Remote control device and marker ring for a movie camera

Abstract

A remote control device and a marking ring for a movie camera, wherein the remote control device is used to control a lens setting motor of the movie camera, and includes: a base; an operating element rotatable relative to the base for setting a control command for the lens setting motor; a position encoder for detecting respective rotational positions of the operating element and generating corresponding position signals; an evaluation and control device for determining a setting signal for the lens setting motor depending on the position signals according to a mapping rule; and an output device for sending the setting signal to the movie camera. In this regard, the mapping rule corresponds to at least one mathematical functional relationship, and the remote control device has an input device through which a user can configure the mathematical functional relationship via an input to the input device. The present application also relates to a marking ring for the remote control device, which has a memory in which a readable code is stored.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present application relates to a remote control device for generating setting signals for a lens setting motor of a movie camera. The remote control device includes an operating member having a base, an operating element rotatable relative to the base about a rotation axis for setting control commands for the lens setting motor, and a position encoder for detecting respective rotational positions of the operating element relative to the base and generating corresponding position signals. The position signals are ultimately used to control the lens setting motor accordingly. Background Art

[0002] An electronic movie camera generally includes an integrated optical system (such as a camera objective, a camera lens) or a lens mount capable of selectively connecting respective interchangeable lenses (or interchangeable objectives), where the interchangeable lenses are suitable for specific recording situations. In order to be able to record an image captured by the optical system, generally an electronic image sensor for generating an image signal based on incident light and an image signal processing device for converting the image signal into a digital image data stream can be provided.

[0003] In this regard, a remote control device can be provided to be able to control an electronic movie camera (especially a video camera) or a conventional movie camera (especially a film camera) to record a sequence of moving images, and / or to be able to set or change parameters during recording. Thus, the cameraman holding the movie camera only needs to ensure that the camera for recording the desired image segment can be accurately aligned and possibly re-aligned, while the corresponding setting of the recording parameters can be taken over by others, such as a cameraman's assistant or a focus puller. For example, it can be stipulated to remotely modify the frame rate, shutter speed, aperture (f-stop), focal length or focus, or focal length (zoom factor) of the camera lens in a remote control manner, especially in the order during recording pre-agreed by the cameraman and the user of the remote control device.

[0004] The camera parameters can be set by a corresponding lens setting motor, especially for setting the aperture, focal length, and focal length. The motor can be integrated into the camera lens, but generally it can also be provided as an external device independent of the camera lens. Such a lens setting motor can be connected to a rotatable lens ring of the camera lens, so that the respective parameters can be changed by rotating the lens ring with the lens setting motor. Therefore, the recording parameters can be remotely set by transmitting setting signals to the corresponding lens setting motor by means of a remote control device, so as to turn the relevant lens ring to a desired rotational position. Examples of such remote control devices have been disclosed in DE 19629484 A1 and WO 2010 / 046237 A1. In addition, DE 4219331 A1 shows a remote control device for setting different recording parameters by controlling a corresponding lens setting motor before or especially during the recording of moving images.

[0005] In order to be able to select a control command for a lens setting motor to set a specific parameter value, the operating part of such a remote control device is usually provided with an operating element that can rotate relative to a base, and its rotational position determines the corresponding control command. Therefore, through the remote control device, according to the rotational position of the operating element, relevant setting signals for the lens setting motor can be determined and generated; for this purpose, it is necessary to associate the rotational positions of the operating element with the respective setting signals, and the rotational positions can be detected by a position encoder and represented by respective position signals. It is necessary to associate the respective rotational positions of the operating element with the corresponding setting signals, where each rotational position is detected by a position encoder and represented by the corresponding position signal. In this regard, the setting signal can in particular indicate the rotational position of the lens ring, which sets the parameter to be modified (such as the focal length) to an expected value, thereby implementing the control command. Thus, each control command can in particular correspond to an expected value, and the parameter affected by the lens ring will be set to this expected value, and the relevant setting signal for the lens setting motor affects the implementation of the corresponding control command.

[0006] In this regard, based on a mapping rule that is usually referred to as mapping, the mapping of the setting signal to the respective position signals can be carried out, and this mapping rule can be stored in the remote control device, especially in the operating part or in a part that is separated from the operating part but associated with the movie camera or the camera lens (including the movie camera itself). The remote control device (which can also be integrated into the operating part or separated from it) can have an evaluation and control device for determining, according to such a mapping rule, the setting signal for the lens setting motor of the associated movie camera that depends on the position signal of the position encoder. For this purpose, the evaluation and control device can read and / or calculate the mapping rule.

[0007] In order to sequentially display to the user of the remote control device the mapping of the set rotational position of the operating element to the respective control commands or the actual set values of the parameters, a marking ring that can be rotatably and fixedly connected to or connected to the operating element can be provided. These marking rings can carry visible markings, such as scales of focal length values, so that the result caused by the set rotational position can always be indicated to the user. In addition, the operating part can also have an electronic display device to display the set control commands and / or the actual set values of the respective recording parameters.

[0008] In particular, 1 / x of the rotational position of the lens ring often determines the focal length setting, so that the actually set focal length is inversely proportional to the rotational position of the lens ring (for example, focal length [m] = 360° / x, so the focal length corresponding to the rotational position of 0° is infinite, and the focal length corresponding to the rotational position of 360° is close to the range limit of 1 m). In this case, it is usually also desirable that 1 / x of the rotational position of the operating element of the remote control device can determine the focal length. Therefore, the rotation of the operating element can be directly (1:1) converted into the rotation of the lens ring, so that the operation of the remote control device can be performed intuitively and is basically the same as directly operating the lens ring. In this regard, the mapping rule for mapping the setting signal for the lens setting motor to the position signal of the position encoder can correspond to the direct forwarding of the position signal in order to set the lens ring to the rotational position corresponding to the rotational position of the operating element. For example, a linear mapping rule can also be specified, which can map unequal value ranges of the position signal or the rotational position of the operating element and the setting signal or the rotational position of the lens ring to each other.

[0009] However, in certain recording situations or certain scenes, it may be desirable to purely translate the rotational position of the operating element to the corresponding rotational position of the lens ring, for example, to exclude lenses that will not be used anyway within a close range, so that the focal length can be set by rotating the operating element only within the focal length range relevant to the scene. Therefore, a linear mapping rule can also be specified. For example, the rotational position of the lens ring to be set (which corresponds to the focal length offsetting the close range limit) is mapped to the minimum rotational position of the operating element. Due to this linear mapping rule, in addition to the described offset of the close range limit, the 1 / x dependence between the rotational position of the operating element and the values of the setting parameters (such as the focal length) can also be compressed or stretched.

[0010] In order to be able to indicate such different mapping rules to the user, different marker rings can be specified. In this regard, the remote control device can be equipped with a selection menu through which the user can select the corresponding coupled marker ring from the available alternative marker rings in order to display the mapping rule to be used for evaluating the control device.

[0011] Although the mentioned setting possibilities can indeed allow the remote control device to make certain adaptive modifications, they leave little room for customization and are limited, for example, by the number of stored marker rings. The user must also first select the corresponding coupled marker ring in a time-consuming manner in order to be able to use the mapping rule generated by its marking.

[0012] In addition, the recording of moving images has proven to be particularly difficult, where the focal length must be changed slowly and continuously during recording in order to, for example, track an object that is slowly moving away from the movie camera. In particular, if a relatively large focal length has been set, the focal length described as being 1 / x depending on the rotational position of the operating element may result in difficult control of the setting and a relatively large change in the focal length with only a small change in the rotational position of the operating element. Since an equidistant change in the distance of the object from the camera requires different changes in the rotational position of the operating element depending on the position of the object, continuous tracking of the object may also be difficult due to the focal length being determined by 1 / x of the rotational position of the operating element.

[0013] Another known problem with remote control devices is that they do not easily enable the automatic detection of application-specific operating data, such as specific mapping rules or the automatic detection of the camera objects used. With regard to the user-specific storage of such operating data, its implementation is not always satisfactory either. Summary of the Invention

[0014] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device for controlling the lens setting motor of a movie camera, which can be more flexibly, simply, and quickly adapted to various recording situations.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a remote control device having the features of claim 1, and in particular, the remote control device has an evaluation and control device for determining, according to a mapping rule, a setting signal for the lens setting motor depending on the position signal of the position encoder, where the mapping rule corresponds to at least one mathematical function relationship; the remote control device has an input device through which a user can configure at least one mathematical function relationship of the mapping rule via input.

