Control apparatus, control method, and program
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022174741
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing systems require cumbersome user interaction for setting multiple routes when controlling the photographing range of a PTZ camera, particularly when navigating through multiple preset positions.
A control device that generates a setting window allowing users to set and order preset positions, and automatically creates routes such as forward, round trip, and reverse paths, reducing the need for manual route setup.
This approach simplifies the process of setting routes for controlling the photographing range, reducing user burden and making it easier to navigate through multiple preset positions.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a control process for an image capturing device. [Background technology]
[0002] In recent years, there has been a technology that allows the imaging range of an imaging device capable of capturing images to be controlled by controlling at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom of the imaging device. Such imaging devices are also called PTZ cameras. There is also a technology that allows the imaging range of the imaging device to be controlled by registering the pan, tilt, and zoom positions as preset positions in advance and circulating among the registered multiple preset positions.
[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method of repeatedly controlling a shooting range designated in advance by a user by repeatedly zooming in and out of the shooting range to a first range and a second range. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-15666 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, when there are multiple routes for the shooting range when controlling the shooting range so that it passes through multiple registered preset positions, the task of setting the route for controlling the shooting range is cumbersome for the user.
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the burden on a user in setting a route for controlling a shooting range. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] In order to solve the above problem, for example, a control device according to the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the control device has a generating means for generating information of a setting window in which preset positions of a shooting range of a shooting means can be set, and a setting means for setting a plurality of routes according to a plurality of preset positions set in the setting window displayed on a display and an order set for each of the plurality of preset positions, the plurality of routes including (a) a first route for controlling the shooting range to go around each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction, and (b) a reciprocating second route for controlling the shooting range to go back and forth with a first preset position of the plurality of preset positions as a start position and a second preset position of the plurality of shooting positions as a return position. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on a user in setting a route for controlling a shooting range. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the imaging device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the photographing device and the information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a setting window. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining control of the shooting range. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for controlling a shooting range. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a setting window. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for controlling a shooting range. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for controlling a shooting range. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of each device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings.
[0011] (Embodiment 1) 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment. The system of this embodiment includes an image capturing apparatus 100, an information processing apparatus 200, a display 210, an input device 220, and a network 300.
[0012] The photographing device 100 and the information processing device 200 are connected to each other via a network 300. The network 300 is realized by a plurality of routers, switches, cables, etc., that comply with a communication standard such as ETHERNET (registered trademark).
[0013] The network 300 may be realized by the Internet, a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN (Wireless LAN), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.
[0014] The photographing device 100 is a device that photographs an image, and functions as a control device capable of controlling the photographing range by controlling (changing) at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom. The photographing device 100 transmits image data of the photographed image and information on the photographing range of the photographing device 100 to an external device such as an information processing device 200 via a network 300. The information processing device 200 is, for example, a client device such as a personal computer in which a program for realizing the processing functions described below is installed.
[0015] The display 210 is configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays images captured by the imaging device 100. The display 210 is connected to the information processing device 200 via a display cable that complies with a communication standard such as HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The display 210 and the information processing device 200 may be provided in a single housing. The input device 220 is a device for inputting operations to the information processing device 200, and is a mouse in this embodiment.
[0016] Next, the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is an example of an external view of the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is an example of a functional block of the imaging device 100 and the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment. Among the functional blocks of the imaging device 100 shown in Fig. 3, the functions of the image processing unit 112, the system control unit 113, the PTZF control unit 114, the recording unit 115, the communication unit 116, etc. are realized as follows. That is, they are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1000 of the imaging device 100 executing a computer program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1020 of the imaging device 100, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 10.
[0017] The direction in which the optical axis of the lens 101 faces is the shooting direction of the image capturing device 100, and a light beam that passes through the lens 101 forms an image on an image sensor of an image capturing unit 111 of the image capturing device 100. In addition, the lens driving unit 102 is composed of a drive system that drives the lens 101, and changes the focal length of the lens 101. The lens driving unit 102 is also capable of controlling the focus value of the image capturing device 100. The lens driving unit 102 is controlled by a PTZ control unit 114.
[0018] The pan driving unit 103 is composed of a mechanical driving system that controls panning and a motor that is a driving source, and drives to control rotational driving for rotating the shooting direction of the image capturing device 100 in a pan direction 105. The pan driving unit 103 is also controlled by a PTZ control unit 114.
