 is a two-stage gear consisting of a helical gear and a spur gear that mesh with the worm gear 38. It is rotatably fitted and supported by (shown). Reference numeral 40 denotes a jack gear that meshes with the spur gear of the two-stage gear 39, is restricted from moving in the thrust direction, and is rotatably fitted and supported by a shaft (not shown) vertically provided on the lower platform plate 30 of the electric platform. There is. Also, jack gear 4
On the inner wall of the upper cylinder 40a of No. 0, a female screw portion is formed coaxially with the rotation shaft of the gear 40 and screwed with a feed screw shaft 41 described later. Reference numeral 41 denotes a feed screw shaft, whose upper end is fixed to the electric pan head upper unit 24 by hanging like a pendulum while being restricted from rotating in the axial direction, and screwed with a female screw portion of the inner wall of the upper cylinder 40a of the jack gear 40. A male screw portion is formed. In order to level the electric pan head upper unit 24, the jack gears 40 driven by the motors 37 are independently fed or pulled.

Numerals 42 and 43 are tension springs, which are located at positions facing the two jack gears with the joint hemisphere in between, and are the electric pan head upper unit 24 and the electric pan head lower main plate 30.
Are attracted to.

Reference numerals 44 to 46 constitute posture detection switches of the electric camera platform upper unit 24. More specifically, 4
Reference numeral 4 is a weight contact piece of the pendulum, and 45 is a support line which hangs the weight contact piece 44 from the electric camera platform upper unit 24 while electrically conducting with the weight contact piece 44, and does not easily shake due to vibration. It is made of a material with moderate vibration damping property. Reference numeral 46 denotes a posture contact piece that surrounds the weight contact piece 44. When the electric camera platform upper unit 24 is in a horizontal state, the weight contact piece 44 is arranged in a substantially circular shape so that the weight contact piece 44 is located at the center of the attitude contact piece. It is possible to detect the posture of the tabletop unit 24 at eight positions.

Reference numeral 47 (illustrated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) is a cover member that covers between the electric camera platform upper unit 24 and the electric camera platform lower main plate 30 and has a bellows-like expandable and contractible shape. Reference numeral 48 denotes a shoulder belt, which is attached to the lower base plate 30 of the electric pan head, and as shown in FIG. 2, the electric pan head can be mounted on the shoulder.

4 and 5 are block diagrams showing the electrical construction of the camera system having the above construction. FIG. 4 shows the camera body 1, the independent finder 10 and the remote controller 20, and FIG. 5 shows the electric pan head. ing.

First, the camera body 1 will be described.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 51 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a camera microcomputer) arranged in the camera body 1 for controlling each circuit of the independent finder 10 and a microcomputer in an electric pan head (to be described later) ( Hereinafter, a signal is exchanged with a pan head microcomputer), or a remote control signal from the remote controller 20 is received, and a shooting preparation operation and a shooting operation are performed. Reference numeral 52 denotes a field-of-view index illumination drive circuit that drives the above-described four camera field-of-view index illuminations 6, and a drive signal is transmitted from the _Pb port of the camera microcomputer. Reference numerals 6a to 6d, 53 are resistors, and _Pc is a port of the camera microcomputer 51 for inputting a remote control signal from the remote control 20 via the remote control receiving section 5. Reference numeral 54 is a known distance measuring means including the above-mentioned active autofocus light emitting / receiving system 34 and a focus detection circuit, and P of the camera microcomputer 51.
Send and receive signals via the _d port. 55, 56, 57
The receiving amplifier corresponding to each receiver 7,8,9 described above, amplifies the signal received by each receiver 7,8,9, this camera microcomputer P _h, P _i, the P _j port Tell.

Next, the circuit configuration of the independent finder 10 will be described.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a finder illumination drive circuit for driving the finder illumination 11 such as an LED via the resistor 11a, and a drive signal is input from the P _a port of the camera microcomputer 15. 59, 60, 61 is a transmitting amplifier corresponding to each transmit sounding body 17, 18 and 19 described above, P _e, P _f of the camera microcomputer 51, the sounding body by a drive signal on P _g ports 17-19 To drive. 117 is the inclinometer 117 described above, from which the independent finder 10
The voltage value according to the inclination before and after the
_It is transmitted to the _t port.

Next, the circuit configuration of the remote controller 20 will be described.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a remote control drive circuit, which generates an iRED drive signal having a pattern corresponding to each switch and causes the signal transmission iRED 23 to emit light through the resistor 23a.
22 is a visual field calibration switch, 63 is a first stroke switch (SW1), 64 is a second stroke switch (SW2), 65 to 67 are pull-up resistors, 68
Numerals 70 to 70 are inverters that output a high level signal by turning on each of the visual field calibration switch 22, the first stroke switch 63, and the second stroke switch 64.

Next, the circuit configuration of the electric platform is shown in FIG.
Will be explained.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 71 is a pan head microcomputer which controls each circuit of the electric pan head. Reference numerals 72 to 75 denote drive circuits for driving the left and right swing motor 76, the vertical swing motor 77, and the posture varying motors 32 and 37 of the electric platform upper unit 24, respectively. _l
A drive signal is transmitted from the ~ P _o port. Reference numerals 78 and 79 are left and right and up and down swing encoders having the above-mentioned configuration. 80 to 85 are pull-up resistors. 86-91
Is an inverter that outputs a high-level signal when each terminal pattern of the swing encoders 78 and 79 is in a conductive state. The signal from here is a P _g port (left and right swing) of the pan head microcomputer 71. Encoder signal), P _r
Input to each port (up / down swing encoder signal).

