JP2667725B2 - Inspection and monitoring equipment using images - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial field of application> The present invention is an inspection by an image that prevents the light emitting device from emitting light even if proper recording cannot be performed.
It relates to a monitoring device.

<Conventional Technology> In the fields of industrial measurement and medical care, a system is used in which an object to be inspected is photographed and observed as a moving image on a monitor, and can be viewed as a still image when necessary. A conventional example of such a system device (inspection / monitoring device using images) will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the video camera 01
20 are photographed, and a video signal V is output. Video signal V
Is transmitted to the monitor 04 through the still image recording / reproducing device 03, and the inspection object 02 is displayed on the monitor 04 as a moving image. The still image recording / reproducing device 03 has a semiconductor memory device or a magnetic floppy device, and has a function of recording / reproducing a video signal for one screen (a video signal for one field or one frame) from the video signal V. Have.

A still image recording / reproducing device 03, a strobe light 06, various sensors 07 and a push button switch 08 are connected to the controller 05. The sensor 07 detects the state (position and the like) of the inspection object 02, and one of the sensor 07 and the push button switch 08 is often used selectively.

Here, an example of the mode of use of this device will be described. When the inspection object 02 moves, for example, in the direction of arrow A, this state is displayed on the monitor 04 as a moving image. Operator monitors
While viewing the screen 04, when the scene desired to be viewed as a still image is projected, the push button switch 08 is pressed. Then,
Under the control of the controller 05, the flashlight is generated by the strobe 06, and at the same time, the video signal V for one screen including the image illuminated by the flash as information is recorded in the still image recording / reproducing device 03. Further, for a set time (for example, 5 seconds) from the time when the push button switch 08 is pressed, the video camera 01 is displayed on the monitor 04.
Is not transmitted, and instead, the video signal for one screen recorded in the still image recording / reproducing device 03 is repeatedly reproduced and transmitted to the monitor 04. For this reason, the inspection object photographed by the video camera 01 when the push button switch 08 is pressed.
The image 02 is displayed on the monitor 04 as a still image.

When the set time elapses, the video signal output from the video camera 01 is sent to the monitor 04 again, and the monitor 04 displays the inspection object 02 as a moving image. Further, the still image recording / reproducing device 05 returns to the recording preparation state in which the next recording can be performed. For example, in a still image recording / reproducing device equipped with a magnetic floppy device, the magnetic head moves to the next track.

When the inspection target 02 is to be observed as a still image when it reaches the inspection position, the position of the inspection target 02 is detected by the sensor 07, and when a detection signal is output from the sensor 07,
The same operation as that of the push button switch 08 described above can be performed.

<Problem to be Solved by the Invention> In the above-described conventional apparatus, even if the recording by the still image recording / reproducing apparatus 03 cannot be performed or the video camera 01
Even if the video signal V is not being output from the device, if the push button switch 08 is pressed, a flash light is generated from the strobe 06 in response to a command from the controller 05. In such cases,
Since recording cannot be performed, in order to perform recording, after setting to a state in which recording can be performed, the push button switch 08 is pressed again to emit light from the strobe 06 and record a still image by the still image recording / reproducing device 03.

By the way, some objects to be inspected do not like being exposed to a large number of flashes. Also, in the medical field, there is a demand for minimizing luminescence in consideration of giving no pain to patients. However, in the conventional device, light emission may occur even when a still image cannot be recorded.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection / monitoring device using an image in which unnecessary light emission does not occur in view of the above-described related art.

<Means for Solving the Problems> A configuration of the present invention that achieves the above object is to determine whether or not a still image recording / reproducing apparatus is in a recordable state and whether or not a video signal is output from a video camera,
If it is determined that proper recording or shooting cannot be performed,
It is characterized in that it is warned that recording is not possible and does not emit light or record even if an external trigger is input.

<Operation> When a video signal including a still image cannot be properly recorded, no flash light is emitted from the light emitting device, and the still image recording / reproducing device does not perform the recording operation.

