Patent Publication Number: US-11025857-B2

Title: Camera system, video processing apparatus, and camera apparatus

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/555,276, filed Aug. 29, 2019, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/266,154, filed Feb. 4, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,455,190, issued Oct. 22, 2019, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/497,346, filed Apr. 26, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,237,514, issued on Mar. 19, 2019; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/859,479, filed Sep. 21, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,686,503, issued on Jun. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/291,438, filed May 30, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,172,852, issued on Oct. 27, 2015, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/930,168, filed Jun. 28, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,934,022, issued on Jan. 13, 2015, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/071,718, filed Mar. 25, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,711,253, issued on Apr. 29, 2014, which is entitled to the priority filing date of Japanese application 2010-080360, filed Mar. 31, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a camera system capable of imaging at high resolutions and a video processing apparatus and a camera apparatus that are applicable to this camera system. More particularly, the present invention relates to technologies that are applied when the camera apparatus can output a signal obtained by imaging in a pixel array without change. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     For camera apparatuses (or video cameras) that obtain a video signal (or an image signal) by imaging, a variety of camera apparatuses have been developed with the number of frame pixels largely exceeding the number of pixels specified by normal broadcasting standards and the like. For example, camera apparatuses have been developed that can obtain a video signal so-called 4K×2K signal, the number of horizontal pixels being about 4,000, largely exceeding the number of pixels of an HD (High Definition) signal with the number of horizontal pixels 1920× the number of vertical pixels 1080. To be more specific, cameras capable of handling the number of horizontal pixels 4096× the number of vertical pixels 2160 per frame and the number of horizontal pixels 3840× the number of vertical pixels 2160 per frame. In addition, camera apparatuses have been proposed that are configured to handle a so-called 8K×4K signal having the number of horizontal pixels being about 8000 and the number of vertical pixels being about 4000. 
     These video signals of high resolutions in excess of the number of pixels of the HD signal increase the quantity of data in proportion to the increased number of pixels per frame, thereby requiring the transmission of accordingly high transfer rates. These high-resolution video signals also require the recording processing in a recording system and the monitor display processing in a display system to cope with these high resolutions. 
     Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2006-13830 shown below discloses a system configured to transmit a video signal constructed as a 4K×2K signal from a camera apparatus for example. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It should be noted that, in the case of a video signal having a resolution as high as that of the 4K×2K signal, the number of pixels per frame is extremely large, therefore extremely increasing the load of the processing for generating such a video signal. For example, an image sensor incorporated in a camera apparatus for converting an image light into an imaging signal often has a pixel array unique to that camera apparatus in order to attain efficient imaging. Namely, in the case of an image sensor with the primary colors R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) arranged, some image sensors have special configurations in which the three primary colors R, G, and B are not equally arranged. One of these special arrangements is known as the Bayer array for example. 
     In the case of such a pixel array as the Bayer array, generating a signal of each pixel in a video signal requires the processing of interpolating the output of adjacent pixels in the image sensor. To be more specific, it is necessary to execute the conversion from the actual pixel array on the image sensor into a pixel array of an output video signal. 
     However, executing video signal processing such as pixel conversion processing inside a camera apparatus accordingly increases the load of the camera apparatus, thereby resulting in the increase in the size and power consumption of the camera apparatus. Especially, a circuit for realtime processing a video signal of high resolutions such as a 4K×2K signal requires a very large circuit scale and a very high-speed operation, leading unpreferably to the deteriorated mobility and maneuverability of the camera apparatus. 
     In the case of related-art systems configured to obtain a video signal of high resolutions such as a 4K×2K signal for example, an imaging signal obtained from the image sensor in the camera apparatus is once stored in a recording section in the camera apparatus as file in the form of a signal having the pixel array without change (namely, a raw signal) and then the stored data file is read to be converted by a another apparatus. For the conversion of stored data files, a video conversion system based on a computer apparatus for example is applicable. 
     Converting, after storing this raw signal as a file, the stored data into a standard video signal makes it unnecessary for a raw signal to be converted into a video signal in a realtime manner, thereby decreasing the load of processing. 
