Image capture control device, image capture control method, and program

Abstract

To enable efficient patrolling and photography within the area where the subject is located. [Solution] An imaging control device controls the imaging unit to patrol and photograph multiple set ranges, acquiring location information of a first wireless device held by a person who is the subject, and acquiring location information of a second wireless device pre-installed in the range to be patrolled. If the number of first wireless devices around a second wireless device in the range to be patrolled is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the imaging unit is controlled to patrol that range using PTZ control. On the other hand, if the number of first wireless devices around a second wireless device in the range to be patrolled is less than the predetermined number, that range is skipped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging control device, an imaging control method, and a program for performing panoramic shooting.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an imaging device capable of controlling pan, tilt, and zoom in a remote camera or the like is known, and such an imaging device is generally called a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera. Some PTZ cameras have a preset function that can store information on a desired shooting angle as preset information, and when the stored preset information is specified, it can be changed to the specified imaging angle, imaging direction, and zoom magnification.

[0003] As an example of applying such preset information, there is also a preset tour function in which a plurality of preset information is set in advance, and a plurality of shooting angles and the like indicated by these preset information are sequentially toured and shot. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for adding a predetermined angle of view that captures an abnormal area to the path of a preset tour when an abnormal value is detected from a sensor device installed in a space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In situations such as parties, wedding receptions, and studio shoots, it is often desirable to have the subject always present at each location during the patrol. However, if the subject moves, the patrol may end up capturing unnecessary footage because the subject is no longer present at the patrol locations. The technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot solve this problem because it continues to patrol unnecessary locations until it has acquired normal values ​​from the sensor multiple times.

[0006] In view of the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to enable efficient patrolling and photography within the range where the subject to be photographed exists. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The imaging control device according to the present invention comprises: control means for controlling an imaging means to patrol and photograph each of a set number of ranges; acquisition means for acquiring location information of a first wireless device held by a subject; and determination means for determining whether to patrol and photograph the set ranges based on the location information of the first wireless device acquired by the acquisition means, wherein the control means controls the imaging means to skip the ranges where it was determined not to photograph and take photographs when the determination means determines not to photograph. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently patrol and photograph the area in which the subject to be photographed exists. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the imaging system in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an imaging device in an embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the overall cyclical processing procedure using an imaging device. [Figure 4]This figure shows an example of a GUI for configuring the patrol method of the installed second wireless transmitter. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of a detailed procedure for routine processing in the second wireless transmitter being processed. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the distance between two second wireless transmitters. [Figure 7] This diagram explains how to calculate the field of view after circulating and integrating data. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various other forms that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included.

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the imaging system 1 in this embodiment. The imaging system 1 in this embodiment includes an imaging device 101, a first wireless transmitter 103, a second wireless transmitter 104, a wireless receiver 105, and an information terminal 108, which are connected via a first network 106 and a second network 107. Figure 1 also includes a subject 102 as a freely movable object to be photographed. In this embodiment, an example in which the imaging device 101 has the function of an imaging control device is described. However, the function of an imaging control device may be provided by a device other than the imaging device 101, for example, the information terminal 108.

[0012] The imaging device 101 performs video distribution and various control functions via a wireless first network 106 or a wired second network 107. The first wireless transmitter 103, the second wireless transmitter 104, and the wireless receiver 105 each incorporate a wireless communication module conforming to, for example, the direction detection function of Bluetooth® 5.1 specifications, and are connected via the first network 106. The first wireless transmitter 103 is a wireless device held by the subject 102. On the other hand, the second wireless transmitter 104 is a wireless device installed at the location where patrol shooting is to be performed, and its installation position can be freely changed. The wireless receiver 105 is built into the imaging device 101, but it does not necessarily have to be built in. For example, the wireless receiver 105 may be placed outside the imaging device 101. In that case, the received information is transmitted from the external wireless receiver 105 to the imaging device 101 via the network.

[0013] The first network 106 is, for example, a network compliant with wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth® or Ultra Wide Band®. The first network 106 enables mutual communication between the first wireless transmitter 103 and the wireless receiver 105, and between the second wireless transmitter 104 and the wireless receiver 105. In this embodiment, the communication mode of the first network 106 is wireless, but it can also be implemented using a wired connection.

