JP5003038B2 - Image switching apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image switching apparatus having a function of gradually switching images by a fader lever and a key frame / limeline function, and a control method therefor.

  In television broadcasting stations and video editing sites, an image switching device called an effect switcher is generally used.

  The most important function of the effect switcher is to provide an effect (transition) of gradually switching the video to be output from one video of the plurality of input videos to another video. The operation panel of the effect switcher is provided with a fader lever for manually controlling the progress of the switching. After designating the effect type (for example, wipe or mix) with the buttons on the operation panel or selecting the video after switching, the video is gradually switched by the designated effect by shaking the fader lever. Normally, a single effect switcher is provided with a plurality of mix / effect banks, which are blocks having such a transition function.

  In many cases, the effect switcher further has a function of a key frame timeline. (Refer to Patent Document 2) “Key frame” is data in which parameters indicating states of various processes (for example, video switching and effects) are associated with timings at which the states are to be realized. A “timeline” is a plurality of such key frames arranged in order of timing. The key frame timeline is divided into a stage in which such data is created in advance (preparation stage) and a stage in which the timeline is executed based on the created data (timeline operation). In the timeline operation, every time the timing indicated by each key frame in the timeline is reached, the processing state in the keyframe at that timing is reproduced. Further, at a timing when a key frame is not created, it is common to interpolate processing states in two adjacent key frames.

  In the conventional effect switcher, in order to manually control the timeline operation, a fader lever different from the fader lever for transition is provided on the operation panel.

  However, if the transition fader lever and the timeline operation fader lever are provided separately in this way, different positions on the operation panel will be used when executing the transition and when executing the timeline operation. You must reach out to the fader lever in For this reason, for example, when it is desired to simultaneously execute a transition and a timeline operation during live operation (when the output video of the effect switcher is broadcast as it is during live broadcasting of a program), the speedy operation is hindered.

  On the other hand, a single fader lever is used to perform a transition in the corresponding mix / effect bank when the lever position is between the upper and lower ends, when the lever position reaches the upper or lower end Can be used for the timeline operation in this mix / effect bank, and when the timeline operation is completed, it can be used again for executing the transition in this mix / effect bank. An effect switcher has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  According to this effect switcher, it is possible to execute a transition and a timeline operation alternately one by one by operating a single fader lever. However, it is still impossible to execute the transition and the timeline operation at the same time.

JP-A-5-56347 JP-A-7-107382

  In recent years, broadcasting stations and the like have a need for an effect switcher that makes special effects at the time of video switching more complicated and that such complex special effects can be executed by simple preparation and operation. It is rare.

  An example of a complicated special effect is a CG wipe. The CG wipe is a method of decoratively overlaying computer graphics by timeline operation on the video that is gradually switched by transition by specifying the wipe. Therefore, both transition and timeline operation are simultaneously performed simultaneously. It is necessary to execute.

  However, conventionally, in advance preparation for this CG wipe, not only computer graphics is prepared as a key frame timeline, but also the transition (wipe) progresses according to the length of the computer graphics.・ It was necessary to prepare as a timeline, and it took time and effort to prepare. In addition, when performing CG wipe, as described above, the two fader levers at different positions on the operation panel (the fader lever for transition and the fader lever for timeline operation) must be extended and operated. Because it was not possible, it was hindering speedy operation.

  In view of the above-described points, the present invention provides a video switching device having both a transition function and a key frame / timeline function so that a transition and a timeline operation can be performed simultaneously by simple preparation and operation. Let it be an issue.

  In order to solve this problem, an image switching device according to the present invention has an effect (transition) of gradually switching an output video signal from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals. A plurality of image synthesizing means, a fader lever, and an operation mode of the fader lever are set such that only one of the plurality of image synthesizing means switches video signals, or the one image synthesizing means. A selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting whether to switch both of the video signal in the means and a timeline operation in another image composition means among the plurality of image composition means, and the plurality of images Among the synthesizing means, a designation operating means for performing an operation for designating an image synthesizing means to be subjected to timeline operation, and a data for executing the timeline operation Corresponding to each of the plurality of operation states of the fader lever, storage means for storing parameters indicating the switching state of the video signal to be realized in the corresponding operation state, and switching of the video signal only by this selection operation means. When selected, the switching ratio of the video signal in the one image synthesizing means is controlled in accordance with the operation state of the fader lever. On the other hand, the video signal switching and the timeline operation are controlled by the selection operating means. When both are selected, the video signal switching ratio in the one image synthesizing means is controlled in accordance with the operation state of the fader lever, and the plurality of data are stored on the basis of the data in the storage means. The fader lever indicates the progress of the timeline operation in the image synthesizing means designated by the designation operating means among the image synthesizing means. Characterized in that a control means for controlling in accordance with the operation state.