<Embodiment> First, the structure and accumulation mode of an interline transfer type CCD mounted on a CCD camera used in an embodiment of the present invention will be described first. The interline transfer type CCD 1 shown in FIG. 5 includes a light receiving unit 2 for photoelectrically converting incident light, a light-shielded storage unit 3, and a horizontal scanning unit 4. The signal charge photoelectrically converted by the light receiving unit 2 is transferred to the storage unit 3 within a vertical blanking period, and the previous signal charge is horizontally scanned while the light receiving unit 2 is storing the signal charge of the next period. It is read through the unit 4.

In this embodiment, the interline transfer type CCD 1 is operated in the frame accumulation mode. That is, the light receiving unit 2 composed of several hundred thousand elements is divided into two systems (shown by 2a and 2b), and the voltage timing applied to the electrodes of both systems is changed by an interlace switching circuit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 6, the operation timings of the two systems are different. That is, the two systems of elements 2a and 2b perform photoelectric conversion and charge accumulation in the vertical scanning period (2 fields),
The operation timings of the elements 2a and 2b of both systems are shifted by one vertical scanning period (one field). The signal charges 2a-0, 2b-0, 2a-1, 2b-1, 2a-2, 2b-2 transferred and read from the elements 2a, 2b of both systems are subjected to signal processing to obtain a video signal. V _2a-0 , V _2b-0 , V
_2a-1 , V _2b-1 , V _2a-2 and V _2b-2 are formed.

Next, an image inspection / monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the inspection / monitoring device of the present embodiment includes a CCD camera 10, a strobe device 21 or a flash 22, a monitor 30, a push button switch 40, a still recorder (still image recording / reproducing device) 100, and a strobe synchronizer 200. Have been.

The CCD camera 10 has the above-described interline transfer type CCD, and is operated in a frame accumulation mode. This CCD
The camera 10 captures an image of an inspection object and continuously outputs a video signal V. This video signal V is a strobe synchronizer
It is sent to the still recorder 100 and further to the monitor 30 via 200.

Either the strobe device 21 or the flash 22 is selectively used, and generates a flash to illuminate the inspection object. That is, the strobe device 21 emits light when a strobe drive signal S of a TTL (transistor transistor logic; binary signal of 0 V and 5 V) level is input, and the flash 22 receives a flash drive signal (X contact signal) F. And emit light.

Still recorder 100 uses a floppy disk as a recording medium. It has a frame recording function of taking in the odd field video signal and the following even field video signal as the video signal for one screen from the video signal V, and recording it on the track of the floppy disk. ing.

The still recorder 100 has a configuration as shown in a block diagram in FIG. That is, disk pack 101
Is inserted into the bucket 102 and the bucket 102 is closed, the floppy disk 103 in the disk pack 101 is mounted on the spindle of the motor 104. On the other hand, the video signal V transmitted via the strobe synchronizer 200
Is recorded by the signal processing circuit 105 (FM modulation or the like) and recorded on the floppy disk 103 by the magnetic head 106. At the time of reproduction, a signal picked up and sent from the floppy disk 103 by the magnetic head 106 is demodulated (FM demodulated) by the signal processing circuit 105 and sent to the monitor 30 as a video signal V. In the moving image display mode described later, the video signal V
After passing through 105 once, it is immediately sent to the monitor 30.

The mechanical block control device 107 controls the rotation speed and the rotation phase of the motor 104 based on the reference vertical synchronization signal REF-V extracted from the video signal V, the phase detection pulse P, and the frequency pulse FG. Also, the position of the magnetic head 106 is controlled. This mechanical block control device 107 includes detection switches SW1, SW
2. A detection signal is sent from SW3. Detection switch SW1
Determines the state of the erroneous erasure prevention claw of the disk pack 101 stored in the bucket 102, and issues a warning signal when the erasure is prohibited. The detection switch SW2 determines whether or not the disk pack 101 is stored in the bucket 102, and issues a warning signal when the disk pack 101 is not stored. The detection switch SW3 is connected to the floppy disk 103 by the motor 104.
Determine whether the spindle is securely attached to the
A warning signal is issued when the camera is not securely attached.

