Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

This improves the convenience of changing the height of the column section in a holding device for holding an imaging device. [Solution] An information processing device for operating a holding device having a column portion to which an imaging device is connected at the tip and which has a height-adjustable column portion, comprising a display control unit that causes a first region Ea including a column image Ra1 representing the column portion to be displayed on a display device, and an operation control unit that, when it receives an operation to change the height of the column portion, transmits an instruction to change the height of the column portion to the holding device, wherein the display control unit changes the column image Ra1 in accordance with the operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for operating a holding device for holding an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Various holding devices used to hold an imaging device (e.g., a camera) have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a holding device including a camera holding part for holding a camera, a pole part provided at the tip of the camera holding part and being telescopic, and legs. In Patent Document 1, the telescoping of the column is operated using an operating device. Specifically, the operating device includes a base part that a user grips by hand and an operating element provided on one end side of the base part and operable by a finger while gripping the base part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, at a position where the holding device can be visually recognized, it is necessary to adjust the pole part to a desired height by operating the operating device while actually checking the height of the column. That is, there is a problem that the convenience of the operating device is poor. In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience regarding the operation of changing the height of the column part in the holding device for holding an imaging device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] [1] An information processing device for operating a holding device having a column portion to which an imaging device is connected at the tip and which has a height-adjustable column portion, comprising: a display control unit that causes a first region including a column image representing the column portion to be displayed on a display device; and an operation control unit that, when an operation to change the height of the column portion is received, transmits an instruction to change the height of the column portion to the holding device, wherein the display control unit changes the column image in accordance with the operation.

[0006] [2] The display control unit causes the display device to display a second region including an upward image indicating that the height of the column is to be raised, a downward image indicating that the height of the column is to be lowered, and a first speed image representing the movement speed of the column; the operation control unit changes the movement speed represented by the first speed image in response to an operation from the user; and when the operation control unit receives confirmation that the upward image or the downward image has been selected, it transmits an instruction to the holding device to raise or lower the height of the column at the movement speed represented by the first speed image [1].

[0007] [3] The first region further includes a target position image representing a target position for the height of the column portion, the display control unit changes the position of the target position image relative to the column image in response to an operation from the user, and the operation control unit transmits an instruction to the holding device to change the height of the column portion to the position represented by the target position image when the position represented by the target position image is selected [1] or [2].

[0008] [4] The display control unit causes the display device to display a third region on which related images related to the target position image are displayed. The operation control unit, upon receiving confirmation that the associated image in the third region has been selected, transmits an instruction to the holding device to change the height of the column portion to the position represented by the target position image corresponding to the associated image [3].

[0009] [5] The third region further includes a second velocity image representing the movement speed of the column portion, the display control unit changes the movement speed represented by the second velocity image in response to an operation from the user, and the operation control unit, upon receiving confirmation that the associated image has been selected, transmits an instruction to the holding device to change the height of the column portion at the movement speed represented by the two velocity images [4].

[0010] [6] An information processing device according to [3] to [5] that displays an image showing a numerical value corresponding to the position represented by the target position image in the first region, and changes the numerical value along with the position of the target position image.

[0011] [7] The information processing device [3] to [6] wherein there are multiple target position images, and the multiple target position images are of different objects.

[0012] [8] The first region includes an image representing the range in which the column portion can move [1] to [7].

[0013] [9] The display control unit is an information processing device [1] which changes the column image in accordance with information representing the height of the column portion in the holding device from which the instruction has been transmitted.

[0014] [9] Information processing method for operating a holding device having a column portion to which an imaging device is connected at the tip and which is adjustable in height, the method comprising: displaying a first region including a column image representing the column portion on a display device; transmitting an instruction to change the height of the column portion to the holding device when an operation to change the height of the column portion is received; and changing the column image in accordance with the operation, the information processing method implemented by a computer.

[0015]

[10] A program for operating a holding device having a column portion that can be connected to a tip of an imaging device and whose height can be changed, the program causing a computer to function as a display control unit that causes a display device to display a first region including a column image representing the column portion, and an operation control unit that transmits an instruction to change the height of the column portion to the holding device when an operation to change the height of the column portion is received, and the display control unit is a program that changes the column image according to the operation.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] In the present invention, it is an object to improve convenience regarding an operation for changing the height of a column portion in a holding device for holding an imaging device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a holding device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a holding device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an operation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an example of an image displayed by a display device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is an example of an image displayed by a display device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart of a display control process according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is an example of an image displayed by a display device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] It is an example of an image displayed by a display device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] It is an example of an image displayed by a display device according to a second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a perspective view of a holding device 100 for holding an imaging device (e.g., a camera). As illustrated in Figure 1, the holding device 100 of the first embodiment includes a column portion 11, a housing portion 13, a leg portion 15, and a control device 16.