  Also, the control method of the image switching device according to the present invention includes a plurality of image synthesizing means for effecting gradually switching an output video signal from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals. And the fader lever and the operation mode of the fader lever are only switching of the video signal in one of the plurality of image composition means, or the video signal in the one image composition means A selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting whether to perform both switching and a timeline operation in another image composition means among the plurality of image composition means; This fader lever is used as a specification operation means for performing an operation for specifying an image composition means to be a target of the line operation, and data for executing the timeline operation. Corresponding to each of the plurality of operation states, an image provided with storage means for storing a parameter indicating the switching state of the video signal to be realized in the corresponding operation state, and control means for controlling the plurality of image composition means In the control method of the switching device, when only the switching of the video signal is selected by the selection operation unit, the control unit sets the switching ratio of the video signal by the one image synthesis unit to the operation state of the fader lever. And when the video signal switching and the timeline operation are both selected by the selection operation unit, the control unit controls the ratio of the video signal switching by the one image synthesis unit. Is controlled according to the operation state of the fader lever, and based on the data in the storage means, the plurality of image composition means Characterized by a step of controlling in accordance with progress of the time line operation in the image synthesizing means designated by Chikono specifying operation means the operation state of the fader lever.

  According to the above invention, the operator selects both the video signal switching (transition) and the timeline operation with the selection operation means, and designates the image composition means to be the target of the timeline operation with the designation operation means. When the fader lever is operated with, the video signal switching ratio in one image compositing means is controlled according to the operation state (position where the lever is swayed), and specified according to this switching ratio. The progress of the timeline operation in the image synthesizing means designated by the operation means is controlled based on the data for the timeline operation in the storage means.

  Therefore, a simple operation of swinging a single fader lever controls the progress of a transition in one image compositing means on the spot, and another image compositing means in accordance with the progress of this transition. The progress of the timeline operation can be controlled simultaneously. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare the transition as a key frame timeline in advance (the progress is controlled on the spot by operating the fader lever), and the timeline operation of the other image composition means proceeds. It is sufficient to prepare only as a key frame timeline, so preparation in advance becomes easy.

  Next, another image switching device according to the present invention is an image composition means for applying an effect (transition) of gradually switching a video signal to be output from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals. And one or more image output processing means for performing predetermined processing on the input video signal and outputting it, a fader lever, and the operation mode of the fader lever are only switching of the video signal by the image synthesizing means. Or a selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting both switching of the video signal in the image synthesis means and a timeline operation in the image output processing means, and the one or more image output processes Among these means, there are designated operation means for performing an operation for designating an image output processing means to be a target of the timeline operation, and data for executing the timeline operation. In the case where only the switching of the video signal is selected by the storage means storing the parameter indicating the processing state to be realized in the corresponding operation state corresponding to the plurality of operation states of the fader lever, and the selection operation means The video signal switching ratio in the image synthesizing means is controlled in accordance with the operation state of the fader lever. On the other hand, both the video signal switching and the timeline operation are selected by the selection operating means. In this case, the video signal switching ratio in the image synthesizing unit is controlled in accordance with the operation state of the fader lever, and based on the data in the storage unit, of the one or more image output processing units The progress of the timeline operation in the image output processing means designated by the designated operation means is controlled according to the operation state of the fader lever. Characterized in that a control means for.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image switching apparatus, comprising: an image synthesizing unit that gradually switches an output video signal from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals; Whether one or more image output processing means for performing predetermined processing on the input video signal and outputting it, a fader lever, and the operation mode of the fader lever are only switching of the video signal by the image synthesizing means A selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting both switching of the video signal in the image synthesis means and a timeline operation in the image output processing means, and the one or more image output processing means Among them, the designation operation means for performing the operation for designating the image output processing means to be the target of the timeline operation, and the data for executing the timeline operation, Corresponding to a plurality of operation states of the fader lever, storage means storing parameters indicating processing states to be realized in the corresponding operation states, and control for controlling the image synthesizing means and the one or more image output processing means In the control method of the image switching device provided with the means, when only the switching of the video signal is selected by the selection operation means, the control means sets the ratio of the video signal switching by the image synthesizing means to the fader. When both the step of controlling according to the operation state of the lever and the switching of the video signal and the timeline operation are selected by the selection operation unit, the control unit switches the video signal by the image synthesis unit. Is controlled according to the operation state of the fader lever, and one of them is based on the data in the storage means. Characterized by a step of controlling in accordance with progress of the time line operation in this designated by specifying operation means the image output processing unit of the image output processing unit over to the operation state of the fader lever.