Numerals 92 to 99 are contact pieces which divide the above-mentioned attitude contact piece 46 so as to detect the attitudes of eight positions. When the contact pieces are brought into contact with the weight contact piece 44, an attitude signal is generated from each contact piece. . 100 to 107 are pull-up resistors. Reference numerals 108 to 115 are inverters that output a high-level signal when the contact piece that constitutes the attitude contact piece 46 is brought into a conductive state (ON) with the weight contact piece 44, and each attitude signal is a P signal of the pan head microcomputer 71. It is input to the ₁ ~P ₈ port.

The pan head microcomputer 71 includes receivers 7, 8,
The result of arithmetic processing based on the signal received at 9 is input from the P _k port of the camera microcomputer 51 through the P _s port,
The respective motors 1 to 4 are driven and controlled so that the viewfinder field and the camera field of view match.

Next, the operation of the camera system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15 and 21 according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 11 and 16 to 20.

The programs corresponding to the flow charts of FIGS. 6, 7, 16, and 19 are stored in the ROM incorporated in the camera microcomputer 51, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, 17, and 1.
The programs corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 20 are stored in the ROMs built in the camera platform microcomputer 71, respectively.

First, the main operation of the camera microcomputer 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. [Step 101] The power switch (not shown) is turned on, the power is supplied to the camera microcomputer 51 and the camera platform microcomputer 71, and after power-up clear, the operations after step 102 are started. [Step 102] Finder 1 independent from P _a port
0 finder lighting drive circuit 58 to finder lighting 11
The signal for blinking is sent to blink the finder illumination 11. As a result, the photographer can see the blinking of the visual field frame 13 in the visual field of the finder, and recognizes that visual field calibration has not been performed yet. [Step 103] As a preparatory step for the field-of-view calibration, in order to determine whether the camera body 1 worn by the photographer on the shoulder is facing the front, the camera swings from the P _k port to the P _s port of the pan head microcomputer 71. A command signal is sent so as to see the states of the encoder 78 and the vertical swing encoder 79.

Pan head microcomputer 71 which receives this command signal
8, the signals from the swing encoders 78 and 79 are input through the P _g and P _r ports, and the terminal patterns 78d and 79d are both electrically connected to the movable contact pieces 78a and 79a (hereinafter , ON), the camera body 1 is in the neutral position in both the left and right swing directions and the up and down swing directions, and is determined to be facing the front, and this is communicated to the camera microcomputer 51. Otherwise, the camera body 1 communicates to the camera microcomputer 51 a signal indicating that the camera body 1 is not facing the front. [Step 103.5] When the signal for the direction of the camera body 1 is sent from the camera platform microcomputer 71, it is determined from this signal whether or not the camera body 1 is facing the front, and if it is facing the front. If not, the process proceeds to step 104, and if facing the front, the process proceeds to step 105. [Step 104] From the P _k port to the pan head microcomputer 71
The camera body 1 sends a command signal so that the camera body 1 faces the front, the process returns to step 103, and the same determination is performed.

The pan head microcomputer 71 which receives this command signal
As shown in FIG. 9, if the terminal pattern 78c of the left / right swing encoder 78 is ON, it is determined that the camera body 1 is facing left, and if the terminal pattern 78e is ON, the camera body 1 is turned ON. If it is determined that the main body 1 is facing right, and if the terminal pattern 79c of the vertical swing encoder 79 is ON, then it is determined that the camera body 1 is facing upward, and the terminal pattern 79e is ON. if, as the camera body 1 determines that the facing down, terminal patterns 78d and 79d of the encoder 78 and 79 vibrating the neck both ON, P _l
The drive signal of the left / right swing motor 76 is sent from the port to the drive circuit 72, and / or the drive signal of the vertical swing motor 77 is sent from the P _m port to the drive circuit 73.
6 and 77 are driven appropriately.

As a result of the above communication, when it is determined in step 103.5 that the camera body 1 faces the front,
Go to step 105.

Here, the detailed flow charts showing the above-mentioned operations in the camera microcomputer 51 and the camera platform microcomputer 71 in the above steps 103 and 104 are omitted for simplification of the drawing. [Step 105] Similar to step 103, as a preparation step for the visual field calibration, in order to determine whether the camera worn by the photographer on the shoulder is not tilted and is properly horizontal, P _{k of the} camera microcomputer 51 is determined. port sends a command signal to go to a state of P _s attitude detection switch to the port of the platform microcomputer 71.

The pan head microcomputer 71 which receives this command signal
As shown in FIG. 10, the status signals of the contact pieces 92 to 99 are set to P
_{If the signal} input from the _{1 to} P ₈ ports and the signal that the contact pieces 92 to 99 are turned on is not input to any of the P _{1 to} P ₈ ports, it is determined that the camera body 1 is horizontal, and Communicate with the camera microcomputer 51. If not, if any of the contact pieces 92 to 99 is turned on, the tilt direction of the camera is determined depending on which contact piece is turned on, and a signal indicating that the camera body 1 is not horizontal is given to the camera. Communicate with the microcomputer 51. [Step 105.5] When the attitude signal of the camera body 1 is sent from the camera platform microcomputer 71, it is determined from this signal whether the camera body 1 is in the horizontal state,
If it is not horizontal, the process proceeds to step 106, and if it is horizontal, the process proceeds to step 107. [Step 106] _Pk port to pan head microcomputer 71
The camera main body 1 sends a command signal so that the camera body 1 faces the horizontal direction, the process returns to step 105.5, and the same determination is performed.

The pan head microcomputer 71 which receives this command signal
As shown in FIG. 11, based on the determination result in step 105, the drive signal of the motor 32 from the P _n port to the drive circuit 74 and the drive circuit 74 are controlled so that none of the contact pieces 92 to 99 are turned on. A drive signal for the motor 37 is sent from the P _o port to the drive circuit 75 to drive the motors 3 and 4 appropriately.
For example, when the camera body 1 mounted on the right shoulder is descending to the right along the inclination of the shoulder, the weight contact piece 44 contacts the contact piece 98, and an ON signal is transmitted to the P ₇ port of the pan head microcomputer. . Therefore, the motors 3 and 4 are driven, the respective jack gears 35 and 40 are rotated through the respective gear trains, the feed screws 36 and 41 are lifted, and the electric pan head upper unit 24
Is horizontally displaced to level the camera.