[0019] The column portion 11 is a portion where the imaging device is connected to the tip. The column portion 11 of the first embodiment has a support portion 112 and a pole portion 114. The support portion 112 is an element for supporting the imaging device. Specifically, the support portion 112 is, for example, a portion for attaching a connection device (e.g., a pan-tilt head or an adapter) directly connected to the imaging device, and is a mechanism for indirectly holding the imaging device via the connection device.

[0020] The pole portion 114 is an axially-shaped member extending in the X direction and is stretchable along the X direction. Specifically, the support portion 112 is provided at the tip (the end on the positive side in the X direction) of the pole portion 114. The entire column portion 11 moves in the vertical direction (the X direction in Figure 1). That is, the height of the column portion 11 can be changed. It can also be said that the column portion 11 is stretchable. Note that the vertical direction can also be said to be the height direction of the column portion 11.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the height of the column portion 11 refers to the position at the tip (the end on the positive side in the X direction) of the column portion 11. The height of the column portion 11 rises or falls along the X direction. By changing the height of the column portion 11, the height of the imaging device provided at the tip of the column portion 11 can be changed. The height of the column portion 11 and the moving speed of the column portion 11 (the speed when the column portion 11 rises and falls) can be arbitrarily set by the user.

[0022] The housing portion 13 is a cylindrical container and supports the inside so that the height of the column portion 11 can be changed (movable in the vertical direction). A drive portion (not shown) for changing the height of the column portion 11 is housed inside the housing portion 13. The drive portion is, for example, a motor. Any known technique (e.g., the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-072215) is adopted for the configuration for stretching and contracting the column portion 11.

[0023] The leg portion 15 is connected, for example, to the end of the housing portion 13 (the end on the positive side in the X direction). Figure 1 illustrates a case where the leg portion 15 is a retractable tripod, but the configuration of the leg portion 15 is not particularly limited (for example, it may be a monopod).

[0024] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the holding device 100 according to the first embodiment. The control device 16 is one or more processors that control each element of the holding device 100. Specifically, the control device 21 is composed of one or more types of processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), SPU (Sound Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The location where the control device 16 is mounted in the holding device 100 is not particularly limited.

[0025] As illustrated in Figure 2, the control device 16 of the first embodiment functions as a generation unit 161 and a control unit 162. First, the generation unit 161 generates information P1 representing the height of the column unit 11 (referred to as "height information"). The height information P1 may be information that allows the height of the column unit 11 to be indirectly determined (for example, a value representing the length of the column unit 11 relative to the stroke length of the column unit 11, or a value representing how much the column unit 11 has extended from its initial position), or it may be information that directly represents the height of the column unit 11 (for example, the height from the ground on which the holding device 100 is installed). The height information P1 generated by the generation unit 161 is transmitted to the information processing device 200. The processing of the information processing device 200 upon receiving the height information P1 will be described later.

[0026] Here, the height of the column section 11 can be controlled by the information processing device 200. In general terms, the information processing device 200 generates a signal (hereinafter referred to as the "instruction signal") P2 for controlling the height of the column section 11 and transmits it to the holding device 100. The control unit 162 of the holding device 100 receives the instruction signal P2 transmitted from the information processing device 200 and changes the height of the column section 11 according to the instruction signal P2. The instruction signal P2 is a signal that instructs to change the height of the column section 11. The control device 16 of the holding device 100 transmits height information P1 and receives instruction signal P2 via a communication device (not shown).

[0027] In the first embodiment, an example is given in which the information processing device 200 is connected to the holding device 100 wirelessly. For example, the information processing device 200 and the holding device 100 are connected by various communication technologies such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, or the Internet. However, the information processing device 200 and the holding device 100 may also be connected by a wire.

[0028] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the information processing device 200. As illustrated in Figure 3, the information processing device 200 comprises a control device 21, a storage device 23, a display device 25, an operating device 27, and a communication device 29. The information processing device 200 can be implemented as an information terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. The information processing device 200 can be implemented as a single device or as a group of devices configured separately from each other.