  According to the above invention, the operator selects both the video signal switching (transition) and the timeline operation with the selection operation means, and designates the image output processing means to be the target of the timeline operation with the designation operation means. When the fader lever is operated above, the video signal switching ratio at the image compositing means is controlled according to the operation state (position where the lever is swayed), and the designated operation corresponding to this switching ratio. The progress of the time line operation in the image output processing means designated by the means is controlled based on the data for the time line operation in the storage means.

  Therefore, a simple operation of swinging a single fader lever controls the progress of the transition in the image composition means on the spot, and the timeline operation in the image output processing means in accordance with the progress of this transition. Can be controlled simultaneously. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare the transition of the transition as a key frame timeline in advance (the progress is controlled on the spot by operating the fader lever), and only the progress of the timeline operation of the image output processing means. Since it is sufficient to prepare it as a key frame timeline, preparation in advance becomes easy.

  According to the present invention, a simple operation of swinging a single fader lever is used to control the progress of the transition on the spot, and the progress of the timeline operation prepared in advance corresponding to the progress of the transition. Can be controlled simultaneously. In addition, since the transition does not need to be prepared as a key frame timeline in advance, preparation in advance is also simplified.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an effect switcher to which the present invention is applied. In this effect switcher, a main unit 1 and an operation panel 2 are connected by a communication path 3 such as a LAN (local area network).

In the main unit 1, a plurality of video signals sent from an external video camera, VTR, or the like (not shown) are input to a plurality of input lines 4. In the main unit 1, the following six blocks [1] to [6] are provided.
[1] Block (mix / effect bank) comprising the mix / effect circuit 5 and the selection switches 11a to 11d
[2] Block (mix / effect bank) comprising the mix / effect circuit 6 and the selection switches 12a to 12d
[3] Block consisting of frame memory 7 and selection switches 13a-13b [4] Block consisting of disk recorder 8 and selection switches 14a-14b [5] Block consisting of color correction circuit 9 and selection switches 15a-15b [6] Digital Block consisting of effect circuit 10 and selection switches 16a-16b

  Further, the main unit 1 is provided with a selection switch 17 and a microcomputer 18 for controlling each part in the main unit 1 (the control signal lines connecting the microcomputer 18 and each part are not shown). ing.

  The selection switches 11a to 11d are a plurality of systems of video signals input to the input line 4 and output video signals of the mix / effect circuit 6, frame memory 7, disk recorder 8, color correction circuit 9, and digital effect circuit 10. This is a switch for selecting one system of video signals.

  The selection switches 12a to 12d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, 15a to 15b, 16a to 16b, and 17 are a plurality of video signals input to the input line 4, a mix / effect circuit 5, a mix / effect circuit 6, The switches are used to select one system of video signals from the output video signals of the frame memory 7, the disk recorder 8, the color correction circuit 9, and the digital effect circuit 10, respectively.

  The mix / effect circuit 5 and the mix / effect circuit 6 have the same configuration. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the mix / effect circuit 5. The mix / effect circuit 5 includes a key processor 21 and a mixer 22.

  The key processor 21 selects the video signal selected as the key fill signal (the video itself to be superimposed on the background video as the foreground) by the selection switch 11a and the key source signal (the area where the key fill signal is superimposed by the selection switch 11b, This is a circuit that adjusts and processes the video signal selected as the key fill signal density for the background video so as to be suitable for keying (a process for superimposing another foreground video on the background video). The key fill signal and the key source signal adjusted and processed by the key processor 21 are sent to the mixer 22.

  The mixer 22 applies an effect (transition) of gradually switching from one background video to the other background video, such as wipe or mix, for the video signals selected as the background video by the selection switches 11c and 11d, respectively. This is a circuit that performs processing for superimposing the foreground image on the background image using the key fill signal and the key source signal from the key processor 21. The output video signal of the mixer 22 is re-input from the mix / effect circuit 5 to the selection switches 12a to 12d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, 15a to 15b, 16a to 16b, 17 as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the output video signal of the mix / effect circuit 6 is re-input to the selection switches 11a to 11d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, 15a to 15b, 16a to 16b, and 17.

  The frame memory 7 is a memory for storing a predetermined plurality of frames of the video signal selected by the selection switches 13a to 13b. The video signal stored in the frame memory 7 is output from the frame memory 7 under the control of the microcomputer 18, and the selection switches 11a to 11d, 12a to 12d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, and 15a to 15b. , 16a to 16b, 17 are input again.

  The disk recorder 8 is also a storage device for storing a predetermined plurality of frames of video signals selected by the selection switches 14a to 14b. The video signal stored in the disk recorder 8 is output from the disk recorder 8 under the control of the microcomputer 18, and the selection switches 11a to 11d, 12a to 12d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, and 15a to 15b. , 16a to 16b, 17 are input again.