The envelope detection circuit 108 detects the envelope (envelope) of the modulated video signal picked up from the floppy disk 103 by the magnetic head 106, thereby searching for an unrecorded track on the floppy disk 103 and detecting the center position of a recorded track. (In play and erase mode).

The control device 109 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the still recorder 100. The control device 109 includes the presence or absence of the video signal V, the state of the envelope, the detection switch SW
Command to understand the detection status of 1, SW2, SW3, etc., and to perform the required operation according to the operation command sent from the key switch 110 or remote controller 111 provided on the front panel (not shown) Output a signal. Further, the control device 109 self-diagnoses whether or not the still recorder 100 is in a recordable state. In other words, whether or not a warning signal is output from the detection switches SW1, SW2, and SW3, whether or not the video signal V is input, whether or not there is an unrecorded track, and the like are detected and the recording is possible. Self-diagnosis. The self-diagnosis result is the communication data T
Is transmitted to the strobe synchronizer 200 by serial communication. Note that the display 112 displays a required display.

On the other hand, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the strobe synchronizer 200 includes a system controller 201, a timing generator 202, an initial setting unit 203, an oscillator 204, a mode switching unit 205, a synchronization signal detector 206, and a synchronization signal separator 207. , A review setting device 208, and an LED display 209.

The operation of the inspection / monitoring device according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described below. Strobe synchronizer 200
First, it is checked whether the still recorder 100 is in a recordable state. In other words, when the communication data T for inspection is sent from the strobe synchronizer 200 to the still recorder 100, the still recorder 100 checks whether or not it can perform recording by self-diagnosis. If recording is possible, the still recorder 100 returns communication from the still recorder 100. The data T is sent to the strobe synchronizer 200 to check the status. Further, it is determined whether or not a cable (not shown) for transmitting and receiving the communication data T is securely connected and whether or not the power of the still recorder 100 is operating, based on a specific terminal voltage connected to the cable. I do. Further, it is detected whether the communication data T of the response is returned from the still recorder 100 within a predetermined time after the communication data T is sent from the strobe synchronizer 200. If there is no response within a predetermined time, it is determined that a communication error has occurred. After confirming such a status and recognizing that the still recorder 100 is ready for recording, the still recorder 100 is instructed by the command from the strobe synchronizer 200.
Becomes a panel locked state in which the operation is controlled only by a command from the strobe synchronizer 200. That is, when the mode switch 205 of the strobe synchronizer 200 is turned on, a panel lock command is output, and when the mode switch 205 is turned off, the still recorder 100 escapes from the panel lock state. In the panel locked state, even if the key switch 110 or the remote controller 111 provided in the still recorder 100 is operated, the operation corresponding to the operation button is not performed. However, since the floppy disk can be inserted / removed even in the panel locked state, when the detection switch SW2 detects that the floppy disk has been inserted / removed, the communication data T indicating that recording is not possible, Still Recorder 100
From the flash synchronizer 200.

Also, the strobe synchronizer 200 determines whether or not the video signal V is output from the CCD camera
Alternatively, it is checked whether or not the flash 22 is ready to emit light. The presence or absence of the video signal V is determined by the synchronization signal detector 206 detecting the synchronization signal of the video signal V. Whether light emission is possible is determined by detecting a charge voltage.

If it is determined that the recording cannot be performed satisfactorily when the above-described check is performed, the fact is displayed on the LED display 209, and the emission of the strobe device 21 or the flash 22 and the recording of the still recorder 100 are prohibited. Therefore, even if the push button switch 40 is pressed at this time, the flash device 21
The flash 22 does not emit light, and the still recorder 100 does not perform a recording operation. On the other hand, still recorder 100, CCD camera 10, strobe device 21, or flash
When it is confirmed that 22 is suitable for recording, the mode shifts to the moving image display mode or still image display mode described below.