[0029] The control device 21 is one or more processors that control each element of the information processing device 200. Specifically, the control device 21 is composed of one or more types of processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), SPU (Sound Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0030] The storage device 23 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 21 and various data used by the control device 21. For example, known recording media such as semiconductor recording media and magnetic recording media, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, can be used as the storage device 23. Alternatively, for example, a portable recording media that can be attached to and detached from the information processing device 200, or a recording media that the control device 21 can access via a communication network (e.g., cloud storage), may be used as the storage device 23. In the first embodiment, for example, various images displayed by the display device 25 are stored in the storage device 23.

[0031] The display device 25 displays various images under the control of the control device 21. The display device 25 is, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel.

[0032] The operating device 27 is an input device that receives input from the user. The operating device 27 is, for example, an operator that the user operates, or a touch panel that detects contact by the user. In the first embodiment, a touch panel that detects contact by the user via the display device 25 (for example, a capacitive or pressure-sensitive touch panel) is exemplified as the operating device 27.

[0033] The communication device 29 is a communication device for communicating with the holding device 100. Under the control of the control device 21, the communication device in the first embodiment receives height information P1 from the holding device 100 and transmits an instruction signal P2 to the holding device 100.

[0034] The control device 21 of the first embodiment implements functions (display control unit 212, operation control unit 214) for controlling the height of the column section 11. In general terms, in the first embodiment, the display control unit 212 displays various images for operating the column section 11, and when the user makes an operation via the operation device 27 (touch panel) through these images, the operation control unit 214 transmits an instruction signal P2 to the holding device 100.

[0035] The display control unit 212 causes the display device 25 to display various images. Specifically, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 25 to display an operation image Q for controlling the height of the column section 11. Figure 4 shows an example of an operation image Q displayed by the display device 25. As illustrated in Figure 4, the operation image Q includes a first region Ea and a second region Eb.

[0036] The first region Ea is a region that includes an image Ra1 representing the column portion 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "column image"). The column image Ra1 in the first embodiment is an image that includes an image R114 representing the pole portion 114 (hereinafter referred to as the "pole image") and an image R112 representing the support portion 112 connected to the tip of the pole portion 114 (hereinafter referred to as the "support image").

[0037] Note that the column image Ra1 is not particularly limited as long as it represents the column section 11, and may be an image (including a photograph) that faithfully represents the actual visible column section 11, or an image that represents a simplified representation of the actual column section 11 (for example, a simple bar shape). Figure 4 shows the column image Ra1 when the column section 11 is at its highest position.

[0038] The first region Ea of the first embodiment includes an image (hereinafter referred to as "range image") Ra2 representing the range within which the column portion 11 can move. The range within which the column portion 11 can move is, for example, the range within which the tip of the column portion 11 can move in the height direction (so-called stroke length). Specifically, the range image Ra2 is an image representing the position where the height of the column portion 11 is the highest and the position where the height of the column portion 11 is the lowest. In FIG. 4, a case where a figure representing a straight line connecting the position where the height of the column portion 11 is the highest and the position where the height of the column portion 11 is the lowest is taken as the range image Ra2 is illustrated. However, the range image Ra2 is not particularly limited as long as the range within which the column portion 11 can move can be grasped.

[0039] The size (length in the height direction) of the range image Ra2 with respect to the column image Ra1 corresponds to the range within which the column portion 11 can move with respect to the actual length of the column portion 11. That is, the range indicated by the range image Ra2 corresponds to the range within which the actual column portion 11 can move. It can also be paraphrased that the range image Ra2 is an image representing the range within which the column image Ra1 (the tip of the support image R112) can move on the operation image Q. The range image Ra2 is displayed adjacent to the column image Ra1.

[0040] The second region Eb includes an image (hereinafter referred to as "ascending image") Rb1 indicating that the height of the column portion 11 is increased and an image (hereinafter referred to as "descending image") Rb2 indicating that the height of the column portion 11 is decreased.

[0041] The ascending image Rb1 is, for example, a figure showing an upward arrow, but is not particularly limited as long as the user can identify it as an image indicating that the height of the column portion 11 is increased. Therefore, for example, characters indicating "UP" or "up" may be used as the ascending image Rb1. Similarly, the descending image Rb2 is, for example, a figure showing a downward arrow, but is not particularly limited as long as the user can identify it as an image indicating that the height of the column portion 11 is decreased. Therefore, for example, characters indicating "DOWN" or "down" may be used as the descending image Rb2.

