Control device and control method, imaging system, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of preventing a conflict for control of an imaging device between a plurality of control devices.SOLUTION: An imaging system includes camera controllers 100M and 100S for controlling a plurality of cameras 10A to 10D. The camera controllers 100M and 100S can perform camera control by using a group of cameras to be operated as a unit. The main controller 100M can perform the setting change of the sub controller 100S. The main controller 100M has a setting content not having the overlap of the cameras among a plurality of groups, has a different setting content between a group to be selected by the sub controller 100S and a group to be selected by the main controller 100M, and transmits setting information to the sub controller 100S. The sub controller 100S receives the setting information from the main controller 100M and performs setting or changing for the group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an imaging device by a plurality of control devices.

Background Art

[0002] In an imaging system using a network, camera control and video distribution via the network are possible. Among cameras connectable to the network (hereinafter referred to as "network cameras"), there is, for example, a camera having a function as a web server. By accessing a target network camera with an Internet browser, the network camera can be controlled from the displayed web page. Also, in the case of a network camera controllable by a communication command, it can be controlled by software or a camera controller corresponding to the communication command.

[0003] There is a camera controller that registers cameras used by a user in the same usage environment as a group and can operate the group of cameras belonging to the group collectively. Hereinafter, this group is referred to as an operation group. For example, assume a studio with a plurality of camera operators. Each camera operator can efficiently select only the necessary cameras from all the cameras or operate the group of cameras collectively by registering the camera for which they are responsible for operation in the operation group among the plurality of cameras in the studio. Some camera operators may be responsible only for specific control of the camera. Specific controls include PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) control, image quality control, etc. Also, there may be cases where a plurality of camera controllers control the same camera.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method of classifying cameras into groups in advance. Grouping information obtained by classifying cameras is stored in a display device, and when a user selects one of the group selection buttons displayed on a camera selection screen, the camera names belonging to the selected group and their camera information are displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-216660 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the conventional technology, when the same imaging device is included in the operation groups respectively selected by a plurality of controllers, a conflict may occur between the plurality of controllers. If each controller makes unlimited settings for the operation group, it may happen that the same imaging device is included in the operation groups between the plurality of controllers. Therefore, a competition for controlling one imaging device occurs between the plurality of controllers. An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of preventing competition for controlling an imaging device between a plurality of control devices. Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control device that controls an imaging device in units of a group to which one or more imaging devices belong, and includes communication means for communicating with other control devices, control means for managing group information indicating a group of imaging devices to be an operation target, and generation means for generating group information to be set for the other control devices. The control means causes the generation means to generate group information indicating an imaging device that does not overlap with the imaging devices belonging to the group of the group information set in the control device, and performs control to transmit the group information generated by the generation means to the other control devices by the communication means. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology capable of preventing competition for controlling an imaging device between a plurality of control devices. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, an example of a monitoring system is shown as an imaging system including a network camera and a camera controller (control device).

[0011] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the imaging system in the present embodiment. The imaging system includes a plurality of imaging devices and a plurality of camera controllers. In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which two camera controllers 100 and four cameras 10 are connected via a network. All of the plurality of cameras 10 have a configuration capable of attitude control and zoom control. The functions of panning, tilting, and zooming are denoted as "P", "T", and "Z", respectively. These functions are collectively denoted as "PTZ", and an imaging device having such functions is called a "PTZ camera". The symbols A, B, C, and D attached to the reference numeral 10 of the PTZ camera are symbols for identifying individual cameras 10. When it is not necessary to distinguish between a plurality of PTZ cameras, the reference numeral 10 is used.

[0012] The camera controller 100 can perform control corresponding to a plurality of functions on the PTZ camera 10. The camera controller 100 can acquire video data obtained by shooting with the PTZ camera 10 and also distribute the video data via a network. The meanings of M and S appended to the reference numeral 100 of the camera controller will be described later. When it is not necessary to distinguish between a plurality of camera controllers, the reference numeral 100 is used.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the camera controller 100. The camera controller 100 includes a communication unit 101, an operation unit 102, a control unit 103, a setting generation unit 104, and a display unit 105.

[0014] The communication unit 101 is a network interface unit that communicates with external devices via, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit 101 performs network communication with a PTZ camera or other camera controllers based on a command from the control unit 103.