     However, the processing configuration in which the conversion is executed after file storage does not allow the user to see the video taken realtime, thereby presenting a problem that this configuration cannot provide a live operation of the system. 
     In addition, if a multi-camera system is configured by two or more camera apparatuses as with a camera system for executing 3D imaging to obtain a video for three-dimensional representation, the above-mentioned filing of raw signals presents a problem of requiring the processing of giving a synchronization of raw signals between the two or more camera apparatuses. 
     Therefore, the present invention addresses the above-identified and other problems associated with related-art methods and apparatuses and solves the addressed problems by providing a camera system, a video processing apparatus, and camera apparatus that are configured to realtime and excellently process high-resolution signals taken by the camera apparatus. 
     In carrying out the invention and according to one embodiment thereof, there is provided a camera system. This camera system is configured by a camera apparatus and a video processing apparatus. 
     The camera apparatus has an image sensor, a correction section, a first transmission processing section, and a synchronization processing section. 
     The image sensor is configured to include pixels arranged in a predetermined array and output an imaging signal having a pixel sequence corresponding to the array of the pixels. 
     The correction section is configured to correct the imaging signal outputted from the image sensor to video data having the pixel sequence. 
     The first transmission processing section is configured to add synchronous data to the video data outputted from the correction section to output resultant data to outside. 
     The synchronization processing section is configured to control a timing of imaging by the image sensor on the basis of synchronous timing setting data received by the first transmission processing section. 
     The video processing apparatus has a second transmission processing section and a conversion section. 
     The second transmission processing section is configured to receive the video data outputted from the first transmission processing section and output synchronous timing setting data to be transmitted to the first transmission processing section. 
     The conversion section is configured to execute pixel interpolation of the video data received by the second transmission processing section to convert the interpolated video data into video data having a pixel array specified by a video format. 
     The video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by the conversion by the conversion section. 
     As described and according to the embodiments of the present invention, the camera apparatus may only output an imaging signal outputted from the image sensor as the video data having a pixel array without change. Therefore, there is no need for execution interpolation processing for example for providing the video data having a specified format in the camera apparatus. 
     In addition, the timing of imaging by the camera apparatus is synchronized with synchronization timing setting data transmitted from the video processing apparatus, so that the timing of imaging in the camera apparatus can be controlled by the video processing apparatus. 
     According to the embodiments of the present invention, the camera apparatus need not interpolate an imaging signal outputted from image sensor to the video data having a specified format, thereby realizing the imaging of high-resolution video without hampering the mobility of the camera apparatus. 
     In addition, video data outputted from the camera apparatus can be converted in to the video data having a specified format by executing interpolation processing corresponding to the pixel array of the image sensor by the video processing apparatus connected to the camera apparatus, thereby realtime displaying the video obtained by the imaging by the camera apparatus is to be realized. 
     Consequently, the embodiments of the present invention can image and display high-resolution video keeping the nature of realtime. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system configuration practiced as one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams illustrating exemplary pixel arrays of an image sensor practiced as the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of raw video data practiced as the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are diagram illustrating exemplary raw video data compression processing practiced as the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system configuration practiced as another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an example in which the systems of the embodiments of the invention is a 3D imaging system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention will be described in further detail by way of embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description will be made in the following order: 
     (1) the description of an overall system of one embodiment ( FIG. 1 ); 
     (2) the description of an exemplary pixel array of an image sensor and raw data ( FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 4B ); 
     (3) the description of another embodiment ( FIG. 5 ); 
     (4) the description of an example in which the embodiments are applied to a 3D imaging system ( FIG. 6 ); 
     and 
     (5) the description of variations. 
     (1) The Description of an Overall System of One Embodiment 
     Now, referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exemplary system configuration practiced as one embodiment of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, a camera system is configured by a camera apparatus  100 , a development unit  200  that functions as a video processing apparatus for processing video data obtained in the camera apparatus  100 , and peripheral devices thereof. The camera apparatus  100  and the development unit  200  are interconnected by an optical cable  16 . Between input/output sections of the camera apparatus  100  and the development unit  200  interconnected by the optical cable  16 , data can be transmitted at high rates of around 2G bits/second for example, which is capable of transmitting data imaged by the camera apparatus  100  without change. 