[0042] The second region Eb of the first embodiment further includes a speed image (an example of a "first speed image") Rb3 representing the movement speed of the column section 11. Specifically, the speed image Rb3 represents the movement speed instructed by the user for the column section 11. In the first embodiment, the speed image Rb3 represents, for example, the movement speed selected by the user from among a plurality of pre-set movement speeds (i.e., movement speed options) within a range of changeable movement speeds for the column section 11.

[0043] The velocity image Rb3 of the first embodiment is, for example, an image representing the relative position (movement speed) of the column section 11 within a range of changeable movement speeds. In the following description, an object refers to a figure or text.

[0044] In Figure 4, object W1 (e.g., a bar) represents the range of movement speeds that the column section 11 can change, and objects W2 (e.g., circles) representing multiple movement speeds within that range are placed on top of it. Then, object W3 (e.g., a shape different in size and form from W2) is placed on object W1 to identify the selected movement speed among the multiple movement speeds. Placing objects W2 and W3 on object W1 is not mandatory. However, the configuration in which objects W2 and W3 are placed on object W1 improves visibility and makes it easier for the user to operate.

[0045] Furthermore, to further improve the visibility of the selected movement speed, the range of object W1 up to the selected movement speed may be displayed in a different manner. Figure 4 illustrates an example where the color of the range of object W1 from the starting point of the movement speed range (the slowest movement speed) to the selected movement speed is changed.

[0046] The user can specify the speed represented by the speed image Rb3 by operating the control device 27. The display control unit 212 then changes the movement speed represented by the speed image Rb3 in response to the user's operation on the control device 27. In the first embodiment, for example, if the user operates to move object W3 to the right (towards "Fast" in Figure 4), the display control unit 212 moves object W3 to the right.

[0047] However, the speed image Rb3 is not particularly limited as long as it is an image that the user can recognize as representing the movement speed of the column section 11. For example, it may be characters representing a numerical value for movement speed or characters that roughly represent movement speed (e.g., "fast," "normal," "slow"). Furthermore, a configuration is also adopted in which all movement speeds within the range of movement speeds that the column section 11 can change can be arbitrarily set by user input.

[0048] Furthermore, while Figure 4 illustrates a configuration in the second region Eb that includes a single velocity image Rb3 common to both ascending and descending, separate velocity images Rb3 may be displayed for ascending and descending respectively.

[0049] When the operation control unit 214 receives an operation from the user via the operation device 27, it transmits an instruction signal P2 corresponding to the operation to the holding device 100. Specifically, when the operation control unit 214 receives an operation to change the height of the column section 11, it transmits an instruction signal P2 to the holding device 100 instructing it to change the height of the column section 11. The instruction signal P2 is transmitted to the holding device 100 via the communication device 29. The holding device 100 (control unit 162), which receives the instruction signal P2 from the information processing device 200 via the communication device (not shown), then changes the height of the column according to the instruction signal P2.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the user can change the height of the column section 11 to a desired position by selecting either an upward image Rb1 or a downward image Rb2. For example, while continuously touching the upward image Rb1 (or downward image Rb2), the column section 11 will also continuously rise (or fall). The user continues to select either the upward image Rb1 or the downward image Rb2 until the desired position is reached.

[0051] In the first embodiment, when the operation control unit 214 receives confirmation that either an upward image Rb1 or a downward image Rb2 has been selected, it transmits an instruction signal P2 to the holding device 100 indicating that the height of the column section 11 should be raised or lowered at the movement speed represented by the speed image Rb3. The holding device 100 then raises or lowers the height of the column section 11 in accordance with the instruction signal P2.

[0052] The display control unit 212 changes the column image Ra1 in response to an operation by the user to change the height of the column section 11. In the first embodiment, the column image Ra1 is changed according to the height information P1 of the column section 11 in the holding device 100 to which the instruction signal P2 (i.e., the instruction signal P2 corresponding to the operation by the user to change the height of the column section 11) has been transmitted. That is, the column image Ra1 is displayed at a height corresponding to the actual height of the column section 11. Specifically, when the display control unit 212 obtains the height information P1 transmitted from the holding device 100, it changes the height of the column image Ra1 within the range represented by the range image Ra2 according to the height represented by the height information P1 (i.e., the actual height of the column section 11). In the first embodiment, if the user selects the rising image Rb1, the display control unit 212 raises the height of the column image Ra1 within the range represented by the range image Ra2, and if the user selects the falling image Rb2, it lowers the height of the column image Ra1 within the range represented by the range image Ra2.