[0015] The operation unit 102 is a man-machine interface unit for transmitting an operation input from the user to the control unit 103. For example, the operation unit 102 has buttons, a dial, a joystick, a touch panel, etc. The user can use the operation unit 102 to instruct the camera controller 100 to make settings related to the PTZ camera 10, change the imaging direction, etc., and control the PTZ camera 10. In addition, the user can give an instruction to select one or more cameras to be controlled from among the plurality of connected PTZ cameras.

[0016] The control unit 103 is the control center of the camera controller 100 and has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a non-volatile memory. The CPU executes a program stored in the non-volatile memory to control each component of the camera controller 100. Further, the control unit 103 can control the PTZ camera 10 via the communication unit 101 according to an operation input from the operation unit 102. The control unit 103 performs control to display a menu screen on the display unit 105, and when receiving an operation according to the menu through the operation unit 102, it performs settings of the camera controller 100 and control of the connected network cameras.

[0017] The control unit 103 manages camera registration information related to the PTZ camera 10. The camera registration information is information such as, for example, the camera number, IP (Internet Protocol) address, and camera name of the PTZ camera 10. FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of camera registration information. The control unit 103 manages, for example, by associating information of camera number "1", camera name "Camera A", and IP address "192.168.10.1".

[0018] Further, the control unit 103 manages network cameras connected to the same network as the camera controller 100 in units of operation groups. The operation group unit is a management unit for improving the operability when using cameras in the same usage environment. In the embodiment, as group information indicating a group of cameras to be operated, there is shown first operation group information in which the camera names belonging to each operation group are set, and second operation group information indicating an operation group selectable by the camera controller 100. FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of operation group information. For example, the first operation group information includes camera information of "Operation Group 1" and "Operation Group 2". Camera A and Camera B are set in "Operation Group 1", and Camera C and Camera D are set in "Operation Group 2". The second operation group information includes "Operation Group 1" and indicates that the cameras within "Operation Group 1" can be selected. For example, the control unit 103 can perform posture control (PT control) and image quality control of Camera A and Camera B, which have the same operation group, collectively.

[0019] Based on the first and second operation group information output from the control unit 103, the setting generation unit 104 generates the first and second operation group information to be set for other camera controllers and outputs it to the control unit 103. Details of the generation process related to the latter operation group information will be described later.

[0020] The display unit 105 has a display device and displays an image according to a signal input from the control unit 103. For example, the display device is composed of a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight.

[0021] Next, a method for setting operation group information (hereinafter also referred to as "group information") regarding a plurality of cameras will be described. The four PTZ cameras connected to the network in FIG. 1 are distinguished by the symbols A, B, C, and D appended with their reference numeral 10. Also, the two camera controllers connected to the network are distinguished by the symbols M and S appended with their reference numeral 100. The camera controller 100M is the main controller, and the camera controller 100S is the slave controller. It is assumed that the main controller and the slave controller are set according to the user's operation instructions. When setting, the main controller 100M acquires the controller number, controller name, and IP address of the slave controller 100S from the slave controller 100S. FIG. 5 shows an example of the information to be acquired. For example, the main controller 100M acquires the controller number "2", controller name "Controller 2", and IP address "192.168.10.6" of the slave controller 100S.

[0022] Based on the first and second operation group information in the main controller 100M, a process for determining the first and second operation group information in the slave controller 100S is executed. This process starts after the main controller 100M acquires the information of the slave controller 100S (see FIG. 5).

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, the process by which the main controller 100M generates operation group information for the slave controller 100S will be described. In S101, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M sets the first and second operation group information according to the user's operation instruction. At this time, if there is an overlap in the cameras set among the operation groups, there will be a conflict in the control by the controller for the same camera among multiple different operation groups. Therefore, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M sets the operation groups so that the same camera is not selected across multiple operation groups. In the setting example shown in FIG. 4, there is no overlapping camera between "Operation Group 1" and "Operation Group 2". That is, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M sets the PTZ camera 10A (camera name: Camera A) and the PTZ camera 10B (camera name: Camera B) as the cameras belonging to "Operation Group 1". The control unit 103 of the main controller 100M sets the PTZ camera 10C (camera name: Camera C) and the PTZ camera 10D (camera name: Camera D) as the cameras belonging to "Operation Group 2". The selectable operation group "Operation Group 1" is set. The control unit 103 of the main controller 100M outputs the set information to the setting generation unit 104. Next, the process proceeds to the process of S102.

