Shooting system

Abstract

The ability to control the shooting of the subject according to its operating status. [Solution] The shooting system comprises a shooting unit that takes still images of the target to be photographed, a communication unit that transmits the still images of the target to be photographed, an operating status information acquisition unit that acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of the target to be photographed, and a control unit that controls the interval for taking still images of the target to be photographed according to the operating status of the target to be photographed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a photographing system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique of photographing a distance meter in an automobile speedometer and reading a numerical value of the distance meter from the photographed screen of the distance meter. In Patent Document 1, a fee corresponding to the distance is calculated using the numerical value of the distance meter read from the photographed screen of the distance meter.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, it is not considered to photograph the distance meter in the speedometer while distinguishing between the operating state (the state where the ignition switch is on) and the non-operating state (the state where the ignition switch is off) of the automobile. For this reason, it is not possible to obtain the numerical value of the distance meter suitable for each of the operating state and the non-operating state of the automobile.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a photographing system capable of controlling the photographing of a photographing object according to the operating state (whether it is operating or not) of the photographing object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a photography system comprising: a photography unit that takes still images of a subject to be photographed; a communication unit that transmits the still images of the subject to be photographed; an operating status information acquisition unit that acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of the subject to be photographed; and a control unit that controls the interval for taking still images of the subject to be photographed according to the operating status of the subject to be photographed. One aspect of the present invention is a shooting system in which the control unit changes the interval for taking still images of the object to be photographed depending on whether the object to be photographed is in operation or not. One aspect of the present invention is a shooting system in which the control unit takes still images of the object to be photographed while the object is in operation, and stops taking still images of the object after a certain period of time has elapsed since the object changed from an operating state to an inoperable state. One aspect of the present invention is a shooting system in which the control unit does not take still images of the object to be photographed when the object is in operation, but takes still images of the object when the object is not in operation. One aspect of the present invention is a shooting system further comprising a battery information acquisition unit that acquires battery information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery which is the power source of the shooting system, and the control unit controls the interval for taking still images of the target and the interval for transmitting the still images of the target according to the remaining capacity of the battery. One aspect of the present invention is a shooting system in which the control unit controls the capture of a still image of the target and the transmission of the still image of the target according to the communication status of the communication unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the effect is obtained that the shooting of the target can be controlled according to the operating state of the target. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the imaging system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2]This figure shows an example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the imaging system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows another example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the imaging system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a shooting system according to the first embodiment. In Figure 1, the shooting system 1 comprises a shooting unit 11, a communication unit 12, an operating status information acquisition unit 13, and a control unit 14.

[0011] The camera unit 11 captures still images of the subject. The subject is, for example, the instrument panel of a car, which contains the speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, etc. The camera unit 11 is provided to capture still images of the subject.

[0012] The communication unit 12 transmits a still image of the subject to be photographed. In the example shown in Figure 1, the communication unit 12 transmits the still image of the subject to be photographed to the image analysis device 100. The image analysis device 100 reads information from the still image of the subject to be photographed. For example, the image analysis device 100 reads information such as the speedometer reading, the remaining fuel level, and whether or not warning lights are illuminated from a still image of the car's instrument panel. The communication path between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100 may be wired, wireless, or a combination of both.

[0013] The operating status information acquisition unit 13 acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of the object being photographed (whether it is operating or not). For example, the operating status information may be information indicating the operating status of a car's instrument panel. As information indicating the operating status of a car's instrument panel, for example, information indicating whether the car's ignition switch is on or off can be used. If the car's ignition switch is on, the instrument panel is in an operating state. On the other hand, if the car's ignition switch is off, the instrument panel is in an inoperable state.

[0014] The control unit 14 controls the interval for capturing still images of the object to be photographed according to its operating status. For example, the control unit 14 may change the interval for capturing still images of the object depending on whether the object is in operation or not. For example, the control unit 14 may set a longer interval for capturing still images of the instrument panel of a car when the instrument panel is not in operation than when the instrument panel is in operation.

[0015] Furthermore, the control unit 14 may take still images of the target object while it is in operation, and stop taking still images of the target object after a certain period of time has elapsed since the target object changed from an operational state to an inoperable state. This certain period may be a fixed value, or it may be configured to be changeable to any value. For example, the control unit 14 may store an initial value for this certain period (e.g., 5 minutes) in advance and change this certain period based on instructions from an external server.