[0016] In this regard, the mapping rule or mapping defines the mapping of different values of the position signal generated by the position encoder to the corresponding values of the setting signal for the lens setting motor. The position signal can in particular represent the respective rotational positions of the operating element relative to the base, while the values of the setting signal can correspond to the rotational positions of the associated lens ring, which will be brought into that rotational position by the associated lens setting motor. Therefore, respective value ranges can be predefined for the position signal and the setting signal, where the mapping rule defines the mapping of values from the value range of the position signal to values from the value range of the setting signal, and / or the mapping of values from the value range of the setting signal to values from the value range of the position signal. In this regard, the value ranges of the position signal and the setting signal can in particular include rotational positions from 0° to 360°.

[0017] Since the mapping rule corresponds to at least one mathematical function relationship, a clear, computable and thus adaptable mapping of the position signal to the corresponding setting signal can be specified. In particular, in this regard, the mapping rule can correspond to a continuous monotonic mathematical function such that a continuous rotation of the operating element causes a continuous increase or decrease of the parameter to be set, and no jumps occur in the setting.

[0018] The structure of the remote control device (especially the operating part) equipped with the input device enables the user to configure the mapping rule in a personalized and variable manner. For example, the user can set the mathematical function relationship such that the mapping rule for mapping the position signal to the setting signal results in a linear relationship between the rotation of the operating element and the actual set parameter value. Regarding the focal length to be set, this can be achieved by such a setting that, with equal changes in the rotation position of the operating element, an equidistant change in the focal length occurs, rather than the common 1 / x correlation, so that, for example, it is possible to make small-step adjustments to the focal length at least within a certain range to precisely track an object. Compared with the traditional linear conversion of the position signal or the rotation position of the operating element into the setting signal for the lens setting motor or the rotation position of the lens ring, therefore, the 1 / x dependence can in particular be configured as a mapping rule by the user's input so that, in the case where the parameter to be set (such as the focal length) has a 1 / x dependence on the rotation position of the lens ring, a linear dependence of the parameter to be set on the rotation position of the operating element relative to the base can be achieved.

[0019] For this purpose, the mapping rule can in particular be configured such that the equidistant rotation positions of the operating element have a 1 / x relationship or generally a non-linear relationship with the rotation position of the lens ring to be set. Thus, if the camera lens has a 1 / x dependence on the rotation position of the lens ring or if the camera lens has another non-linear dependence on the parameter to be set at the rotation position of the lens ring, then in the remote control device, the non-linear dependence will thus be selectively set as the mapping rule such that the same size change in the rotation position of the operating element causes an equidistant change in the camera lens parameter.

[0020] In particular, the mathematical function relationship can be flexibly applied to each part or value range, so that, for example, a linear relationship of the respective rotational positions that change with the camera lens parameters to be set (such as focal length or focal length) can be selected between the first rotational position and the second rotational position of the operating element. Conversely, a conventional 1 / x dependence can be maintained outside the range between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. In particular, in order to configure the mapping rule, the user can, in this regard, set the respective setting signals to be mapped to the first rotational position and the second rotational position of the operating element, and can select the linear relationship between the rotational position of the operating element and the parameter to be set. The evaluation and control device or the input device can be used to determine the mapping rule for the selected value range based on the input value pairs and the selected function relationship. In addition, the evaluation and control device or the input device can be used to determine the mapping rule outside the selected value range, such that the mapping rule generally corresponds to a monotonically continuous mathematical function that would be defined piecewise in this case. For this purpose, the gradient and offset of the linear mapping of the setting signal to the position signal specified outside the selected value range can be adaptively modified according to the set value pairs.

[0021] For example, this can be achieved by setting the range of such a mapping rule, that is, a continuous and easily executable rotation of the operating element results in the setting of a previously defined, discontinuous parameter (such as focal length). Thus, due to the continuous rotation of the operating element, based on the conventional 1 / x dependence, the focal length can first be increased, for example, relatively significantly, thereby enabling a desired slow change between the selected first rotational position and the selected second rotational position, and then the focal length can be increased again more significantly for other rotational positions based on the conventional 1 / x dependence.

[0022] In order to be able to configure the mathematical function relationship, it can be specifically stipulated that the remote control device enters the configuration mode, in which the mapping rule can be configured through the input device. For this purpose, the operating component can, for example, have at least one button, a guiding control, or a touch-sensitive display device (touch screen) so that the configuration mode can be selected and settings can be made. In such a configuration mode, for example, various possibilities of the set mathematical function relationship can be displayed through the display device, and the mathematical function relationship is selected by the user by manipulating the button, the guiding control, or the touch-sensitive display device. In this regard, it can be particularly stipulated that the user can input at least one starting value and a command for creating such a mapping rule, and this mapping rule enables a linear relationship between the rotational position of the operating element and the corresponding parameter to be set to be generated starting from this starting value. Additionally, for example, the termination value or the rotational position where there is a linear relationship can be selected. Or, when only the starting value is input, the linear relationship between the rotational position and the parameters of the movie camera to be set can be automatically determined up to the maximum rotational position of the operating element, especially 360°, and the mapping rule for mapping the setting signal to the position signal can be determined accordingly.

[0023] The configuration of the mapping rule for mapping the position signal to the setting signal through the input device as described generally does not require the user to immediately or directly modify the mapping rule. Instead, it can be stipulated that in the configuration mode, the possibility of adapting the rotational position of the operating element to the respective parameter values of the camera to be set is presented to the user. However, by selecting and configuring the mapping of the rotational position to the parameter values, the user can also indirectly configure the mapping rule for mapping the setting signal to the position signal, where the adaptation or calculation of the actual mathematical function relationship can be carried out with the help of the input device or the evaluation and control device. This enables the user to simply and intuitively adapt the mapping rule without having to know and adapt the details of the processes occurring within the remote control device.

[0024] The evaluation and control device can generally include one or more of the following devices: an integrated circuit (IC); a microprocessor; a central processing unit (CPU); an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0025] The setting of values via the input device of the remote control device can generally include: determining the value at the input device through the user's input, and the input device using or transmitting the value (for example, transmitting the value to the evaluation and control device).

[0026] The dependent claims, the description, and the drawings describe different embodiments of the first aspect of the present application.

[0027] In this regard, the configuration mode of the above-mentioned remote control device can generally be provided for the settings described in different embodiments.

[0028] In some embodiments, for at least one value range of the position signal or for at least one value range of the setting signal, a relationship corresponding to the 1 / x function and / or another non-linear relationship between the value of the position signal of the position encoder and the associated value of the setting signal of the lens setting motor can be set via the input device. Due to this 1 / x relationship between the position signal and the setting signal being set within a certain value range, in particular, a linear relationship can be achieved between the position of the operating element represented by the position signal on the one hand with respect to the position signal or rotational signal of the base and on the other hand with respect to the actual value of the setting parameter of the movie camera or the camera lens, even if there is a 1 / x relationship between the rotational position of the respective lens ring and the parameter value as is conventional. The setting of another non-linear relationship between the value of the position signal and the associated value of the setting signal can also enable a desired modification of the mapping rule, in particular, a linear relationship between the rotational position of the operating element and the value of the parameter, provided that the relationship between the parameter value and the setting signal is different from the 1 / x dependency.

[0029] In this regard, the value range of the position signal, in particular the first rotational position and the second rotational position of the operating element, can be selectable, and the selected relationship will be applied to this range. Additionally, such a setting can also be made by selecting the value range of the setting signal, and this selection can be presented indirectly, for example, on a display device by the value range of the parameter to be set. For example, the range of the focal length can thus be defined in a simple manner, where a linear change in the focal length will occur as the operating element rotates. Alternatively, the selected functional relationship can also be set for the total value range of the position signal and the setting signal, so as to only make a selection of the functional relationship.

[0030] In some embodiments, the starting value of at least one value range of the position signal or at least one value range of the setting signal can be set via the input device. Alternatively or additionally, the end value of at least one value range of the position signal or at least one value range of the setting signal can be set via the input device. Thus, the user can configure the value range in which a mathematical functional relationship deviating from the conventional mapping rule is to be set and can define the corresponding mathematical function for this value range.

[0031] In some embodiments, for different value ranges of the position signal or different value ranges of the setting signal, different mathematical functional relationships can be set by the user via input to the input device.

[0032] For example, for two different value ranges of the position signal, the relationship between the position signal and the setting signal corresponding to the 1 / x function can be set in order to obtain a linear relationship between the rotational position and the adaptation parameter of the movie camera for operating the rotational position of the element within each value range. For example, a conventional 1 / x relationship can exist between these value ranges. Additionally, the limits of the value range can be input, for example, as pairs of the position signal and the setting signal to be mapped, and the desired functional relationship for this value range can be set, where the input device or the evaluation and control device can be used to determine the gradient of the set mathematical functional relationship resulting from this input and create a mapping rule. Moreover, the input device or the evaluation and control device can be used to determine the mapping rule between two separately configured value ranges such that the mapping rule corresponds to a continuous monotonic mathematical function over the total value range of the position signal.

