EXHIBIT 1023
`
`EXHIBIT 1023
`
`

`

`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,325,202
`
`Jun. 28, 1994
`-
`Washino
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`USOOS325202A
`
`[54] VIDEO FIELD-PRODUCTION CAMERA
`CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Kinya Washino, 80 Hamilton Ave.,
`Dumont, NJ. 07624
`
`Future Productions Inc. “Breakthrough in Video Pro-
`duction and Duplication”.
`3—Chip CCD Studio/OB Color Camera System
`BVP—370, BVP 270.
`3-Chip CCD Portable Color Camera BVP-70/7OP.
`
`[21] App]. No.: 45,255
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Apr. 13, 1993
`
`....................................... H04N 5/262
`111:. cu
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl. .................................. 348/222; 3484/373;
`3484/705; 3484/722; 3484/372
`[58] Field of Saudi ................. 358/185, 149, 160, 86,
`358/181, 210, 83, 335, 86; H04N 5/08, 5/262,
`5/14
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1966 Reindl et a1.
`3,258,531
`.‘....................... 358/210
`
`4,148,069 4/1979 Smiley et a1.
`..... 358/160
`4,180,829 12/1979 Fires ....................... 358/10
`
`4,218,709
`8/1980 Baxter et a1.
`..... 358/181
`
`................... 358/181
`4,700,230 10/1987 Pshtissky et a1.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0004671
`
`1/1982 Japan ............................. H04N 5/26
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Primary Examiner—Victor R. Kostak
`Assistant Examiner—Nathan J. Flynn
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Krass & Young
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A video field-production control system is adapted for
`use with video cameras supplied by various manufactur-
`ers,
`including cameras
`that utilize cable-oriented
`remote-control units associated with electronic news
`
`gatherings (ENG). An industry standard mounting
`frame holds a central control unit with interface mode
`ules dedicated to each camera to be used by the system,
`as well as a power supply, master synchronization gen-
`erator and production switcher, all common to each
`installed interface module. In addition to providing
`customized connecters and cables to the attached equip-
`ment, each module provides for cable compensation
`and gain adjustment of composite and component video
`signals from the camera to the switcher plus phase ad-
`justment of the master sync signal
`to the camera
`through an adapter further capable of providing the
`voltages necessary to power the camera.
`
`Robinson, “The Video Primer”, 1983 p 235,267,268
`and 350.
`
`17 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`RETURN VIDEO
`
`VIEW
`
`CUSTOM
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
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`5,325,202
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`US. Patent
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`June 28, 1994
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`US. Patent
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`June 28, 1994
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`

`US. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
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`5,325,202
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`

`5,325,202
`
`1
`
`VIDEO FIELD-PRODUCTION CAMERA
`CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`unit with modules, adapters and custom cables associ-
`ated with each camera and its remote-control unit. The
`central control unit is designed to accommodate several
`of these modules, each module being operative to route
`power from the common power supply to the camera
`through an adapter specified for that camera, adjust the
`phase of the master synchronization signal
`in accor-
`dance with an operator control and route the adjusted
`signal to the camera through the adapter. The system is
`also adapted to receive video signals from the camera
`through the adapter, adjust for cable compensation and
`gain in accordance with an operator control, and route
`the adjusted video signal to the production switcher.
`The system is capable of accommodating both com-
`posite and component video signals, with connectors,
`cable compensation and gain circuitry for each video
`signal from the camera to the switcher. In the preferred
`embodiment, connectors are provided for composite
`and Y, (R-Y), and (B-Y) component signals; however,
`the invention is equally applicable to alternative compo-
`nent systems, including RGB, YIQ (the NTSC system),
`YUV (the PAL system), YDRD3 (the SECAM), as well
`as high-defmition systems.
`If a particular camera requires specialized voltages,
`the common power supply voltage fed to the camera is
`converted first by the adapter into the required volt-
`ages, whether positive or negative. The system also
`provides connectors for a video tape recorder dedicated
`to a particular camera, an intercom connection, a tally
`light with associated connectors and cabling to indicate
`which module and accompanying camera have been
`selected by an operator using the switcher.