[0024] In S102 of FIG. 6, based on the setting information input from the control unit 103, the setting generation unit 104 generates information indicating the same setting content as the operation group set by the main controller 100M as the operation group information of the slave controller 100S. Also, the setting generation unit 104 generates information on an operation group different from the selectable operation group set by the main controller 100M as the selectable operation group for the slave controller 100S. That is, the first operation group information of the slave controller 100S is the same as the first operation group information set by the control unit 103 in S101 of FIG. 6. The second operation group information of the slave controller 100S is different from the second operation group information set by the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M in S101 of FIG. 6. The content of the information generation by the setting generation unit 104 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8. Next, the process proceeds to the process of S103.

[0025] In S103, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M instructs the communication unit 101 to transmit the generated first and second operation group information to the slave controller 100S as setting information according to the setting content in S102. The communication unit 101 that has received the instruction from the control unit 103 transmits the first and second operation group information to the slave controller and ends a series of processes.

[0026] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the process in which the slave controller 100S receives and sets the operation group information (setting information) generated by the main controller 100M will be described. In S201, the communication unit 101 of the slave controller 100S receives the first operation group information and the second operation group information based on the setting content of the operation group from the main controller 100M and outputs them to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 acquires the first and second operation group information from the communication unit 101. In S202, the control unit 103 makes settings or changes the setting content based on the first and second operation group information acquired in S201, and then ends the process.

[0027] By making the first operation group information the same between the main controller and the slave controller and making the second operation group information different between the main controller and the slave controller, it is possible to prevent competition for camera control due to conflicts between the main controller and the slave controller.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of information generated by the setting generation unit 104 of the main controller 100M in S102 of FIG. 6. The name of the destination camera controller is the controller name "Controller 2" of the slave controller 100S. The operation groups are "Operation Group 1" and "Operation Group 2". Camera A and Camera B belong to "Operation Group 1", and Camera C and Camera D belong to "Operation Group 2". This setting content is the same as the operation group set in S101 of FIG. 6. The selectable operation group of the slave controller 100S is set to "Operation Group 2", which is different from "Operation Group 1", the selectable operation group of the main controller 100M set in S101 of FIG. 6.

[0029] In S102 of FIG. 6, after the main controller 100M generates information indicating the setting content of the slave controller 100S, a process of accepting a setting change by the user's operation input may be executed for the generated setting content. However, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M needs to confirm the following conditions. (A) When accepting the user's operation input, the same camera is not selected between different operation groups. (B) The same selectable operation group is not selected among a plurality of camera controllers. When the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M determines that the condition (A) or (B) is not satisfied, it does not permit the setting change based on the user's operation input.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process in which the main controller 100M accepts the user's operation input. In S111, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M accepts the user's operation input for the setting content generated in S102 of FIG. 6. The user can instruct a setting change of the first or second operation group information. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Next, the process proceeds to the process of S112.

[0031] At S112, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M determines for each camera whether there is a camera that is redundantly set among the operation groups. If it is determined that there is no redundant camera among the operation groups, the process proceeds to the process of S113. If it is determined that there is a redundant camera among the operation groups, the process proceeds to the process of S114.

[0032] At S113, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M determines whether selectable operation groups set by a plurality of camera controllers overlap. If it is determined that the selectable operation groups do not overlap, the series of processes ends. If it is determined that the selectable operation groups overlap, the process proceeds to the process of S114.

[0033] At S114, when the control unit 103 does not satisfy the above condition (A), it controls the display unit 105 to notify the user that one or more cameras overlap among the operation groups. Also, when the control unit 103 does not satisfy the above condition (B), it controls the display unit 105 to notify the user that selectable operation groups are redundantly set among the camera controllers. For example, the display unit 105 displays a warning message indicating redundancy for overlap avoidance (see FIG. 11). Alternatively, notification processing such as voice output may be executed. After S114, the process proceeds to the process of S111.

[0034] FIG. 10 shows an example of a setting change screen of the camera controller. The setting change screen includes a first area where a table similar to FIG. 8 is displayed and a second area regarding an instruction for the user to change the setting content. The display unit 105 displays the setting change screen according to a command from the control unit 103 and executes a process for receiving an operation input from the user. In the first area, information indicating the setting content of each of the main controller and the slave controller is displayed. The second area includes a first operation area "YES" for the user to instruct to change the setting and a second operation area "NO" for the user to instruct not to change the setting.