[0033] In some embodiments, the mapping rule can correspond to a continuous monotonic mathematical function having at least one parameter, where the parameter can be set by the input device. The mapping rule configured in this way can provide the user with particularly simple setting possibilities.

[0034] In some embodiments, at least one of the following mathematical functional relationships can be set for the mapping rule by means of the input device: power function, linear function, polynomial function, rational function, exponential function, and / or logarithmic function. In particular, the settable functions can be displayed by a display device in the configuration mode of the remote control device, where the user can, for example, select between the available functions by manipulating the remote control device or the keys of the touch-sensitive display device. Subsequently, an indirect representation of the mapping rule for mapping the position signal to the setting signal can be provided by indicating the resulting relationship between the rotational position of the operating element and the set value of the parameter of the movie camera.

[0035] Furthermore, in some embodiments, for the application of the selected mathematical functional relationship, the value range of the position signal or the value range of the setting signal can also be set by means of the input device. In this way, flexible setting or configuration of the mapping rule can be achieved, where for any desired value range of the position signal or the setting signal, in particular for any desired range of the rotational position of the operating element, respective and possibly different functional relationships can be set.

[0036] In some embodiments, setting the minimum value of the setting signal and / or setting the maximum value of the setting signal can be continuously or quasi - continuously (and thus very flexibly) changeable by user input via an input device. The value range limit of the setting signal for the lens setting motor can thus also be variable, without the user being limited, for example, to only selecting from a number of predefined values. In this regard, the input device and / or the evaluation and control device can be used to adjust the mathematical function relationship set by the user or a preset mathematical function relationship, such that the minimum value and / or maximum value of the selected setting signal is associated with the minimum value and / or maximum value of the position signal or the minimum position and / or maximum position of the operating element. Thus, the parameter range provided by the corresponding movie camera or its lens can be flexibly limited and limited in a manner suitable for the corresponding recording. Furthermore, the value range limit of the setting signal can be indirectly indicated and selected by the corresponding limitation of the parameters of the movie camera to be set thereby.

[0037] In particular, due to the possibility of continuously or quasi - continuously adjusting the minimum value of the setting signal, the mapping rule can be configured in a simple manner such that, for example, any desired close - up of the lens can be excluded. In this regard, the evaluation and control device or the input device can be used to automatically adjust the selected mathematical function relationship or the preset mapping rule (especially a linear mapping rule) for mapping the setting signal to the position signal to the minimum value of the selected setting signal. In particular, in the case of a conventional linear mapping or a linear mapping rule for mapping the setting signal to the position signal, compression or expansion of the mapping of the set parameter value to the rotational position of the operating element can be achieved by selecting the minimum setting signal. This compression or expansion and the exclusion of close - ups can be set as required by the continuous or quasi - continuous change of the minimum setting signal, such that the user is no longer limited, for example, to the number of marking rings stored in such a setting.

[0038] In some embodiments, via the input device, it is possible to input respective desired setting signals for a plurality of different rotational positions of the operating element, thereby defining multiple pairs of position signals and desired setting signals, where the evaluation and control device can be used to determine the mapping rule based on the defined pairs of position signals and desired setting signals. For example, the evaluation and control device can be used to determine the mapping rule by means of linear interpolation between value pairs or fitting of polynomials. Thus, complex mapping rules can also be defined or function development can be carried out in a simple manner by user input.

[0039] In some embodiments, the evaluation and control device can be used to determine mapping rules by regression or interpolation based on values and / or parameters input via an input device. For example, in this regard, in the configuration mode of a remote control device, it is possible to select or set the values of a position signal and a setting signal pair by the user, as well as the mathematical functions provided for respective value ranges, where the evaluation and control device can be used to determine mapping rules based on this information.

[0040] The evaluation and control device can be used to determine the setting signal for the lens setting motor based on the position signal, either by calculation or by looking up in a lookup table. Thus, the evaluation and control device can be used to directly calculate the setting signal mapped to each position signal based on the mathematical function relationship, or to look up the setting signal mapped to each position signal in a lookup table (LUT) created according to the mathematical function relationship. In this regard, it can be stipulated that such a lookup table only provides support values based on the mathematical function relationship, and the evaluation and control device is used to determine intermediate values by interpolation or regression.

[0041] In some embodiments, the remote control device can have a memory for storing mapping rules. In this regard, such a memory can be provided for permanently storing the mapping rules so that, for example, the mapping rules can be automatically called again when the remote control device is used again. Alternatively, a memory for temporarily storing mapping rules can be provided as the working memory of the evaluation and control device. This memory can be provided on the operating part, or, especially in the case of a movie camera, in a modular remote control device, this memory can be a component independent of the remote control device.

[0042] The input device of the remote control device can be integrated into the operating part, or, especially in the case of a movie camera, in a modular remote control device, the input device can be a component independent of the remote control device.

[0043] The input device can include at least one of the following components: a rotatable operating element of the operating part; a position encoder; at least one button of the operating part or the movie camera; a display device of the operating part or the movie camera; and / or a touch-sensitive display device of the operating part or the movie camera.

[0044] For example, in the configuration mode of the remote control device, the operating elements of the operating part can be used to select the respective settings for the mathematical function relationship by rotation. In this regard, the input device can also include a position encoder to be able to detect the rotational position of the operating element in the configuration mode and to be able to associate it with the corresponding settings of the mathematical function relationship. In addition, the remote control device, in particular the operating part, can have at least one key by which settings can be made. The remote control device, in particular the operating part, can particularly have a display device to display to the user the configuration possibilities of the mathematical function relationship in the configuration mode. In this regard, a touch-sensitive display device, in particular a touch screen, can enable the settings to be made directly and comfortably. The evaluation and control device can also form part of the input device, for example, can be used to determine the mapping rule according to the input value or the user's selection, so as to complete the configuration of the mapping rule.

[0045] In some embodiments, the input device can include a radio receiver for receiving a separate mapping rule from the user's mobile communication device. In this way, flexible configuration of the mapping rule in the application (app) of the mobile communication device, in particular the mobile radio device, and its wireless transmission to the remote control device can be achieved. Configuration on a PC or laptop can also be provided, where the wireless transmission of the mapping rule can be carried out, for example, via a Bluetooth or Wifi connection.

[0046] According to the above and other aspects of the present application, the remote control device in the embodiments can have an electronic display device on which parameter values (such as focal length values) corresponding to the control commands for the lens setting motor set by or to be set by the operating element can be presented. The presented parameter values can be expected values and / or actual values. The parameter values can be represented in numerical and / or graphical form. The electronic presentation can also include other information such as depth of field. The representation of the parameter values can change according to the rotational position of the operating element relative to the base and can be adjusted continuously in particular. The electronic display device can be particularly arranged at the base of the remote control device.

[0047] In some embodiments, the remote control device can include a marking ring rotatably and fixedly coupled to the operating element of the operating part and arranged to mark the settable control commands. Wherein, the input device of the remote control device can be used to read the required mapping rule from the memory of the coupled marking ring and transmit it to the evaluation and control device. This enables the mapping rule displayed on the marking ring to be directly applied and no further setting by the user is required when the operating element is actuated. For this purpose, the input device can have a reading device which is particularly arranged on the operating part for the memory of the coupled marking ring. The reading device of the input device can include, for example, a microcontroller which communicates directly (in particular via suitable electrical contacts) with the memory or with the microcontroller associated with the coupled marking ring.

[0048] In some embodiments, the operating component may include a writing device for writing the mapping rules stored in the remote control device into the memory of the coupled marker ring. For writing the mapping rules into the memory of the coupled marker ring, the transmission of the encoding representing the mapping rules, for example based on parameterization, is sufficient. The writing device of the operating component may include, for example, a microcontroller that communicates directly (in particular via suitable electrical contacts) with the memory or with the microcontroller associated with the coupled marker ring. The writing device of the operating component may in particular form a read / write device together with the input device in order to be able to read and write the memory of the marker ring. Thus, the mapping rules configured by user input can be written into the memory of the coupled marker ring in a simple manner. Therefore, separately created mapping rules can also be transmitted to another remote control device, namely by coupling the marker ring to the operating component of another remote control device and reading in the mapping rules from the other remote control device, and the mapping rules are written into the memory of the marker ring.