[0014] The second network 107 is a network for connecting the imaging device 101 and the information terminal 108. In this embodiment, the communication mode of the second network 107 is wired, but it can also be implemented wirelessly. The information terminal 108 is connected to the imaging device 101 via the second network 107. The user can set the method for circulating to the second wireless transmitter 104 through the information terminal 108.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the imaging device 101 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 101 includes an imaging unit 201, a lens control unit 202, a drive unit 203, a video signal processing unit 204, a wired communication processing unit 205, a wireless communication processing unit 206, a storage unit 207, and a control unit 208. Hereinafter, each unit will be described.

[0016] The imaging unit 201 includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, an aperture, and an imaging element. The zoom lens and the focus lens move on the optical axis under the control from the lens control unit 202, and the aperture operates under the control from the lens control unit 202. The imaging element converts the light that has passed through the zoom lens, the focus lens, and the aperture into an electrical signal, amplifies this electrical signal by an amplifier, and outputs it to the video signal processing unit 204.

[0017] The drive unit 203 includes a pan drive unit and a tilt drive unit, and rotates the imaging unit 201 in the horizontal (pan) direction and the vertical (tilt) direction by controlling via an actuator. The video signal processing unit 204 converts an electrical signal into a digital signal, and generates a video signal by performing various image processes on the digital signal. Here, the various image processes include defect correction, gamma processing, noise reduction processing, and the like.

[0018] The wired communication processing unit 205 performs network communication processing with the information terminal 108 via the second network 107. The wireless communication processing unit 206 performs wireless communication processing with the first wireless transmission device 103 or the second wireless transmission device 104 via the first network 106. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication processing unit 206 is included in the imaging device 101, but is not limited thereto. For example, a device having the wireless communication processing unit 206 may be arranged outside the imaging device 101, and the processing content may be transmitted to the imaging device 101 via the first network 106.

[0019] The storage unit 207 can be implemented by a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, or the like. Here, the ROM is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and the RAM is a volatile memory such as a SRAM or a DRAM. Further, the storage device is an HDD, a SSD, or the like. A program for realizing the functions in the present embodiment and data used when the program is executed are stored in the ROM or the storage device. By the control of the control unit 208, these programs and data are appropriately taken into the RAM and function as respective parts of the control unit 208 in the present embodiment when executed by the control unit 208.

[0020] The control unit 208 can be implemented by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 208 includes an ID registration unit 2081, a position identification unit 2082, a tour setting unit 2083, a shooting determination unit 2084, and a PTZ control unit 2085 in the present embodiment. Each unit will be described below.

[0021] The ID registration unit 2081 registers the device ID of the wireless transmission device whose position is identified by the position identification unit 2082 based on the information transmitted from the information terminal 108. The detailed processing by the ID registration unit 2081 will be described later. The position identification unit 2082 calculates the arrival direction of the radio waves transmitted from the first wireless transmission device 103 attached to the subject 102 and the second wireless transmission device 104 arranged at the position where the circumferential shooting is desired. Then, the position identification unit 2082 identifies the relative positions of the first wireless transmission device 103 and the second wireless transmission device 104 with the wireless reception device 105 included in the imaging device 101. Examples of the method for identifying the relative position include direction detection techniques such as AoA (Angle of Arrival) and AoD (Angle of Departure).

[0022] The tour setting unit 2083 performs a movement setting for moving the angle of view to the wireless transmission device registered by the ID registration unit 2081. The detailed processing by the tour setting unit 2083 will be described later. The shooting determination unit 2084 determines whether to move the angle of view to the next tour destination. The detailed processing by the shooting determination unit 2084 will be described later.

[0023] The PTZ control unit 2085 controls the lens control unit 202 and the drive unit 203 to perform pan, tilt, and zoom operations to the position of the wireless transmitter identified by the position identification unit 2082. The PTZ control unit 2085 controls the lens control unit 202 and the drive unit 203 to sequentially image multiple patrol positions according to the patrol route set by the patrol setting unit 2083.

[0024] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall cyclical processing procedure using the imaging device 101 of this embodiment. In step S301, the patrol setting unit 2083 sets the patrol method for the installed second wireless transmitter 104 based on the information transmitted from the information terminal 108. The method for setting the patrol method on the information terminal 108 will be described below with reference to Figure 4.