  The color correction circuit 9 is a circuit that performs processing for processing color information on the video signals selected by the selection switches 15a to 15b. The output video signal of the color correction circuit 9 is input again to the selection switches 11a to 11d, 12a to 12d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, 15a to 15b, 16a to 16b, and 17.

  The digital effect circuit 10 moves the image signals selected by the selection switches 16a to 16b, for example, mosaic, defocus (processing that blurs the image like a lens blur), swirl (moves the image of each pixel in a spiral shape) This is a circuit that performs special effects such as processing that makes the original image unclear and enlargement, reduction, movement, rotation, and image deformation or non-linear transformation effects that combine them. The output video signal of the digital effect circuit 10 is input again to the selection switches 11a to 11d, 12a to 12d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, 15a to 15b, 16a to 16b, and 17.

  The video signal selected by the selection switch 17 is output from the output line 20 to the outside of the main unit 1 and sent to a monitor, a recording device, a program sending device, etc. (not shown).

  The operation panel 2 is a panel for controlling the main unit 1. The operation panel 2 is provided with an operation unit 31 for performing various operations on the panel surface and a microcomputer 32.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the operation unit 31 has the same selection switches 11a to 11d, 12a to 12d, 13a to 13b, 14a to 14b, 15a to 15b, 16a to 16b, 17 as in the case of a normal effect switcher. Are provided, a button for designating the type of effect applied by the mix / effect circuits 5 and 6, a button for creating a key frame / timeline, and the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 31 is provided with a fader lever 33 and a fader lever 35 corresponding to the mix / effect circuit 5 and the mix / effect circuit 6 (FIG. 1), respectively. As features, there are provided a mode switching button 34, a mode switching button 36, and a timeline target block designation button 37 corresponding to the fader lever 33 and the fader lever 35, respectively.

  From these fader levers 33 and 35, signals indicating fader values corresponding to the operation state (the position of the lever in the vertical direction in the figure) are sent to the microcomputer 32 (FIG. 1). This fader value increases or decreases in proportion to the change in the position of the lever, with 0% when the lever is swung to the lower end and 100% when the lever is swung to the upper end.

The mode switching button 34 is a button for selecting one of the following three modes [a] to [c] as the operation mode of the fader lever 33, and corresponds to each mode on a one-to-one basis. Selection is performed by pressing any one of the three buttons.
[A] Video signal switching (transition) in the mix / effect circuit 5 corresponding to the fader lever 33, and in a block other than the mix / effect bank in the main unit 1 where the mix / effect circuit 5 exists. A mode that executes both timeline operations.
[B] Mode in which only switching (transition) of the video signal in the mix / effect circuit 5 is executed.
[C] Mode in which only the timeline operation is performed in blocks other than the mix / effect bank in which the mix / effect circuit 5 exists.

Similarly, the mode switching button 36 is a button for selecting one of the following three modes [a] to [c] as the operation mode of the fader lever 35.
[A] Video signal switching (transition) in the mix / effect circuit 6 corresponding to the fader lever 35, and in a block other than the mix / effect bank in the main unit 1 where the mix / effect circuit 6 exists. A mode that executes both timeline operations.
[B] Mode in which only switching (transition) of the video signal in the mix / effect circuit 6 is executed.
[C] Mode in which only the timeline operation is performed in blocks other than the mix / effect bank in which the mix / effect circuit 6 exists.

  The timeline target block designation button 37 is a button for designating an arbitrary block (may be two or more blocks) to be subjected to the timeline operation among the six blocks in the main unit 1. The designation is performed by pressing any one or two or more buttons out of six buttons corresponding to each block on a one-to-one basis.

  In the example of FIG. 3, two fader levers 33 and 35 and two mode switching buttons 34 and 36 are provided corresponding to the two mix / effect circuits 5 and 6 in the main unit 1. As an example, only one fader lever and mode switching button may be provided, and the fader lever and mode switching button may be switched to which of the mix / effect circuits 5 and 6 is set by the operator. Good.

  The microcomputer 32 transmits a signal indicating the operation state of the operation unit 31 to the microcomputer 18 in the main unit 1 via the communication path 3. As described above, the operation unit 31 also performs a key frame / timeline creation operation. However, the microcomputer 18 stores the created key frame / timeline data in the memory 19 in the microcomputer 18. To do.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the contents of data of the key frame / timeline. A “key frame” is data in which parameters indicating various processing states are associated with timings at which the states are to be realized. A “timeline” is a plurality of key frames arranged in order of timing. Here, the fader values of the fader levers 33 and 35 (FIG. 3) are used as timing.