[0016] For example, the control unit 14 may take a still image of the meter panel while the meter panel of the automobile is in an operating state, and stop taking the still image of the meter panel after a certain period has elapsed since the meter panel has changed from the operating state to the non-operating state. There may be a case where a warning lamp in the meter panel lights up immediately after the meter panel has changed from the operating state to the non-operating state (immediately after the ignition switch has changed from on to off). However, by taking a still image of the meter panel for a certain period after the meter panel has changed from the operating state (the ignition switch is on) to the non-operating state (the ignition switch is off), it is possible to take a still image of the event that the warning lamp in the meter panel lights up immediately after the meter panel has changed from the operating state (the ignition switch is on) to the non-operating state (the ignition switch is off) (immediately after the ignition switch has changed from on to off).

[0017] Note that the control unit 14 may not take a still image of the imaging target while the imaging target is in an operating state, and may take a still image of the imaging target while the imaging target is not in an operating state. For example, if the imaging target is a machine in a factory, the control unit 14 may not take a still image of the machine while the machine is in an operating state, and may take a still image of the machine while the machine is in a non-operating state. This contributes to the monitoring (for example, unmanned monitoring) inside the factory outside the operating hours of the factory by taking the image outside the operating hours of the factory.

[0018] In addition, the control unit 14 may control the still image capture of the imaging target and the transmission of the still image of the imaging target according to the communication state of the communication unit 12. For example, when there is a communication connection between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100, the control unit 14 performs the still image capture of the imaging target and the transmission of the still image of the imaging target. On the other hand, when there is no communication connection between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100, it may not be necessary to perform the still image capture of the imaging target and the transmission of the still image of the imaging target.

[0019] The operation flow of the imaging system 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the first embodiment.

[0020] (Step S11) When the shooting system 1 is started, the control unit 14 checks the pre-set internal settings. The internal settings include the interval for taking still images of the subject to be photographed (hereinafter referred to as the still image shooting interval) and the interval for transmitting still images of the subject to be photographed (hereinafter referred to as the still image transmission interval).

[0021] (Step S12) The operating status information acquisition unit 13 acquires operating status information.

[0022] (Step S13) The control unit 14 controls the still image shooting interval according to the operating status of the object to be photographed, as indicated by the operating status information acquired by the operating status information acquisition unit 13.

[0023] [Second Embodiment] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the imaging system according to the second embodiment. In Figure 3, the same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to parts in Figure 1, and their descriptions are omitted. The imaging system 1a shown in Figure 3 further includes a battery information acquisition unit 21 in addition to the imaging system 1 in Figure 1.

[0024] The battery information acquisition unit 21 acquires battery information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery that powers the shooting system 1a. The battery information may be, for example, the battery voltage. The control unit 14 controls the still image shooting interval and the still image transmission interval according to the remaining battery capacity (for example, the battery voltage). For example, if the remaining battery capacity is less than a certain amount, the control unit 14 may set the still image shooting interval and the still image transmission interval to be longer than when the remaining battery capacity is equal to or greater than that certain amount. For example, if the battery voltage is below a certain value, the control unit 14 may set the still image shooting interval and the still image transmission interval to be longer than when the battery voltage is equal to or greater than that certain value. This contributes to suppressing the depletion of the remaining battery capacity.

[0025] The operation flow of the imaging system 1a will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the second embodiment.

[0026] (Step S21) When the shooting system 1 is started up, the control unit 14 checks the pre-set internal settings. The internal settings include the still image shooting interval and the still image transmission interval.

[0027] (Step S22) The operating status information acquisition unit 13 acquires operating status information.

[0028] (Step S23) The battery information acquisition unit 21 acquires battery information.

[0029] (Step S24) The control unit 14 controls the still image shooting interval and the still image transmission interval according to the operating status of the object to be photographed, as indicated by the operating status information acquired by the operating status information acquisition unit 13, and the remaining battery capacity, as indicated by the battery information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 21.

[0030] Figure 5 shows another example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the second embodiment. In Figure 5, the parts corresponding to each step in Figure 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. In the processing flow of Figure 5, step S24a is executed instead of step S24 in Figure 4.

[0031] In step S24a, the control unit 14 controls the still image capture interval and the still image transmission interval according to the operating status of the target to be photographed, as indicated by the operating status information acquired by the operating status information acquisition unit 13, and the remaining battery capacity, as indicated by the battery information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 21. Furthermore, the control unit 14 controls the transmission of still images of the target to be photographed according to the communication status of the communication unit 12.

[0032] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment is an example of applying the second embodiment to an automobile. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the imaging system according to the third embodiment. In Figure 6, the imaging system comprises an imaging device 30 and a communication unit (communication device) 12. The imaging device 30 and the communication unit 12 are mounted in an automobile. The imaging device 30 and the communication unit 12 are connected to each other via an in-vehicle communication channel 53 of the automobile.

[0033] The imaging device 30 comprises an imaging unit 11, an operating status information acquisition unit 13, a control unit 14, and a battery information acquisition unit 21.