[0025] Figure 4 shows an example of a GUI for setting the patrol method of the installed second wireless transmitter 104, as displayed on the information terminal 108. In the GUI example in Figure 4, a checkbox for the device ID of the second wireless transmitter 104 registered by the ID registration unit 2081 is displayed, and the GUI is used to make detailed settings associated with various device IDs. In the example shown in Figure 4, a captured image 400 of the vicinity of the second wireless transmitter 104 to be configured is shown, and the detailed setting items shown are the number of people permitted to patrol, patrol number, patrol whether or not to patrol, patrol integration, and patrol field of view, but the setting items are not limited to these. For example, it may be possible to set the shooting time during patrol and the exposure settings during patrol. Next, the detailed setting items will be explained.

[0026] "Patrol Permitted Number of People" 401 is an item for setting the minimum number of people required to be present at a patrol location. As shown in Figure 4, it is possible to set a number of two or more people. In this way, by being able to set not only whether or not people are present at a patrol location, but also the number of people, it is possible to set settings that are more tailored to the shooting scene. In particular, in various events such as weddings and theatrical performances, the presence of multiple people is often a condition for the situation to be filmed. By being able to set a number of two or more people, it is possible to accommodate such use cases. When patrolling, based on the distance from the second wireless transmitter 104 of the set target, if the number of first wireless transmitters 103 held by subjects 102 surrounding the second wireless transmitter 104 (the number of subjects) is equal to or greater than the patrol permitted number, the patrol will be performed. On the other hand, if it is less than the patrol permitted number, the patrol will be skipped to the next location. "Patrol number" 402 is an item that indicates the patrol order of the second wireless transmitter 104, and the number that can be set is less than or equal to the number of second wireless transmitters 104 installed.

[0027] "Patrol Status" 403 is an item for setting whether or not to patrol the second wireless transmitter 104 that is the target of the setting, and it can be set to ON or OFF. For example, even if the number of people present at the next patrol destination is greater than or equal to the number of people permitted to patrol, if "Patrol Status" is OFF, the patrol will not be performed and the system will skip to the next patrol destination. "Patrol Integration" 404 is an item that sets whether or not to capture images in an integrated field of view so that both second wireless transmitters 104, which are scheduled to patrol next, are included in the field of view when there are other second wireless transmitters 104 nearby that are the target of the setting. Details will be described later using Figure 6.

[0028] The "Patrol Angle of View" 405 is an item used to set the angle of view at which the imaging device 101 patrols the target second wireless transmitter 104. The angle of view can be set in detail by the user, or it can be set using the angle of view that the imaging device 101 has pre-stored. For example, user-configurable settings include the center coordinates and zoom value.

[0029] As described above, these detailed settings are configured for each second wireless transmitter 104 by user operation on the information terminal 108, and this information is transmitted to the imaging device 101 and stored in the storage unit 207 of the imaging device 101. The patrol setting unit 2083 of the imaging device 101 sets the patrol method based on the information transmitted from the information terminal 108 and stores the setting information in the storage unit 207.

[0030] In step S302, the imaging determination unit 2084 sets the patrol number i=1, which is the patrol start position. In this embodiment, the initial value of the patrol number i is set to 1, but for example, a value other than 1 may be set as the initial value. However, if the system moves from step S307 to step S302, which will be described later, the patrol number i=1 will be set regardless of the initial value.

[0031] In step S303, the imaging determination unit 2084 reads the setting value for the patrol method of patrol number i, which was set in step S301, from the storage unit 207. In step S304, the shooting determination unit 2084 determines whether the patrol / whether setting is ON or OFF among the setting values ​​read in step S303. If the setting is ON, the process proceeds to step S305; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S306.

[0032] In step S305, the control unit 208 performs a cyclic processing. Details of the cyclic processing will be described later with reference to Figure 5. In step S306, the imaging determination unit 2084 adds 1 to the patrol number i in order to proceed to the next patrol destination.

[0033] In step S307, the imaging determination unit 2084 determines whether or not a second wireless transmitter 104 corresponding to patrol number i exists. If, as a result of this determination, a second wireless transmitter 104 corresponding to patrol number i exists, the process proceeds to step S303; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S302.

[0034] Next, the detailed processing of step S305, performed by the control unit 208, will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed processing procedure of step S305 performed by the control unit 208.