[0053] Figure 5 shows the column image Ra1 whose height has changed when user U selects the descending image Rb2 from the state shown in Figure 4. If user U continues to select the descending image Rb2, the height of the column image Ra1 will also continue to decrease. An object representing the current height of the column section 11 (for example, a numerical value representing the height) may be displayed around the column image Ra1. Alternatively, the numerical value representing the highest position of the column section 11 may always be displayed, regardless of the actual height of the column section 11.

[0054] Figure 6 is a flowchart of an example of the process for displaying the column image Ra1 (hereinafter referred to as the "display control process"). The display control process is started, for example, when an operation to change the height of the column section 11 is received. When an operation to change the height of the column section 11 is received, the control device 21 (operation control unit 214) of the information processing device 200 first transmits an instruction signal P2 to the holding device 100 (SB1). When the control device 16 (control unit 162) of the holding device 100 receives the instruction signal P2 (SA1), it changes the height of the column section 11 according to the instruction signal P2 (SA2). Next, the generation unit 161 generates height information P1 representing the current height of the column section 11 (SA3) and transmits the height information P1 to the information processing device 200 (SA4). For example, height information P1 is generated each time the height of the column section 11 is changed. For example, height information P1 is generated when the height of the column section 11 is changed by the smallest control unit (e.g., 0.3 to 1 cm).

[0055] Then, the control device 21 (display control unit 212) of the information processing device 200 receives height information P1 (SB2) and displays the column image Ra1 at a height corresponding to the height represented by the height information P1 (SB3). In other words, the height of the column image Ra1 is changed according to the height information P1.

[0056] The processing in steps SA1-SA4 and steps SB1-SB3 actually takes place over a very short period of time (e.g., 5-500 m / s). Therefore, the height of the column image Ra1 is changed almost in parallel with the change in the height of the column section 11. As can be understood from the above explanation, the processing of the display control unit 212 can also be rephrased as the processing of changing the column image Ra1 in response to the user's operation to change the height of the column section 11. In the first embodiment, the height of the column image Ra1 changes in conjunction with the actual height of the column section 11.

[0057] The display control processing is not limited to the examples given above. For example, the generation unit 161 may generate height information P1 at a predetermined period (e.g., a period of 10 to 100 m / s) and transmit it to the information processing device 200, regardless of whether the height of the column 11 has actually been changed.

[0058] In the information processing device (hereinafter referred to as the "comparative example"), where the actual height of the column section 11 could not be determined, it was necessary to adjust the column to the desired height by operating the operating device while actually confirming the height of the column section 11 at a position where the holding device 100 could be seen. In other words, the comparative example had the problem of poor convenience in operating the column section 11. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the height of the column image Ra1 displayed by the display device 25 also changes according to the height of the column section 11, thus improving convenience in operating the column section 11. For example, it becomes possible to operate the height of the column section 11 even from a position where the actual holding device 100 is not visible.

[0059] According to the configuration of the first embodiment, in which a range image Ra2 representing the range in which the column section 11 can move is displayed next to the column image Ra1, there is an advantage that the user can grasp the current relative height of the column section 11 within the range in which the column section 11 can move.

[0060] In the first embodiment, a speed image Rb3 representing the movement speed set by the user is displayed, which improves the visibility of the movement speed and makes it easier to operate the ascending image Rb1 and descending image Rb2.

[0061] <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the following examples, for elements whose function is the same as in the first embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be reused, and detailed descriptions of each will be omitted as appropriate.

[0062] Figure 7 is an operation image Q relating to an example of the second embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 7, the display control unit 212 of the second embodiment displays the third region Ec on the display device 25 in addition to the first region Ea and the second region Eb. In the following description, the target position in terms of the height of the column section 11 will be referred to as the "target position".

[0063] In the second embodiment, the first region Ea includes, in addition to the column image Ra1 of the first embodiment, an image representing the target position (hereinafter referred to as the "target position image") Ra3. The target position image Ra3 of the second embodiment is an image that indicates a position corresponding to the target position within the range in which the column image Ra1 can move. For example, the target position image Ra3 is displayed next to a position corresponding to the target position within the range indicated by the range image Ra2 (i.e., the range in which the column image Ra1 can move). However, the target position image Ra3 may also be displayed on the range image Ra2.