  In the first key frame kf [0], the parameter p (0) corresponds to the fader value 0% (the operation state where the lever is at the lower end as described above). In the second key frame kf [1], the parameter p (1) corresponds to the fader value of 10%. In the third key frame kf [2], the parameter p (2) corresponds to the fader value of 20%. In the last key frame kf [n], the fader value is 100% (as described above, the lever is at the upper end). The parameter p (n) corresponds to the operation state in FIG. The parameters p (0), p (1), p (2),... P (n) are values indicating the processing state in the operation state of the fader values 0%, 10%, 20%,. is there. Note that the arrangement of key frames on the timeline is not necessarily arranged at equal intervals, and the temporal position on the timeline can be set for each key frame. For example, it is possible to arrange them at positions such as 0%, 7%, 23%, 50%,.

  When the target to execute the key frame timeline is a mix / effect bank, these parameters are the selection state of the video signal by the selection switches 11a to 11d and 12a to 12d, the mix / effect circuits 5 and 6 and so on. This is a value indicating the state of video switching, effects, etc.

  When the target for executing the key frame / timeline is a block in which the frame memory 7 and the disk recorder 8 exist, these parameters are used to select the video signal by the selection switches 13a to 13b and 14a to 14b. This is a value indicating which frame of the video stored in the frame memory 7 is read out, and which frame of the video stored in the disk recorder 8 is read out.

  When the target for executing the key frame timeline is a block in which the color correction circuit 9 and the digital effect circuit 10 exist, these parameters are the video signals of the selection switches 15a to 15b and 16a to 16b. Are selected values, color information processing in the color correction circuit 9 and the digital effect circuit 10, and values indicating special effects.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the microcomputer 18 in the main unit 1 in relation to the operation of the fader levers 33 and 35. In this process, first, the process waits until a signal indicating the operation state of the fader lever 33 or 35 (the aforementioned fader value) is received from the microcomputer 32 in the operation panel 2 (step S1).

  When the fader value is received, the currently selected operation mode is determined by the mode switching button (mode switching button 34 for the fader lever 33 and mode switching button 36 for the fader lever 35) corresponding to the operated fader lever ( Step S2).

  When the operation mode is the above-described mode [a] (both transition and timeline operation), the mix / effect circuit corresponding to the operated fader lever (in the fader lever 33, the mix / effect circuit 5, The fader lever 35 controls the video switching ratio in the mix / effect circuit 6) according to the fader value received in step S1. That is, if the fader value is 0%, the ratio of the video before and after switching is set to 100% and 0%, respectively. If the fader value is 10%, the ratio of the video before and after switching is 90%, respectively. If the fader value is 20%, the ratio of the video before and after switching is 80% and 20%, respectively. If the fader value is 100%, the video before and after switching. Are controlled to be 0% and 100%, respectively (step S3).

  Further, based on the data of the key frame / timeline stored in the memory 19, the block designated by the timeline target block designation button 37 (however, the mix / effect circuit (fader lever 33 corresponding to the operated fader lever) is selected. In the case of a mix / effect bank in which the mix / effect circuit 6 and the mix / effect circuit 6) are present in the fader lever 35, the progress of the timeline operation is excluded. Control is performed according to the fader value received in step S1. For example, if the data of the key frame timeline is as shown in FIG. 4, if the fader value is 0%, the block is controlled by the parameter p (0), and the fader value is 10%. If there is a parameter p (1), the block is controlled. If the fader value is 20%, the block is controlled by parameter p (2). If the fader value is 100%, the block is controlled by parameter p (n). Control the block. For fader values for which no key frame has been created, parameters in two adjacent key frames are linearly interpolated (for example, if the fader value is 5%, p (0) and p (1) are averaged). Control the block (by value) (step S4). Then, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S2, when the operation mode is the above-described mode [b] (transition only), the same process as step S3 (step S5) is performed, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In step S2, when the operation mode is the above-described mode [c] (only the timeline operation), the block designated by the timeline target block designation button 37 (here, it corresponds to the operated fader lever). The progress of the timeline operation in the mix / effect bank in which the mix / effect circuit is present is not excluded) according to the fader value received in step S1 (step S6). Then, the process returns to step S1.

  According to this effect switcher, the mode switching buttons 34 and 36 and the timeline target block designation button 37 are provided on the operation panel 2, and the microcomputer 18 in the main unit 1 executes the processing as shown in FIG. The person selects the mode [a] (both transition and timeline operation) with the mode switching button 34, designates the block to be subjected to the timeline operation with the timeline target block designation button 37, and then fader lever 33 When the is operated, the video switching ratio in the mix / effect circuit 5 is controlled according to the operation state (position where the lever is swayed), and the timeline target block is designated according to this switching ratio. The progress of the timeline operation in the block designated by the button 37 is the key in the memory 19. It is controlled on the basis of the data of the over-time timeline (step S1~S4 in FIG. 5).