[0035] In step S501, the location identification unit 2082 acquires location information for the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i. Here, the location information acquired is the relative position information between the second wireless transmitter 104 and the wireless receiver 105, and as an example, the location information includes information indicating the azimuth angle, information indicating the elevation angle, and information indicating the distance. In this embodiment, the second wireless transmitter 104 is pre-placed in the location where patrol is to be performed, and location information is acquired for each second wireless transmitter 104 at regular time intervals. Note that since the position of the second wireless transmitter 104 is basically fixed, the location information for all second wireless transmitters 104 may be acquired in advance.

[0036] In step S502, the position identification unit 2082 acquires the position information of the first wireless transmitter 103 held by the subject. Here, the position information acquired is the relative position information between the first wireless transmitter 103 and the wireless receiver 105. For example, the position information includes information indicating the azimuth angle, information indicating the elevation angle, and information indicating the distance. In this embodiment, each subject is held by a first wireless transmitter 103, and position information is acquired for each first wireless transmitter 103 at regular time intervals.

[0037] In step S503, the imaging determination unit 2084 determines whether the patrol integration is set to ON for the second wireless transmitter with patrol number i, based on the setting value read in step S303. If the patrol integration is set to ON, the process proceeds to step S504; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S506.

[0038] In step S504, the location identification unit 2082 acquires the location information of the second wireless transmitter 104 with patrol number i+1. The content of the acquired location information is the same as the content of the location information acquired in step S501. If there is no second wireless transmitter 104 corresponding to patrol number i+1, the location information of the second wireless transmitter 104 with patrol number i=1 is acquired. Hereafter, if there is no second wireless transmitter 104 corresponding to patrol number i+1, patrol number i+1 will refer to patrol number i=1.

[0039] In step S505, the shooting determination unit 2084 calculates the positional relationship between the second wireless transmitter 104 with patrol number i and the second wireless transmitter 104 with patrol number i+1 from the positional information acquired in steps S501 and S504. The shooting determination unit 2084 then determines whether the distance between the second wireless transmitter 104 with patrol number i and the second wireless transmitter 104 with patrol number i+1 is less than or equal to a threshold. Here, the threshold is determined by the patrol field of view set from the GUI in Figure 4. The shooting determination unit 2084 determines the threshold from the patrol field of view setting value among the setting values ​​read in step S303, and determines whether the distance between the two second wireless transmitters 104 is less than or equal to the threshold determined from the patrol field of view.

[0040] For example, as shown in the example in Figure 6(a), if the distance between the two second wireless transmitters 104 is short, it is possible to combine and capture images during the patrol. Therefore, if the result of the determination in step S505 is that the distance between the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i and the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+1 is below the threshold, the process proceeds to step S507. On the other hand, as shown in the example in Figure 6(b), if the distance between the two second wireless transmitters 104 is long, it is impossible to combine and capture images during the patrol. Therefore, if the result of the determination in step S505 is that the distance between the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i and the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+1 exceeds the threshold, the process proceeds to step S506.

[0041] In step S506, the imaging determination unit 2084 determines whether there are more first wireless transmitters 103 than the number of authorized patrol persons set in step S301 around the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i. Here, the range around the second wireless transmitter 104 depends on the patrol field of view setting set for the corresponding second wireless transmitter 104, and the range of the imaging field of view at the set patrol field of view is defined as the range of the surrounding area. In step S506, it is determined whether the number of first wireless transmitters 103 included within the imaging field of view when the imaging field of view is moved to the patrol destination is more than the number of authorized patrol persons. If, as a result of this determination, there are more first wireless transmitters 103 than the number of authorized patrol persons, the process proceeds to step S510. On the other hand, if there are no first wireless transmitters 103, or if there are fewer than the number of authorized patrol persons, the process in step S305 is terminated.

[0042] In step S507, the imaging determination unit 2084 determines whether, when patrolling is integrated, there are more first wireless transmitters 103 than the number of authorized patrol persons around the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i. In this case, the surrounding area is wider than the set patrol field of view and includes the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+1. For example, if the number of authorized patrol persons set for the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i is 3, the unit determines whether there are 3 or more first wireless transmitters 103 around the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+1 as a result of patrolling and integrating them. If, as a result of this determination, there are more first wireless transmitters 103 than the number of authorized patrol persons, the unit proceeds to step S508; otherwise, the process in step S305 is terminated.

