Video camera and image input device connected through signal line for transferring multiplex data, and image input system using them
First Claim
1. An image input system comprising a video camera, first and second signal lines, and an image input device connected to said video camera by said first and second signal lines, said video camera including an imager and an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor for converting video signals read out from said imager to digital image data, for outputting the digital image data to said first signal line, said image input device converting the digital image data from said first signal line to a data format used inside an external information processing unit, wherein said video camera further comprises:
- detecting circuits for detecting a plurality of operation states of said video camera, and for outputting operation state data representing a plurality of the operation states;
a multiplexer for multiplexing the operation state data from said detecting circuits and the digital image data from said A/D convertor, and for outputting multiplexed data;
a first output portion for outputting the multiplexed data from said multiplexer to said first signal line;
a first input portion for inputting a plurality of kinds of control data inputted thereto from said image input device through said first signal line, and for producing an output;
a first data separating circuit for separating and outputting a plurality of kinds of the control data from said first input portion;
control circuits for controlling a plurality of kinds of the operation states of said video camera in accordance with a plurality of kinds of separated control data from said first data separating circuit, respectively; and
a first mode switching signal generating circuit for generating a first mode switching signal in synchronism with a sync signal inputted from said image input device through said second signal line, applying the first mode switching signal to said first output portion, said first input portion and said control data separating circuit, generating a second mode switching signal in synchronism with the sync signal, and applying the second mode switching signal to said multiplexer;
wherein;
said first output portion is switched between a first mode in which said first output portion can output the multiplexed data and a second mode in which said first output portion cannot output the multiplexed data, in response to the first mode switching signal;
said first input portion is switched between a third mode in which said first input portion can input a plurality of kinds of the control data and a fourth mode in which said first input portion cannot input she control data, in response to the first mode switching signal;
said first data separating circuit is switched between a fifth mode in which said first data separating circuit can separate a plurality of kinds of she control data and a sixth mode in which said first data separating circuit cannot separate the control data, in response to the first mode switching signal;
said multiplexer is switched between a seventh mode in which said multiplexer selects and outputs the operation data from said detecting circuits and an eighth mode in which said multiplexer selects and outputs the digital image data from said A/D convertor, in response to the second mode switching signal;
said first input portion is in the fourth mode when said first output portion and said first data separating circuit are in the first and fifth modes, respectively; and
said first input portion is in the third mode when said first output portion and said first data separating circuit are in the second and sixth modes, respectively; and
wherein said image input device includes;
a second input portion for inputting the multiplexed data inputted thereto through said first signal line, and for producing an output;
a second data separating circuit for separating the multiplexed data from said second input portion into the digital image data and the operation data, and for outputting the separated data;
signal processing circuits for processing the digital image data from said second data separating circuit and converting the digital image data into a data format used in the external information processing unit;
a control data generating circuit for generating and outputting a plurality of kinds of the control data on the basis of the operation data from said data separating circuit;
a second output portion for inputting a plurality of kinds of the control data from said control data generating circuit and producing an output to said first signal line;
a sync signal generating circuit for generating the sync signal; and
a second mode switching signal generating circuit for generating a third mode switching signal, synchronized with the first mode switching signal, in synchronism with the sync signal, applying the third mode switching signal to said second output portion and said second input portion, generating a fourth mode switching signal, synchronized with the second mode switching signal, in synchronism with the sync signal and applying the fourth mode switching signal to said second data separating circuit;
wherein;
said second input portion is switched between a ninth mode in which said second input portion can input the multiplexed data and a tenth mode in which said second input portion cannot input the multiplexed data, in response to the third mode switching signal;
said second output portion is switched between an eleventh mode in which said second output portion can output a plurality of kinds of the control data and a twelfth mode in which said second output portion cannot output the control data, in response to the third mode switching signal;
said second data separating circuit is switched between a thirteenth mode in which said second data separating circuit can separate the operation data from the multiplexed data and a fourteenth mode in which said second data separating circuit can separate the digital image data, in response to the fourth mode switching signal;
said second input portion is in the tenth and ninth modes when the second output portion is in the eleventh and twelfth modes, respectively; and
said second input portion is in the ninth and tenth modes when said first output portion is in the first and second modes, respectively.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A video camera including an imager and an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor for converting video signals read out from the imager to digital image data, for applying the digital image data to an image input device for converting the digital image data to a data format used in an external information processing unit, through a signal line. The video camera further includes an input portion for inputting control data inputted thereto from the image input device through the signal line and producing an output, a control circuit for controlling operation states of the video camera in accordance with the control data from the input portion and a mode switching circuit. The mode switching circuit switches the output portion between a first mode in which it can output multiplexed data and a second mode in which it cannot output the multiplexed data, in synchronism with a sync signal for driving the imager, and switches the input portion between a third mode in which it can input the control data when the output portion is in the second mode, and a fourth mode in which it cannot input the control data when the output portion is in the first mode.