  Therefore, by simply operating the single fader lever 33, the progress of the transition in the mix / effect circuit 5 is controlled on the spot, and the mix / effect circuit 5 is adapted to the progress of this transition. A block different from the existing mix / effect bank (the mix / effect bank in which the mix / effect circuit 6 exists, the block in which the frame memory 7 exists, the block in which the disk recorder 8 exists, and the color correction circuit 9 exist) And the progress of the timeline operation in the block in which the digital effect circuit 10 exists) can be simultaneously controlled.

  Similarly, when the operator selects the mode [a] with the mode switching button 36 and operates the fader lever 35 after designating the block to be subjected to the timeline operation with the timeline target block designation button 37, the operation is performed. The video switching ratio in the mix / effect circuit 6 is controlled in accordance with the state, and the timeline operation progresses in the block designated by the timeline target block designation button 37 in accordance with this switching ratio. Control is performed based on key frame timeline data in the memory 19.

  Therefore, the mix / effect circuit 6 is adjusted in accordance with the progress of the transition while controlling the progress of the transition in the mix / effect circuit 6 on the spot by the simple operation of swinging the single fader lever 35. Is different from the mix / effect bank in which the data is present (the mix / effect bank in which the mix / effect circuit 5 is present, the block in which the frame memory 7 is present, the block in which the disk recorder 8 is present, the color correction circuit 9 The progress of the timeline operation in the existing block and the block in which the digital effect circuit 10 exists) can be controlled simultaneously.

  The mix / effect bank corresponding to the operated fader lever (mix / effect circuit 5 for fader lever 33 and mix / effect circuit 6 for fader lever 35) is designated as a timeline target block. Even if the button 37 is designated, it is excluded from the control target of the timeline operation (step S4 in FIG. 5), so that the control for the mix / effect bank is not confused.

  In addition, it is not necessary to prepare the transition progress as a key frame timeline in advance (the progress is controlled on the spot by operating the fader lever, and other types of transitions are omitted by buttons not shown) And the adjustment value can be changed on the spot), another block (in the fader lever 33, a block different from the mix / effect bank in which the mix / effect circuit 5 exists, and in the fader lever 35, the mix / effect circuit 6 Since it is sufficient to create only the progress of the timeline operation as a key frame timeline (a separate block from the mix / effect bank in which is present), preparation in advance is also simplified.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the output video signals of the mix / effect circuit 6, frame memory 7, disk recorder 8, color correction circuit 9 and digital effect circuit 10 are mixed / effected via the selection switches 11a to 11b. The circuit 5 can be re-input. Also, output video signals from the mix / effect circuit 5, the mix / effect circuit 6, the frame memory 7, the disk recorder 8, the color correction circuit 9, and the digital effect circuit 10 are mixed via the selection switches 12a to 12b. Can be re-entered. Therefore, the mix / effect circuits 5 and 6 can superimpose the video generated by the timeline operation in other blocks as the foreground video on the background video switched by the mix / effect circuits 5 and 6. As a result, a high-value-added video in which transitions and timeline operations are linked on the same screen can be generated by simple preparation and operation.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which CG wipe is performed by linking a transition and a timeline operation on the same screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a transition / wipe that gradually switches from a background image of a mountain landscape in the daytime (fader value 0%) to a dark background image at night (fader value 100%) is mixed / effected. Let us consider the case in which the process is executed in FIG. (The values of α and β in the figure are 0 <α <β <100.)

  In that case, as a preliminary preparation, a video of a star-shaped character drawn by computer graphics and having a plurality of frames with different star positions on the screen is stored in the disk recorder 8. Then, as a key frame timeline for the disc recorder 8, as shown in FIG. 6B, a key frame time for outputting an image of a frame in which the boundary of the background image at the time of wiping coincides with the position of the star. Create a line.

  The output video signal of the disk recorder 8 is selected by the selection switches 11a to 11b, and the effect type of the mix / effect circuit 5 is designated to be superimposed on the foreground video by keying on the background video at the time of wiping. .

  Then, by operating the fader lever 33, the mix / effect circuit 5 executes the wipe as shown in FIG. Then, the computer graphics image shown in FIG. 6B is superimposed on the background image at the time of wiping as a foreground image, so that the star-shaped character becomes a mountain in the daytime as shown in FIG. 6C. A CG wipe is carried out at night as if the scene is drawn.

  Conventionally, in order to execute this CG wipe, not only the computer graphics are created as a key frame timeline in advance preparation, but also the transition (wipe) progresses according to the length of the computer graphics. It was necessary to prepare it as a key frame timeline, and it took time and effort to prepare. Also, when performing CG wipes, you must reach out to the two fader levers (fader lever for transition and fader lever for timeline operation) located at different positions on the operation panel. Troubled the operation.