[0019] The tilt driving unit 104 is composed of a mechanism driving unit that controls tilt and a motor that is a driving source, and drives to control rotational driving for rotating the shooting direction of the image capturing device 100 in a tilt direction 106. The tilt driving unit 104 is controlled by a PTZ control unit 114.
[0020] The imaging unit 111 is composed of an imaging element (not shown) such as a CCD (charge coupled device) sensor or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor. The imaging unit 111 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed through the lens 101 to generate an electric signal. The image processing unit 112 performs image processing such as converting the electric signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging unit 111 into a digital signal and compression encoding, and generates image data that is data of the captured image.
[0021] The PTZ control unit 114 controls the pan driving unit 103, the tilt driving unit 104, and the lens driving unit 102 based on instructions transmitted from the system control unit 113, thereby controlling the pan, tilt, and zoom of the image capturing device 100. In addition, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the lens driving unit 102 based on instructions transmitted from the system control unit 113, thereby controlling the focus value of the image capturing device 100.
[0022] The communication unit 116 communicates with the information processing device 200 via an I / F 1040, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 10. For example, the communication unit 116 transmits image data of an image captured by the image capturing device 100 to the information processing device 200 via the network 300. The communication unit 116 also transmits information indicating the current shooting range of the image capturing device 100 (current pan, tilt, and zoom information). The communication unit 116 also receives control commands, which are commands for controlling the image capturing device 100 transmitted from the information processing device 200, and transfers them to the system control unit 113.
[0023] The system control unit 113 controls the entire image capturing apparatus 100 according to the process executed by the CPU 1000 described later with reference to Fig. 10, and performs the following process, for example. That is, the system control unit 113 analyzes a control command for controlling the image capturing apparatus 100 transmitted from the information processing device 200, and performs a process according to the control command. The system control unit 113 also instructs the PTZ control unit 114 to control changing at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom. When transmitting image data generated by the image processing unit 112 to the information processing device 200, the system control unit 113 also adds information on the shooting time when the image data was captured and information on the shooting range to the image data.
[0024] The shooting range is determined by the pan value (hereinafter referred to as pan value), tilt value (hereinafter referred to as tilt value), and zoom value (hereinafter referred to as zoom value) of the image capturing device 100. The image capturing device 100 in this embodiment is capable of controlling the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value, but only one or two of the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value may be controllable. Here, the pan value is the angle of the image capturing direction (optical axis) in the pan direction 105 of the image capturing device 100 when, for example, one of the drive ends of the pan drive unit 103 is set to 0°. The tilt value is the angle of the image capturing direction (optical axis) in the tilt direction 106 of the image capturing device 100 when, for example, one of the drive ends of the tilt drive unit 104 is set to 0°. The zoom value of the image capturing device 100 when an image is captured by the image capturing device 100 is calculated from the focal length of the lens 101.
[0025] The system control unit 113 also includes a setting unit 117. The setting unit 117 sets a preset position determined by a pan value, a tilt value, and a zoom value. The setting unit 117 also sets an order for each of the multiple preset positions. The setting unit 117 then sets multiple routes that pass through each preset position according to the multiple preset positions that have been set and the order of each of the multiple preset positions. The multiple routes include, for example, a forward loop route (first route), a round trip route (second route), and a reverse loop route (third route). Here, the forward loop route is a route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that have been set in a first direction. The round trip route (second route) is a round trip route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that have been set in a round trip manner, with a first preset position of the multiple preset positions that has been set as a start position and a second preset position of the multiple shooting positions that has been set as a return position. The reverse loop route (third route) is a route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that has been set in a second direction that is different from the first direction. If the first direction is a clockwise direction, the second direction is a counterclockwise direction.
[0026] Next, information processing of the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the functional blocks of the information processing device 200 shown in Fig. 3. Note that each function of the information processing device 200 is realized as follows using a ROM 1020 and a CPU 1000, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 10. That is, each function shown in Fig. 3 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the information processing device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the information processing device 1000.
[0027] The display control unit 201 causes a setting screen to be displayed on the display 210. The operation reception unit 202 receives information on an operation performed by a user via the input device 220. For example, the display control unit 201 causes a setting screen to be displayed on the display 210, and the operation reception unit 202 receives information on a user operation on a GUI displayed on the display 210. The system control unit 203 transmits a control command to the imaging device 100 via the communication unit 204 in response to the user operation.