[0035] FIG. 11 shows an example of a warning display screen when a duplication is found in the setting contents of selectable operation groups. The display screen includes a region where a table similar to that in FIG. 10 is displayed, and a region for prompting the user to perform a transition operation to the setting content screen in FIG. 10. In the example of FIG. 11, since both "Controller 1" and "Controller 2" have the selectable operation group set to "Operation Group 1", it is displayed that the settings of the selectable operation groups overlap. In this case, the user who grasps the display content can instruct the main controller to return to the setting change screen (see FIG. 10) by operating the "OK" in the operation area. As described above, after receiving the change in the setting content by the user's operation input, the main controller can transmit the information indicating the determined setting content to the slave controller.

[0036] In this embodiment, a method of setting the main controller and the slave controller based on the user's operation input has been described. As other methods, there are methods of determining the setting contents of the main controller and the slave controller based on the connection order of the camera controllers to the network, the number of cameras to be controlled, etc. For example, there is a method of setting the camera controller that is first connected to the network as the main controller. Alternatively, there is a method of setting the controller with the largest number of cameras set in the selected operation group as the main controller.

[0037] [Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, a process will be described in which the main controller sets selectable operation groups for each control target function to be set in the slave controller. Here, the control target functions of the camera controller are functions such as the posture control (PT control) function and the image quality control function of the camera. The camera controller can set whether control is possible for each control target function. For example, when PT control is set to be controllable, the setting of PT control, which is the control target function, becomes effective. In this embodiment, for matters similar to those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals and symbols as those already used are employed, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted, and mainly the differences will be described. Such a method of omitting descriptions is the same for the embodiments described later.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the imaging system according to this embodiment. Four PTZ cameras 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D and four camera controllers 100 are connected to the network. One main controller 100M and three slave controllers 100S are shown. In the configuration of the camera controller 100 of this embodiment, the matter different from that in the first embodiment is the control content performed by the control unit 103. The control unit 103 manages control target function information (hereinafter simply referred to as "function information") in addition to the first and second operation group information. FIG. 13 shows examples of the first and second operation group information and function information.

[0039] In FIG. 13, information indicating PT control, which is function information, is associated with camera A and camera B belonging to "operation group 1", camera C and camera D belonging to "operation group 2", and "operation group 1", which is a selectable operation group. The camera controller 100 manages that the control target function is PT control.

[0040] In this embodiment, based on the first and second operation group information of the main controller, the control target function of the main controller, and the control target function of the slave controller, the main controller executes a process of determining the first and second operation group information of the slave controller.

[0041] FIG. 14 is a table showing an example of the association between the controller number, controller name, and IP address for a plurality of slave controllers. The master controller 100M starts processing after acquiring information on a plurality of slave controllers 100S. The controller number, controller name, and IP address of the camera controller connected to the network are acquired. In the example of FIG. 12, the master controller 100M acquires information on each of the three slave controllers 100S.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 15, the process in which the master controller generates the first and second operation group information of the slave controller will be described. Since the process of S101 has been described in FIG. 6, the processes of S301 to S304 different from FIG. 6 will be described.

[0043] In S301, the control unit 103 of the master controller 100M sets the control target function of the master controller 100M according to the user's operation instruction. In the next S302, the control unit 103 of the master controller 100M sets the control target function of the slave controller 100S according to the user's operation instruction. The setting example will be described later with reference to FIG. 17. The control unit 103 of the master controller 100M outputs the function information set in S301 and S302 to the setting generation unit 104. Next, the process proceeds to S303.

[0044] In S303, the setting generation unit 104 of the master controller 100M generates the first and second operation group information of the slave controller 100S based on the information input from the control unit 103. Similar to the first embodiment, the operation group information of the slave controller 100S is generated respectively. Regarding the selectable operation groups, different selectable operation groups are set among the camera controllers with the same control target function. An example of the information generated by the setting generation unit 104 will be described later with reference to FIG. 18. Next, the process proceeds to S304.

[0045] In S304, the control unit 103 of the main controller 100M instructs the communication unit 101 to transmit the first and second operation group information of the slave controller 100S and the set function information. The communication unit 101 that has received the instruction from the control unit 103 transmits the group information and the function information to the corresponding slave controller, and ends a series of processes.

[0046] The slave controller 100S receives the first and second operation group information and the function information generated by the main controller 100M, and executes a setting process according to the information. In the present embodiment, information indicating the setting content of the selectable operation group is generated based on the setting content of the control target function.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 16, the setting process executed by the slave controller 100S will be described. In S401, the communication unit 101 of the slave controller 100S receives the first and second operation group information and the function information from the main controller 100M, and outputs them to the control unit 103. The information received from the main controller 100M includes the function information of the control target function. In the next S402, the control unit 103 of the slave controller 100S executes a setting process or a setting content change process based on the first and second operation group information and the function information received in S401, and ends a series of processes.