  On the other hand, according to this effect switcher, it is not necessary to create the transition progress as a key frame timeline in advance (the progress is controlled on the spot by operating the fader lever 33). Since only the progress of the timeline operation of the recorder 8 needs to be created as a key frame timeline, preparation in advance is simplified. Moreover, since only the single fader lever 33 needs to be operated when executing the CG wipe, a speedy operation can be performed. Also, the type of transition (wipe) and the adjustment value related to the transition can be changed at any time (even when the fader lever is in the middle) depending on the preference of the operator during the operation.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which the output video of the disk recorder 8 is re-input to the mix / effect circuit 5 and superimposed, but the mix / effect circuit 6, the frame memory 7, the color correction circuit 9 and the digital signal are exactly the same. The output video of the effect circuit 10 can also be re-input to the mix / effect circuit 5 and superimposed. Also, when the fader lever 35 is operated to cause the mix / effect circuit 6 to execute a transition, the mix / effect circuit 5, the miframe memory 7, the disk recorder 8, the color correction circuit 9, and the digital effect are performed in exactly the same manner. The output video of the circuit 10 can be re-input to the mix / effect circuit 6 and superimposed.

  In addition to the timeline target block specifying button 37 described in the above example, a button for specifying “ALL” is provided, and the same effect as pressing all the timeline target block specifying buttons 37 just by pressing the button. You may make it have. In particular, in an effect switcher having a large number of blocks in the main unit 1, it is useful to provide such an “ALL” designation button. In this effect switcher, even if all designations are made with these “ALL” designation buttons, the mix / effect bank for which the transition control is to be performed manually only by selecting the mode [a] with the mode switching button 34 or the mode switching button 36. Can be removed from the control by the keyframe timeline. Therefore, it is possible to provide high operability because it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation for removing the mix / effect bank to be manually controlled simultaneously with the execution of the key frame / timeline after performing all the designations. it can.

  In the above example, the mode switching buttons 34 and 36 are provided with three buttons corresponding to the three modes on a one-to-one basis. However, the mode switching buttons 34 and 36 may be any operation means that can select any one of the three modes. For example, each time the button is pressed, the color and display are displayed. May be changed so that the mode is switched. Alternatively, two buttons are provided, and when one button is pressed, mode [b] is set, when the other button is pressed, mode [c] is set, and when both buttons are pressed simultaneously, mode [a] is set. It may be.

  In the above example, the timeline target block designation button 37 is provided with six buttons corresponding to the six blocks in the main unit 1 on a one-to-one basis. However, as another example, the timeline target block designation button 37 is provided with a number of buttons less than six, and two or more blocks are assigned to one button by a preset setting (pressing one button) Thus, two or more blocks may be designated). Even when such a button is provided and a button to which a plurality of blocks including a mix / effect bank to be subjected to transition control by the fader lever is assigned is pressed, the mix / effect bank is again set by step S4 in FIG. It can be excluded from the control target of the timeline operation.

It is a figure which shows the example of whole structure of the effect switcher to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of a mix / effect circuit. It is a figure which shows the fader lever on the operation part, and the button relevant to timeline operation | movement. It is a figure which illustrates the content of a key frame timeline. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the microcomputer in the main unit in association with operation of the fader lever 5; It is a figure which illustrates CG wipe.

Explanation of symbols

  1 main unit, 2 operation panel, 3 communication path, 4 input line, 5,6 mix / effect circuit, 7 frame memory, 8 disk recorder, 9 color correction circuit, 10 digital effect circuit, 11a-11d, 12a-12d, 13a-13b, 14a-14b, 15a-15b, 16a-16b, 17 selection switch, 18 microcomputer, 19 memory, 31 operation section, 32 microcomputer, 33, 35 fader lever, 34, 36 mode switching button, 37 time Line target block selection button

Claims (8)