As a result of the above communication, when it is determined in step 105.5 that the camera body 1 is in the horizontal state, the process proceeds to step 107.

Here, the detailed flow charts showing the above-mentioned operations in the camera microcomputer 51 and the camera platform microcomputer 71 in steps 105 and 106 are omitted for the sake of simplification of the drawing. [Step 107] sends a lighting signal from P _b port to field indicator for illumination driving circuit 52 to light the four cameras viewing indicator illumination 6.

At this time, the photographer faces the vertical white wall 116 or the like at a predetermined distance (for example, about 2 m), as shown in FIG.
The camera field index illumination 6 is projected on the white wall or the like 116. Then, looking at the projected illumination image for camera field of view through the meniscus half mirror lens 15 of the mounted independent viewfinder 10, as shown in FIG.
The four corners of the image 13a of the visual field frame 13 that can be seen as a superimpose are matched with the camera visual field index illumination image 6e. If the illumination image 6e is the image 13a of the field frame 13,
If the corners of the illumination image 6e and the image 13a do not match exactly, the distance to the white wall 116 is different from the predetermined distance. Then, when the four corners of the illumination image 6e and the image 13a coincide with each other, the photographer turns on the visual field calibration switch 22 of the remote controller 20. Incidentally, 13b is A
It is an F distance measuring frame. [Step 108] At the time when the camera visual field index illumination lighting signal is output in step 107, that is, before the visual field calibration is started and before the timer (not shown) in the camera microcomputer 51 that counts time counts up. It is determined whether or not the field-of-view calibration switch 22 of the remote controller 20 is turned on and the set signal is transmitted. If the set signal is not transmitted as the remote control signal within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 114, and if it is transmitted. Control goes to step 109.

Here, the operation of the remote controller 20 will be briefly described. When the visual field calibration switch 22 is turned on by the photographer, the remote controller drive circuit 62 transmits the signal with a pattern corresponding to the ON signal of the switch. Drive iRED23. This allows iRED for transmission
A light projecting signal (set signal) is emitted from 23 to the remote control receiver 5 of the camera, and this is transmitted to the P _c port of the camera microcomputer.

Here, it is assumed that the set signal for the visual field calibration is input within the predetermined time, and the process proceeds to step 109. [Step 109] A distance measurement start signal is sent from the P _d port to the distance measuring means 54. As a result, the distance measuring means 54 outputs the distance measuring result to the camera microcomputer 51 from the P _d port through a known active auto focus distance measuring operation.
Then, the camera microcomputer 51 calculates a distance (hereinafter referred to as a reference distance) D _o (see FIG. 13) between the camera body 1 and the white wall 116 during the field-of-view calibration from this signal. [Step 19.5] The voltage value from the inclinometer 117 is set to P
_It is input to the _t port, and this voltage value is set as the initial tilt angle θ _o of the independent finder 10. [Step 110] The camera view indicator lighting 6 is no longer needed at this point to turn off for power saving, transmits a turn-off signal from P _b port to field indicator lighting drive circuit 52, four cameras viewing index The lighting 6 is turned off. [Step 111] Here, the transmission amplifiers 59, 6 of the independent finder 10 are connected from the ports P _e , P _f , P _g.
A drive signal is sent to 0 and 61. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, sound waves of the same frequency are prevented from overlapping in time from the transmitting sounding bodies 17, 18, and 19 as indicated by A, B, and C, respectively. It is transmitted with a time difference (time division control). At the same time, the camera microcomputer 51
From the P _k , P _i , P _j ports to the receiving amplifiers 55, 5
6, 57 to drive signals corresponding to the time difference,
The respective sound signals received by the receivers 7, 8, and 9 paired with the above-described transmitting sound generators 17, 18, and 19 are amplified to obtain P _h ,
Input through P _i and P _j ports. And at this time,
The time required from transmission to reception between the transmitting sounding body and the receiver of each pair, that is, the signal passing time (t ₇ ) by the pair of the receiver 7 and the sounding body 17, the pair of the receiver 8 and the sounding body 18. The signal delivery time (t ₈ ) by the receiver and the signal delivery time (t ₉ ) by the pair of the receiver 9 and the sounding body 19 are measured. [Step 112] As information in a state where the field of view of the camera body 1 and the field of view of the independent viewfinder 10 are matched as described above, the distance D _o between the camera body 1 and the white wall 116 in step 109 and the inclinometer 117 are set. The initial inclination angle θ ₀ obtained from the voltage value of the signal and the signal delivery times t _7c , t _8c and t _9c measured in step 111 are stored, and the ratio t _7c / t _9c is also stored. That [Step 113] field calibration is completed to inform the photographer, the viewfinder illumination driving circuit 58 independent finder 10 from P _a port, and sends a signal to turn on the viewfinder illumination 11 flashing, finder The illumination 11 is turned on.

If it is determined in step 108 that the set signal of the visual field calibration switch 22 is not transmitted from the remote controller 20 from the start of counting (not shown) of the timer (not shown) (within a predetermined time), the photographer Assuming that there is no intention to calibrate the visual field, the process proceeds to step 114 as described above. [Step 114] To turn off the camera field of view indicator lighting 6 is no longer needed at this point to conserve electricity, it sends a turn-off signal from P _b port to field indicator for illumination driving circuit 52, a four camera view indicator The illumination 6 is turned off. After that, the process returns to step 102 again, and the same operation is repeated.