[0048] FIG. 17 is a table showing an example of settings for each item of "Destination Camera Controller Name", "Operation Group 1", "Operation Group 2", "Selectable Operation Group", and "Control Target Function". In the column of "Destination Camera Controller Name", "Controller 1" is the name of the main controller 100M, and "Controller 2", "Controller 3", and "Controller 4" are all the names of the slave controller 100S. As shown in the row of "Controller 1", Camera A and Camera B belong to "Operation Group 1", and Camera C and Camera D belong to "Operation Group 2". "Operation Group 1" is set in the "Selectable Operation Group". In the column of "Control Target Function", PT control is set as the control target function of the main controller 100M.

[0049] The control target functions for the plurality of slave controllers 100S can be individually set. In the column of "Control Target Function" in FIG. 17, PT control is set for the control target function corresponding to "Controller 2", and image quality control is set for the control target functions corresponding to "Controller 3" and "Controller 4", respectively. For the plurality of slave controllers 100S (Controllers 2 to 4), the fact that "Operation Group 1", "Operation Group 2", and "Selectable Operation Group" are not set is indicated by diagonal lines within the frame.

[0050] FIG. 18 is a table showing an example of the information generated by the setting generation unit 104. The setting items are the same as those in FIG. 17. The portion indicated by the thick frame represents the portion automatically generated by the setting generation unit 104. The first operation group information for all of the plurality of slave controllers 100S is the same as the first operation group information of the master controller 100M corresponding to "Controller 1". Operation group information representing "Operation Group 1" or "Operation Group 2" is set for the slave controllers 100S corresponding to "Controller 2", "Controller 3", and "Controller 4", respectively.

[0051] In the column of "Control Target Function" in FIG. 18, the camera controllers for which PT control is set as the control target function are the master controller 100M corresponding to "Controller 1" and the slave controller 100S corresponding to "Controller 2". The selectable operation group for the master controller 100M is set to "Operation Group 1". Therefore, the selectable operation group for the slave controller 100S corresponding to "Controller 2" is set to "Operation Group 2", which is an operation group different from the master controller 100M corresponding to "Controller 1".

[0052] Also, in the "Control Target Function" column of FIG. 18, the camera controllers in which image quality control is set as the control target function are slave controllers 100S corresponding to "Controller 3" and "Controller 4" respectively. For example, the operation group in which the slave controller 100S corresponding to "Controller 3" can be selected is set to "Operation Group 1". The operation group in which the slave controller 100S corresponding to "Controller 4" can be selected is set to "Operation Group 2", which is different from "Operation Group 1" set for "Controller 3". The setting generation unit 104 of the main controller 100M outputs the first and second operation group information of the slave controller 100S to the control unit 103.

[0053] In this embodiment, setting processing is performed such that the selectable operation groups are different for each control target function set for each camera controller. Since the selectable operation groups are set so as not to cause duplication including the setting contents of the control target functions, competition among a plurality of camera controllers having the same control target function can be prevented.

[0054] According to this embodiment, by setting the selectable operation groups differently for each control target function of the main controller with respect to the slave controller, camera controllers having the same control target function will not compete for camera control.

[0055] [Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, the process in which the main controller acquires setting information from the slave controller and sets the first and second operation group information for the slave controller set to the same control target function as the main controller will be described. The system configuration of this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 12, and the configuration of the camera controller is the same as that of the previous embodiment.

[0056] With reference to FIG. 19, a process in which the main controller transmits first and second operation group information to slave controllers set to the same controlled function will be described. Before the start of the process, among a plurality of camera controllers on the network, one is set as the main controller 100M by a user operation, and the other controllers are set as slave controllers 100S. After the main controller 100M acquires the controller numbers, controller names, and IP addresses of the slave controllers 100S, the process starts.

[0057] In S501, the communication unit 101 of the main controller 100M receives the first and second operation group information and function information transmitted from the slave controller 100S connected to the network. After the reception, the communication unit 101 outputs information indicating the received content to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 manages information indicating the setting contents of the main controller 100M and the plurality of slave controllers 100S. An example of the information is shown in FIG. 20.

