Control device and control method

Abstract

This invention provides a technology to suppress the power consumption of imaging devices set to power-saving mode in a mesh network. [Solution] The control device is a control device that controls the transmission of multiple images obtained by multiple imaging devices to an electronic device, and includes an acquisition means for acquiring information of a first imaging device operating in a power-saving mode among the multiple imaging devices, and a control means for controlling a second imaging device that transmits the images to the electronic device via the first imaging device to transmit the images with a reduced amount of data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] There is a known technique for wirelessly connecting an information terminal such as a tablet and an imaging device such as a video camera, and controlling the imaging device from the information terminal or displaying a live view of an image captured by the imaging device on the information terminal. When the information terminal controls a plurality of imaging devices, the plurality of imaging devices form a mesh network and perform wireless communication with each other, so that the information terminal can also control an imaging device at a remote position. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing the load while maintaining the display quality of a live view image with high importance even when the number of imaging devices increases when receiving and displaying a plurality of live view images captured by a plurality of imaging devices by wireless communication.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Among a plurality of imaging devices forming a mesh network, in addition to being driven by power supply from an external power source, there is a case where they are driven by a battery. An imaging device driven by a battery is preferably operated in a power saving mode in order to enable long-time shooting. When the information terminal receives live view images from a plurality of imaging devices, if the load is reduced while maintaining the display quality of a live view image with high importance, there is a possibility that a live view image with high importance is transmitted to the information terminal via an imaging device driven by a battery. In this case, the imaging device driven by a battery may consume a large amount of power for communication, and the operating time may be shortened.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a technology for suppressing the power consumption of an imaging device set to power-saving mode in a mesh network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device according to the present invention is a control device that controls the transmission of a plurality of images obtained by a plurality of imaging devices to an electronic device, and is characterized by comprising: acquisition means for acquiring information of a first imaging device among the plurality of imaging devices that is operating in a power-saving mode; and control means for controlling a second imaging device among the plurality of imaging devices that transmits the images to the electronic device via the first imaging device to transmit the images with a reduced amount of data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology for suppressing the power consumption of an imaging device set to power-saving mode in a mesh network. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic device. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the configuration of an imaging device. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example where multiple imaging devices and electronic equipment are directly connected. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating a mesh network. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of connecting multiple imaging devices and electronic equipment. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the imaging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the imaging device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the imaging device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The control device according to the present invention controls the transmission of multiple images obtained by multiple imaging devices to an electronic device. The control device acquires information of a first imaging device among the multiple imaging devices that is operating in power-saving mode, and controls a second imaging device among the multiple imaging devices that transmits images to an electronic device via the first imaging device to reduce the amount of data transmitted to the image.

[0010] <First Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the control device is included in an imaging device that transmits images to electronic devices via an imaging device operating in power-saving mode, which is located further away from the electronic devices than the imaging devices operating in power-saving mode, among the imaging devices that form a mesh network.

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 is an information terminal such as a tablet. The electronic device 100 includes a control unit 101, a display unit 102, an operation unit 103, and a communication unit 104.

[0012] The control unit 101 is a processor that executes processing for the electronic device 100 and controls the entire electronic device 100. The display unit 102 is a display that shows various information. The display unit 102 can display live view images received from the imaging device. The operation unit 103 is a touchscreen and buttons, etc., that accepts operations from the user. The communication unit 104 has network connectivity functions such as wireless. The communication unit 104 can control other devices and send and receive information with other devices via wireless communication.

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of the imaging device 200. The imaging device 200 is a device that records images, such as a video camera. The imaging device 200 can be operated wirelessly and transmit and receive information wirelessly. The imaging device 200 can form a mesh network with other imaging devices 200 that have equivalent functions. The imaging device 200 can control other imaging devices 200 in the mesh network and transmit and receive information with other imaging devices 200 according to instructions from the electronic device 100. In other words, the imaging device 200 can wirelessly output live view image information to the outside and can also transmit it to the electronic device 100.