When the finder illumination 11 is turned on in step 113, the process proceeds to step 115. [Step 115] As in Step 105, in order to determine whether the camera worn by the photographer on the shoulder is not tilted and is properly horizontal, the _Pk port of the camera microcomputer 51 to the P of the camera platform microcomputer 71 is determined. _{Send a} command signal to the _s port to see the state of the attitude detection switch.

The pan head microcomputer 71 which receives this command signal
As described above, the status signals of the contact pieces 92 to 99 are set to P ₁ to
Input from the P ₈ port, if also input a signal contact pieces 92 to 99 are turned on to Izu insertion of the ports of P ₁ to P ₈ port, the camera body 1 is determined to have become horizontal,
This is communicated to the camera microcomputer 51. If not, if any of the contact pieces 92 to 99 is ON, the tilt direction of the camera is determined depending on which contact piece is ON,
The camera body 1 communicates to the camera microcomputer 51 a signal indicating that the camera body 1 is not horizontal. [Step 115.5] Similar to step 105.5, it is again determined whether the camera body 1 is horizontal. If it is horizontal as a result, step 11
7 and otherwise to step 116. [Step 116] Similar to step 106, a command signal is output to the camera platform microcomputer 71 so that the camera body 1 becomes horizontal, and the process returns to step 115.5. As a result, the pan head microcomputer 71 appropriately drives the motors 3 and 4, and the camera body 1 is leveled.

After that, when it is communicated from the pan head microcomputer 71 that the camera has become horizontal, and when it is confirmed in step 115.5, the process proceeds to step 117 as described above,
Enter the shooting preparation operation. [Step 117] It is measured whether or not the signal delivery time of each pair in the current state is changed with respect to the signal delivery times t _7c , t _8c , and t _{9c of} the transmission / reception pairs stored in the visual field calibration, If it has changed within the predetermined time, it is determined that the visual field has moved, and the process proceeds to step 118. If it has not changed within the predetermined time, the visual field has not moved and the process proceeds to step 119.

Here, assuming that the visual field has moved,
It is assumed that the routine proceeds to step 118 where the "stereoscopic link drive" subroutine is executed. [Step 118] From the P _k port to P _{s of the} pan head microcomputer 71 so that the changed signal delivery time ratio t ₇ / t ₉ of each pair of transmission and reception always coincides with t _7c / t _9c stored at the time of field calibration. Instruct the port and then return to step 117.

As a result, the pan head microcomputer 71 causes P _l , P
Left / right swinging motor 7 to drive circuit 72 via port _m
6 drive signal to drive circuit 73
To drive the motors 76 and 77 appropriately. In this way, as if a three-dimensional link mechanism exists between the camera body 1 and the independent viewfinder 10, as shown in FIGS. The camera body 1 is driven so that the field of view of the finder 10 and the photographing field of view of the camera body 1 always match.

15 (a) shows the photographer's face (neck) in the right direction, FIG. 15 (b) in the left direction, FIG. 15 (c) in the upper direction, and FIG. 15 (d) in the lower direction. The figure shows a state in which the camera body 1 is driven to follow each other by moving in the respective directions.

Here, the above-mentioned "steric link drive" subroutine will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16, and the operation of the pan head microcomputer will be described with reference to FIG.
7 and the flowchart of FIG.

First, the operation of the camera microcomputer 51 will be described with reference to FIG. [Step 118a] The voltage value input from the inclinometer 117 to the P _t port is checked, and it is determined whether or not the voltage value (corresponding to the tilt angle θ ₀ ) stored at the time of field calibration has changed. If it has changed, step 1
Move to 18b, and if not changed, step 118g
Move to. [Step 118b] Here, from the inclinometer 117 to P _t
It is determined whether or not the voltage value input to the port is smaller than the voltage value (corresponding to the tilt angle θ ₀ ) stored at the time of field-of-view calibration (whether or not the independent finder faces upward). Otherwise to step 118d. [Step 118c] The head swing microcomputer 77 is driven to a value indicated by the inclinometer 117, and the camera is sent to the camera platform microcomputer 71 so that the camera body 1 is directed upward. [Step 118d] The vertical swing motor 77 is driven to a value indicated by the inclinometer 117, and the camera is sent to the pan head microcomputer 71 so that the camera is directed downward.

Here, the above steps 118c and 118d
The operation of the camera platform microcomputer 71 that receives the signal transmitted in step S21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. [Step 201] The camera platform microcomputer 71 receives a signal from the camera microcomputer 51 from the P _s port. [Step 202] The above communication contents are confirmed. Here, the vertical swing motor 77 is used up to the value indicated by the inclinometer 117.
A driving direction and a driving amount are input to drive the. [Step 203] The signals of the driving direction and the driving amount of the vertical swing motor 77 are sent from the _Pm port to the driving circuit 73 to drive the motor 77.

As a result, the vertical independent finder 1
The field of view of 0 and the field of view of the camera body 1 match. [Step 204] A signal indicating that the driving of the motor 2 by a predetermined amount is completed is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 51.

After the operations of steps 118c and 118d are completed, the camera microcomputer 51 proceeds to step 118e. [Step 118e] The above step 118c, or
In step 118d, the camera platform microcomputer 71 receives a signal indicating that the driving of the motor 2 by a predetermined amount is completed. Then, the process proceeds to step 118f. [Step 118f] Again, the ratio t _7c / t _9c of the signal passing time of each pair of transmission and reception stored in the visual field calibration.
On the other hand, the ratio of the signal delivery time of each pair in the present state is t ₇ /
It is determined whether or not t ₉ is in agreement, and if they are in agreement, this subroutine is returned to return to step 117 again, and if they are not in agreement, the operation proceeds to step 118g. [Step 118g] Ratio t of signal delivery time in the current state
Comparing the magnitude of _7c / t _9c and the field upon calibration of the ratio t _7c / t _9c, if the relationship of _{"t 7 / t 9> t 7c} / t 9c ", independent viewfinder 10 (photographer) is If it is determined that the finder 10 is facing left, the process proceeds to step 118h. If not, the independent finder 10 is determined to be facing right, and the process proceeds to step 118i. [Step 118h] A signal is transmitted to the camera platform microcomputer to drive the left and right swing motor 76 by a predetermined amount so that the camera body 1 is turned to the left. And step 18e
Return to. [Step 118i] A signal is transmitted to the pan head microcomputer to drive the left and right swing motor 76 by a predetermined amount so that the camera body 1 is turned to the right. And step 18e
Return to.