`Specific features and advantages of the present sys-
`tem will now be described in detail, this detailed de-
`scription making reference to the following figures:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system showing
`connections made to a single module;
`FIGS. 2A and ZB are schematic diagrams used to
`illustrate the electrical components and wiring within
`one of the modules;
`FIG. 3 is a drawing of the front panel to a module
`indicating the operator controls; and
`FIG. 4 is a drawing of the rear panel of a module
`showing the connectors thereon provided.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
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`This invention relates generally to systems employed
`to coordinate video cameras and related equipment
`during remote-site productions and, in particular, to a
`video field-production control system that takes advan-
`tage of the remote-control units supplied with video
`cameras from various manufacturers.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In the business of video electronic field production
`(EFP), it is not uncommon to use a variety of video
`cameras and related equipment from various manufac-
`turers at a remote site. Typically one or more operators
`use remote controls from a central production console
`to facilitate the management of the various camera
`shots.
`
`Although camera manufacturers generally offer re~
`mote control units for their own equipment, integration
`of these controls is difficult because of the differences in
`their physical and electrical configurations. For exam-
`ple, the various cameras may require different power
`supply voltages to operate. Additionally, the more eco-
`nomical remote units supplied by the camera manufac-
`turers, in particular, the ENG-type or electronic news
`gathering camera controllers are unsuitable for such
`remote production applications because they do not
`provide for long length cable compensation. Typically,
`the cables between the camera and its supplied remote
`are limited to a distance of 100 feet or less. Moreover,
`these ENG-type controllers do not have the requisite
`provisions for sync-phase and color-phase adjustments
`demanded by multi-camera configurations.
`At the same time, more sophisticated Universal cam-
`era controllers are available which can coordinate
`
`video equipment during field production, including the
`direct control of cameras without the need for their
`supplied remote units, but the size and cost of these
`more complex units are often prohibitive to the small
`and medium video production house. As such, there
`remains a need for a “universal” type of camera—control
`unit, that fills the gap between incompatible remotes
`supplied by camera manufacturers and the more expen-
`sive and sophisticated general purpose field production
`units. Such a controller would be fully compatible with
`the remote control units supplied by the camera manu-
`facturers, yet overcome the obstacles relating to overall
`cooperation, synchronization, cable-length compensa-
`tion and packaging.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention fills the gap previously delin-
`eated by providing a universal type of camera control
`unit for video field production that takes advantage of
`the camera manufacturer’s own full-feature camera
`control units, enclosing these and other necessary com-
`ponents in a convenient, modular unit that can be
`adapted to provide standardized and uniform control to
`the operator. In particular, the system integrates cam-
`eras of diverse manufacturers and utilizes the more
`economical ENG-type remote units, thereby providing
`protection from system obsolescence.
`The system of the present
`invention includes a
`mounting frame with a power supply, a master sync
`generator, a production switcher and a central control
`
`invention is a video field-production
`The present
`control system that allows video cameras and related
`equipment from diverse manufacturers to be controlled
`remotely from a central location. The invention allows
`' the use of ENG-type controllers supplied by the video
`camera manufacturers by providing a drawer-like shelf
`to hold these controllers within the framework. The
`physical mounting provisions follow an industry-stand-
`ard configuration. The result is a system that provides
`all of the features and capabilities of a more sophisti-
`cated full-specification studio—type camera control unit,
`but at a much more economical cost.
`
`65
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1, the system, indicated gener—
`ally at 12, includes a central control unit 14 and inter-
`face module 16, though the central unit 14 may accom-
`modate a plurality of such modules, as indicated by
`broken lines 18. In the preferred embodiment, central
`unit 14 is provided with a chassis onto which five mod-
`ules may be installed.
`
`

`

`3
`A video camera 20 having a lens 22 and viewfinder/-
`monitor 23 attaches to a multiple contact connector 24
`disposed on a rear panel 26 of module 16. A cable 28
`interfaces to an adapter 30, the cable and adapter being
`customized for a camera 20 from a particular manufac-
`turer. The cable and adapter are used to carry power,
`synchronization and control signals to the camera and
`to carry video, audio and status signals from the camera
`to the module. These signals will be described in greater
`detail with reference to FIGS. 2 through 4.
`Another connector 32, disposed on rear panel 26 of
`module 16 may be attached to a video tape recorder 34
`via cable 36, if it is desired to have a recording unit
`dedicated to the camera associated with a particular
`module. In an alternative embodiment the separate cam-
`era and VTR units may be replaced with a camcorder in
`which the camera and VTR are integrated into a single
`unit.
`The remote-control unit 38 supplied by the manufac-
`turer of camera 20 connects to connecter 40 on panel 26
`of module 16 through a custom cable 42. A drawer-like
`shelf (not shown) serves to hold these remote control
`units below the central control unit 14 disposed on its
`mounting frame.