[0049] The mapping of the position signals or the rotational position of the operating element derived from the respective mapping rules to control commands or parameter values to be set can be applied, in particular for printing on and / or adhering to the marker ring. Thus, separately configured mapping rules can be permanently stored in the memory of the coupled marker ring and the marker ring can be marked accordingly. Upon connection of the marker ring to the rotatable operating element of the operating component, the separately configured mapping rules can be automatically read by the input device and transmitted to the evaluation and control device so that the mapping rules can be directly applied. So that the mapping rules can be directly applied. Thus, the separately configured mapping rules can be permanently and repeatedly used in a manner clearly marked by the marker ring without repeated configuration. In addition, by coupling the marker ring storing the configured mapping rules, the separate mapping rules can be directly applied to different remote control devices, especially also for rental equipment.

[0050] In some embodiments, the evaluation and control device may be integrated into the operating component of the remote control device (in particular integrated into the base). Thus, in the operating unit according to the mapping rules, the position signal depending on the position encoder can be determined for the setting signal of the lens setting motor. In such an embodiment, the operating component may have an output device for transmitting (in particular wirelessly or wired) the setting signal for the lens setting motor directly or indirectly to the lens setting motor. The setting signal can be transmitted to the receiving device of the movie camera, in particular, the receiving device may be provided inside or on the movie camera body or inside or on the lens ring drive component of the movie camera. Such a lens ring drive component may include one or more lens setting motors and may be connected to the movie camera body mechanically and / or in a dedicated signal manner.

[0051] In contrast, in some embodiments, the evaluation and control device can be formed separately from the operating component - with a modular design of the remote control. The evaluation and control device provided for determining the setting signal can be integrated into a separate component. The separate component can be an associated film camera, wherein the evaluation and control device of the remote control can in particular be arranged in or on the camera body or in or on the lens ring drive component of the film camera. Such a lens ring drive component can include one or more lens setting motors and can be connected to the camera body of the film camera mechanically and / or in a dedicated signal manner. The evaluation and control device of the remote control can also be part of a higher-level control component of the film camera. In such an embodiment, the operating component can have an output device for transmitting the position signal of the position encoder (directly or in a further processed form) to the evaluation and control device. The position signal of the position encoder can be transmitted to the evaluation and control device in a wireless or wired manner. The evaluation and control device can in turn be used to send the determined setting signal directly or indirectly in a wireless or wired manner to the lens setting motor.

[0052] In this respect, the application also relates to a camera system comprising a movie camera and a remote control device of the aforementioned type, wherein the evaluation and control device is integrated in the movie camera. Such a movie camera may comprise an integrated optical system or a lens mount for interchangeable lenses as previously described, an electronic image sensor for generating an image signal from incident light, and image signal processing means for converting the image signal into a digital image data stream.

[0053] The setting signal for a lens setting motor may typically represent a value to be set for the focus, the aperture or the focal length of a lens of a movie camera.

[0054] The application also relates to configuring a mathematical function relationship of a mapping rule corresponding to the mapping of a position signal of a position encoder of an operating part to a setting signal of a lens setting motor using a remote control device of the type described by user input in the explained manner.

[0055] According to a second aspect of the present application (which may replace or be supplementary to the first aspect of the present application), the aforementioned object is achieved by a remote control device for a lens setting motor of a movie camera. In particular, the remote control device can be configured according to any of the above embodiments of the first aspect of the present application and has an operating part, which includes a base, an operating element rotatable relative to the base about a rotation axis for setting a control command for the lens setting motor, and a position encoder for detecting the respective rotational positions of the operating element relative to the base and generating corresponding position signals, wherein the operating element is used to accommodate a marking ring, which marks the settable control commands in a rotationally fixed coupling manner, and the operating part of the remote control device has a reading device for reading the code set on the coupled marking ring.

[0056] The remote control device, in particular the operating part, can generally also have an evaluation and control device for determining a setting signal for the lens setting motor according to a mapping rule.

[0057] Since the operating element is configured to accommodate the marking ring, when the operating element is placed in its respective rotational position, the set control command or the set value of the relevant parameters of the movie camera can be indicated to the user. In particular, corresponding markings (such as numerical values and / or scale lines) can be provided on the side of the marking ring.

[0058] Since the designed remote control device has a reading device for reading the code of the marking ring, the marking ring can simultaneously be used as an extended information carrier to transmit an operation data set (such as information about the desired or set operation mode) to the coupled operating part. This operation data set can relate to the remote control device, and / or the associated movie camera, and / or the associated camera lens. In this way, since the marking ring is still used, automatic acquisition of the operation data set (such as the operation mode) can be achieved. Therefore, the user does not have to manually input the respective operation modes and / or operation data set on the operating part, but the user can achieve this by simply coupling the marking ring to the operating part; thereby, forgetting to set the corresponding operation mode and / or operation data set is also avoided. Since the marking ring is usually coordinated with a specific lens in terms of its markings, the corresponding code of the marking ring can particularly relate to the associated lens (for example, a mapping rule or a "lens file", as further explained below).

[0059] In some embodiments, the reading device of the operating member can be used to read the encoding of the marker ring through electrical contact, magnetic coupling, electromagnetic signal transmission, or electromechanical conversion. In particular, in the case of using electrical contact, electrical signal transmission or resistance measurement can be provided. In this regard, the measured value of the resistance can be associated with the corresponding marker ring, for example, so that the evaluation and control device can read the mapping rule associated with the detected marker ring from the memory. In the case of using electrical signal transmission, more values can be encoded. The transmission of magnetic coupling or electromagnetic signals can also be carried out non - contact (especially by transmitting radio signals, for example, according to the relevant protocol of near - field communication (NFC)). The electromechanical conversion can include scanning one of a plurality of predetermined shapes that cause different electrical signals of the scanning device.

[0060] In particular, similar to what has been explained, in some embodiments, the remote control device can include a writing device for transmitting the encoding (such as a mapping rule or a lens file) stored in the remote control device to the coupled marker ring. In particular, the writing device can form a read / write device together with the reading device. The marker ring can thus be used as a writable storage medium.

[0061] The rotatable operating element of the operating member can have a coupling device, and the marker ring can be rotatably and fixedly coupled to the operating element in a force - transmitting and / or form - fitting manner through the coupling device. In addition, the coupling device can define the relative rotational position between the marker ring and the operating element, so as to ensure the consistency between the control command marked by the marker ring and the corresponding rotational position of the operating element.

[0062] As already described, the remote control device can have an evaluation and control device for determining a setting signal for the lens setting motor depending on the position signal according to the mapping rule, where the evaluation and control device is configured to: determine the mapping rule through the encoding read by the coupled marker ring. The evaluation and control device is used to determine the mapping rule through the encoding read by the coupled marker ring. Since the designed remote control device has a reading device for reading the encoding of the marker ring, the mapping rule corresponding to the marking of the marker ring can be directly applied in a simple manner. Therefore, the mapping rule represented by the read encoding corresponds to the mapping of the rotational position of the operating element to the control command or the desired parameter value of the associated camera lens.

[0063] For this purpose, the evaluation and control device of the remote control device can be used to determine, according to the read encoding, the mapping rule that maps the setting signal for the lens setting motor to the position signal or rotational position of the operating element. Therefore, the user does not have to first select the corresponding marker ring or the corresponding mapping rule in the input menu of the remote control device, but can directly start controlling the movie camera.

[0064] Based on such code reading, the mapping rules corresponding to the marker rings can be automatically determined. Such code reading can control the movie cameras to adjust each movie camera and can facilitate and speed up the control of the remote control device. Moreover, operation errors can be more easily avoided. In this regard, in particular, a large number of marker rings with different mapping rules and readable codes can be used to achieve as many variable controls as possible.

[0065] The code can generally represent or reflect the mapping rules in this regard, or be used to identify the marker rings. In this context, the mapping rules may already directly exist by reading the code, and the code can also send, for example, calculation instructions for evaluation with the control device or search instructions for searching in a look-up table (LUT).

[0066] In some embodiments, the remote control device can have a memory for storing multiple mapping rules, where the evaluation and control device can be used to select one of the stored multiple mapping rules according to the read code. For example, each coupled marker ring associated with the remote control device can be marked by the code, and the evaluation and control device can be used to select the mapping rule corresponding to the coupled marker ring from the memory or the look-up table.

[0067] In addition, the evaluation and control device can be used to use the read code as a mapping rule or convert it into a mapping rule. The code can directly determine the mapping rule to be used, so that the reading device can send, for example, a look-up table (LUT) containing the mapping rule to the evaluation and control device by reading the code. The code can also describe, for example, various parameters, and the evaluation and control device can determine or calculate the mapping rule or the corresponding mathematical functional relationship with the help of the parameters.

[0068] In some embodiments, the code representing the mapping rule can be read or written in the form of an electrical signal.