Here, the above steps 118h and 118i
The operation of the camera platform microcomputer 71 that receives the signal transmitted in step S21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. [Step 211] The camera platform microcomputer 71 receives a signal from the camera microcomputer 51 from the P _s port. [Step 212] The above communication contents are confirmed. Here, a driving direction and a predetermined unit driving amount are input so as to drive the left and right swing motor 76 so that the camera body 1 faces left or right. [Step 213] The drive circuit 7 outputs the drive direction of the left and right swing motor 76 and a signal of a predetermined unit drive amount from the _Pl port.
2 to drive the motor 76.

As a result, the left-right independent finder 1
The field of view of 0 and the field of view of the camera body 1 match. [Step 214] A signal indicating that the driving of the predetermined unit amount motor 76 is completed is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 51.

After the operations in steps 118h and 118i described above are completed, the camera microcomputer 51 returns to step 118e and outputs a signal indicating that the driving of the motor 1 by the predetermined amount is completed in step 118h or step 118i. Received from 71. Then, step 118f again
Then, the same operation is performed thereafter.

Returning to FIG. 7, the operation after step 119 will be described. [Step 119] The input state of the SW1 and SW2 signals from the remote controller 20 is detected at the P _c port of the camera microcomputer 51 for a predetermined time, and if it is determined that either SW1 or SW2 is input during that time, the process proceeds to step 120. If there is no input, the process returns to step 117 and the same operation is repeated. [Step 120] Transmit power amplifiers 59, 6 of the independent finder 10 from the P _e , P _f , P _g ports for power saving.
A drive stop signal is sent to 0 and 61, and the transmitting sounding body 17,
The pronunciation by 18, 19 is stopped. At the same time, P _h , P
_A drive stop signal is sent from the _i , P _j ports to the receiving amplifiers 55, 56, 57 to stop the receiving operation by the receivers 7, 8, 9. [Step 121] A distance measurement start signal is output from the P _d port to the distance measurement means 54, and the distance D between the camera body 1 and the subject is calculated from the distance measurement information input from the distance measurement means 54. [Step 122] compares the reference distance D _o when viewing the calibration obtained in the distance D and the step 109 obtained in step 121, determines whether a relationship of "D = D _o" If this relationship is satisfied (equal to each other), the field of view of the camera body 1 and the independent viewfinder 1
Since there is almost no parallax with the field of view of 0 and no correction is necessary, the process proceeds to step 124. On the other hand, “D ≠ D
_In the case of " _o ", since parallax has occurred, it is necessary to correct the field of view, and the process proceeds to step 123 to execute the "parallax correction" subroutine.

Here, it is assumed that there is a relation of "D ≠ D _o ", and parallax correction is necessary, so that the process proceeds to step 123. [Step 123] The photographing lens optical axis and the finder optical axis of the camera body 1 obtained by the reference distance D _o during field-of-view calibration and the signal passing times t _7c , t _8c , and t _9c between the transmitting and receiving pairs arranged in a line. Based on the angle ψ ₀ formed by the lens body and the distance L _8c between the optical axis of the photographing lens and the optical axis of the finder at the finder position 10 (see FIG. 12), a known finder according to each subject distance D is obtained. The parallax correction amount is calculated as follows, and the calculation result is output from the P _k port to the P _s port of the pan head microcomputer 71.

The pan head microcomputer 71 receiving this signal
_l, through P _m port, drive signals of the left and right neck vibration motor 76 to the drive circuit 72, a driving signal of the upper and lower neck oscillation motor 77 to the drive circuit 73, and sends each motor 76,7
7 is properly driven so that the viewfinder parallax can be corrected.

Here, the subroutine of "parallax correction" in step 123 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14, and the operation of the pan head microcomputer associated therewith will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, regarding the operation of the camera microcomputer 51, FIG.
This will be described using 9. To the distance D obtained in Step 123a] Step 121, it is determined whether or not the reference distance D _o is greater value when the obtained field calibration in step 109, if it is larger value The process moves to step 123b, and otherwise moves to step 123c.

Here, in the next step 123b or step 123c, the parallax correction calculation is performed, but for the sake of simplicity, the following conditions are set.

The subject moves back and forth in front of the photographer, including during field-of-view calibration.

As shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C, a pair of transmitter / receiver units of the camera body 1 and the independent finder 10 (here, a set of the receiver 8 and the sounding body 18) is measured. The distance reference positions are coincident with each other to form a right triangle ABC, and the pivot positions of the camera body 1 and the independent finder 10 are aligned with the positions of the transmission / reception units (8 and 18) to form a pair of transmission / reception units (8 and 1).
It is assumed that there is almost no change in the distance L _{8c in} 8).

The subject distance D is sufficiently larger than the distance L _8c of the transmitting / receiving unit pair (8 and 18).

The horizontal distance between the camera body 1 and the transmitting / receiving sections (7, 9, 17 and 19) of the independent finder 10 at the time of field-of-view calibration shown in FIG.