[0028] The communication unit 204 transmits a control command for the photographing device 100 to the photographing device 100 via an I / F 1040, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 10. The communication unit 204 also receives image data transmitted from the photographing device 100 and responses from the photographing device 100 to commands transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the photographing device 100, and transmits these to the system control unit 203.
[0029] The system control unit 203 generates a control command based on the user operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 202, and transmits the control command to the photographing device 100 via the communication unit 204. Furthermore, when the received image data is encoded, the system control unit 203 decodes the encoded image data to obtain an image (an image captured by the photographing device 100), and the display control unit 201 causes the display 210 to display the image.
[0030] Hereinafter, a setting window generated by the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Note that in this embodiment, information on the setting window is generated by the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100, but it may be generated by the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200. Also, the setting window generated by the system control unit 113 (or the system control unit 203) is displayed on the display 210 by the display control unit 201. Note that when information on the setting window is generated by the system control unit 113, the information on the setting window is transmitted to the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 116, and the display control unit 201 causes the setting window to be displayed on the display 210.
[0031] The image area 401 of the setting window 400 includes an image captured by the imaging device 100. The route No. area 402 can store a set of multiple preset positions. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the route No. 1 selected in the route No. area 402 is the currently selected object, and preset position A, preset position B, and preset position C are set in that order in the imaging route No. 1. If another number (e.g., No. 2) is selected in the route No. area 402, another preset position can be recorded in association with the other number. Each preset position is recorded in association with a pan value, a tilt value, and a zoom value. The setting unit 117 sets each preset position based on a user operation on the setting window displayed on the display, and the storage unit 115 records information on each preset position (information on the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value of each preset position). In this way, multiple preset positions can be set based on a user operation on the setting window 400. As shown in the order setting area 403, a plurality of preset positions are set, with preset position A being first in order, preset position B being second in order, and preset position C being third in order from the top. The setting unit 117 can change (set) the order of each preset position in response to a user operation for rearranging the order of the preset positions in the order setting area 403. For example, assume that preset position B is arranged above preset position A and preset position C is arranged below preset position A by a user operation in the order setting area 403. In this case, the setting unit 117 sets the order such that preset position B is number 1, preset position A is number 2, and preset position C is number 3. In the example shown in FIG. 4, three preset positions are set, but the setting unit 117 may set four or more preset positions.
[0032] The route selection area 404 allows the user to select one of a forward circular route icon 405, a round trip route icon 406, and a reverse circular route icon 407. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the forward circular route icon 405 is selected. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when a certain route icon is selected in a state in which each preset position is set, information on each preset position and information on the certain route are transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capture device 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the preset position A is set as the first preset position, the preset position B is set as the second preset position, and the preset position C is set as the third preset position. At this time, the storage unit 115 of the image capture device 100 holds information on each preset position (the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value of each preset position) and information on the order of each preset position.
[0033] Here, when the icon 405 of the forward circular route is selected, information indicating that the forward circular route has been selected is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by a solid arrow 504 such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒... (repeated below)". Here, when playback is instructed by the user pressing the play / stop 408 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100. Then, in response to obtaining the control command, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capturing device 100 controls the image capturing range so as to tour each preset position in the first direction (the direction of the arrow 504), which is a clockwise direction, along the route of the set arrow 504.
[0034] Also, assume that preset position A is set as the first, preset position B as the second, and preset position C as the third, and furthermore, the icon 407 of the reverse circular route is selected, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by a dotted arrow 505, such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(a). Here, when playback is instructed by the user pressing the play / stop 408 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100. Then, in response to obtaining the control command, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capturing device 100 controls the image capturing range so that each preset position is patrolled in the second direction (the direction of the arrow 505), which is a counterclockwise direction, along the route of the set arrow 505.
[0035] Assume that preset position A is set as the first, preset position B as the second, and preset position C as the third, and furthermore, a round trip route icon 406 is selected, as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by an arrow 506, such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502... (repeated below)" as shown in Fig. 5(b). Here, when playback is instructed by the user pressing the play / stop 408 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100. Then, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capturing device 100 performs the following control in response to the acquisition of the control command. That is, the imaging range is controlled so as to travel back and forth along the route of the set arrow 506, with preset position A 501 (first preset position) as a start position and preset position C 503 (second preset position) as a return position, passing through each preset position. As described above, the setting unit 117 sets a forward cyclic route (first route), a round trip route (second route), and a reverse cyclic route (third route) according to the multiple preset positions that have been set and the order set for each preset position. Then, the PTZ control unit 114 executes a process of controlling the imaging range along the selected route.