The moving image display mode is a state when the push button switch 40 is not pressed. In this mode, the video signal V output from the CCD camera 10 is output to the strobe synchronizer 20.
It reaches the still recorder 100 through 0 and is sent to the monitor 30 further. For this reason, an image showing the inspection object (not shown) captured by the CCD camera 10 is displayed on the monitor 30 as a moving image.

At this time, the sync signal separator 207 (see FIG. 3) of the strobe synchronizer 200 changes from the video signal V to the vertical sync signal V.
D (FIG. 4 (b)) and the composite sync signal CSYNC are extracted, output, and sent to the timing generator 202. The timing generator 202 includes a vertical synchronization signal VD and a composite synchronization signal CSYNC.
Based on the field discrimination signal FDET (4th level) which becomes high level in the odd field and becomes low level in the even field.
(C) of FIG.

When the push button switch 40 is pressed in the above-described moving image display mode, an external trigger T is generated, and a still image display mode is set. The external trigger T is input to the timing generator 202 of the strobe synchronizer 200. Thereafter, various operations are performed at the timing shown in FIG.

 In FIG. 4, the flow when the external trigger T is input is shown.
Field, followed by the field ...
I will explain. External trigger T is time t in the field₁
, The timing generator 202
Later period and field discrimination signal FDET is low level
T rise to high level_Two(Beyond the field
Sending the recording command signal R to the still recorder 100
At time t_TwoBeyond the field one field behind
With the head, the strobe drive signal S (using the strobe device 21)
The flash drive signal F (flash 22
Is used). Drive signals S and F are
Within the field as much as possible
Output at a timing close to the end of the vertical retrace interval
Is preferred. In other words, the flash timing is early and the flash is vertical.
Even if it occurs during the retrace period, photoelectric conversion and accumulation cannot be performed,
This is because that. Also completed the flash in the field
Because it is. On the other hand, the still recorder 100 is a frame
In the case of recording, the video signal of the odd field and the even field
Are recorded as a pair in this order. I
Therefore, the recording command signal R becomes the time t._TwoWill be entered in
The first odd and even fields after that
Image signal V , V And record the frames in pairs. You
No tachi, time t_ThreeAnd t_FourThe recording current is odd at the timing of
-Flow to each magnetic head in even field (Fig. 4
(F), (f ')). This timing is
Each time the disk makes one rotation, the vertical synchronization signal VD (Fig. 4
PG generated seven horizontal synchronization periods before (b)) (Fig. 4
(A)) is used as a reference. Thus, the recording command signal R
Is time t_ThreeInput to the still recorder 100 at time t
_ThreeFrom the odd field video signal V At time t_FourFrom
Video signal V of even field The floppy disk
To record.

 As described above, the interline switching provided in the CCD camera 10 is performed.
Transmit CCD is operating in frame accumulation mode. Therefore
Odd field video signal V Is in the field
Formed based on charge signals read out from photoelectric conversion / accumulation
And the video signal V of the even field
Is read by photoelectric conversion / accumulation in the field
It is formed based on the output charge signal. The flash
Generated in the field because it occurred in the field
Charge signal generated in the field or field
The number of charge signals is extremely large. Video signal
V , V Are both large amounts of
Contains the charge signal and the charge generated in the field.
Percentage including load signal and charge signal generated in the field
Is relatively extremely small. As a result, the video signal V
Brightness level and video signal V The brightness level of
Will be equal.

