Imaging device, control method for imaging device, and program

Abstract

This allows users to recognize when the return video feed changes. [Solution] The imaging device includes an imaging unit, an input means for receiving return video from an external device, a display control means for controlling the display of captured video or return video obtained by imaging the imaging unit on a display device, and a change information acquisition means for acquiring change information indicating a change in the signal source of the return video. The display control means controls the display to show a predetermined notification indicating that the return video can be displayed while the captured video is being displayed, and controls the display to change the display format of the predetermined notification according to the result of acquiring change information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to control technology for an imaging apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] Imaging apparatuses such as video cameras used in video production sites may have a function of displaying a video input from another imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a return video), in addition to a function of displaying a captured video captured by the apparatus (referred to as a camera video). An example of use of a return video is as follows: when shooting is performed with a plurality of imaging apparatuses, a video that is designated to be broadcasted / distributed / recorded at present in a switcher and serves as an on-air video is set as a return video, and the return video is transmitted from the switcher to each of the plurality of imaging apparatuses. At video production sites, videos are shot from various angles of view by using a plurality of imaging apparatuses, and a user such as a cameraman adjusts the angle of view of the imaging apparatus operated by the user based on the return video input to the imaging apparatus. For this reason, the user (cameraman) needs to promptly check the input return video.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which when an instruction to display a return video is received while a captured video being shot by an imaging apparatus is displayed on a display device, the video displayed on the display device is switched to the return video. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-223541 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, the signal source for the return video may switch after the user (cameraman) has last viewed the return video. In this case, the user may adjust the field of view, etc., based on the information of the last return video they viewed, without realizing that the return video has switched. Thus, with conventional technology, the user may not be able to recognize when the return video has switched. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an imaging device comprising: an imaging unit; an input means for receiving return video from an external device; a display control means for controlling the display of captured video obtained by imaging the imaging unit, or the return video input by the input means, on a display device; and a change information acquisition means for acquiring change information indicating a change in the signal source of the return video. The display control means controls the display to show a predetermined notification indicating that the return video can be displayed while the captured video is being displayed, and controls the display to change the display format of the predetermined notification according to the result of acquiring the change information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the user can recognize when the return video is switched. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of an imaging device. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example configuration of the expansion unit. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a connection pattern between the imaging device and the expansion unit. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on a display. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of icon display when the signal source of the return video changes. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the control process for the imaging device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a system composed of multiple imaging devices. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart of the control process for the imaging device of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a notification display when the signal source of the returned video changes. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are not limiting to the present invention, and not all of the features described in these embodiments are essential to the solution of the present invention; these features may be combined in any way. The configuration of the embodiments may be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions (usage conditions, usage environment, etc.). In addition, in the following embodiments, the same or similar configurations and processing steps are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment. The imaging device 100 includes a CPU 101, memory 102, non-volatile memory 103, image processing unit 104, display 105, operation unit 106, external I / F 109, and imaging unit 110, all of which are connected to an internal bus 130. Each component connected to the internal bus 130 can exchange data with each other via the internal bus 130.

[0011] The imaging unit 110 is a camera unit composed of an image sensor such as a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor, a zoom lens, a focus lens, a shutter, an aperture, a distance measuring unit, an A / D converter, and the like. The imaging unit 110 can capture still images and videos, and the data of still images and videos captured by the imaging unit 110 is sent to the image processing unit 104. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, still images, videos, and their data will be referred to simply as "video," and the captured video acquired by imaging by the imaging unit 110 will be referred to as camera video.

[0012] Memory 102 consists of, for example, RAM (volatile memory using semiconductor elements). Non-volatile memory 103 stores video and audio data and other data. Non-volatile memory 103 also stores various programs, including the control program according to this embodiment for the operation of the CPU 101. Non-volatile memory 103 is composed of, for example, a hard disk (HD) or ROM. The CPU 101 uses memory 102 as work memory according to the control program stored in non-volatile memory 103 to realize various processes and functions as described later, and also controls each part of the imaging device 100.

[0013] The image processing unit 104, under the control of the CPU 101, performs various image processing operations on video stored in the non-volatile memory 103 and recording medium 108, camera video captured by the imaging unit 110, and video input via the external I / F 109. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 104 includes A / D conversion, D / A conversion, encoding, compression, decoding, resizing, noise reduction, and color conversion. The image processing unit 104 may be composed of dedicated circuit blocks for performing specific image processing. Depending on the type of image processing, the CPU 101 may also perform image processing according to a program without using the image processing unit 104. After the camera video captured by the imaging unit 110 is encoded and processed by the image processing unit 104, it is recorded on the recording medium 108 as a still image file or video file, respectively.