     The camera apparatus  100  has a camera control section  107  that controls the imaging operations by the component sections of the camera apparatus  100 . 
     In imaging by the camera apparatus  100 , an image light obtained through a lens  101  is formed on the imaging surface of an image sensor  102  and the formed image is photoelectrically converted, pixel by pixel, into an image signal. For the image sensor  102 , a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, or the like is available. The image sensor  102  is a high-resolution image sensor that provides a 4K×2K signal with the number of pixels per frame being 4096 horizontal and 2160 vertical. The pixel arrangement of the image sensor  102  will be described later. It should be noted here that, if the number of pixels per frame is 4096 horizontal and 2160 vertical, this number of pixels is that of video data having a format with this number of pixels finally specified, so that the number of pixels on the image sensor  102  may not match the values of these 4096 horizontal and 2160 vertical. 
     An imaging operation by the image sensor  102  is executed in synchronization with a drive signal supplied from an imager drive section  103 , in which an imaging signal is read on one horizontal line basis in synchronization with this drive signal. 
     The imaging signal outputted from the image sensor  102  is supplied to a raw data correction section  104 . The raw data herein denotes video data in which an imaging signal outputted from the image sensor  102  in a sequence corresponding to the pixel array of the image sensor  102  retains this pixel sequence. Therefore, raw data is different from transmission formats of normal video data in pixel sequence and the number of pixel. 
     The raw data correction section  104  executes the processing on a signal of each pixel of an imaging signal supplied from the image sensor  102  for correcting pixel scratch, vertical stripes, noise, and the like, if any, unique to the image sensor  102 , thereby providing raw data. Basically, the number of pixels of an imaging, signal and those of the raw data are equal to each other, so that the raw data correction section  104  does not execute the processing of converting the number of pixels and pixel positions. However, it is also practicable to provide a configuration in which invalid areas around an imaging signal of one frame are removed to decrease the number of pixels. 
     The raw data corrected by the raw data correction section  104  is supplied to a raw data transmission processing section  105  to be processed for the transmission to the development unit  200 . Here, synchronous data is added to the raw data of one frame and the data attached with the synchronous data is outputted from an input/output section  108  to the optical cable  16 . In this case, the raw data transmission processing section  105  may convert the number of bits for example for the raw data of one pixel. For example, if the data of one pixel supplied from the raw data correction section  104  is configured by 12 bits, then the data of one pixel may be converted into 16 bits. Alternatively, the data of one pixel may be converted in nonlinear data. 
     The data (the synchronous data) entered in the input/output section  108  from the optical cable  16  is supplied to the raw data transmission processing section  105  and the synchronous data obtained by the raw data transmission processing section  105  is supplied to a realtime synchronization processing section  106 . The received synchronous data provides the synchronous timing setting data for setting the imaging timing with this camera apparatus  100 . 
     The input/output section  108  has a terminal for connecting the optical cable  16  and executes the processing of transmitting data over the optical cable  16  connected to this terminal and the processing of receiving data supplied over the optical cable  16 . 
     On the basis of the supplied synchronous data, the realtime synchronization processing section  106  controls the drive timing in the imager drive section  103 , thereby setting the image sensor  102  so as to execute imaging processing with the timing indicated by the synchronous data. It should be noted that the synchronous data supplied from the development unit  200  includes at least a vertical synchronous component for defining a frame period. 
     The raw data corrected by the raw data correction section  104  is passed through a lowpass filter  111  to remove the high-frequency component and the resultant raw data is supplied to a thin-out processing section  112  to thin out pixels, thereby providing video data having a comparatively low resolution. The video data obtained in the thin-out processing section  112  is supplied to an electronic viewfinder (EVF)  113  to be displayed. 
     The following describes an exemplary configuration of the development unit  200  that is a video processing apparatus for processing the raw data supplied from the camera apparatus  100 . 
     The development unit  200  has a development control unit  208  that controls each component units of the development unit  200 . It should be noted that the development control unit  208  is configured to communicate with a camera control section  107  to execute processing in synchronization therewith. 