[0014] The imaging device 200 includes a control unit 201, an imaging unit 202, an image processing unit 203, and a communication unit 204. The control unit 201 is a processor that executes processing for the imaging device 200 and controls the entire imaging device 200. The imaging unit 202 includes a sensor and lens for acquiring images. The image processing unit 203 performs image processing on the images acquired by the imaging unit 202. For example, the image processing unit 203 performs image compression for live view display of the images acquired by the imaging unit 202. The communication unit 204 has network connectivity functions such as wireless communication and forms a mesh network with other imaging devices 200 that have equivalent functions.

[0015] The mesh network will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows an example in which multiple imaging devices 301-304 and the electronic equipment 100 are directly connected, unlike the mesh network. In Figure 3, the electronic equipment 100 is directly connected to each of the multiple imaging devices 301-304, so unlike imaging device 304, it is far removed from the electronic equipment 100. As the devices move further apart, their radio waves will no longer reach each other. When their radio waves no longer reach each other, the electronic device 100 will fail to communicate with the imaging device 304, and the live view image from the imaging device 304 may be interrupted. In order to enable communication with the electronic device 100 even from the imaging device 304, which is located at a distance, the multiple imaging devices 301 to 304 can form a mesh network using wireless communication.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a mesh network. In the mesh network, a plurality of imaging devices 401 to 405 can be connected to each other to transmit and receive data. The imaging device 401 within the mesh network is closer to the user and has a stronger radio wave intensity for communication with the electronic device 100 than the other imaging devices 402 to 405, and thus is connected to the electronic device 100. The imaging device 401 connected to the electronic device 100 is also called a head or a representative imaging device. The electronic device 100 can access the mesh network via the imaging device 401 which is the head. Therefore, the electronic device 100 can control an imaging device that belongs to the mesh network even if the imaging device is in a location where direct radio waves do not reach.

[0017] In the following description, the side of the electronic device 100 operated by the user is called the upstream side, and the side of the terminal imaging device 200 located away from the user and the electronic device 100 is called the downstream side. When the user operates the electronic device 100 to control each imaging device, the control command from the electronic device 100 is transmitted from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Also, data such as live view images is transmitted from each imaging device toward the electronic device 100, from the downstream side toward the upstream side.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection example of a plurality of imaging devices 200a to 200e and the electronic device 100. The imaging devices 200a to 200e form a mesh network. The imaging devices 200a to 200e are imaging devices having the same functions as the imaging device 200 described in FIG. 2. The imaging devices 200a to 200e are collectively referred to as the imaging device 200 when they are not distinguished from each other.

[0019] In the example mesh network shown in Figure 5, imaging devices 200a and 200b, 200b and 200c, 200a and 200d, and 200d and 200e are wirelessly connected to each other. Note that the interconnections of imaging devices 200a to 200e are not limited to the example in Figure 5. Also, the mesh network is not limited to five devices; it can be formed by any number of imaging devices 200, as long as multiple devices are included.

[0020] The user connects the electronic device 100 to one of the imaging devices 200 that form the mesh network (imaging device 200a in the example of Figure 5). The imaging device 200 connected to the electronic device 100 is also called the head or representative imaging device. The electronic device 100 connects to the mesh network via the head imaging device 200 and can operate any imaging device 200 that forms the mesh network, or send and receive information with that imaging device 200.

[0021] In the mesh network illustrated in Figure 5, the imaging device 200b operates in power-saving mode. Therefore, when the imaging device 200c transmits a live view image to the electronic device 100 via the imaging device 200b, it is preferable to reduce the amount of data transmitted in order to suppress the power consumption of the imaging device 200b. In the first embodiment, the imaging device 200c that transmits the live view image determines whether or not to reduce the amount of data. That is, the control device according to the present invention is included in the imaging device 200c located downstream of the imaging device operating in power-saving mode.

[0022] In the following description, an example is shown in which the imaging device 200c transmits a live view image. However, this embodiment is not limited to live view images and can also be applied when transmitting recorded images held by the imaging device 200c.

[0023] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the imaging device according to the first embodiment. The sequence diagram in Figure 6 shows the flow of control commands and live view image data when a user checks a live view image captured by the downstream imaging device 200c on the electronic device 100 in the mesh network illustrated in Figure 5. In the sequence diagram in Figure 6, the imaging device 200c itself determines whether or not to reduce the amount of data when transmitting the live view image.