 The still recorder 100 outputs the video signal V , V The flow
After recording on a ppy disk, recording from the field
Video signal V , V To play continuously and repeatedly
Send to monitor 30. At this time, output from CCD camera 10
Video signal V is not sent to the monitor 30
I have. Therefore, when the push button switch 40 is pressed on the monitor 30,
The image of the inspection object taken at
Be sent out. Moreover, the video signal V to be reproduced , V Shine
Still image without flicker because degree level is almost equal
Is obtained.

 The playback time of the recorded video depends on the review setting device 208
Set with. That is, when the recording command signal R is set
During this time, the high level is maintained.
Performs playback. The set time has passed and the recording command signal R is low.
The still recorder 100 drops to the bell and the video signal V , V
Stops playback, and the image sent from the CCD camera 10 is stopped.
The image signal V is sent to the monitor 30. Therefore, the video display mode
Become Also, during playback, the review reset signal REVW
OF (FIG. 4 (h)) changes from high level to low level
And the recording command signal R is reset to stop the playback,
The display mode is set.

By the way, when a video is displayed on the monitor 30 and the floppy disk is removed from the still recorder 100 or the recorder power is turned off and recording cannot be performed, the communication data T indicating that recording is not possible is transmitted to the still recorder 100.
To the system controller 201 of the strobe synchronizer 200. When the video signal V is no longer output from the CCD camera 10, the synchronization detection signal SYNC DET sent from the synchronization signal detector 206 to the system controller 201 disappears. When the system controller 201 determines that the recording is not possible, the system controller 201
Stops the operation of the timing generator 202,
Output of the drive signals S and F is prohibited. In such a stop prohibition state, even if the push button switch 40 is pressed, the recording command signal R and the drive signals S and F are not output, no flash is generated, and the still recorder 100 does not enter the recording state and remains as it is. Movie display mode continues. And still recorder 10
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where only flash light is generated although recording cannot be performed at 0. Some inspection objects hate exposure to flashes many times, and in the medical field, unnecessary light emission may cause pain to patients.Therefore, there is great significance in preventing such unnecessary light emission. is there.

In FIG. 3, an oscillator 204 generates a reference clock CLK, and an initial setting unit 203 sets a communication mode or the like according to the type of the still recorder.

<Effects of the Invention> According to the present invention as specifically described above with reference to the embodiments, flash light does not occur when a still image cannot be recorded, and unnecessary light emission can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a still recorder, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a strobe synchronizer, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing a state, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an interline transfer type CCD, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state when the interline transfer type CCD is operated in a frame accumulation mode. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional apparatus. In the drawing, 10 is a CCD camera, 21 is a strobe device, 22 is a flash, 30 is a monitor, 40 is a push button switch, 100 is a still recorder, and 200 is a strobe synchronizer.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A video camera for photographing a subject and one of the video signals output from the video camera.
A still picture recording / playback device that captures and records video signals for one screen, and a video signal from a video camera, or a video signal for one screen that is repeatedly recorded and then output in the still picture recording / playback device. A monitor that receives and displays an image, a light-emitting device that generates a flash, and when an external trigger is input, sends a light-emitting command signal to the light-emitting device to instruct the light-emitting device to generate a flash, and records and reproduces a still image. A strobe synchronizer that sends a recording command signal for instructing the apparatus to record a video signal for one screen to the still image recording / reproducing device, wherein the strobe synchronizer is capable of recording by the still image recording / reproducing device. If it is not possible to properly record or shoot, it is judged whether or not the video signal is output from the video camera. When judged, it warns that recording is not possible, and even if an external trigger is input,
An inspection / monitoring device based on an image, which does not output a light emission signal and a recording command signal. 2. The strobe synchronizer according to claim 1, wherein the strobe synchronizer is configured to determine whether the still image recording / reproducing device is in a recordable state, whether a video signal is output from a video camera, and whether the light emitting device is capable of emitting light. Is determined, and if it is determined that proper recording or light emission cannot be performed, a warning that recording is not possible is issued, and even if an external trigger is input, a light emission command signal and a recording command signal are not output. Inspection / monitoring device based on characteristic images.