[0043] In step S508, the imaging determination unit 2084 adds 1 to the patrol number i. As mentioned above, if there is no second wireless transmitter 104 corresponding to patrol number i+1, the patrol number i is set to 1.

[0044] In step S509, the shooting determination unit 2084 calculates the field of view after patrol integration. For example, as shown in Figure 7(a), first, the shooting determination unit 2084 calculates the center coordinates 701 between the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i and the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+1. Next, the shooting determination unit 2084 reads the setting value for the patrol method of patrol number i+1, which was set in step S301, from the storage unit 207. Then, it obtains the patrol field of view information of the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+1 from the read setting value. From the calculated center coordinates 701 and the patrol field of view 702 and 703 of the second wireless transmitters 104 of patrol numbers i and i+1, it calculates a field of view 704 such that the two wireless transmitters are within a single field of view, as shown in Figure 7(b).

[0045] In step S510, the PTZ control unit 2085 performs PTZ driving for the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i using the patrol field of view set. Furthermore, when patrol integration is performed, the PTZ control unit 2085 performs PTZ driving so that the two wireless transmitters are within a single field of view using the field of view calculated in step S509.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is determined whether a predetermined number of wireless transmitters possessed by the subject are present around a specific installed wireless transmitter. If they are present, the system patrols the area; otherwise, the patrol is skipped. This allows for efficient patrolling and shooting within the area where the subject is located.

[0047] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the patrol destinations are consolidated to include two second wireless transmitters 104, but it is also possible to consolidate them to include three or more second wireless transmitters 104. In this case, if the answer in step S507 is No, the location identification unit 2082 further acquires the location information of the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+2. The shooting determination unit 2084 then determines whether the location of the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i+2 is nearby and whether there are more first wireless transmitters 103 than the number of authorized patrol personnel around the second wireless transmitter 104 of patrol number i. If there are more first wireless transmitters 103 than the number of authorized patrol personnel, the patrol destinations are consolidated and the field of view is calculated using the same procedure.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the determination of whether or not to perform patrol integration was made based solely on the patrol integration setting of the second wireless transmitter for patrol number i. However, the patrol integration setting of the second wireless transmitter for patrol number i+1 may also be considered. In this case, in step S503, the imaging determination unit 2084 determines whether patrol integration is set to ON for both second wireless transmitters for patrol numbers i and i+1. Then, the system proceeds to step S504 only if patrol integration is set to ON for both.

[0049] (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 (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0050] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0051] (Composition 1) A control means that controls the imaging means to cycle through and photograph each of the set ranges, A means for acquiring location information of a first wireless device held by the subject, A determination means that determines whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the location information of the first wireless device acquired by the acquisition means, It has, The image capture control device is characterized in that, when the determination means determines that no image should be taken, it controls the imaging means to skip the range for which no image should be taken and take the image.

[0052] (Configuration 2) The acquisition means acquires multiple location information of multiple first wireless devices possessed by multiple subjects, The imaging control device according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the determination means determines whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the plurality of location information. (Composition 3) A second wireless device is installed in each of the aforementioned multiple areas. The imaging control device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the determination means determines whether to take a picture based on the distance between the position of the first wireless device and the position of the second wireless device. (Composition 4) The imaging control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the determination means determines not to take images in the range if the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is less than a predetermined number, and the predetermined number can be set to two or more. (Composition 5) The imaging control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that it will not take photographs after patrolling the set range, it determines whether to take photographs in the range to be patrolled after the range in which it was determined that photography will not be taken.

[0053] (Composition 6) The imaging control device according to configuration 3, further comprising setting means for setting a patrol method for each of the second wireless devices installed in the plurality of ranges. (Composition 7) The setting means sets permission for patrolling as the patrolling method, The imaging control device according to configuration 6, characterized in that the determination means determines to patrol and take photographs in the range when the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and permission to patrol is set for the second wireless devices installed in the range by the setting means. (Composition 8) The setting means sets permission for patrolling as the patrolling method, The imaging control device according to configuration 6 or 7, characterized in that the determination means determines not to patrol and take photographs in the range if the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is less than a predetermined number, or if permission to patrol has not been set for the second wireless devices installed in the range by the setting means.