First, the geometrical relationship between the camera system and the object at the time of field-of-view calibration stored in step 112 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 21 (a), D ₀ is a reference distance in a preset visual field calibration, and ψ ₀ is a signal passing time t _7c , t _8c , t between the transmitting and receiving pairs arranged in a line.
_The distances L _7c , L _8c , L between the transmitting and receiving pairs obtained by _9c
The angle formed by the optical axis of the photographing lens of the camera and the optical axis of the finder obtained from _{9c has a} relationship of tan ψ ₀ = (L _9c −L _7c ) / a = L _8c / D ₀ ...... (1).

[0093] (parallax short distance correction) Here, in the case where a short distance D ₁ than the subject is the reference distance D ₀ is by viewing the subject through the photographer independent viewfinder 10, as shown in FIG. 21 (b) In addition, the arrangement direction of the transmitting sounding bodies 17 to 19 of the independent finder 10 is swung by the angle α more than in the field-of-view calibration of FIG.

If parallax correction is not performed, each receiver of the camera body 1 has a distance L _7c between transmission and reception pairs.
Since it moves while maintaining L _8c and L _9c , it is swung by an angle α, as shown in FIG.
The arrangement of 7 ', 8'and 9'shown by the broken line in (b) makes the photographing range of the camera body 1 slightly different from the viewfinder field.

Therefore, the orientation of the camera body 1 is corrected so as to satisfy the following relationship.

Transmitting sound generator 17 on the independent finder 10 side
Considering a right-angled triangle with one side being ~ 19 and a right-angled triangle ABE, and letting the angle of ∠AEB be ψ, tan ψ = (L _9p −L _7p ) / a = L _8c / D ₁ ………… (2) ∴ L _9p −L _7p = a · L _8c / D ₁ (3) Note that L _9p and L _7p are distances between the parallax-corrected transmission / reception pairs (7 and 17, 9 and 19).

Considering that the orientation of the camera body 1 is corrected by the angle α, α = 180 ° −ψ ₀ − (180 ° −ψ) = ψ−ψ ₀ (4) from the triangle BCE. From (1) above, ψ ₀ can be expressed as ψ ₀ = tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D ₀ ) ... (5), and from (2) above, ψ is ψ = tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D ₁ ) ………… It can be expressed as (6). Therefore, the above equation (4) becomes α = tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D ₁ ) −tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D ₀ ) ... (7) from the above equations (5) and (6). .

(Parallax long-distance correction) On the other hand, when the object is at a long distance D ₂ from the reference distance D ₀ , FIG.
As shown in (c), the distance between the transmitting and receiving pairs (7 and 17, 9 and 19) is expressed as L _9p −L _7p = aL _8c / D ₂ ………… ( 8) When stopped, the orientation of the camera body 1 is corrected by the angle α as follows.

Α = tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D ₀ ) −tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D ₂ ) ... (9) Summarizing the case of the subject distance D, the transmission / reception pairs (7, 17, 9) When 19) is represented by the distance between _{L 9p -L 7p = aL 8c /} D ............ (10) , and the expressed by an angle alpha, as it follows.

Α = | tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D) −tan ⁻¹ (L _8c / D ₂ ) | (11) [Steps 123b and 123c] Based on the parallax correction calculation result, the motor 76, Send to the pan head microcomputer to drive 77. [Step 123d] Signals of driving directions and driving amounts of the motors 76 and 77 based on the parallax correction calculation result are transmitted to the pan head microcomputer 71. [Step 123e] Wait for a signal indicating that the motors 76, 77 have been driven by a predetermined amount based on the parallax correction calculation result instructed from the camera side from the camera platform microcomputer 71, and when receiving this signal, go to step 124 in FIG. move on.

The operation of the camera platform microcomputer 71 which receives the signal transmitted in step 123d will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. [Step 221] The camera platform microcomputer 71 receives a signal from the camera microcomputer 51 from the P _s port. [Step 222] The above communication contents are confirmed. Here, the motor 7 based on the parallax correction calculation result is used.
The drive directions and drive amounts of 6, 77 are input. [Step 223] Left and right, up and down swing motor 7
6, the signals of the driving direction and the driving amount of the motor 77 are P ₁ , P
_It is sent from the _m port to the drive circuits 72 and 73, and the motor 7
6. Drive the motor 77.

As a result, there is almost no parallax between the field of view of the camera body 1 and the field of view of the independent viewfinder 10. [Step 224] A signal indicating that the driving of the motors 76, 77 by a predetermined amount has been completed is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 51.

After the operation of the above step 123e is completed,
The camera microcomputer 51 proceeds to step 124 in FIG. [Step 124] The input state of the SW2 signal from the remote controller 20 is detected at the P _c port for a predetermined time, and it is determined whether or not this SW2 signal is input during that time. If not, the process proceeds to step 126. [Step 125] The focus of the photographing lens is driven based on the above-described distance measurement calculation result, and the aperture and shutter (not shown) are driven according to the aperture value and shutter time based on the photometry result obtained by the photometer (not shown). Expose to film. After the shutter travels, the film is wound up by a charge motor (not shown), and the diaphragm and shutter are set to the initial set state.

If the SW2 signal has not been input from the remote controller 20 for the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 126 as described above. [Step 126] The same operation as in the above step 111 is performed, and then the process returns to step 115. [Step 127] After the exposure in the above step 125, it is determined whether or not the photographing is continued by the state of the power switch. If the power switch remains ON, the process proceeds to step 126 in preparation for the next shooting. If the power switch is turned off, the process proceeds to step 128. [Step 128] A series of operations ends.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a transmission signal from the transmitting tone generators 17, 18, and 19 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment described above, "time-division control" is performed as shown in FIG. 14, whereas in this embodiment, the transmitting tone generators 17, 18, 19 are set to A ', B. ´ 、
As shown in C ', sound waves of different frequencies are simultaneously transmitted,
"Frequency division control", in which the corresponding receivers 7, 8, 9 are intended to be arranged to receive them.