[0024] The sequence shown in Figure 6 is initiated, for example, when a user requests an operation from the electronic device 100 or the imaging device 200c to display an image obtained by the imaging device 200c on the electronic device 100.

[0025] At time t10, imaging device 200c queries imaging device 200b for data transmission conditions and other information to confirm the start conditions for transmitting the live view image. At time t11, imaging device 200b notifies imaging device 200c that there is an imaging device 200b in power-saving mode upstream.

[0026] If imaging device 200a, not imaging device 200b, is in power-saving mode, imaging device 200b will, after processing at time t10, confirm the conditions for starting the transmission of the live view image to imaging device 200a. Imaging device 200b receives notification that imaging device 200a is in power-saving mode upstream. After that, imaging device 200b only needs to notify imaging device 200c at time t11.

[0027] At time t12, the imaging device 200c reduces the amount of data of the live view image it transmits because the imaging device 200b is in power-saving mode upstream. The image processing unit 203 of the imaging device 200c can reduce the amount of data of the live view image by adjusting settings such as the resolution, bit depth, frame rate, and image compression format of the live view image. The imaging device 200c transmits the live view image with reduced data volume to the imaging device 200b. This allows the imaging device 200c to suppress the power consumption of the imaging device 200b, which relays the transmission of the live view image.

[0028] Furthermore, even if the imaging device 200c receives information that there is an imaging device 200b in power-saving mode upstream, it can transmit the live view image without reducing the amount of data if certain conditions are met. These conditions include, for example, that the battery level of the imaging device 200b in power-saving mode is greater than a predetermined amount, and that the user has set the image quality of the live view image not to be reduced. The predetermined amount that serves as the threshold for the battery level can be determined, for example, based on the shooting time planned by the imaging device 200b.

[0029] At time t13, imaging device 200b receives a reduced-data live view image from imaging device 200c and acts as a relay when transmitting the received live view image to the upstream imaging device 200a.

[0030] Furthermore, the imaging device 200c may notify the electronic device 100 or the imaging device 200 that manages the connections between multiple imaging devices 200 forming a mesh network (hereinafter also referred to as the management imaging device) that it will transmit the live view image with reduced data volume. The electronic device 100 or the management imaging device can allocate the communication bandwidth that is no longer used by transmitting the live view image with reduced data volume to other communications. In the example in Figure 5, The electronic device 100 or the management imaging device may allocate the unused communication bandwidth to communication between the imaging device 200d and the electronic device 100, without going through the imaging device 200b in power-saving mode.

[0031] According to the first embodiment described above, the downstream imaging device 200c can reduce the amount of data of the live view image relayed by the upstream imaging device 200b in power-saving mode, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the imaging device 200b.

[0032] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, an imaging device 200c located downstream of an imaging device 200b in power-saving mode determines whether or not to reduce the amount of data in the live view image. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode determines whether or not to reduce the amount of data in the live view image transmitted by the downstream imaging device 200c. In the second embodiment, the control device according to the present invention is included in the imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode among the imaging devices forming a mesh network.

[0033] The configuration of the electronic device 100 and the imaging device 200 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. The configuration of the mesh network according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration illustrated in Figure 5. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the imaging device 200b is set to power saving mode. The live view image captured by the imaging device 200c is transmitted to the electronic device 100 via the imaging device 200b in power saving mode.

[0034] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the imaging device according to the second embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the sequence diagram in Figure 7 shows the flow of control commands and live view image data when a user checks a live view image captured by the downstream imaging device 200c on the electronic device 100. In the sequence diagram in Figure 7, whether or not to reduce the amount of data when the imaging device 200c transmits the live view image is determined by the imaging device 200b, which is operating in power-saving mode.

[0035] At time t20, imaging device 200a instructs imaging device 200b, which is operating in power-saving mode, to begin transmitting live view images from imaging device 200c. In other words, imaging device 200b is instructed by imaging device 200a to relay the transmission of live view images from imaging device 200c to electronic device 100.