[0014] The display 105 displays video, GUI (Graphical User Interface) screens and the like under the control of the CPU 101. In the configuration of Fig. 1, the display 105 is a display device built into the image pickup apparatus 100, but may also be an external display device (such as an external monitor, a television, etc.). When the display 105 is an external display device, the configuration provided in the image pickup apparatus 100 itself is up to the interface for outputting the video to be displayed on the display 105.

[0015] The operation unit 106 is an input device for receiving user instructions, including character information input devices such as a keyboard, pointing devices such as a mouse and a touch panel, buttons, dials, joysticks, touch sensors, touchpads and the like. The operation unit 106 may be provided on the display 105. The touch panel is an input device that is planarly configured overlapping the display 105 and outputs coordinate information corresponding to the contact position on the panel surface. When the operation unit 106 includes a touch panel, the CPU 101 detects a user instruction to the touch panel or a state of the touch panel.

[0016] The external I / F 109 is an interface for connecting to external devices and memory cards, and has a connector for connecting a cable. The external I / F 109 includes connectors such as, for example, a USB interface, SDI (Serial Digital Interface), HDMI® (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and the like. The external I / F 109 can also be loaded with a recording medium 108 such as a memory card, a CD, or a DVD, and reads data from the recording medium 108 and writes data to the recording medium 108 under the control of the CPU 101. The external I / F 109 also includes an interface for inputting and outputting video, audio, control signals, etc. to and from an external expansion unit when the external expansion unit described later is attached.

[0017] The external input unit 111 includes terminals for inputting video and the like from the outside via the external I / F 109, such as SDI terminals and HDMI terminals. The external input unit 111 can also receive a return video, which is video captured by another external imaging device (such as a video camera) and set as on-air / on-stream / being-recorded by a switcher. The return video input to the external input unit 111 is developed on the memory 202 under the control of the CPU 101. In addition, the imaging apparatus 100 may be provided with a communication I / F not shown in the figure as an interface for communicating with external devices, the Internet, etc., and transmitting and receiving various data such as files and commands.

[0018] The CPU 101, by executing the control program according to the present embodiment, realizes not only control of the imaging unit 110, the image processing unit 104, the external I / F 109, the external input unit 111 and the like, but also functions of controlling a GUI and an expansion unit described later. That is, the CPU 101 serves as a control device in the imaging apparatus 100. In the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 101 implements at least each of the following functions by executing the control program.

[0019] The CPU 101 implements a display control function that controls the display of camera images captured by the imaging device 110 and return images captured and input by other imaging devices by executing a control program. In other words, the display control function by the CPU 101 includes not only the function of displaying camera images captured by the imaging device 110 on the display 105, but also the function of displaying return images on the display 105. For example, the CPU 101 controls the display to show the return image on the display 105 while a long press of a specific button included in the operation unit 106 is detected. Also, for example, the CPU 101 controls the display to show the return image on the display 105 when a toggle switch included in the operation unit 106 is switched. Furthermore, if multiple display devices, including the display 105, are connected to the imaging device 100, the CPU 101 can also control the display to output the return image only to a specific display device, or to output the return image to all display devices. In other words, the display control function also includes the function of outputting the return image to an external display device via the external output unit included in the external I / F 109. Furthermore, the display control function of the CPU 101 also includes the function of displaying on the display 105 an image stored in the non-volatile memory 103 or input from the recording medium 108 or external I / F 109, by superimposing it on another image via image processing in the image processing unit 104. In this embodiment, the display method of superimposing images as described above is called picture-in-picture. The display size of the image superimposed on the other image is variable by processing in the image processing unit 104.

[0020] Furthermore, the CPU 101 implements a change information acquisition function that obtains change information indicating changes in the signal source of the returned video by executing a control program. Details of the change information indicating changes in the signal source of the returned video will be described later. Furthermore, the CPU 101 also implements a display control function that controls a predetermined notification to inform the user that the return video can be displayed while the camera video is being displayed, by executing a control program. Details of the predetermined notification to inform the user that the return video is being input will be described later. In addition, the display control function of the CPU 101 also includes a function to change the notification format for the predetermined notification when the camera video is being displayed on the display 105 without displaying the return video, according to the result of change information acquisition by the change information acquisition function.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example configuration of an expansion unit 200 that enables the expansion of the functions of the imaging device 100. Note that the expansion of the imaging device 100's functions by the expansion unit 200 includes not only functional expansions that add functions not present in the imaging device 100, but also expansions that enhance the performance of functions already present in the imaging device 100.