     The development unit  200  has an input/output section  209  to which the optical cable  16  is connected. A raw data transmission processing section  201  connected to the input/output section  209  executes the processing of receiving the raw data supplied from the camera apparatus  100 . The raw data received and processed by the raw data transmission processing section  201  is supplied to a RGB conversion section  202  to be converted into video data having a pixel array of a format specified by standard as video data. To be more specific, the raw data is video data that depends on the pixel array of the image sensor  102  of the camera apparatus  100  and this video data is converted into video data having a sequence with the pixel array of three primary colors R, G, and G specified. This conversion processing is executed by the interpolation with the data of pixels at adjacent positions. If pixels lacking in the three primary color pixels are supplemented, there occurs a difference in the number of pixels before and after the conversion. 
     It should be noted that the raw data obtained by the raw data transmission processing section  201  is outputted from the development unit  200  without change to be supplied to a first recording apparatus  12  to be recorded therein. 
     The video data obtained by the RGB conversion section  202  is supplied to a color distortion correction section  203 . The color distortion correction section  203  executes the color correction on a pixel basis so as to bring the color reproduction characteristics unique to the image sensor  102  in the camera apparatus  100  near to the actual color reproduction. 
     The video data corrected by the color distortion correction section  203  is supplied to a picture quality adjustment section  204 . The color distortion correction section  203  executes such picture quality adjustment by user setting as white level, black level, and gamma correction. The picture quality adjustment section  204  can change the picture quality adjusted states by externally changing corresponding parameters. 
     The video data adjusted by the color distortion correction section  203  is supplied to a frame synchronizer  204  to be once stored in a frame memory of the frame synchronizer  205 . The stored video data is read with a specified timing to adjust the output timing of the video data. 
     The video data outputted from the frame synchronizer  205  is supplied to a gamma correction processing section  206 , in which the correction processing based on the gamma characteristics of the display apparatus is executed on the video data. The corrected video data is then outputted. In this example, the outputted video data is supplied to a high-resolution monitor  14  to be displayed thereon. At the same time, the outputted video data is supplied to a second recording apparatus  13  to be recorded therein. The high-resolution monitor  14  is a monitor display having a capacity of displaying a 4K×2K signal for example. 
     Also, the video data corrected by the gamma correction processing section  206  is supplied to a down-conversion section  210  to be converted into video data of the HA standard. The video of the HD standard has the number of pixels per frame of horizontal 1920×vertical 1080, for example. The conversion processing by the down-conversion section  210  is executed with a timing synchronized with the synchronous data supplied from a realtime synchronization processing section  207 . The video data converted by the down-conversion section  210  is outputted to the outside. In this example, the outputted video data is supplied to a HD monitor  15  to be displayed thereon. The HD monitor  15  is a monitor display having a capacity of displaying video data of the HD standard. 
     In addition, the development unit  200  has the realtime synchronization processing section  207 , in which synchronization on a frame basis is provided when video processing is executed in each component section in the development unit  200 , thereby providing control so as to prevent jitters from occurring. 
     To be more specific, synchronous data synchronized with synchronous timing data supplied from an external frame synchronization generation apparatus  11  is generated by the realtime synchronization processing section  207 . The synchronous data generated by the realtime synchronization processing section  207  is outputted to the optical cable  16  via the raw data transmission processing section  201  and the input/output section  209 , the synchronous data being transmitted to the camera apparatus  100 . 
     In addition, the video data down-converted by the down-conversion section  210  is outputted with a timing synchronized with the synchronous data supplied from the frame synchronization generation apparatus  11 . Also, the video data outputted from the gamma correction processing section  206  to the outside is the video data of the timing synchronized with the same synchronous timing data. 
     (2) The Description of an Exemplary Pixel Array of an Image Sensor and Raw Data 
     The following describes the imaging processing to be executed in the system configuration shown in  FIG. 1  with reference to  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 2A  shows an exemplary pixel array of the image sensor  102  of the camera apparatus  100 . In this example, the pixels of the three primary colors are arranged in a Bayer array. To be more specific, on a certain horizontal line, red pixels R and green pixels G are alternately arranged on one pixel basis. On the following horizontal line, green pixels G and blue pixels B are alternately arranged on one pixel basis. A pair of these two horizontal lines are repeated. However, green pixel G on a horizontal line with red pixel R arranged and green pixel G on a horizontal line with blue pixel B arranged are shifted in vertical position from each other. 