[0036] Furthermore, the imaging device 200a may be an imaging device 200 (management imaging device) that manages the connections between multiple imaging devices 200 forming a mesh network. The management imaging device holds information about the mesh network. This information includes the configuration of the mesh network, the connection status between the imaging devices 200 forming the mesh network, and information about imaging devices 200 operating in power-saving mode. The imaging device 200a may be a head connected to the electronic equipment 100. In addition, the imaging device 200b may be connected to the electronic equipment 100 and receive instructions from the electronic equipment 100 at time t20.

[0037] At time t21, imaging device 200b analyzes the instructions from imaging device 200a and determines that it has been instructed to relay the transmission of the live view image from the downstream imaging device 200c. Since imaging device 200b is operating in power-saving mode, it rewrites the instructions from imaging device 200a and instructs the downstream imaging device 200c to transmit the live view image with reduced data volume.

[0038] At time t22, the imaging device 200b notifies the upstream imaging device 200a to reduce the amount of data and transmit the live view image. The electronic device 100 may be notified to reduce the amount of data and transmit the live view image. The imaging device 200b may also notify the imaging device 200a or the electronic device 100 that it has instructed the imaging device 200c to reduce the amount of data and transmit the live view image.

[0039] Upon receiving notification at time t22, the imaging device 200a can reduce the amount of data and transmit the live view image, thereby allocating the unused communication bandwidth to other communications. The imaging device 200a may transmit the notification at time t22 to the electronic device 100, and the electronic device 100 may allocate the unused communication bandwidth to other communications. In the example in Figure 5, the imaging device 200a or the electronic device 100 may allocate the unused communication bandwidth to communications between the imaging device 200d and the electronic device 100, which communicate with the electronic device 100 without going through the imaging device 200b in power-saving mode.

[0040] At time t23, the imaging device 200c reduces the data size of the live view image and begins transmission, in accordance with instructions from the imaging device 200b. The image processing unit 203 of the imaging device 200c can reduce the data size of the live view image by adjusting settings such as the resolution, bit depth, frame rate, and image compression format of the live view image.

[0041] At time t24, imaging device 200b receives a reduced-data live view image from imaging device 200c and acts as a relay when transmitting the received live view image to the upstream imaging device 200a.

[0042] According to the second embodiment described above, the imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode can reduce the amount of data of the live view image transmitted from the downstream imaging device 200c, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the imaging device 200b.

[0043] <Third Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the imaging device 200c located downstream of the imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode determines whether to reduce the amount of data of the live view image transmitted by the downstream imaging device 200c. In the second embodiment, the imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode determines whether to reduce the amount of data of the live view image transmitted by the downstream imaging device 200c. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the imaging device 200a located upstream of the imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode determines whether to reduce the amount of data of the live view image transmitted by the downstream imaging device 200c. In the third embodiment, the control device according to the present invention is included in the imaging device 200a connected to the electronic device 100, which is located upstream of the imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode among the imaging devices 200 that form a mesh network. The imaging device 200a receives the live view image from the imaging device 200c via the imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode.

[0044] The configuration of the electronic device 100 and the imaging device 200 according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. The configuration of the mesh network according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration illustrated in Figure 5. In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the imaging device 200b is set to power saving mode. The live view image captured by the imaging device 200c is transmitted to the electronic device 100 via the imaging device 200b in power saving mode.

[0045] The imaging device 200a is an imaging device 200 (management imaging device) that manages the connections between multiple imaging devices 200 that form a mesh network. The management imaging device holds information about the mesh network. This information includes the configuration of the mesh network, the connection status between the imaging devices 200 that form the mesh network, and information about imaging devices 200 operating in power-saving mode.

[0046] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. The sequence diagram, similar to the first embodiment, shows the flow of control commands and live view image data when a user checks a live view image captured by the downstream imaging device 200c on the electronic device 100. In the sequence diagram of Figure 8, whether or not to reduce the amount of data when the imaging device 200c transmits the live view image is determined by the imaging device 200a connected to the electronic device 100. The imaging device 200a is a head connected to the electronic device 100 and is located upstream of the imaging device 200b, which is operating in power-saving mode.

[0047] At time t30, electronic device 100 instructs imaging device 200a to begin transmitting live view images from imaging device 200c. That is, imaging device 200a is instructed by electronic device 100 to relay the transmission of live view images from imaging device 200c to electronic device 100 via imaging device 200b in power-saving mode.