`The system includes a power supply 44 which feeds
`the required DC voltages along line 46, preferably in-
`cluding a 48-volt signal, to power cameras, lenses, and
`viewfinder/monitors, plus appropriate voltages as re-
`quired to power all modules installed in central unit 14.
`A master synchronization generator 48, also common to
`all modules, supplies a master sync or GENLOCK
`signal along line 50, as well to a production switcher 52
`via line 54.
`Production switcher 52 receives component video
`signals along lines 56, from separate connectors 58 on
`rear panel 26 of module 16. These component video
`signals include a Y signal, R—Y and B-Y signal, having
`been compensated and amplified within module 16, a
`process which will be described in detail with reference
`to FIG. 2.
`
`The production switcher, under operator control,
`selects which video camera will be activated at a given
`time and produces a video out signal along line 57 to an
`attached video tape recorder unit 60. The switcher also
`provides a video out signal along line 62 common to all
`modules, enabling an operator utilizing a remote camera
`20 to see the signal that is being recorded. Module 16
`also provides a composite video signal 64 from the
`camera 20 through a separate connector 66 in the event
`that an application cannot take advantage of the compo-
`nent signals. Operator controls for module 16 are dis-
`posed on a front panel 68 which will be described in
`more detail with reference to FIG. 3.
`Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic
`diagram of the electrical components and wiring con-
`tained within a module 16. All of the wires on the left
`side of FIG. 2 connect to the camera through connecter
`24 via cable 28 and adapter 30 of FIG. 1. Some signals
`are passed through module 16 with no changes, such as
`the intercom signal wiring 63, which is routed from
`connector 39 to camera connector 24. Another example
`is the camera integral microphone audio signal wiring
`65, which travels along line 80 from the camera connec-
`tor 24 to the VTR connector 32 and also to connector
`94. Most of the modifications to signals passing through
`the module involve two sets of signals: the synchroniz-
`ing signals transmitted to the camera, and the video
`signals returned from the camera. The synchronizing
`
`4
`signals must be individually adjusted for any differences
`in the length of the camera cables and the internal cir-
`cuitry of the various cameras, and the video signals
`require modification because they involve high frequen-
`cies which are reduced in amplitude in direct propor-
`tion to the distance traveled. In particular, video signals
`along lines 70 from the camera each feed a cable com-
`pensation unit 72 and an amplifier 74. Each of the four
`video signals shown, having been compensated and
`amplified is fed to a separate connecter 58 disposed on
`module 16 rear panel 26 for connection via lines 56 to
`production switcher 52 shown in FIG. 1.
`The system has thus far been described with refer-
`ence to composite and Y/R-Y/B-Y component video
`signals, but the present invention is not limited to this
`configuration, and indeed may take advantage of any
`standard or nonstandard video encoding scheme,
`whether adapted for 525 scan lines, 625, or high-defmi-
`tion schemes now being proposed. For example, al-
`though Y, R-Y and B-Y are the three components ordi-
`narily generated by conventional NTSC-based cameras,
`the present invention also anticipates cables, connectors
`and circuitry for signals associated with the Y, I and Q
`axes normally used for encoding NTSC signals. Simi-
`larly, whereas Y, R-Y and B-Y signals are generally
`provided in conjunction with 625-line PAL and
`SECAM systems, it is also possible to accommodate
`signals associated with the Y, U, and V axes used for
`PAL encoding or the Y, DR and DB SECAM axes.
`The present invention is also capable of using R, G
`and B component signals; although outmoded for most
`component video applications, the R/G/B system may
`be applicable to certain computer graphics applications.
`Finally, while it is not yet clear which standard will be
`adopted for high-definition TV systems,
`the present
`invention is not precluded from taking advantage of
`such systems as they become commercially practicable.
`Even in all-digital camera systems the present inven-
`tion should prove useful. The cable-compensation and
`amplification circuitry just described will improve the
`“squareness” of the serial-digital pulses, particularly
`over long distances. In an alternative embodiment, the
`system may further include a slice-and-regenerate cir-
`cuit to reproduce the digital bit stream with the highest
`degree of accuracy. The timing adjustment function is
`performed automatically for digital inputs to a produc-
`tion switcher; effect, each input represents the storage
`of an entire video frame. A central master sync genera-
`tor will also be required to interface with each camera
`to maintain overall synchronization.
`Controls associated with each cable compensation
`_ unit and amplifier are disposed on front panel 68 of
`module 16, those controls associated with cable com-
`pensation preferably including course and fine adjust-
`ment, shown in FIG. 3 at 76, and a gain adjustment 78,
`controlling each amplifier 74.