[0069] In addition, similar to what has been explained, the remote control device can have an input device for changing and / or configuring the mapping rules. The mapping rules can thus be individually modified by the user for specific situations as described above, and can be particularly transmitted to the coupled marker ring, so that when the marker ring is used subsequently or repeatedly, the desired mapping rule can be automatically read by the reading device and determined by the evaluation and control device.

[0070] In some embodiments of the second aspect of the present application, the evaluation and control device can be integrated into the operating component. Therefore, according to the mapping rules, the setting signal for the lens setting motor depending on the position signal of the position encoder in the operating component can be determined. In such an embodiment, as explained for the first aspect of the present application, the operating component can have an output device to output the setting signal for the lens setting motor.

[0071] In contrast, in some embodiments of the second aspect of the present application, the evaluation and control device may be formed separately from the operating member - i.e., a modular design remote control device. As explained for the first aspect of the present application, the evaluation and control device provided for determining the setting signal may be integrated into a separate component, in particular into the associated movie camera.

[0072] In this regard, the present application also relates to a camera system, which includes a movie camera and a remote control device of the type according to the second aspect of the present application, wherein the evaluation and control device is integrated into the movie camera. Such a movie camera may include an integrated optical system or a lens mount for interchangeable lenses as initially mentioned, an electronic image sensor for generating an image signal from incident light, and an image signal processing device for converting the image signal into a digital image data stream.

[0073] Instead of or in addition to the explained mapping rules, the code read from the marking ring may represent a so-called lens file. In some embodiments, the operating member may have an evaluation and control device (in particular the evaluation and control device already mentioned) and an electronic display device, wherein the evaluation and control device is used to display predetermined representation values on the display device, and these representation values correspond to the respective setting values of the relevant lens of the movie camera and are predetermined by the read code. In particular, the predetermined representation values may correspond to the markings applied (e.g., engraved) at the lens ring of the associated lens. Thus, while the user changes the respective parameters (e.g., focal length) by means of a rotatable operating element, the user can also observe on the electronic display device of the operating member the representation values and their positions that the user knows from the corresponding lens ring. Advantageously here, by simply connecting the marking ring to the operating member, the predetermined representation values can be automatically read and presented in the display device.

[0074] In particular, the predetermined representation values represented by the code may include numerical values. The evaluation and control device may be used to display additional information on the display device, in particular the depth of field. This additional information may be directly represented by the read code or may be calculated by the evaluation and control device, in particular using other information (such as the aperture value) provided, for example, by the movie camera or the associated camera lens.

[0075] In addition, the evaluation and control device can be used to define a variable position of a representation value displayed on a display device according to a setting value of a lens, where the setting value of the lens can be an expected value or an actual value of a recording parameter of the lens. Therefore, the position of the representation value presented on the display device, particularly relative to the position marked by the setting value, can be dynamically adapted to the parameter value to be set, because this corresponds to the rotational position of the rotatable operating element. The position signal of the position encoder or a value derived therefrom can be used particularly as the expected value. The position measurement value of the corresponding lens setting motor (particularly the so-called encoder value) can be used as the actual value. For this purpose, the operating component can have a receiving device to directly or indirectly receive the position measurement value from each lens setting motor (particularly through a movie camera or a related lens ring drive component). The expected value and the actual value of each recording parameter can also be simultaneously displayed on the display device.

[0076] The remote control device according to the second aspect of the present application can include the marked ring with readable coding.

[0077] The present application also relates to using a remote control device of this type to read the coding provided or stored at the coupled marked ring.

[0078] The present application also relates to a marked ring for marking control commands for a lens setting motor of a movie camera, particularly for the remote control device for different embodiments described above. The marked ring is rotatably and fixedly coupled to the rotatable operating element of the remote control device for setting control commands for the lens setting motor, where the marked ring has markings of the settable control commands or can be provided with such markings. In addition, the marked ring has a memory in which the coding can be stored or can be stored, where the memory has an interface or is connected to an interface through which the coding can be read from the memory and / or can be written into the memory.

[0079] Therefore, the marked ring has a memory in which the coding (particularly a data set) is stored or can be stored. In particular, the coding can be used by the coupled remote control device to control or present information related to the movie camera and / or the lens setting motor (for example, for controlling the lens setting motor or for presenting appropriate setting values on the display device of the remote control device). In particular, the coding can include mapping rules and / or coding of value associations, as described below for different embodiments.

[0080] In particular, the coding or the data set can be stored, read, and / or written in electronic form. The memory integrated in the marked ring enables the marked ring to be used as a storage medium, particularly in the case of user personalizing the marked ring or the coupled remote control device. The memory integrated into the marked ring can assist in the automatic configuration of the coupled remote control device.

[0081] In particular, the marking ring can be a hollow cylinder, a disc or a hollow cylinder with a disc-shaped flange portion and can be inserted onto a rotatable operating element. In this regard, the marking can in particular be formed by letters on the visible outer side of the marking ring and can for example display scale markings (e.g., line patterns) as well as associated control commands or numerical values, where the parameter settings of the movie camera (including the lens) to be set in the respective rotational positions of the operating element are set to this numerical value.

[0082] The interface can be connected directly or indirectly to the memory. In particular, the encoding can be read in the form of an electrical signal via the interface of the memory.

[0083] Since the memory is capable of reading the stored information via the interface, when the marking ring is coupled to the operating element, the encoding corresponding to the marking ring can be transmitted to the associated remote control device. In particular, this encoding can be automatically applied to the setting signal for the lens setting motor. Thereby, the adaptation of the remote control device to a specific application and / or a specific camera lens can be simplified. Alternatively or additionally, the encoding of the coupled remote control device can be read into or written to the memory of the marking ring via the interface. The marking ring can thus be used as a removable storage medium in order to store for example specific (especially individually configured) mapping rules and subsequently transmit them to (any other) coupled remote control devices.

[0084] In some embodiments, the interface of the memory can be used to perform the encoding by means of electrical contact, magnetic coupling or electromagnetic signal transmission.

[0085] In particular, the interface can be used for electrical contact of the reading device of the coupled remote control device. In this way, the encoding can be read directly and the mapping rule can be determined when the marking ring is coupled to the remote control device. In contrast, the electromagnetic signal transmission can be carried out contactlessly (especially by transmitting the encoding in the form of a radio signal).

[0086] In some embodiments, the memory of the marking ring can be an electronic memory, in particular, it can be formed by a solid-state memory (e.g., EEPROM) or a microchip (especially having non-volatile memory function). According to a particularly simple embodiment, the memory can be formed by a resistor.

[0087] The memory can be surrounded by a waterproof protective cover. This can prevent damage to the memory due to water ingress, where the protective cover can have an opening through which the interface can be accessed.

[0088] In some embodiments, the encoding can represent an operation data set for the coupled remote control device, where the interface of the memory is used to cooperate with the reading device of the coupled remote control device in order to read the encoding from the memory.

[0089] In some embodiments, the markings on the marking ring may correspond to mapping rules for mapping control commands to corresponding rotational positions of the operating element, where the encoding represents the mapping rules. In particular, as already explained, the mapping rules describe the dependence of the setting signals for the lens setting motor of the associated movie camera on the position signals of the position encoder of the remote control device. The mapping rules themselves or information about the used marking ring or about the mapping rules may be stored in the memory of the marking ring, where the mapping rules can be determined based on the information. For this purpose, a look-up table (LUT) that assigns the individual mapping rules to the corresponding marking rings may be stored, for example, in the remote control device.

[0090] In some embodiments, the encoding may represent a so-called lens file in the form of a set of representation values, representing the setting values of the associated camera lens in an electronic representation. In particular, the encoding may represent the relationship between the setting values and the representation values. Optionally or additionally, the encoding may include predefined representation values and / or additional information, such as depth of field. As already explained in connection with the lens file, the operating part of the associated remote control device may have an electronic display device that displays the predefined representation values, which correspond to the respective setting values of the associated lens of the movie camera and are predefined by the encoding read from the memory. In particular, the predefined representation values may correspond to markings applied (e.g., engraved) at the lens ring of the associated lens. Thus, when the user changes the individual parameters (e.g., focal length) using the rotatable operating element, the user can also observe on the electronic display device of the operating part the representation values and their positions that he knows from the respective lens ring. Advantageously, the predefined representation values can be automatically read and presented in the display device simply by connecting the marking ring to the operating part.