[0022] The expansion unit 200 includes a CPU 201, memory 202, non-volatile memory 203, image processing unit 204, recording medium I / F 205, and external I / F 207, all of which are connected to the internal bus 230. Each component connected to the internal bus 230 can exchange data with each other via the internal bus 230. The CPU 201, memory 202, non-volatile memory 203, recording medium 206, and external input unit 208 have the same configuration and roles as the corresponding CPU 101, memory 102, non-volatile memory 103, and recording medium 108 in Figure 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0023] The image processing unit 204, under the control of the CPU 201, performs various image processing operations on video stored in the non-volatile memory 203 or recording medium 206, or on video input from the external I / F 207. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 204 includes A / D conversion, D / A conversion, encoding, compression, decoding, resizing, noise reduction, and color conversion. The image processing unit 204 may be composed of dedicated circuit blocks for specific image processing tasks. Furthermore, depending on the type of image processing, the CPU 201 may perform image processing according to a program without using the image processing unit 204.

[0024] The recording medium interface 205 allows for the insertion of recording media 206 such as memory cards, CDs, and DVDs, and under the control of the CPU 201, it reads data from the recording media 206 and writes data to the recording media 206. External I / F207 includes a main unit-side external I / F and an expansion-side external I / F. The main unit-side external I / F is connected to the imaging device 100 or other expansion units, and performs input / output of video, audio, control signals, etc., between the imaging device 100 or other expansion units. The expansion-side external I / F is connected to other expansion units, and performs input / output of video, audio, control signals, etc., between the expansion units.

[0025] Figure 3 shows an example of a connection pattern between the imaging device 100 and the expansion unit 200. Figure 3(A) shows the state with only the imaging device 100. Figure 3(B) shows the state with the expansion unit 200 connected to the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 and the expansion unit 200 can be connected by connecting the external I / F 109 of the imaging device 100 to the external I / F 207 of the expansion unit 200.

[0026] Figure 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 105 under the control of the CPU 101 in this embodiment. The screen 400 in Figure 4(A) shows an example of a screen displaying the camera image captured by the imaging unit 110 on the display 105. The screen 401 in Figure 4(B) shows an example of a screen display where only the return video input via the external I / F 109 from the external input unit 111 or the external input unit 208 of the expansion unit 200 is displayed on the display 105.

[0027] Figure 5 shows an example of a GUI screen displayed on the display 105 when the CPU 101 executes the control process shown in the flowchart of Figure 6, which will be described later, according to the control program of this embodiment. The screen 500 in Figure 5(A) shows an example of the display screen of the display 105 when return video is input via the external I / F 109 from the external input unit 111 or the external input unit 208 of the expansion unit 200. The screen 500 includes an icon 501 to notify the user that the system is in a normal state where return video is being input, as an example of a predetermined notification according to this embodiment. Screen 502 in Figure 5(B) shows an example of the display screen of the display 105 when the signal source of the return video input via the external I / F 109 from the external input unit 111 or the external input unit 208 of the expansion unit 200 changes (when the signal source switches). Screen 502 includes an icon 503 as an example of the GUI according to this embodiment to notify the user that the signal source of the input return video has changed.

[0028] The icon 501 representing the normal state of screen 500 in Figure 5(A) and the icon 503 representing the changed state of screen 502 in Figure 5(B) are, for example, icons of the same shape, but their notification form, i.e., display form, such as color and brightness, is different. The CPU 101 controls the display form to change (switch) between icon 501 when return video is input and icon 503 when the signal source of the return video has changed, thereby notifying the user of the state of the return video and the change in the signal source of the return video. Note that the change (switching) of the icon's display form may be done by changing the color or brightness of the icon, or by changing its shape, for example.

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the CPU 101 of the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment, which controls the display format of the icons. In the following flowcharts, the reference numeral S represents a processing step (processing step). Figure 6(A) is a flowchart showing the control flow by the CPU 101 when there is a change in the signal source of the return video, while an icon (icon 501) indicating that a return video is being input is displayed.