[0048] At time t31, the imaging device 200a analyzes the instructions from the electronic device 100 and determines that it has been instructed to relay the transmission of the live view image from the downstream imaging device 200c. The imaging device 200a is a management imaging device and is aware that there is an imaging device 200b operating in power-saving mode downstream. Therefore, the imaging device 200a rewrites the instructions from the electronic device 100 and instructs the downstream imaging device 200b to transmit the live view with reduced data volume.

[0049] At time t32, the imaging device 200a notifies the upstream electronic device 100 that it will transmit the live view image with reduced data volume. The electronic device 100 can then allocate the communication bandwidth that is no longer used by reducing the data volume of the live view image to other communications. In the example in Figure 5, the electronic device 100 may allocate the unused communication bandwidth to communication between the electronic device 100 and the imaging device 200d, which communicates with the electronic device 100 without going through the imaging device 200b in power-saving mode.

[0050] At time t33, imaging device 200b instructs the downstream imaging device 200c to reduce the amount of data and transmit the live view image. At time t34, imaging device 200c, in accordance with the instruction from imaging device 200b, starts transmitting the live view image with reduced data size. The image processing unit 203 of imaging device 200c can reduce the amount of data of the live view image by adjusting settings such as the resolution, bit depth, frame rate, and image compression format of the live view image.

[0051] At time t35, imaging device 200b receives a reduced-data live view image from imaging device 200c and acts as a relay when transmitting the received live view image to the upstream imaging device 200a. At time t36, imaging device 200a receives a reduced-data live view image from imaging device 200b and acts as a relay when transmitting the received live view image to the upstream electronic device 100.

[0052] According to the third embodiment described above, the imaging device 200a connected to the electronic device 100 can reduce the amount of data of the live view image transmitted from the downstream imaging device 200c via the imaging device 200b. Therefore, the imaging device 200a can reduce the power consumption of the imaging device 200b, which is operating in power-saving mode.

[0053] <Fourth Embodiment> In the first to third embodiments, the imaging devices 200c, 200b, and 200a respectively determine whether or not to reduce the amount of data of the live view image transmitted by the downstream imaging device 200c. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the electronic device 100 determines whether or not to reduce the amount of data of the live view transmitted by the downstream imaging device 200c. In the fourth embodiment, the control device according to the present invention is included in the electronic device 100.

[0054] The configuration of the electronic device 100 and the imaging device 200 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. The configuration of the mesh network according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration illustrated in Figure 5. In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the imaging device 200b is set to power saving mode. The live view image captured by the imaging device 200c is transmitted to the electronic device 100 via the imaging device 200b in power saving mode.

[0055] The imaging device 200a is an imaging device 200 (management imaging device) that manages the connections between multiple imaging devices 200 that form a mesh network. The management imaging device holds information about the mesh network. This information includes the configuration of the mesh network, the connection status between the imaging devices 200 that form the mesh network, and information about imaging devices 200 operating in power-saving mode.

[0056] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the imaging device according to the fourth embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the sequence diagram in Figure 9 shows the flow of control commands and live view image data when a user checks a live view image captured by the downstream imaging device 200c on the electronic device 100. In the sequence diagram in Figure 9, the electronic device 100 determines whether or not to reduce the amount of data when the imaging device 200c transmits the live view image.

[0057] At time t40, the electronic device 100 queries the imaging device 200a for information regarding the mesh network. At time t41, the imaging device 200a transmits information regarding the mesh network to the electronic device 100. Based on the received information regarding the mesh network, the electronic device 100 can determine whether each imaging device 200 is in power-saving mode.

[0058] At time t42, electronic device 100 instructs imaging device 200c, which is downstream of imaging device 200b, to begin transmitting a live view image. Since electronic device 100 is aware that imaging device 200b is in power-saving mode, it instructs imaging device 200a to transmit the live view image with reduced data volume. At time t43, imaging device 200a instructs imaging device 200b to transmit the live view image with reduced data volume. At time t44, imaging device 200b instructs imaging device 200c to transmit the live view image with reduced data volume.

