Europalsches Patentamt
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`European Patent Office
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`Office européen des brevets
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`(11)
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`EP 0 734 1 56 A1
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`(12)
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`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC
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`(43) Date of publication:
`25.09.1996 Bulletin 1996/39
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`(21) Application number: 959336413
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`(22) Date of filing: 09.10.1995
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`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`DE FR GB
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`(30) Priority: 07.10.1994 JP 244286/94
`06.04.1995 JP 81440/95
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`(71) Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
`Tokyo 141 (JP)
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`(72) Inventors:
`- KURASHIGE, Tadamasa,
`Sony Corporation
`Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141 (JP)
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`(51) um. on; H04N 5/232, H04N 9/09
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`(86) International application number:
`PCT/J P95l02065
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`(87) International publication number:
`WO 96/11548 (18.04.1996 Gazette 1996/17)
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`- KANEKO, Katsuml,
`Sony Corporation
`Shlnagawa-ku, Tokyo 141 (JP)
`- YAMASHITA, Masahlro,
`Sony Corporation
`Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141 (JP)
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`(74) Representative: Cotter, Ivan John et al
`D. YOUNG 8: CO.
`21 New Fetter Lane
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`London EC4A 1DA (G B)
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`(54)
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`VIDEO CAMERA AND ITS SETUP METHOD
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`A picture pickup block (12) of an optical head
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`body (1) is detachably attached to a camera body (2).
`The picture pickup block (12) includes an EEPROM
`(129). which stores data in association with a picture
`pickup element. such as shading correction data. and
`setup data for the video camera, including signal-use
`location data. When the power is turned on, a micro-
`computer (201) in the camera body (2) reads setup data
`from the ROM (129), and sets up the video camera by
`controlling each circuit of the picture pickup block (12)
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`and the camera body (2). For example. based on shad-
`ing correction data. setup is performed so that a video
`signal for which shading correction has been performed
`is output. Also. based on signal-use location data. setup
`is performed so that a video signal in accordance with
`the appropriate signal standards of a particular signal-
`use location is output by controlling a level conversion
`circuit (206) and a setup level signal adding circuit
`(207).
`
`
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`MICROCOMPUTER
`DATA RAM
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`EP0734156A1
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`Page 1 of 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`Printed by Rank Xerox (UK) Busme$ Services
`2135/34
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`Page 1 of 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`

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`EP 0 734156 A1
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`Description
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
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`The present invention relates to a video camera, for which certain adjustment can be eliminated or reduced when
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`ards depending on the country in which the video signal is to be used or to which the camera is to be shipped, (the sig-
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`nal-use location), can be produced without the need for a number of different circuit boards, and a setup method for the
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`video camera.
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`BACKGROUND ART
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`Conventionally, a video camera has been proposed, to the body of which is detachably attached a picture pickup
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`block consisting of a color separation prism, CCD (charge coupled device) solid-state picture pickup element, signal
`processing circuit, and other devices. When such picture pickup block is replaced, many items must be adjusted on the
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`camera body side to correct for variations in the properties of the CCD solid-state picture pickup element and optical
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`Since many items must be adjusted on the camera body side in connection with the replacement of the picture
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`pickup block, the user cannot simply replace the picture pickup block; special-purpose instruments, jigs, and tools are
`needed, and work by a specialist is required. Therefore, a camera body is provided with only one picture pickup block,
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`and when a GOD is required or a shift of aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 is needed, for example, the demand for the
`replacement of only the picture pickup block or the demand for a plurality of picture pickup blocks cannot be satisfied
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`simply.
`In the case of a video camera for broadcasting, which is used for photographing an artistic production such as a
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`drama, high picture quality is generally demanded. Therefore, a three tube type video camera using three picture piclmp
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`tubes or a three plate type video camera using three solid-state picture pickup elements are typically used.