[0034] The imaging unit 11 of the imaging device 30 takes still images of the meter panel 51 of the automobile that is the subject of the imaging. The imaging device 30 is installed, for example, on the steering column of the automobile so that the imaging unit 11 can take still images of the meter panel 51. The meter panel 51 contains the automobile's speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, etc. Therefore, the still image of the meter panel 51 taken by the imaging unit 11 shows the automobile's speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, etc.

[0035] The imaging device 30 receives an ignition switch (IGNSW) signal A. The IGNSW signal A indicates whether the ignition switch is on or off. The operating status information acquisition unit 13 recognizes from the IGNSW signal A whether the meter panel 51 is operating (ignition switch is on) or not operating (ignition switch is off).

[0036] The communication unit 12 transmits the still image of the meter panel 51, captured by the imaging unit 11, to the image analysis device 100 via the communication channel 54. The image analysis device 100 reads information such as the speedometer reading, fuel level, and whether warning lights are illuminated from the still image of the meter panel 51 received via the communication channel 54. The image analysis device 100 can determine the status of the vehicle equipped with the imaging device 30 based on the various information it reads from the still image of the meter panel 51.

[0037] If the image analysis device 100 is located outside the vehicle, the communication channel 54 is wireless for at least the communication section connected to the communication unit 12. On the other hand, if the image analysis device 100 is located inside the vehicle, the communication channel 54 may be wired, wireless, or both wired and wireless.

[0038] The imaging device 30 receives power from the car battery 52 via a power harness 55. The battery information acquisition unit 21 acquires battery information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery 52. ​​In this embodiment, the battery information is the battery voltage of the battery 52.

[0039] The imaging device 30 may also receive power from a battery other than the automobile battery 52, such as a mobile battery. In this case, the battery information acquisition unit 21 acquires the battery voltage of the mobile battery as battery information.

[0040] The control unit 14 controls the still image capture interval according to the operating status of the meter panel 51 indicated by the operating status information acquired by the operating status information acquisition unit 13. The control unit 14 also controls the still image capture interval and the still image transmission interval according to the battery voltage acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 21. Furthermore, the control unit 14 controls the capture of still images of the subject and the transmission of still images of the subject according to the communication status of the communication unit 12.

[0041] The operation flow of the imaging system according to the third embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the third embodiment.

[0042] (Step S101) When the imaging device 30 is started up, the control unit 14 checks the pre-set internal settings. The internal settings include the still image capture interval and the still image transmission interval.

[0043] (Step S102) The operating status information acquisition unit 13 acquires IGN information (whether the ignition switch is on or off) from the IGNSW signal A.

[0044] (Step S103) The control unit 14 proceeds to step S104 if the ignition switch is ON, and proceeds to step S105 if the ignition switch is OFF.

[0045] (Step S104) The control unit 14 takes still images of the meter panel 51 and transmits still images of the meter panel 51 according to the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval among the internal settings when the ignition switch is ON.

[0046] (Step S105) The control unit 14 determines whether the ignition switch has changed from on to off. If the result of this determination is that the ignition switch has changed from on to off, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the ignition switch remains off, the process returns to step S102.

[0047] (Step S106) The control unit 14 takes still images of the meter panel 51 and transmits still images of the meter panel 51 for a certain period of time, according to the internal setting values ​​for the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval when the ignition switch is off. After the certain period of time has elapsed, the control unit 14 stops taking still images of the meter panel 51. Since still image capture has stopped, the control unit 14 also stops transmitting still images. After this, the process returns to step S102.

[0048] Figure 8 shows another example of the processing flow of the imaging system according to the third embodiment. The operation flow of the imaging system according to the third embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0049] (Step S201) When the imaging device 30 is started up, the control unit 14 checks the pre-set internal settings. The internal settings include the still image capture interval and the still image transmission interval.

[0050] (Step S202) The control unit 14 checks whether a communication connection exists between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100. If a communication connection exists between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100, the control unit 14 proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if there is no communication connection between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100, the control unit 14 waits in step S202 until a communication connection is established between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100.

[0051] (Step S203) The battery information acquisition unit 21 acquires battery information (battery voltage of battery 52).

[0052] (Step S204) The control unit 14 sets the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval according to the battery voltage in the battery information. As a result, the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval are updated from the internal set values. The control unit 14 lengthens the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval as the battery voltage decreases. This helps to suppress the depletion of the remaining capacity of the battery 52. ​​The method for setting the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval according to the battery voltage is set in the shooting device 30 in advance.

[0053] (Step S205) The operating status information acquisition unit 13 acquires IGN information (whether the ignition switch is on or off) from the IGNSW signal A.

[0054] (Step S206) The control unit 14 proceeds to step S207 if the ignition switch is ON, and proceeds to step S208 if the ignition switch is OFF.