[0058] FIG. 20 is a table showing items of "controller name", "operation group 1", "operation group 2", "selectable operation group", and "controlled function". The name of the main controller is "controller 1". Camera A and camera B belong to "operation group 1" of "controller 1", and camera C and camera D belong to "operation group 2" of "controller 1". The "selectable operation group" of "controller 1" is "operation group 1", and the "controlled function" of "controller 1" is "PT control". Among the plurality of slave controllers, in the slave controller corresponding to "controller 2", camera A belongs to "operation group 1", and camera B, camera C, and camera D belong to "operation group 2" of "controller 2". The "selectable operation group" of "controller 2" is "operation group 2", and the "controlled function" of "controller 2" is PT control.

[0059] When the slave controller is connected to the same network as the master controller and the IP address of the master controller is set, the first and second operation group information and function information may always be transmitted to the master controller. Alternatively, when the slave controller updates the setting content, information indicating the updated setting content may be transmitted to the master controller.

[0060] In S502 of FIG. 19, the control unit 103 determines whether the function information of its own device (master controller) is the same as the function information of each slave controller. If it is determined that the slave controllers have the same control target function, that is, the slave controllers with the same function information, the process proceeds to the process of S503. If the determination condition of S502 is not satisfied, the process ends.

[0061] In S503, the control unit 103 of the master controller determines whether the first operation group information of its own device is the same as the first operation group information of the slave controller. If it is determined that the first operation group information is the same for the master controller and the slave controller, the process proceeds to the process of S504. If it is determined that the first operation group information is different for the master controller and the slave controller, the process proceeds to the process of S102.

[0062] In S504, the control unit 103 determines whether the selectable operation groups of its own device are different from the selectable operation groups of the slave controller based on the second operation group information. If it is determined that the second operation group information is different for the master controller and the slave controller, the process ends. If it is determined that the second operation group information is the same for the master controller and the slave controller, the process proceeds to the process of S102.

[0063] The processes of S102 and S103 are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 6). In S102, the master controller 100M generates information indicating the setting content of the operation group and the selectable operation group of the slave controller 100S. In the next S103, after executing the process of transmitting the generated information to the slave controller 100S, the process ends.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 20, the control target function of the slave controller corresponding to "Controller 2" is the same as the control target function (PT control) of the master controller corresponding to "Controller 1", and the first operation group information is different from that of "Controller 1". Therefore, the master controller generates information indicating the setting contents of the operation group of "Controller 2" and the selectable operation groups. FIG. 21 shows an example of the generated information, and each item in the table is the same as in FIG. 20. The generated information is shown within the thick frame.

[0065] In FIG. 21, the first operation group information of "Controller 2" indicates the same setting contents as the first operation group information of "Controller 1". The selectable operation groups are different between "Controller 1" and "Controller 2". With this setting, it is possible to prevent the "Controller 1" (master controller) and "Controller 2" (slave controller), which have the same control target function, from competing for camera control.

[0066] According to this embodiment, it is possible to handle the case where the settings of the operation group of the slave controller and the selectable operation groups, which have the same control target function as the master controller, are changed. The setting contents of the slave controller are always maintained such that they do not compete with the master controller for camera control.

[0067] [Fourth Embodiment] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the master controller acquires the first and second operation group information of the slave controller and sets the operation group of the slave controller and the selectable operation groups from the operation screen of the master controller. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which six PTZ cameras (Cameras A to F) are connected to a network.

[0068] Figure 22 is a table showing a list of operation groups of the main controller and the slave controller. "Controller 1" corresponds to the main controller 100M. The operation groups of "Controller 1" are "Operation Group 1", "Operation Group 2", and "Operation Group 3". Camera A and Camera B belong to "Operation Group 1", Camera C and Camera D belong to "Operation Group 2", and Camera E and Camera F belong to "Operation Group 3". "Controller 2" corresponds to the slave controller 100S. The operation groups of "Controller 2" are "Operation Group 1", "Operation Group 2", and "Operation Group 3". Camera A belongs to "Operation Group 1", Camera B, Camera C, and Camera D belong to "Operation Group 2", and Camera E and Camera F belong to "Operation Group 3".

[0069] In the example of Figure 22, the first operation group information of "Controller 1" and the first operation group information of "Controller 2" are not the same. In Figure 22, the row of "Controller 2" is highlighted to indicate that the operation groups of "Controller 2" are not the same as those of "Controller 1". The "Controller 1" (main controller) needs to reset the setting content of the operation group to the same content for the "Controller 2" (slave controller).