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`A system in which a three color separation prism is provided behind the picture pickup lens to separate the light
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`passing through the picture pickup lens into the color component lights of B (red), G (green), and B (blue), is generally
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`used, especially with the three plate type video camera. With this system, since the optical path of each color compo-
`nent light is independent, color correction can be made freely by inserting a trimming filter in each optical path. There-
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`fore, this system has ideal picture pickup characteristics and the capability of obtaining a color image with good color
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`tone. Also, an advantage of this system is that less incident light is absorbed, heightening the light utilization factor,
`making the production of such a highly sensitive camera relatively easily.
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`The process in which a composite picture signal is obtained from a picture pickup signal output from the picture
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`pickup elements of Ft, G, and B is described below. First, the light passing through the picture pickup lens is separated
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`into color component lights of Ft, G, and B by the three color separation prism, and sent to the picture pickup elements
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`of Ft, G, and B, respectively. Thereupon, a color image of R, G, and B corresponding to the subject is formed on the
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`picture pickup plane of the picture pickup element for R, G, and B.
`Various types of signal processing, such as preamp, clamp, and gamma correction, can be performed on the pic-
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`ture pickup signal obtained by photoelectric transfer at each picture pickup element in order to form the color signals of
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`Ft, G, and B. From the color signals of B, G, and B, a luminance signal Y, red color difference signal B-Y, and blue color
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`difference signal B-Y are formed in a matrix circuit. Further, from the luminance signal Y and color difference signals R-
`Y and B—Y, a composite picture signal is formed in a composition circuit (encoder). In the composition circuit, a variety
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`of processing is performed, including processing for adding a synchronizing signal to the luminance signal Y, color mod-
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`ulation processing for obtaining a carrier chrominance signal from the color difference signals R-Y and B-Y, composition
`processing for obtaining a composite picture signal by compounding the luminance signal Y to which the synchronizing
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`signal is added and the carrier chrominance signal.
`The composite picture signal output from the composition circuit is entered into a CCU (camera control unit) at a
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`later stage of processing, for example, through a camera adapter and camera cable connected to the video camera.
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`The CCU controls the adjustment of lens opening, selection of color filter or ND (neutral density) filter, compensation
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`for cable length, correction of contour, gamma correction for each channel, knee characteristics, pedestal level, etc.
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`When a picture pickup tube is used as the picture pickup element, the CCU can also control the adjustment of registra-
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`tion, beam quantity of the picture pickup tube, beam focus, beam alignment, and so on.
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`Japan, the United States, and Europe have different standards for the composite picture signal. For example, the
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`NTSC standard used in Japan, the NTSC standard (RSI 70A) used in the United States, and the PAL standard used in
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`Europe, maintain different levels of luminance signal Y and the color difference signals B‘Y and B—Y composing the
`composite picture signal.
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`Page 2 0f 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`Page 2 of 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`

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`EP 0 734156 A1
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`The difference in level of the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Ft-Y and B-Y composing the com-
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`posite picture signal, varying depending on the signal-use location are explained below with reference to the attached
`Table 1, and FIGS. 15, 16A, 16B, 17A, and 17B.
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`First, the white level (100% level) VW of the luminance signal is 714 mV for the NTSC standard in Japan, 714 mV
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`for the NTSC standard in the United States, and 700 mV for the PAL standard in Europe (see attached Table 1 and FIG.
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`15). The setup level is 0% of the white level for the NTSC standard in Japan and the PAL standard in Europe (see
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`attached Table 1 and FIG. 168), and 7.5% of the white level in the NTSC standard in the United States (see attached
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`Table 1 and FIG. 16A). Therefore, the white level of the luminance signal for the NTSC standard used in the United
`States is 714 mV, but the white level without consideration of setup level is 660.45 mV (= 714 x 0.925 mV).
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`Next, the difference VP-P between the maximum level and the minimum level at 75% color bar of the color differ-
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`ence signals R-Y and R-Y is 700 mV for analog interface in Japan, 756 mV for analog interface in the United States,
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`and 525 mV for analog interface in Europe (see attached Table 1 and FIGS. 17A and 173).
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`In manufacturing video cameras used currently, for example, a circuit board incorporating a matrix circuit with the
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`luminance signal Y and color difference signals R-Y and B-Y at the levels used, for example, in Europe, is mounted, and
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`a number of circuit boards having the appropriate levels for Japan and the United States are delivered as options. That
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`is to say, the levels of the luminance signal and color difference signals are set to one of the standards.