[0030] First, in step S601, the display control function of the CPU 101 determines whether the image displayed on the display 105 is a camera image captured by the imaging unit 110. If the CPU 101 determines that it is a camera image, it proceeds to step S602; however, if it determines that it is not a camera image, it terminates the process.

[0031] When the process proceeds to S602, the CPU 101's change information acquisition function acquires return video change information, which indicates a change in the signal source of the return video, from the external input unit 111 or the external input unit 208 of the expansion unit 200 via the external I / F 109. The CPU 101 then stores this return video change information in the memory 102. After that, the CPU 101 proceeds to process S603.

[0032] Here, the return video change information is information that can be obtained when a system like the one shown in Figure 7 is constructed. In the system shown in Figure 7, the cameras 700, 701, and 702, which are imaging devices, are connected to the display device 704 via the switcher 703. Note that the system shown in Figure 7 is not limited to this connection example, and wireless connections using IP, etc., may also be used. Cameras 700, 701, and 702 each transmit the video they are capturing to the display device 704 via the switcher 703.

[0033] The display device 704 is a device that has the function of receiving and displaying video and the function of transmitting video for on-air. The display device 704 selects the video to be used for on-air from the received video and transmits the selected video to cameras 700, 701, and 702 via switcher 703. For example, if switcher 703 has selected the video from camera 701 as the video for on-air, the display device 704 transmits the video from camera 701 as the return video to cameras 700, 701, and 702 via switcher 703. For example, if switcher 703 switches the on-air video from the video from camera 701 to the video from camera 702, the display device 704 generates return video change information indicating that the on-air video has been switched from the video from camera 701 to the video from camera 702. Then, the display device 704 transmits the on-air video from camera 702 along with this return video change information.

[0034] When the process proceeds to S603, the display control function of the CPU 101 determines from the return video change information acquired in S602 whether there has been a change in the signal source of the return video, that is, whether the signal source of the return video has been switched. If the CPU 101 determines that there has been a change in the signal source of the return video, it proceeds to S604; on the other hand, if it determines that there has been no change, it terminates the process.

[0035] When the process proceeds to S604, the display control function of the CPU 101 switches the icon displayed on the display 105 from the normal state icon 501 shown in Figure 5(A) to the changed state icon 503 shown in Figure 5(B). After that, the CPU 101 terminates processing. Furthermore, if the icon is in a changed state, the display control function of CPU101 will not change the icon's display format even if the signal source of the return video changes (switches) multiple times.

[0036] Figure 6(B) is a flowchart showing the control flow by the CPU 101 when a toggle switch operation of the return video is detected by the toggle switch included in the operation unit 106 while the change status icon (icon 503) is displayed. First, in step S605, the display control function of the CPU 101 determines whether the image displayed on the display 105 is a camera image captured by the imaging unit 110. If the CPU 101 determines that it is a camera image, it proceeds to step S606; otherwise, it terminates the process.

[0037] When the process proceeds to S606, the display control function of the CPU 101 acquires return video switching information corresponding to the switching of the return video by the toggle switch included in the operation unit 106 and stores it in the memory 102. After that, the CPU 101 proceeds to S607. When the process proceeds to S607, the display control function of the CPU 101 determines whether a switch operation to the return video has occurred based on the return video switching operation information obtained in S605. If the CPU 101 determines that a switch operation has occurred, it proceeds to S608; otherwise, it terminates the process.

[0038] When the process proceeds to S608, the display control function of the CPU 101 switches the icon displayed on the display 105 from the icon 503 in the changed state shown in Figure 5(B) to the icon 501 in the normal state shown in Figure 5(A). After that, the CPU 101 terminates processing. In other words, when the icon is in the changed state, the CPU 101 does not change the display form of the icon even if multiple changes occur in the signal source of the return video, but when it detects a return video switching operation by the toggle switch, it returns the icon to the normal state.

[0039] In the example described above, a change in the signal source of the return video was notified to the user by changing the display of an icon, but other methods other than icons may also be used for notification. For example, as another example of the predetermined notification according to this embodiment, the status of the return video or a change in the signal source may be notified to the user by the lighting pattern of a tally lamp or by displaying a message. For example, the user may be notified that the tally lamp is off when it is in the normal state, and on when it is on when it is in the changed state. Furthermore, it is not only possible to display an icon and light up a tally lamp, but both may be performed.