`In the preferred embodiment, the actual circuitry
`performing the cable compensation 72 would rely upon
`commercially available transistors and wideband opera-
`tional amplifiers, such as the MCl496 double-balanced
`modulator/demodulator. For the coarse adjustment,
`switched transistor/resistor/capacitor networks adjust
`the frequency response of the individual input video
`signals under control of the selector switch 76. For fine
`control, the double-balanced modulator/demodulator
`varies the high-frequency response under DC-voltage
`control. The amplification 74 is performed by straight-
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`5
`forward transistor amplifiers feeding transistor output
`buffers.
`
`Each compensated and amplified video signal is also
`routed to connecter 32 so that a video tape recorder 34
`may be attached to record the incoming video signal.
`Audio is separately supplied to connecter 32 along line
`80 from the camera via connecter 24, and VTR record
`switch 88 is preferably included on the module front
`panel, allowing an operator to activate and deactivate
`VTR 34.
`
`Power from power supply 44, preferably 48 volts DC
`for powering camera, lens, and viewfinder/monitor, as
`well as for providing appropriate voltages to power the
`circuitry in the individual modules, enters the module
`along line 46 and is routed to the camera via connecter
`24. A master synchronization or “GENLOCK” signal
`from the master sync generator enters the module along
`line 50 and provides an input to an electronic automatic
`phase control unit 82, having a horizontal phase adjust-
`ment 84 and subcarrier coarse and fine phase adjust-
`ments 86, controls 84 and 86 being disposed on the front
`panel of the module. The GENLOCK signal, having
`being so compensated, leaves APC unit 82 as a video
`black burst signal or VBS signal and is then routed out
`to the camera via connecter 24.
`A return video signal from the production switcher
`enters the module along line 62 and is also relayed to the
`camera viewfinder/monitor via connecter 24. The com-
`mon power supply signal along line 46, the master syn-
`chronization signal along line 50 and the return video
`signal 62 from the production switcher are each fed to
`other modulesalong lines 46a, 500 and 620, respec-
`tively. As a convenience, the camera “tally-out” light
`90 is provided on the front panel of the module to indi-
`cate when the camera associated with that module has
`been selected by the production switcher, by way of
`“tally-in” connector 92.
`In operation, the operator of the system installs a
`module for each camera to be used, makes all appropri-
`ate connections to the rear panel of the module and,
`after energizing the system and all related equipment,
`utilizes the controls provided on the front panel of the
`module as shown in FIG. 3. Two separate APC adjust-
`ments are provided on the front panel of the module,
`one set for horizontal phase adjustment at 84, and one
`set, with coarse and fine adjustments, for the subcarrier
`phase at 86. When using an oscilloscope, these provi-
`sions make it a simple procedure to perform the preci-
`sion timing synchronization adjustments required for
`switching and combining signals from the multiple sig-
`nal sources utilized.
`The separate cable compensation circuits 72 in FIG.
`2 are adjusted by coarse and fine front panel controls
`shown at 76 in FIG. 3. Preferably, the coarse adjust-
`ment has markings to indicate general cable length of
`15/100/200/300 meters, and, having set a general dis-
`tance the fine tuning control to the right of the coarse
`control is then set. The gain for each of the amplifiers 74
`in FIG. 2 may then be controlled with adjustment 78.
`VTR record start/stop switch is indicated at position
`88.
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`FIG. 4 is a drawing used to show the position of the
`various connectors disposed on the rear panel of each
`module. In the preferred configuration,
`the adjusted
`video signals from the camera are available both
`through the 26-pin industry standard “Betacam”-style
`connecter 32 as well as through individual BNC-type
`connecters at 58 for connection to the production
`
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`6
`switcher. Camera connecter 24 utilizes a similar multi-
`contact connecter to custom cable 28 and adapter 30
`shown in FIG. 1. Intercom connecter 39 and audio out
`connector 94 utilize standard microphone-style jacks,
`and camera remote connecter 40 facilitates a custom
`interconnection via cable 42 customized for the remote-
`control unit supplied with the camera. Tally-out
`is
`available through connecter 90.