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`For this reason, when a CCU is externally connected to the camera adapter, the user uses the camera after con-
`verting the levels of the luminance signal and color difference signals to the appropriate levels for the country where
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`broadcast is to be delivered by inputting various parameters of CCU. The aforementioned picture pickup block is also
`replaced with one complying with the appropriate standard. Usually, a sample pulse for AGC (automatic gain control)
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`to detect the attenuation state in the transmission of a composite picture signal, is added to the vertical blanking period
`of composite picture signal, and the addition of the sample pulse is exclusively performed by the circuit in the camera
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`adapter.
`On the other hand, when a VTR (video tape recorder) is externally connected to the camera adapter, the current
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`circuit board is replaced by the circuit board (option) complying with the appropriate standard in the country where the
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`recorded material is to be used (broadcast), and thereafter the composite picture signal is supplied to the VTR. This
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`replacement of circuit board can not be accomplished by a simple change of circuit boards. Since, as described above,
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`the addition of the sample pulse is made by the circuit in the camera adapter, readjustment of signals is also needed.
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`This readjustment takes much time, so that the replacement of the circuit board is very troublesome. Moreover, an inap-
`propriate circuit board may be used, creating the possibility that the level of composite picture signal does not comply
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`with the appropriate standard.
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`In particular, since the level of the sample pulse added by the camera adapter is uniform, even though the cable
`length would be ordinarily compensated for the CCU, depending on the type of equipment connected at the processing
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`stage of following the CCU and also depending on the cable length, the level of the signal may be reduced and the sam-
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`ple pulse itself may disappear, making reproduction of the composite picture signal by the AGC impossible. Alterna-
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`tively, a so-called matrix error due to improper readjustment or the like is also likely to occur.
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`Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to eliminate or reduce the adjustments necessary on the camera
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`body side when the picture pickup block having a picture pickup element is replaced.
`Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for replacing or readjusting of circuit boards each
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`time the broadcast signal-use location is changed, thereby enhancing productivity and serviceability.
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`Still another object of the present invention is to reduce the circuits in the camera adapter, reduce costs, and reduce
`matrix errors.
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`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
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`According to the present invention. a video camera is comprised of a video camera body with a signal processing
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`means which processes picture pickup signals obtained by picture pickup elements and outputs video signals, and a
`picture pickup block detachably attached to the video camera body which has the picture pickup elements. The picture
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`pickup block has memory means for storing setup data for setting up the video camera, and the video camera body has
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`a control means for setting up the video camera based on the setup data stored in the memory means. For example, in
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`the signal processing means, the video signals are converted into a signal level determined in accordance with the
`intended signal-use location at the broadcast, which is one type of the setup data.
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`Also, according to the present invention, the video camera is comprised of a video camera body with a signal
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`processing means which processes picture pickup signals obtained by picture pickup elements and outputs video sig-
`nals, and a picture pickup block with the picture pickup elements, which is detachably attached to the video camera
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`body, which also has a memory means for storing setup data for setting up the video camera. The video camera setup
`method comprises a step of reading the setup data from the memory means when the power is turned on and a step
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`of setting up the picture pickup block and the video camera body based on the setup data read in the first step above.
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`Page 3 0f 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`Page 3 of 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`

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`EP 0 734156 A1
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`According to the present invention, the video camera is further comprised of a camera adapter for connecting exter-
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`nal equipment. The camera adapter includes an output means for outputting video signals from the video camera body,
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`and a storage means for storing connected equipment information data indicating the type of external equipment. The
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`signal processing means on the video camera body further includes a signal adding means for adding a sample pulse
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`used for detecting an attenuation level due to the transmission of video signals output from the camera adapter based
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`on the connected equipment information data.
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`Thus, for example, when the power is turned on, setup is automatically performed by controlling each circuit of the
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`picture pickup block and the video camera body based on the setup data, such as shading correction data and signal-
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`use location code, read from the memory means of the picture pickup block. Therefore, adjustments to the camera body
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`side when the picture pickup block is replaced and the reassembly of circuit boards formerly required when the signal-
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`use location was changed can now be eliminated or reduced.