[0070] Figure 23 shows an example of the display screen of the main controller and is displayed when it is detected that the operation groups of the main controller and the slave controller are not the same. For example, when the user selects "Controller 2" in the operation group list of Figure 22 or performs an operation to return from the operation group list to another screen, the main controller 100M displays the screen of Figure 23. A message is displayed to confirm with the user whether to change the operation group of the slave controller corresponding to "Controller 2" to the same content as the operation group of the main controller 100M, which is the device itself. The user can select the operation area "YES" when instructing to change the operation group of "Controller 2", and can select the operation area "NO" when instructing not to change the operation group of "Controller 2".

[0071] FIG. 24 is a table showing lists of selectable operation groups for the main controller and the slave controller, respectively. The main controller 100M corresponding to "Controller 1" can select "Operation Group 1". The slave controller 100S corresponding to "Controller 2" can select "Operation Group 2". The user can change the selectable operation group of "Controller 2" on the screen. For example, the user can give an instruction to change the setting so that "Controller 2" has an operation group that can select both "Operation Group 2" and "Operation Group 3".

[0072] In the present embodiment, the main controller receives information on each of the operation group of the slave controller and the selectable operation group, and presents an operation screen to the user, so that the user can check the operation group of the slave controller and the selectable operation group. Further, the main controller transmits information indicating the changed setting content to the slave controller, and can change the first and second operation group information of the slave controller.

[0073] According to the above embodiment, the main controller sets the operation group for managing camera control to the same setting content for the slave controller, and sets the selectable operation group to a setting content different from that of the main controller. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cameras from competing for control among a plurality of controllers.

[0074] [Other Embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0075] Embodiments of the present disclosure include the following configurations, methods, and programs. [Configuration 1] A control device that controls imaging devices in units of a group to which one or more imaging devices belong, communication means for communicating with other control devices; control means for managing group information indicating a group of imaging devices to be operated on; generation means for generating group information to be set for the other control device, and comprising: The control means causes the generation means to generate group information indicating imaging devices that do not overlap with the imaging devices belonging to the group of group information set in the control device, and controls to transmit the group information generated by the generation means to the other control device by the communication means A control device characterized by the above. [Configuration 2] The group information is first group information in which imaging devices belonging to the group are set, and second group information indicating groups that can be selected by the control device and other control devices, respectively, The control means instructs the generation means to set the first group information of the control device and the first group information of the other control device to be the same, and the second group information of the control device and the second group information of the other control device to be different, and controls to transmit the first and second group information of the other control device generated by the generation means to the other control device by the communication means The control device according to Configuration 1, characterized by the above. [Configuration 3] Comprising operation means for receiving an operation for setting or changing the first group information, When imaging devices overlap among a plurality of the groups, the control means performs a process of notifying that the imaging devices overlap. The control device according to Configuration 2, characterized by the above. [Configuration 4] Comprising operation means for receiving an operation for setting or changing the second group information, When there is an overlap between the group that can be selected by the control device and the group that can be selected by the other control device, the control means performs a process of notifying that the selectable groups overlap. The control device according to Configuration 2, characterized by the above. [Configuration 5] The control means manages function information indicating control target functions when the control device and the other control device respectively control an imaging device, and between the control device and the other control device having the same control target function, or between a plurality of the other control devices having the same control target function, instructs the generation means to generate group information in which selectable groups do not overlap, and controls the communication means to transmit the first and second group information and function information of the other control device generated by the generation means to the other control device. The control device according to any one of Configurations 2 to 4, characterized by the above. [Configuration 6] The control means instructs the generation means to make the first group information of the other control device having the same function information and different first group information the same as the first group information of the control device, and controls the communication means to transmit the first group information of the other control device generated by the generation means to the other control device. The control device according to Configuration 5, characterized by the above. [Configuration 7] The control means instructs the generation means to make the second group information of the other control device having the same function information and the same second group information different from the second group information of the control device, and controls the communication means to transmit the second group information of the other control device generated by the generation means to the other control device. The control device according to Configuration 5, characterized by the above. [Configuration 8] The control means acquires function information of the other control device, and when the function information is the same as the function information of the control device, performs control to generate the second group information based on setting contents in which selectable groups between the control device and the other control device do not overlap, and transmits the second group information to the other control device. The control device according to Configuration 5, characterized by this. [Configuration 9] Operation means for receiving an operation for setting or changing the first or second group information, and Display means for displaying an operation screen having the first or second group information, are provided, The control means receives the first or second group information from the other control device, and performs control to receive setting or change of the first or second group information of the other control device from the operation screen. The control device according to any one of Configurations 2 to 8, characterized by this. [Configuration 10] A control device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, the imaging device, and the other control device, are provided, the control device is a main controller, the other control device is a slave controller, the slave controller includes communication means for communicating with the main controller, receives the group information generated by the generation means of the main controller from the main controller by the communication means, and performs setting or change according to the group information. The imaging system is characterized by this. [Method 1] A control method executed by a control device that controls imaging devices in units of groups to which one or more imaging devices belong, wherein the control device includes communication means for communicating with other control devices, control means for managing group information indicating a group of imaging devices to be an operation target, and generation means for generating group information to be set for the other control device, wherein the control method A step of causing the generating means to generate group information indicating an imaging device that does not overlap with the imaging devices belonging to the group of the group information set in the control device; A step of transmitting the group information generated by the generating means to the other control device by the communication means. A control method characterized by the above. [Program] A program for causing a computer of a control device to execute each step described in Method 1.