[0064] In the second embodiment, a configuration is shown that displays multiple (three in Figure 7) target position images Ra3. When displaying multiple target position images Ra3, it is preferable that each target position image Ra3 be a different image so that the target position represented by each target position image Ra3 can be identified. Figure 7 shows an example where each target position image Ra3 contains objects of different numbers (circled characters 1, 2, and 3). However, each target position image Ra3 is not particularly limited as long as it can identify the target position, and may also contain objects of different shapes (e.g., circles, triangles, squares, etc.).

[0065] The user can set a target position for each of the multiple target position images Ra3 by operating the operating device 27. For example, the target position can be changed by moving the position of each target position image Ra3 along the range image Ra2.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the display control unit 212 changes the position (height) of the target position image Ra3 relative to the column image Ra1 in response to user operations. Specifically, when user U moves the target position image Ra3 within the first region Ea, the display control unit 212 changes the position (height) of the target position image Ra3 in response to that operation. For example, from the state shown in Figure 7, if user U moves the target position image Ra3 containing the "3 (circled character)" object downward within the first region Ea, the position (height) of the target position image Ra3 is changed downward, as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the display control unit 212 further displays an image (hereinafter referred to as "numerical image") Ra4 in the first region Ea, near (next to in Figure 7) the target position image Ra3, showing a numerical value corresponding to the target position represented by the target position image Ra3. In the examples in Figures 7 and 8, the numerical value shown in the numerical image Ra4 is, for example, the height when the lowest position of the column section 11 is used as the reference (0). The unit of the numerical value in the numerical image Ra4 is not particularly limited and may be inches or centimeters. However, the numerical value shown in the numerical image Ra4 may be the direct height of the column section 11 (height from the ground on which the holding device 100 is installed) or the relative length in the stroke length of the column section 11.

[0068] Then, as illustrated in Figure 8, the display control unit 212 changes the numerical value indicated by the numerical image Ra4 along with the position of the target position image Ra3. Note that the position of the numerical image Ra4 changes in conjunction with the change in the position of the target position image Ra3.

[0069] The third region Ec includes associated images Rc1 associated with the target location image Ra3. There are multiple associated images Rc1, each associated with multiple target location images Ra3. That is, the number of target location images Ra3 is the same as the number of associated images Rc1. Associated images Rc1 are typically images that contain objects similar to those contained in the target location image Ra3 (in the second embodiment, circled numbers).

[0070] The third region Ec may further include a velocity image (an example of a "second velocity image") Rc2 representing the movement speed of the column section 11, surrounding (adjacent to) the related image Rc1 in the second embodiment. Velocity image Rc2 is similar to velocity image Rb3. Therefore, the display control unit 212 can change the movement speed represented by velocity image Rc2 in response to user input.

[0071] The user can select a target location by selecting one of several related images Rc1. Specifically, by selecting one of several related images Rc1, the user can select the target location indicated by the target location image Ra3 corresponding to the selected related image Rc1.

[0072] When the user selects a target position, the operation control unit 214 transmits an instruction signal P2 to the holding device 100 to change the height of the column section 11 to that target position. Specifically, when it is confirmed that one of the multiple related images Rc1 in the third region Ec has been selected by the user, an instruction signal P2 is transmitted to the holding device 100 instructing it to change the height of the column section 11 to the target position represented by the target position image Ra3 corresponding to the related image Rc1. In the second embodiment, when it is confirmed that a related image Rc1 has been selected, an instruction signal P2 is transmitted instructing it to change the height of the column section 11 to the target position at the movement speed represented by the speed image Rc2 corresponding to the related image Rc1. As can be understood from the above explanation, the related image Rc1 can also be rephrased as an image for transmitting an instruction signal P2 to change the column section 11 to the target position. On the other hand, the target position image Ra3 in the first region Ea is an image for setting the target position.

[0073] The display control unit 212 changes the column image Ra1 according to the height information P1, similar to the first embodiment. In practice, the height information P1 may be continuously transmitted until the height of the column section 11 reaches the target position. As illustrated in Figure 9, for example, when an associated image Rc1 containing the object "3 (circled character)" in the third region Ec is selected, the height of the column image Ra1 is changed to the position of the target position image Ra3 corresponding to the associated image Rc1 (i.e., the position corresponding to the target position). The height of the column image Ra1 moves to the position of the target position image Ra3 corresponding to the associated image Rc1 almost in parallel with the height of the column section 11 moving to the target position corresponding to the associated image Rc1.

[0074] The same effects as in the first embodiment are achieved in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, when the target position represented by the target position image Ra3 is selected, the height of the column section 11 can be changed to that target position. Therefore, by setting the target position in advance, the user can easily change the height of the column section 11 to the target position.