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`Also, a sample pulse used for detecting an attenuation level due to the transmission of the video signals can be
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`added to the video camera body. Therefore, a circuit for adding a sample pulse by the camera adapter can be elimi—
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`nated, resulting in a reduction in cost.
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`In the signal processing means, the signal level of the video signals is converted into a signal level in accordance
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`with the intended broadcast signal-use location based on signal-use location data, which is one of the setup data.
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`Therefore, the need for a readjustment of the signal is eliminated, so that matrix errors caused by improper readjust-
`ment, etc., can be reduced.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`1 and 2 are block diagrams showing an example in which a video camera in accordance with the present
`FIGS.
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`invention is applied to a studio camera for broadcasting;
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`FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a linear matrix circuit incorporated in the camera body
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`in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a level conversion circuit in accordance with the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a setup level signal adding circuit incorporated in the
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`camera body in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIG. 6 is an illustration of a sample pulse in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a sample pulse adding circuit incorporated in the cam-
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`era body in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a SYNC adding circuit incorporated in the camera body
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`in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a microcomputer incorporated in the camera body,
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`together with external equipment and external circuits in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the operation of switching processing means in accordance with the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the switching processing means in accordance with the present
`invention;
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`FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the level control data preparing means in accordance with the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sample pulse data preparing means in accordance with the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of SYNC data preparing means in accordance with the present inven-
`tion;
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`FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the horizontal waveform of luminance signal Y;
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`FIGS. 16A and 16B are waveform diagrams showing a portion of the horizontal waveform of luminance signal Y in
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`order to explain the setup standard; and
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`FIGS. 17A and 17B are waveform diagrams showing examples of the horizontal waveforms of color difference sig-
`nals R-Y and B-Y.
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`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
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`FIG. 1 shows a specific example in which a video camera in accordance with the present invention is applied to a
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`studio camera for broadcasting. The video camera shown in FIG. 1 consists of an optical head body (OHB) 1 and a
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`camera body 2. The optical head body 1 is comprised of a picture pickup lens 1 1 and a picture pickup block (CCD block)
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`12 having picture pickup elements. The optical head body 1 is mechanically connected to the camera body 2 by using,
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`for example, four screws, so that when the optical head body 1 is replaced, it can be attached to or detached from the
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`Page 4 0f 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`Page 4 of 40
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1004
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`

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`EP 0 734156 A1
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`camera body 2 simply by loosening the four screws with a coin. The electrical connection between the picture piclcip
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`block 12 of the optical head body 1 and the camera body 2 is made through a connector directly or through a connector
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`and a signal line which include a flexible cable.
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`As shown in FIG. 2, the picture pickup block 12 has a color separation prism 120 for separating the light output in
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`the picture pickup block 12 through the picture pickup lens 11 into color component lights of R, G, and B, CCD solid-
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`state picture pickup elements 121 R, 121 G, and 121 B in which the color component lights of R, G, and B separated by
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`the color separation prism 120 are input, and a red image, green image, and blue image associated with the subject are
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`formed on a picture pickup plane, respectively, and a CCD driver 122 for driving the picture pickup elements 121R,
`121G, and 121B.
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`The picture pickup block 12 also includes preamp circuits 123R, 123G, and 1238 in which the picture pickup sig-
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`nals of R, G, and B output from the picture pickup elements 121R, 121G, and 121 B, respectively, are amplified, and
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`already well-known correlation double sampling is conducted for performing certain processing, such as reducing reset
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`noise, and gain adjusting circuits 124R, 124G, and 124B for performing level adjustment of color signals R, G, and B
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`output from the preamp circuits 123R, 123G, and 1233, respectively. The gain adjusting circuits 124R, 124G, and 1243
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`suppress the level difference in color signals caused by variations in sensitivity of the picture pickup elements 121R,
`121G, and 121B.