[0040] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, an example was given of notifying the user of a change in the signal source of the return video by changing the display format of an icon. In the second embodiment described below, an example of a notification format is described in which the user is notified by displaying a return video change notification for a certain period of time, indicating that there has been a change in the signal source of the return video. Note that the configuration of the imaging device and expansion unit, etc. in the second embodiment is the same as in the above example, so their illustration and description are omitted.

[0041] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the control flow by the CPU 101 when there is a change in the signal source of the return video while an icon indicating that a return video is being input is displayed. First, in S801, the display control function of the CPU 101 determines whether the image displayed on the display 105 is a camera image captured by the imaging unit 110. If the CPU 101 determines that it is a camera image, it proceeds to S802; otherwise, it terminates the process.

[0042] When the process proceeds to S802, the CPU 101's change information acquisition function acquires return video change information from the external input unit 111 or the external input unit 208 of the expansion unit 200 via the external I / F 109 and stores it in memory 102. After that, the CPU 101 proceeds to S803.

[0043] When the process proceeds to S803, the display control function of the CPU 101 determines whether there is a change in the signal source of the returned video based on the return video change information acquired in S802. If the CPU 101 determines that there is a change in the signal source of the returned video, it proceeds to S804; on the other hand, if it determines that there is no change, it terminates the process.

[0044] When the process proceeds to S804, the display control function of CPU101 initializes the notification timer to 0 seconds and starts counting down the time. After that, CPU101 proceeds to S805. When the process proceeds to S805, the display control function of the CPU 101 displays a return video change notification on the display 105, as shown in Figure 9 below. After that, the CPU 101 proceeds to process S806.

[0045] When the process proceeds to S806, the display control function of the CPU 101 determines whether a certain amount of time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed since the notification timer started counting. If the CPU 101 determines that 2 seconds have elapsed, it proceeds to S807; otherwise, it proceeds to S808. In this embodiment, the elapsed time since the start of the time counting is set to 2 seconds, but this may be changed within a range that allows the user to visually confirm the return video change notification. When the process proceeds to S807, the display control function of CPU101 hides the return video change notification displayed on display 105. After that, CPU101 terminates processing.

[0046] If the process proceeds to S808, the CPU101's change information acquisition function acquires the return video change information, similar to the processing in S802, and saves it to memory 102. After that, the CPU101 proceeds to S809. When the process proceeds to S809, the display control function of the CPU101 determines whether there is a change in the returned video based on the return video change information acquired in S808. If the CPU101 determines that there is a change in the returned video, it proceeds to S810; otherwise, it returns to S806. When the process proceeds to S810, the display control function of CPU101 stops the notification timer count. After that, CPU101 returns processing to S804.

[0047] Figure 9 shows an example of a return video change notification displayed on the display 105 by S805. Screen 900 in Figure 9(A) shows an example of a screen where a warning is displayed as an example of a return video change notification when the signal source of the input return video changes. Screen 903 in Figure 9(B) shows an example of a screen where the return video is displayed in picture-in-picture format as an example of a return video change notification when the signal source of the input return video changes.

[0048] The screen 900 in Figure 9(A) shows an example where, in addition to the icon 901 indicating that a return video signal is being input, a warning display 902 is shown as an example of a return video change notification indicating that the signal source of the return video has changed. Note that the wording displayed as a warning is not limited to the example wording shown in Figure 9(A), and other words may be used as long as they can notify the user that the return video has switched.

[0049] The screen 903 in Figure 9(B) shows an example where the input return video 905 is overlaid in picture-in-picture format on top of the video 904 captured by the imaging unit 110, as an example of a return video change notification. The return video 905, as a return video change notification, is displayed in picture-in-picture format only when the signal source of the return video has changed.

[0050] Furthermore, the warning display and the picture-in-picture display may be performed either individually or in combination. In the second embodiment, either the icon display and the illumination of the tally lamp described in the first embodiment, or both, may also be performed.

[0051] As explained above, according to the first and second embodiments, the user can recognize when the signal source of the returned video has switched after checking the returned video. In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the CPU 101 within the imaging device performs processing related to notifications in response to changes in the signal source of the returned video. However, such processing related to notifications in response to changes in the signal source of the returned video may also be performed by an external control device connected to the imaging device. Furthermore, notifications in response to changes in the signal source of the returned video are not limited to visual notifications such as icons, return video change notifications, or tally lamp illumination as described above, but may also be notifications by sound, vibration, etc.