`Thus the present invention fills an unsatisfied need for
`an economical “universal-type” of camera control unit
`for electronic field production. The system just de-
`scribed provides all of the features and capabilities of a
`full-specification professional camera control unit at a
`much lower cost. As an additional benefit, the power
`for both the camera and its supplied remote control unit
`is provided by a separate power supply through an
`interface module; in the normal configuration, the cam-
`era must be equipped with internal batteries, which
`have a limited life between recharging periods to power
`both the camera and the remote controller, which re-
`sults in heavier equipment and increased operator fa—
`tigue. Furthermore, by utilizing interchangeable system
`components and integrating ENG-type controllers as
`opposed to resorting to much more expensive studio-
`type camera control units, the system of the present
`invention is protected from obsolescence when any one
`camera or other system component is replaced.
`I claim:
`
`1. A video field-production camera control system.
`adapted for use in conjunction with equipment of vary‘
`ing configuration, including a master sync generator
`operative to generate a master synchronization signal, a
`production switcher unit operative to provide a pro—
`gram video-out signal by selecting among video input
`signals, and video cameras, including cameras that uti-
`lize cable remote-control units, the control system com«
`prising:
`a mounting frame upon which said sync generator
`and said switcher unit may be mounted;
`a power supply disposed on said frame;
`a central control unit disposed on said frame and
`connected to the power supply, sync generator and
`production switcher,
`the
`control unit being
`adapted to accept a plurality of interface modules
`for installation therein, each module being con-
`nected through a cable to an adapter interfaced to
`a video camera to be used with the system, and
`each module being operative to:
`route power from the power supply to the camera
`through the adapter;
`adjust the phase of said master synchronization
`signal in accordance with an operator control
`and route the adjusted synchronization signal to
`the camera through the adapter; and
`receive at least one composite or component video
`signal from the camera through the adapter,
`adjust for cable frequency compensation and
`gain in accordance with an operator control, and
`route the adjusted video signal to said produc-
`tion switcher.
`2. The video field-production control system of claim
`1 wherein a plurality of component video signals are
`received by each module from the adapter connected
`thereto.
`3. The video field-production control system of claim
`1 wherein said adapter is further operative to derive a
`voltage required to operate said camera from the volt-
`age supplied by said power supply.
`
`

`

`5,325,202
`
`7
`4. The video field-production control system of claim
`1 wherein the operator control in each interface module
`associated with adjusting the phase of said master syn-
`chronization signal provides for horizontal phase ad-
`justment and subcarrier phase adjustment.
`5. The video field-production control system of claim
`1 wherein each interface module further includes a tally
`lamp connected to a tally-in signal from the production
`switcher and wherein said module further provides a
`tally-out signal to the camera through the adapter, the
`lamp being illuminated and the tally-out signal being
`asserted when the camera associated with said interface
`module has been selected.
`
`6. The video field-production control system of claim
`1 wherein each interface module further includes a
`VTR record start/stop switch connected to a record
`start/stop signal from the camera through the adapter,
`said switch being operative to activate and de-activate a
`video tape recorder dedicated to the camera associated
`with each module.
`7. A video field-production control system adapted
`for use in conjunction with related equipment of vary-
`ing configuration, including a master sync generator
`operative to generate a master synchronization signal, a
`production switcher unit operative to provide a pro-
`gram video out signal by selecting among video input
`signals and cable-remote-controlled video cameras, the
`control system comprising:
`a framework having installed thereon a power sup-
`ply, said master sync generator, said production
`switcher, and a plurality of interface modules, each
`being connected to the power supply, sync genera-
`tor and production switcher, and each module
`including:
`a chassis with a panel having disposed thereon a
`plurality of connectors, including a camera con-
`nector, a remote connector and video-out con-
`nectors;
`an adapter and camera cable used to connect a
`video camera to the camera connector, thereby
`enabling said cable to carry power, synchroniza-
`tion and control signals to the camera and video,
`audio and status signals from the camera to said
`module;
`operator-adjustable cable-compensation circuitry
`disposed on said chassis and connected to said
`camera connector, said cable-compensation cir-
`cuitry being operative to allow an operator to
`compensate each video signal from said camera
`in accordance with the length of said camera
`cable;
`operator-adjustable amplification circuitry dis-
`posed on said chassis and connected between
`said cable-compensation circuitry and said
`video-out connectors,
`said amplification cir-
`cuitry being operative to allow an operator to
`adjust the gain of each video signal;
`circuitry
`Operator-controlled
`phase-adjustment
`disposed on said chassis and connected between
`said master sync generator and said camera con-
`nector, said phase-adjustment circuitry being
`operative to allow an operator to adjust
`the
`phase of the synchronization signal delivered to
`said camera; and
`a remote cable adapted to be connected between
`said remote connector and said remote unit, if
`supplied.