A plurality of image synthesizing means for effecting gradually switching a video signal to be output from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals;
A fader lever,
The operation mode of the fader lever is set to only the switching of the video signal by one of the plurality of image synthesizing units, or the switching of the video signal by the one image synthesizing unit and the plurality of images. A selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting whether to perform both of the timeline operation in another image composition means of the composition means;
A designation operation unit for performing an operation of designating an image synthesis unit as a target of the timeline operation among the plurality of image synthesis units;
Storage means for storing parameters indicating the switching state of the video signal to be realized in the corresponding operation state corresponding to each of the plurality of operation states of the fader lever as data for executing the timeline operation,
When only the switching of the video signal is selected by the selection operation means, the ratio of the video signal switching by the one image composition means is controlled according to the operation state of the fader lever, while the selection operation When both the video signal switching and the timeline operation are selected by the means, the video signal switching ratio in the one image composition means is controlled according to the operation state of the fader lever, and Control means for controlling the progress of the timeline operation in the image synthesizing means designated by the designation operating means among the plurality of image synthesizing means according to the operation state of the fader lever based on the data in the storage means An image switching device comprising: The image switching device according to claim 1,
A plurality of the fader levers are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of image combining means;
The control means operates among the plurality of fader levers among the image synthesizing means designated by the designation operation means when both the switching of the video signal and the timeline operation are selected by the selection operation means. An image switching apparatus for controlling the progress of the timeline operation in image synthesizing means excluding the image synthesizing means corresponding to the fader lever. The image switching device according to claim 1,
Input selection means for selecting a video signal output from at least one of the plurality of image composition means as a video signal to be input to another image composition means among the plurality of image composition means; An image switching device comprising the image switching device. A plurality of image synthesizing means for effecting gradually switching a video signal to be output from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals;
A fader lever,
The operation mode of the fader lever is set to only the switching of the video signal by one of the plurality of image synthesizing units, or the switching of the video signal by the one image synthesizing unit and the plurality of images. A selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting whether to perform both of the timeline operation in another image composition means of the composition means;
A designation operation unit for performing an operation of designating an image synthesis unit as a target of the timeline operation among the plurality of image synthesis units;
Storage means for storing parameters indicating the switching state of the video signal to be realized in the corresponding operation state corresponding to each of the plurality of operation states of the fader lever as data for executing the timeline operation,
In a control method of an image switching device comprising a control means for controlling the plurality of image composition means
The control means controlling the video signal switching ratio in the one image synthesizing means in accordance with the operation state of the fader lever when only the video signal switching is selected by the selection operation means; ,
When both the video signal switching and the timeline operation are selected by the selection operation means, the control means sets the video signal switching ratio in the one image composition means to the operation state of the fader lever. And controlling the operation of the fader lever in accordance with the data stored in the storage means and the progress of the timeline operation in the image synthesizing means designated by the designation operating means among the plurality of image synthesizing means. And a step of controlling according to the control method. Image synthesizing means for providing an effect of gradually switching a video signal to be output from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals;
One or more image output processing means for performing a predetermined process on the input video signal and outputting it;
A fader lever,
Whether the operation mode of the fader lever is to switch only the video signal at the image synthesizing unit, or to switch both the video signal at the image synthesizing unit and the timeline operation at the image output processing unit. Selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting
A designation operation unit for performing an operation of designating an image output processing unit to be a target of the timeline operation among the one or more image output processing units;
Storage means for storing parameters indicating processing states to be realized in the corresponding operation states corresponding to a plurality of operation states of the fader lever as data for executing the timeline operation,
When only video signal switching is selected by the selection operation means, the ratio of video signal switching by the image composition means is controlled according to the operation state of the fader lever, while the selection operation means When both the video signal switching and the timeline operation are selected, the video signal switching ratio in the image synthesizing means is controlled in accordance with the operation state of the fader lever, and the storage means Control means for controlling the progress of the timeline operation in the image output processing means designated by the designation operation means among the one or more image output processing means based on the data in accordance with the operation state of the fader lever. An image switching device comprising: The image switching device according to claim 5, wherein
The one or more image output processing means includes:
An image switching device comprising: video storage means for storing a predetermined number of frames of the input video signal and outputting the stored video signal under the control of the control means. The image switching device according to claim 5, wherein
The image processing apparatus further comprises input selection means for selecting a video signal output from at least one of the one or more image output processing means as a video signal to be input to the image synthesizing means. An image switching device. Image synthesizing means for providing an effect of gradually switching a video signal to be output from one video signal to another video signal among a plurality of input video signals;
One or more image output processing means for performing a predetermined process on the input video signal and outputting it;
A fader lever,
Whether the operation mode of the fader lever is to switch only the video signal at the image synthesizing unit, or to switch both the video signal at the image synthesizing unit and the timeline operation at the image output processing unit. Selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting
A designation operation unit for performing an operation of designating an image output processing unit to be a target of the timeline operation among the one or more image output processing units;
Storage means for storing parameters indicating processing states to be realized in the corresponding operation states corresponding to a plurality of operation states of the fader lever as data for executing the timeline operation,
In a control method of an image switching device comprising the image synthesizing means and a control means for controlling the one or more image output processing means,
When only the switching of the video signal is selected by the selection operation unit, the control unit controls the ratio of the switching of the video signal by the image synthesis unit according to the operation state of the fader lever;
When both the video signal switching and the timeline operation are selected by the selection operation unit, the control unit sets the video signal switching ratio in the image synthesis unit according to the operation state of the fader lever. And controlling the progress of the timeline operation in the image output processing means designated by the designation operation means among the one or more image output processing means based on the data in the storage means. And a step of controlling according to an operation state.

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