[0054] (Composition 9) The setting means sets permission to integrate the range to be patrolled as the patrol method, The determination means determines whether to merge the range and the next range to be patrolled if the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is less than a predetermined number and permission to merge the patrolling ranges has been set for the second wireless devices installed in the range by the setting means. The imaging control device according to any one of configurations 6 to 8, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the set range and the range to be patrolled next to that range should be integrated, the control means controls the imaging means to take pictures with a field of view that includes the set range and the range to be patrolled next to that range. (Composition 10) The imaging control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires location information of the first wireless device by detecting the direction of radio waves from the first wireless device.

[0055] (method) A control process that controls the imaging means to cycle through and capture images in each of the set ranges, The acquisition process involves obtaining location information of a first wireless device held by the subject, A determination step is made to determine whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the location information of the first wireless device acquired in the acquisition step, It has, The imaging control method is characterized in that, in the control step, if it is determined in the determination step that imaging should not be performed, the imaging means is controlled to skip the range for which imaging was determined not to be performed and to perform imaging.

[0056] (program) A control process that controls the imaging means to cycle through and capture images in each of the set ranges, The acquisition process involves obtaining location information of a first wireless device held by the subject, A determination step is made to determine whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the location information of the first wireless device acquired in the acquisition step, Have the computer run it, The control step is characterized by controlling the imaging means to skip the range for which it was determined not to take a photograph in the determination step and take a photograph. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 201: Imaging unit, 208: Control unit, 2082: Position identification unit, 2084: Image capture determination unit, 2085: PTZ control unit

Claims

1. A control means that controls the imaging means to cycle through and photograph each of the set ranges, A means for acquiring location information of a first wireless device possessed by the subject, A determination means that determines whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the location information of the first wireless device acquired by the acquisition means, It has, The image capture control device is characterized in that, when the determination means determines that no image should be taken, it controls the imaging means to skip the range for which no image should be taken and take the image.

2. The acquisition means acquires multiple location information of multiple first wireless devices possessed by multiple subjects, The imaging control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination means determines whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the plurality of location information.

3. A second wireless device is installed in each of the aforementioned multiple areas. The imaging control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination means determines whether to take a photograph based on the distance between the position of the first wireless device and the position of the second wireless device.

4. The imaging control device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines not to take images in the range if the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is less than a predetermined number, and the predetermined number can be set to two or more.

5. The imaging control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the determination means determines that it will not take photographs after patrolling the set range, it determines whether to take photographs in the next range to be patrolled after the range in which it was determined that photography will not be taken.

6. The imaging control device according to claim 3, further comprising setting means for setting a patrol method for each of the second wireless devices installed in the plurality of ranges.

7. The setting means sets permission for patrolling as the patrolling method, The imaging control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the determination means determines to patrol and take photographs in the range if the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and permission to patrol is set for the second wireless devices installed in the range by the setting means.

8. The setting means sets permission for patrolling as the patrolling method, The imaging control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the determination means determines not to patrol and take photographs in the range if the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is less than a predetermined number, or if permission to patrol has not been set for the second wireless devices installed in the range by the setting means.

9. The setting means sets permission to integrate the range to be patrolled as the patrol method, The determination means determines whether to merge the range and the next range to be patrolled if the number of first wireless devices included in the set range is less than a predetermined number and permission to merge the patrolling ranges has been set for the second wireless devices installed in the range by the setting means. The imaging control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the set range and the next range to be patrolled after that range should be integrated, the control means controls the imaging means to take a photograph with a field of view that includes the set range and the next range to be patrolled after that range.

10. The imaging control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires location information of the first wireless device by detecting the direction of arrival of radio waves from the first wireless device.

11. A control process that controls the imaging means to cycle through and capture images in each of the set ranges, An acquisition process to acquire location information of a first wireless device held by the subject, A determination step is performed to determine whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the location information of the first wireless device acquired in the acquisition step, It has, The imaging control method is characterized in that, in the control step, if it is determined in the determination step that imaging should not be performed, the imaging means is controlled to skip the range for which imaging was determined not to be performed and to perform imaging.

12. A control process that controls the imaging means to cycle through and capture images in each of the set ranges, An acquisition process to acquire location information of a first wireless device held by the subject, A determination step is performed to determine whether to patrol and take photographs within the set range based on the location information of the first wireless device acquired in the acquisition step, Have the computer run it, The control step is characterized by controlling the imaging means to skip the range for which it was determined not to take a photograph in the determination step and take a photograph.

Images