[0059] From time t42 to time t44, the electronic device 100 can relay information from imaging devices 200a and 200b to imaging device 200c, thereby instructing imaging device 200c to transmit a live view image with reduced data volume.

[0060] Furthermore, the electronic device 100 can allocate the communication bandwidth that is no longer used by transmitting the live view image with reduced data volume to other communications. In the example shown in Figure 5, the electronic device 100 or the management imaging device may allocate the unused communication bandwidth to communication between the electronic device 100 and the imaging device 200d, which communicates with the electronic device 100 without going through the imaging device 200b in power-saving mode.

[0061] At time t45, the imaging device 200c reduces the data size of the live view image and begins transmission, in accordance with instructions from the imaging device 200b. The image processing unit 203 of the imaging device 200c can reduce the data size of the live view image by adjusting settings such as the resolution, bit depth, frame rate, and image compression format of the live view image.

[0062] At time t46, imaging device 200b receives a live view image with reduced data volume from imaging device 200c and transmits the received live view image to the upstream imaging device 200a. It acts as a relay when transmitting the live view image with reduced data volume from imaging device 200b to the upstream electronic device 100.

[0063] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the electronic device 100 can reduce the amount of data of the live view image transmitted from the downstream imaging device 200c, and can suppress the power consumption of the imaging device 200b which is operating in power-saving mode.

[0064] The present invention also includes cases in which a software program that realizes the functions of the embodiments described above is supplied directly from a recording medium or via wired / wireless communication to a system or device having a computer capable of executing the program and executed. The program code itself supplied to and installed on the computer in order to realize the functions and processes of the present invention can realize the present invention. In other words, the present invention also includes the computer program itself for realizing the functions and processes of the present invention. The computer program may be object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS, etc., as long as it has the functions of a program, and is not limited to the form of a program.

[0065] The recording medium for supplying the program may be, for example, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium such as magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium, or a non-volatile semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the computer program realizing the present invention may be stored on a server on a computer network and supplied to client computers by the client computer connecting to the server and downloading it.

[0066] The various controls described above may or may not be performed by a single piece of hardware (e.g., a processor or circuit). Multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors, multiple circuits, or a combination of one or more processors and one or more circuits) may share the processing to control the entire device.

[0067] Furthermore, the above-mentioned processors are processors in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors and specialized processors. General-purpose processors include, for example, CPUs (Central Processing Units), MPUs (Micro Processing Units), and DSPs (Digital Signal Processors). Specialized processors include, for example, GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), and PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices). Programmable logic devices include, for example, FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) and CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices).

[0068] Furthermore, the embodiments described above (including modified examples) are merely examples, and configurations obtained by appropriately modifying or changing the above-described configurations within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Configurations obtained by appropriately combining the above-described configurations are also included in the present invention.

[0069] <Other Embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit that implements one or more functions.