[0036] Next, a control process by the photographing device 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow of Fig. 6. Note that the process of the flow shown in Fig. 6 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the photographing device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the photographing device 100.
[0037] In S601, the setting unit 117 registers a plurality of preset positions based on a user operation. Next, in S602, the setting unit 117 sets the order of each of the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation. Next, in S603, the setting unit 117 sets a forward circular route, a round trip route, and a reverse circular route based on the plurality of preset positions and the order of each preset position. Next, in S604, the system control unit 113 acquires information on the selected route. Note that, in response to a playback instruction, the system control unit 113 acquires information on the selected route.
[0038] In S605, the system control unit 113 determines whether the user has selected the forward circular route, the round trip route, or the reverse circular route, based on the information acquired in S604. If the forward circular route icon 405 shown in Fig. 4 is selected, the process proceeds to S606. If the reverse circular route icon 406 shown in Fig. 4 is selected, the process proceeds to S607. If the round trip route icon 407 shown in Fig. 4 is selected, the process proceeds to S608.
[0039] In S606, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along a route such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒... (repeated below)" as shown in Fig. 5(a). Note that when a signal to stop the loop is received, the process of S606 ends at that point.
[0040] 5(a), the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along the route of "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒... (repeated below)." Note that when a signal to stop the loop is received, the process of S607 ends at that point.
[0041] In S608, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along a route such as "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502... (repeated below)" as shown in Fig. 5(b). Also, when a signal to stop the loop is received, the process ends at that point.
[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, when a plurality of preset positions and their order are set by the user, a plurality of routes (forward circular route, round trip route, reverse circular route) can be automatically set for the plurality of preset positions, which makes it possible to easily set routes.
[0043] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, it is possible to set the time to stop at a preset position, the speed of movement to the preset position, and the easing between the specified preset positions. Note that in this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same or equivalent components and processes as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.
[0044] Furthermore, the setting unit 117 in this embodiment can set a stop time for stopping the shooting range at each preset position when controlling the shooting range to pass through each preset position according to the selected route. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the setting unit 117 can set a moving speed when controlling the shooting range from a certain preset position to another preset position. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the setting unit 117 can set easing when controlling the shooting range from a certain preset position to another preset position. Note that easing represents the number of change points of acceleration, and the smaller the easing value, the less the acceleration change in the corresponding section, and the larger the easing value, the greater the change in acceleration.
[0045] Next, a setting window 700 generated by the system control unit 113 of the photographing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that in this embodiment, information on the setting window is generated by the system control unit 113 of the photographing device 100, but it may be generated by the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200. Also, the setting window generated by the system control unit 113 (or the system control unit 203) is displayed on the display 210 by the display control unit 201. Note that when information on the setting window is generated by the system control unit 113, the information on the setting window is transmitted to the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 116, and the display control unit 201 causes the setting window to be displayed on the display 210.
[0046] In addition, an image area 701, a route No. area 702, and an order setting area 703 in the setting window 700 are similar to the image area 401, the route No. area 402, and the order setting area 403 in Fig. 4, and therefore their explanation will be omitted. In addition, a route selection area 704 including icons 705, 706, and 707 in Fig. 7 is similar to the route selection area 404 including icons 405, 406, and 407 shown in Fig. 4, and therefore its explanation will be omitted.
[0047] Here, in the stop time area 709, when the shooting range reaches a corresponding preset position, the user can specify a stop time at that preset position before moving to the next preset position. For example, the example shown in FIG. 7 indicates that 5 seconds is specified at preset position B. Information on this specified stop time is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the shooting device 100, and the setting unit 117 sets a stop time of 5 seconds for preset position B. This process is also executed for preset position A and preset position C in the same way.