     The Bayer array such as this results in efficient imaging. 
     A pixel array of an image sensor shown in  FIG. 2B  an example in which the pixels of three primary colors are simply arranged for the purpose of reference, which is different from that of the image sensor  102  of the camera apparatus  100 . To be more specific, red pixel R, green pixel G, and blue pixel B are alternately arranged on each horizontal line. In the case of the array shown in  FIG. 2B , the three primary color pixels are alternately obtained, so that the video data for output can be provided with this pixel array without change. 
     In the present embodiment, the raw data generated in the camera apparatus  100  is the video data having the pixel array shown in  FIG. 2A  without change. 
     To be more specific,  FIG. 3  shows an exemplary configuration of raw data. This raw data has a vertical blanking interval (a V blanking interval), a horizontal blanking interval (a H blanking interval), and a video data interval. In the video data interval, the data is arranged on a pixel basis with the pixel array shown in  FIG. 2A  retained. The data of each pixel is indicated by 12 bits or 14 bits, for example, in the level of one pixel. 
     The data in each blanking interval may be configured in the same manner as the data of the blanking interval of normal video data. 
     It is also practicable to execute level compression processing through the raw data transmission processing section  105  of the camera apparatus  100 . To be more specific, as shown in  FIG. 4A , originally, the data of each pixel of raw data is set such as there is a linear correlation between the input level and the output level for each pixel. By contrast, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the bit length may be compressed such that there is a nonlinear correlation between the input level and the output level. 
     If it is practicable to transmit raw data to the development unit  200  without executing this bit length compression, it is preferable to do so. This enhances the computation accuracy in the development unit  200 , thereby displaying the video of higher resolutions and higher color reproducibility on the monitors  14  and  15  and recording this video data on the first recording apparatus  12  and the second recording apparatus  13 . 
     As described above, according to the system configuration of the present embodiment, the camera apparatus  100  can output the video data obtained by the image sensor  102  with the pixel array unchanged, thereby eliminating the necessity of the conversion processing such as pixel interpolation in the camera apparatus  100 . Therefore, the configuration of the camera apparatus for imaging the video of high resolutions can be configured relatively simply. At the same time this configuration reduces the size and weight of the camera apparatus, thereby ensuring the mobility of the camera apparatus. In addition, this configuration contributes to the saving of the power dissipation of the camera apparatus used for the imaging of high-resolution video. 
     The video data outputted from the camera apparatus  100  is converted into the video data having a format specified by the development unit  200 , the video of high resolutions can be displayed realtime with the imaging on the high-resolution monitor  14  connected to the development unit  200 . The recording of this video can also be executed realtime on the recording apparatus connected to the development unit  200 . 
     Further, in the system configuration of the present embodiment, the processing of enhancing the picture quality of video data is executed by the development unit  200 , so that various types of picture quality enhancement processing can be executed without changing the configuration of the camera apparatus. Therefore, the processing based on comparatively sophisticated algorithms that is therefore difficult to be incorporated in the camera apparatus can be realized with ease and the modification of these algorithms can be executed comparatively easily. 
     It should be noted that, in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the two recorders, the first recording apparatus  12  and the second recording apparatus  13 , are arranged; however, it is also practicable to arrange only one of these recording apparatuses. The first recording apparatus  12  records raw data without change, so that recording can be made with a relatively small quantity of data. The second recording apparatus  13  records raw data that have been converted, so that the recorded video data can be outputted without change for display for example. 
     (3) the Description of Another Embodiment 
     The following describes another embodiment of the present invention with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , similar components previously described with reference to  FIG. 1  are denoted by the same reference numerals. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , video data to be displayed on an electronic viewfinder  113  of a camera apparatus  100 ′ is supplied from a development unit  200 ′. 
     To be more specific, as shown in  FIG. 5 , video data having the HD standard obtained by a down-conversion section  210  in the development unit  200 ′ is supplied to a raw data transmission processing section  201 ′. Then, this video data having the HD standard is transmitted to the camera apparatus  100 ′ over an optical cable  16 . 