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`The picture pickup block 12 further includes a voltage control oscillator (VCO) 125 for generating a reference clock,
`and a timing generator 126 for obtaining various timing signals based on the reference clock output from the voltage
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`control oscillator 125. A necessary timing signal is supplied from the timing generator 126 to each of the aforemen-
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`tioned CCD driver 122 and preamp circuits 123R, 123G, and 123B. Although not shown, necessary timing signals are
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`also supplied from the timing generator 126 to other circuits.
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`The voltage control oscillator 125 is supplied with VCO offset data from a microcomputer 201, described below, of
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`the camera body 2 via a D/A converter 127, whereby the frequency of reference clock output from the voltage control
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`oscillator 125 is made constant. The CCD driver 122 is supplied with substrate clock voltage Vsub and reset gate clock
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`voltage Vrg, described below, from the microcomputer 201 of the camera body 2, which voltages control the operation
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`of the CCD driver 122. The timing generator 126 is supplied with BLK offset data, described below, from the microcom-
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`puter 201 of the camera body 2, which data controls the operation of the timing generator 126.
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`The timing generator 126 has a terminal 126a for obtaining data showing whether the picture pickup element is of
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`an interline transfer type (IT type) or a frame interline transfer type (FIT type). Since the number of timing signals output
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`from the timing generator 126 differs between the IT type and the FIT type, the data showing whether the picture piclcip
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`element is of an IF type or a FIT type is output from the terminal 126a according to the number of timing signals. The
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`data obtained at terminal 126a of the timing generator 126 is supplied to the microcomputer 201 of the camera body 2.
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`The picture pickup block 12 also has a filter disk unit 128. The filter disk unit 128 switches to an ND filter or CC filter
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`(color conversion filter). The ND filter, which is an optical filter for uniformly decreasing light without selecting waveform
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`in a visible zone, is used, for example, when a decrease in light is desired without changing the diaphragm of the optical
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`system. ND filters of various densities which can decrease light to 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and so on, are available. The CC filter
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`is used to change the color temperature of illuminating light when a color video camera is used under an illuminating
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`light with a color temperature which does not allow for the optimum color balance. CC filters of various color tempera-
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`tures such as 4300 K, 6300 K, 8000 K, and so on, are available. The filter disk unit 128 is supplied with a filter switching
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`control signal from the microcomputer 201 of the camera body 2 through a serial/parallel converter (S/P converter) 301 ,
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`which control signal controls the switching operations of the ND filter and the CC filter.
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`The picture pickup block 12 also has an EEP ROM (electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory) 129
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`as a reloadable nonvolatile memory. The EEP ROM 129 stores, as setup data, white shading data of the picture pickup
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`elements 121 R, 121G, and 121 B, substrate clock voltage data, reset gate clock voltage data, BLM offset data (temper-
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`ature characteristics data) of the picture pickup element 121R, 121 G, and 121 B, offset data of VCO for controlling the
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`voltage control oscillator 125, aspect ratio data showing the aspect ratio of the picture pickup element 121R, 121 G, and
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`121 B, signal-use location data showing the signal-use location of the video camera, white offset data for correcting the
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`shift of balance of R, G, and B color signals when the ND filter is inserted, serial number data of the picture pickup block
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`12, masking data showing the color separation characteristics of the color separation prism 120, ND filter data and CC
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`filter data showing the types of ND filters and CC filters for the filter disk unit 128, color temperature data showing the
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`color temperature of the CC filter, IR filter data showing the thickness of an infrared cut filter, and so on.
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`For example, as shown in attached Table 2, white shading data (WHT SHADING) for correcting the white shading
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`of the picture pickup elements 121R, 121G, and 121B is stored at address "000-5FF." The reason for storing a lot of
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`white shading data in such a manner is that the correction accuracy is increased by setting many correction points on
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`one screen. Substrate clock voltage data (Vsub data) of the picture pickup elements 121R, 121G, and 121 B is stored
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`at addresses "700" to "702." An address "703," VCO offset data for making the frequency of clock output from the volt-
`age control oscillator 125 constant is stored. At address ”704," BLK offset data of the picture pickup elements 121R,
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`121 G, and 121 B, used for dark correction, is stored. At addresses "705" to "707," the reset gate clock voltage data (Vrg
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`data) for the picture pic