`
`8
`8. The video field production control system of claim
`7 wherein said adapter further includes voltage regula-
`tion circuitry adapted to receive the output of said
`power supply through said camera cable and generate
`therefrom a voltage required to operate said camera.
`9. The video field production control system of claim
`7 wherein said video-out connectors include connectors
`for composite video and connectors associated with a
`component video standard.
`10. A video field-production control system adapted
`for use in conjunction with equipment of varying con-
`figuration,
`including cable-remote-controlled video
`cameras, video tape recorders, sync generators of the
`type that provide a GENLOCK signal, and production
`video switchers operative, under user control, to pro-
`vide a video—out signal by choosing among video-in
`signals, the control system comprising:
`a framework having installed thereon said sync gen-
`erator, said production switcher, a power supply
`operative to supply a DC voltage, and a central
`control unit connected to the power supply, sync
`generator and production switcher,
`the control
`unit being adapted to accommodate a plurality of
`interface modules for installation therein, each
`module including:
`>
`a chassis with a panel having disposed thereon a
`plurality of connectors, including a camera con-
`nector, a remote connector, a composite video-
`out connector, and component video-out con-
`nectors;
`an adapter and camera cable used to connect a
`camera to the camera connector disposed on said
`module,
`thereby enabling the cable to carry
`power, synchronization and control signals to
`the camera and video, audio and status signals
`from the camera to said module, the adapter
`being operative to derive ally voltages necessary
`to operate the camera;
`operator-adjustable cable-compensation circuitry ‘
`disposed on said chassis and connected to said
`camera connector, said cable-compensation cir-
`cuitry being operative to allow an operator to
`compensate each video signal carried by said
`camera cable in accordance with the-length of
`said cable;
`operator-adjustable amplification circuitry dis-
`posed on said chassis and connected between
`said cable-compensation circuitry and said com-
`posite and said component video-out connectors,
`said amplification circuitry being operative to
`allow an operator to adjust the gain of each sig-
`nal associated therewith;
`circuitry
`operator-controlled
`phase-adjustment
`disposed on said chassis and connected between
`said master sync generator and said camera con-
`nector, said phase-adjustment circuitry being
`operative to allow an operator to adjust the hori-
`zontal phase and sub-carrier phase of the GEN-
`LOCK signal prior to its delivery to said camera.
`a remote cable adapted to be connected between
`said remote connector and said remote unit.
`11. The video field-production control system of
`claim 10 wherein said remote unit is of the electronic
`news gathering (ENG) type.
`12. The video field-production control system of
`claim 10 wherein the voltage supplied by .said power
`supply is greater than 12 volts DC.
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
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`25
`
`30
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`35
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`45
`
`50
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`55
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`65
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`9
`13. The video field-production control system of
`claim 10 wherein said adapter is capable of deriving
`both positive and negative voltages required to operate
`said camera.
`
`5,325,202
`
`10
`signal being asserted when the camera associated with
`said interface module has been selected.
`16. The video field-production control system of
`claim 10 wherein the panel on each module chassis has
`further disposed thereon a VTR connector connected
`to an output of said amplification circuitry, thereby
`enabling a video cassette recorder attached to said VTR
`connector to record a video signal produced by the
`camera connected to that module.
`17. The video field-production control system of
`claim 16 wherein each interface module further in-
`cludes a VTR record start/stop switch connected to a
`record start/stop signal from the camera through the
`adapter, said switch being operative to activate and
`de-activate said video tape recorder.
`#
`t
`t
`t
`t
`
`14. The video field-production control system of 5
`claim 10 wherein the panel on each module chassis has
`further disposed thereon an intercom connector con-
`nected to said camera connector, thereby enabling an
`operator to communicate with the operator of the cam-
`era connected to that module.
`15. The video field-production control system of
`claim 10 wherein each interface module further in-
`cludes a tally lamp connected to a tally-in signal from
`the production switcher and wherein said module fur-
`ther provides a tally—out signal to the camera through 15
`the adapter, the lamp being illuminated and the tally—out
`
`10
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`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
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`55
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`65
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`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENTNO.
`
`: 5,325,202
`
`DATED
`
`I
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`INVENTOR(S) : Washino
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-indentified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby
`corrected as shown below:
`
`Column 4,
`
`line 48, delete "effect" and insert —~in effect-—;
`
`Column 8,
`
`line 38, delete "allY" and insert --any-—;
`
`Column 8,
`length——.
`
`line 45, delete "the- length" and insert --the
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Eleventh Day of October,