The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to each of the above embodiments, the camera body 1 is placed in the field of view of the independent viewfinder 10 mounted on the right eye of the photographer.
The following visual effects can be obtained because the photographic field of view is tracked and they are configured as if they were a three-dimensional link mechanism.

1) Since the camera is held in the hand, brought near the face, and looks into the viewfinder provided integrally with the camera, the operation is released from the photographer, and the shooting posture is easy even for long-time shooting. Can be tired.

2) The time for holding the camera is eliminated, and the camera has a strong chance of taking a photo.

3) By the operation of holding the camera, the tension given to the person as the subject is eliminated, and it becomes possible to take a photograph with a natural look.

4) Even if one hand is blocked in sports or the like, the subject can be photographed with accurate framing.

5) The independent finder can display (warn) the photographer for transmitting information, and energy saving is also taken into consideration.

6) There is a degree of freedom in mounting the camera.

7) It is small and has good portability.

8) The function of following the field of view of the independent viewfinder and the field of view of the camera (stereoscopic link function) can be realized by a simple electrical configuration.

9) Since the independent finder is of an optical type, it has a simple structure and does not consume much electric power unlike a monitor (EVF = electric viewfinder).

When shooting with the camera system of this embodiment, the swing angle of the photographer is
It is possible to sufficiently follow ± 20 ° up and down and ± 20 ° left and right unless swinging at a large angle such as 0 ° is performed.

(Modification) In the above embodiment, the ratio (t _7c / t _9c ) of the signal transfer time of two pairs at both ends of the three pairs of transmitting / receiving sections is stored at the time of visual field calibration. After that, with this as a reference, follow the camera direction so that the ratio (t ₇ / t ₉ ) of the signal delivery time when the direction of the independent finder changes is always matched (closed) to (t _7c / t _9c ). However, the difference between the signal transfer time between the corresponding pairs when the orientation of the independent viewfinder is changed becomes smaller, based on the signal transfer time between each pair of the transmitter / receiver that was stored during field-of-view calibration. like,
The direction of the camera may follow.

Further, the camera and the electric pan head may be set on a tripod or a table without being worn on the shoulder and slightly apart from the photographer.

Further, although the transmitting sounding body is provided on the independent finder side and the receiver forming a pair with the transmitting sounding body is provided on the camera side, it goes without saying that these may be provided in reverse.

Further, although the sound generator is transmitted from the finder to the camera body, other transmission methods may be used.

Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to various cameras such as a silver salt camera, a video still camera, a video camera and the like.

[0124]

As described above, according to the present invention,
From the relationship between the standard signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained when the orientation of the independent viewfinder changes, a signal that causes the camera direction to follow the orientation of the independent viewfinder is generated, and this signal drives the electric platform. , The direction of the independent viewfinder and the direction of the camera are always made to match, like a three-dimensional link mechanism, and the field of view of the independent viewfinder and the field of view of the camera are determined from the reference object distance information and the object distance information obtained at the time of shooting. Generate a signal that performs parallax correction with, and drive the electric platform with this signal,
I always try to match these fields of view.

Therefore, by taking the camera near the face with the camera in hand and freeing it from looking into the finder, the same subject as the one captured in the field of view of the independent viewfinder is photographed by the camera with a simple structure. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a photographer is using the camera system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the configuration inside the independent finder of FIG. 1 is clearly shown from the head direction of the photographer.

4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of each of a camera, an independent finder, and a remote controller in the camera system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electric tripod head, which is part of the camera system of FIG. 1.

6 is a flowchart showing a part of a main operation in the camera microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the operation of FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera platform microcomputer performed based on the signal transmitted in step 103 of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera platform microcomputer performed based on the signal transmitted in step 104 of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera platform microcomputer performed based on the signal transmitted in step 105 of FIG.

11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera platform microcomputer performed based on the signal transmitted in step 106 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state during visual field calibration in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state where the illumination image for camera visual field index is made to coincide with the four corners of the visual field frame image by visual field calibration.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a transmission signal from each transmitting sounding body in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the manner in which the field of view of the independent viewfinder is matched with the field of view of the camera in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of an operation at the time of driving a three-dimensional link in step 118 of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera platform microcomputer performed based on the signals transmitted in steps 118c and 118d of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera platform microcomputer performed based on the signals transmitted in steps 118h and 118i of FIG.

19 is a flowchart showing details of the operation at the time of parallax correction in step 123 of FIG.

20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pan head microcomputer performed based on the signal transmitted in step 123d of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the concept at the time of parallax correction calculation performed in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a transmission signal from each transmitting sounding body in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Camera 6 Illumination for camera visual field index 7, 8, 9 Receiver 10 Independent finder 17, 18, 19 Transmitter 20 Remote control 24 Electric pan head upper unit 29 Camera fixing base 30 Electric pan bottom bottom plate 32, 37 Posture Variable motors 44 to 46 Line-of-sight detection switch 47 Cover member 51 Camera microcomputer 71 Pan head microcomputer 76, 77 Left and right upper and lower swing motors 78 Left and right swing encoders 79 Vertical swing encoders

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical indication H04N 5/225 B