[0075] Furthermore, since the position of the target position image Ra3 changes according to the target position, it has the advantage of making it easier for users to understand the target position. In addition, in the first region Ea, an image showing numerical values ​​corresponding to the target position is displayed near the target position image Ra3, allowing users to quantitatively understand the target position.

[0076] According to the configuration of the second embodiment, in which an associated image Rc1 related to the target position image Ra3 is displayed in the third region Ec, and the height of the column section 11 is changed when the associated image Rc1 is selected, the associated image Rc1 for transmitting an instruction signal P2 to change the height of the column section 11 is displayed separately from the target position image Ra3 for setting the target position, which has the advantage of improving operability.

[0077] In the second embodiment, a speed image Rc2 representing the user-set movement speed is displayed in the third region Ec, improving the visibility of the movement speed corresponding to each target position and making it easier to manipulate the associated image Rc1. In particular, the second embodiment has the advantage that the movement speed can be set for each associated image Rc1 (i.e., target position).

[0078] <Variation> Each of the forms exemplified above can be modified in various ways. Specific examples of modifications that can be applied to the aforementioned forms are given below. Two or more forms arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be combined as appropriate, provided they do not contradict each other.

[0079] (1) The holding device 100 to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the embodiments described above. The present invention is applicable to a holding device 100 that holds various imaging devices, such as large imaging devices, small imaging devices, remotely operated imaging devices (e.g., PTZ cameras), or terminal devices equipped with imaging devices (e.g., smartphones). The holding device 100 can have any other configuration as long as it includes a column section 11 whose height can be changed by the information processing device 200.

[0080] (2) The column image Ra1 is not limited to the form described above. The column image Ra1 may be, for example, an image that includes either the support image R112 or the pole image R114. Furthermore, the column image Ra1 may be appropriately modified depending on the actual column section 11 to be operated on.

[0081] (3) In the second embodiment, displaying the third region Ec is not mandatory. For example, when the target position image Ra3 in the first region Ea is selected (e.g., by double-tapping), the operation control unit 214 may send an instruction signal P2 to the holding device 100 to change the height to the target position indicated by the target position image Ra3. In this configuration, the third region Ec is unnecessary. That is, the target position image Ra3 functions as an image for sending an instruction to change the column section 11 to the target position, and as an image for setting the target position. Furthermore, in this configuration, the velocity image Rc2 may be displayed near the target position image Ra3 in the first region Ea. As can be understood from the above description, the selection of the target position represented by the target position image Ra3 may be done by directly selecting the target position image Ra3, or by indirectly selecting the related image Rc1.

[0082] (4) In the second embodiment, the case in which the second region Eb and the third region Ec are located on opposite sides of the first region Ea is illustrated, but the positional relationship between the first region Ea, the second region Eb and the third region Ec is not particularly limited. However, the configuration in which the second region Eb and the third region Ec are located on opposite sides of the first region Ea has the advantage of improving visibility and making it easier for the user to operate the column section 11 while looking at the operation image Q.

[0083] (5) In each of the above-described embodiments, it is not essential to have a configuration that changes the height of the column image Ra1 in accordance with height information P1 representing the actual height of the column section 11. For example, a configuration can be adopted in which the height of the column image Ra1 is changed without receiving height information P1 when an operation to change the height of the column section 11 is received from the user. In this configuration, for example, the height of the column image Ra1 is changed according to the height represented by the instruction signal P2 (instruction signal P2 transmitted to the holding device 100) corresponding to the operation to change the height of the column section 11 from the user. However, the configuration that changes the height of the column image Ra1 in accordance with height information P1 has the advantage that the height of the column image Ra1 can be changed in accordance with the actual height of the column section 11. Therefore, for example, if the height of the column section 11 is not changed for some reason despite the transmission of the instruction signal P2, the height of the column image Ra1 will also not be changed. In other words, it is possible to prevent a discrepancy between the actual height of the column section 11 and the height of the column image Ra1. As can be understood from the above explanation, the display control unit 212 may change the column image Ra1 in accordance with the height information P1 transmitted from the holding device 100 in response to an operation by the user to change the height of the column section 11 (i.e., triggered by the receipt of the height information P1), or it may change the column image Ra1 in response to an operation by the user to change the height of the column section 11. The display control unit 212 is comprehensively represented as an element that changes the column image Ra1 in response to an operation by the user to change the height of the column section 11.