     Next, a raw data transmission processing section  105 ′ of the camera apparatus  100 ′ supplies the received video data having the HD standard to the electronic viewfinder  113  for display. 
     The other portions are configured in substantially the same manner as the camera apparatus  100  and the development unit  200  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the above-mentioned configuration, the video displayed on the electronic viewfinder  113  of the camera apparatus  100 ′ is the video data obtained by down-converted by the development unit  200 ′. Therefore, unlike the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the lowpass filter  111  and the thin-out processing section  112  required for obtaining the video data to be displayed on the electronic viewfinder  113  need not be arranged, thereby simplifying the configuration of the camera apparatus  100 . 
     (4) The Description of an Example in which the Embodiments are Applied to a 3D Imaging System 
     The following describes an example of applying the imaging system according to the present embodiment to a 3D imaging system with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     In this case, as shown in  FIG. 6 , two camera apparatuses are arranged; a left-channel camera apparatus  100 L and a right-channel camera apparatus  100 R. Likewise, two development units are arranged; left-channel development unit  200 L and a right-channel development unit  200 R. 
     The camera apparatuses  100 L and  100 R are each configured in the same manner as the camera apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  (or the camera apparatus  100 ′ shown in  FIG. 5 ). Likewise, the development units  200 L and  200 R are each configured in the same manner as the development unit  200  shown in  FIG. 1  (or the development unit  200 ′ shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     The left-channel camera apparatus  100 L and the left-channel camera apparatus  100 L are interconnected by an optical cable, over which left-channel raw data is supplied from the left-channel camera apparatus  100 L to the left-channel development unit  200 L. Likewise, the right-channel camera apparatus  100 R and the right-channel development unit  200 R are interconnected by an optical cable, over which right-channel raw data is supplied from the right-channel camera apparatus  100 R to the right-channel development unit  200 R. 
     On the left channel development unit  200 L and the right-channel development unit  200 R, synchronization processing is executed on the basis of the synchronous data supplied from a frame synchronization generation apparatus  21 . The imaging by the left-channel camera apparatus  100 L and the imaging by the right-channel camera apparatus  100 R are also synchronized. 
     The video data obtained by the conversion in the left-channel development unit  200 L and the video data obtained by the conversion in the right-channel development unit  200 R are supplied to a 3D recording apparatus  22  to be recorded therein. Alternatively, the left-channel raw data and the right-channel raw data may be supplied to the 3D recording apparatus  22  to be recorded therein. 
     Further, the video data obtained by the conversion in the left-channel development unit  200 L and the video data obtained by the conversion in the right-channel development unit  200 R are supplied to a high-resolution 3D monitor  23  to be displayed in a three-dimensional manner. Likewise, the video data of the HD standard obtained by down-conversion in the left-channel  200 L and the video data of the HD standard obtained by down-conversion in the right-channel development unit  200 R are supplied to an HD-standard 3p monitor  24  to be displayed thereon. 
     The above-mentioned system shown in  FIG. 6  provides effects of efficiently executing the imaging of high-resolution video for three-dimensional display in synchronization. 
     It should be noted that the monitors  23  and  24  may be normal monitors that are not for three-dimensional display. In this case, one of the channels is selectively displayed or the videos of the two channels are displayed side by side. 
     (5) The Description of Variations 
     It should be noted that the configurations described above in reference to the drawings are illustrative only and therefore not limited thereto. 
     For example, the Bayer array shown in  FIG. 2A  as the pixel array of the image sensor of the camera apparatus is only one example. Therefore, an image sensor having another array is also available. 
     The processing configuration in the development unit  200  may be short of one or more component sections. The frame synchronization generation apparatuses  11  and  21  are separate from the development unit  200 . It is also practicable to unitize the frame synchronization generation apparatuses  11  and  21  with the development unit  200  to generate synchronous data inside therein. 
     The 3D imaging system shown in  FIG. 6  was presented as an exemplary system configuration having two or more camera apparatuses. The present invention is also applicable to other multi-camera systems configured by two or more camera apparatuses. 
     The present application contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-080360 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 31, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.