[0091] This application also relates to a remote control device having a marking ring of the type described herein. Description of the Drawings

[0092] The present application will be described below by way of example only with reference to embodiments and the drawings, where the drawings include the following:

[0093] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a movie camera having a lens setting motor;

[0094] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a remote control device for generating setting signals used by the lens setting motor of a movie camera;

[0095] Figures 3 to 6 are schematic views of possible embodiments of the remote control device, respectively;

[0096] Figure 7A and Figure 7B are different schematic views of a marking ring for connection to the remote control device, respectively. Detailed implementation mode

[0097] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a movie camera 13 including a camera body 55, and an interchangeable lens 49 is fixed on the camera body 55. The interchangeable lens 49 has three lens rings 16, 18, 20, by using which, various parameters of the movie camera 13 (or the lens 49) can be set. For example, the first lens ring 16 can be set to adaptively adjust the focal length of the interchangeable lens 49 by rotation, and the focal length can be set by the second lens ring 18, for example. The third lens ring 20 can be set to adapt the aperture, for example. Each lens setting motor 15, 17, 19 is provided so that the lens rings 16, 18, 20 can be adjusted. These setting motors 15, 17, 19 are arranged on the lens ring drive member 51, and the latter is mechanically connected to the camera body 55 via two fixed rods 75 and in a dedicated signal manner via a signal line 76.

[0098]

[0098] In order to be able to check each image focused by the interchangeable lens 49, and thus check whether the movie camera 13 is accurately aligned, a viewfinder 53 is also provided on the camera body 55. In particular, since the movie camera 13 is designed to have an interchangeable lens 49, different types of lenses and the corresponding lens ring drive members can also be connected to the camera body 55. For example, each desired suitable lens can thus be variably connected to the camera body 55 according to the scene to be recorded. In particular, a lens with a fixed focal length can also be provided, in which only the focal length and / or the aperture can be adjusted by the corresponding lens ring.

[0099]

[0099] During the recording using the movie camera 13, the parameters can often be modified by remotely setting the lens rings 16, 18, 20, so that the cameraman can focus only on the accurate alignment of the camera. In this regard, another person, especially a camera assistant or a focus puller, can use a remote control device to set the parameters of the movie camera 13. The user can set a setting signal S for each lens setting motor 15, 17, 19 by means of the remote control device and transmit it to the movie camera 13. Figure 2 Figure 2 shows a possible embodiment of such a remote control device for the movie camera 13.

[0100] Figure 2 Figure 2 The shown remote control device includes a portable operation member 11. It has a base 29 and an operation element 21 that is rotatable relative to the base 29 about a rotation axis D. Through this operation element 21, a control command for the movie camera 13 or at least one of the lens setting motors 15, 17, 19 can be set. In this regard, the control command particularly corresponds to a value, and the parameter affected by the corresponding lens ring 16, 18, 20 will be set to this value.

[0101] The marking ring 43 is a hollow cylindrical shape rotatably and fixedly connected to the operating element 21, and it can be axially placed on the operating element 21 relative to the rotation axis D. The marking ring 43 has markings 45 in the form of graduations (such as graduation lines and / or graduations with numerical values) on its outer side 77, at which the set control commands or the values of the affected parameters of the movie camera 13 can be read. In order to be able to display the set control commands or the rotational position of the operating element 21, a set value marking 35 is provided on the base 29. The operating element 21 also has coupling means 71 in the form of raised portions and engaging in associated cutouts 79 of the marking ring 43 (see also Figure 7A and 7B ). This engagement of the coupling means 71 ensures a rotationally fixed connection between the marking ring 43 and the operating element 21 at a preset relative rotational position (which is between the marking ring 43 and the operating element 21) in order to ensure that the control commands are correctly mapped to the rotational position of the operating element 21.

[0102] In order to be able to further check or modify the settings made using the operating part 11, the base 29 of the remote control device can be equipped with an electronic display device 31. The display device 31 provides the user with information such as may be related to other parameters of the movie camera 13, or information related to the selection possibilities for setting the remote control device itself, via the display 73. In addition, the operating part can also be provided with a guide 69 and a guiding control 67 guided therein, by means of which the settings displayed on the display 73 can be selected, for example. Additionally, the base 29 has three buttons 39, so that settings can also be made at the remote control device itself or at the movie camera 13. For example, a switch for selectively turning on or off the movie camera 13 can be provided, or recording can be started or interrupted by one of the buttons 39.

[0103] The mapping of the control commands used by the movie camera 13 or the parameter values of the movie camera 13 to the rotational position of the operating element 21 is defined by the markings 45 of the aforementioned marking ring 43, such that the user can easily check the settings made. In order to be able to perform this mapping shown to the user, setting signals S for the lens setting motors 15, 17, 19 have to be generated by the remote control device, where the setting signals satisfy the control commands and move the corresponding lens rings 16, 18, 20 to the specified rotational positions. Therefore, these setting signals S also have to be mapped to the corresponding rotational positions of the operating element 21 by means of a mapping rule.

[0104] In this regard, the setting signal S can in particular represent the rotational position of the controlled lens rings 16, 18, 20. In this context, generally, the rotation of one of the lens rings 16, 18, 20 causes a change in various parameters (such as the focal length), and this change has a 1 / x dependence on the rotational position of the lens rings 16, 18, 20. Correspondingly, in particular as Figure 7A shown, the markings 45 of the marking ring 43 also generally reflect such a 1 / x relationship, such that the rotation of the operating element 21 essentially corresponds to a direct rotation at the respective lens rings 16, 18, 20. Thus, the setting performed via the remote control device 11 does not result in a substantial difference compared to a direct setting of the movie camera 13. In this regard, a simple linear relationship can generally be defined between the rotational position of the operating element 21 and the generated setting signal S.

[0105] As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the remote control device 11 generally includes a position encoder 33. With the position encoder 33, the rotational position of the operating element 21 relative to the base 29 can be determined, and a corresponding position signal P can be generated. The position encoder 33 can include, for example, magnetic or optical sensors that detect the rotational position of a disk rotating with the operating element 21. The position encoder 33 is connected to the evaluation and control device 23, and the position signal P is sent to this evaluation and control device 23. The evaluation and control device 23 is used to determine, via a mapping rule, a setting signal S associated with each position signal P for one of the lens setting motors 15, 17, 19, and is connected to an output device 25 to transmit the generated setting signal S to the movie camera 13 or the corresponding lens setting motors 15, 17, 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the output device is used for wirelessly transmitting the setting signal S, but generally, wired transmission can also be used for transmission. The movie camera 13 is also provided with a receiving device 26 to receive the setting signal S and transmit it (in particular via the signal line 76 and / or the lens ring drive member 51) to the lens setting motors 15, 17, 19.

[0106] However, the conventional mapping rule that linearly maps the setting signal S to the position signal P as previously described generally enables the movie camera 13 to be operated intuitively as if directly operating on the lens rings 16, 18, 20 themselves, where the setting parameter depends on 1 / x of the rotational position of the operating element 21. And in certain cases or for certain recordings, it may be desirable to have a different mapping between the rotational position of the operating element 21 and the set parameter value. In particular, different from the 1 / x dependence, at least within certain value ranges, the user may expect a linear relationship between the set parameter and the rotational position of the operating element 21, so that, for example, the focal length can be changed slowly and precisely adjustable.

[0107] Therefore, in order to be able to individually define or adaptively adjust the mapping rule that maps the setting signal S to the position signal P, an input device 27 as shown in Figure 3 can be provided. With the input device 27, the mapping rule can be configured by user input. In this regard, the mapping rule corresponds to at least one mathematical functional relationship. Embodiments of various different user interaction methods can be used for the input device 27.

[0108] In order to be able to configure the mapping rule, the input device 27 can particularly include Figure 2 the display device 31 as shown, which displays various possible settings for configuring the mathematical functional relationship to the user in the configuration mode of the remote control device. In addition, the display device 31 can be a touch-sensitive display device, so that the user can directly make settings on the display device 31 and the whole process is visualized. The input device 27 can also be operated by one or more keys 39, a guiding control 67 or, in the configuration mode, by an operating element 21. By rotating the operating element 21 detected by the position encoder 33, for example, a setting for configuring the mapping rule displayed on the display device 31 can be selected.

[0109] For example, the user of the remote control device can select a value range within which there should be a linear relationship between the rotational position of the operating element 21 and the parameter value actually set on the movie camera 13 (or the lens 29). In this regard, the input device 27 itself or the evaluation and control device 23 can be used to adjust the mapping rule that maps the setting signal S to the position signal P so that there is ultimately a linear relationship between the position signal P and the control command or the affected parameter set on the movie camera 13. In this regard, particularly for the said value range, a 1 / x dependence of the setting signal S on the position signal P can be generated.