[0084] (6) In each of the above configurations, a configuration is also adopted in which the height of the column section 11 is set to the initial position (for example, the lowest position of the column section 11) at startup (when the information processing device 200 makes it possible to operate the column section 11) without accepting any operation from the user. In this configuration, upon startup, an instruction signal P2 to set the height of the column section 11 to the initial position is transmitted to the holding device 100. Therefore, the height of the column image Ra1 corresponding to the initial position is displayed. The user then performs an operation to change the height of the column section 11 from the initial position.

[0085] (7) In each of the above-described embodiments, for example, the operation to change the height of the column section 11 may be an operation to move the column image Ra1 (an operation to move it up and down). Alternatively, the operation to change the height of the column section 11 may be performed using a physical control element.

[0086] (8) The holding device 100 and the information processing device 200 can be conceived as an operating system.

[0087] (9) The functions of the information processing device 200 according to each of the above embodiments are realized through cooperation between a computer (e.g., a control device 21) and a program. A program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided in a form stored on a computer-readable recording medium and installed on the computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, such as an optical recording medium (optical disc) like a CD-ROM, but includes any known form of recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. Note that a non-transitory recording medium includes any recording medium except for transient propagation signals, and does not exclude volatile recording media. The program may also be provided to the computer in the form of distribution via a communication network. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 11: Column Section 13: Enclosure 15: Legs 21: Control device 23: Storage device 25:Display device 27: Operating device 29: Communication equipment 100: Holding device 112: Support part 114: Pole section 200: Information Processing Device 212: Display Control Unit 214: Operation Control Unit Ea: 1st area Eb: 2nd area Ec: 3rd area Q: Operation image Ra1: Column image Ra2: Range image Ra3: Target position image Ra4: Numerical image Rb1: Elevated image Rb2: descending image Rb3: Speed ​​image Rc1: Related images Rc2: Speed ​​image U:User

Claims

1. An information processing device for operating a holding device having a column section to which an imaging device is connected at the tip and whose height can be changed, A display control unit that causes a first region including a column image representing the column portion to be displayed on a display device, The system comprises an operation control unit that, upon receiving an operation to change the height of the column portion, transmits an instruction to change the height of the column portion to the holding device, The display control unit changes the column image in accordance with the operation. Information processing device.

2. The display control unit, The display device displays a second region including an upward image showing an increase in the height of the column, a downward image showing a decrease in the height of the column, and a first velocity image representing the movement speed of the column. In response to user input, the movement speed represented by the first speed image is changed. When the operation control unit receives confirmation that the rising image or the falling image has been selected, it transmits an instruction to the holding device to raise or lower the height of the column portion at the movement speed represented by the first speed image. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The first region further includes a target position image representing the target height of the column portion, The display control unit changes the position of the target position image relative to the column image in response to user operation. When the position represented by the target position image is selected, the operation control unit transmits an instruction to the holding device to change the height of the column portion to that position. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The display control unit causes the display device to display a third region on which related images associated with the target position image are displayed. When the operation control unit receives confirmation that the associated image within the third region has been selected, it transmits an instruction to the holding device to change the height of the column portion to the position represented by the target position image corresponding to the associated image. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The third region further includes a second velocity image representing the movement speed of the column portion, The display control unit changes the movement speed represented by the second speed image in response to user input. When the operation control unit receives confirmation that the associated image has been selected, it transmits an instruction to the holding device to change the height of the column portion at the movement speed represented by the two speed images. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. In the first region, an image showing a numerical value corresponding to the position represented by the target position image is displayed, and the numerical value is changed along with the position of the target position image. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

7. There are multiple target location images. The aforementioned multiple target position images are different images. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

8. The first region includes a range image representing the range in which the column portion can move. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The display control unit changes the column image according to information representing the height of the column in the holding device to which an instruction to change the height of the column has been transmitted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. An information processing method for operating a holding device having a column section to which an imaging device is connected at the tip and whose height can be changed, A first region including a column image representing the column portion is displayed on the display device. When an operation to change the height of the column portion is received, an instruction to change the height of the column portion is transmitted to the holding device. The column image is changed in accordance with the above operation. Information processing methods implemented by computers.

11. A program for operating a holding device having a column section to which an imaging device is connected at the tip and whose height can be changed, A display control unit that causes a first region including a column image representing the column portion to be displayed on a display device, and When an operation to change the height of the column is received, the computer functions as an operation control unit that transmits an instruction to change the height of the column to the holding device. The display control unit changes the column image in accordance with the operation. program.

Images