[0052] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. The embodiments described above are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its technical concept or its main features.

[0053] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Composition 1) Imaging unit, An input means for receiving return video from an external device, A display control means controls the display device to display captured video obtained by the imaging unit, or return video input by the input means, A change information acquisition means for acquiring change information that indicates a change in the signal source of the return video, It has, The imaging device is characterized in that the display control means controls the display of a predetermined notification indicating that a return video can be displayed while the captured video is being displayed, and controls the display of the predetermined notification to change its display format according to the result of acquiring the change information. (Configuration 2) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the display control means uses an icon as a predetermined notification and changes the display form of the icon according to the acquisition result of the change information. (Composition 3) The imaging apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that the display control means controls the icon to display in a first display form when the change information has not been acquired, and to display in a second display form when the change information has been acquired. (Composition 4) The imaging apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that when the display control means is in the second display mode, and the display switches from the captured video to the return video in response to a user instruction, the icon switches to the first display mode. (Composition 5) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the display control means uses the illumination of a tally lamp as a predetermined notification and switches the illumination pattern of the tally lamp according to the acquisition result of the change information. (Composition 6) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that when the change information is acquired, the display control means performs a predetermined change notification as a predetermined notification for a certain period of time. (Composition 7) The imaging device according to configuration 6, characterized in that the display control means performs a predetermined warning display as the predetermined change notification. (Composition 8) The imaging apparatus according to configuration 6 or 7, characterized in that the display control means displays the return video overlaid on the captured video as a predetermined change notification. (Method 1) A control method for an imaging device having an imaging unit, The input process involves receiving return video from an external device, A display control step that controls the display device to display the captured image obtained by the imaging unit, or the return image input by the input step, A change information acquisition step, which acquires change information indicating a change in the signal source of the return video, It has, A control method for an imaging device, characterized in that the display control step involves controlling the device to display a predetermined notification indicating that a return video can be displayed while the captured video is being displayed, and controlling the device to change the display format of the predetermined notification according to the result of acquiring the change information. (Program 1) A program that causes a computer to function as an imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 8. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 100: Imaging device, 101: CPU, 104: Image processing unit, 105: Display, 106: Control unit, 109: External I / F, 110: Imaging unit

Claims

1. Imaging unit, An input means for receiving return video from an external device, A display control means controls the display device to display captured video obtained by the imaging unit, or return video input by the input means, A change information acquisition means for acquiring change information that indicates a change in the signal source of the return video, It has, The imaging device is characterized in that the display control means controls the display of a predetermined notification indicating that a return video can be displayed while the captured video is being displayed, and controls the display of the predetermined notification to change its display format according to the result of acquiring the change information.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means uses an icon as a predetermined notification and changes the display form of the icon according to the result of acquiring the change information.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the display control means controls the icon to display in a first display form when the change information has not been acquired, and to display in a second display form when the change information has been acquired.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that when the display control means is in the second display state, and the display switches from the captured video to the return video in response to an instruction from the user, the icon switches to the first display state.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means uses the illumination of a tally lamp as a predetermined notification and switches the illumination pattern of the tally lamp according to the acquisition result of the change information.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the change information is acquired, the display control means performs a predetermined change notification as a predetermined notification for a certain period of time.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, characterized in that the display control means performs a predetermined warning display as the predetermined change notification.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the display control means displays the return video overlaid on the captured video as a predetermined change notification.

9. A control method for an imaging device having an imaging unit, The input process involves receiving return video from an external device, A display control step that controls the display device to display the captured image obtained by the imaging unit, or the return image input by the input step, A change information acquisition step, which acquires change information indicating a change in the signal source of the return video, It has, A control method for an imaging device, characterized in that the display control step involves controlling the device to display a predetermined notification indicating that a return video can be displayed while the captured video is being displayed, and controlling the device to change the display format of the predetermined notification according to the result of acquiring the change information.

10. Computers, An input means for receiving return video from an external device, A display control means controls the display device to display captured video obtained by the imaging unit, or return video input by the input means, A change information acquisition means for acquiring change information that indicates a change in the signal source of the return video, It has, The display control means is a program that controls the display of a predetermined notification indicating that a return video can be displayed while the captured video is being displayed, and controls the display of the predetermined notification to change its display format according to the result of acquiring the change information.

Images