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An independent viewfinder having a plurality of transmitters, a camera having a receiver corresponding to the plurality of transmitters, an electric pan head for supporting the camera and changing its orientation, and a plurality of the plurality of cameras. The signal emitted from the transmitter is
Measuring means for measuring the signal delivery time until reaching the corresponding plurality of receiving units, storage means for storing the signal delivery time measured by the measurement means, and signal delivery time stored in the storage means As a reference, from the relationship between the signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder is changed, a signal for causing the camera to follow the orientation of the independent finder is generated, A camera system comprising a signal generating means for outputting this signal to the electric platform. 2. An independent finder having a plurality of receivers, a camera having a transmitter corresponding to the plurality of receivers, an electric pan head for supporting the camera and changing its orientation, and a plurality of the plurality of cameras. The signal emitted from the transmitter is
Measuring means for measuring the signal delivery time until reaching the corresponding plurality of receiving units, storage means for storing the signal delivery time measured by the measurement means, and signal delivery time stored in the storage means As a reference, from the relationship between the signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder is changed, a signal for causing the camera to follow the orientation of the independent finder is generated, A camera system comprising a signal generating means for outputting this signal to the electric platform. 3. A plurality of transmitters, an independent finder having a substantially rectangular field-of-view frame representing a screen frame, a receiver corresponding to the plurality of transmitters, and an image corresponding to the field of view of the camera are projected in front of the camera. A camera having a field-of-view index illumination, an electric pan head that supports the camera and changes its direction, and signals emitted from the plurality of transmitters until they reach the corresponding plurality of receivers. Measuring means for measuring the signal delivery time, storage means for storing the signal delivery time measured by the measurement means, operation switch means for deciding the timing for storing the signal delivery time in the storage means, and the visual field When the operation switch is turned on in a state where the image projected by the indicator illumination and the visual field frame are matched with each other, the signal delivery time stored in the storage means is reduced. As a reference, from the relationship between the signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder is changed, a signal for causing the camera to follow the orientation of the independent finder is generated, A camera system comprising a signal generating means for outputting this signal to the electric platform. 4. An independent viewfinder having a plurality of receiving parts and a substantially rectangular field-of-view frame representing a screen frame, a transmitting part corresponding to the plurality of receiving parts, and an image corresponding to a field of view of the camera projected in front of the camera. A camera having a field-of-view index illumination, an electric pan head that supports the camera and changes its direction, and signals emitted from the plurality of transmitters until they reach the corresponding plurality of receivers. Measuring means for measuring the signal delivery time, storage means for storing the signal delivery time measured by the measurement means, operation switch means for deciding the timing for storing the signal delivery time in the storage means, and the visual field When the operation switch is turned on in a state where the image projected by the indicator illumination and the visual field frame are matched with each other, the signal delivery time stored in the storage means is reduced. As a reference, from the relationship between the signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder is changed, a signal for causing the camera to follow the orientation of the independent finder is generated, A camera system comprising a signal generating means for outputting this signal to the electric platform. 5. A plurality of transmitters, an independent finder having a substantially rectangular field-of-view frame representing a screen frame, a receiver corresponding to the plurality of transmitters, and an image corresponding to the field of view of the camera are projected in front of the camera. A camera having a field-of-view index illumination and distance measuring means, an electric camera platform that supports the camera and changes its direction, and signals emitted from the plurality of transmitters to corresponding plurality of receivers. Measuring means for measuring the signal passing time until reaching, first storing means for storing the signal passing time measured by the measuring means, and object distance information obtained by the distance measuring means Second
Storage means, operation switch means for deciding the timing of storing the signal passing time and subject distance information in the first and second storage means, and the image projected by the visual field indicator illumination and the visual field frame. When the operation switches are turned on in the matched state, the signal passing time and the subject distance information are stored in the first and second storage means, respectively, and the signal passing time at this time is used as a reference. From the relationship between the signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder changes, a signal for causing the orientation of the camera to follow the orientation of the independent finder is generated. Signal for performing parallax correction between the field of view of the independent finder and the field of view of the camera, based on the subject distance information at the time of shooting and the subject distance information obtained at the time of shooting. Camera system having generated, and signal generating means for outputting to the electric camera platform. 6. An independent finder having a plurality of receiving sections and a substantially rectangular field-of-view frame representing a screen frame, a transmitting section corresponding to the plurality of receiving sections, and an image corresponding to a field of view of the camera projected in front of the camera. A camera having a field-of-view index illumination and distance measuring means, an electric camera platform that supports the camera and changes its direction, and signals emitted from the plurality of transmitters to corresponding plurality of receivers. Measuring means for measuring the signal passing time until reaching, first storing means for storing the signal passing time measured by the measuring means, and object distance information obtained by the distance measuring means Second
Storage means, operation switch means for determining the timing of storing the signal passing time and subject distance information in the first and second storage means, and the image projected by the visual field index illumination and the visual field frame. When the operation switch is turned on in the matched state, the signal delivery time and the subject distance information are stored in the first and second storage means, respectively, and the signal delivery time at this time is used as a reference. From the relationship between the signal delivery time and the signal delivery time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder changes, a signal for causing the orientation of the camera to follow the orientation of the independent finder is generated. Signal for performing parallax correction between the field of view of the independent viewfinder and the field of view of the camera, based on the subject distance information at the time of shooting and the subject distance information obtained at the time of shooting. Camera system having generated, and signal generating means for outputting to the electric camera platform. 7. The signal generating means is configured so that the difference between the reference signal passing time and the signal passing time obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder is changed is smaller.
7. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the camera system is means for generating a signal that causes the camera to follow the direction of the independent viewfinder. 8. The signal generating means is configured to match the ratio of a plurality of reference signal transfer times with the ratio of a plurality of signal transfer times obtained by the measuring means when the orientation of the independent finder changes. 7. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the camera system is a means for generating a signal for causing the direction of the arrow to follow the direction of the independent finder. 9. The plurality of transmitters transmit sound waves of the same frequency with a time difference so that they do not overlap in time, respectively.
The camera system according to 3, 4, 5 or 6. 10. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transmitters simultaneously transmit sound waves of different frequencies. 11. An indication of the completion of the operation of the electric platform based on the signal from the signal generating means in the independent viewfinder, or
7. The camera system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for giving an incomplete warning. 12. An attitude detecting means for detecting the attitude of a camera supported by the electric pan head, wherein the signal generating means generates a drive signal for the electric pan head based on an output from the attitude detecting means. Claims 1, 2, characterized in that
The camera system according to 3, 4, 5 or 6.