[0110] In addition to selecting such a value range of the position signal P or the setting signal S and selecting the linear relationship within this value range between the rotational position of the operating element 21 and the control command for the movie camera 13, it can also be stipulated that the user only selects the starting value of these value ranges and inputs or determines the mathematical functional relationship to be applied to values greater than or less than the starting value. In addition, the user can input multiple sets of the position signal P and the setting signal S in the form of numerical pairs, where the evaluation and control device 23 can be used to determine the mapping rule between these numerical pairs by regression or interpolation with the selected or predefined function. It can also be stipulated that the user can select different value ranges and for these value ranges, different functions can be selected respectively. For example, a power function, a linear function, a polynomial function or an exponential function, etc. can be presented to the user. In this regard, the evaluation and control device 23 can be used to associate the value ranges so that the mapping rule is described by a continuous monotonic function.

[0111] It is generally possible to provide a direct setting possibility of presenting the mapping rule between the position signal P and the setting signal S to the user by means of the display device 31. However, the user can also select and adjust the desired mapping between the rotational position of the operating element 21 and the generated control command. In this case, the input device 27 or the evaluation and control device 23 can automatically configure the mapping rule between the position signal P and the setting signal S defined thereby, such that the user can ultimately also indirectly configure the mapping rule of the setting signal S to the position signal P by selecting the mapping of the control command to the rotational position of the operating element 21.

[0112] As Figure 4 shown, the input device 27 can also include a radio receiver 41 through which the user's mobile communication device can receive individual mapping rules. The user can thereby conveniently create mapping rules on the mobile device and send them to the remote control device.

[0113] Although the evaluation and control device 23 can generally be used to calculate the mapping rule or the setting signal S mapped to the corresponding position signal P, it can also be provided that the evaluation and control device looks up the mapping rule in a look-up table (LUT). For this purpose, the remote control device can in particular have a memory 37 in the base 19 of the operating part 11, and the mapping rule can be stored, for example, permanently in this memory 37 so that the configured mapping rule can be directly used when the remote control device is used repeatedly later (see Figure 4 ). Alternatively, the memory 37 can only temporarily store the mapping rule and can be used as the working memory of the evaluation and control device 23.

[0114] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 the illustrated embodiment of the remote control device, the evaluation and control device 23 is integrated into the base 19 of the operating part 11. Alternatively, the remote control device can also be designed modularly, where the evaluation and control device and the operating part 11 are formed separately, and the evaluation and control device is arranged within or on the movie camera 13. Thus, the setting signal S dependent on the position signal P is determined on a part of the movie camera 13 according to the mapping rule. Figure 1 This is illustrated by means of the evaluation and control device 23' (shown in dashed lines). This evaluation and control device 23' receives the position signal from the output device 25 of the operating part 11 through the receiving device 26 and transmits the setting signal S to the lens ring drive part 51 or the lens setting motors 15, 17, 19 via the signal line 76. The evaluation and control device 23' can also be integrated, for example, into the lens ring drive part 51.

[0115] The input device 27 or a part thereof of the remote control device can also be arranged within or on the movie camera 13 in a corresponding manner.

[0116] Figure 5 Another possibility for changing the use of the remote control device is shown. In this regard, it is not necessary to provide an input device 27 for configuring the mapping rule, but the operating part 11 of the remote control device has a reading device 57, which is used to read the memory 47 of the marking ring 43 through an interface 63 provided for this purpose (see also Figure 7A and Figure 7B ). The code 59 is written into the memory 47 and can be read by the reading device 57, where the reading and writing can be carried out, for example, by means of electrical contact, magnetic coupling, electromechanical signal transmission, etc. The stored code 59 can generally represent an operation data set, such as information on the desired or set operation mode of the remote control device or the movie camera 13 or the camera lens 49.

[0117] According to an embodiment, the reading device 57 can also be connected to an evaluation and control device 23, which can be used to determine, according to the determined code 59, the mapping rule for mapping the setting signal S to the position signal P defined by the marking 45 of the marking ring 43, and generate the setting signal S based on this mapping rule as explained above.

[0118] In this regard, the code 59 can, for example, represent the mapping rule itself, so that the evaluation and control device 23 can directly collect the mapping rule from the memory 47 of the marking ring 43 via the reading device 57. In addition, the code 59 can include information about the marking ring 43, through which the marking ring 43 can be identified, and the mapping rule corresponding to the marking ring 43 can be stored in the memory 37. In this regard, such mapping rules can be stored for a plurality of identifiable marking rings 43, so that by coupling each marking ring 43 to the operating element 21, the mapping rule represented by the marking 45 can be automatically applied without other input from the user. In this regard, the reading device can especially read the code by means of electrical contact, magnetic coupling, electromechanical signal transmission or electromechanical conversion, etc.

[0119] As Figure 6As shown, in addition to this reading device 57 for reading the code 59, an input device 27 connected to a writing device 61 may also be provided. In this regard, the reading device 57 and the writing device 61 may form a common read / write device, where the reading device 57 and the writing device 61 may also be components of the input device 27. As described above, a single mapping rule may be configured through the input device 27, and this single mapping rule may be written into the memory 47 of the marker ring by the writing device 61 by changing or creating a code. Thus, each marker ring 43 may be configured such that when subsequently connected to the operating member 11, the mapping rule of each marker ring may be directly detected by the reading device 57. In order to be able to display the mapping of the respective configured mapping rules or the resulting rotational positions of the operating elements 21 to the setting parameter values of the movie camera 13, markers 45 corresponding to the mapping rules may be used for (especially printing and / or pasting onto) the marker rings 43.

[0120] However, the code 59 read from the memory 47 of the marker ring 43 does not necessarily have to represent a mapping rule. Alternatively or additionally, the operating member 11 has an evaluation and control device 23 and an electronic display device 31 (see Figure 2 ), where the evaluation and control device 23 displays on the display device 31 predetermined representation values corresponding to the markers on the lens rings 16, 18, 20 of the camera lens 49. These representation values (such as numerical values and associated position values) may be predetermined by the code 59 read from the memory 47 of the marker ring 43.

[0121] Therefore, when the user changes a corresponding parameter (such as the focal length) using the operating element 21, the representation values and their positions known from the respective lens rings 16, 18, 20 may also be observed at the electronic display device 31 of the operating member 11 in an almost identical manner. For this purpose, the predetermined representation values may be read and displayed at the display device 31 automatically, that is, simply by connecting the marker ring 43 to the operating member 11. Optionally, additional information such as depth of field may be encoded and displayed.

[0122] In such an embodiment, the evaluation and control device 23 may also be used to define the variable positions of the representation values (such as the values of focal length or aperture) displayed on the display device 31 according to setting values (desired values or actual values), and to take into account the change in the representation values displayed over time. For this purpose, the operating member 11 may have a receiving device (not shown) to receive position measurement values from the respective lens setting motors 15, 17, 19.

[0123] Figure 7AAgain, a diagram of the marking ring 43 with the write code 59 in the memory 47 is shown. In this regard, when the marking ring 43 is connected to the operating element 21, the reading device 57 of the operating unit 11 can access the code 59 via the interface 63. To protect the memory 47 from liquid damage, the memory 47 is at least partially surrounded by a waterproof protective cover 65, wherein the waterproof protective cover has an opening for the interface 63.

[0124] According to Figure 7A the marking 45 of the marking ring 43 corresponds to the scale or value of the setting parameter (such as the focal length) of the movie camera 13, wherein the marking ring 43 reflects that the parameter generally depends on 1 / x of the rotational position of the operating element 21.

[0125] Figure 7B Another marking ring 43 is shown, whose marking 45 represents a mapping rule individually configured using the input device 27 - as described above. In this regard, different from the conventional 1 / x dependence, a linear relationship between the rotational position of the operating element 21 and the setting parameter is configured as the value range between the first rotational position D1 and the second rotational position D2 of the operating element 21; while outside this value range, the conventional 1 / x dependence remains.

[0126] Therefore, the individual configuration of the mapping rule enables an ideal adaptation to the remote control of the movie camera 13 for a specific situation, where, for example, compared with Figure 7A the configuration of Figure 7B the configuration shown can be set more precisely with relatively large parameter values between the first rotational position D1 and the second rotational position D2. In addition, since the mapping rule is stored in the memory 47 of each marking ring 43, the mapping rule to be used can also be directly applied to the connecting member of the operating unit 11, so that, for example, by connecting the corresponding marking ring 43, the configured mapping rule can also be obtained without problems when using rental equipment.

[0127] As explained, the code 59 stored in the memory 47 of the marking ring 43 can alternatively or additionally represent a set of representation values for electronically presenting the setting values of the relevant camera lens 49. Therefore, these representation values can be automatically read in and displayed on the display device 31 in a simple and error - proof manner.