Explanation of Signs

[0076] 10 PTZ Camera 100 Camera Controller

Claims

1. A control device that controls imaging devices in units of a group to which one or more imaging devices belong, comprising: communication means for communicating with other control devices; control means for managing group information indicating a group of imaging devices to be an operation target; generation means for generating group information to be set for the other control devices, and the control means causes the generation means to generate group information indicating imaging devices that do not overlap with the imaging devices belonging to the group of the group information set in the control device, and controls to transmit the group information generated by the generation means to the other control devices by the communication means. A control device characterized by the above.

2. The group information is first group information in which imaging devices belonging to the group are set, and second group information indicating groups that can be respectively selected by the control device and other control devices, and the control means instructs the generation means to set the same first group information of the control device and the first group information of the other control device, and different settings of the second group information of the control device and the second group information of the other control device, and controls to transmit the first and second group information of the other control device generated by the generation means to the other control device by the communication means. The control device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. Comprising operation means for receiving an operation for setting or changing the first group information, and when imaging devices overlap among a plurality of the groups, the control means performs a process of notifying that the imaging devices overlap. The control device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. Comprising operation means for receiving an operation for setting or changing the second group information, and when groups that can be selected by the control device and groups that can be selected by the other control device overlap, the control means performs a process of notifying that the selectable groups overlap. The control device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. The control means manages function information indicating control target functions when the control device and the other control devices control an imaging device respectively, and instructs the generation means to generate group information in which selectable groups do not overlap between the control device and the other control device having the same control target function, or between a plurality of the other control devices having the same control target function, and performs control to transmit the first and second group information and the function information of the other control devices generated by the generation means to the other control devices by the communication means. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

6. The control means instructs the generation means to make the first group information of the other control devices having the same function information and different first group information the same as the first group information of the control device, and performs control to transmit the first group information of the other control devices generated by the generation means to the other control devices by the communication means. The control device according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. The control means instructs the generation means to make the second group information of the other control devices having the same function information and the same second group information different from the second group information of the control device, and performs control to transmit the second group information of the other control devices generated by the generation means to the other control devices by the communication means. The control device according to claim 5, characterized in that.

8. The control means acquires the function information of the other control devices, and when the function information is the same as the function information of the control device, performs control to generate the second group information based on the setting content in which the selectable groups do not overlap between the control device and the other control device and transmit it to the other control devices. The control device according to claim 5, characterized in that.

9. An operation means for receiving an operation for setting or changing the first or second group information; A display means for displaying an operation screen having the first or second group information, The control means receives the first or second group information from the other control devices, and performs control to receive the setting or change of the first or second group information of the other control devices from the operation screen. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

10. A control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, the imaging device, and the other control device, and the control device is a main controller, and the other control device is a slave controller, the slave controller includes communication means for communicating with the main controller, receives the group information generated by the generation means of the main controller by the communication means from the main controller, and makes settings or changes according to the group information An imaging system characterized by the above.

11. A control method executed by a control device that controls imaging devices in units of groups to which one or more imaging devices belong, the control device includes communication means for communicating with other control devices, control means for managing group information indicating a group of imaging devices to be operated on, generation means for generating group information to be set for the other control device, and the control method includes a step of causing the generation means to generate group information indicating an imaging device that does not overlap with the imaging devices belonging to the group of the group information set in the control device, a step of transmitting the group information generated by the generation means to the other control device by the communication means, and A control method characterized by the above.

12. A program for causing a computer of a control device to execute each step according to Claim 11.

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