[0055] (Step S207) The control unit 14 performs still image capture and still image transmission of the meter panel 51 using the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval updated from the internal setting value, which are the intervals when the ignition switch is ON.

[0056] (Step S208) The control unit 14 determines whether the ignition switch has changed from on to off. If the result of this determination is that the ignition switch has changed from on to off, the process proceeds to step S209. On the other hand, if the ignition switch remains off, the process returns to step S202.

[0057] (Step S209) The control unit 14 takes still images of the meter panel 51 and transmits still images of the meter panel 51 for a certain period of time, using the still image capture interval and still image transmission interval that have been updated from the internal setting value, specifically the interval when the ignition switch is off. After the certain period of time has elapsed, the control unit 14 stops taking still images of the meter panel 51. Since still image capture has stopped, the control unit 14 also stops transmitting still images. After this, the process returns to step S202.

[0058] The intervals for capturing and transmitting still images when the ignition switch is on (operating) may be different from or the same as the intervals for capturing and transmitting still images when the ignition switch is off (not operating).

[0059] Furthermore, in the example of Figure 8 described above, still images of the meter panel 51 are not taken when there is no communication connection between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100, but the control unit 14 is not limited to this. The control unit 14 may take still images of the meter panel 51 even when there is no communication connection between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100, store the captured still images of the meter panel 51 inside the imaging device 30, and when a communication connection between the communication unit 12 and the image analysis device 100 is established, the stored still images of the meter panel 51 may be transmitted to the image analysis device 100 by the communication unit 12.

[0060] According to the embodiment described above, the shooting of the target can be controlled according to its operating status (whether or not it is in operation).

[0061] For example, the interval between still image captures of the subject can be changed depending on whether the subject is operating (operating state) or not (inoperating state). For instance, when the subject is in an inoperating state, the power consumption of the shooting system can be reduced by making the interval between still image captures longer than when the subject is operating.

[0062] According to the embodiment described above, the interval between still image captures and the transmission of still images of the subject can be controlled according to the remaining capacity of the battery, which is the power source of the shooting system. For example, when the remaining battery capacity is less than a certain amount, the interval between still image captures and the transmission of still images of the subject can be made longer than when the remaining battery capacity is above that amount, thereby suppressing the depletion of the remaining battery capacity of the shooting system.

[0063] According to the embodiment described above, the capture of still images of the target and the transmission of still images of the target can be controlled according to the communication status with the outside of the shooting system. For example, if there is a communication connection with the outside of the shooting system, still images of the target can be captured and transmitted, while if there is no communication connection with the outside of the shooting system, still images of the target can not be captured and transmitted, thereby reducing the processing load of the shooting system and suppressing the power consumption of the shooting system.

[0064] According to the embodiment described above, by taking still images of the subject to be photographed, the power consumption of the shooting system can be reduced compared to video shooting, and the amount of image data can be reduced, thus reducing the communication load required for image transmission.

[0065] Furthermore, each of the functions of the aforementioned imaging system is realized by the imaging system being equipped with computer hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the CPU executing computer programs stored in memory.

[0066] Alternatively, a computer program for realizing the functions of the aforementioned shooting system may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Note that the term "computer system" here may include hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and flash memory, portable media such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems.

[0067] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" also includes volatile memory (such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when programs are transmitted via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, which retain programs for a certain period of time. Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. It may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the aforementioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system.

[0068] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...Shooting system, 11...Shooting unit, 12...Communication unit, 13...Operating status information acquisition unit, 14...Control unit, 21...Battery information acquisition unit, 30...Shooting device, 51...Meter panel, 53...In-vehicle communication channel, 100...Image analysis device

Claims

1. The photography department is responsible for taking still images of the subject, A communication unit that transmits still images of the subject being photographed, An operating status information acquisition unit acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of the object to be photographed, A control unit that controls the interval between still image captures of the subject according to the operating status of the subject, A shooting system equipped with the following features.

2. The control unit changes the interval for capturing still images of the object being photographed depending on whether the object is in operation or not. The imaging system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit takes still images of the object to be photographed while it is in operation, and stops taking still images of the object after a certain period of time has elapsed since the object changed from an operational state to an inoperable state. The imaging system according to claim 1.

4. The control unit does not take still images of the object to be photographed when the object is in operation, and does take still images of the object to be photographed when the object is not in operation. The imaging system according to claim 1.

5. It further includes a battery information acquisition unit that acquires battery information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery, which is the power source for the shooting system. The control unit controls the interval for capturing still images of the subject and the interval for transmitting still images of the subject, according to the remaining capacity of the battery. The imaging system according to claim 1.

6. The control unit controls the capture of a still image of the subject and the transmission of the still image of the subject, according to the communication status of the communication unit. The imaging system according to claim 1.

Images