[0128] List of Reference Numerals

[0129] 11 Operating unit

[0130] 13 Movie camera

[0131] 15 First lens setting motor

[0132] 16 First lens ring

[0133] 17 Lens setting motor

[0134] 18 Lens ring

[0135] 19 Third lens setting motor

[0136] 20 Third lens ring

[0137] 21 Operating element

[0138] 23 Evaluation and control device

[0139] 23' Evaluation and control device

[0140] 25 Output device

[0141] 26 Receiving device

[0142] 27 Input device

[0143] 29 Base

[0144] 31 Display device

[0145] 33 Position encoder

[0146] 35 Set value marker

[0147] 37 Memory of remote control device

[0148] 39 Button

[0149] 41 Radio receiver

[0150] 43 Marking ring

[0151] 45 Mark

[0152] 47 Memory of marking ring

[0153] 49 Interchangeable lens

[0154] 51 Lens ring drive component

[0155] 53 Viewfinder

[0156] 55 Camera body

[0157] 57 Reading device

[0158] 59 Encoding

[0159] 61 Writing device

[0160] 63 Interface

[0161] 65 Waterproof protective cover

[0162] 67 Guide control

[0163] 69 Guide

[0164] 71 Coupling device

[0165] 73 Display

[0166] 75 Fixed rod

[0167] 76 Signal line

[0168] 77 Outer side

[0169] 79 Notch

[0170] D Axis of rotation

[0171] P Position signal

[0172] S Setting signal

Claims

1. A remote control device for a movie camera (13) for controlling lens setting motors (15, 17, 19) of the movie camera (13), characterized in that, The remote control device includes an operating member (11), wherein the operating member (11) has: a base (29), an operating element (21) that is rotatable relative to the base (29) about a rotation axis (D) for setting control commands for lens setting motors (15, 17, 19); and a position encoder (33) for detecting respective rotational positions of the operating element (21) relative to the base (29) and generating corresponding position signals (P); the remote control device has an evaluation and control device (23, 23') for determining a setting signal (S) dependent on the position signal (P) for the lens setting motors (15, 17, 19) according to a mapping rule, wherein the mapping rule corresponds to at least one mathematical functional relationship; the remote control device has an input device (27), and at least one mathematical functional relationship of the mapping rule can be configured by a user's input via the input device; the input device (27) is for allowing, by a user's input, to set a relationship corresponding to a 1 / x function for at least one value range of the position signal (P) or for at least one value range of the setting signal (S) and / or a non-linear relationship between the value of the position signal (P) and the value of the associated setting signal (S).

2. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the user's input includes at least one of the following values: a starting value of at least one value range of the position signal (P) or a starting value of at least one value range of the setting signal (S); or, an ending value of at least one value range of the position signal (P) or an ending value of at least one value range of the setting signal (S).

3. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (27) is for allowing, by a user's input, to set different mathematical functional relationships for different value ranges of the position signal (P) or for different value ranges of the setting signal (S).

4. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mapping rule corresponds to a continuous monotonic mathematical function having at least one parameter, and the input device (27) is for allowing, by a user's input, to set at least one parameter.

5. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (27) is for allowing, by a user's input, to select at least one of the following mathematical functional relationships for the mapping rule: power function, linear function, polynomial function, rational function, exponential function, and / or logarithmic function.

6. The remote control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the input device (27) is further for allowing, by a user's input, to set a value range of the position signal (P) or a value range of the setting signal (S) to apply the selected mathematical functional relationship.

7. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (27) is for allowing, by a user's input, to continuously or quasi-continuously change the minimum value and / or the maximum value of the setting signal (S).

8. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that The input device (27) is used to allow respective desired setting signals (S) to be set for a plurality of different rotational positions of the operating element (21) by the input of each user, thereby defining a plurality of pairs of position signals (P) and desired setting signals (S), wherein the evaluation and control device (23, 23') is used to determine a mapping rule according to the defined plurality of pairs of position signals (P) and desired setting signals (S).

9. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation and control device (23, 23') is used to determine the mapping rule by regression or interpolation according to the values and / or parameters input via the input device (27).

10. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation and control device (23, 23') is used to determine the setting signal (S) dependent on the position signal (P) for the lens setting motors (15, 17, 19) by calculation or by looking up in a look-up table.

11. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (27) comprises at least one of the following components: a rotatable operating element (21); a position encoder (33); at least one button (39) of the operating member (11) or the movie camera (13); a display device (31) of the operating member (11) or the movie camera (13); and / or a touch-sensitive display device (31) of the operating member (11) or the movie camera (13).

12. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (27) comprises a radio receiver (41) for receiving a separate mapping rule from the user's mobile communication device.

13. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the remote control device comprises a marking ring (43) which is used for rotatably and fixedly coupling to the operating element (21) of the operating member (11) and for marking the settable control commands; the input device (27) of the remote control device is used to read the required mapping rule from the memory (47) of the coupled marking ring (43) and transmit the required mapping rule to the evaluation and control device (23, 23').

14. The remote control device according to claim 13, characterized in that the operating member (11) comprises a writing device (61) for writing the mapping rule stored in the remote control device into the memory (47) of the coupled marking ring (43).

15. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation and control device (23) is integrated into the operating member (11); or the evaluation and control device (23') is formed separately from the operating member (11), and the operating member (11) comprises an output device (25) for transmitting the position signal (P) of the position encoder (33) to the evaluation and control device (23').

16. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that The setting signal (S) for the lens setting motors (15, 17, 19) represents the value to be set for the focal length, aperture, or focal length of the lens (49) of the movie camera (13).

17. A remote control device for a movie camera (13) for controlling lens setting motors (15, 17, 19) of the movie camera (13), characterized in that, The remote control device includes an operating member (11), and the operating member (11) has: a base (29); an operating element (21) that can rotate relative to the base (29) about a rotation axis (D) for setting a control command for the lens setting motors (15, 17, 19); and a position encoder (33) for detecting the respective rotational positions of the operating element (21) relative to the base (29) and generating corresponding position signals (P); wherein the operating element (21) is used to accommodate a marking ring (43) in a rotationally fixed coupling manner to mark the settable control commands, and the marking ring can be coupled to or removed from the operating element; The operating member (11) has a reading device (57) for reading the code (59) stored on the coupled marking ring (43).

18. The remote control device according to claim 17, characterized in that the operating member (11) includes a writing device (61) for transmitting the code (59) stored in the remote control device to the coupled marking ring (43).

19. The remote control device according to claim 17, characterized in that the remote control device has an evaluation and control device (23, 23') for determining a setting signal (S) dependent on the position signal (P) for the lens setting motors (15, 17, 19) according to a mapping rule; the evaluation and control device (23) is used to determine the mapping rule by the read code (59).

20. The remote control device according to claim 19, characterized in that the remote control device has a memory (37) for storing a plurality of mapping rules; the evaluation and control device (23, 23') is used to select one of the stored plurality of mapping rules according to the read code (59).

21. The remote control device according to claim 19, characterized in that the operating member (11) has an input device (27) for changing and / or configuring the mapping rule.

22. The remote control device according to claim 17, characterized in that the operating member (11) has an evaluation and control device (23) and an electronic display device (31), the evaluation and control device (23) is used to display a predetermined representation value on the display device (31), the representation value corresponds to the respective setting values of the lens (49) of the movie camera (13), and the representation value is predetermined by the read code (59), the evaluation and control device (23) is used to define a variable position of the representation value displayed on the display device (31) according to the setting value of the lens (49), and the setting value of the lens (49) is the expected value or actual value of the recording parameter of the lens (49).

23. A marking ring (43) for marking control commands for the lens setting motors (15, 17, 19) of a movie camera (13), characterized in that The marking ring (43) is used to rotatably and fixedly couple to a rotatable operating element (21) of a remote control device to set a control command for a lens setting motor (15, 17, 19), or to be removed from the operating element; The marking ring (43) is provided with markings (45) of settable control commands or can be provided with such markings (45); The marking ring (43) has a memory (47) in which an encoding (59) is stored or can be stored, the memory (47) having an interface (63) or being connected to an interface (63), and the encoding (59) can be read and / or written via the interface.

24. The marking ring (43) according to claim 23, characterized in that, The memory (47) is surrounded by a waterproof protective cover (65).

25. The marking ring (43) according to claim 23, characterized in that, The encoding (59) represents an operation data set for the coupled remote control device; the interface (63) of the memory (47) is used to cooperate with a reading device (57) of the coupled remote control device to read the encoding (59) from the memory (47).

26. The marking ring (43) according to claim 23, characterized in that, The markings (45) of the marking ring (43) correspond to a mapping rule for mapping control commands to respective rotational positions of the operating element (21); the encoding (59) represents the mapping rule.

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