[0070] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Composition 1) A control device that controls the transmission of multiple images obtained by multiple imaging devices to electronic devices, An acquisition means for acquiring information on the first imaging device among the plurality of imaging devices that is operating in power-saving mode, Among the plurality of imaging devices, the second imaging device that transmits the image to the electronic device via the first imaging device is controlled by control means for reducing the amount of data and transmitting the image. A control device characterized by having the following features. (Configuration 2) The control device is included in the second imaging device, The control means further notifies the electronic device or the imaging device that manages the connections between the multiple imaging devices that the second imaging device reduces the amount of data and transmits the image. The control device according to configuration 1, characterized by the above. (Composition 3) The control device is included in the first imaging device, The control device according to Configuration 1, characterized in that when the control means is instructed by the electronic device or the imaging device that manages the connections between the plurality of imaging devices to relay the transmission of the image from the second imaging device to the electronic device, the control means instructs the second imaging device to transmit the image with a reduced amount of data. (Composition 4) The control means further notifies the electronic device or the imaging device that manages the connections between the multiple imaging devices that the second imaging device reduces the amount of data and transmits the image. The control device according to configuration 3, characterized by the above. (Composition 5) The control device is included in the third imaging device among the plurality of imaging devices that is connected to the electronic device, When the control means receives an instruction from the electronic device to relay the transmission of the image from the second imaging device to the electronic device via the first imaging device, it instructs the second imaging device to transmit the image with a reduced data volume. The control device according to configuration 1, characterized by the above. (Composition 6) The control means further notifies the electronic device that the second imaging device reduces the amount of data and transmits the image. The control device according to configuration 5, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 7) The control device is included in the electronic device, When the control means receives the image from the second imaging device via the first imaging device, it instructs the second imaging device to reduce the amount of data and transmit the image. The control device according to configuration 1, characterized by the above. (Composition 8) The control means allocates the communication bandwidth that is no longer used by the second imaging device when it reduces the amount of data and transmits the image, to communication between the imaging device and the electronic device that communicates with the electronic device without going through the first imaging device. A control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized by the above. (Composition 9) The control means controls the second imaging device to transmit the image without reducing the amount of data if predetermined conditions are met. A control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized by the above. (Composition 10) The predetermined conditions include at least one of the following: the battery level of the first imaging device is greater than a predetermined amount, and the user has set the image quality not to decrease. The control device according to configuration 9, characterized by the features described herein. (method) A control method for controlling the transmission of multiple images obtained by multiple imaging devices to electronic devices, The steps include: acquiring information on the first imaging device among the plurality of imaging devices that is operating in power-saving mode; The steps include controlling the second imaging device, among the plurality of imaging devices, which transmits the image to the electronic device via the first imaging device, to transmit the image with a reduced amount of data, and A control method characterized by having the following features. (program) A program for causing a computer to function as one of the control devices described in any of configurations 1 to 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 100: Electronic equipment, 101: Control unit, 200: Imaging device, 201: Control unit

Claims

1. A control device that controls the transmission of multiple images obtained by multiple imaging devices to electronic devices, An acquisition means for acquiring information on the first imaging device, which is operating in power-saving mode, among the plurality of imaging devices, Among the plurality of imaging devices, the second imaging device that transmits the image to the electronic device via the first imaging device is controlled by control means for reducing the amount of data and transmitting the image. A control device characterized by having the following features.

2. The control device is included in the second imaging device, The control means further notifies the electronic device or the imaging device that manages the connections between the multiple imaging devices that the second imaging device reduces the amount of data and transmits the image. The control device according to feature 1.

3. The control device is included in the first imaging device, The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the control means is instructed by the electronic device or the imaging device that manages the connections between the plurality of imaging devices to relay the transmission of the image from the second imaging device to the electronic device, the control means instructs the second imaging device to transmit the image with a reduced amount of data.

4. The control means further notifies the electronic device or the imaging device that manages the connections between the multiple imaging devices that the second imaging device reduces the amount of data and transmits the image. The control device according to claim 3.

5. The control device is included in the third imaging device among the plurality of imaging devices that is connected to the electronic device, When the control means receives an instruction from the electronic device to relay the transmission of the image from the second imaging device to the electronic device via the first imaging device, it instructs the second imaging device to transmit the image with a reduced data volume. The control device according to feature 1.

6. The control means further notifies the electronic device that the second imaging device reduces the amount of data and transmits the image. The control device according to claim 5.

7. The control device is included in the electronic device, When the control means receives the image from the second imaging device via the first imaging device, it instructs the second imaging device to reduce the amount of data and transmit the image. The control device according to feature 1.

8. The control means allocates the communication bandwidth that is no longer used when the second imaging device reduces the amount of data and transmits the image to the electronic device, to communication between the imaging device and the electronic device that communicates with the electronic device without going through the first imaging device. The control device according to feature 1.

9. The control means controls the second imaging device to transmit the image without reducing the amount of data if predetermined conditions are met. The control device according to feature 1.

10. The predetermined conditions include at least one of the following: the battery level of the first imaging device is greater than a predetermined amount, and the user has set the image quality not to decrease. The control device according to feature 9.

11. A control method for controlling the transmission of multiple images obtained by multiple imaging devices to electronic devices, The steps include: acquiring information on the first imaging device among the plurality of imaging devices that is operating in power-saving mode; The steps include controlling the second imaging device, among the plurality of imaging devices, which transmits the image to the electronic device via the first imaging device, to transmit the image with a reduced amount of data, and A control method characterized by having the following features.

12. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of the control device described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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