[0048] In the specified section area 710, a section from a specified preset position to another preset position is displayed. In FIG. 7, from the top, "a section between preset position A and preset position B", "a section between preset position B and preset position C", and "a section between preset position C and preset position A" are displayed. Here, in the movement speed area 711, the user can specify the movement speed of the shooting range when controlling the shooting range on the corresponding section. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a movement speed of 10 is set for the "section between preset position A and preset position B". In this case, when controlling the shooting range from preset position A to preset position B, or when controlling the shooting range from preset position B to preset position A, the shooting range is controlled at a movement speed of 10. In this embodiment, the maximum speed is 30 and the minimum speed is 0 as the movement speed for controlling each of pan, tilt, and zoom. In the easing setting area 712, the user can specify easing when controlling the shooting range on the corresponding section. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, easing 0 is set for the "section between preset position A and preset position B". In this case, when controlling the imaging range from preset position A to preset position B, or when controlling the imaging range from preset position B to preset position A, the imaging range is controlled with the acceleration kept constant.
[0049] Next, route switching processing of the loop function of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. Note that the processing of the flow shown in Fig. 8 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the photographing device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the photographing device 100.
[0050] In S801, the setting unit 117 registers a plurality of preset positions based on a user operation. Next, in S802, the setting unit 117 sets the order of each of the plurality of preset positions based on the user operation. Next, in S803, the setting unit 117 sets a stop time at each preset position based on the user operation. Next, in S805, the setting unit 117 sets easing at each preset position based on the user operation. Next, in S806, the setting unit 117 sets a forward circular route, a round trip route, and a reverse circular route based on the plurality of preset positions and the order of each preset position. Next, in S807, the system control unit 113 acquires information on the selected route.
[0051] In S808, the system control unit 113 determines whether the user has selected the forward circular route, the round trip route, or the reverse circular route based on the information acquired in S807. If the forward circular route icon 705 is selected, the process proceeds to S809. If the reverse circular route icon 706 is selected, the process proceeds to S810. If the round trip route icon 707 is selected, the process proceeds to S811.
[0052] In S809, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along a route such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒... (repeated below)" as shown in Fig. 5(a). At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 temporarily stops the shooting range for the stop time set at each preset position and controls to the next preset position. The PTZ control unit 114 also controls the shooting range with the easing and movement speed set for the section of each preset position. When a loop stop signal is received, the process of S809 ends at that point.
[0053] Also, in S810, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along the route of "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒... (repeated below)" as shown in Fig. 5(a). At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 temporarily stops the shooting range for the stop time set at each preset position and controls to the next preset position. Also, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range with the easing and movement speed set in the section of each preset position. Note that when a loop stop signal is received, the process of S810 ends at that point.
[0054] In S811, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along a route such as "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502... (repeated below)" as shown in Fig. 5(b). At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 temporarily stops the shooting range for the stop time set at each preset position and controls to the next preset position. The PTZ control unit 114 also controls the shooting range with the easing and movement speed set for the section of each preset position. Also, when a stop signal is received, the process ends at that point.
[0055] As described above, in this embodiment, when a plurality of preset positions and their order are set by the user, a plurality of routes (forward circular route, round trip route, reverse circular route) can be automatically set for the plurality of preset positions. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stop time, moving speed, and easing can also be set.
[0056] (Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, in addition to the processing of embodiment 1, the route can be changed while the shooting range is being controlled along the selected route. Note that in this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and components and processing that are the same as or equivalent to those in embodiment 1 will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.
[0057] The processing of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the setting window 400 in Fig. 4 and the processing flow in Fig. 9. Note that the processing flow shown in Fig. 9 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the photographing device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the photographing device 100.
[0058] Note that the process of the flow in FIG. 9 shows an example in which, after the shooting range reaches the preset position C, the route for controlling the shooting range is changed by the user.
[0059] The processes of S901 to S905 are the same as those of S601 to S605, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in S905, it is assumed that the forward cyclic route is selected, and the process proceeds to S906. Then, in S906, in the process of controlling the shooting range on the forward cyclic route, it is assumed that the route is changed to the reverse cyclic route by a user operation on the route selection area 404 after the shooting range reaches the preset position C. At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 proceeds to the process of S908, controls the shooting range to the preset position B, and then controls the shooting range on the reverse cyclic route of "preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ . . . (repeated below)". Also, it is assumed that in S906, in the process of controlling the shooting range on the forward cyclic route, it is assumed that the route is changed to the round trip route by a user operation on the route selection area 404 after the shooting range reaches the preset position C. At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 transitions to the processing of S909, controls the shooting range to preset position B, and then controls the shooting range along a round trip route of "preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒... (repeated below)."
[0060] In the above description, the route is changed when the shooting range reaches preset position C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The route may be changed when the shooting range reaches another preset position.
[0061] As described above, according to the process of this embodiment, even while the shooting range is being controlled along a certain route, it is possible to adaptively switch to another route in response to a user operation.
[0062] (Other embodiments) Next, a hardware configuration of the photographing device 100 for realizing each function of each embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the photographing device 100 will be described, but the information processing device 200 is also realized by a similar hardware configuration.
[0063] The imaging device 100 in this embodiment includes a CPU 1000 , a RAM 1010 , a ROM 1020 , a HDD 1030 , and an I / F 1040 .
[0064] The CPU 1000 is a central processing unit that controls the imaging device 100. The RAM 1010 temporarily stores computer programs executed by the CPU 1000. The RAM 1010 also provides a work area used when the CPU 1000 executes processing. The RAM 1010 also functions as, for example, a frame memory or a buffer memory.
[0065] The ROM 1020 stores programs and the like that are used by the CPU 1000 to control the image capturing apparatus 100. The HDD 1030 is a storage device that records image data and the like.
[0066] The I / F 1040 communicates with external devices via the network 300 in accordance with TCP / IP, HTTP, or the like.
[0067] In the above-described embodiments, an example is described in which the CPU 1000 executes the processing, but at least a part of the processing of the CPU 1000 may be executed by dedicated hardware. For example, the processing of reading the program code from the ROM 1020 and loading it in the RAM 1010 may be executed by a DMA (Direct Memory Access) functioning as a transfer device.
[0068] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which one or more processors read and execute a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. The program may be supplied to a system or device having a processor via a network or a storage medium. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. Each unit of the imaging device 100 may be realized by hardware shown in FIG. 10, or by software.
[0069] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the above embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the technical concept or main features of the present invention. For example, combinations of the respective embodiments are also included in the disclosure of this specification. [Explanation of symbols]
[0070] 100 Imaging Device 200 Information processing device 210 Display 220 Input Devices 300 Network
Claims
1. a generating means for generating information on a setting window in which a preset position of a photographing range of the photographing means can be set; a setting means for setting a plurality of routes in accordance with a plurality of preset positions set in the setting window displayed on a display, The plurality of routes include: a first route that travels around each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction; a second route that travels back and forth using a first preset position among the plurality of preset positions as a start position and a second preset position among the plurality of photographing positions as a return position; A control device comprising:
2. The plurality of routes include:
2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: the first route, the second route, and a third route that travels around each of the plurality of preset positions in a second direction different from the first direction.
3. 3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the one direction is a clockwise direction and the second direction is a counterclockwise direction.
4. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting means sets a stop time for each of the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation.
5. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting means sets a moving speed of the imaging range in a section between a certain preset position and another preset position included in the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation.
6. The setting means sets the plurality of routes based on the order of each of the plurality of preset positions, the first route circulates through each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction starting from a first preset position, the second route is a round trip between a preset position having a first order and a preset position having a larger order and the second preset position; 2. The control device according to claim 1.
7. The plurality of routes are:
7. The control device according to claim 6, further comprising: the first route, the second route, and a third route that travels from a first preset position to each of the plurality of preset positions in a second direction different from the first direction.
8. The control device described in Claim 1, characterized in that the setting means sets the pan values, tilt values, and zoom values of the multiple preset positions based on user operation.
9. A control device as described in claim 1, characterized in that it further has a control means for controlling the imaging means via one of the multiple routes based on user operation.
10. a generating step of generating information on a setting window in which a preset position of a photographing range of the photographing means can be set; a setting means for setting a plurality of routes in accordance with a plurality of preset positions set in a setting window displayed on a display; The plurality of routes include: a first route that travels around each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction; a second route that travels back and forth using a first preset position among the plurality of preset positions as a start position and a second preset position among the plurality of photographing positions as a return position; A control method comprising:
11. A generating step of generating information on a setting window in which a preset position of a photographing range of a photographing means can be set; a setting means for setting a plurality of routes in accordance with a plurality of preset positions set in a setting window displayed on a display; The plurality of routes include: a first route that travels around each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction; a second route that travels back and forth using a first preset position among the plurality of preset positions as a start position and a second preset position among the plurality of photographing positions as a return position; A program for causing a computer to execute a control method comprising: