Imaging apparatus, control method for imaging apparatus and computer program

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus capable of performing drive control suitable for each of horizontal imaging and vertical imaging on a drive unit which rotationally drives an imaging unit.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus is capable of performing horizontal imaging and vertical imaging by changing an installation state and comprises: imaging means; first drive means which rotates the imaging means around a first rotation axis; second drive means which rotates the imaging means around a second rotation axis; drive control means which controls the first drive means and the second drive means; determination means which determines whether the imaging apparatus is installed so as to perform the horizontal imaging or installed so as to perform the vertical imaging; and decision means which decides at least one of driving speed, drive acceleration / deceleration and driving current of the first drive means and the second drive means, based on a determination result of the determination means. On the basis of a decision result decided by the decision means, the drive control means controls the first drive means and the second drive means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device capable of taking both horizontal and vertical photographs. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of smartphones, the demand for vertical videos is increasing, and imaging devices are also required to support vertical shooting (shooting vertical videos). One method of creating vertical videos is to create vertical videos by cropping a vertical image in an imaging device that shoots horizontally (shoots horizontal videos). However, this method has the disadvantage that the number of pixels decreases when cropping. Another method of shooting vertically is to rotate the orientation of an imaging device that shoots horizontally while placed on a horizontal surface such as the ground or a table by 90 degrees to support vertical shooting. This method does not require cropping, so the number of pixels does not decrease. Therefore, it is expected that this method will be used more often to support vertical shooting in the future. Also, in the case of vertical shooting and horizontal shooting, in other words, when the posture of the imaging device is different, it is necessary to perform drive control suitable for each posture.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that the movement speed of the drive system is determined based on attitude information of the imaging device and information on the power required by the drive system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-67604 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses drive control based on attitude information of an imaging device, but does not assume drive control corresponding to each of horizontal and vertical shooting. Therefore, with the technology of Patent Document 1, for example, when the attitude of the imaging device is changed from a state for horizontal shooting to a state for vertical shooting, there is a risk that appropriate drive control cannot be performed for a drive unit that rotates and drives an imaging unit of the imaging device.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of performing drive control suitable for both horizontal and vertical shooting for a drive unit that rotationally drives an imaging unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The imaging device of the present invention is an imaging device capable of taking horizontal and vertical shots by changing the installation state, and comprises an imaging means, a first driving means for rotating the imaging means about a first rotation axis, a second driving means for rotating the imaging means about a second rotation axis which is an axis approximately perpendicular to the first rotation axis, a drive control means for controlling the first driving means and the second driving means, a judgment means for judging whether the imaging device is installed for taking horizontal shots or for taking vertical shots, and a determination means for determining at least one of the drive speed, drive acceleration / deceleration, and drive current of the first driving means and the second driving means based on the judgment result of the judgment means, and the drive control means controls the first driving means and the second driving means based on the judgment result determined by the determination means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device capable of performing drive control suitable for both horizontal and vertical shooting with respect to a drive unit that rotationally drives an imaging unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a landscape shooting position and an image captured in that state, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a portrait shooting position and an image captured in that state. [Diagram 3] 1A is a functional block diagram of a hardware configuration of an image capture system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of a software configuration of an image capture device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of a drive control determination process of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart of a drive control decision process of an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a hardware configuration of an imaging system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a drive control decision process of an imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart of a drive control decision process of an imaging apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart of a drive control decision process of an imaging apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are diagrams relating to driving information of a driving unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which parts not directly related to the present invention are omitted and not shown.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an imaging device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of the imaging device according to the present invention and captured images in each state. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of a landscape shooting position and a captured image in that state, with the imaging device being installed on a substantially horizontal platform that is substantially parallel to the ground. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of a portrait shooting position and a captured image in that state, with the imaging device being fixed to a wall that is substantially vertical to the ground. In this way, the orientation of the imaging device in the state of FIG. 2(a) is rotated by 90° to obtain the state of FIG. 2(b).

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device according to this embodiment includes an imaging section 10, a camera support section 20, and a base section 30.

[0014] The imaging unit 10 includes a lens group, an imaging element, etc., and can capture an image in a desired direction by panning and tilting. The imaging unit 10 can rotate around the B axis relative to the camera support unit 20.

[0015] The camera support unit 20 has a second drive unit 105 that supports the imaging unit 10 and rotates the imaging unit 10 about the B axis. The second drive unit 105 serves as a drive unit for tilting the imaging unit 10 in horizontal shooting, but serves as a drive unit for panning the imaging unit 10 in vertical shooting. The camera support unit 20 is rotatable about the A axis with respect to the base unit 30. The A axis (first rotation axis) is an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the B axis (second rotation axis).

[0016] The base unit 30 supports the camera support unit 20 and has a first drive unit 104 that rotates the camera support unit 20 about axis A. The first drive unit 104 serves as a drive unit for panning the imaging unit 10 in horizontal shooting, but serves as a drive unit for tilting the imaging unit 10 in vertical shooting.

[0017] Each drive unit includes a mechanical drive mechanism including a gear mechanism, and a DC motor or a stepping motor serving as a drive source, and further includes an encoder for detecting the rotation angle.

[0018] Here, horizontal and vertical shooting will be explained. As shown in Fig. 2(a), shooting a subject with an imaging device installed on a substantially horizontal stand is called horizontal shooting (shooting). As shown in Fig. 2(b), shooting a subject with an imaging device fixed to a horizontal and substantially vertical wall is called vertical shooting (shooting). In other words, by rotating the orientation of the imaging device installed on a substantially horizontal stand by 90°, the imaging element also rotates by 90°, enabling vertical shooting.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2(a), when the image is shot horizontally, the long side of the image is horizontal, and the aspect ratio of the image is 4:3. As shown in Fig. 2(b), when the image is shot vertically, the long side of the image is vertical (gravity), and the aspect ratio of the image is 3:4.

[0020] For example, even if only a part of a person (such as the upper body) is captured in landscape mode, the entire body can be captured in portrait mode. In this way, depending on the use case, portrait mode may be more suitable than landscape mode.

[0021] In this embodiment, as described above, the driving unit for panning the imaging unit 10 in horizontal shooting becomes the driving unit for tilting the imaging unit 10 in vertical shooting. Conversely, the driving unit for tilting the imaging unit 10 in horizontal shooting becomes the driving unit for panning the imaging unit 10 in vertical shooting.

[0022] Therefore, the drive for pan rotation in horizontal shooting and the drive for tilt rotation in vertical shooting are referred to as the first drive. The rotation axis in the first drive is the first rotation axis (A axis in FIG. 1). Moreover, the drive for tilt rotation in horizontal shooting and the drive for pan rotation in vertical shooting are referred to as the second drive. The rotation axis in the second drive is the second rotation axis (B axis in FIG. 1). Moreover, as described above, the drive unit that performs the first drive is referred to as the first drive unit 104, and the drive unit that performs the second drive is referred to as the second drive unit.

[0023] In other words, the first rotation axis is the pan rotation axis that is the center of pan rotation in landscape shooting and the tilt rotation axis that is the center of tilt rotation in portrait shooting, while the second rotation axis is the tilt rotation axis that is the center of tilt rotation in landscape shooting and the pan rotation axis that is the center of pan rotation in portrait shooting.

[0024] The method of installing the imaging device is not limited to the above method, and a tripod may be used. When using a tripod and taking a vertical shooting position, the head of the tripod may be rotated by 90 degrees, or an L-shaped bracket may be attached to the head of the tripod and the imaging device may be fixed to the other side of the head.

[0025] Moreover, the drive mode of the first drive unit 104 and the drive unit 105 when the imaging device is installed to take landscape images is set to landscape mode. The drive mode of the first drive unit 104 and the drive unit 105 when the imaging device is installed to take portrait images is set to portrait mode. And, as shown in FIG. 10, at least one of the drive speed, acceleration / deceleration speed, and drive current of the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105 is set for each of the landscape and portrait modes. Here, FIG. 10 will be explained. The information in FIG. 10 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 107, which will be described later.

[0026] 10(a) defines the drive speeds of the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105 for the landscape shooting mode and the portrait shooting mode. The drive speed range is divided into two stages, with speed range A being a speed range from low to high, and speed range B being a speed range of low speed only. Speed ​​range A may include speed range B, or may be a range different from speed range B. When speed range A is a range different from speed range B, speed range A is, for example, a speed range whose lower limit is the upper limit value of speed range B.

[0027] 10B defines the acceleration and deceleration of the first driving unit 104 and the driving unit 105 for the horizontal shooting mode and the vertical shooting mode. Acceleration and deceleration A is greater than acceleration and deceleration B.

[0028] 10(c) defines the drive currents of the first drive unit 104 and the drive unit 105 for the landscape shooting mode and the portrait shooting mode. Drive current A is greater than drive current B.

[0029] 10(d) defines the drive currents and speed ranges of the first drive unit 104 and the drive unit 105 for the landscape shooting mode and the portrait shooting mode. Drive current A (second drive current) is larger than drive current B (first drive current). Speed ​​range A may include speed range B, or may be a range different from speed range B. When speed range A is a range different from speed range B, speed range A is, for example, a speed range whose lower limit is the upper limit value of speed range B.

[0030] The drive control of first drive unit 104 and drive unit 105 based on this information will be described later.

[0031] <Image capture system configuration> Fig. 3(a) is a functional block diagram of the hardware configuration of the imaging system according to the first embodiment. The imaging device in the first embodiment is a network camera capable of pan-tilt driving. In Fig. 3, 100 is a network camera, 110 is a client device, and 111 is a power supply device, and the network camera 100 and the client device 110 are connected via a network 109. The configuration and function of each part of the network camera 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0032] The network camera 100 includes an imaging unit 10, a system control unit (CPU) 103, a first driving unit 104, a second driving unit 105, a main memory device 106, an auxiliary memory device 107, and a network I / F .

[0033] The image capturing unit 10 is composed of a lens and an image sensor, and converts an image of a subject into an electrical signal.

[0034] The first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 each include a mechanical driving mechanism including a gear mechanism, a DC motor or a stepping motor serving as a driving source, and further include an encoder that detects a rotation angle.

[0035] The system control unit (CPU) 103 executes processing using computer programs and data stored in the main memory device 102. As a result, the system control unit (CPU) 103 controls the overall operation of the network camera 100, and also executes or controls each process to be described later as being performed by the network camera 100.

[0036] For example, a system control unit (CPU) 103 executes processing using computer programs and data stored in a main storage device 106 to realize the functions of each functional unit of a signal processing unit 1001 and a drive control unit 1002.

[0037] For example, the system control unit (CPU) 103 enables the drive control unit 1002 to control each of the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105. Specific control contents include the drive amount, drive direction, drive speed, drive acceleration / deceleration, drive current, etc. of the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105. Furthermore, if the drive sources of the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105 are stepping motors, the number of steps can also be controlled.

[0038] The main storage device 106 is a storage device such as a Random Access Memory (RAM). The main storage device 106 has areas for storing computer programs and data loaded from the auxiliary storage device 106, images captured by the imaging unit 10, and various data received from the client device 110 via the network I / F 108. The main storage device 106 further has a work area used when the system control unit (CPU) 103 executes various processes. In this way, the main storage device 102 can provide various areas as appropriate.

[0039] The auxiliary storage device 107 is a large-capacity information storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a read only memory (ROM), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The auxiliary storage device 107 stores an OS (operating system), as well as computer programs and data for causing the system control unit (CPU) 103 to execute or control each process to be described later as being performed by the network camera 100.

[0040] The auxiliary storage device 107 also stores data received from the client device 110 via the network I / F 108. In addition, data related to the control of the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 (speed, acceleration / deceleration, and driving current) corresponding to vertical shooting and horizontal shooting is also stored.

[0041] The computer programs and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 107 are loaded into the main storage device 106 as appropriate under the control of the system control unit (CPU) 103 , and are processed by the system control unit (CPU) 103 .

[0042] The network I / F 108 is an interface that the network camera 100 uses to perform data communication with a client device 110 via a network 109 .

[0043] The network 109 is composed of a plurality of routers, switches, cables, etc., which satisfy a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the network 109 may be any network capable of communicating between the network camera 100 and the client device 110, and the communication standard, scale, and configuration are not important. For example, the network 109 may be composed of the Internet, a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.

[0044] The client device 110 is a device that functions as an image processing device such as a personal computer, a server device, a tablet device, etc. The client device 110 receives moving images or still images as captured images from the network camera 100 via the network 109.

[0045] The power supply device 111 supplies power to the network camera 100. For example, the power supply device 111 is a switching hub (PoE HUB) compatible with PoE (Power Over Ethernet), and can supply power to the network camera 100 via a LAN cable. Note that the power supply device 111 is not limited to a switching hub, and may be configured by a general power supply device.

[0046] Fig. 3(b) is a functional block diagram of the software configuration of the imaging device (network camera 100) according to the first embodiment. Each functional unit shown in Fig. 3(b) is implemented as software (computer program). This computer program is stored in the auxiliary storage device 213. The CPU 211 loads this computer program into the main storage device 212 as necessary and executes it to realize the function of the corresponding functional unit.

[0047] The imaging control unit 1000 controls the imaging operation of the imaging unit 10, and obtains moving images or still images captured by the imaging unit 10 as captured images.

[0048] The signal processing unit 1001 performs coding processing on the moving images or still images acquired by the imaging control unit 1000 .

[0049] The drive control unit 1002 drives the first imaging unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 based on the imaging parameters received from the client device 110, and controls the imaging direction, angle of view, etc. of the first imaging unit 104 and the second driving unit 105. In addition, the drive control unit 1002 controls the driving speed, driving acceleration / deceleration, driving current, etc. of the first imaging unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 based on the determination result by the determination unit 1004.

[0050] The communication control unit 1003 transmits the moving image or still image processed by the signal processing unit 1002 to the client device 110 via the network I / F 108. The communication control unit 1003 also receives control commands (including imaging parameters) for the network camera 100 transmitted from the client device 110 via the network I / F 108.

[0051] The determination unit 1004 determines at least one of the drive speed, drive acceleration / deceleration, and drive current of the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105 based on the determination result of the determination unit 1005 .

[0052] The determination unit 1005 determines whether or not the network camera 100 is installed so as to take landscape shots.

[0053] <Drive control decision process> Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the drive control decision process of the network camera 100 according to the first embodiment. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 is started when the power of the network camera 100 is turned on. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 is realized by the system control unit (CPU) 103 of the network camera 100 executing a computer program stored in the auxiliary storage device 106 of the network camera 100.

[0054] In step S101, the system control unit 103 determines whether or not the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. When the user has completed the installation of the network camera 100, he or she presses a button (not shown) provided on the network camera 100. If the system control unit 103 determines that the button has been pressed, it determines that the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. The user presses the button when the network camera 100 is placed on a substantially horizontal stand for horizontal shooting or when the network camera 100 is fixed to a substantially vertical wall for vertical shooting. Two types of buttons are provided for inputting when the installation of the network camera 100 is completed, corresponding to vertical shooting and horizontal shooting.

[0055] When the user has completed the installation of the network camera 100, information indicating that the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed may be input via the client device 110. Specifically, a button to be pressed when the installation is completed is displayed on the GUI of the client device 110. Then, when the network camera 100 receives information indicating that the button has been pressed, it determines that the installation has been completed. The buttons are provided to correspond to portrait shooting and landscape shooting, respectively.

[0056] If the system control unit 103 determines that the installation of the network camera 100 is complete, the process proceeds to S102. If the system control unit 103 does not determine that the installation of the network camera 100 is complete, the process returns to S101. In other words, the user needs to perform the installation work when starting up the network camera 100.

[0057] In step S102, the system control unit 103 determines whether the installation state of the network camera 100 is a state for landscape shooting based on the installation information, which is information indicating whether the shooting is landscape or portrait. In this embodiment, the installation information (input information) is input by the user. Specifically, the installation information (input information) is information based on the type of button pressed when the user completes the installation of the network camera 100. The installation information (input information) may not be input by the user, but may be obtained by determining whether the captured image is portrait or landscape.

[0058] If the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is installed in a state suitable for landscape shooting, the process proceeds to step S103; if the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is not installed in a state suitable for landscape shooting, in other words, that the camera is installed in a state suitable for portrait shooting, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0059] In step S103, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be landscape mode. Then, the process proceeds to step S105, where the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the landscape mode (FIG. 10(a)). The system control unit 103 then sets the speeds of the first drive unit 104 (pan direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (tilt direction drive) to both be driven within speed range A. As described above, speed range A is a speed range from low speed to high speed.

[0060] In step S104, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the vertical shooting mode. Then, proceeding to step S106, the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the vertical shooting mode (FIG. 10(a)). Then, the speeds of the first drive unit 104 (tilt direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (pan direction drive) are both set so as to drive within the speed range B. As described above, the speed range B is a speed range including only low speeds.

[0061] After the processes of steps S105 and S106 are completed, this flow ends. That is, in the landscape shooting mode, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 are driven in a speed range from low speed to high speed, and in the portrait shooting mode, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 are driven only in the low speed range.

[0062] Here, the reason why such speed control is good will be explained. The vertical shooting mode is often used when shooting the whole body of a person. Therefore, the subject often occupies a large proportion of the captured image. For this reason, a driving operation to place the subject at the center of the captured image or a driving operation to prevent the subject from being cut off from the captured image is likely to occur via the client device 110, and a finer angle of view control than in the horizontal shooting mode may be required. Therefore, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 are controlled at a slower speed in the vertical shooting mode than in the horizontal shooting mode. This improves operability for the user.

[0063] As described above, in this embodiment, in the horizontal shooting mode, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 are driven at a speed range from low to high, and in the vertical shooting mode, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 are driven only at the low speed range.

[0064] With this configuration, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 that rotate the imaging unit 10 can be subjected to drive control suitable for both horizontal and vertical shooting.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105 apply the same speed range in both the horizontal shooting mode and the vertical shooting mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even in the vertical shooting mode, when the first drive, which is the drive in the tilt direction, is to be driven in a high-speed range, the first drive unit 104 may apply speed range A and the second drive unit 105 may apply speed range B. Also, although the speed range is divided into two stages in the first embodiment, it may have three or more stages.

[0066] [Embodiment 2] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of an imaging device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the second embodiment, in addition to the speed control shown in the first embodiment, acceleration / deceleration control is performed. Note that descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted. Note that the structure of the network camera 100 and the functional block configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0067] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the drive control decision process of the network camera 100 according to the second embodiment. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is started when the power of the network camera 100 is turned on. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is realized by the system control unit (CPU) 103 of the network camera 100 executing a computer program stored in the auxiliary storage device 106 of the network camera 100.

[0068] In step S201, the system control unit 103 determines whether or not the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. When the user has completed the installation of the network camera 100, he or she presses a button (not shown) provided on the network camera 100. If the system control unit 103 determines that the button has been pressed, it determines that the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. The user presses the button when the network camera 100 is placed on a substantially horizontal stand for horizontal shooting or when the network camera 100 is fixed to a substantially vertical wall for vertical shooting. Two types of buttons are provided for inputting when the installation of the network camera 100 is completed, corresponding to vertical shooting and horizontal shooting.

[0069] When the user has completed the installation of the network camera 100, information indicating that the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed may be input via the client device 110. Specifically, a button to be pressed when the installation is completed is displayed on the GUI of the client device 110. Then, when the network camera 100 receives information indicating that the button has been pressed, it determines that the installation has been completed. The buttons are provided to correspond to portrait shooting and landscape shooting, respectively.

[0070] If the system control unit 103 determines that the installation of the network camera 100 is complete, the process proceeds to S202. If the system control unit 103 determines that the installation of the network camera 100 is not complete, the process returns to S201. In other words, the user needs to perform the installation work when starting up the network camera 100.

[0071] In step S202, the system control unit 103 determines whether the installation state of the network camera 100 is for landscape shooting based on the installation information, which is information indicating whether the shooting is vertical or horizontal. Note that the installation information may be acquired based on the type of button pressed when the user completes the installation of the network camera 100, or may be acquired by determining whether the captured image is vertical or horizontal.

[0072] If the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is installed in a state for landscape shooting, the process proceeds to step S203. If the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is not installed in a state for landscape shooting, in other words, that the camera is installed in a state for portrait shooting, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0073] In step S203, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the landscape mode. Then, the process proceeds to step S205, where the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the landscape mode (FIG. 10(a)), and sets both the first drive unit 104 (pan direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (tilt direction drive) to drive within the speed range A. Then, the process proceeds to step S207, where the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the landscape mode (FIG. 10(b)). Then, the system control unit 103 sets both the first drive unit 104 (pan direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (tilt direction drive) to drive at the acceleration / deceleration speed B. Note that, as described above, the acceleration / deceleration speed B is smaller than the acceleration / deceleration speed A.

[0074] In step S204, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the vertical shooting mode. Then, the process proceeds to step S206, where the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the vertical shooting mode (FIG. 10(a)), and sets both the first drive unit 104 (tilt direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (pan direction drive) to drive within the speed range B. Then, the process proceeds to step S208, where the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the vertical shooting mode (FIG. 10(b)), and sets both the first drive unit 104 (tilt direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (pan direction drive) to drive at the acceleration / deceleration speed A. Note that, as described above, the acceleration / deceleration speed A is greater than the acceleration / deceleration speed B.

[0075] After the processes of steps S207 and S208 are completed, this flow ends. In this way, in embodiment 2, acceleration / deceleration control is performed in addition to the speed control shown in embodiment 1. In the landscape shooting mode, acceleration / deceleration B is applied, and in the portrait shooting mode, acceleration / deceleration A, which is greater than acceleration / deceleration B in the landscape shooting mode, is applied.

[0076] As mentioned above, when shooting vertically, it is easy to have to perform driving operations to position the subject at the center of the captured image, driving operations to make sure the subject is not cut off from the captured image, etc. For this reason, the vertical shooting mode can follow the subject's small movements by increasing the acceleration and deceleration speed more than the horizontal shooting mode.

[0077] With this configuration, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 that rotate the imaging unit 10 can be subjected to drive control suitable for both horizontal and vertical shooting.

[0078] In the second embodiment, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 apply the same speed ranges and acceleration / deceleration to both the landscape shooting mode and the portrait shooting mode, but they may be different. Also, in the second embodiment, the speed ranges and acceleration / deceleration are divided into two stages, but they may have three or more stages.

[0079] [Embodiment 3] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of an imaging device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. In the third embodiment, the attitude of the network camera 100 is detected. Note that a description that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0080] 6 is a functional block diagram of the hardware configuration of an image capturing system according to the third embodiment. This differs from the functional block diagram of the image capturing system according to the first embodiment in that an orientation detection unit 207 is included.

[0081] The attitude detection unit 200 detects the installation attitude of the network camera 100 and determines whether the network camera 100 is taking landscape or portrait shots. The attitude detection unit 200 is, for example, a six-axis acceleration sensor, and can detect acceleration in the x, y, and z directions to determine whether the image is taken landscape or portrait. The attitude detection unit 200 may also determine whether the image is taken landscape or portrait by detecting the direction of gravity using a gravity sensor. Alternatively, the attitude detection unit 200 may detect angular velocity using a gyro sensor to determine whether the image is taken landscape or portrait.

[0082] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the drive control decision process of the network camera 100 according to the third embodiment. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is started when the power of the network camera 100 is turned on. The process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is realized by the system control unit (CPU) 103 of the network camera 100 executing a computer program stored in the auxiliary storage device 106 of the network camera 100.

[0083] In step S301, the system control unit 103 acquires the detection result detected by the orientation detection unit 200, and proceeds to step S302. Note that the detection result acquisition process in step S301 is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the network camera 100 was powered on.

[0084] In step S302, the system control unit 203 determines whether the installation state of the network camera 100 is a state for landscape shooting based on the detection result acquired in step S301. If the system control unit 203 determines that the network camera 100 is installed in a state for landscape shooting, the process proceeds to step S303. If the system control unit 203 determines that the network camera 100 is not installed in a state for landscape shooting, in other words, that the network camera 100 is installed in a state for portrait shooting, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0085] In step S303, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be landscape mode. Then, proceeding to step S305, the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in landscape mode (FIG. 10(a)). Then, the system control unit 103 sets the speeds of the first drive unit 104 (pan direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (tilt direction drive) so that they are both driven within the speed range A. As described above, the speed range A is a speed range from low speed to high speed.

[0086] In step S304, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the vertical shooting mode. Then, proceeding to step S306, the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the vertical shooting mode (FIG. 10(a)). Then, the speeds of the first drive unit 104 (tilt direction drive) and the second drive unit 105 (pan direction drive) are both set so as to drive within the speed range B. As described above, the speed range B is a speed range including only low speeds.

[0087] After the processes of steps S305 and S306 are completed, this flow ends. In other words, in the landscape shooting mode, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 are driven in a speed range from low speed to high speed, and in the portrait shooting mode, the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 are driven only in the low speed range.

[0088] According to this configuration, after completing the installation of the network camera 100, the user does not need to press a button (not shown) provided on the network camera 100. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105 that rotate the imaging unit 10 can be controlled to perform drive suitable for each of horizontal and vertical shooting.

[0089] [Embodiment 4] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of an imaging device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the fourth embodiment, the driving current applied to the first driving unit 104 and the second driving unit 105 is controlled. Note that descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted. The structure of the network camera 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Note that the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is started when the power supply of the network camera 100 is turned on. Note that the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is realized by the system control unit (CPU) 103 of the network camera 100 executing a computer program stored in the auxiliary storage device 106 of the network camera 100.

[0090] In addition, the drive current in embodiment 4 mainly refers to a holding current for maintaining the posture of the imaging unit 10 and the camera support unit 20 against gravity, and a drive current for rotationally driving the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105.

[0091] In step S401, the system control unit 103 determines whether or not the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. When the user has completed the installation of the network camera 100, he or she presses a button (not shown) provided on the network camera 100. If the system control unit 103 determines that the button has been pressed, it determines that the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. The user presses the button when the network camera 100 is placed on a substantially horizontal stand for horizontal shooting, or when the network camera 100 is fixed to a substantially vertical wall for vertical shooting. Two types of buttons are provided for inputting when the installation of the network camera 100 is completed, corresponding to vertical shooting and horizontal shooting.

[0092] If the system control unit 103 determines that the installation of the network camera 100 is complete, the process proceeds to S402. If the system control unit 103 determines that the installation of the network camera 100 is not complete, the process returns to S401. In other words, the user needs to perform the installation work when starting up the network camera 100.

[0093] In step S402, the system control unit 103 determines whether the installation state of the network camera 100 is for landscape shooting based on the installation information, which is information indicating whether the shooting is vertical or horizontal. Note that the installation information may be acquired based on the type of button pressed when the user completes the installation of the network camera 100, or may be acquired by determining whether the captured image is vertical or horizontal.

[0094] If the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is installed in a state for landscape shooting, the process proceeds to step S403. If the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is not installed in a state for landscape shooting, in other words, that the camera is installed in a state for portrait shooting, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0095] In step S403, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the landscape mode. Then, proceeding to step S405, the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the landscape mode (FIG. 10(c)), and sets the drive current of the first drive unit 104 (pan direction drive) to drive current B. Also, it sets the drive current of the second drive unit 105 (tilt direction drive) to drive current A which is larger than drive current B.

[0096] In landscape shooting, the second driving unit 105 drives in the tilt direction, which is the direction of gravity, so a large torque is required, and a large driving current is required. In contrast, the first driving unit 104 in landscape shooting drives in the horizontal direction, so a large driving current is not required. Therefore, the driving current of the second driving unit 105 (tilt direction driving) is set to driving current A, which is larger than driving current B.

[0097] In step S404, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the vertical shooting mode. Then, proceeding to step S406, the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the vertical shooting mode (FIG. 10(c)) and sets the drive current of the first drive unit 104 (tilt direction drive) to drive current A. It sets the drive current of the second drive unit 105 (pan direction drive) to drive current B which is smaller than drive current A.

[0098] With this configuration, it is possible to perform drive control suitable for both horizontal and vertical shooting without supplying excessive drive current to the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105, which rotate the imaging unit 10.

[0099] [Embodiment 5] Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of an imaging device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In the fifth embodiment, in addition to the speed control shown in the first embodiment, control of the drive current applied to the drive unit is also performed.

[0100] In horizontal shooting, the second driving unit 105 and in vertical shooting, the first driving unit 104 drive in the direction of gravity (tilt direction), so a large torque is required, and a large driving current is required. In contrast, the first driving unit 104 for horizontal shooting and the second driving unit 105 for vertical shooting drive in the horizontal direction, so a large driving current is not required. Also, as a general motor characteristic, the higher the rotation speed, the smaller the motor torque, so a large driving current is not required. Based on this, in the fifth embodiment, the following driving control is performed.

[0101] In step S501, the system control unit 103 determines whether or not the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. When the user has completed the installation of the network camera 100, he or she presses a button (not shown) provided on the network camera 100. If the system control unit 103 determines that the button has been pressed, it determines that the installation of the network camera 100 has been completed. The user presses the button when the network camera 100 is placed on a substantially horizontal stand for horizontal shooting, or when the network camera 100 is fixed to a substantially vertical wall for vertical shooting. Two types of buttons are provided for inputting when the installation of the network camera 100 is completed, corresponding to vertical shooting and horizontal shooting.

[0102] If the system control unit 103 determines that the installation of the network camera 100 is complete, the process proceeds to S402. If the system control unit 103 determines that the installation of the network camera 100 is not complete, the process returns to S401. In other words, the user needs to perform the installation work when starting up the network camera 100.

[0103] In step S502, the system control unit 103 determines whether the installation state of the network camera 100 is for landscape shooting based on the installation information, which is information indicating whether the shooting is vertical or horizontal. Note that the installation information may be acquired based on the type of button pressed when the user completes the installation of the network camera 100, or may be acquired by determining whether the captured image is vertical or horizontal.

[0104] If the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is installed in a state for landscape shooting, the process proceeds to step S503. If the system control unit 103 determines that the camera is not installed in a state for landscape shooting, in other words, that the camera is installed in a state for portrait shooting, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0105] In step S503, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the landscape mode. Then, proceeding to step S505, the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the landscape mode (FIG. 10(d)), and sets the first drive unit 104 (pan direction drive) to drive with drive current B at a speed within speed range A. Also, the second drive unit 105 (tilt direction drive) is set to drive with drive current A larger than drive current B at a speed within speed range A.

[0106] In step S504, the system control unit 103 determines the drive mode of the network camera 100 to be the vertical shooting mode. Then, proceeding to step S506, the system control unit 103 acquires data related to drive control in the vertical shooting mode (FIG. 10(d)), and sets the drive current of the first drive unit 104 (tilt direction drive) to drive current B and the speed within speed range B. Sets the drive current of the second drive unit 105 (pan direction drive) to drive current B and the speed within speed range B.

[0107] As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the second driving unit 105 in the landscape shooting mode is capable of driving at high speed because it applies speed range A, and is also driven in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the second driving unit 105 in the landscape shooting mode requires a large driving current, so driving current A is applied. On the other hand, the first driving unit 104 is capable of driving at high speed because it applies speed range A, but it drives in the horizontal direction and does not require a large driving current. Therefore, driving current B is applied.

[0108] In the vertical shooting mode, both the first driving unit 204 and the second driving unit 205 apply speed range B and do not drive at high speed. Therefore, in the vertical shooting mode, neither the first driving unit 104 nor the second driving unit 105 require a large driving current, so driving current B is applied. However, driving current B is set to a current that is sufficient to realize high-speed horizontal driving in the landscape shooting mode and low-speed gravity direction driving in the vertical shooting mode.

[0109] With this configuration, it is possible to perform drive control suitable for both horizontal and vertical shooting without supplying excessive drive current to the first drive unit 104 and the second drive unit 105, which rotate the imaging unit 10.

[0110] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] A First Rotation Axis B Second rotation axis 10. Imaging unit 20 Camera support 30 Pedestal 103 System control unit (CPU) 1002 Drive control unit 1004 Decision Section 1005 Judgment section

Claims

1. An imaging device capable of taking horizontal and vertical photographs by changing an installation state, An imaging means; a first driving means for rotating the imaging means about a first rotation axis; a second driving means for rotating the imaging means about a second rotation axis that is an axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis; a drive control means for controlling the first drive means and the second drive means; a determination means for determining whether the imaging device is installed so as to take the horizontal shot or the vertical shot; a determination means for determining at least one of a drive speed, a drive acceleration / deceleration, and a drive current of the first drive means and the second drive means based on a result of the determination by the determination means, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive control means controls the first drive means and the second drive means based on a result of the determination made by the determination means.

2. the determining means, when the determining means determines that the camera is installed for landscape shooting, determines the drive speeds of the first drive means and the second drive means to be a first drive speed; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the determination means determines that the camera is installed for vertical shooting, the determination means determines the drive speeds of the first drive means and the second drive means to be a second drive speed different from the first drive speed.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the first driving speed is faster than the second driving speed.

4. when the determining means determines that the camera is installed for landscape shooting, the determining means determines a driving acceleration / deceleration of the first driving means and the second driving means to be a first driving acceleration / deceleration; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the determination means determines that the camera is installed for vertical shooting, the determination means determines the drive acceleration / deceleration of the first drive means and the second drive means to be a second drive acceleration / deceleration different from the first drive acceleration / deceleration.

5. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first driving acceleration / deceleration is slower than the second driving acceleration / deceleration.

6. when the determining means determines that the camera is installed for landscape shooting, the determining means determines a drive current of the first driving means to be a first drive current and determines a drive current of the second driving means to be a second drive current different from the first drive current; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, when the determination means determines that the imaging device is installed for vertical shooting, the determination means determines the drive current of the first drive means to be the second drive current and determines the drive current of the second drive means to be the first drive current.

7. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the second drive current is greater than the first drive current.

8. the first rotation axis is a pan rotation axis that is a center of pan rotation in the horizontal shooting state, and is a tilt rotation axis that is a center of tilt rotation in the vertical shooting state; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation axis is a tilt rotation axis that is a center of tilt rotation in the horizontal shooting state, and a pan rotation axis that is a center of pan rotation in the vertical shooting state.

9. The horizontal shooting is shooting in a state where the imaging device is installed on a horizontal plane, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical shooting is shooting in a state where the imaging device is installed on a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

10. The horizontal shooting is shooting in a state where the image sensor is arranged so as to be horizontally long, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical shooting is shooting in a state where the image sensor is disposed so as to be vertically long.

11. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination means determines whether the imaging device is installed so as to take the horizontal shot or the imaging device is installed so as to take the vertical shot, based on input information from a user.

12. The imaging device further includes an attitude detection unit for detecting an attitude of the imaging device, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether the imaging device is installed so as to take the horizontal shot or the imaging device is installed so as to take the vertical shot based on a detection result of the attitude detection means.

13. 13. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein the attitude detection means is an acceleration sensor.

14. A control method for an imaging device that includes an imaging means, a first driving means that rotates the imaging means about a first rotation axis, and a second driving means that rotates the imaging means about a second rotation axis that is an axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis, and that is capable of taking horizontal and vertical photographs by changing an installation state, comprising: a determination step of determining whether the imaging device is installed so as to take the horizontal shot or the vertical shot; a determination step of determining at least one of a drive speed, a drive acceleration / deceleration, and a drive current of the first drive means and the second drive means based on a result of the determination step; A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: a drive control step of controlling the first drive means and the second drive means based on a result of the determination made by the determination means.

15. A computer program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images