60 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An image input system comprising a video camera, first and second signal lines, and an image input device connected to said video camera by said first and second signal lines, said video camera including an imager and an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor for converting video signals read out from said imager to digital image data, for outputting the digital image data to said first signal line, said image input device converting the digital image data from said first signal line to a data format used inside an external information processing unit, wherein said video camera further comprises:
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detecting circuits for detecting a plurality of operation states of said video camera, and for outputting operation state data representing a plurality of the operation states; a multiplexer for multiplexing the operation state data from said detecting circuits and the digital image data from said A/D convertor, and for outputting multiplexed data; a first output portion for outputting the multiplexed data from said multiplexer to said first signal line; a first input portion for inputting a plurality of kinds of control data inputted thereto from said image input device through said first signal line, and for producing an output; a first data separating circuit for separating and outputting a plurality of kinds of the control data from said first input portion; control circuits for controlling a plurality of kinds of the operation states of said video camera in accordance with a plurality of kinds of separated control data from said first data separating circuit, respectively; and a first mode switching signal generating circuit for generating a first mode switching signal in synchronism with a sync signal inputted from said image input device through said second signal line, applying the first mode switching signal to said first output portion, said first input portion and said control data separating circuit, generating a second mode switching signal in synchronism with the sync signal, and applying the second mode switching signal to said multiplexer; wherein; said first output portion is switched between a first mode in which said first output portion can output the multiplexed data and a second mode in which said first output portion cannot output the multiplexed data, in response to the first mode switching signal; said first input portion is switched between a third mode in which said first input portion can input a plurality of kinds of the control data and a fourth mode in which said first input portion cannot input she control data, in response to the first mode switching signal; said first data separating circuit is switched between a fifth mode in which said first data separating circuit can separate a plurality of kinds of she control data and a sixth mode in which said first data separating circuit cannot separate the control data, in response to the first mode switching signal; said multiplexer is switched between a seventh mode in which said multiplexer selects and outputs the operation data from said detecting circuits and an eighth mode in which said multiplexer selects and outputs the digital image data from said A/D convertor, in response to the second mode switching signal; said first input portion is in the fourth mode when said first output portion and said first data separating circuit are in the first and fifth modes, respectively; and said first input portion is in the third mode when said first output portion and said first data separating circuit are in the second and sixth modes, respectively; and wherein said image input device includes; a second input portion for inputting the multiplexed data inputted thereto through said first signal line, and for producing an output; a second data separating circuit for separating the multiplexed data from said second input portion into the digital image data and the operation data, and for outputting the separated data; signal processing circuits for processing the digital image data from said second data separating circuit and converting the digital image data into a data format used in the external information processing unit; a control data generating circuit for generating and outputting a plurality of kinds of the control data on the basis of the operation data from said data separating circuit; a second output portion for inputting a plurality of kinds of the control data from said control data generating circuit and producing an output to said first signal line; a sync signal generating circuit for generating the sync signal; and a second mode switching signal generating circuit for generating a third mode switching signal, synchronized with the first mode switching signal, in synchronism with the sync signal, applying the third mode switching signal to said second output portion and said second input portion, generating a fourth mode switching signal, synchronized with the second mode switching signal, in synchronism with the sync signal and applying the fourth mode switching signal to said second data separating circuit; wherein; said second input portion is switched between a ninth mode in which said second input portion can input the multiplexed data and a tenth mode in which said second input portion cannot input the multiplexed data, in response to the third mode switching signal; said second output portion is switched between an eleventh mode in which said second output portion can output a plurality of kinds of the control data and a twelfth mode in which said second output portion cannot output the control data, in response to the third mode switching signal; said second data separating circuit is switched between a thirteenth mode in which said second data separating circuit can separate the operation data from the multiplexed data and a fourteenth mode in which said second data separating circuit can separate the digital image data, in response to the fourth mode switching signal; said second input portion is in the tenth and ninth modes when the second output portion is in the eleventh and twelfth modes, respectively; and said second input portion is in the ninth and tenth modes when said first output portion is in the first and second modes, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An image input system comprising a video camera, a first signal line, and an image input device connected to said video camera by said first signal line, said video camera including an imager and an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor for converting video signals read out from said imager to digital image data, for outputting the digital image data to said first signal line, said image input device converting the digital image data from said first signal line to a data format used inside an external information processing unit, wherein said video camera further comprises:
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a detecting circuit for detecting plural pieces of operation states of said video camera, and for outputting operation data representing the plural pieces of operation states; a multiplexer for multiplexing the operation data from said detecting circuit and the digital image data from said A/D convertor, and for outputting multiplexed data; a first output portion for outputting the multiplexed data from said multiplexer to said first signal line; a first input portion for inputting control data inputted thereto from said image input device through said first signal line, and for producing an output; and control circuits for controlling the operation states of said video camera in accordance with the control data from said first input portion;
wherein said image input device includes;a second input portion for inputting the multiplexed data inputted thereto through said first signal line, and for producing an output; a data separating circuit for separating the multiplexed data from said second input portion into the digital image data and the operation data, and for outputting the separated data; signal processing circuits for processing the digital image data from said data separating circuit and converting the digital image data into a data format used in the external information processing unit; a control data generating circuit for generating and outputting the control data on the basis of the operation data from said data separating circuit; and a second output portion for inputting the control data from said control data generating circuit and producing an output to said first signal line. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An image input system comprising a video camera, a first signal line, and an image input device connected to said video camera by said first signal line, said video camera including an imager and an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor for converting video signals read out from said imager to digital image data, for outputting the digital image data to said first signal line, said image input device converting the digital image data from said first signal line to a data format used in an external information processing unit, wherein said video camera further comprises:
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a first output portion for outputting the digital image data from said A/D convertor to said first signal line; a first input portion for inputting control data inputted from said image input device through said first signal line, and for producing an output; control circuits for controlling the operation states of said video camera in accordance with the control data from said first input portion; and a first mode switching circuit for switching said first output portion between a first mode in which said first output portion can output the digital image data and a second mode in which said first output portion cannot output the digital image data, and for switching said first input portion between a third mode in which said first input portion can input the control data when said first output portion is in the second mode, and a fourth mode in which said first input portion cannot input the control data when said first output portion is in the first mode; and
wherein said image input device further includes;a second input portion for inputting the digital image data inputted thereto through said signal line, and for producing an output; signal processing circuits for processing the digital image data from said second input portion and converting the digital image data to a data format used in the external information processing unit; a control data generating circuit for generating and outputting the control data; a second output portion for inputting the control data from said control data generating circuit and outputting the control data to said first signal line; and a second mode switching circuit for switching said second input portion between a fifth mode in which said second input portion can input the digital image data and a sixth mode in which said second input portion cannot input the digital image data, and for switching said second output portion between a seventh mode in which said second output portion can output the control data when said second input portion is in the sixth mode and an eighth mode in which said second output portion cannot output the control data when said second input portion is in the sixth mode. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A video camera comprising:
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an imager; an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor for converting video signals read out from said imager to digital image data, for applying the digital image data through a signal line to an image input device for converting the digital image data to a data format used in an external information processing unit; detecting circuits for detecting the operation state of said video camera and outputting operation data representing the detected operation state; a multiplexer for multiplexing the operation data from said detecting circuit and the digital image data from said A/D convertor and outputting multiplexed data; an output portion for outputting the multiplexed data from said multiplexer to said first signal line; an input portion for inputting control data corresponding to the operation state of said video camera and inputted thereto from the image input device through the first signal line, and for producing an output; and control circuits for controlling the operation state of said video camera in accordance with the control data outputted from said input portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An image input device for inputting multiplexed data of digital image data shot by a video camera and operation data representing operation states of the video camera from the video camera through a signal line, and converting the digital image data to a data format used in an external information processing unit, said image input device comprising:
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an input portion for inputting the multiplexed data inputted thereto through the signal line, and for producing an output; a data separating circuit for separating the multiplexed data from said input portion into the digital image data and the operation data, and for outputting the separated data; signal processing circuits for processing the digital image data from said data separating circuit and converting the processed data to a data format used in the external information processing unit; a control data generating circuit for generating and outputting control data for controlling the operation states of the video camera on the basis of the operation data from said data separating circuit; and an output portion for inputting the control data from said control data generating circuit and outputting the control data to the video camera through said signal line. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A video camera comprising:
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an imager; an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor for converting video signals read out from said imager to digital image data, and for applying the digital image data through a signal line to an image inputting device for converting the digital image data to a data format used in an external information processing unit;
an input portion for inputting control data inputted thereto from the image inputting device through the signal line, and for producing an output;control circuits for controlling the operation states of said video camera in accordance with the control data from said input portion; an output portion for outputting the digital image data from said A/D converter to the signal line; and a mode switching circuit for switching said output portion between a first model in which said output portion can output the digital image data, and a second model in which said output portion cannot output the digital image data, in synchronism with a sync signal for driving said imager, and for switching said input portion between a third mode in which said input portion can input the control data when said output portion is in the second mode, and a fourth mode in which said input portion cannot input the control data when said output portion is in the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An image input device for inputting digital image data from a video camera through a signal line connected between the video camera and said image input device, and converting the digital image data to a data format used in an external information processing unit, said image input device comprising:
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an input portion for inputting the digital image data inputted thereto through the signal line and for producing an output; signal processing circuits for processing the digital image data from said input portion and converting the processed data to a data format used in the external information processing unit; a control data generating circuit for generating and outputting control data for controlling the operation of the video camera; an output portion for inputting the control data from said control data generating circuit, and for outputting the control data to the video camera through the signal line; and a mode switching circuit for switching said input portion between a first mode in which said input portion can input the digital image data and a second mode in which said input portion cannot input the digital image data, and for switching said output portion between a third mode in which said output portion can output the control data when said input portion is in the second mode and a fourth which said output portion cannot output said control data when input portion is in the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification